Chapter 106: Gu Ci—A Soft Target?

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Seeing this, the school board member who had spoken earlier looked somewhat embarrassed. He had only seen what happened today on Weibo and had rushed to the school to demand accountability without ever doubting the authenticity of the video. Upon arriving at the school, he immediately gathered several other board members and summoned the school leaders and the involved teacher, intending to expel her and offer an explanation to all the parents and society at large. As for the group of students in Class 12, he dared not provoke them. However, before they could decide how to cover up the incident involving the students of Class 12, new developments surfaced on Weibo. This time, the matter involved a transfer student named Gu Ci. The board members saw that this student was powerless and came from the countryside, and almost immediately decided to expel her as well to quell the anger of the parents. That was the true reason they had called Gu Ci over. What they did not expect was that the incident in the school cafeteria had an earlier beginning. But what did that matter? The board member frowned, thought for a moment, and then looked at Gu Ci with renewed disdain. “Surely, it must have been your class that bullied the students of Class 1 first. Why else would the Class 1 students come to you without cause? So ultimately, this is your fault.” “I agree with Director Lin! I heard you even made some kind of bet with Class 1 and took away their spot in the Youth Olympic Games. Is that true?” Jin Jiejiao grew anxious. “No… Board member, school director, Gu Ci did not do that. It was indeed the students of Class 1 who initiated trouble with our class.” Moreover, the students in their class neither hit anyone nor did anything excessive, so how had it become a heinous crime in the eyes of the board member, and why was everything blamed solely on Gu Ci? The board member ignored Jin Jiejiao’s words completely. “Teacher Jin, don’t make excuses. It takes two hands to clap, and flies don’t land on flawless eggs. Are you saying Gu Ci is completely innocent? And one video is not enough to prove anything? Everyone saw Gu Ci leading her students to bully Class 1. How could what everyone saw be wrong?” Gu Ci sneered lazily, a trace of indifference in her eyes. “So, board member, are you calling Duan Jingyi and the others flies?” The board member was so angered by Gu Ci’s words that he was momentarily speechless, then his expression darkened sharply. “Sharp-tongued! Ungrateful!” Gu Ci remained nonchalant, her refined features carrying a subtle edge. “So, what is your decision?” The board member grew more displeased. “Gu Ci… what tone is that of yours?”

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Jin Jiejiao quickly tugged Gu Ci’s arm, signaling her to speak less bluntly. But Gu Ci showed no hesitation. “Isn’t this exactly why you called me here?” Having been exposed, the board members’ faces instantly lost their composure. So what if they wanted to put an end to the matter quietly? Wasn’t the first priority in such situations to minimize the damage? With this in mind, the board member lost patience with further negotiations and spoke condescendingly, “Then I’ll be straightforward! This matter ends here. There’s no need to post the surveillance footage on Weibo. Gu Ci, if you’re willing to admit your mistake sincerely, we might consider giving you a probationary punishment instead of expulsion. But if you remain stubborn, I’m sorry, our school will no longer welcome you.” After speaking, the board member looked down on Gu Ci. In his eyes, there was no chance Gu Ci would refuse. Jin Jiejiao looked at the board member in disbelief, pleading, “Board member, you must be joking.” Whether Gu Ci was expelled outright or given a probationary punishment, it would have a massive impact on her future and would essentially brand her a “bad student” at school. The most critical point was that Gu Ci had never done those things! This was entirely to pacify angry parents outside, making Gu Ci the scapegoat. At this moment, Jin Jiejiao completely forgot that she was also one of the scapegoats and only felt anger for Gu Ci. The board member glanced coldly at Jin Jiejiao and warned, “Teacher Jin, I already feel burdened by your student causing such trouble. Are you still going to speak up for her?” Then he turned his gaze back to Gu Ci, calm and composed. “I believe you can make the best choice yourself. Under these circumstances, the school is still willing to give you a chance to stay. You should be grateful!” The other board members and school leaders all looked at Gu Ci with expressions implying she should be content. The former head of discipline, now Teacher He, was also present. He frowned, his eyes showing some inner conflict. Of course, he knew the truth was not like this, at least not regarding the second matter. But now, faced with such a significant issue… Gu Ci’s situation had become widely known, and if he implicated his student, it would only ruin more students’ futures. Thinking this, he furrowed his brow and spoke kindly, “Board member, probation is too harsh. Why not just give her a major demerit?”

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He then looked at Gu Ci. “Gu Ci, let’s settle this. The school will only record a major demerit against you as long as you destroy the surveillance footage and treat this as if it never happened.” The board member reluctantly agreed and nodded. “Since the head of discipline has spoken for you, we’ll follow his suggestion.” In the board member’s eyes, only Teacher He was the head of discipline; Jin Jiejiao wasn’t even on the radar. His words indirectly revealed his attitude. Then he nodded to the head of discipline. “Teacher He, rest assured, I will issue a statement later clarifying that our school has never recognized Jin Jiejiao as the head of discipline.” The head of discipline hesitated for a moment but eventually acquiesced. At this point, the school’s reputation was paramount. Gu Ci clicked her tongue lightly, her eyes tinged with mockery. “Did I say I’d let this matter drop? Who taught you to speak for yourselves?” The board member frowned deeply, his face full of impatience. “Gu, what do you mean by that?” He looked at Gu Ci with a gaze full of arrogance and disdain. He had never met anyone as ungrateful as Gu Ci. She was just a country bumpkin from the countryside! He was willing to let her stay at their prestigious school, so she should be grateful and obediently take the blame! Not look at him with such cold eyes! Thinking this, he sneered. “Could it be, Gu, that you’re dissatisfied with my decision and want to be expelled outright?” At this moment, a furious voice rang out from outside the door: “Expelled? You want to expel Gu Ci? Do you take me for dead?!”