"Settle down."
Vice President Ji called the room back to order, stopping the three who thought their ordeal was over and was about to leave.
The middle-aged man stood firmly before the trio and calmly scrutinized them. The present faculty members and the President of the university held a late meeting the previous night after they gathered each students' record. They all came to a decision on what punishment to serve and notified the counselors assigned to them. It will be additional work attached to their present workload for their graduating students but it's needed.
They need to make an example out of these three.
There were others who used their parents' external influence and were reported but they were resolved by the student being transferred or quietly dealt with by either supplementary classes or sizeable donations.
But. Those second-generation heirs never went as far as framing a student with malicious means like Lin Shen.
Their judgment was set.
"In all my years as the Vice President of this university, I've never come across any student who is so malicious and unaware of the things they do to their fellow college mate. Is this what you are willing to do to a future colleague if you don't 'like' them? I am highly embarrassed and ashamed by these actions. You are students of XXX University! Do you remember what President Nian said in his welcome speech when you entered these gates?"
The adults waited for the students to answer. The lost look on their faces told them enough.
" 'You are no longer children; your parents will no longer hold your hands. You are now adults and you will be treated as such.' "
After Vice President Ji spoke those words, Zhang Rui and Li Feng's faces paled with despair. It didn't take anyone with a high IQ to understand the hidden insinuation of that reminder. They came from ordinary households. It was their parents who paid their tuition and sent their pocket money. They can't afford to screw up.
Li Feng shot to his feet and his mouth blurted out everything Lin Shen did, even his contempt for Chen Kai.
Lin Shen tried to stop the guy and refute the words that were heard. When Li Feng wouldn't stop, he turned to insulting his so-called friend's IQ and his family.
Hearing the devious words getting fiercer and fiercer, Li Feng stepped up to Lin Shen for a full face-to-face confrontation.
The male teachers made their way over, seeing that things would escalate if the two continued in close proximity.
Li Feng turned blind to all of this. His anger was solely on this person he considered a friend. Lin Shen's insult to his family broke all ties. He no longer cared if he was implicating himself; seeing that this rich brat can calmly throw anyone under the bus, why can't he?
"What's the use of your daddy's money when you can only get used goods, huh? You will only be second best, shit not even second because you're considered a last resort amongst the girls on campus. It hurt your pride for four years that someone with a 'poor' background surpassed you at everything. You've been grinding your teeth with jealousy its a wonder that they're still intact." Li Feng spouted venomous words at Lin Shen with a mocking smile.
Zhang Rui's pride was hurt when she heard the first half of Li Feng's speech. What woman would like to be called that? Her actions of cheating on Chen Kai were worthy of admonishment but she did it for her own interest. Can't she be selfish with her wants?
"Li Feng, I won't take those words from someone who has been a lapdog since freshmen years...."
"At least I see the cash in my account before I do what is needed and not after I put on a stupid act." Li Feng did a full counter before she could complete her tirade.
Zhang Rui's face darkened by the refute. It felt like the entire morning was dedicated to insulting her. She couldn't help but shout a few unladylike words. She didn't care if the teachers were around. Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
"ENOUGH!!!! Sit! Down!" Vice President Ji slammed his hand forcefully against the desk to stop the incessant bickering of these kids.
The couple sat at a distance from Li Feng and waited for whatever the old man had to say. Lin Shen wasn't worried. He was confident that his parents would whitewash whatever nonsense the school placed on his record.
Zhang Rui blindly placed her trust in her boyfriend. He was her ticket for a comfortable life. She believed that he would help her through this little mishap they created. Zhang Rui believed she made the right choice - dumping Chen Kai for Lin Shen was her choice.
Li Feng was numb to it. He accepted his fate. The most he can do is focus on the job he managed to snag and wait patiently for Chen Kai's lawyer's letter. What was on his mind was the choice to make - pay the fine or do some time behind bars.
Vice President Ji began.
"Student Li Feng. Based on the credits accumulated through your years of studies and athletic performances, you were qualified to graduate with a special award from the Athletics Department. But.... we decided to retract the award along with 3 points from your academic record."
"... To graduate..." Li Feng was scared to ask but he had to. The award from the Athletics Department could have helped him pursue a sport-related career once he pursued additional studies but now...
"You can still graduate but your record is now stained. It was thanks to your late submission of your thesis. Do you understand what that means?" V-President Ji asked solemnly. He looked at the young man who was silently thinking of what his future holds. Good-paying jobs in companies do intensive background checks on candidates, his prospects were now lowered.
