NOVEL NEXT Chapter 356: Already Solved
Xu Xiuxiu's attire, to anyone who paid even a little attention, was evidently not ordinary. As the director of academic affairs, Xia Tao had encountered various types of students and their parents. If the woman before her really was Song Yuanming's sister-in-law, it would not be surprising that she gave Song Yuanming an expensive fountain pen.
The problem was that before handling this matter, she had checked Song Yuanming's information and learned that he was just a regular rural student with a very average family background. That's why she did not give it much thought before deciding that Song Yuanming was the thief, which was not devoid of unfairness. Now, as she carefully reconsidered the sequence of events and Song Yuanming's usual behavior at school, always eager to help and excellent in both character and learning, he really did not seem like someone with unclean hands. With this in mind, Xia Tao instinctively felt that the situation had become somewhat difficult to handle. If any mistakes were made with this matter, it could mean that she would have to be replaced as the director of academic affairs. Taking deep breaths, Xia Tao calmed her emotions.
"The matter has already been resolved. Student Liao Shixing has evidence of purchasing the pen. You don't seem like a foolish person, and since Liao Shixing's family is not pursuing the matter any further, in my opinion, perhaps we should let it go! Liao Shixing's family is not ordinary; hitting them head-on would only result in a disadvantage," Xia Tao said, though she was unsure at first. But after all, the matter had been dealt with, and she did not wish to create more trouble. Her words were polite but also contained a reminder to Xu Xiuxiu.
Since Xu Xiuxiu was there, she would not go into battle unprepared and certainly would not give up due to a few words from Xia Tao. If this were merely an issue of money, she might have been able to endure it, but this also concerned the integrity of Song Yuanming's reputation. The crime of theft was quite common in later generations, but in the 70s and 80s, it was considered a sign of moral degradation. Although not particularly severe, it could certainly cast a long shadow over Song Yuanming's heart.
"That's perfect because I can also provide evidence of purchasing a fountain pen," Xu Xiuxiu raised her eyebrows, unwilling to compromise, "Director Xia, please summon student Liao Shixing and his parents." Xu Xiuxiu spoke with conviction and an imposing manner, and her sarcastic gaze made Xia Tao feel uneasy in an instant.
After a moment of stunned silence, Xia Tao seemed to realize that Xu Xiuxiu was not going to be easily dismissed. Seeing that Xu Xiuxiu had no intention of engaging her in further conversation, she reluctantly turned and used the office phone to call Liao Shixing and his parents.
Compared to her previous attitude towards Song Yuanming, Xia Tao's approach to Liao Shixing could be described as flattering. Through their brief conversation, Xu Xiuxiu could tell that Liao Shixing and his parents did not intend to come back to the school again, but Xu Xiuxiu wouldn't allow them to get away with it so easily. Not coming? Fine!
"If Liao Shixing and his parents truly cannot make the time to deal with this, then I will have no choice but to report this to the police. I believe the fair and incorruptible police will be able to summon them on my behalf," Xu Xiuxiu said, watching Xia Tao on the phone the entire time. Seeing her troubled expression, Xu Xiuxiu guessed that the person on the other end was unwilling to come and she delivered a knockout blow.
She could not bear to see Song Yuanming leave in disgrace, branded a thief. She had made a point of bringing evidence of the fountain pen purchase with her, so she could assertively speak about calling the police. Xia Tao, holding the phone, paled at these words, conveyed Xu Xiuxiu's message to the person on the other end, and then hung up soon after.
"Liao Shixing and his parents will be here shortly. Please find a seat and make yourself comfortable in the meantime," Xia Tao said after hanging up the phone, her tone still somewhat polite.
Xu Xiuxiu nodded in satisfaction but then fixed her gaze on Xia Tao before speaking again, "Director Xia, may I use the phone to make a call?" She finished speaking and glanced toward the desk phone.
"Fine, fine!" Xia Tao replied, still somewhat dazed.
But as she saw the phone number Xu Xiuxiu dialed, she froze, "Why are you calling the police? Didn't we agree to wait for Liao Shixing and his parents to handle this? They've agreed to come..." Xia Tao tried urgently to stop Xu Xiuxiu.
"I feel that no matter what, it's still best to have a police officer take a trip here, Director Xia, you agree, right?" Xu Xiuxiu spoke unhurriedly, then disregarded Xia Tao's reaction, went ahead and called the police, and only after that gestured for Song Yuanming to sit down on the chairs over there, appearing relaxed from beginning to end.
Liao Shixing and his parents did indeed arrive quickly; in less than half an hour, the mother and son appeared in the director of academic affairs' office with two bodyguards in tow.
"Director Xia, what exactly is going on with this resolution? Wasn't it said that this thief had been dealt with and expelled by the school? Why are we being asked to come again today? I'm very busy, and I have plans to go out with several classmates in a bit!" The speaker was a boy about Song Yuanming's age, tall and thin, with a somewhat frivolous appearance, sporting somewhat long hair, and dressed in what he thought was a fashionable denim jacket and bell-bottoms despite the cold weather; he sauntered in, speaking to Director Xia with a rather disrespectful tone.
Standing in stark contrast to the well-behaved and sensible Song Yuanming, the typical image of a spoiled young master of the affluent classes and Yuanming's modest demeanor diverged immensely. Even judging solely by their respective approaches, Xia Tao shouldn't have doubted Song Yuanming's innocence; it seems that one's background indeed holds great importance.
"Hmph, my precious son is right; this child is crooked at heart, and his actions are unclean. To keep such a person in the school would be to lead astray others. Isn't that true?" The woman who followed Liao Shixing into the room must be his mother, dressed in a teal wool coat, somewhat plump in figure, her neck and hands adorned with expensive gold and silver jewelry, the epitome of the image of a vulgar nouveau riche of the 80s. As she spoke, she looked towards Song Yuanming, her brows furrowed, her tone firm, "Director Xia, if it weren't for your pleading on the grounds that this child is young and didn't understand the severity, I would have called the police a long time ago given the nature of this incident. If you can't resolve this issue properly today after calling my darling here, then I'll have no choice but to call the police," she stated, with an implicit threat, as if attempting to intimidate Song Yuanming with the prospect of police involvement.
"Then let's deal with it by calling the police, shall we?" Xu Xiuxiu didn't often deal with confrontations by slapping faces, but that didn't mean she couldn't.
Originally, if Liao Shixing was simply embroiled in the trivial issues of youth, she might have handled it privately, but now, seeing Liao Shixing and his mother, Xu Xiuxiu suddenly found that when communicating with such people, there was no need for courtesy—you should just slap their faces without hesitation.
As someone who had crossed over from another existence, Xu Xiuxiu felt that she should occasionally slap some figurative faces too; otherwise, it would be too suffocating and lacking in a sense of achievement.
"Who are you?" Women naturally have an aversion to others who are prettier than them, termed the rivalry of the same sex. Liao Shixing's mother Pei Yu was undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures in this category, especially since their family was well-off. After her husband started seeking out younger women, Pei Yu looked at beautiful women with the same disdain one would reserve for a vixen.