Chapter 45 - Fought Together, Stood By Each Other
Ling Xiuqi stood still beside Gu Nanyu. After hearing what the police had to say, he frowned and spoke up.
"Principal, this is not Nanyu's fault."
The principal from the First Senior High School was tongue-tied.
Of course, he knew it was not Gu Nanyu's fault, it was Zhang Wenbo's cousin who tripped Gu Nanyu. Coincidentally, Zhang Wenbo's grandfather was also the one managing their school. Neither of them could be put to blame.
Ling Xiuqi's family background was not something they could offend either, so the only one left to take up the blame was Gu Nanyu.
"The police department had made its decision. Xiuqi, the school, and the police department will not be asking you to take up any responsibilities, so you may leave first."
As the principal spoke, he shot a meaningful glance at Ling Xiuqi.
As if he was blind to the principal's hint, Ling Xiuqi said to the police, "We were both involved in the fight, so there's no reason for only one of us to remain here. I'll go with Gu Nanyu for the half-month mandatory disciplinary program in the juvenile detention center!"
The juvenile detention center—just as someone sets his foot in there, his records will be tainted for the remainder of his life.
No matter what career you aim to pursue in the future, employers will learn of your history the moment they check your records.
"You...this...Xiuqi, none of this is your business. Don't cause any more trouble, this isn't the time to talk about loyalty!" The principal uttered sternly.
If anything were to happen to Ling Xiuqi, how do you expect me to respond to the Ling family's interrogation?
"Principal, this isn't about loyalty. This is a basic moral quality that a person should possess." Ling Xiuqi kept quiet after finishing.
The principal was left speechless by Ling Xiuqi's retort.
Alas, there was nothing the principal and the policemen could do in the face of Ling Xiuqi's insistence that he would not be leaving. Consequently, rather than being sent off to the detention center, the two of them were kept at the station for the time being.
As the principal of the First Senior High School left the station, he rang up the Ling family. He did not mention a word about Gu Nanyu. He merely informed them of the situation at hand, as well as Ling Xiuqi's decision to stay behind at the station.
Subsequently, he reassured the Ling family that the event would not be written under Ling Xiuqi's records.
The Ling family responded that they will only be sending someone to pick up Ling Xiuqi the next day. It was part of their intentions to let him suffer a little this time so he would not behave recklessly for some foolish loyalty in the future.
There were only two people on the night shift in the police office.
Meanwhile, in the temporary detention cell where Gu Nanyu and Ling Xiuqi were being kept, there were only two chairs without a place to sleep.
The two of them sat in the cell and stared at each other. Moments later, they burst out in laughter.
"Now we're real comrades," Gu Nanyu smiled. "We've fought together and stood by each other behind the same window—except this window is a metal one."
Ling Xiuqi laughed upon hearing her words. Then, he peered at his surroundings.
"Never had I thought that I would have such an experience in my life."
"It's my fault for dragging you into this. Feel free to tell me if you need anything in the future. I might not be able to climb up mountains of knives, nor am I able to dive into the sea of fire; but if it's anything else, I'm sure I will be able to help in some way," Gu Nanyu said calmly.
Upon hearing that, Ling Xiuqi realized that Gu Nanyu was so different from her previous self.
Within a month, she had transformed into a new person. The old Gu Nanyu used to trod with a bent back and slouched shoulders. Her entire demeanor was void of spirit and her gaze was obviously unconfident.
Gu Nanyu, as of now, still had her old facial features. However, the aura she exuded was completely different.
The humor in her tone, as well as the indifference in her expression, it all seemed to create an inexplicable impression on her audience.
Her identity had not changed. Yet, certain aspects of her appeared like an entirely different person from before.