The teachers at the school were aware of Liao Shixing’s affluent family background, and so were cautious about his family’s social status. Although Song Yuanming’s attire was not ordinary, it couldn’t compare to Liao Shixing, who was chauffeured to and from school every day. Moreover, Liao Shixing had ntioned that his pen was costly, almost 200 yuan, which was a few months’ wages for teachers in the 1980s. Without further inquiry, the teacher naturally concluded the truth, believing that Song Yuanming had stolen the pen and demanded that he return it to Liao Shixing.
This was an utterly baseless accusation, and naturally, Song Yuanming was displeased. Liao Shixing, spoiled since childhood, hurled unpleasant words non-stop. During the argunt in the office, they ended up fighting. Perhaps feeling insulted, Song Yuanming, in a mont of anger, threw a punch, resulting in Liao Shixing’s unfortunate fracture. The next day, Liao Shixing’s family pressured the school, demanding severe punishnt for Song Yuanming. The school, succumbing to the pressure, had no choice but to expel Song Yuanming. Not only that, but they also took away his pen, claiming it needed to be returned to Liao Shixing.
Upon learning this, Xu Xiuxiu was speechless. It turned out to be trouble caused by a woman—an innocent debt of romance.
"Yuanying, what do you think?" Xu Xiuxiu asked seriously, seeking Song Yuanming’s opinion. At eighteen, in that era of early maturity, so youths had already married and settled down by that age. Xu Xiuxiu didn’t treat Song Yuanming as a child, so she wouldn’t make all decisions for him in a patronizing way. She was there to support and stand by him.
"I want my pen back." He had been expelled, so quitting school was no big deal. He didn’t care for a school that judged without discerning the facts, but he must retrieve his pen. It was his, he hadn’t stolen it. Why should he hand it over so easily? That item belonged to him, and he needed to fight for it, logically and determinedly. Moreover, if he didn’t get the pen back, he couldn’t prove his innocence. He couldn’t bear the stigma of being labeled a thief. If he had to leave, he wanted to leave with dignity.
"Do you still want to continue studying?" Xu Xiuxiu asked with raised eyebrows, approving of Song Yuanming’s decision.
"No," Song Yuanming said after a mont of silence, shaking his head.
"How about arranging for you to study in City Z after things are settled?" Xu Xiuxiu didn’t socialize much in City Z, but arranging for Song Yuanming to study there midway through the sester was feasible. Moreover, proving Song Yuanming’s innocence by the next sester and sending him to study in City Z would allow Xu Jingjing to take care of him, which seed like a good plan.
"Okay." Song Yuanming had initially wanted to refuse, but, nevertheless, studying was better than not. Despite his disappointnt with the school, he didn’t want to abandon his education halfway.
"Rest assured, I won’t let you be wronged for nothing," Xu Xiuxiu reassured him, seeing his resolve.
"Mm." Song Yuanming nodded, trusting Xu Xiuxiu.
After dinner, since Song Yuanming had already packed his large bags and left the school, Xu Xiuxiu didn’t plan to send him back. She dropped off Guo Jinglei at the school, then found a guesthouse near the school with Song Yuanming; they checked into two rooms and spent the night. Early the next morning, they went directly to the school administration. Although it was the weekend, Director Xia, handling Song Yuanming’s case, was coincidentally on duty, saving Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanming a longer wait.
"Song Yuanming, you’ve been expelled from school. What business do you have here now?" Just as they entered the teachers’ office, a middle-aged woman sitting in the office, clearly experiencing a headache, spoke. According to Song Yuanming’s introduction, this was undoubtedly Director Xia, the director of academic affairs who handled the entire affair, a stern-looking woman, exactly as one would expect.
"I ca to get my pen back," Song Yuanming replied assertively, standing tall with determined eyes, showing no signs of guilt.
"That pen, since you stole it, I’ve already decided to return it to Liao Shixing. Stop making unreasonable demands. The school didn’t want to expel you, but you stole valuable items and injured soone, which is a serious matter. I know you usually perform well academically and have a bright future. You surely must feel wronged to be expelled, but you really made a mistake this ti," Director Xia said earnestly, her brows tightly knitted.
"Stealing is not a trivial matter. Even if I wanted to make an exception for you because of poor character, for the sake of the school’s reputation, and to give Liao Shixing’s parents a response, we had to ask you to leave. Continuing to make a fuss is useless and will only make things worse. If it weren’t for Liao Shixing’s parents being reasonable and seeing that you are young, not wanting to pursue the matter further, you might already be in the Police Station. Heed the teacher’s advice, don’t be stubborn, and go ho!" The head of the academic affairs explained, finalizing Song Yuanming’s guilt, but still trying to sound as if she cared.
Xu Xiuxiu felt nauseated watching this.
"..." Song Yuanming clenched his fists, his eyes reddening with evident frustration.
"Hello, Director Xia, right? I’m Song Yuanming’s sister-in-law." Seeing this, Xu Xiuxiu patted Song Yuanming on the shoulder, then looked at Director Xia with a light smile and began, "I ca to the school today specifically to deal with this matter. Yuanying told the gist of it, apparently triggered by a pen I bought him during sumr break, but the school hastily judged him guilty of theft. Although our Song family isn’t extrely wealthy, we don’t care much about a few hundred yuan. Moreover, Yuanying made over a thousand yuan in spending money on his own over the sumr. I doubt he’d be petty over a pen. I believe in Song Yuanming’s innocence and feel the school mishandled the situation. Could there be so misunderstanding? Therefore, I personally ca to clarify with the school. Could you please call Liao Shixing and his parents as well? It would be good for all of us to discuss and clarify the matter face to face." Xu Xiuxiu didn’t beat around the bush but made her intentions clear, her deanor unyielding. Even without explicitly
demanding justice, her imposing attitude plainly told Director Xia that she was there to advocate for her brother-in-law, Song Yuanming.
Director Xia seed a bit dazed as she looked at Xu Xiuxiu. Initially, she hadn’t noticed Xu Xiuxiu following Song Yuanming into the office. Her inherent underestimate of Song Yuanming, thinking him stubborn for not admitting to the theft, had made her speak sowhat harshly and with resentnt.
But now, seeing Xu Xiuxiu standing up for him, Director Xia was stunned. Observing Xu Xiuxiu, clad in an evidently expensive woolen coat and exuding a naturally formidable presence, she was montarily taken aback.
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