Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Five: Making a Deal with the Principal
Ma Zhen shook his head as he watched Zhang Qiu's retreating figure, sighing, "This guy really doesn't know how to take care of himself."
Lan Ningshan smiled, "He's still quite adorable."
"Adorable?" Ma Zhen looked at Lan Ningshan in disbelief. "You call this adorable?"
Lan Ningshan didn't answer but smiled and said, "Let's go, Captain Ma. Principal Wu is waiting for us."
…
Zhang Qiu ran back to the classroom, where the desks and chairs at the entrance had already been moved aside. The floor was cleared of scattered items and trash by the duty students, and the entire Senior High Building looked like it was undergoing a major cleanup in preparation for a visit from the leaders.
As soon as Zhang Qiu entered the classroom, it fell silent, followed by a burst of cheers. Students from neighboring classes rushed over, thinking that class had been suspended again.
"Ah!" Jiang Xue screamed as she rushed over and hugged Zhang Qiu, immediately biting down on his shoulder. Zhang Qiu chuckled and patted Jiang Xue's head. Jiang Xue pouted, "What are you grinning about? I'm biting you and you're still laughing. Does it hurt?"
Zhang Qiu replied with a smile, "Not at all! I thought you were kissing me."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Gao Zhi joked from the side. Once Jiang Xue released Zhang Qiu, Gao Zhi came in for a bear hug, saying, "Boss, you're back!"
Zhang Qiu jokingly pushed Gao Zhi away and said, "No random hugs! In my arms, there can only be your sister-in-law." With that, Zhang Qiu took Jiang Xue's hand, and the classroom erupted in cheers again. Jiang Xue's fair face turned red to her neck; even though everyone knew about her relationship with Zhang Qiu, being teased in public still made her feel shy.
After calming Jiang Xue down, Zhang Qiu called over his brothers and said, "You all need to split into teams and go to each class to find our Hall Society members. Comfort them; after such a big event, they must be feeling anxious."
A firm female voice rose from the crowd: "I want to go too."
Zhang Qiu looked at Jiang Xue, whose gaze was resolute, and said, "Alright, if the elder brother has matters to attend to, then Sister Zhang should step in."
Jiang Xue shot a glance at Zhang Qiu and retorted, "Can we change the title? Sister Zhang sounds too old."
Zhang Qiu laughed and replied, "Okay, then let's call you Fifth Lady. How does that sound?"
Jiang Xue lunged toward Zhang Qiu, who dodged around playfully. Eventually, Zhang Qiu embraced Jiang Xue and gently kissed her forehead, saying, "I'll leave this to you. I'm going to find Principal Wu. I'll pick you up after school tonight."
Jiang Xue nodded and reminded her, "Go ahead, be careful."
Zhang Qiu entered the office building and first went to the restroom to make a phone call before smiling as she walked into the Principal's Office. Principal Wu's expression was no longer as grim as before, but Director Zhao still wore a furious look, clearly still upset and not calming down anytime soon. The Security Chief who had been there earlier had already left; there were only seven people in the Principal's Office including Zhang Qiu.
Principal Wu sat in his chair and did not speak when he saw Zhang Qiu enter; he continued drinking water while glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Ma Zhen stood up from the sofa and said to Zhang Qiu, "The principal has already agreed not to hold the students who skipped class accountable, so you can rest assured about that. If there are other matters you want to discuss with the principal, now is the time. The students will resume classes, and we should head back to our station." After finishing, Ma Zhen turned to Wu Deyu and said goodbye: "Principal Wu, since everything is settled, we will take our leave."
Wu Deyu put down his cup and stood up to see them off at the door, warmly shaking Ma Zhen's hand: "Comrade Police, thank you for your hard work. You are truly good police officers for the people."
Ma Zhen saluted and replied succinctly, "It's what we should do." After releasing his hand, Ma Zhen strode out confidently with Li Wang quickly following behind. Lan Ningshan adjusted Zhang Qiu's collar with a gentle smile: "I'm leaving too. Take care."
Zhang Qiu nodded and watched them leave.
Wu Deyu observed curiously from the side how this female police officer took such good care of Zhang Qiu. Even if Zhang Qiu's uncle was Police Chief Wang Guodong, it seemed unnecessary for an officer from the precinct to help adjust her collar. Curiosity aside, once the police officers left, Wu Deyu immediately became serious, tightening his expression as he said in a low voice: "Zhang Qiu, come with me to discuss something in the Principal's Office."
Zhang Qiu had long anticipated that the principal would talk to him again. After such a significant incident, even if the principal didn't seek him out, Zhang Qiu would still want to speak with Wu Deyu.
"Sit down." In the Principal's Office, Wu Deyu closed the door and gestured for Zhang Qiu to take a seat.
Wu Deyu got straight to the point, narrowing his eyes slightly as he said, "Zhang Qiu, you've really stirred up quite a mess this time."
Zhang Qiu's expression changed. "Principal, you promised me you wouldn't pursue any action against the students who participated in the strike."
