"What are you doing? Why did you bring a knife to school?" Qiu Jie's voice was harsh, but even she wouldn't dare to carry a weapon into the school.
Jian Yiling didn't answer her question. Instead, she held the surgical knife in her left hand and pointed it at her right wrist. "Let's make a bet. One hand."
"What kind of nonsense is that? A bet with hands? Has she lost her mind?" Qiu Jie thought, her confusion palpable.
After a brief pause, Jian Yiling continued, "If you can produce evidence, I'll cut off this hand for you. But if you can't, you'll cut off your own."
Jian Yiling's voice was still soft, almost sweet, a stark contrast to the menacing threat in her words. The blade hovered dangerously close to her wrist, ten centimeters above it, as if she might slice down at any moment.
Everyone was taken aback by her actions, the atmosphere thick with shock. Her deskmate, who sat closest, was utterly speechless and frozen in place, eyes wide with fear.
"If you have proof, you shouldn't be afraid. It's my hand at stake. Or maybe you don't have evidence, and you're feeling guilty?" Jian Yiling's clear, bright eyes locked onto Qiu Jie's.
Qiu Jie, feeling suddenly flustered, found herself uneasy under Jian Yiling's unwavering gaze. This was the same Jian Yiling, yet she seemed different—calmer and more composed than ever before. In the past, Qiu Jie had never felt such a sense of dread when dealing with Jian Yiling, but now she felt a chill running down her spine.
"I…" Qiu Jie was irritated; too many eyes were watching her. If she admitted she was scared, she would lose face. But what if she lost the bet? Not honoring it would only make her look worse. How could she maintain her authority then?
"Qiu Jie, let's not take her bet. We should report her to the school for bringing weapons!" One of Qiu Jie's followers suggested, breaking the tense silence.
Qiu Jie paused to consider this suggestion. It was a sensible plan; she almost got sidetracked by Jian Yiling! So, without a second thought, she turned and retreated with her followers, a hasty exit from the classroom.
The students in Class 8 were left in a state of bewilderment. Was that it? Had Qiu Jie really backed down? They exchanged puzzled looks, now questioning whether Jian Yiling was truly the one responsible for Jian Yunnao's injuries.
Once Qiu Jie and her gang had left, Jian Yiling calmly put away the knife, a sense of relief washing over her.
It wasn't long before the disciplinary director arrived. He was a man in his fifties, with thinning hair and a receding hairline that seemed to be almost at the crown of his head. He was slight in stature, with narrow, slanted eyes that seemed to carry a perpetual frown.
To the students, he was known as the "ghost who brings fear," notorious for his strictness and insistence on rules.
The moment the students of Class 8 saw the disciplinary director enter, they quickly returned to their seats, anxious to avoid being caught in any wrongdoing.
Behind him trailed Qiu Jie and her companions, looking somewhat sheepish after their earlier bravado. It was now self-study time, and sounds of recitation began to echo from other classrooms, leaving Class 8 in an eerie silence.
"Jian Yiling, I've heard you brought a knife to school," the director squinted at her, his expression disapproving.
Jian Yiling was acutely aware that her situation had made waves throughout Shenghua High School. Teachers had certainly caught wind of the chaos surrounding her. However, Jian's family had managed to smooth things over with the school administration, merely stating that the child needed rest due to illness, leaving the school reluctant to probe further into the incident.
"Do you have any idea how serious this is?" The director's voice was stern. "Bringing a weapon into the school is a grave violation of our policies. We cannot tolerate this kind of behavior."
Jian Yiling remained calm, her eyes steady. "I understand it looks bad, but I didn't intend to harm anyone. I just wanted to defend myself against unwarranted accusations."
"Defend yourself?" the director echoed incredulously. "You think waving a knife around is a reasonable way to defend yourself?"
Jian Yiling took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I was provoked, and I wanted to make a point. If I can't prove my innocence, then I should pay the price. But if my accusers can't prove their claims, shouldn't there be consequences for them?"
The director narrowed his eyes, assessing her argument. "You're saying you would willingly inflict harm upon yourself to prove a point? That's reckless."
"It's not reckless; it's about accountability," Jian Yiling replied firmly. "If I am to be blamed for my brother's accident, then I want it to be based on facts, not assumptions."
The director hesitated, caught off guard by her conviction. "While I appreciate your passion, this isn't how we handle disputes in this school. We have established protocols for that. I need to take this matter seriously."
Before he could continue, Qiu Jie interjected. "It's not like she's the first one to bring a weapon to school! Why is everyone acting like she's some kind of martyr?"
"Enough!" the director snapped, silencing her. He turned his attention back to Jian Yiling. "You'll need to come with me to the office. We'll sort this out, but don't think I won't take your actions into account."
As Jian Yiling followed him out of the classroom, she felt a mix of anxiety and determination. This confrontation was far from over. She knew she had to stand her ground and make her case known, not just for herself but also for Jian Yunnao.
She was ready to fight against the tide of accusations and emerge stronger, no matter what the outcome. This gamble, this bet with her own well-being, was just the beginning of her journey toward reclaiming her life.