That was impossible. Whether it was Wanyou in her past life or Shangguan You now, even though they lacked sufficient strength, they both had a solid background.
No sooner had she finished speaking than the teachers instantly understood. Even the most temperate person has pride. Faced with so many students from the entire school, if they were in that position, they would surely have slapped the offenders fiercely a few times and kicked them hard. Shangguan You's actions, in comparison, seemed remarkably lenient.
Although Feng Shao'an and his sister had brought it on themselves, Feng Shao'an's father was the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau. An official one rank higher could crush those beneath. Now, the Feng siblings were even demanding Shangguan You's expulsion. How should this be handled?
Old Chen was at a loss. His student might have acted wrongly, but not to the point of expulsion. In his heart, he felt a certain contempt for the Feng siblings' behavior.
"Student Shangguan You, school is a place for learning, not for fighting at will and disrupting the school's atmosphere. Such incidents must not happen again. Go back and write a self-critique for now," Old Chen sighed deeply, feeling some pity for the student before him.
"Absolutely not, Mr. Chen! This student's actions have severely impacted the school's atmosphere. If we don't punish her severely, how can we expect the other students to respect authority?" Another stern voice rang out.
The Dean of Education rubbed a bald patch on his head, speaking with an air of righteousness. With the principal and vice-principal away on business, he was effectively the highest authority in the school. The Deputy Director had treated him to dinner just last night. As long as he handled this matter well, the vice-principal's position would be his upon retirement. Perhaps even the principal's seat would be his in the future. At this thought, he criticized Old Chen even more harshly. Letting Shangguan You off so easily—how could he possibly explain that to the Deputy Director?
"But, Dean, the fault isn't solely Shangguan You's. The Feng siblings also bear responsibility."
"That's right. Feng Shao'an has always used his connections to bully others and hurl insults. I believe anyone else in that situation would have resorted to violence too."
"No! Resorting to violence in school is her fault. The school cannot break its own rules. Shangguan You, bring your parents here this afternoon. I want to see what kind of parents can raise a student like you—so undisciplined, fighting and brawling in school at will. They must be severely criticized!"
"They are not in B City," Shangguan You said coldly, her dark eyes brimming with sarcasm. Another one who bullies the weak and fears the strong, she thought. Criticize my parents? I doubt you have the guts, let alone the standing.
"Our school doesn't dare to keep such an incorrigibly stubborn student. You should withdraw."
"I don't believe the Dean has the authority to expel me. A Dean who handles matters unfairly is even less qualified to remain at this school." A glint of anger flashed in her deep eyes. This snob who judges people by their cover! Such a person has no right to be a dean. He'd be better off going home to farm.
As Shangguan You spoke, she began to walk coldly out of the office, treating the Dean's words as utter nonsense. As if I want to be here. This bullshit knowledge? I mastered it long ago. What I need now is time.
"Shangguan You, stop right there! Disrespecting your elders, talking back to teachers, not even daring to call your parents—our school cannot keep a student like you! I'm going to call them right now and have them take you home!"
His face livid, the Dean of Education pulled out the student records for Class One of the first year of senior high. He found Shangguan You's file and began flipping through it.
As Dean of Education, he made it his business to be intimately familiar with the records and family backgrounds of every student. Only by understanding each student's family situation could he avoid offending them and, by extension, the influential figures behind them.
The record showed Shangguan You came from an ordinary family; the 'Family Members' section listed only a single phone number. A transfer student with no significant background, usually the most obedient girl in school, had suddenly turned into a porcupine. This really put him in a difficult position, making it hard to back down. Besides, he had already promised someone he would make Shangguan You withdraw voluntarily, so he certainly wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.
"Dean, I'm kindly advising you not to make that call. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even find a field to farm when you get home," Shangguan You paused, turned around, and looked coldly at the Dean, who was dialing the phone, offering her "friendly" warning. Arms crossed, she leaned against the doorframe, disdainfully watching the Dean's solo performance.
Her file might show an ordinary family background, she mused, but that single phone number listed there... that was something else entirely.
"Threatening a teacher! That just adds to your offenses! You just wait!" the Dean snarled, already connecting the call.
"Good luck, Dean." A flicker of disdain crossed Shangguan You's dark eyes. She almost pitied the Dean for his stupidity. At the same time, she was quite curious to see how her so-called "relatives" would handle this.
The call connected. A deep male voice answered from the other end, "Hello."
Upon hearing the voice, the Dean's heart suddenly trembled. Why did this voice make him feel so uneasy? Was this the kind of pressure exerted by someone in a high position? He shook his head quickly, dismissing the discomfort. I am the Dean of B City No. 1 Middle School. Shangguan You is the one at fault. I have no reason to fear a mere voice.
"Excuse me, is this Shangguan You's father? Our school cannot accommodate a student like Shangguan You. Please come and process her withdrawal. Not only has she assaulted students and started fights on campus, but she also disrespects her elders and freely insults teachers. We cannot keep such a lawless student," the Dean rattled off Shangguan You's supposed offenses, shooting her a triumphant look. But the other end of the line remained utterly silent. The Dean heard none of the reactions he'd expected—no pleas for him to calm down, no angry words for Shangguan You. There was only silence from the caller, broken only by the sound of his own voice.
"Hello? Are you listening?" the Dean finally sensed something was amiss. Unfortunately, the person on the other end didn't wait for him and hung up directly.
"Like father, like daughter. Such a lack of upbringing. No wonder the child is just as undisciplined," he grumbled.
Shangguan You shot the Dean a look one might give an idiot. Go on, rant all you want, she thought. Let's see how long your arrogance lasts.
"Dean, she's still just a child. Although fighting was her fault, expulsion is too severe," Old Chen, having recovered from the sudden turn of events, pleaded on Shangguan You's behalf.