It was an unbelievable sight. Did the third young master actually bring Qin Shu soup to drink?
What on earth was going on?
Ye Xue was stupefied by the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Even Bo Ye was taken aback.
Turning his attention to the intruders, Jun Li asked, “If what you’ve said is true, then please show us proof of your claims. Otherwise, you’re merely slandering their good names. The law takes a harsh stance against those who slander others.”
“I will look into this matter, personally. I’m curious, however. If the investigation turns out the way I think it will, and Ye Xue’s words are proven beyond a doubt, then it is only fair if Lu Yan is made to face the same repercussions as those you have suggested Qin Shu ought to face.” Jun Li eyed the lecturer and his entourage of security personnel calmly.
Tapping his chin in thought, Jun Li continued, “I certainly agree with you that any medical fees incurred must be compensated in full. I think it is only fair. Don’t you agree, esteemed lecturer?”
The serenity in Jun Li voice made it sound like he was reading off a well-rehearsed script.
The instructor’s face, which had paled due to the intense pain he was feeling, dipped several shades lighter upon hearing Jun Li’s words. If Ye Xue’s account of the was true, then Lu Yan was in a lot of trouble. Not only would she have deserved the beating but also all the subsequent consequences resulting therein. The situation looked grim. Compensation would cost her a hefty sum but that aside, time locked up in the Public Security Bureau would leave a permanent mark on her record. The latter being infinitely worse than the former.
Seeing his subordinates standing in a daze, Jun Li frowned and barked, “Do you or do you not understand what I’ve said?”
“Y-yes. Yes, I understand.”
The lecturer hurriedly nodded, his forehead gleamed with cold sweat.
Campus security carried him out of the apartment.
Silence descended in the apartment.
Ye Xe rocked from side to side, feeling somewhat at a loss.
By then, Qin Shu had finished her bowl of soup. Just as she was about to speak to Jun Li, he beat her to the punch. “You’re absolutely right. You should never allow yourself to be bullied. If someone hits you, make sure you pay them back tenfold.”
Qin Shu laughed cheerfully. “Are you encouraging me to hit others?”
“I’d rather hurt another than let myself be hurt,” said Jun Li seriously.
Qin Shu was stunned by Jun Li’s response. For some reason, she felt that his words sounded familiar.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this matter. You should rest.” A faint smile tugging at his lips.
With his daily delivery complete, Jun Li stepped out of the apartment. He had some matters to attend to.
Bo Ye had left earlier.
Turning away from the door, Qin Shu checked on her good friend. Ye Xue was timid by nature and the whole debacle had really stressed her out.
“It’s going to be all right. Jun Li always keeps his word.”
Pacified, Ye Xue heaved a sigh of relief. “You seem rather close to the professor. Do you know him well?”
Qin Shu recalled the first time they met. It was at a confectionery. The memory of which always warmed her heart. “I’ve known him for a long time now. He is a good man.”
“I trust you.”
–
–
Jun Li instructed Su Ying to investigate the matter.
Su Ying was very efficient and before long, he had collected material evidence and testimonies from Lu Yan’s underlings. The truth aligned with Ye Xue’s account of the events that transpired. All the beatings, insults and abuse were recorded in grave detail.
With truth on their side, a verdict was reached and the two girls were acquitted.
The lecturer who had maligned them so terribly was fired. It was hard to say if anyone would ever employ him again.
The security guards who accompanied him shared in his fate.
Meanwhile, in a particular ward at the hospital…
Lu Yan was lounging in bed. Much of the swelling in her face had subsided and she no longer looked like an overripe tomato. She was sipping on a fruity blend, waiting for word of her uncle’s success.
Suddenly, several individuals burst into the private ward she was staying in.
Lu Yan froze. Like a deer caught in the headlights, she did not know how to respond. The only thing she was certain of was that they did not hold any good intentions towards her. “W-what’s going on?”
Juying stood at the helm of the group. Glancing at Lu Yan, it was as if he were looking at a corpse.
“Don’t you know what you’ve done? Malicious slander, persistent abuse and emotional trauma. These are but a handful of the crimes you’ve committed against student Ye Xue.” sneered Juying disdainfully.
“By decree of the Imperial University, you are hereby expelled and barred from entering any of the other universities in the region. This is your notice of expulsion. In addition, the university has mandated the compensation of a million dollars to student Ye Xue for the harm you have inflicted upon her.”
Lu Yan nearly fainted before she could even find an opportunity to retort. “On what basis have you levelled these accusations against me? Where’s the evidence? I-I was beaten up! Y-you can’t do this to me!”
