Dean Qiao's expression changed drastically. He had been so high-spirited and arrogant just a moment ago, but now, his face was twisted and distorted. In addition to his pale face and the cold sweat that kept pouring out of his pores, it was obvious that he was deathly afraid.
"Ji Ying pulled that nonsense and damaged the school's reputation. Expelling her is in accordance with the school rules!"
"Nonsense?" Principal Li's face darkened and he said angrily, "Nonsense? Do the school rules say that we should never try to differentiate right from wrong and to expel students if they run into any problems? We're a school, not a Silicon Valley business! This is meant to be a safe space, a place for teaching and educating people. You expelled the student involved in the incident without investigating first to find the truth. Such rudeness and unreasonable behavior will have an impact ten thousand times worse on the university's reputation than a mere video! Tell me, did you know that? Think carefully before you answer!"
Dean Qiao's body trembled, and he lowered his head, not daring to speak.
"Tell me, did you?" The principal's voice grew louder and more stern. Even the people in the other offices far away office could hear him clearly.
Dean Qiao had nothing to say. He did not dare to refute the principal's words or defend himself.
Zhao Weili said coldly, "Enough! We'll hand him over to the Procuratorate for a thorough investigation to see if he's using his position for personal gain and if he's related to the video slandering case!"
Plop!
Dean Qiao could not stand anymore. He fell to the ground.
The atmosphere in the office got even more heavy and oppressive. Everyone's expression was solemn, and they did not even dare to breathe in the mayor's presence.
Ji Ying was holding her breath, and her heart was beating hard in her chest.
Principal Li nodded and said, "Dean Qiao, as the principal of City Planning University, I'm officially informing you that from now on, you're suspended from all your duties within the university. The associate dean will temporarily take over your position as Dean and cooperate with the relevant procedures to carry out an investigation on Dean Qiao, as well as cooperate with the police to investigate the person responsible for Ji Ying's video. We won't allow anyone who allowed the video to spread around and added fuel to the fire to escape! I want a result that will satisfy all the lecturers and students in the university!"
The associate dean was an old man with round glasses who looked like an old scholar. He did not feel happy about suddenly becoming Dean, but he just nodded calmly and said, "Yes."
Principal Li turned to look at Zhao Weili, his eyes filled with questions.
Zhao Weili did not say anything. He just nodded imperceptibly and turned to leave. The principal and the rest of the people with him hurriedly tried to catch up.
When Dean Qiao, who was sitting on the ground and looking dejected, saw that everyone was leaving, he suddenly gritted his teeth and asked loudly, "Mayor Zhao, can you tell me why you're standing up for Ji Ying?"
Zhao Weili paused for a moment, but he did not turn around. He left the room after saying, "You're not worthy!"
The others, including Ji Ying, had thoughtful expressions on their faces.
Was Dean Qiao not worthy of being Dean, or was he not worthy of knowing the answer to his question? No one knew, and no one dared to ask.
"After I go back, I'll inform the Procuratorate to come and investigate Dean Qiao. Principal Li, you don't object, right? "
"Ah, no, of course not! Go ahead!"
...
Dean Qiao was sitting on the floor in a daze in his office. He was mumbling something in a low voice. Ji Ying would not sympathize with him, no matter what. When she thought about his previous vile behavior, any sympathy she had for him was instantly extinguished. If Zhao Weili had not stepped in, her fate now would have been even worse. She would have been cursed for life!
She turned her head and watched the back of the figure gradually getting further away from the door. There was an indescribable feeling in her heart. If he had not stepped in today, it would have been really difficult to resolve this situation. After all, she was just a girl with no power or influence. If the school really wanted to protect Dean Qiao, they would have sacrificed her for it. She might have never gotten her justice.
Thinking of this, she said to the figure's back, "Thank you!"
As if their hearts were connected, Zhao Weili turned around the moment her mouth opened. Their eyes met, both trying to see something in the other's eyes.
However, Ji Ying did not see any emotion in his, so she straightened her body and met his gaze with an indifferent expression to express her gratitude!
No one knew what Zhao Weili saw in her eyes. He just turned around and left after a glance. However, the cold and oppressive aura around him seemed to disappear in an instant, and he looked more tall and more mighty than usual as he bathed in the sunlight.
The associate dean adjusted his glasses and said to Qin Yong and Ji Ying in a gentle tone, "Mr. Police, how do you want to deal with this matter? What kind of cooperation do you need? Just tell me. I'll do my best to help you get the truth out there as soon as possible!"