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Please visit your counselor before the end of the day. You're dismissed."
Li Feng got to his feet and left the room. He didn't spare his so-called friends. They were staring at him wide-eyed when he walked past. They couldn't get the statement of him submitting a thesis out of their ear. When did he do that? How did he do it?
"Student Zhang Rui. Your situation is straightforward. Your school credit has been low from the start and you met the minimum by a point due to a few supplementary courses you were given. Due to the nature of your actions and no submission of your graduating thesis, half of your credits have been deducted. You are unable to graduate. Your counselor is waiting for you." Vice President Ji didn't sugarcoat his words.
...Unable to graduate... Those words were a bolt of lightning for Zhang Rui. 'Isn't that equivalent to being expelled a month shy of the official end of their college days?' she thought to herself.
How is she going to explain this to her parents? She's now a college drop out by society's thinking. A loser. An incompetent fool. Who in their right mind gets expelled from XXX University, a first-tier college? How is she going to survive...
Wait!
Yes!
Lin Shen. She had Lin Shen.
She turned to her boyfriend who still had a confident look on his face. He turned to her when he felt her gaze. "Don't worry. Go get things settled," he said softly.
This type of coaxing was effective.
The adults in the room inwardly shook their heads at Zhang Rui's naivety and Lin Shen's capability.
"Okay." The bright clueless smile on her face was like a red flag leading to a dismal future for her. Zhang Rui left the room with her head held high, pleased that she had chosen a better and more capable boyfriend. In her mind at that moment, he was better than Chen Kai.
When the door was closed, all eyes were on Lin Shen.
"Last but not least. Student Lin Shen....."
~~~~~
In a different room but at the same time, two men dressed in fine tailor-made suits sat rigidly in their seats as they read a shared folder that was handed to them.
The pleasantries Chairman Lin and his son were given by President Nian lasted for five minutes max before the older gentleman breached the subject for their visit.
Presently, the president patiently waited for the two men to stop reading. He was resolute in his decision. He was no longer open to accept any ultimatum from them. After saying what he had to say, he believed he had the right to uphold the prestigious reputation of his university.
"President Nian. These records are of my son's four years here at XXX University?" Chairman Lin asked through gritted teeth.
Lin Xian, his first born was beside him with his eyes focused blankly on the folder in front of him. His face was red with embarrassment and utter shame after reading what his brother did.
Chairman Lin Yang had the urge to cover up his child's deeds as any parent with power would do but the elder before him spoke before he could.
"The first two years were adequate in terms of his academic journey, onwards, tied with his 'activities', it is a miracle he still made the minimum for advancing all the way up to this senior year. But... this last act he did. We can't turn a blind eye to it. Bribery. Falsifying records. Defamation of a fellow student's character. False accusation. This is intolerable. He framed a student on the grounds of sexual harassment and cyber terrorism. I am sure you know how damaging such an accusation or charge is to someone who is innocent if your son's ploy reached the outside authorities."
Father and son were quiet. They knew that if word got out of Lin Shen's wrongdoing, their development in this province wouldn't be strong. One's family reflects one's business. Their silent decision to put business over Lin Shen was made quickly but on the other hand, they took note and understood the severity of his actions.
They have to think of a way to deal with him.
"So the verdict is... " Lin Xian asked solemnly. The young man didn't lose momentum beside his father. The two were cut from the same cloth. Confident, eloquent, and awe-worthy. President Nian quietly admired such a brilliant young man, a pity his younger brother had been led astray.
"Student Lin Shen is expelled!"
~~~~~~~~~
Zhang Rui didn't go to her counselor as advised. She patiently waited for Lin Shen to leave the conference room like a virtuous wife. She didn't think of his punishments, she was more focused on their future.
Leaving school won't be a problem. After all, they were a month and a few days away from graduating. They can leave without anyone knowing what happened in that room. Their reputation won't be sullied.
But.
There's Li Feng.
Crossing her arms in thought, the issue of Li Feng came to mind. She couldn't help but worry that the guy would talk about what happened with someone. They were no longer friends, it would be easy for him to voice his discontent to their classmates. She was still baffled by the fact he did his thesis and submitted it without telling them.
"Deserter," she mumbled under her breath.
A few minutes passed. The door to the conference room still hasn't opened. What was taking him so long?
