The counselor hung up the phone.
The four of them exchanged glances, quickly gathered their things, and headed to the faculty office area of the college.
A crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the conference room.
There were members of the Student Union who had come upon hearing the news, as well as students who had seen the forum video and deliberately detoured to watch the drama unfold. When Lu Yibei and the others appeared, the murmuring crowd automatically made way for them, dozens of eyes following their every move.
To someone unaware, it might seem like they weren't here to face consequences but had just finished a tour and were about to walk the red carpet.
Counselor Wei Jianye stood waiting at the conference room door.
He was in his mid-thirties, slightly overweight, with neatly combed hair. He usually spoke neither too fast nor too slow, preferring to calm both sides in a student conflict before reasoning things out.
Seeing the injuries on the four's faces, he sighed.
"Once inside, stay calm, don't talk back, and definitely don't resort to violence."
"We understand, Teacher Wei," Zhou Shuhang replied.
Inside the conference room, Zhao Yuxuan sat on one side, a bandage on his nose and a bruise at the corner of his mouth.
Beside him sat a well-maintained middle-aged woman, dressed in designer clothes, her handbag on the table, her expression even darker than Zhao Yuxuan's injuries.
She was Zhao Yuxuan's mother, Fang Lin.
As soon as they entered, Fang Lin looked over coldly.
"Is it them?"
Zhao Yuxuan nodded.
"Four against one?"
"Yes."
"Impressive."
Fang Lin crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over Lu Yibei and the others as if assessing four substandard products.
Wei Jianye quickly invited them to sit.
"Mrs. Zhao, we're still investigating the full story. They're young, conflicts and minor scuffles are normal. Let's first clarify what happened, then discuss how to proceed."
Fang Lin's face turned cold on the spot.
"Teacher Wei, what do you mean by that?"
"I didn't mean anything else."
"Minor scuffles?" Fang Lin pointed at the bandage on Zhao Yuxuan's face. "Four people beat our Yuxuan like this, and you call it a minor scuffle?"
"I'm just saying both sides acted impulsively."
"So you're covering for them."
Wei Jianye was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mrs. Zhao, I'm hoping everyone can stay calm."
"I am calm."
Fang Lin slammed her phone on the table, the screen playing the forum's fight video.
"No matter what happened before, four people can't beat our Yuxuan alone. This isn't an ordinary conflict; it's campus violence. If you can't handle it as a counselor, then report it to the Department Director."
The crowd outside grew larger.
Some stood on tiptoes to look inside, others sent messages on their phones, and even teachers from neighboring offices came out to see what was happening.
Wei Jianye had hoped to keep the matter at the counselor level, but seeing Fang Lin's refusal to relent, he had no choice but to call the Department Director.
In less than ten minutes, a man in his fifties briskly walked into the conference room.
"Director Li."
Wei Jianye stood to greet him.
Director Li first saw Fang Lin upon entering, nodded at her, and then glanced at Lu Yibei and the others.
"What exactly happened?" Director Li asked.
Wei Jianye was about to explain when Fang Lin handed over her phone.
"Director Li, see for yourself. Four people ganged up on our Yuxuan, and the video has gone viral at the school."
Director Li watched the video, his expression quickly darkening.
"Who started it?"
Zhao Luyuan stepped forward.
"I did."
"Quick to admit."
"But he insulted Chen Jiashu first and pushed him."
Director Li placed the phone back on the table.
"You can report insults to a teacher. Who gave you permission to use your fists?"
"No one did," Zhao Luyuan said. "I couldn't hold back at the time."
"Couldn't hold back, so you four ganged up on a classmate?"
Zhou Shuhang adjusted his glasses.
"The video didn't capture the beginning. Zhao Yuxuan also hit first. Chen Jiashu and Lu Yibei only retaliated after being hit."
"So you think you're justified?"
Director Li had no intention of pursuing evidence further.
"The school has repeatedly prohibited fighting. You four participated in a group assault, causing a negative impact, and it was posted on the forum, severely damaging the school's image."
Zhao Yuxuan, sitting nearby, smirked.
"I told you, a bunch of poor nobodies, what else can you do but gang up and fight?"
Chen Jiashu suddenly looked up.
"Say that again."
"What, want to hit me in front of the teachers?"
Zhao Yuxuan leaned back in his chair.
"Poor nobodies are just poor nobodies, deserve to be looked down upon. Doing odd jobs for girls and thinking you have a chance, isn't that pathetic?"
Wei Jianye immediately scolded, "Zhao Yuxuan, shut up!"
Director Li merely frowned.
"We're discussing the fight now, don't bring up other issues."
Lu Yibei's brow furrowed slowly.
Zhao Yuxuan continued to insult them in front of the teachers, and Director Li brushed it off with a light "don't bring up other issues." Yet when it came to explaining their side, Director Li wasn't willing to listen to a complete sentence.
This was more than just simple favoritism.
"Teacher Wei, note down their information."
Director Li tapped the table.
"Participating in a group assault, causing a negative impact, report it as a major demerit. If Zhao Yuxuan's injuries are severe, further action will be taken."
"Director Li, shouldn't we gather eyewitnesses and the full video first?" Wei Jianye advised, "Directly issuing a major demerit will have a huge impact on the students."
"Isn't the video clear enough?"
"But there are prior circumstances."
"No prior circumstances can justify four against one."
Director Li raised his hand to interrupt. Find the original chapter at g.com.
"Let them return to their dorms and wait for notification. Submit a written reflection by tomorrow."
And with that, the decision was made.
Lu Yibei didn't argue on the spot. He could see that continuing to explain in this conference room would only add background noise for those unwilling to listen.
The four of them stood and left.
As they reached the door, Lu Yibei noticed his campus card had fallen by the chair and went back to retrieve it.
The others had already dispersed to the other end of the hallway, but the conference room door hadn't been fully closed.
Fang Lin's voice came from inside.
"Director Li, you must give our Yuxuan an explanation this time, don't let them get away with bullying him."
"Don't worry, Ms. Fang, the school will handle it seriously."
"That's good. Our Mr. Zhao still wants to invite you for a drink next week, don't say you're unavailable again."
Two knowing laughs came from inside.
Lu Yibei picked up his campus card, his expression unchanged, and caught up with his three roommates.
"What happened just now?" Zhao Luyuan asked.
"Dropped my campus card."
Lu Yibei paused.
"Also, the Department Director has connections with their family."
Back at the dorm, no one felt like talking.
A major demerit wasn't a joke. It would go on their records, affecting scholarships, direct admission to graduate school, and employment, potentially even preventing them from obtaining their degree.
Chen Jiashu sat in his chair, tears suddenly falling.
When he found out Jiang Wanwan had a boyfriend, he hadn't cried. But now, looking at the three roommates who had fought alongside him, he couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Brothers, I've caused you trouble."
He wiped his face, his voice trembling.
"A major demerit. Even if we graduate, finding a job will be tough. It's all because of me, you guys had nothing to do with it."
Zhao Luyuan opened his mouth but couldn't immediately respond as he usually would.
Zhou Shuhang took off his glasses, lowering his head to clean the lenses.
The dorm was silent for a long time.
Lu Yibei leaned against the desk, recalling Fang Lin's words in the conference room.
A drink, a gift. In exchange for the Department Director's favoritism.
Connections really were useful.
"Enough."
Lu Yibei took out his phone from his pocket.
"I have some connections too."
The three of them simultaneously looked up at him.
"I'm going to make a call."
Under their expectant yet puzzled gazes, Lu Yibei walked onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.
He found Tang Jianguo's number and pressed dial.
The phone rang only once before it was answered.
"Young Master Lu?"