Chapter Twenty-Nine: Expel Him

Just as he reached the door of Principal Wang’s office in the Political and Educational Affairs Department, he heard a loud commotion from inside. It was clear that Wang was not the one shouting, but rather he was being scolded. The voice rang out: “What’s wrong with you? How can such a student be allowed to stay in the school? If I hadn’t had dinner last night with Deputy Director He from the Education Bureau, and he hadn’t told me about this, I, as the Executive Vice Principal, would still be in the dark. Wang Jialiang, I’m telling you, this kind of student can’t stay for a moment longer—expel him immediately! What nonsense is this, thinking a mere written apology can settle things? This matter has even reached Deputy Director He’s ears. How am I supposed to save face as the Executive Vice Principal? Go check the network—–.”

Wang Jialiang, the subject of the reprimand, dared not utter a word. Only after the Executive Vice Principal had finished scolding did he cautiously speak, “Principal Ma, it’s like this: this student has always performed well academically. The incident where he hit a teacher was a momentary lapse. I still want to give him a chance.”

It was only then that Zhuo Nan understood the situation. So it was because of him that Old Wang was being scolded. Lin Ruyi glanced over with a smug expression that seemed to say, “You deserve this.” Zhuo Nan snorted coldly and turned his head away.

A male teacher knocked on the door, and upon hearing the knock, the scolding inside ceased. Then Wang Jialiang’s voice called out, “Come in…” The male teacher then led Zhuo Nan and Lin Ruyi inside.

Inside the office were only Old Wang and another middle-aged man in a suit with a pronounced beer belly. This had to be the Executive Vice Principal who had been shouting earlier. The male teacher greeted him respectfully with a nod and said, “Good day, Principal Ma.”

Principal Ma nodded back, looked at the three of them, and asked, “What’s going on?”

The male teacher quickly explained, “Just now downstairs, this female student said that this male student molested her, so I brought him here for Director Wang to handle.”

Seeing Zhuo Nan, Wang Jialiang immediately felt a sinking feeling. Earlier, Principal Ma had been talking about Zhuo Nan hitting a teacher; now there was an accusation of molestation. He thought, “Zhuo Nan, I really can’t help you now. How could you molest someone, and of all people, that crazy Lin girl? And to be caught by Principal Ma himself!”

Principal Ma glanced at Zhuo Nan, then at the girl, and paused before speaking, “It’s Ruyi, isn’t it? What happened?” Then he turned to the male teacher and said, “You may leave now.”

The male teacher nodded quickly and left. Principal Ma’s expression immediately changed from calm to fierce as he glared at Zhuo Nan. “What’s your name and which class are you in?”

Zhuo Nan had already realized that Principal Ma and Lin Ruyi knew each other, which explained how she could ride a motorcycle to school. Her father must be quite a powerful figure.

Meeting Principal Ma’s gaze calmly, Zhuo Nan answered, “My name is Zhuo Nan, from Grade 10, Class 1.” Wang Jialiang kept signaling him not to speak, but Zhuo Nan ignored him and gave his full name.

Principal Ma seemed to recognize the name after some thought. Slapping his thigh, he glared, “You’re Zhuo Nan?”

Zhuo Nan nodded indifferently. Principal Ma snorted sharply through his nose, then turned to glare at Wang Jialiang and shouted, “Wang Jialiang, this is the ‘good student’ you bragged about? He hits teachers, molests female students—what else won’t he do? Expel him immediately!”

Lin Ruyi had only wanted to mess with Zhuo Nan; she had never imagined he would actually be expelled. Hearing Principal Ma’s words, she suddenly felt she might have gone too far. Just as she was about to speak, Principal Ma cut her off, “Ruyi, don’t say anything. Uncle Ma will take care of this for you. If your father finds out you suffered a loss here, how would I explain myself?”

Damn… Expelled? Zhuo Nan thought. “I might transfer, that’s true, but letting you expel me? That’s a matter of pride.” At that moment, Zhuo Nan wondered how Deputy Director He from the Education Bureau had learned about him hitting a teacher. Even if news spread fast, it would normally be confined within the school. For the Deputy Director to know, someone inside the school must have informed him.

His mind began to analyze rapidly. To alert the Deputy Director, the person must be someone who could speak with him, someone whose opinion he valued highly, and certainly someone with considerable background. Combining these factors, Zhuo Nan immediately fixed his suspicion on one person—Lu Zihan. No one else at school would use such tactics against him.

To confirm his theory, Zhuo Nan had his supercomputer scan for Lu Zihan’s brainwaves within the school, invading and extracting memories.

