Chapter 11: The Art of Disdain
"What's going on?"
Feifei Zhao looked completely baffled, while Hao Wu leaned in to whisper, "Didn't our boss give those jerks from the Qihang Class a good beating this morning? Rumor has it, they're supposed to issue a public apology and face disciplinary action tomorrow. Now, their parents have shown up to back them up, and they're targeting our boss."
Feifei Zhao slammed her fist on the table. "Those spineless cowards!"
"Exactly!" Hao Wu echoed, pounding the table too. "Let's go show our support for the boss!"
Meanwhile, inside the grade office.
Ru Zhou exuded an air of elegance, her makeup perfect. When she heard at noon that Chuxing Ji had caused a commotion at school and been expelled from the Qihang Class, she couldn't stay seated for a moment.
She just couldn't comprehend how this troublesome girl, after recovering from an illness, had become even more unruly than before. Not only had she turned the household upside down, but now she was causing trouble at school as well.
How dare she?
Did she think the Wen family was hers to exploit, able to cover up such a mess? If word got out, what would the other ladies say when they learned that Ru Zhou's daughter had been expelled from the Qihang Class?
Moreover, Han Sun was the son of Dr. Sun, and one should never offend a doctor.
Ru Zhou was livid, but she kept a polite smile as she addressed Madam Sun and the other parents. "Madam Sun, I must apologize for my failure in raising my daughter. She has been utterly uncontrollable. I will ensure she is properly disciplined and personally apologizes to Young Master Sun and the other students. Madam Sun, please don't hold this young girl's behavior against us, given our long-standing relationship and cooperation."
"As her mother, I guarantee that such an incident will never happen again. Today's events were all a misunderstanding. It is impossible for Young Master Sun to issue a public apology, let alone face something as absurd as suspension."
Only then did Madam Sun nod in satisfaction.
The Sun family served as the Wen family's personal physicians, and as the wife of Dr. Sun, she knew that doctors held significant sway in society. Money couldn't buy a life, and the Wen family still relied on her. A country bumpkin like Chuxing Ji wasn't worth punishing her son over.
Ru Zhou couldn't allow Chuxing Ji to jeopardize the relationship between the Wen family and Dr. Sun. In all of South City, Dr. Sun's medical expertise was unparalleled, and it was only due to the old friendship between the Wen and Sun patriarchs that he continued to maintain ties with the Wen family.
"It's not a big deal," Madam Sun said. "I understand that this girl is from the countryside and doesn't know any better. It's not your fault, Lady Wen. Let's just forget about today. However, regarding the Qihang Class, the other mothers and I won't agree to her return. We can't risk her corrupting our children."
Ru Zhou was seething inside, wishing Chuxing Ji would appear and kneel down to apologize right there and then. But since it had come to this, she could only back down, sacrificing Chuxing Ji to maintain the family ties.
Although the Wen family was prominent in South City, they weren't at the top, and maintaining good relations with other families was essential. A falling out would be disastrous.
"Of course, Madam Sun. Rest assured, I will ensure she is thoroughly disciplined and personally apologizes to Young Master Sun."
Just as she finished speaking, a teenage girl's sharp voice rang out: "You're talking nonsense!"
Chuxing Ji had just arrived at the grade office and, hearing these words, scoffed and said something that nearly made Ru Zhou faint on the spot.
Even Teacher Huang was taken aback. This Miss Ji seemed like a delicate fairy, yet she cursed so directly.
But he was mostly angry.
He had already understood the whole situation from the morning, knowing that Sun and his friends were in the wrong. He had thought Ru Zhou was here to stand up for Chuxing Ji.
Instead, she was here to apologize.
What kind of nonsense was this?
An apology!
He had never seen anything like it in all his years.
Ru Zhou was nearly driven to faint by Chuxing Ji's "You're talking nonsense."
Her fingers trembled as she pointed at Chuxing Ji: "You… you… what did you say?"
How could such crude words come out of her mouth?
Madam Sun's expression shifted slightly as she glanced at the girl standing at the door and sneered, "So, she really is a wild girl from the countryside, with such vulgar language. Lady Wen, it seems she has no intention of admitting her mistake."
Chuxing Ji remained expressionless, not even sparing Madam Sun a glance.
Of course, there was no fear in her eyes either.
But the clear, icy gaze of the girl sent a chill down the spines of the previously dominant parents in the office.
