Chapter 248 - 101: Top Sister of the 60s Art Troupe (40)
Chapter 248: Chapter 101: Top Sister of the 60s Art Troupe (40)
This was where the girls’ "complex backgrounds" came in handy. Peng Shulan thumped her chest and guaranteed she could get an official doctor’s diagnosis and have Wang Huiwen’s wound properly bandaged.
After taking care of these matters, Xia Zhaoyun finally rode her bike away.
She had just gotten a short distance from the Song and Dance Troupe when someone stopped her.
Master Yuan stood against the light, her entire figure shrouded in shadow as she fought to suppress her rage. "Xia Zhaoyun, let’s not beat around the bush. What will it take for you to keep this under wraps and wait until after the performance showcase to call the police?"
"Our entire troupe has poured too much blood, sweat, and tears into this showcase. I can’t just stand by and watch it all go down the drain."
Xia Zhaoyun lazily propped one foot on the ground. Being tall with long legs had its perks; she could handle a bicycle with ease.
"Director Yuan, I can’t help but feel you’re acting a bit strange. It wasn’t you, was it?"
Master Yuan gritted her teeth in anger. "Xia Zhaoyun, stop acting like a mad dog, biting at everyone you see. How could I possibly do something like that? I’m happy for whoever wins a good ranking in the competition. Why would I shoot myself in the foot?"
Xia Zhaoyun nodded with a straight face. "You’re right. I can’t imagine what kind of immoral, black-hearted, ill-bred, petty little..."
With every word she spoke, Master Yuan couldn’t help but apply the description to her own daughter. Her face turned ashen. She couldn’t stop herself from roaring, "Enough! Xia Zhaoyun, you’re a high school student and a pillar of the Song and Dance Troupe, can’t you be more refined? Why are you cursing like some village shrew?"
Xia Zhaoyun sneered. "Refinement is reserved for those who deserve it. Director Yuan, the more I look at this, the more I feel you’re involved."
"If that’s really the case, you’d better speak up now. The girls have already taken Huiwen to the hospital to get a medical certificate. As soon as the sun rises, they’ll be calling the comrades from the bureau to investigate."
"Honestly, I’d also prefer to handle this privately. But the problem is, the culprit is hiding in the shadows, hoping to get away with it and refusing to step up and take responsibility. In that case, we have no choice but to go through legal channels."
"I believe Heaven is always watching. It’s impossible to commit a crime so perfectly that no mistakes are made. By then, the nature of this incident will be completely different. And you... you could very well be charged with aiding and abetting, you know."
’She didn’t actually know how it would be different, but it was a damn good bluff.’
Master Yuan’s face went pale. Just moments ago, she had been thinking that Jie Xiaoqin was the impatient one, resorting to such a clumsy scheme because she couldn’t wait even a single day to get what she wanted.
But wasn’t she doing the same thing? Seeing the situation spiral out of her control, she couldn’t resist coming here to corner the girl.
"Little Xia, I really didn’t do it. From the moment the performance selection ended the day before yesterday until now, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a moment’s rest. How could I possibly have had the time? And what would be my motive?"
Master Yuan patiently explained through gritted teeth, "Just because I can’t stand the sight of you? Do you think I would risk my job, my reputation, and my freedom just to go after Comrade Wang Huiwen instead of you?"
Xia Zhaoyun shrugged. "It was just a guess. Why so eager to explain? Tsk tsk, so you admit you can’t stand me. I bet you abuse your power for personal revenge quite often, don’t you?"
Master Yuan was furious. "Does it have to be like this?"
"Of course. I’ve said I won’t tolerate wickedness—it’s a matter of principle," Xia Zhaoyun said lazily. "Director Yuan, if you’re done, please move. I have to hurry home; I need to be up early tomorrow. When the comrades from the bureau arrive, I need to cooperate with the investigation."
"And I will be sure to tell them everything I know, holding nothing back!"
Master Yuan clenched her fists and stepped aside.
Xia Zhaoyun let out a sarcastic laugh. "So, Director Yuan won’t act until she’s cornered. Fine. Just you wait."
Master Yuan felt a wave of dizziness. ’How does Xia Zhaoyun act like she knows everything, as if she was just waiting for me to walk right into her trap?’
Still, she clung to a sliver of hope. ’Group Three’s girls and Xia Zhaoyun also care deeply about this showcase. They’ll have to train overtime, and any distraction will surely affect their future performance.’
’In that case, the girls from Group One might still have a shot at placing in the top three.’
’Besides, it’s just a nail in the foot—not that big of a deal. Even if they pursue it relentlessly and find out Jie Xiaoqin did it, what can they really do?’
’As long as Jie Xiaoqin didn’t know about the risk of tetanus, it couldn’t be classified as attempted murder.’
’Her anxiety was clouding her judgment. This was just a squabble between kids, something that might not even warrant a formal demerit. Why did she have to jump out in such a panic?’
Seeing that Master Yuan was still trying to hold her ground, Xia Zhaoyun just smiled, got on her bike, and headed home. She hoped that by tomorrow, the woman still wouldn’t have compromised.