Falling into boredom, she decided to pass the time online. She checked the school forum and saw new posts about Chen Kai were currently popular. They were all candid shots of him walking across the campus, fiddling with his phone with a silly smile on his face. Zhang Rui had an ugly expression on her face after she read the comments. They were all guessing if he had a good outcome from the hearing or if it was a new girlfriend he was talking to. Most girls who were commenting and gushing over how handsome he looked were offering themselves to him.
The last part ticked her off.
This wasn't new. Chen Kai was truly favored by the gods with his good looks and personality, not to mention his smarts. This happened before she got together with him but reading it now after being insulted for her actions, it pissed her off.
Without thinking, her finger flew across the keyboard of her phone as she wrote a comment under one of the photos.
> It's surprising how low standards have gotten when it comes to looking for a man. How commendable is it for you all to do charity work by picking up a man who rents luxury items on a bank loan? Pathetic.
Zhang Rui was satisfied with her remark and pridefully left the post.
If she stayed any longer, she would have seen the replies to her comment. She saved herself a blow to her already battered psyche.
While watching some TikTok videos she lost track of time. It wasn't until the loud violent opening of the door and the angry shout that she remembered what she was doing.
"Watch how you lose your jobs after expelling me over a stupid trick. You all will be beggars by the time I leave this place."
"Lin Shen!" Zhang Rui was shocked and curious by his angry outburst. Expelled? They expelled him? What!! Why not a simple deduction of credit like hers?
She rushed behind the guy who didn't spare her a glance and was angrily leaving the faculty building.
Holding her handbag close to her chest, she ran and called after him, panicking internally when he didn't look back nor give her some sort of acknowledgment. She watched from behind as Lin Shen walked along the path with stiff yet angry steps. She couldn't see the look on his face but she knew he was nowhere near any sense of calm. She can only hurry after him.
Along the way, there were students going about their daily routine or idling around. Lin Shen and Zhang Rui were spotted easily. The whispers began. Mocking stares followed. It felt like she was in a fishbowl being constantly ridiculed but she didn't care. Zhang Rui held her head high and followed her man. She made sure that the brand of her handbag was shown and that the clothing she wore was perfect on her body.
'Let them stare, they're simply jealous,' she gloated inwardly.
However, a great show was about to start.
"Settle down."
Vice President Ji called the room back to order, stopping the three who thought their ordeal was over and was about to leave.
The middle-aged man stood firmly before the trio and calmly scrutinized them. The present faculty members and the President of the university held a late meeting the previous night after they gathered each students' record. They all came to a decision on what punishment to serve and notified the counselors assigned to them. It will be additional work attached to their present workload for their graduating students but it's needed.
They need to make an example out of these three.
There were others who used their parents' external influence and were reported but they were resolved by the student being transferred or quietly dealt with by either supplementary classes or sizeable donations.
But. Those second-generation heirs never went as far as framing a student with malicious means like Lin Shen.
Their judgment was set.
"In all my years as the Vice President of this university, I've never come across any student who is so malicious and unaware of the things they do to their fellow college mate. Is this what you are willing to do to a future colleague if you don't 'like' them? I am highly embarrassed and ashamed by these actions. You are students of XXX University! Do you remember what President Nian said in his welcome speech when you entered these gates?"
The adults waited for the students to answer. The lost look on their faces told them enough.
" 'You are no longer children; your parents will no longer hold your hands. You are now adults and you will be treated as such.' "
After Vice President Ji spoke those words, Zhang Rui and Li Feng's faces paled with despair. It didn't take anyone with a high IQ to understand the hidden insinuation of that reminder. They came from ordinary households. It was their parents who paid their tuition and sent their pocket money. They can't afford to screw up.
Li Feng shot to his feet and his mouth blurted out everything Lin Shen did, even his contempt for Chen Kai.
Lin Shen tried to stop the guy and refute the words that were heard. When Li Feng wouldn't stop, he turned to insulting his so-called friend's IQ and his family.
Hearing the devious words getting fiercer and fiercer, Li Feng stepped up to Lin Shen for a full face-to-face confrontation.
The male teachers made their way over, seeing that things would escalate if the two continued in close proximity.
Li Feng turned blind to all of this. His anger was solely on this person he considered a friend. Lin Shen's insult to his family broke all ties. He no longer cared if he was implicating himself; seeing that this rich brat can calmly throw anyone under the bus, why can't he?
