Afternoon.
Hua Mei Neighborhood. Yu Meixia’s apartment.
Dong Xuebing talks to Yan Tai County’s Deputy Mayor Cheng Keliang over the phone in the guestroom.
“The school’s management had discussed, and Huang Tingting and the other students involved will be expelled.”
“Thank you for your help, Mayor Cheng.”
“This is a small matter, and Huang Tingting’s action is too much.”
“That’s right. I think our schools’ punishment system has a serious flaw.”
“Yes. The rules and regulations are there, but the schools give students a chance to repent. Sometimes, the students are let off because of external influences. This is indeed an issue. I will bring it up during the next Mayor’s meeting to change this. This incident will be a warning to all schools.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “You are so thoughtful. Oh, we did not have a meal together when working here. Are you free tonight?”
Cheng Keliang joked. “I will always be free if you are treating me to dinner.”
“Haha… Of course, I will be paying for our dinner. That’s settled then.”
“Sure. See you tonight.”
Cheng Keliang was that young Deputy Mayor who had gone after Xie Huilan. Because of this reason, Dong Xuebing and Cheng Keliang dislike each other and have quarreled before. But after Xie Huilan announced her relationship with Dong Xuebing, Cheng Keliang stopped expressing his feelings towards her. But he is still one of her supporters.
The person Dong Xuebing thought of during this incident is Cheng Keliang. He oversees the County’s education and is Huang Shizhong’s direct supervisor. That’s why Dong Xuebing called him, and he agreed without any hesitation. Dong Xuebing is not someone who will bear a grudge forever. If someone treated him respectfully, he would treat that person the same. That’s why he is willing to invite Cheng Keliang to dinner.
There are no friends or enemies forever.
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing received a call from the Public Security Bureau. “Hello, Chief Dong. I am Xiao Wang from the Public Security Bureau. Huang Shizhong had withdrawn his report against you.”
Dong Xuebing is surprised. “Huh? He is not reporting against me?!”
“That’s right. He is willing to settle this privately.”
“Ok. I know.”
Dong Xuebing knew Huang Shizhong had admitted defeat and kept his phone. He walked out to the living and saw Yu Meixia and Yu Qianqian hugging and crying. Both had been crying after Dong Xuebing told Yu Meixia what had happened.
“It’s my fault…. It’s my fault….”
“Sob…. Mum…. I am fine now…. Sob…. Please stop crying….”
“Yes…. I will not cry. Is it still painful?”
“It’s not painful now.”
Both mother and daughter are weak and can’t stop crying once they start.
Dong Xuebing walks over to console them. “She is alright now. I brought her to the hospital, and the doctor says she will be fine after one or two days.”
Yu Meixia wiped her tears and looked at Dong Xuebing. “What about the ones who hurt Qianqian?”
“I was about to tell you all.” Dong Xuebing sat beside them on the sofa. “Huang Tingting and two other students who had hit Qianqian will be expelled from the school. This is called what goes around comes around.”
Yu Qianqian was stunned. “Ex… expelled? Isn’t it probation?”
“It was, but they are too much. They bullied you and still tried to accuse you. How can I let them off so lightly?”
“But Tingting’s father….”
“He is just a nobody.” Dong Xuebing continues. “Huang Tingting wants to be arrogant, and she must take responsibility for her actions. Not only must she be expelled, but she also must apologize to you. If not, this will not end. I have my ways of dealing with Huang Shizhong. Qianqian, you must not cry or be weak when you are bullied. You must retaliate, and you don’t need to worry about how influential the other party is. I will protect you, and you don’t need to be scared of anyone. Do you understand?”
“Yes…”
“Of course, we must not bully others too.” Dong Xuebing laughed. Bully others? How can Qianqian bully others with her soft character?
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
Yu Meixia quickly went over to open the door. “Who are you all….”
Huang Shizhong and Huang Tingting are standing at the door. Huang Tingting’s eyes are red, and she seemed to have cried earlier. Huang Shizhong is also looking terrible. “I am Tingting’s father.”
Tingting?
Huang Tingting?
Yu Meixia immediately understand. Although she has a soft personality, she will protect her daughter at all costs.
Huang Shizhong had found the address through the school’s records. He saw Yu Meixia resembles Yu Qianqian and knew who she was. “Are you Qianqian’s mother?” He asked and saw Yu Qianqian and Dong Xuebing in the living room.
Yu Meixia stood in front of them. “Why are you all here?”
Huang Shizhong doesn’t know how to reply.
Dong Xuebing glanced at them and said. “Sister Yu, let them enter.”
“Ok.” Yu Meixia walked back to her daughter and held her hand. She is afraid Huang Shizhong and her daughter will hit Qianqian again.
Huang Shizhong and his daughter entered the apartment and kept quiet.
Dong Xuebing looks at him. “Chief Huang, what is it you want to say? Can you hurry up? I have an appointment later and need to leave soon.”
Huang Shizhong is here to settle this conflict. After hearing about Dong Xuebing’s background and knowing Xiang Daofa will not help him, he knows he has no other choice. He had ignored the Principal, the Police Station, and the Public Security Bureau’s attitudes towards Dong Xuebing because of his rage. He should have noticed it earlier, but it’s too late now.
Huang Shizhong is placed in a tight spot.
Dong Xuebing is the Mayor’s fiancé.
Dong Xuebing had saved Deputy Party Secretary Cao Xupeng’s life.
Dong Xuebing had saved the County’s Commission for Discipline Inspection’s Secretary Duan Zhengan’s son’s life.
None of them is enough to put Huang Shizhong in place, yet he thought he could use his authority to force Dong Xuebing to bow. He realized Dong Xuebing is someone he can never offend. If he insists on fighting Dong Xuebing, it will be the end of his career as it will be offending multiple County Leaders. He would be cast aside with a slight mistake. Even if he did not make any mistake, he would be never be promoted.
Huang Shizhong has no choice but to bow.
Huang Shizhong paused for a while and said. “My daughter is at fault this morning, and we are sorry for what happened. I am apologizing to you all.” He turns to Yu Qianqian. “Qianqian, are you still in pain? Tingting is younger than you and has been spoilt since young. Please forgive her.”
Yu Qianqian lowered her head and did not reply.
Huang Shizhong placed a few bags on the coffee table. “Here. These are some gifts for you as our apology.” He was talking to Yu Qianqian but was observing Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing did not say anything and continued to smoke.
Huang Shizhong clenched his teeth and pulled his daughter.
Huang Tingting was told what happened before they came, and she knew they had met someone more powerful than her father. Her eyes turned red, and look at Yu Qianqian. “Sister Qianqian. I’m sorry. I am at fault.”
Yu Qianqian is a replica of her mother and is softhearted. She quickly waves her hand after seeing Tingting’s pitiful look. “It’s alright.”
Huang Shizhong didn’t think this incident would end like this. He continues to apologize to Yu Qianqian and Yu Meixia. But all these words are for Dong Xuebing. He is not asking Dong Xuebing to revoke Huang Tingting’s punishment. He pleads with Dong Xuebing to end this incident now and not go after him.
Huang Tingting had turned into a different person and addressed Yu Qianqian as “Elder Sister.” She even poured tea for Yu Meixia, Dong Xuebing, and Yu Qianqian to apologize.
Dong Xuebing had asked for Huang Tingting to be placed under probation by the school as her punishment, but it was escalated to expulsion. Now, Huang Tingting and her father had apologized, and it’s not right for him to scold them now. He is feeling frustrated in his heart. Why did Huang Shizhong give in so easily? He still wants to fight it out with him. Admitting defeat so fast had made it boring.