Half a second later, the projection appeared before Zhuo Nan, showing a scene where Lu Zihan was talking to a middle-aged man.

The man said, “Young Master Lu, what brings you here today?”

Lu Zihan chuckled, “Director He, it’s like this: our school had an incident yesterday afternoon. A student named Zhuo Nan injured a teacher but was only given a cursory written apology. A student who disrespects teachers and resorts to violence is my classmate. Such an environment for living and learning deeply unsettles me.”

There was no need to say more; the point was made.

Director He immediately responded, “Young Master Lu, rest assured. I will dine with old Ma tonight and bring up this matter. We must rectify the school’s atmosphere and restore a peaceful learning environment for the teachers and students.” His words sounded sincere and selfless.

But both men knew these were just empty platitudes. Lu Zihan chuckled again, “Thank you for your trouble, Director He.”

“No trouble at all.” Director He replied and stood up.

At this point, Zhuo Nan silently signaled his brain to stop the projection. After careful thought, it seemed Lin Ruyi was right—Lu Zihan’s family background was indeed formidable.

Just then, Principal Ma’s voice reached Zhuo Nan’s ears again. “Wang, what are you waiting for? Complete the procedures and expel this student immediately.”

“Wait…” Zhuo Nan shouted, drawing everyone’s attention. “Let me make a call first.” Since Lu Zihan was using connections to target him, he couldn’t just sit back and accept it.

“What call? Expel him now, no need to dawdle...” Principal Ma urged impatiently.

Zhuo Nan glared fiercely, radiating an intimidating aura that locked onto Principal Ma. The latter shivered as the temperature seemed to drop several degrees around him, leaving him speechless.

Zhuo Nan pulled out his phone and stepped outside, dialing Lan Zhenghao’s number. Soon the call connected, and Lan Zhenghao’s disgruntled voice came through, “Zhuo Nan, what are you doing, causing trouble for me?”

Zhuo Nan knew Lan was upset about the fight at the police station yesterday with that fat man, but this was not the time to discuss it.

“Uncle Lan, I don’t have time to explain now. Just listen first…” Zhuo Nan said seriously.

Lan Zhenghao sensed the gravity of the situation and quickly replied, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Zhuo Nan then recounted the whole story. After hearing it, Lan Zhenghao laughed and said, “Got it. Have Lan Qian come back when you have time. It’s not easy for me, as a father, to see my daughter.”

Zhuo Nan felt a wave of embarrassment. Old Lan’s words were blunt—after all this time with his daughter, he had never properly met his old father-in-law.

He hastily said, “Uncle Lan, don’t worry. My sister and I will come to see you in a few days.”

Lan Zhenghao chuckled, “Alright, that’s settled then. Goodbye.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.

Back in the office, Principal Ma sprang up like a clown, pointing at Zhuo Nan. “Call finished? Wang, process the expulsion immediately.”

But just as he spoke, his phone rang. Seeing it was Deputy Director He, he answered without hesitation. “Hello, Deputy Director He. What are your instructions?”

“Ah…oh, yes, understood. Rest assured, Deputy Director He, I will handle this properly.” After hanging up, he immediately changed his expression to a friendly smile and said to Zhuo Nan, “Student Zhuo Nan, Deputy Director He just called. For students who make mistakes, we shouldn’t be too harsh. Education should be the priority.”

Old Wang wiped sweat from his brow, thinking, “Looks like Zhuo Nan has some backing, enough to reach the ears of the Deputy Director. That makes things much easier.”

Zhuo Nan snorted coldly, looking disdainfully at Principal Ma. “Are you still going to expel me? If not, I’m leaving.”

Lin Ruyi’s family also had connections. After Principal Ma received the call, his attitude immediately softened. He realized Zhuo Nan was not someone to be trifled with and became more interested in him. Tilting his head, he stared at Zhuo Nan, curious what kind of character he was dealing with.

Principal Ma forced an awkward smile. “No problem, no problem. Go back to class.” Then he turned to Lin Ruyi, “Ruyi, forget it. It was all a misunderstanding.”

Lin Ruyi, still holding her previous judgment, saw it was not the time to argue. She nodded reluctantly. “Since Uncle Ma says so, then fine.”

Thus, the farce came to an end.

As the two left the office, Zhuo Nan suddenly turned back, staring fiercely at Lin Ruyi. “Lin Ruyi, I warn you—don’t mess with me, or I’ll make sure you regret it.” Without looking back, he strode forward.

Lin Ruyi stood dumbfounded for a long moment before regaining her composure. Watching Zhuo Nan’s retreating figure, she huffed angrily, “Who’s afraid? Just try me.”