Chapter 19: Are They Going to Fire Her?

Page (1/3)

She picked up the call with some confusion, only to hear the counselor’s deep voice:
“Chu Qiao, you need to come back to school immediately. Director Zhao has found out about you destroying the ancient books at Luan University and is very angry!”

Chu Qiao furrowed her brow.

This matter had just surfaced, and even many people at Luan University weren’t entirely clear on what had happened yet. How could Director Zhao already know about it?

Director Zhao had been inclined to target her ever since the previous incident.

Now that he had caught such a significant fault with her, there was no way he would let it go easily.

However… perhaps this was actually a good opportunity for her to resolve the trouble Director Zhao posed once and for all.

After some thought, Chu Qiao requested another copy of the surveillance footage from Principal Zheng, then left the school and took a bus toward Xintai University.

Watching Chu Qiao’s retreating figure, Principal Zheng pondered briefly before telling his assistant:
“Arrange for two people to personally visit the principal of Xintai University.”
“Their school has cultivated such outstanding talent and has been a great help to ours.”
“We should properly express our gratitude.”

The assistant replied, “Understood.”

“What about you now…”

Principal Zheng smiled slightly.
“Of course, I must go and clarify Chu Qiao’s innocence with the other schools.”

…

All the students and teachers from the various schools gathered at the previous large sports field.

As Principal Zheng reappeared, all eyes immediately turned to him.

Bu Yuzhu, not seeing Chu Qiao appear, assumed she had been scared off and fled. She immediately shouted loudly at Principal Zheng:
“Principal, Chu Qiao is afraid to take responsibility and has already run away!”
“Our entire school is very sorry about this!”
“No matter what punishment you impose, we are willing to accept it!”

Qin Fan retorted angrily:
“Chu Qiao hasn’t run away; she’s gone to find a solution!”

Bu Yuzhu sneered:
“What’s the use of you saying that? If you have the ability, get Principal Zheng to accept Chu Qiao’s solution!”
“If Chu Qiao really had a way, she wouldn’t be fleeing in fear!”
“What solution could she possibly have?”
“At most, she’d just go explain to Principal Zheng that she wasn’t the one who broke the glass case!”
Principal Zheng was already overwhelmed by the ancient books incident; how could he be willing to listen to her explanations or waste time reviewing the surveillance footage?
Once this matter was over, no one would bother retrieving surveillance footage for an ordinary student.
Besides, she still had Chu Han as a “witness.”

Page (2/3)

Now everyone believed that Chu Qiao was the one who had damaged the ancient books.
No matter how reasonable her explanation, who would believe her?
Today, Chu Qiao was destined to take the blame, be disgraced, and perhaps even be expelled!

Principal Zheng’s gaze briefly swept over Bu Yuzhu with a faint expression.
Of course, he wouldn’t confront a student directly.
Once the surveillance footage was released, everyone would know who was truly innocent.

Just then, as Principal Zheng took two steps forward, his arm was quietly grabbed.

He turned around in surprise to see Wang Minghao, a young teacher from Xintai University leading the delegation.

Wang Minghao felt immense pressure, his palms slightly damp from nervousness.

Still, he mustered courage and whispered to Principal Zheng:
“Principal Zheng, this matter was not intentional by our student. As her teacher, I am willing to take responsibility for her…”
“Could you please show some leniency? At least don’t make the punishment public—give the child some face?”

Before Wang Minghao’s words finished, a sharp voice interrupted from nearby—Qu Yanghui’s accusing tone:
“Wang Minghao, our school suffered a heavy loss because of your student’s mistake.”
“How dare you ask our principal for leniency?”

The teachers and students from other schools all turned to look at Wang Minghao, prompted by Qu Yanghui’s words.

Wang Minghao lowered his head in embarrassment.

At that moment, Principal Zheng suddenly reached out and patted Wang Minghao on the shoulder appreciatively:
“A teacher like you who cares so much for your students is truly a blessing to Xintai University!”

With that, he strode forward.

Wang Minghao was stunned.

Qu Yanghui’s face flushed instantly, feeling as though the eyes around him were needles piercing his skin, making him utterly ashamed.

Though Principal Zheng said nothing to him directly, praising the very person he had just accused in front of everyone and calling Xintai University lucky to have such a teacher…

It was no less than a public slap in the face.

Soon, Principal Zheng stood atop the podium.

He handed the copied surveillance footage to his assistant, then said solemnly:
“Everyone will understand what really happened from watching the footage.”
“I am here only to say this…”
“All the students here competing in this exchange contest are undoubtedly the elite of their respective schools.”
“But beyond academics and scores, character and responsibility are the most precious qualities that will enable you to succeed and thrive in society.”
“I hope everyone cherishes these valuable qualities and does not discard them lightly.”
“Otherwise, you will regret it when it’s too late.”

Upon hearing Principal Zheng’s words, Bu Yuzhu’s expression suddenly stiffened, an ominous feeling rising within her.

Page (3/3)

Before she could react further, the large screen on the stage began playing the surveillance footage clearly showing the moment the glass case was shattered.

Bu Yuzhu’s act of breaking the glass, pausing for two seconds in a daze, then immediately framing Chu Qiao was all plainly exposed before the teachers and students of every school present.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Bu Yuzhu, their looks filled with disdain, contempt, and disgust—as if countless slaps were being thrown at her.

Ji Weilun, surprised, turned to look at Bu Yuzhu:
“Bu Yuzhu, weren’t you always carefree and responsible? How could you do something like this?”
“Was your previous behavior just an act in front of me?”

Bu Yuzhu looked at Ji Weilun in a panic, feeling as if the sky had collapsed upon her!

She had secretly admired Ji Weilun, the school’s second-ranking student, often finding excuses to be with him under the pretense of discussing studies.
She also knew Ji Weilun favored someone like Qin Fan—someone proactive and unafraid of confrontation—so she had always tried to appear confident and capable around him.

Yet today, in a moment of madness, she not only lost face in front of all the schools but also had her pretense seen through by Ji Weilun!

“N-No, it’s not like that…” Bu Yuzhu stammered desperately, trying to explain.

But Ji Weilun had no patience to listen:
“Believe whatever you want. Just don’t come looking for me again!”

Bu Yuzhu felt her vision darken. She tried to say something, but Wang Minghao stopped her:
“Bu, let’s talk about this back at school. Don’t keep embarrassing our school here.”

Bu Yuzhu’s face fell into despair. She hung her head and broke down in tears.

…

Meanwhile, during Chu Qiao’s visit to Xintai University, the entire school chat group exploded with outrage!

“How could someone cause such a huge mess!”
“I told you we shouldn’t have sent Chu Qiao. A mediocre student getting lucky once can never compare to a real top student!”
“Zhao Ke is truly the victim this time! Not only did that lucky mediocre student steal her spot in the competition, but she also made our school lose face in front of everyone!”
“Chu Qiao even ran away? She caused such a huge mess and just left the other students and teachers to deal with it?”
“Does Chu Qiao have any shame?”
“Recommend expulsion for Chu Qiao!”
“Seconded!”

The students in the chat demanded Chu Qiao’s expulsion with righteous indignation.

In Director Zhao’s office, he put down his phone and sighed heavily, looking at the grim-faced counselor:
“Lao Wu, you’ve seen it too. It’s not that I want to target Chu Qiao.”
“It’s just that she’s already angered everyone. We have no choice but to expel her.”