Chapter 24: Such a Typical Plot
Originally, both the school and the perpetrator’s side had intended to downplay the matter.
But once Gu Yang involved himself, the severity of the situation rose to an entirely different level.
The Gu family was a prominent wealthy family in Jiang City, with industries spread nationwide. They also had ongoing cooperation with Wanhe Group.
Moreover, Gu Yang himself was close with the group’s eldest young master.
The vice principal had already weighed the situation carefully. So when seeing the guests out, no matter how Ding Ziyu’s father tried to probe indirectly, he didn’t say a single unnecessary word.
Although Liu Hua appeared physically unharmed, the incident had escalated to the point of a suicide attempt. The vice principal contacted Class Ten’s homeroom teacher and asked him to take Liu Hua to the hospital for a checkup.
Liu Hua’s mother watched everything silently.
She wasn’t well educated and had never seen much of the world, but she could tell these students were helping her.
Afraid of saying the wrong thing and embarrassing her son in front of his classmates, she could only nod repeatedly in gratitude as she listened to the arrangements.
After sending the Liu family off, the vice principal intended to first brief He Ming’an on his proposed handling plan.
“Ding Ziyu from Class Ten—this time the circumstances are truly severe. Not only extortion and bullying, but pushing two students to the brink of suicide. It’s outrageous.” As he spoke, he couldn’t help glancing at Gu Yang.
“My suggestion is expulsion.”
He Ming’an nodded. “Ding Ziyu definitely didn’t target only Liu Hua… the two of them. If the school doesn’t deal with it, it will only encourage this kind of bullying culture. Especially given our school’s special circumstances. Let’s issue a public notice and address it at the morning assembly.”
“There’s one more thing…” The vice principal looked troubled. “Liu Hua is undeniably a victim. But his mental state doesn’t seem good. And so many students saw what happened—if he comes back, there will inevitably be gossip.”
“Our agreement with special admissions students is that tuition exemption continues based on each semester’s grades. If they lose the exemption, that tuition would be very difficult for them to afford.”
“So I think he might not be able to keep up with our school’s academic pace. Staying may not necessarily be good for him. Perhaps transferring to a more relaxed environment would be better. This suggestion is for his own good.”
At this, Song Yinxing frowned slightly.
The vice principal wasn’t only suggesting expelling Ding Ziyu.
He also meant persuading Liu Hua to leave.
Song Yinxing could guess his reasoning. A student who had attempted suicide was a potential instability. Rather than constantly worrying, better to remove the risk early.
Still, the vice principal’s argument was thorough—and not without logic.
He Ming’an had clearly thought of this too. He sighed lightly. “Let’s leave the decision to Liu himself.”
“If he wants to stay, then don’t do anything unnecessary. In this matter, he is the victim.”
The vice principal gave a bitter smile. He knew that was a subtle warning directed at him. He wasn’t malicious—he just had to think more broadly from his position. Since He Ming’an had spoken, if anything went wrong later, he wouldn’t be the one taking the blame before President He.
There was still a mess of follow-up matters to handle. After finalizing the plan, he left.
In the reception room, He Ming’an smiled at Song Yinxing. “We have you to thank for today too. You kept the evidence—it made handling this much easier.”
Song Yinxing shook his head. He had only done what he should have. And he knew his role today hadn’t been large.
If Gu Yang hadn’t discovered Liu Hua on the rooftop first… if He Ming’an hadn’t been willing to intervene… this matter likely would have been buried.
He recalled Ding Ziyu’s earlier terrified expression—nearly dropping to his knees to beg Gu Yang for mercy. A trace of mockery flashed in his eyes.
At that moment, Gu Yang extended a hand toward him.
Song Yinxing blinked. “What?”
“High five,” Gu Yang said. “Nice coordination just now.”
Song Yinxing: “…”
He had almost forgotten Gu Yang’s sudden, almost miraculous improvisation midway through.
The explanation had sounded somewhat absurd—but that old transfer record had filled in the gaps perfectly.
If it hadn’t been unnecessary, he might have suspected Gu Yang had planted this trap for Ding Ziyu long ago.
He hesitantly raised his hand and slowly pressed his palm against Gu Yang’s.
Cold.
The chill of Gu Yang’s palm startled him.
Wasn’t the heating on?
After the high five, Gu Yang was about to withdraw his hand when Song Yinxing caught it.
After a pause, he asked with difficulty, “On the rooftop just now… what were you trying to do?”
Gu Yang’s gaze fell on their clasped hands. His eyes curved, and he smiled again.
Song Yinxing had seen that smile several times already.
“Of course I was teasing him,” Gu Yang said after laughing. “You didn’t take it seriously, did you?”
“You were holding me so tight I could barely breathe.”
The flippant tone left Song Yinxing unsure how to respond.
Then he noticed something. “Why were you on the rooftop in the first place?”
