As if she knew what Shen Wanqing was thinking, Gu Anxi said softly, "It’s because I have proof of your cyberbullying, and because you harmed Wang Qin. If everyone could speak and act so recklessly, what would be the point of justice?"
Mr. Li said with great admiration, "Student Gu is truly righteous. I see a bright future for this child."
He then looked at the department head and Professor Gao. "Don’t you agree?"
The department head naturally concurred. This was a settled matter, and with Mr. Li present, he didn’t need to consider his stance.
Professor Gao, however, felt differently. Shen Wanqing was his favored student. Although she had acted out of line, disgracing Shen Wanqing was like disgracing him. He still wanted to protect her. "Why not let her apologize here? Making a young woman like Wanqing apologize in front of thousands of people is too humiliating."
Gu Anxi sneered without saying a word.
Professor Gao assumed Gu Anxi was deferring to him, so he prompted Shen Wanqing to apologize.
Shen Wanqing then softly murmured, "I’m sorry!"
Professor Gao chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "See? An apology resolves the issue. It’s normal for young people to cause a bit of a stir."
Just then, Gu Anxi spoke up. "She’s over twenty, isn’t she, Professor Gao? That hardly makes her a child. She’s an adult fully capable of bearing criminal responsibility."
Professor Gao’s face turned livid. If Mr. Li hadn’t been there, he would have already started cursing and thrown Gu Anxi out of Qing University. But with Mr. Li present, he really couldn’t say much.
Mr. Li spoke again, his tone composed. "I also feel Student Shen’s offense isn’t so severe. The proposed punishment does seem a bit excessive."
Qin Siyuan, whose family was in business, thought Mr. Li was hinting at needing a favor. He said in a low voice, "My father and Mr. Li have met on several occasions. If Mr. Li has some free time..."
Mr. Li waved his hand with a smile. "I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend Mr. Qin’s banquet. My wife is giving birth tonight."
Professor Gao’s face grew even darker. Mr. Li’s wife is older than him, isn’t she? Surely past menopause. How could she still be having children? And tonight, of all nights?
But Mr. Li continued composedly, "It is a bit much. In that case, Student Gu’s proposal is quite good. Having her apologize properly before the entire student body should put this matter to rest. The punishment can be changed to probation."
Now that Mr. Li had spoken, the matter seemed settled. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
Shen Wanqing also knew there was no changing the outcome. She pursed her lips and said softly, "Fine, I’ll apologize!"
But after she apologized, she would also deliver a devastating blow to Gu Anxi in front of the entire school. She wouldn’t let Gu Anxi have an easy time...
As Shen Wanqing passed Gu Anxi, she whispered, "Just you wait."
"I’ll be waiting!" Gu Anxi sneered. "Student Shen, please apologize first. We can deal with other matters slowly. I, Gu Anxi, am right here. Bring on whatever you’ve got."
Shen Wanqing’s gaze fixed on Gu Anxi’s face, and she let out a cold laugh. She then turned and walked out first. The others followed, heading towards Qing University’s sports field where thousands of students were already waiting impatiently. They had heard Shen Wanqing was going to apologize to Wang Qin, something no one believed, but Chu Yan’s financial influence had kept them there.
Back in the school office, Gu Anxi was the last to leave when, suddenly, her hand was grabbed—
She turned to see Qin Siyuan.
Without a second thought, she shook off his hand, but Qin Siyuan grabbed it again. "Gu Anxi, tell me, did you ever like me?"
Gu Anxi’s gaze fell on his face, sharp and piercing. Then, she smiled. "What is it you want to know?"
"Were you ever sincere with me?" Qin Siyuan enunciated each word, the veins on his forehead practically bulging as he spoke.
Gu Anxi merely offered a faint smile. "The sincerity I once offered? Whether it was fed to the dogs or ground to dust—who cares!"