Chapter 32: School-wide Reprimand and Commendation
Bai Qingxia was so startled that she stood up, clutching her book and turning around, her eyes wide with shock at the scene before her.
Lu Yuanqiu glared at her. “Can’t you tell someone’s approaching from behind?!”
Bai Qingxia, still dazed, took a few steps back.
Seated on the ground, clutching her shoulder with a pained expression, was a girl Bai Qingxia recognized. Before the classes had been divided into arts and sciences, they’d been classmates in their first year of high school—and this was the girl who had once led others in bullying her.
Without hesitation, Lu Yuanqiu strode over, grabbed the girl by the collar, and hauled her up with one hand. He shoved her hard against a tree and slapped her across the face.
Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes from the blow. Her back pressed to the tree, she stared at Lu Yuanqiu in terror.
“What class are you in? What’s your name?” Lu Yuanqiu pointed at her, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.
The commotion quickly drew the attention of those on the field. The entire Class 28 hurried over, including the PE teacher, Wang Ping.
A crowd formed around the three of them.
Wang Ping barked sternly, “Lu Yuanqiu, what are you doing?!”
Ignoring him, Lu Yuanqiu scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on his classmate, Sun Hongyan.
“You—come here!”
Sun Hongyan timidly stepped forward. Lu Yuanqiu’s voice was cold as he asked, “Is this the one? The one who pushed Bai Qingxia down the steps last time?”
Sun Hongyan glanced at the short-haired girl pinned to the tree and nodded. “Y-yes, it’s her.”
Wang Ping looked at the girl in surprise, his expression growing grave.
Lu Yuanqiu smirked. “So it really is you. Seems you’ve delivered yourself to me this time, haven’t you? What’s your name? Which class?”
The short-haired girl remained silent, her triangular eyes radiating hatred at Lu Yuanqiu, even as tears streaked down her cheeks.
“Smack!” Lu Yuanqiu slapped her again, completely unfazed.
“Didn’t your mother teach you how to speak?”
Wang Ping could no longer stand by. He snapped, “Lu Yuanqiu, calm down! If you keep hitting her, it’s a different matter entirely!”
Lu Yuanqiu shot back, “A different matter? Those steps are so high—she just tried to push someone again! Last time, Bai only twisted her ankle falling down, but what if she’d landed on her head this time? What then, teacher? That’s attempted murder! A slap is letting her off easy!”
Wang Ping was left speechless.
He turned to the short-haired girl, voice stern. “Which class are you from? Why would you treat Bai like this?”
Zhong Jincheng spoke up, “I think she’s from Class 15. I can’t remember her name.”
“Class 15? Must be someone with a mother but no upbringing.” Lu Yuanqiu sneered, yanking the girl by the collar and shoving through the crowd, storming off in a rage.
Wang Ping called after him, “Lu Yuanqiu, where are you taking her?!”
“To the grade director’s office!”
The boy didn’t look back, his voice ringing out loud and clear. Dressed in baggy shorts, his posture was unwavering, his back broad.
“Alright, everyone, disperse. That’s enough—school’s over,” Wang Ping ordered the gathering students. Then he added, “Bai Qingxia, Sun Hongyan, you two come with me.”
Sun Hongyan answered weakly, while Bai Qingxia seemed lost, her eyes still fixed on the direction Lu Yuanqiu had gone.
“Bai Qingxia?” Wang Ping called her again.
He approached and saw, to his surprise, that the pure, lovely girl was crying, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
Wang Ping sighed and patted her shoulder to comfort her. “It’s alright, teacher will stand up for you. Your classmates Lu Yuanqiu and Sun Hongyan can both testify.”
Bai Qingxia wiped her tears and nodded silently.
She quickly gathered her backpack and Lu Yuanqiu’s, following Wang Ping.
...
Bang!
Lu Yuanqiu kicked open the grade director’s office door, startling Ge Ritian, who was sipping tea inside. The tea leaves splattered across his face.
Seeing who it was, Ge Ritian slammed the table in anger. “Lu Yuanqiu, what do you think you’re doing?!”