“Napping. Didn’t sleep well last night. And we weren’t allowed to stay in the classroom during assembly.”
“In this weather? Sleeping in the wind?”
“Yes. I was simulating the experience of sleeping on the streets.”
“…”
Song Yinxing felt he was witnessing a masterclass in serious-faced nonsense.
He turned expressionlessly to He Ming’an, who smiled helplessly and changed the subject. “Things are mostly handled. We still have class, so we should head back.”
As they reached a fork in the corridor, He Ming’an remembered something. “By the way, Classmate Song, we may need you to testify later. Sorry for the trouble.”
Song Yinxing had no objection, though his expression was hesitant.
He Ming’an noticed. “Is there something you want to say?”
“…When Ding Ziyu targeted me before, you said you would handle it fairly and give me an explanation.” Song Yinxing gave a self-deprecating smile. “I thought you were just making a verbal promise. And this time too—without you, Liu Hua’s situation wouldn’t have ended well.”
“That’s quite the misunderstanding. I’m not the kind of man who makes irresponsible promises,” He Ming’an said with a smile. “I’ve always aspired to give everyone a warm home.”
“I’ll remember this. I owe you a favor,” Song Yinxing said. Regardless of identity, the other party was still just a student. He had no obligation to intervene.
He didn’t like owing people.
“You pulled A-Yang back on the rooftop. I haven’t thanked you yet. Shall we call it even?”
“No. That was between me and Gu Yang. It has nothing to do with this,” Song Yinxing refused firmly. If anything, he owed Gu Yang far more.
“I see.” He Ming’an studied him thoughtfully. “You’re the class monitor of Class Ten, right? In a few days, a transfer student will be joining your class. Could I trouble you to look after him?”
“No need for anything excessive. He’ll just need time adjusting to a new environment.”
A transfer student?
Song Yinxing was surprised someone would transfer mid-term.
Still, he didn’t ask further and agreed.
—
As they climbed the stairs, He Ming’an smiled at Gu Yang. “That Song student is quite interesting. No wonder you’re so interested in him, A-Yang.”
But Gu Yang suddenly asked, “Earlier they said special admissions agreements depend on semester grades to continue tuition exemption, right?”
He Ming’an had grown used to Gu Yang’s abrupt thought jumps. “That should be the case.”
“Then why is Song Yinxing’s contract different?”
Gu Yang remembered clearly—in the middle of the novel, the reason Song Yinxing incurred massive debt was because he’d been locked up and missed the college entrance exam. According to his admission contract, he had to repay all tuition and subsidies from his years at school.
He Ming’an froze.
Even with all his usual goodwill, there was no way he would know the specifics of Song Yinxing’s contract.
Why did Gu Yang know?
Did Song Yinxing tell him? And why would he?
He Ming’an’s thoughts began to spiral.
“Oh, never mind.” Gu Yang had already resolved it himself.
[This plot point was probably designed specifically to amplify the protagonist’s tragic suffering.]
Why argue with a melodramatic novel?
Hearing that inner thought, He Ming’an’s smile faltered slightly.
Protagonist? Tragic suffering?
They had reached the classroom.
Yu Bai spotted them first. After being shooed back earlier, his suppressed curiosity reignited instantly. He had been plotting how to ask tactfully when a flamboyant voice cut in first.
“Oh? Isn’t this Gu Yang? Heard you were making a scene on the rooftop, trying to kill yourself.”
Yu Bai glanced over.
The boy lounging with crossed legs had handsome, refined features—but his hostile expression diminished their appeal.
He had just returned and was already lashing out. Apparently, home life hadn’t been pleasant during his absence.
“The one trying to jump was someone else,” He Ming’an said calmly. “A-Yang was acting to distract him.”
“Ohhh, so that’s called taking someone else’s road and leaving them nowhere to go,” Yu Bai chimed in supportively.
Facial expressions could lie. Inner thoughts could not.
But for now, no one spoke.
“Hmph. Since when did you become so kind?”
Ye Chen grinned. “Lu Ran, why are you breathing fire the moment you’re back? Didn’t your twin brother just return home? Shouldn’t you be happy?”
“…I don’t have a brother.” The boy named Lu Ran’s face darkened instantly. “This is the last time I’m saying this in this class. Whoever brings it up again—try me.”
Seeing Gu Yang looking at him, Lu Ran snapped, “What are you staring at? Keep staring and I’ll really hit you.”
Yu Bai hesitated. He really wanted to warn Lu Ran not to provoke Gu Yang. A lot had happened while he was gone. But he was also afraid of getting punched himself.
[Strictly speaking, he really isn’t a biological brother.]
[After all, Lu Ran was the one switched at birth. The one who just returned is the real young master. They’re not related by blood at all. The Lu family just couldn’t bear to give up the child they’d raised for so many years, so they made up the ‘twin’ story.]
[Haha. Such a classic plot.]
Lu Ran: ??
I told you—why did you have to provoke him?
