Chapter 27 - 26: Bumping Into Pei Xuan Head-On, the Doting Father
Chapter 27: Chapter 26: Bumping Into Pei Xuan Head-On, the Doting Father
Pei Xuan’s gaze abruptly sharpened.
The temperature in the office plummeted along with it.
Principal Ning felt a bit dry in the mouth; he picked up his thermos and took a sip of water.
A few seconds later, Pei Xuan reverted to his lazy demeanor. "There’s no future in studying the history of that period, is there?" he asked, his tone casual yet probing.
"Indeed," Principal Ning sighed with a hint of regret. "He was a prominent figure back in his school days. If he had chosen a different industry, he would have achieved something great long ago."
Pei Xuan said nothing, but the atmospheric pressure around him seemed to drop even lower.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Principal, Meng Shuyan has arrived."
"Since Elder Ning still has student affairs to handle, I’ll take my leave now," Pei Xuan said, standing up. "Once my grandfather is discharged from the hospital, we must definitely share a drink and have a good chat."
Principal Ning frowned. "Tell your grandfather to drink less. Look at his age—he shouldn’t be tormenting his body like this."
"It’s my grandfather’s only hobby. Besides, he doesn’t listen to anyone." Pei Xuan shrugged.
"Your grandfather is just a stubborn old mule." Principal Ning waved his hand helplessly. "I’ll go see him when I’m done here."
"I’ll be sure to pass on your message." Pei Xuan smiled, then turned and pushed the door open.
The moment the door opened, Meng Shuyan—who was standing outside with his head bowed—felt as if something terrifying was looming over him. His breathing immediately hitched.
The man’s tall physique made Meng Shuyan look like a frail little chick. His aura wasn’t overtly displayed, yet it was incredibly oppressive.
It wasn’t until the footsteps faded away that Meng Shuyan mustered the strength to turn his head, but he only managed to catch a glimpse of the man’s side profile. He stood there in a daze. "Who was that just now...?"
The principal’s assistant didn’t answer. Instead, she said coldly, "Meng Shuyan, go in."
Meng Shuyan pursed his lips and braced himself as he entered the principal’s office.
Principal Ning was looking over some documents. Since he didn’t speak, Meng Shuyan could only stand there obediently.
A full ten minutes passed before Principal Ning finally looked up. He stared calmly at Meng Shuyan. "I don’t care how you people in the Xu Family infight. This is Jianghuai High School. Who taught you to maliciously spread rumors about other students at school?"
"Principal!" Meng Shuyan panicked. "I didn’t slander her! It must have been her! She definitely used some trick to avoid the cameras."
Principal Ning laughed in anger. "Today is only her second day at Jianghuai High School. You’ve been at this school for over two years—can you avoid that many cameras?"
"I..." Meng Shuyan choked on his words. "But Principal, it couldn’t be anyone other than her. I admit I was the one who tore her dad’s book first, but she shouldn’t have—"
"You will receive a demerit and write a self-reflection letter. Tomorrow, after morning exercises, you will publicly apologize to Shi Changying in front of the entire school." Principal Ning didn’t listen to his explanation at all. "Now, get out," he said flatly.
Meng Shuyan opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.
The elderly man before him had kind eyes and a benevolent face, always wearing an amiable smile. However, if one truly believed he was a pushover, they would be gravely mistaken.
"Yes, Principal." Meng Shuyan pursed his lips and retreated.
The resentment in his eyes did not diminish; he pinned all the blame entirely on Shi Changying.
Watching the door close, Principal Ning pondered for a moment before dialing Ming Chengli’s cell phone number.
After a few rings, the call connected. Ming Chengli’s frantic voice immediately rang out, "What happened to my daughter? Did something happen? Wait for me, I’m coming over right now!"
"Your daughter is fine. The one who’s in trouble is—"
Before Principal Ning could finish his sentence, he was interrupted. "Phew, as long as Changying is fine! Old Ning, I’m too busy with work right now, so I have to go."
BEEP BEEP BEEP...
The call ended.
Principal Ning was left speechless, silently swallowing back the words, "The one who’s in trouble is someone else." He finally understood that in Ming Chengli’s heart, apart from Shi Changying and work, nothing else mattered in the slightest.
***
After school, Meng Shuyan went to the door of Class 1, Grade 12 to wait for Xu Shuyu to head home together, just as he usually did.
When Xu Shuyu walked out of the classroom, she didn’t even break her stride upon seeing him, walking right past and leaving him behind.
"Hey, Sis, don’t walk so fast! Wait for me!" Meng Shuyan chased after her. "Who upset you again? But then again, who would dare? We all treat you like a treasure."
Xu Shuyu stopped, her tone laced with severity. "Meng Shuyan, your actions today have already spread all over the school, and you’re still grinning like a fool?"
Meng Shuyan paused, realizing what she was talking about a moment later. His temper flared. "Sis, they don’t believe me, but do you not believe me either? Shi Changying definitely did it! No one else has a grudge against me. Why would anyone else touch my stuff?"
Xu Shuyu kept a cold face and said nothing.
"But why wasn’t she on the security cameras? Did she magically open her third eye and avoid all the surveillance?" Meng Shuyan was suffocating with frustration. "The principal actually wants me to write a self-reflection letter and publicly apologize to her. On what grounds? I only tore a book, but Shi Changying actually laid a hand on me! She—"
"Meng Shuyan, haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?" Xu Shuyu interrupted, having reached the end of her patience. "Our family hasn’t had much peace lately, and Dad told us to keep our heads down. Yet look at what you’ve done!"
Seeing her flare up, Meng Shuyan couldn’t help but shrink back a little. "I... Well, it’s not like the whole school saw it."
"True, the whole school didn’t physically watch you tear up someone else’s book, but that hasn’t stopped the news from spreading everywhere. Go check the school forum and see if your name isn’t plastered all over it!" Xu Shuyu said coldly. "Could you use your brain before doing things? You’re as dumb as a rock!"
The tense atmosphere between the two siblings persisted until they got into the car.
"Young Miss, Young Master, Miss Zhao Yu has been discharged from the hospital and is currently at the Xu Family’s estate," the Meng Family’s driver said. "Miss Zhao Yu said you’ll be dining there today, and Mr. Meng will head over after he finishes work."
Xu Shuyu gave a faint hum of acknowledgment. "Understood."
Thirty minutes later, the car arrived at the Xu Family’s estate.
Xu Zhao Yu was in the middle of amusing Old Sir Xu and Old Madam Xu. Seeing the sour expressions on Xu Shuyu and Meng Shuyan’s faces, she spoke up, "Shuyan, did you make your sister angry again? What did Mom tell you? As the older brother, you need to yield to your sister."
"Mom, how would I dare?" Meng Shuyan complained, feeling wronged. "My sister and I just had a bit of a misunderstanding. It... It’s all because of Shi Changying!"
As soon as that name was mentioned, the living room fell suddenly silent.
"Shuyan, what nonsense are you spouting?" Xu Zhao Yu frowned. "Mom, Dad, don’t listen to him. This boy is always unruly; he needs Shuyu to keep him in check."
Old Madam Xu, however, said, "Shuyan, what happened? Tell your grandfather and grandmother."
Meng Shuyan recounted the day’s events in full detail from beginning to end.
When they heard that Shi Changying had shoved his head into a toilet bowl, Old Sir Xu and Old Madam Xu’s expressions changed drastically.
"Shuyan!" Xu Zhao Yu scolded angrily. "Changying wouldn’t do such a thing. Did you provoke someone at school? Or is someone jealous of you? Your grandfather and grandmother are both here—you are not allowed to wrongfully accuse Changying, do you hear me?"