“The evidence has all been collected. I would advise you to come with us quietly. We’ll escort you to the Public Security Bureau. There, you’ll have an opportunity to review the evidence for yourself.”
The more he listened to Lu Yan’s voice, the more annoyed he felt. “What are you guys doing? Hurry up and take her into custody!”
Juying strode out of the ward without sparing Lu Yan a second glance. He had said his piece. He was not about to waste his breath on someone like Lu Yan.
Lu Yan was thrown into the car by two men, and then directly left the hospital.
Two of Juying’s men dragged Lu Yan by her arms to the car where she was thrown unceremoniously into the backseat.
Burdened by a compensation amounting to a million dollars, Lu Yan had no choice but to accept a stint behind bars for not being able to cough up the amount. Naturally, she was beggared such that further education was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Everything was settled in a matter of a few hours and both Qin Shu and Ye Xue were astounded by Jun Li’s speed and efficiency.
–
–
Word travelled quickly and before long, Fu Tingyan and Jiang Yu had learnt of the university’s verdict. Arriving at Qin Shu’s apartment, they hoped to see for themselves whether the two women had been absolved of guilt.
They would not have needed to do so had they already been living with her. Unfortunately, Fu Tingyan had yet to approve of Jiang Yu’s suggestion to move in.
Qin Shu greeted them at the door. When she saw Jiang Yu, she nudged Ye Xue in front of him and said, “Please take Ye Xue to the infirmary.”
Ye Xue tried to protest but Qin Shu would not hear any of it.
“No problem. I’d be happy to take her to the infirmary.” Jiang Yu readily agreed. With a boyish grin, he said, “Let’s go.”
Ye Xue sent her good friend a pleading look which she ignored with a saint-like smile painted on her face. Sighing in defeat, she looked away and trailed behind Jiang Yu as they stepped out of the apartment.
The sky had grown dark by the time they set out and street lamps flickered to life one after another.
Ye Xue quivered nervously. It was her first time out and about with Jiang Yu unchaperoned. Although the infirmary was not far from Qin Shu’s apartment, the distance seemed to increase exponentially with each step she took. It did not help that she felt uncomfortable being alone with him. Keeping her head down as she walked, she tried her best to ignore the awkward atmosphere in the air.
Jiang Yu had his hands in his pocket as he walked. His athletic figure cut an impressive sight under the warm halo of orange light.
Looking over his shoulder, he found Ye Xue with her head bowed. It was almost as if she could not stand the sight of him. Every time they met, she would stare at her feet like they were the most interesting specimens in the world.
“Don’t walk with your head down. It’s a bad habit that’ll leave you hunched. You don’t want to be the next Quasimodo.”
Ye Xue’s bowed head whipped up so fast that she nearly gave herself whiplash. She straightened her back and corrected her posture as best she could. She did not want to become a hunchback.
With her head raised, Ye Xue’s swollen face was visible for all to see. Her puffy red cheeks resembled a pair of overripe peaches.
“I’m not some ferocious beast. There’s no need to lower your head whenever you see me.”
Ye Xue looked down in embarrassment with her lips pursed in a thin line. She did not know what to say.
They arrived at the infirmary a while later.
Noticing that Ye Xue was being accompanied by a man this time, the doctor asked, “Is this your boyfriend? He’s really handsome.”
Ye Xue blushed and quickly explained, “N-no, he’s just my classmate. He’s not my boyfriend…”
The doctor thought Ye Xue was simply shy so he smiled and said, “You’re in university. There’s nothing wrong with being in a relationship.”
Ye Xue could not find the words to explain her situation so she chose the path of least resistance and kept silent. Softly, she asked the doctor if he could change the gauze.
Jiang Yu stood by her side, listening to their interaction. Sneaking a peak, he realized that Ye Xue’s face had turned bright red – like that of an apple. He found her shy demeanour rather endearing.
As soon as the doctor finished changing her gauze, Ye Xue rushed out of the infirmary. She was afraid that the doctor would embarrass her further with his silly comments.
Jiang Yu followed her in slow, unhurried strides.
The two of them walked for some time.
Staring at Ye Xue thoughtfully, Jun Li came to a decision. He took two swift steps and stopped in front of Ye Xu.
Jiang Yu’s sudden action caught her off guard. Colliding into his outstretched arms, she stammered an apology. “I-I’m sorry.”
Before she could extricate herself, Jun Li pulled her closer with one hand while the other dug into his pocket. Murmuring quietly, he asked, “Do you still like me?”