Lu Yuanqiu shoved the short-haired girl forward. She landed hard on her backside, while he dusted off his hands, every inch the villain.
Ge Ritian was momentarily taken aback, then looked up. “What now? Causing trouble right under my nose for extra excitement, is that it?”
Expressionless, Lu Yuanqiu replied, “Director, what’s the punishment for attempted murder?”
“What?” Ge Ritian blinked, just as Wang Ping and the two girls entered.
When Lu Yuanqiu turned and saw Bai Qingxia had been crying, his frown deepened.
He took a deep breath, walked over, and pulled some tissues from the table, pressing them into her hand.
...
Evening self-study.
The loudspeaker crackled, and the grade director’s voice echoed through the classroom.
“Listen up, everyone. We have an announcement. Xu Yan from Class 15, after repeatedly and maliciously harming fellow students and showing no remorse, has had her parents notified and is hereby expelled. The rules of Lucheng No. 7 High School are clear…”
Lu Yuanqiu sat at his desk, twirling his pen and listening intently. If the school’s response hadn’t been expulsion, he would have marched straight back to the office to raise hell again.
After finishing the matter with Xu Yan, Ge Ritian’s voice continued, “Now, let’s commend a student. Quite surprising, really—this student used to be frequently criticized, but it seems he’s turned over a new leaf.”
Lu Yuanqiu’s lips twitched. Thanks a lot, Ge Ritian.
All eyes in the classroom turned to the back rows, their expressions a mix of amusement and surprise.
“Today, this student bravely stopped a serious incident. He is Lu Yuanqiu from Class 28 of the senior year. We commend him publicly.”
On the podium, Su Miaomiao, overseeing evening study, smiled. “What are you all waiting for? Applaud.”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The whole class burst into applause. Gao Qiang even whistled, while Hu Caiwei, though reluctant, still joined in.
Lu Yuanqiu shamelessly stood up. “A good deed needn’t be named. Keep a low profile, everyone. I hope you’ll all carry on my spirit.”
Zhong Jincheng scoffed, “What are you showing off for? You just noticed it first—otherwise, I would’ve stepped in!”
Gao Qiang added, “Doesn’t matter, I’d have done it too.”
Lu Yuanqiu flipped them both off with a finger.
He sat back down. Bai Qingxia was diligently working on her exercises, so Lu Yuanqiu didn’t disturb her and returned to his book.
Sensing Lu Yuanqiu looking away, Bai Qingxia paused, her lips parting as if to say something. In the end, she stayed silent.
The next evening.
Four Seasons Fresh Supermarket.
Lu Yuanqiu watched the girl busily working, puzzled. The bully had been punished; she ought to be happy. Yet she seemed even more withdrawn than before.
At ten o’clock, as the supermarket closed, Lu Yuanqiu locked the door as usual. But the girl beside him didn’t leave.
“Go home. Be careful on your way,” Lu Yuanqiu said, turning to her.
Bai Qingxia stood in place for a moment, then brought her backpack forward and took out a pair of neatly folded work pants.
“I’ve mended them…”
She held the pants out to him.
Lu Yuanqiu, caught off guard, recognized them immediately—they were the ones he’d thrown in the trash the day before.
He quickly checked the ripped spot and found it had been carefully stitched with green thread into the pattern of a grassy lawn, with a small yellow flower embroidered on it.
The simple, soothing image matched the dark green of the pants perfectly.
Lu Yuanqiu smiled in surprise, looking up to thank her, but Bai Qingxia’s eyes were already red with tears.
“Lu Yuanqiu, thank you. But next time, don’t be so impulsive… Don’t get yourself punished because of me…”
She fought back her tears, quickly turned away, and her slender figure soon melted into the thick darkness of night.
Lu Yuanqiu stood there for a long time.
At last, he let out a long sigh.
He lowered his head and sniffed the pants lightly. They’d been washed; the faint scent of laundry detergent lingered.
ps.
Daily reminder to follow the story—don’t just save it for later.