At that moment, Director Yan, who had just finished a meeting, returned to the office.
On his way, he had learned that the parents of the involved students were in the office.
However, he didn't know that Ru Zhou was there to apologize on behalf of the offending student.
In fact, this matter could have been handled without involving the parents. As long as the student made a public apology and behaved well in the future, the school wouldn't expel a promising student from the Qihang Class.
Unless they refused to correct their mistakes and kept repeating them.
Teacher Huang had wanted to explain to Chuxing Ji, but seeing Director Yan, he decided to hold off.
When Director Yan entered, the atmosphere in the office eased a bit, but Madam Sun remained firm: "Director Yan, I didn't want to pursue this, but Chuxing Ji's attitude is simply unacceptable. I believe the school should impose a harsher punishment to set an example."
Director Yan was taken aback and looked at Madam Sun and Han Sun, who stood behind her. "Madam Sun, are you sure you understand the truth of the matter?"
Madam Sun was surprised.
Ru Zhou added, "Director Yan, Chuxing Ji is indeed in the wrong. Whatever punishment the school decides, I, as her mother, have no objections."
Director Yan looked at Madam Sun and the others, then at Ru Zhou, his expression serious. "I did handle the bullying of Miss Ji by Mr. Sun this morning. I initially thought the students could resolve it themselves, but it seems we need to involve the parents. Since that's the case, I might as well convey the principal's decision. This incident is very serious, and Mr. Sun's behavior constitutes severe school violence, which is strictly prohibited at South City No. 1 High School. Therefore, tomorrow morning, Mr. Sun and his group must make a public apology and leave the Qihang Class. They can only rejoin next month if they rank in the top 45 in the exams."
Madam Sun and Ru Zhou were both stunned.
"No, no," Madam Sun said, pointing at Chuxing Ji. "Director, we are the victims here."
Director Yan snorted. "Victims? Madam Sun, you may not be aware of what Mr. Sun did at school."
With that, he played the video from the morning.
As Madam Sun and Ru Zhou watched in shock, Director Yan continued, "Furthermore, I investigated and found that Mr. Sun frequently bullies classmates who perform worse than him, using verbal abuse. This cannot be tolerated and must be dealt with severely to set an example."
Just as Director Yan finished speaking, a sarcastic "Idiot!" echoed from outside the office.
Feifei Zhao, leading the 16th class, barged into the director's office without hesitation and launched into a tirade against Ru Zhou: "You're our God Ji's mom? What kind of mom are you? You come here to apologize without even understanding the situation. Are you addicted to groveling or being a bootlicker? What's wrong with you, lady?"
Ru Zhou was nearly driven to faint by Feifei Zhao's words. "You… you…"
"You, you, what?" Feifei Zhao pulled Chuxing Ji behind her and glared at Madam Sun. "And you, do you even know what your son is? Everyone in high society knows. How dare you talk about our God Ji? He's a damn coward!"
Feifei Zhao showed no mercy, and the two haughty ladies, accustomed to putting on airs, were left speechless.
Feifei Zhao grabbed Chuxing Ji. "God Ji, let's go!"
Hao Wu followed closely, mimicking Feifei Zhao's address. "Don't worry, our entire 16th class is your strongest support."
Chuxing Ji glanced back at Director Yan, ignoring Ru Zhou. "Director Yan, I'm leaving. Thank you."
The office fell deathly silent, with Madam Sun and the others, including Ru Zhou, fuming.
Teacher Huang chuckled awkwardly. "These kids, they're so unruly. I'll make sure to educate them properly!"
Teacher Huang, hands behind his back, walked away happily.
He had always known that the 16th class was full of good, united kids. Such despicable acts as those in the Qihang Class would never happen there. They were a bunch of loyal and righteous students, a testament to his teaching.
After leaving the director's office, Feifei Zhao comforted Chuxing Ji. "God Ji, they're all idiots. Don't worry, Director Yan is known as the King of Hell. He's the only one in South City No. 1 High School who doesn't bow to power. The necessary punishments will be carried out, no exceptions."
Chuxing Ji shook her head. "It's fine. By the way, can I borrow your phone for a moment?"
"Sure!" Feifei Zhao handed it over generously.
Chuxing Ji nodded, tapped on the phone for about twenty seconds, and then returned it. Feifei Zhao asked, "God Ji, what did you do?"
Chuxing Ji replied calmly, "Sent a message."
"Oh."