Chapter 46: Zhou Shiqin's Gesture of Goodwill
Hearing Zhou Shiqin’s voice, Takagi Qiu seemed to have found her savior. She immediately ran behind Zhou Shiqin, clutching her hand with a frightened look, and pointed at Jiang Xiaofei, saying, “Principal Zhou, you came just in time! He tried to assault me. Please, save me!”
Zhou Shiqin frowned slightly at her words and looked toward Jiang Xiaofei.
Seeing Zhou Shiqin’s gaze, Jiang Xiaofei hurried to explain, “Principal Zhou, I didn't touch her. She undid her clothes herself.”
Before Zhou Shiqin could speak, Takagi Qiu jumped in, “Principal Zhou, don’t believe him! Look, my underwear has been torn by him. If you’d arrived a moment later, I would have really suffered at his hands.”
Hearing this, Zhou Shiqin turned to Jiang Xiaofei and demanded, “Do you have anything else to say?”
Jiang Xiaofei pleaded, “Principal Zhou, she’s falsely accusing me. I really didn’t do anything to her. You have to believe me!”
Zhou Shiqin’s tone was cool, “No more explanations. The facts are plain to see. I witnessed everything myself. I never thought you would be this kind of person. I am truly disappointed in you.”
Upon hearing Zhou Shiqin’s words, Takagi Qiu’s delight was evident. She cast a smug glance at Jiang Xiaofei, as if to say, “You’re still too inexperienced to go up against me.”
Caught by Takagi Qiu’s triumphant look, Jiang Xiaofei was furious. Just as he was about to say something, Zhou Shiqin spoke coldly, “Why are you still standing here? Go to the Academic Affairs Office and receive your punishment.”
After Zhou Shiqin’s words, Jiang Xiaofei knew any further explanation would be pointless. He snorted coldly at Takagi Qiu and turned to leave.
Once Jiang Xiaofei had gone, Takagi Qiu immediately turned to Zhou Shiqin, “Principal Zhou, you mustn’t tolerate him. You have to stand up for me and punish him severely. Otherwise, I’ll jump from the fifth floor.” As she said this, she feigned despair and made as if to climb out the window.
Zhou Shiqin hurried to grab her hand, soothing her, “Don't think like that. I promise you, I will punish Professor Jiang severely.”
Hearing Zhou Shiqin’s promise, Takagi Qiu finally abandoned her plan to jump. She put on a sorrowful face, “Principal Zhou, Professor Jiang is a cancer in society. You must expel him and prevent him from harming other female students.”
Zhou Shiqin said nothing.
Meanwhile, in the Academic Affairs Office, Jiang Xiaofei looked at Tang Zhirou, who was sitting on the sofa. “Director Tang, that’s how things happened. You have to believe me, I’m really not that kind of person.”
Tang Zhirou put down her phone and smiled, “I don’t know what kind of person you are, but I do know what kind of person Takagi Qiu is. She’s one of the campus beauties. Assaulting her in broad daylight—aren’t you afraid of becoming the enemy of every male student in the school?”
Jiang Xiaofei smiled helplessly, “Director Tang, at a time like this, you’re still joking with me. Please, help me figure out what I should do now.”
Tang Zhirou replied, “There is a way, but it depends if you’re willing.”
“What way?” Jiang Xiaofei asked eagerly.
Tang Zhirou smiled, “The solution is simple: you admit you like Takagi Qiu, that your feelings got the best of you and you acted out. But don’t worry, with your status as a Mystic Rank mage, the school won’t make things too difficult. Maybe even the Mage Association will try to match you two together.”
Jiang Xiaofei felt speechless. This was no solution at all—it would only confirm the accusations against him.
He said, “Director Tang, please stop joking. I never assaulted her.”
Tang Zhirou frowned, “You really don’t like Takagi Qiu?”
“Not at all. With her figure, I wouldn’t touch her even if she offered herself.”
“Then why did you try to assault her?”
“Director Tang, like I said, she undid her own clothes. She’s making false accusations. I never touched her. How else can I explain it?”
Tang Zhirou nodded as if she understood, “Alright then.”
“Director Tang, please say something!”
Just as Jiang Xiaofei finished speaking, Zhou Shiqin entered the room, smiling, “I’ll handle your case.”
Hearing Zhou Shiqin’s voice, Jiang Xiaofei quickly stood up, “Principal Zhou, you’re just in time. Let me explain what happened.”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “You don’t need to explain. Surely I know what kind of person you are.”
Tang Zhirou frowned at Zhou Shiqin’s words, sensing something was off. She asked, “Sister Zhou, when did you get to know his character? Is there some secret between you two?”
Zhou Shiqin blushed, “What nonsense are you thinking? There’s nothing like that!”
Though Zhou Shiqin denied it, Tang Zhirou could tell from her red face that she was embarrassed.
At this moment, Jiang Xiaofei sensed the awkward atmosphere. He cleared his throat and looked at Zhou Shiqin, “If you know my character, why did you treat me like that just now?”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Don’t you get it yet?”
Jiang Xiaofei suddenly understood, “Oh! I see. You were acting for Takagi Qiu’s sake.”
Zhou Shiqin said nothing, but sat next to Tang Zhirou, “Director Tang, please go notify everyone to gather in the conference room for a meeting.”
Tang Zhirou nodded and left the office.
Watching Tang Zhirou leave, Jiang Xiaofei turned his gaze back to Zhou Shiqin. “Principal Zhou, you mustn’t let me leave the school. You know I still have a task to complete—I can’t leave yet.”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Don’t worry. Even if you had to leave, I wouldn’t want to let you go. How could I possibly let you leave?”
Jiang Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good. Thank you, Principal Zhou!”
“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t finished speaking.”
“Please continue.”
Zhou Shiqin nodded slightly, “Although I can use my authority to suppress this matter, it’s still hard to silence gossip. So for now, you should stay away from the Gifted Class.”
Jiang Xiaofei nodded, “If I’m not at school, where should I go?”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Just stay in the office with me. Once things calm down, I’ll let you return to the Gifted Class.”
Jiang Xiaofei quickly objected, “Isn’t that a bit much? Besides, I’m used to being alone—I don’t like being restrained.”
Zhou Shiqin explained, “You misunderstand. Having you stay in the office doesn’t mean restricting your freedom. Rest assured, I won’t interfere in your affairs.”
She added, “One more thing—I advise you not to act recklessly again. If you repeat today’s incident, I won’t be able to help you.”
Jiang Xiaofei thanked her, “Thank you, Principal Zhou. I understand now. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “It’s no trouble. If you don't mind, you can call me Sister Zhou when we're in private. It’s more intimate than always calling me Principal Zhou—it sounds too formal.”
Jiang Xiaofei frowned slightly, “Is that really appropriate?”
Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Of course, it’s just a private nickname. In official matters, you still need to call me Principal Zhou.”