The principal's office.
Everyone was present when Yu Jie arrived fashionably late.
As she passed by Wen Tingxue, she deliberately slowed her steps, taunting,
"Even if they find out it was me, what can you do? My sister's boyfriend is a young master from the Fu family.
"As long as Second Master Fu speaks up, I'll be safe and sound, just like last time."
She was referring to the day of Chi Zerui's birthday.
"Yu Jie!"
Before Wen Tingxue could speak, Chi Zerui was already furious.
He glared at her fiercely, as if he could devour her.
"If you have a problem with me, then come at me! Why are you picking on her?! Are you crazy?!"
He truly hadn't expected that after all the investigation, he himself would be the one causing her trouble!
Yu Jie sneered and lifted her eyelids. "Coming at you? Am I an idiot? You're the young master of the Chi family.
"Your uncle dotes on you like his own eyeball; who would dare touch you?"
Even if she lacked brains, she knew Chi Ye was not to be trifled with.
Wen Tingxue, on the other hand, had a simple family background, so it was easy to bully her.
What's more, she now had the Fu family backing her, so Yu Wenli didn't have to be afraid either.
Of course, that wasn't the most important thing, but rather—
"You're angry?"
Yu Jie smugly savored Chi Zerui's rage, a mix of hatred and arrogance in her voice. "You said you don't care about her, so why are you so angry now?
"Chi Zerui, you can dislike me, but you can't like a girl who's worse than me!
"Who the hell do you think you're insulting?! Even if my Yu family isn't a noble family, we're not someone you can just discard!"
*Slap—*
Chi Zerui moved too fast. Before anyone could react, Yu Jie's lips were bleeding.
A clear red handprint bloomed on her exquisitely made-up left cheek.
"You talk so righteously, but aren't you just bullying the weak?"
Chi Zerui expressionlessly flexed his wrist. "I never hit women. You're the first, because you're too shameless."
The Yu family was nothing in Jiangcheng.
In the past, Yu Jie would never have dared to do something like this.
She dared now only because her sister had hitched herself to the Fu family.
With the success of last time, she had the audacity for this attempt.
He despised this kind of sycophancy, and even more, he hated her for demeaning and insulting Wen Tingxue.
"You..."
Yu Jie covered her face in disbelief. "You dare hit me?!"
Since childhood, her parents hadn't laid a finger on her!
The boy she had liked for so long actually hit her in front of so many people?!
And for another girl!
Yu Jie's reason completely vanished as she screamed, "Chi Zerui! If you have the guts, hit me again!
"I touched the person you like, and you can't take it anymore, right?! Hit me!
"Let everyone see clearly, you've fallen for your brother's gir—"
"Chi Zerui!"
Seeing that he was about to strike again, Wen Tingxue quickly hugged his waist, and Yu Wenli also stopped his movement.
"Calm down."
Chi Zerui's gaze was venomous as he spoke word by word, "I am very calm."
Calm enough to want to hit someone.
Tong Jiayi also stepped forward immediately to restrain Yu Jie.
"Can you stop acting crazy and just apologize to resolve this..."
"Who asked for your fake kindness!"
Yu Jie pushed Tong Jiayi away and pointed at her nose, scolding, "I treated you as a good sister.
"I gave you ideas, helped you deal with Wen Tingxue, and what did you do?
"You actually ran to Yu Wenli and exposed me!
"You were the only one who saw me coming out of the fitting room!
"You've been my sister for so many years, I thought you'd help me cover it up.
"I never thought you'd sell me out just to please Yu Wenli! You're really something!"
Tong Jiayi fell to the ground, tears welling up from the pain.
Her voice naturally took on a sharp edge of desperation.
"Yu Jie, can you stop being so lovestruck! Look at what you've done!
"Have you been sober for a single day since Chi Zerui broke up with you?!
"You want me to cover for you? How could I cover up what you did? My conscience wouldn't allow it!"
"Conscience?" Yu Jie acted as if she had heard the greatest joke. "Do you have any conscience towards me?
"I was so good to you, and you..."
"Enough!"
The principal interrupted the farce with a grim expression.
At the same time, Fu Yuchuan, who had left and returned, and Chi Ye, who had just received the news, appeared at the doorway.
The scene instantly fell silent.
Even the furious Chi Zerui and the hysterical Yu Jie felt the tension in the air and quieted down.
...
After Fu Yuchuan and Chi Ye were seated, the principal spoke with a somber face.
"On the way here, the student union president has explained the entire situation to us.
"It's nothing more than petty squabbles between young girls.
"It's not a major problem. Wen Tingxue and Xie Jinyi, the two students..."
The principal glanced at the injuries on their feet. "Although they suffered minor injuries, they didn't cause any major trouble after all.
"My intention is to give them a minor punishment and let it go."
Yu Jie's expression immediately turned triumphant, and she shot Wen Tingxue a "See? I'm fine" look.
"I disagree."
Yu Wenli and Chi Zerui spoke simultaneously.
The principal frowned deeply. Before he could speak, Chi Ye ordered in a low voice, "Shut up!"
"I won't."
Chi Zerui's face was cold, his eyes showing an unusual seriousness.
"Wen Tingxue is not at fault in this matter. Why should we downplay it? Yu Jie has malicious intentions and should be expelled from school!"
The principal subconsciously looked at Fu Yuchuan, who remained silent. After a few seconds of deliberation, he compromised.
"What do you mean by malicious intentions? Do you have evidence that Miss Yu placed the glass shards?"
This question clearly indicated he intended to favor Yu Jie.
Chi Zerui was choked with anger. "What more evidence do you need? Isn't Tong Jiayi the best witness?!"
Tong Jiayi, whose name was called, reluctantly stood up, looking at Yu Jie with a troubled expression.
Yu Jie glared at her threateningly, showing no signs of remorse.
Tong Jiayi closed her eyes in despair. When she opened them again, a decision had been made.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"I personally saw Yu Jie come out of the fitting room. No one entered during that time.
"Therefore, only she could have tampered with the shoes."
Yu Jie gritted her teeth and glared at her.
The principal paused for a moment, then rested his hands on the desk and continued to quibble.
"In other words, you didn't personally see Miss Yu put the glass shards in the shoes, did you?"
Tong Jiayi was taken aback by the question, her eyes flashing with too many emotions.
Finally, they settled on... disappointment.
The principal's heart constricted slightly as he lowered his gaze. Ultimately, he chose to sacrifice Wen Tingxue.
in order to bring greater benefits and resources to the school.
"Since there is no clear evidence..."
"Principal."
Yu Wenli understood the underlying meaning and interrupted, "May I speak with Mr. Fu alone for a moment?"
His request was too sudden and too bold.
Everyone's eyes instantly turned to him, and to the distinguished man who had remained silent since entering.
Compared to the shock of the others, Fu Yuchuan appeared much calmer and smiled slightly, "Of course."