Chapter 103: Taking Sides

"You were the one who told him to stir up trouble, weren't you?" Zhang Ye strode forward, his imposing manner and swift, decisive actions creating an immense sense of pressure.

"Y-you, what do you think you're doing?" Recalling the ferocity with which Zhang Ye had struck earlier and the fear he had felt when facing him, Li Yifan retreated several steps, his face turning pale.

He had originally intended to use the numbers on his side to teach Zhang Ye a lesson, but he hadn't expected his cohorts to turn cowardly; seeing Zhang Ye knock down several people in quick succession, they didn't even dare to get close.

"So, it was you, then?" As Zhang Ye spoke, he swung his hand and delivered a slap. It was a truly resounding, sharp crack.

"It seems the lesson from last time wasn't enough." Zhang Ye delivered another slap, striking him hard across the face without the slightest hesitation or restraint. He despised those who engaged in underhanded tactics behind his back.

"Stop! What are you doing? Stop immediately!" Naturally, some quick-witted person reacted and ran off to fetch a teacher.

The person who approached was the Director of Student Affairs, a pot-bellied, bald, middle-aged man in a gray suit. He was carrying a book in his hand, and his expression was extremely grim.

Fighting on the very first day of the school term—especially right after the principal had sternly criticized the student body and demanded a rectification of the school's atmosphere—had instantly ruined his good mood for the day.

"Director Dong, you've come just in time. He's hitting people!" As if grasping at a life-saving straw, Li Yifan struggled to climb to his feet, clutching his face and shouting loudly.

Nearby, the hulking Liu Weite stood up, leaning over slightly; clearly, he was still in pain from the kick Zhang Ye had delivered earlier.

"What exactly is going on here?" Director Dong Honghao’s face stiffened when he saw Li Yifan. He then directed a stern gaze at Zhang Ye and barked, "What is the meaning of this?"

Zhang Ye was a sharp individual. Just by observing the director's expression, he immediately understood: Dong Honghao knew Li Yifan’s background. When faced with the son of an executive vice county magistrate versus an ordinary student, there was no need to guess which way the director would lean.

"Please get the facts straight. They were the ones who stirred up trouble; they were the ones who threw the first punch; and finally, there were several of them, while I was all alone." Although Zhang Ye felt a cold sneer in his heart, he began to explain. After all, some things were just like that; even if the other party started the conflict, if it wasn't explained clearly, it would only give the director more reason to pile the blame onto him.

"I only saw you hitting people," Dong Honghao said, his face dark as he reprimanded him. "What class are you in? Who is your homeroom teacher? That's enough—come with me to the office. Give a full account of yourself, and then bring your parents here tomorrow. I've seen plenty of students like you; I don't believe I can't break you."

While scolding him, he turned to look at Li Yifan and his group, feigning severity. "If you're here to play ball, play ball. Why cause so much trouble? Hurry up and go to the infirmary." The favoritism was glaringly obvious; even a fool could hear the bias in his voice.

Zhang Ye was furious. Dong Honghao’s actions were truly disgusting. With such blatant partiality, did he really take him for a fool?

"Wait a minute! Why are they not facing any consequences? I saw the whole thing from start to finish. It was them who started it! They intentionally threw the basketball at him, which is why he acted in self-defense." At this moment, an indignant voice rang out. It was Guo Xiangqing. She wore a brown short-sleeved top and pink trousers, her exposed arms delicate and fair, enough to make one want to take a bite. Her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, fluttering in the breeze. Even from a distance, one could catch a hint of an alluring fragrance. Her face was exquisite, with red lips and white teeth, rounded eyes and light brows—she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"That's right! We saw it clearly. It was him who threw the ball on purpose. Why should he be punished while those few get off scot-free?" Two girls following behind Guo Xiangqing spoke up as well. They were close friends of hers and, although they didn't know why she was helping Zhang Ye, their stance remained firm.

Students gathered in a circle, curiously observing the unfolding situation. Some of them had also witnessed the incident but had no intention of stepping forward; Li Yifan and his group were arrogant and overbearing, and beating up other students was a common occurrence. Ordinary people really didn't dare to cross them.

"All of you, come back to the office with me and explain everything clearly. Everyone else, disperse!" Dong Honghao’s face was dark; he realized things were slipping out of his control. If he were to act too stubbornly, the students might start an uproar. Thus, he was forced to call Li Yifan and his group to the office as well.

He handled the situation with great reluctance, and his expression turned incredibly ugly. In his view, his authority had been challenged. It was hard to handle the matter out in the open, but once they were in his office, he wouldn't let these students run wild.

Zhang Ye gave Guo Xiangqing a grateful look. She responded with a faint smile and walked ahead without the slightest hint of worry.

***

Dong Honghao’s office was on the first floor of the administration building, and they reached it after a short walk. Inside the relatively spacious office, a coffee-colored desk sat facing the door. Beside it was an aluminum-alloy sliding window. The stark white walls were adorned with a few small banners and certificates of merit. To the right stood a small bookshelf, packed full of textbooks and study materials.

In the corner, there were several red thermoses, a coat rack, and... a few bottles of alcohol, kept in a crate. It was Baijiu—Moutai, by the looks of it. Zhang Ye only saw an empty bottle left outside the box.

"You, tell me: what exactly happened?" Upon entering the office, Dong Honghao’s demeanor shifted completely. He sat straight down in his office chair, and without even glancing at Zhang Ye or Guo Xiangqing, he pointed directly at Li Yifan and asked.

Li Yifan cast a smug look at Zhang Ye and began his account. He was quite eloquent, though he didn't use his talents for good. In his version of events, the incident became a convoluted, bizarre story that favored their side. As for Zhang Ye, he was transformed into an arrogant, overbearing hooligan who specialized in bullying others. His performance was enough to make the listener weep, and when paired with their disheveled appearances, the effect was perfect.

Guo Xiangqing tried to interject in anger, but Dong Honghao cut her off with a shout. Only after Li Yifan finished did he turn his gaze to Zhang Ye. "Do you have anything else to say? Miao Jianghong certainly raised a fine student. No need to say more—bring your parents here tomorrow. I want to ask them how they’ve taught their son, bringing such street-thug behavior into this school. I’m giving you a major demerit here and now. If you offend again, I will tell the principal to purge such scum from our Number One High School."

After finishing his speech, Dong Honghao turned his glare toward Guo Xiangqing. "If you don't know the facts, don't talk nonsense! I’ll let it slide this time as a first offense, but if I see it again, I’ll punish you all together!" He looked so fierce that the two girls behind Guo Xiangqing were startled.