Why...
Why are they so stupid?
Don't they know he will never leave me alone?
Lying in the bed of the infirmary, the boy with glasses, covered in injuries, soullessly stared at the ceiling.
He had completely sunk into misery.
He might have been saved this time, but... what about the next time?
It was going to be even harder and worse on him.
It always happened that way.
Each and every time Zhang Wuxian was caught, he managed to turn it around for himself. Then, he would come back more vicious than ever. and nobody could stop him.
All the evidence was gone.
The boy with glasses chuckled bitterly, making every single part of his body hurt.
Is he stupid?
Even evidence wouldn't save him.
Only money could.
He was Hong Bao. He was only a working-class family's son. He had no power nor money to his name.
He got a scholarship in one of the most prestigious schools in the country after much effort and sleepless nights.
He remembered receiving that letter. He remembered crying. He remembered celebrating with his family.
He remembered feeling so fortunate, lucky, and happy.
He had given it his all to be here.
All for a better future.
However, he quickly found out fate like to play dirty tricks. All his fortune became his tragedy and the reason for his unhappiness.
-
It was past lunchtime.
Sitting outside of the infirmary, three students patiently waited.
After bringing Hong Bao to get treated, the nurse had asked them several questions to which they all answered truthfully. They were now in wait for the principal for further instructions.
Among the three of them, Chen Jingyun was exceptionally relieved.
Everything had gone according to plan.
On her phone, the original recording was still saved.
What was deleted were only copies of that video.
They had successfully tricked those guys into thinking the evidence was deleted.
All that was left was for the authorities to do their job.
She trusted her Uncle Liu would do his best.
However, some things just didn't go as planned.
Standing at the side of the infirmary's bed, Chen Jingyun furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief.
"What do you mean you won't use the evidence?"
Hong Bao kept his silence as he looked out to the window. Looking tired, resigned, and sad.
No one could tell what he was thinking exactly.
"Why?" Chen Jingyun asked softly.
Hong Bao's eyes turned icy.
"I don't have to share my life story with you."
Seeing their attitudes, Uncle Liu only sighed as he glanced pitifully at Hong Bao. He was a chubby old man with great duties, but he had great care for his students, and it showed.
Despite his best efforts to create a safe environment. Things like these still happened.
He had seen Hong Bao's records.
A simply brilliant student with much potential that didn't fit in with his peers due to his upbringing.
"Student Hong Bao. I understand your apprehension, but-"
Hong Bao carelessly interrupted. "Since you understand then you know what will happen."
"That's not necessarily true." Uncle Liu calmly answered. "As long as you decide to follow through, he will be held accountable for his actions. I'm not the principal from last time."
Hong Bao shook his head and turned to look at the window again. There were hints of tiredness and resentment glistening in his eyes.
"It is not enough."
And Chen Jingyun was left speechless. She couldn't wrap her head around what was happening.
How can this not be enough?
This wasn't supposed to happen.
"I..."
"Principal Liu, I trust you will see it through."
Looking at the boy through the lens of his glasses, Uncle Liu didn't try to persuade him. Instead, he asked one last time.
"Are you sure you don't want to do anything?"
"I'm sure."
"Alright, you will be allowed to recuperate for one week at the dorms. Rest well. As for you three, come with me."
Uncle Liu signaled the three confused students to follow him outside of the infirmary.
As the door closed behind his back, a shadow of Hong Bao looking lonely was last seen.
Even if the three of them hadn't said anything, Uncle Liu could understand the questions running through their mind.
But it was not his place to answer them.
Feeling like an old grandpa counseling kid, the principal sat them down and explained.
"First, I'm glad you have brought this to light. I have seen the video and I will still take measures to ensure this doesn't happen again. However, I know you three might not understand your classmate's decision to not pursue justice, but you have to respect his wishes. This is his life and choice. So, please delete any existing videos regarding this case as per his wishes."
"But, they deserve to be punished for their wrongdoings." Long Tang protested.
Uncle Liu sighed.
"They do."
"Why... is it so difficult? We already have hard evidence. What else is needed?" Chen JIngyun couldn't help but ask. She hoped her uncle could solve this one doubt of hers.
However, as an answer, she only saw him smile sadly at her.
"Don't worry about this. I will take care of it. Go back to your classrooms."
She then saw Uncle Liu leave.
Then, she looked down at her phone. Her reflection on the screen reminding her of who she was and what she wanted to be.
Stronger.
When she swiped into the video, she wondered:
Do I really have to delete the video?
She didn't know nor understand what was the best course to take.
But she did know there are some things you cannot force.
So, she deleted the video.
But it remained in her trash pile.
If for 30 days the story didn't change its course, that video will cease to exist.