Chapter 31
750 Words
“Xu Mei, we’re deeply sorry and angry that this happened. The school bears some responsibility as well. On behalf of the school, I want to apologize. We’ll make an official clarification to clear your name. Our investigation found that Zhu Rui, upset over a conflict during break, got jealous after hearing you hadn’t returned to the dorm and were with another boy. She acted impulsively and posted that malicious thread. Of course, that was wrong. You’re the victim. We just want to know—how do you think we should handle this?”
The wording of his statement, and his gentle tone, told Xu Mei all she needed to know.
He was trying to downplay the situation.
Under normal circumstances, a scandal like this on the first day should’ve warranted strict punishment.
But Vice Dean Tong seemed eager to sweep it under the rug.
The whole school already knew, though.
Xu Mei glanced at Xu Lang. The latter still wore her usual weak and pitiful expression but didn’t seem particularly afraid.
Could it be that Xu Zhongya or Zhu Rui’s family paid someone off?
But this wasn’t a small college. Would a vice dean be that easily bought?
The Xu family probably didn’t have that much money.
Then… was it the Han family?
If the Han family had intervened, the school might feel obligated to oblige.
But why would they get involved in something like this?
Were they out of their minds, or was Xu Lang’s protagonist aura just that powerful?
“I don’t have any opinion,” Xu Mei said quietly, head lowered. “Just follow the student code.”
She was using retreat to advance.
If Vice Dean Tong insisted on protecting Zhu Rui, Xu Mei wouldn’t fight Xu Lang’s golden halo head-on. She could swallow this one loss. After all, just getting to speak with Shen Li today was already a win.
If the dean still had a conscience, maybe this would make him reconsider.
When she said that, Vice Dean Tong’s expression didn’t change, but the way he held himself relaxed slightly.
It was subtle, but Xu Mei had been watching him closely and caught it.
She was right.
Prepared for this outcome, she stayed calm.
“Well then—”
“Xu Mei,” Shen Li suddenly spoke.
Vice Dean Tong froze and shut his mouth at once.
Xu Mei was surprised too. Shen Li didn’t need to say anything else—just calling her name was enough to put immense pressure on Vice Dean Tong.
“Professor Shen?” she turned to him. “Yes?”
He handed her his cup. “Get me a glass of water, will you? I’m old. A little walking, and I’m already parched.”
Xu Mei knew that was nonsense.
He had his student and Secretary Du with him—he didn’t need her to pour water.
He was making a statement: he was backing her.
Xu Mei was deeply moved. They didn’t know each other at all, and someone of Shen Li’s stature had no reason to intervene.
Especially when Vice Dean Tong was still a university vice president, and their schools had good relations.
She poured the water and handed it to him.
“Please, Vice Dean Tong, go ahead,” Shen Li said cheerfully. “Don’t mind us.”
Tong quickly adjusted. “Right. Xu Mei, we understand how you feel. Rest assured, we’ll handle this according to school policy. We just wanted to hear from you personally and let you know—the school is committed to protecting every student.”
Xu Mei nodded. “I trust the school. Thank you.”
It was only then that Zhu Rui realized something wasn’t right. She opened her mouth, but Xu Lang quickly grabbed her hand and stopped her.
“Alright, you may all return to class,” Tong said briskly. “We’ll inform you once the matter is concluded.”
Xu Mei glanced at Shen Li. He gave her a kind smile.
She didn’t say anything more and left the room.
“Mei,” Xu Lang stopped her at the door. “Zhu Rui made a mistake and now she knows it. The school has already cleared your name, and you weren’t really harmed. Could you… put in a good word for her?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Xu,” Xu Mei said coldly, brushing past her without turning back. “I take my mother’s surname. And she only ever had one daughter.”
- Writer
