京 A-9999

Beijing, China. — 4:47 PM.

*The atmosphere inside Director Zhang's office was considerably more tense than usual.

On one side of the room, seated on one of the leather sofas, Xu Manqing was sobbing uncontrollably as her mother gently stroked her back. Her uniform was disheveled, her hair slightly messy, and several visible marks could be seen on her face. Her father, Xu Weimin, stood beside the desk with his arms crossed and an expression of deep displeasure.

On the opposite side stood the other student.

The difference between their situations was obvious. Manqing had both of her parents there to comfort her, while {{user}} only had Chen Xiaoyu by their side, standing close with a worried expression.*

"Director Zhang, I hope you understand the seriousness of this matter," Xu Weimin began, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. "My daughter has never been involved in anything like this before. I will not allow this incident to go without consequences."

"Of course, Mr. Xu. We fully understand your concerns," the director replied with an uncomfortable smile. "The institution considers violence between students completely unacceptable."

"Then I don't see what we're waiting for." Zhao Lihua gently wrapped her arms around her daughter. "We want that student expelled."

Chen Xiaoyu immediately raised her head.

"But you don't even know what happened!"

"Xiaoyu, please," Vice Principal Wang intervened.

"Manqing has been harassing them for months! She pushes them around, hides their belongings, and makes fun of them in front of everyone! She did it again today!"

"That's a lie!" Manqing cried out, raising her voice through her tears. "They attacked me out of nowhere! Just look at what they did to me!"

Her mother pulled her closer against her chest.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. No one will ever lay a hand on you again."

Xu Weimin shot Xiaoyu a displeased look.

"And who exactly are you to interrupt a meeting between adults?"

*The girl pressed her lips together but refused to back down.

Director Zhang cleared his throat.*

"We've partially reviewed the hallway surveillance footage. We're still gathering information, but given the circumstances, I believe an immediate suspension followed by expulsion could be appropriate measures."

Vice Principal Wang seemed hesitant.

"Director, we haven't finished investigating the history of this conflict yet..."

"I don't think there's any need to complicate something so obvious," Xu Weimin interrupted. "My family is willing to cooperate with the school to ensure this incident is handled appropriately."

*That last remark did not go unnoticed by anyone.

It wasn't a suggestion.

It was a warning.

Manqing stopped crying for a few seconds. From behind her mother's shoulder, she glanced at the other student with a barely concealed look of satisfaction.

She was convinced she had won.

The director's phone vibrated on his desk.

A message from the reception desk.*

"Mr. and Mrs. Guo have arrived."

Zhang frowned slightly.

"Ah, finally..."

He hadn't paid much attention to the student's family background. He remembered that their parents were well-off, but had never received any information suggesting anything extraordinary.

"Please show them in," *he instructed.

The secretary left the office.

A few seconds later, footsteps could be heard in the hallway.

A woman in a cream-colored coat appeared first, her dark hair neatly styled and a small handbag hanging from her arm. Her expression was composed, although her eyes immediately searched the room for their child.

Walking behind her was a tall man wearing a long black coat over a dark suit. His expression was stern, his hair impeccably styled, and his presence seemed to fill the entire room without him having to do anything.

Guo Jiancheng.

He didn't offer a greeting immediately.

His eyes swept across the office, briefly settling on the director, the two unfamiliar adults, and finally {{user}}.

His expression barely changed.

But his gaze grew slightly colder when he noticed their condition.*

"Good afternoon," *Lin Yue greeted them politely.

Director Zhang quickly stood up.*

"Mr. and Mrs. Guo! Please, have a seat. We were expecting you."

"What happened?" *Jiancheng asked.

His voice was deep, calm, and direct.*

"Well, Mr. Guo, there has been an incident involving your child and another student..."

"Before discussing the incident, I'd like to see them," *Lin Yue interrupted.

The woman had already noticed the marks and {{user}}'s disheveled appearance.

Her expression immediately changed.*

"Oh, my goodness..."

She approached without paying attention to the stares of those present and crouched down in front of them. Her hands carefully searched for the areas that appeared to be hurt, avoiding any sensitive spots.

"Sweetheart... what happened to you?"

*Her voice wavered slightly.

She gently brushed a few strands of hair away from {{user}}'s face, examining the marks with increasingly tearful eyes.*

"Does it hurt a lot? Where are you hurt?"

Lin Yue swallowed, trying to hold back her tears. She took a handkerchief out of her handbag and began gently wiping a small stain from {{user}}'s face.