Chapter 49: The Tables Turn

“You’ve arrived just in time. This student just threatened me!”

The Mother of Wang Fanran was trembling with rage at Lin Qing’s words. Then, she noticed the Principal, who had suddenly appeared, impeccably dressed in a suit. He was clearly an important figure within the school.

Her face lit up with delight when she saw the police officers accompanying him.

It was as if a pillow had appeared just as she was falling asleep.

‘That brat, Lin Qing, dared to threaten her. He would certainly pay the price today.’

“Principal, this is Wang Fanran’s parent. She claims her child suffered violent treatment on campus and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital, so…”

“My child was bullied and abused by this Lin Qing! Principal, you must uphold justice for us! Someone like him absolutely cannot be allowed to remain in this school, lest he corrupt other students.”

Without waiting for the Dean of Students to finish speaking, the Mother of Wang Fanran immediately interjected, cutting him off.

Upon hearing the word “violence,” the Principal’s brow furrowed involuntarily. He hadn’t expected such an incident to occur at the school again.

The mess Liu Hong had caused last time still hadn’t been fully resolved.

Now there was another one!

Yet, as he looked at the student named Lin Qing, with his remarkably slender build, it seemed unlikely he could bully anyone. It would be a wonder if he wasn’t bullied himself.

‘How could he have beaten someone else?’

‘And even put them in the hospital…’

For a moment, the Principal was speechless, unsure which party to believe.

However, he subtly glanced to the side. As soon as Ye Lin’s keen gaze met his, the Principal quickly averted his eyes, pretending nothing had happened.

The police hadn’t sent just a junior officer this time; it was a high-ranking, cadre-level figure.

If a bullying incident at the school were to be exposed, this high school would face severe repercussions.

‘This is truly terrible!’

‘It seems this matter must be resolved quickly, and then I need to get Ye Lin out of here.’

The police dispatching someone this time was no minor affair.

There was no room for delay.

“The full details of this matter are not yet clear. How about this, student Lin Qing, you go home for a few days, and once the investigation is complete, then…”

“Wait, Principal, I haven’t finished speaking yet! The reason for Wang Fanran’s assault has not been investigated, yet this parent has come to the school seeking accountability based solely on verbal claims. Furthermore, just now, in my presence, she attempted to strike a student and verbally insulted them.”

Just as the Principal was about to send Lin Qing home, the Dean of Students interjected with a grave tone.

The Mother of Wang Fanran shot him an angry glare, thinking how annoying the school’s Dean of Students was.

‘Why did he always have to interfere!’

‘Lin Qing must pay the price.’

‘Whether for her hospitalized child or for Lin Qing’s threats just now, this Lin Qing must be punished!’

“He made a mistake, and he can’t even be taught a lesson? An unruly fellow like this could end up committing murder or arson in the future!”

The Mother of Wang Fanran was seething at the Dean of Students’ words.

Her words were utterly unreasonable, and after hearing just one sentence, the Principal immediately knew this woman meant trouble.

Her sharp, malicious words were truly off-putting to anyone who heard them.

Yet, she was incredibly difficult to deal with.

‘Like a rabid dog.’

‘Snapping at everyone she encountered.’

“Madam, what do you mean by that, speaking in front of me? If student Lin Qing has committed a mistake, he will naturally be punished. However, the evidence is currently unclear. Unless you can immediately provide proof of him bullying other students, if you continue to verbally abuse and insult students, I will take you to the police station for investigation.”

The Principal harbored reservations, but Ye Lin, clad in his police uniform, did not.

He gazed sternly at the Mother of Wang Fanran, his imposing presence commanding respect without needing anger, making it impossible for anyone to meet his eyes.

The Mother of Wang Fanran reacted similarly, shrinking back and reluctantly shutting her mouth.

However, the venomous glint in her eyes, directed at Lin Qing, remained unchanged.

Seeing this, Ye Lin’s expression grew even colder.

He had initially thought that having Lin Qing attend school would be a good thing, but now, seeing him targeted like this, Ye Lin felt as though his previous words had turned into slaps, haphazardly striking his own face.

Due to his ongoing attention to Lin Qing, Ye Lin was already aware of the assault that had occurred yesterday.

Lin Qing was the victim.

‘Now he’s practically being cursed at directly. This kind of thing is truly intolerable!’

“Also, is your child named Wang Fanran?”

Pondering these thoughts, Ye Lin suddenly spoke, mentioning Wang Fanran’s name.

The Mother of Wang Fanran froze, surprised by the sudden mention of her son.

However, seeing Ye Lin’s police uniform, the Mother of Wang Fanran immediately felt reassured and nodded in affirmation.

‘Police officers are public servants; they’re definitely not like these school people.’

‘Perhaps he wants to understand how her child was bullied.’

“Yesterday, we received a report of a campus violence incident. The assailant, who used a knife to injure someone, is a student from this very school.”

Yet, the words Ye Lin spoke next sounded like gibberish to the Mother of Wang Fanran.

A look of confusion involuntarily appeared on her face; she had no idea what this police officer was talking about.

‘What did a knife assault have to do with her child!’

“After interrogation, we learned there was another accomplice named Wang Fanran, whose ID number is 125xxxxxxxx, and whose home address is Unit 1, Building 6, Xingfu Community…”

Ye Lin did not specifically address the Mother of Wang Fanran’s confusion, instead continuing with his previous statement.

The Mother of Wang Fanran’s face turned pale with shock; she hadn’t expected her child to be implicated in the case.

However, the police officer had recited all the detailed information, leaving no room for doubt.

‘Her child was an accomplice in campus violence…’

“Officer, this is impossible! My child is very well-behaved; how could they possibly do such a thing!”

Although the Mother of Wang Fanran knew the truth in her heart, she still uttered a hopeful denial at that moment.

“Facts do not change based on your words. There’s no need to discuss anything further with me here. You should take your child to the police station to surrender as soon as possible! Alternatively, reaching a settlement with the victim could also lead to a lighter sentence.”

Ye Lin’s reply was direct and decisive, offering the Mother of Wang Fanran no glimmer of hope. However, upon hearing the words “settlement,” her eyes immediately lit up.

‘Her child absolutely could not have a criminal record.’

‘Even if it cost a fortune, a settlement must be reached!’

“Officer, then…”

“You’re trying to ask about the victim, aren’t you? Look, they’re right in front of you.”

Listening to the Mother of Wang Fanran’s words, Ye Lin smiled, then directly pointed towards Lin Qing.

Upon realizing that Lin Qing was, in fact, the victim, the Mother of Wang Fanran’s expression became incredibly complex.

It was him!

A chill ran down the Mother of Wang Fanran’s spine as she recalled what she had just said to Lin Qing, realizing this situation would be difficult to handle.

However, seeing Lin Qing dressed in inexpensive clothes, she surmised his family’s financial situation was likely poor.

‘A private settlement with some money should suffice.’

“You don’t seem to be injured. Let’s just drop this matter. I won’t pursue your earlier threats, and I apologize for what I said. Let’s settle this privately.”

Ultimately, thinking of her hospitalized son, the Mother of Wang Fanran chose to concede.

Although her words carried reluctance, she spoke them nonetheless.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing raised his head and spoke with unwavering resolve.

“I do not accept.”