"I'm not here to discuss the students involved in the strike. I'm talking about you. Since I said I wouldn't pursue those students, I won't. The school has that much dignity."
"That's good to hear. As for me, I will certainly continue to accept the school's punishment. I'll go home soon and reflect on my actions." Zhang Qiu had never expected to stay at school after returning. Offending Lu Bin, the financial benefactor, meant that even if the school showed mercy, they would have to consider the gymnasium situation.
Wu Deyu nodded in satisfaction. "You're very smart."
Zhang Qiu chuckled lightly but did not respond; he didn't believe that the principal was only emphasizing his punishment. This strike had completely exposed the scale of Hall Society to the principal. Although most members were graduating in a month, Zhang Qiu believed that Wu Deyu would never tolerate such an organization continuing to exist. Sure enough, Wu Deyu continued, "Zhang Qiu, I hear you're still the president. Our school is not like a university; we can't establish student organizations. You should be aware of that, right?"
Zhang Qiu nodded. "I understand."
"Then why did you establish one?"
"This isn't a student organization; it's a social group."
Wu Deyu slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "You're still trying to argue!"
Zhang Qiu's expression was calm; he had already thought of a response before coming to the Principal's Office. Since the establishment of the Hall Society, they had faced many challenges and could not afford to stumble now.
Wu Deyu looked up at Zhang Qiu and said, "Hey, why aren't you talking?"
"Principal, the purpose of the Hall Society is to protect students from campus violence, and we have indeed been doing that."
"Protecting students from campus violence, huh!" Wu Deyu frowned, striking the table with one hand as he questioned, "Why do I feel like you are creating campus violence instead?"
"Zhang Qiu, you must believe that the school is for your own good. After all, you are a student of our school; the teachers and principal wouldn’t harm you. During the Ancient City Battle, how many students were injured because of you? This time when Lu Bin returned to his alma mater for an inspection, who was it that got into trouble... I won't even use that word. Does this seem like something a student would do?" Wu Deyu said with a pained expression, earnestly advising Zhang Qiu.
Zhang Qiu sneered and looked directly into Wu Deyu's eyes, saying, "Principal, let's not beat around the bush. You just decide how you want to resolve this." Zhang Qiu was tired of the roundabout conversation; they were all there for that final statement anyway, so he thought it best to get straight to the point and avoid future worries.
"Oh, you're quite eager. Then after May Day returns to school, I will immediately announce the dissolution of the Hall Society and publicly reflect on our mistakes during the flag-raising ceremony."
"That's impossible!" Zhang Qiu firmly rejected. He and his brothers had worked hard, pouring their blood and sweat into building this society; how could it just be dissolved?
Wu Deyu sneered and asked, "Do you think this is something you can decide?"
Zhang Qiu responded with a cold smile, saying, "Perhaps I can. Principal, if this matter gets out to society, imagine the uproar it would cause. I think we could title it 'The Senior Class Goes on Strike Because a Rich Kid Wants to Build a Gym.' What do you think, Principal?"
Wu Deyu's eyebrows twitched as his face darkened with clouds of anger. Just then, Zhang Qiu's phone rang. Without asking for permission from the principal, Zhang Qiu answered the call. After listening for a moment with a look of surprise on his face, he said into the phone, "Wait a moment; the principal is right here. I'll hand the phone to him."
Zhang Qiu handed his phone to Wu Deyu, who asked, "What is it?"
Zhang Qiu smiled lightly and said two words: "Reporter."
Wu Deyu grabbed the phone and said, "Hello?"
Zhang Qiu observed Wu Deyu's changing expressions, which became increasingly grim. Suddenly, he glared at Zhang Qiu and asked, "Did you arrange this?"
"Wronged! I don't have that much power. With the internet being so developed now, if we put up those banners in our teaching building, someone would have definitely taken photos and posted them online," Zhang Qiu replied innocently, which made Wu Deyu grit his teeth in anger.
"Let's talk," Wu Deyu said.
"Okay," Zhang Qiu replied, ending the call after a few words.
Since the class was dismissed, Zhang Qiu had been contemplating the issue of the Hall Society. After such a commotion, the school would not just sit back and do nothing. Finding a way to preserve it was quite a tricky problem. After thinking for a while without any results, it was Wu Deyu's call to the police that inspired Zhang Qiu, reminding him of when his father was injured and he posted about it online, only to be taken away by Ma Zhen from school. Why not use the same trick again? Before entering the Principal's Office, Zhang Qiu went to the restroom to call Liu Fangfei for help. Liu Fangfei readily agreed, and they discussed the steps and timing, setting up a trap for Wu Deyu. Now, Wu Deyu had indeed fallen into their scheme.
"Well, what do you want to do?" Wu Deyu stared hard at Zhang Qiu, wishing he could expel this student immediately; however, reason repeatedly reminded him not to act rashly.
Zhang Qiu smiled, leisurely stretching out and comfortably leaning back on the sofa. He slowly said, "Principal, let's make a deal that both parties will be satisfied with."
Comment 0 Comment Count