Jiu Yanchuan and the others listened to Shi Yaoguang's accusations, their hearts somewhat moved.
Yu Zhenzhen glared at her viciously and even lunged directly at her, "Stop spouting nonsense! I wanted to settle accounts with you, but we never even touched you!"
Shi Yaoguang showed a look of disappointment, "After all that has happened, you still refuse to admit your wrongdoing?"
"Originally, I thought, you've only just come of age, still children, as long as you apologized to me, I would have let bygones be bygones... But..."
"You hit me, why can't you admit it? Is asking for an apology really that hard?"
As she spoke, she scoffed softly, "Hah, no wonder you could join forces with Nie Feng. He almost smashed me, and when I asked him to apologize, he sent you to beat me up instead. All I want is just a few words of apology."
After she finished, her eyes drooped down, her bright little face seemingly covered with a thin mist, stirring pity in the onlookers.
Of course, Yu Zhenzhen and the others were not among them.
An Xu felt that no matter how they tried to explain with empty words, no one would believe them; it would be better to try to produce evidence.
Shi Yaoguang deliberately staged a drama, even applying makeup ahead of time, obviously well-prepared. But in doing so, she also exposed her vulnerabilities.
"I'm telling the truth! The wounds on her face are drawn with makeup, if you don't believe me, just check carefully and you'll know! I really didn't lie to you."
An Xu's words were earnest and sincere, making the principal think a bit harder. As he glanced at Jiu Yanchuan and was about to say something, Shi Yaoguang spoke up, "I don't know why you insist on denying the fact that you hit me, although I don't think being beaten is anything to be proud of, but..."
"If you suspect me, I don't mind any form of inspection."
Having said this, Yu Zhenzhen was the first to step forward, "I'll get someone to bring makeup remover. You'll get what's coming to you!"
Soon after, someone brought the makeup remover.
Yu Zhenzhen personally checked that the makeup remover was fine before handing it to Shi Yaoguang, demanding that she apply it to her face on the spot.
Shi Yaoguang did not refuse, and carefully applied the makeup remover all over her face, making sure not to miss any corner. After waiting for a while, ensuring the makeup remover had taken effect, she then washed it off.
After the cleansing with makeup remover, Shi Yaoguang's face showed no change; the bruises still mottled her skin with blue and purple marks.
Yu Zhenzhen screamed as if she had seen a ghost, "No, this is impossible!"
An Xu too wore a look of disbelief. As he was about to say something, he was interrupted by Chen Shu, "You keep saying you didn't hit her, but couldn't I discern if she had injuries?"
The principal thought the matter was almost resolved and so stepped forward to mediate, "To recognize a fault and mend it is a virtue. Since you're close with Nie Feng, then at the advancement ceremony, apologize to Miss Shi alongside Nie Feng."
Shi Yaoguang agreed, the protests from An Xu and the others were suppressed, and the principal even threatened to discuss the matter with their parents if they continued to make a fuss, which finally quieted them down.
Jiu Yanchuan, following behind Shi Yaoguang, asked in bewilderment, "Are you really letting them off so easily?"
"What else?" she countered.
Meeting her matter-of-fact gaze, Jiu Yanchuan found himself at a loss for words, "After how they treated you, and with the recording as evidence, you never thought about making them pay for their actions?"
"I did."
The young girl said crisply, "Those who do wrong always have to pay a price."
After she finished, she waved her hand at him, "Alright, I should go back now. Thank you for your help today, Captain Jiu."
Jiu Yanchuan watched her departing figure, his brows furrowed tight the whole time.
Chen Shu nudged his elbow, "Hey, she's gone, what are you still looking at? Don't blame me for not warning you; that young girl is not someone you can get involved with."
"I'm telling you, she's Brother Bei's freshly minted little wife, I'd advise you not to harbor any crooked thoughts," Chen Shu's tone was quite exaggerated, "There's a saying that a friend's wife should not be trifled with, even if the two of them are married with some insider story, it's not for you to interfere."
Jiu Yanchuan glanced at him, "Who said I'm interested in her?"
"Then why do you keep staring at her?"
"I just think this girl is a bit silly."
Being bullied like that, yet she didn't think of taking revenge, instead just wanting an apology.
Too kind for her own good, doesn't that just make her look foolish?
...
Shi Yaoguang was still unaware that she had left such an impression on Jiu Yanchuan.
Was she stupid?
Only if her brain was waterlogged.
Her performance today was not simply about getting a light apology from An Xu and others.
It was merely a setup.
They insisted they hadn't done certain things but couldn't provide evidence to prove it, only eroding the trust of others.
When trust fell into the negatives, then... whatever they said, no one would believe.
By that time, they would naturally taste the bitterness of being unable to defend themselves.
Isn't being indefensible a more lasting punishment than a light one?
Shi Yaoguang admitted that she was never a good person, let alone a saint! Since these people had provoked her, they should be prepared to pay the price.
In a music classroom on campus.
Shi Yiqing was discussing something with Nie Feng, a look of worry covering her face, "Mr. Nie, what do you plan to do next?"
Nie Feng glanced at her, too depressed to speak.
Shi Yiqing bit her lip, appearing troubled, "My sister probably didn't do it on purpose; in front of our parents, she's always been very understanding. I believe that as long as we talk to her nicely, she will definitely agree not to trouble you anymore."
Nie Feng grunted, "What if she doesn't agree?"
"Ah? This..." Shi Yiqing pulled a contemplative face, and after a while, she gritted her teeth and made a decision, "If she doesn't agree, then I'll go to Brother Sicheng to ask him to help persuade my sister."
"My sister likes Brother Sicheng so much, I believe she'd definitely agree to a reconciliation."
As she spoke, her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Nie Feng, "Mr. Nie, no matter what it costs, I will fight for you! It's the same with my sister, she knows you come from a distinguished background, and still insists on a public apology from you, isn't that just deliberately slapping you in the face?"
Hearing her say this, Nie Feng didn't show much joy.
After giving her a thoughtful look, he then asked, "Are you going to Quan Sicheng purely for my sake?"
Shi Yiqing was taken aback, perplexed as if she didn't understand why he would doubt that, "Otherwise?"
"Never mind." Nie Feng didn't dwell on the subject, but said instead, "I just think you shouldn't get too involved with him on my behalf."