"Principal Zhou, please don't make this difficult for me anymore. Our bureau had issued a document earlier this year that we must organize the third operation to eradicate the underworld this year and achieve thorough cleanliness without leaving any hidden dangers, and restore a peaceful and orderly environment to our citizens. Director Hao specifically emphasized that if it involves gang forces, no matter which strata of society they are from, no personal feelings should be considered and no unlawful leniency shall be granted!"
In the office of the district bureau chief, Principal Zhou stared at the stern middle-aged man in front of him. After a long silence, he could not help but ask, "What makes you say that my student is part of a gang force?"
The middle-aged man spread his hands and smiled. "Principal Zhou, I respect you as an educator, but pretending to be ignorant in this matter isn't really appropriate, is it? Wang Yunxiao—this loafer is well-known in our bureau. Forming cliques, petty theft, cheating people out of money... Of course, you could say that these are all things of the past. But now, his gathering to gamble, coercing decent women, fighting and brawling, and wounding people with weapons in broad daylight—each of these facts and pieces of evidence exist. If you still want to shield him, that would be somewhat indefensible, wouldn't it?"
Principal Zhou frowned and asked, "Where are these facts and pieces of evidence you speak of? Can I see them?"
"There's no need for that! You also don't have the right!"
The middle-aged man waved his hand and said, "Save it for the courtroom. It's not that I don't respect you, Principal Zhou, but this student of yours has committed multiple evils and has turned into a social cancer that must be removed. As an educator, don't you feel a bit of remorse for not teaching him well?"
"Whether I have taught my students well, I know in my heart. But Director Sun, have you forgotten..."
Principal Zhou looked at the morally upright middle-aged man calmly and said softly, "The current Civil Code and Criminal Code of our country, including the Public Security Regulations of Tianmen City, all the laws and regulations have been revised with my participation. You are blatantly framing my student in front of me. Do you think I am ignorant and cannot find faults, or is it you who is ignorant and thus fearless?"
Director Sun fell silent, with a trace of sweat visible on his forehead.
"If we are not on the same page, why say more. Since you, Principal Zhou, believe you have the ability to act as a lawyer and clear your student's name, then I can only wish you success."
After taking a sip of tea, he spoke righteously, "I know you, Principal Zhou, have wide connections and many friends. But I, Sun Youliang, am carrying out orders, serving with loyalty—that is my sincere and utmost duty! No one can persuade me otherwise, I definitely won't give in!"
"Then, I will leave now. You don't need to see me out."
Principal Zhou did not continue wrangling with him, nodded his head, stood up, and walked out.
True enough, Director Sun did not see him off; he didn't bother with any courtesies.
Only when the footsteps outside had faded away did the hand gripping the teacup start to tremble slightly.
Principal Zhou walked out of the police station, turned around, and silently stared at the light in the office window of the director for a long time without speaking.
"Sir?"
Hearing a slightly familiar voice by his side, Principal Zhou withdrew his gaze and saw two nuns approaching him.
He focused intently on the woman's beautiful face, asking with some uncertainty, "Cui Xiaoying?"
"Yes, sir."
Seeing that Principal Zhou recognized her, Madam Cui looked down shyly, gently pulling Miss Meng and respectfully bowing. She then asked in a low voice, "Are you here to pick up those students?"
Principal Zhou did not respond immediately but instead asked, "Didn't you perform well in school? Didn't you go to college?"
Madam Cui said softly through clenched teeth, "My family fell on hard times, and I was also getting older. After middle school, I went to a vocational school run by the church and later got married..."
Principal Zhou looked at the timid Miss Meng by her side, then asked, "Where do you work now? Have you had children?"
Madam Cui gave a bitter smile. "My husband was... as you know, and all our possessions were confiscated. It left only me and the children from his first marriage to depend on each other. Fortunately, Madam Bishop helped me obtain a technician's certificate. I found work at the Cotton Spinning Factory, where the salary is quite good, more than enough to support both of us."
Principal Zhou nodded as he listened and then advised, "You both are still young; since you can support yourselves, there's no need to rush into marriage. Next year, Qinghe Middle School will start its high school division. Bring her to study. I'll handle the tuition fees, and once you graduate from university, you'll have more options, be it in seeking jobs or finding a husband."
Madam Cui blushed and bowed her head in agreement, "Sir, you are right... We'll see, if there's a chance..."
Principal Zhou waved his hand and said, "You are an educated person; you understand what's good for you. I'll find time to talk to your Madam Bishop about educational matters. She won't make things difficult for you."
Madam Cui quickly thanked him and hesitated before looking back at the police station. She couldn't help but whisper, "Sir, we just gave our statements, and I'm not sure if it's just our imagination, but the police seemed a bit odd... They appeared to know we were telling the truth but didn't seem to want to believe us, intentionally leading us to blame your student and shift the blame onto them."
Principal Zhou nodded and said, "So, you mean to say that some 'Advisor' is scheming behind the scenes, using heresy to confuse the public, aiming to invert right and wrong, and frame innocent people, right?"
Madam Cui nodded vigorously, though her face still held a hint of hesitation.
"Imperial protection shields the national establishment from evil—It's supposed to be like that."
Principal Zhou glanced at the still-lit light in the director's office and sighed, "The heretics in reality, they always have ways to handle, but the demons in people's hearts, that's not so easy to say."
Madam Cui's eyes widened, and she bit her lip, not daring to speak.
Your venerable position allows you to speak freely, but we common people dare not take what you say lightly!
Is this a topic one can discuss lightly?
Fortunately, Principal Zhou did not elaborate further; he merely advised her, "Advisors are best at gathering information and spying on secrets. You all better not go home tonight, go directly to the church for protection. I'll call the Special Service Bureau, and have them send someone to investigate this."
Madam Cui quickly nodded in agreement.
She was about to leave, pulling Miss Meng by the hand, when Miss Meng, who had been hiding behind her, suddenly looked up and earnestly said, "Sir, your student didn't bully us; he actually stood up for us and chased away those two loafer troublemakers. He really isn't a bad person."
Principal Zhou stated calmly, "Of course, my student can't possibly be a bad person. Otherwise, I would let him know what a real bad person is like!"