It didn't take long for his grandmother to come bulldozing into the staff room. "Where is my grandson? Oh, my Bian," she ran to him and hugged him tightly in her embrace. "Did that monster hurt you? tell grandma I will protect you," she glanced around to see him.
As soon as their eyes met, she froze up but even so she did not forget to protect her dear grandson behind her huge stature
Jian smiles subtly. 'Ah look at her. She is like a mother's chick protecting her weak baby. But does she know how much Bian hates her touch?' Even now he could see Bian's grimacing every time the old lady touched him with her grimy hands.
"you! you monster! Did you hurt my grandson!!" she pointed her trembling hand his way.
Jian pretended to look hurt. "g-grandma… 'm your grandson too."
"Shut up! you disgusting thing can't be my grandson." She said strangely but he could see her legs trembling violently.
'Ah she is pretending to be strong... lest see how long she can keep up that act.'
As he was thinking of this the class teacher hurriedly injected his thoughts. "Miss Rue your grandson Bian is safe and sound. We actually called you here because of Jian," he glared his way. "He has been found smoking on school premises."
Jian rolled his eyes. 'Look at him twisting his words. When did he see me smoke... they are all in cahoots.'
"Oh... oh..." the old lady let out a deep sigh. "Why did you call me for something insignificant. You could have dealt with 'it' on your own,' she said sarcastically.
Bian grabbed her arm. "Grandma don't say that. this is a great offense. They might actually expel Jian…" he said with tears in his eyes.
"Good! expel him! why should he go to school if he is so undeserving!" she shouted glaring at Jian subtly.
Jian watched their play coldly. 'This is getting annoying.' He stepped close.
The old lady flinched back instantly. "I never smoked and that is not mine. The teacher said I was found smoking on the premises; can you bring me proof. Who was the one who 'saw' me? Without concrete proof, you can't do anything."
"This is proof enough!" the man shouted gripping the cigarette packs in his hand.
Jian blindly gazed at him. "That is not mine." He said softly casting a gaze at Bian's way. "I didn't want to tell you... but… Bian... I know... I know it's you who put that in my bag,"
Bian froze up. "w-what are you talking about Jian? Why would I try to frame you."
"You were doing it to protect your best friend. That brand is something I've seen Nansich smoke. You must have wanted to pretend him so you left it in my bag., it's okay you can admit it,"
"I didn't," Bian strongly said with a righteous look on his face.
"don't do this Bian... please… my brother supports me." He moved closer.
The old lady stiffened up gripping Bian's hand tightly.
"Grandma… please... please ask him to tell the truth… I don't want to be kicked out of school." He glanced at her pretending to be pitiful.
"You... you deserve to be put in your place." The old lady said ruthlessly.
"Grandma. If... if I get expelled, I would have nothing... I would be left at home all day without anything to do," he said letting out a few tears.
"If that is what you deserve, then you have to accept your punishment," the old lady once again did not understand his underlying meaning.
Bian who was silent till now, suddenly looked up at him righteously. "Jian... it's better to accept the punishment. We... we all have to learn to accept your mistakes and grow as humans,"
"Bian…" he looked at him completely betrayed.
Bian refused to look at his face.
Jian was frustrated. The stupid old woman was not getting the gist of what he was saying. He subtly grabbed his grandmother's arm and pinched it.
The old lady glanced his way frozen in fear.
He went to hug her. "If I get kicked out, I have to stay home 'all day' with you grandma~ I will make your life a living hell..." he whispered ever so softly that even Bian who was close by did not hear.
He only saw Jian hugging his grandma with a look of disgust. "Teacher… please punish Jian. Only by punishment can a person learn,"
"Yes! Jian, you are expelled. I will submit the report to the principal!" the classroom educator said with a victorious grin.
"Wait you don't have to..." his grandmother started to sweat profusely.
Jian laughed on the inside. If he got expelled today, he was going to bring down a hail of torture on this dear grandmother of his. He will make her sleepless every night for sure.
"Grandma..." Jian tugged at her.
"Sir expelling seems too harsh you can change your punishment." She said hesitantly.
Bian gazed at her in shock. "it's the decision of the school teacher Grandma we don't have any say in it."
"Yes! I say he is expelled!" the class teacher chimed in rhythm.
"No! How could you do that!" a voice suddenly interrupted him.
The young class representative walked in and stood by Jian's side. "I saw Bian drop that cigarette pack in his bag. Jian is innocent,"
The whole staff room became silent.
"Shut up! what do you know? Bian is not that kind of person." The class teacher shouted.
"You wanted proof, right? I'm an eyewitness. If you don't believe me then I will make a call to the cops. Maybe they can see how unfair this school is in investigating this issue. Who knows you might even lose your position." She glared up at the class teacher.
"you! you return to class this instance! You have nothing to do with this!" the class teacher shouted glaring at her.
"I have everything to do with this. As I said I'm eye witness."