Translator: CinderTL
The middle-aged man ignored the others, seemingly convinced that Jiang Cheng was their leader. He turned to him and said, "You've probably heard something about Yuan Xiaoyi's condition. Her emotions are unstable, and any stimulation could trigger a relapse."
"That would be dangerous for both her and all of you," the man said, his voice low but authoritative.
The word "dangerous" made Jiang Cheng narrow his eyes. He had suspected all along that the School Security Department knew more than they were letting on. Now it seemed his suspicions were confirmed.
"Just a girl. What danger could there be?" Jiang Cheng asked, feigning ignorance.
The middle-aged man glanced around and said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's find somewhere more private where we can sit down and chat properly."
"Fine, but I need to let Yuan Xiaoyi know first. She's still waiting for me," Jiang Cheng replied.
"She's already left. I had someone escort her back to rest," the man said casually, without waiting for Jiang Cheng's response. He turned and led the way along a small path toward a two-story building not far from the school gate.
The cement walls outside the building were cracked in several places, and several rusty pipes were exposed along one side, still clinging to their insulation foam.
A white wooden sign hung beside the door, bearing the words "School Security Department."
Inside, Jiang Cheng and his companions were led to an office.
The room was furnished with old, stiff desks and chairs, along with a worn-out sofa whose armrests had lost their leather. Judging from the photos on the wall, the office belonged to a middle-aged man.
He was the person in charge of the School Security Department, named Qin Yi.
Jiang Cheng and his companions sat down separately.
Qin Yi looked at Jiang Cheng's face and said, "I checked your files in the archives. You're all new transfers, and your majors are quite niche."
Jiang Cheng met his gaze, knowing he hadn't finished speaking.
"How about this?" Qin Yi continued. "I'll help you switch majors. It'll be in a related field, but with much better prospects. You're still in the basic courses, so it won't affect your future studies."
"Help me?" Jiang Cheng asked, his tone playful.
Qin Yi glanced at Fatty and the others, explaining, "Of course, it's not just you. It's for all of you. If you agree, I'll handle the rest."
Switching majors in university is no small matter, especially when so many people are involved. Jiang Cheng realized he had underestimated this man named Qin Yi.
"It would be great to switch to a popular major, but what are the conditions?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"There aren't many conditions, really. The new major is located on another campus, quite far from here. You'll need to move there."
Without waiting for Jiang Cheng's reply, Qin Yi continued, "I have a car. I can help you move your dorm rooms."
"So, you don't want us to see Yuan Xiaoyi anymore," Jiang Cheng said, cutting straight to the point.
"Her mental state isn't good. You wouldn't want to see her come to harm and cause yourselves trouble, would you?" Qin Yi replied.
"What if we refuse to switch?" Wang Qi leaned back on the sofa, his expression suggesting he'd been annoyed by Qin Yi's attitude for a long time.
A flicker of impatience crossed Qin Yi's face, but he forced himself to maintain a calm tone. "Then I'm afraid it's too late. Your academic records have already been transferred."
"Be smart about this. We're not here to negotiate with you. We're just here to inform you," the Black-Faced Man standing behind Qin Yi said, his expression sour as if he'd been enduring them for a long time.
"What kind of attitude is this? Is this how your School Security Department protects its students?" Huai Yi challenged. "Anyone who doesn't know better would think you're gangsters."
His words were like pouring oil on a fire. The Black-Faced Man exploded, pointing at Huai Yi and shouting, "Let me tell you, I'm being polite right now! You bunch of half-grown kids don't understand a damn thing! We're doing this for your own good. When you finally get into real trouble, you won't even have a place to cry!"
As the two groups grew increasingly heated, the office door creaked open, revealing a figure standing outside.
The two factions, previously at each other's throats, froze in stunned silence at the sight of the newcomer.
"Professor?" Jiang Cheng and Qin Yi rose to their feet simultaneously.
It was the Old Professor who had arranged for Jiang Cheng to be his assistant.
The Old Professor looked the same as always: simply dressed, slightly hunched, carrying a cloth bag, and wearing a scarf around his neck.
No one knew why he had suddenly appeared here.
Judging by his heaving chest and stern expression, he seemed furious.
"Qin Yi," the Old Professor said in a booming voice, turning to Qin Yi.
Qin Yi, who had been so confident just moments before, suddenly wilted. He spoke in a polite tone, "Professor, you were looking for me?"
"Who else would I be looking for?" The Old Professor scowled, pointing at Jiang Cheng and the others. "I'm asking you, did you drive these students away?"
"I..."
Before Qin Yi could even retort, the Old Professor continued his tirade. "Look at what you've become! Where's the man you used to be?"
"Is this the School Security Department? All you know how to do is threaten students?"
"You threaten students with expulsion or transfer at the drop of a hat! What else do you know?"
"Bah! I see you as nothing but a bunch of thugs!"
The Old Professor launched into a furious tirade, leaving Fatty speechless.
No one had expected the Old Professor to be so fierce. He spared no one, and even security department personnel who tried to defend Qin Yi were left reeling.
"Professor, I understand... Professor, please stop yelling for a moment and listen to me," Qin Yi stammered, unable to lift his head. All his previous confidence had vanished.
After listening for a while, Jiang Cheng understood the situation. The Old Professor was a founding member of the university, and many of the current faculty, even some of the school's leaders, had once been his students.
Qin Yi, too, had been a student of the Old Professor. Back then, his rebellious and arrogant behavior had earned him frequent lectures from the professor.
Later, the Old Professor had recommended Qin Yi for the position of person in charge of the School Security Department.
"Professor, Vice-Principal Wang assigned me this task. I had no choice," Qin Yi said, looking aggrieved. "Besides, they're connected to the swimming pool incident. I'm just trying to help them."
"Vice-Principal Wang? He's grown a temper, has he? Tell him to call me. When I taught him, he was still..." The Old Professor suddenly paused, his tone shifting. "What did you say? The swimming pool incident?"
Qin Yi glanced at Huai Yi, who was enjoying the scene. Huai Yi immediately straightened up.
The words "swimming pool" seemed to have a magical effect. The Old Professor, who had been berating Qin Yi and his group relentlessly, fell silent, his face darkening.
Turning away, the Old Professor frowned and asked, "How are they connected to that incident?"
"Professor, you'll have to ask them," Qin Yi said, pointing at Jiang Cheng. "I just saw that... that student, Jiang Cheng, with Yuan Xiaoyi in the Small Woods. Just the two of them, acting suspiciously. I don't know what they were up to."
(End of the Chapter)
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