"What's the use of your daddy's money when you can only get used goods, huh? You will only be second best, shit not even second because you're considered a last resort amongst the girls on campus. It hurt your pride for four years that someone with a 'poor' background surpassed you at everything. You've been grinding your teeth with jealousy its a wonder that they're still intact." Li Feng spouted venomous words at Lin Shen with a mocking smile.
Zhang Rui's pride was hurt when she heard the first half of Li Feng's speech. What woman would like to be called that? Her actions of cheating on Chen Kai were worthy of admonishment but she did it for her own interest. Can't she be selfish with her wants?
"Li Feng, I won't take those words from someone who has been a lapdog since freshmen years...."
"At least I see the cash in my account before I do what is needed and not after I put on a stupid act." Li Feng did a full counter before she could complete her tirade.
Zhang Rui's face darkened by the refute. It felt like the entire morning was dedicated to insulting her. She couldn't help but shout a few unladylike words. She didn't care if the teachers were around. Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
"ENOUGH!!!! Sit! Down!" Vice President Ji slammed his hand forcefully against the desk to stop the incessant bickering of these kids.
The couple sat at a distance from Li Feng and waited for whatever the old man had to say. Lin Shen wasn't worried. He was confident that his parents would whitewash whatever nonsense the school placed on his record.
Zhang Rui blindly placed her trust in her boyfriend. He was her ticket for a comfortable life. She believed that he would help her through this little mishap they created. Zhang Rui believed she made the right choice - dumping Chen Kai for Lin Shen was her choice.
Li Feng was numb to it. He accepted his fate. The most he can do is focus on the job he managed to snag and wait patiently for Chen Kai's lawyer's letter. What was on his mind was the choice to make - pay the fine or do some time behind bars.
Vice President Ji began.
"Student Li Feng. Based on the credits accumulated through your years of studies and athletic performances, you were qualified to graduate with a special award from the Athletics Department. But.... we decided to retract the award along with 3 points from your academic record."
"... To graduate..." Li Feng was scared to ask but he had to. The award from the Athletics Department could have helped him pursue a sport-related career once he pursued additional studies but now...
"You can still graduate but your record is now stained. It was thanks to your late submission of your thesis. Do you understand what that means?" V-President Ji asked solemnly. He looked at the young man who was silently thinking of what his future holds. Good-paying jobs in companies do intensive background checks on candidates, his prospects were now lowered.
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Please visit your counselor before the end of the day. You're dismissed."
Li Feng got to his feet and left the room. He didn't spare his so-called friends. They were staring at him wide-eyed when he walked past. They couldn't get the statement of him submitting a thesis out of their ear. When did he do that? How did he do it?
"Student Zhang Rui. Your situation is straightforward. Your school credit has been low from the start and you met the minimum by a point due to a few supplementary courses you were given. Due to the nature of your actions and no submission of your graduating thesis, half of your credits have been deducted. You are unable to graduate. Your counselor is waiting for you." Vice President Ji didn't sugarcoat his words.
...Unable to graduate... Those words were a bolt of lightning for Zhang Rui. 'Isn't that equivalent to being expelled a month shy of the official end of their college days?' she thought to herself.
How is she going to explain this to her parents? She's now a college drop out by society's thinking. A loser. An incompetent fool. Who in their right mind gets expelled from XXX University, a first-tier college? How is she going to survive...
Wait!
Yes!
Lin Shen. She had Lin Shen.
She turned to her boyfriend who still had a confident look on his face. He turned to her when he felt her gaze. "Don't worry. Go get things settled," he said softly.
This type of coaxing was effective.
The adults in the room inwardly shook their heads at Zhang Rui's naivety and Lin Shen's capability.
"Okay." The bright clueless smile on her face was like a red flag leading to a dismal future for her. Zhang Rui left the room with her head held high, pleased that she had chosen a better and more capable boyfriend. In her mind at that moment, he was better than Chen Kai.
When the door was closed, all eyes were on Lin Shen.
"Last but not least. Student Lin Shen....."
~~~~~
In a different room but at the same time, two men dressed in fine tailor-made suits sat rigidly in their seats as they read a shared folder that was handed to them.
The pleasantries Chairman Lin and his son were given by President Nian lasted for five minutes max before the older gentleman breached the subject for their visit.
Presently, the president patiently waited for the two men to stop reading. He was resolute in his decision. He was no longer open to accept any ultimatum from them. After saying what he had to say, he believed he had the right to uphold the prestigious reputation of his university.
