Everyone looked at Wen Tingxue when these words were spoken.
As they say, words are not proof; only evidence can solidify an accusation.
But the only evidence lay within Yu Yahe's phone.
That video.
Yu Yahe smiled triumphantly, "Wen Tingxue, you and I have no past grudges, no recent enmities. Even if I haven't treated you very well on a daily basis.
"That still doesn't count as bullying, at most it's just that I personally dislike you, so how can you slap such a big hat on me?"
She knew Wen Tingxue's weakness too well. As long as she had that video in hand.
No matter how capable Wen Tingxue was, she wouldn't be able to escape her grasp!
"That's right, that's right!"
Those who followed Yu Yahe eagerly nodded, wishing they could distance themselves immediately.
"We just said a few unpleasant words, how did they become bullying in her ears?"
"According to her, we won't dare to speak in the future."
"Teacher, she's a transfer student from Lu Cheng No. 7 Middle School, she's full of tricks, maybe she just wants to extort money."
No matter how arrogant they were on a normal day, they dared not accept the label of bullying at this moment.
After all, Jiangcheng No. 1 High School was a renowned elite school in Jiangcheng, known for its zero tolerance towards bullying. Once investigated and found guilty, expulsion was inevitable.
At that point, which school would dare to admit them?
Wen Di still favored Yu Yahe somewhat. Even though Wen Tingxue had revealed her scars and spoken many details.
He was still willing to believe Yu Yahe one more time.
"What she said is not without reason. Do you have any evidence that they indeed bullied you?"
Wen Tingxue's small face turned pale as she pursed her lips, "I experienced it myself, doesn't that count?"
Her eyes were filled with such despair that Wen Di's heart softened, "It counts, but it cannot be used as evidence unless there are witnesses, or something more direct to prove your claims.
"After all, some things are not believed just because you say them; you still need to speak with evidence."
What he said was not wrong, and Wen Di was indeed acting with fairness and impartiality.
But Wen Tingxue still wanted to try. She truly didn't want to mention the video unless absolutely necessary.
Even though she tried to comfort herself and believed she was in the right.
The ingrained thinking of over a decade could not be changed overnight.
Understanding and acting were two different things.
"Do I… need to have a video, or photos?"
The young girl spoke slowly, a layer of poignant sorrow clouding her dark and bright eyes.
Like a cornered beast, knowing there was only a dead end ahead, yet still struggling in its final moments.
Wen Di couldn't articulate his feelings at that moment, but for some reason, he remained silent.
Yu Yahe frowned with a premonition and warned secretly, "A video would be best, but do you have one?"
Only she had that video, but she wasn't foolish enough to keep it on her phone.
Even if they searched now, they wouldn't find anything.
"Wen Tingxue, we were desk mates. I know you have an opinion of me, and I know I've treated you badly.
"Sometimes I might have indeed bullied you, fine, I'm willing to apologize, alright?"
Yu Yahe was forced to concede, wanting to resolve the matter quickly.
She couldn't understand it. Xie Jin Yi had already smoothed things over.
She wouldn't trouble her anymore in the future, so why did she have to escalate things like this?
Wen Di glared back at her, "The matter is not yet settled, who told you to jump to conclusions here?"
Yu Yahe felt a pang of frustration. Now even Wen Di was on her side.
Truly, the dogs that bite don't bark!
Yu Yahe's heart was unsettled as she rolled her eyes.
Wen Di looked back at Wen Tingxue and said gently, "It would be best if you had evidence. If not, we can investigate based on what you've said.
"However, I still advise you to think carefully, for example, witnesses, videos, or photos, all can serve as evidence."
The young girl slowly lowered her eyes, her right hand gripping her thigh so tightly that the skin around her thumb turned red.
Just as she was about to mention the video, the door was knocked.
Wen Di turned his head, his brow furrowed slightly, "Ke Xin?"
Xu Ke Xin stood at the door with a blank expression. The evening breeze stirred her ponytail, inexplicably lending her a touch of gentleness.
"Teacher."
Xu Ke Xin greeted him politely, then stepped in and stated her purpose:
"I can testify for Wen Tingxue that Yu Yahe and the others did indeed engage in bullying."
From the moment Yu Wen Li appeared at the door of Class Four, to Yu Yahe and the others not returning, she could roughly guess what the matter was.
After much consideration, she felt she should come.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to face her conscience.
Wen Di was surprised by her appearance but also happy about it. He picked up his notebook and said, "Please speak."
From the moment Xu Ke Xin appeared, Yu Yahe's expression began to turn grim, but she still forced herself to threaten:
"Class monitor, don't speak carelessly. If the hat of bullying is put on us, we're truly finished, so you'd better think clearly before you speak."
Xu Ke Xin glanced at them with a cold gaze, a hint of hesitation flashing across her face.
But after a moment, she recounted what she had seen truthfully.
"From the first day Wen Tingxue arrived, Yu Yahe deliberately or inadvertently targeted her. In the beginning, it was just a bad attitude.
"Later, it escalated into open and covert bullying. The incidents I personally witnessed include chalk dust mixed with glue on her desk.
"Red ink on her chair, trash in her drawer, missing pencil cases and books, crumpled test papers and assignments.
"Although they could all be found in the end, being without pens and books during class inevitably led to being scolded by the teacher.
"So, I think this is bullying. They even openly mocked Wen Tingxue's accent in English class, which is verbal bullying."
Xu Ke Xin spoke with an air of near certainty.
Although her words were gentle, they made it easy for people to believe everything she said.
Moreover, Wen Di had seen Wen Tingxue's missing books and stationery, and her inability to submit assignments.
He hadn't thought much of it at the time, assuming she wasn't focused on her studies.
Now that he thought about it, the young girl must have been in despair back then.
Wen Di lowered his eyes with a hint of guilt, then angrily looked at Yu Yahe, "What else do you have to say?!"
He truly hadn't expected that his proud student, whom he praised daily, would be like this!
It was truly disgusting!
Yu Yahe was stung by the emotion in Wen Di's eyes and argued with a slight tightness in her chest:
"I… I admit I did those things, but I don't think it's bullying.
"I didn't hit her, I didn't curse at her, and I didn't get anyone to isolate her.
"At most, I played a prank on her, so how can that be considered bullying?!
"If that's the case, then at least half of the boys in the last few classes should be expelled. They bully girls every day, why don't you say that?"
Yu Yahe's righteous indignation made Wen Di feel even more disappointed.
But he also felt that what she said had some truth to it.
To some extent, these could indeed be classified as pranks, perhaps a bit excessive.
But not enough to be considered bullying.
Wen Di sighed deeply, bending his waist and leaning on the edge of the desk, contemplating how to handle the matter.
Wen Tingxue hadn't expected Yu Yahe to have so many justifications and speak so confidently. She couldn't help but want to bring up the video.
However, Xie Jin Yi spoke first, "What if… there's a video as evidence?"