"President Nian. These records are of my son's four years here at XXX University?" Chairman Lin asked through gritted teeth.
Lin Xian, his first born was beside him with his eyes focused blankly on the folder in front of him. His face was red with embarrassment and utter shame after reading what his brother did.
Chairman Lin Yang had the urge to cover up his child's deeds as any parent with power would do but the elder before him spoke before he could.
"The first two years were adequate in terms of his academic journey, onwards, tied with his 'activities', it is a miracle he still made the minimum for advancing all the way up to this senior year. But... this last act he did. We can't turn a blind eye to it. Bribery. Falsifying records. Defamation of a fellow student's character. False accusation. This is intolerable. He framed a student on the grounds of sexual harassment and cyber terrorism. I am sure you know how damaging such an accusation or charge is to someone who is innocent if your son's ploy reached the outside authorities."
Father and son were quiet. They knew that if word got out of Lin Shen's wrongdoing, their development in this province wouldn't be strong. One's family reflects one's business. Their silent decision to put business over Lin Shen was made quickly but on the other hand, they took note and understood the severity of his actions.
They have to think of a way to deal with him.
"So the verdict is... " Lin Xian asked solemnly. The young man didn't lose momentum beside his father. The two were cut from the same cloth. Confident, eloquent, and awe-worthy. President Nian quietly admired such a brilliant young man, a pity his younger brother had been led astray.
"Student Lin Shen is expelled!"
~~~~~~~~~
Zhang Rui didn't go to her counselor as advised. She patiently waited for Lin Shen to leave the conference room like a virtuous wife. She didn't think of his punishments, she was more focused on their future.
Leaving school won't be a problem. After all, they were a month and a few days away from graduating. They can leave without anyone knowing what happened in that room. Their reputation won't be sullied.
But.
There's Li Feng.
Crossing her arms in thought, the issue of Li Feng came to mind. She couldn't help but worry that the guy would talk about what happened with someone. They were no longer friends, it would be easy for him to voice his discontent to their classmates. She was still baffled by the fact he did his thesis and submitted it without telling them.
"Deserter," she mumbled under her breath.
A few minutes passed. The door to the conference room still hasn't opened. What was taking him so long?
Falling into boredom, she decided to pass the time online. She checked the school forum and saw new posts about Chen Kai were currently popular. They were all candid shots of him walking across the campus, fiddling with his phone with a silly smile on his face. Zhang Rui had an ugly expression on her face after she read the comments. They were all guessing if he had a good outcome from the hearing or if it was a new girlfriend he was talking to. Most girls who were commenting and gushing over how handsome he looked were offering themselves to him.
The last part ticked her off.
This wasn't new. Chen Kai was truly favored by the gods with his good looks and personality, not to mention his smarts. This happened before she got together with him but reading it now after being insulted for her actions, it pissed her off.
Without thinking, her finger flew across the keyboard of her phone as she wrote a comment under one of the photos.
> It's surprising how low standards have gotten when it comes to looking for a man. How commendable is it for you all to do charity work by picking up a man who rents luxury items on a bank loan? Pathetic.
Zhang Rui was satisfied with her remark and pridefully left the post.
If she stayed any longer, she would have seen the replies to her comment. She saved herself a blow to her already battered psyche.
While watching some TikTok videos she lost track of time. It wasn't until the loud violent opening of the door and the angry shout that she remembered what she was doing.
"Watch how you lose your jobs after expelling me over a stupid trick. You all will be beggars by the time I leave this place."
"Lin Shen!" Zhang Rui was shocked and curious by his angry outburst. Expelled? They expelled him? What!! Why not a simple deduction of credit like hers?
She rushed behind the guy who didn't spare her a glance and was angrily leaving the faculty building.
Holding her handbag close to her chest, she ran and called after him, panicking internally when he didn't look back nor give her some sort of acknowledgment. She watched from behind as Lin Shen walked along the path with stiff yet angry steps. She couldn't see the look on his face but she knew he was nowhere near any sense of calm. She can only hurry after him.
Along the way, there were students going about their daily routine or idling around. Lin Shen and Zhang Rui were spotted easily. The whispers began. Mocking stares followed. It felt like she was in a fishbowl being constantly ridiculed but she didn't care. Zhang Rui held her head high and followed her man. She made sure that the brand of her handbag was shown and that the clothing she wore was perfect on her body.
'Let them stare, they're simply jealous,' she gloated inwardly.
However, a great show was about to start.
