Chapter 20: The Direct and Unrestrained Wu Hongying, Meeting Once Again

The policewoman who walked in was, of course, Wu Hongying.

Wu Hongying was the security patrol officer for this area, and she had rushed over after receiving the report. The three officers who arrived earlier belonged to the local station, all grassroots level, but because Wu Hongying worked at the city bureau, her authority was slightly higher.

The three officers nodded toward Wu Hongying.

Song Kai was startled to see Wu Hongying. Dressed in her uniform, she appeared capable, cold, and composed—a stark contrast to her persona at home.

Wu Hongying glanced around and immediately understood the situation. She sighed inwardly; things truly played out as one wished. She had been worried about how to coerce Song Kai into helping her with something, and now the opportunity had arrived.

Wu Hongying picked up her phone and made a call. After ending it, she addressed the three officers, “Comrades, the city bureau has instructed that I handle this case. It involves school violence, a sensitive issue. What do you think?”

The middle-aged officer smiled, “If that’s the city bureau’s instruction, of course we’ll hand it over to you, Officer Wu. We’ll follow your lead.”

Wu Hongying nodded and then inquired about the general situation.

Chen Bao, lying on the floor, complained impatiently, “What are you still asking about? Can’t you see my head is bleeding? Why haven’t you sent me to the hospital? Why haven’t you arrested the criminal?”

Wu Hongying gave Chen Bao a cold glance. His words revealed that this little scoundrel was clearly a repeat offender—well-versed in police procedures.

On the other side, Ma Bo heard Wu Hongying call Song Kai by name and realized the two knew each other, but he didn’t care. To him, she was just an ordinary policewoman with limited power.

Ma Bo spoke up, “No matter what, Song Kai fought with outsiders in the classroom, and that’s wrong. I’m his homeroom teacher, and I feel sorry for him, but the law is the law. Since he broke it, you should take him away.”

Wu Hongying ignored Ma Bo and walked straight to Song Kai, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder. “Song Kai, it looks like you’ll be locked up for at least half a month this time.”

Song Kai shot her a look. “Thanks for your kind reminder.”

Wu Hongying lowered her head, chuckled softly, and said, “But there’s a turning point. As you can see, I’m handling this case now. If I want, I can let you stay in school without any trouble.”

“Really?” Song Kai responded immediately. “I want to keep studying. I need to get into a top university and marry my sweetheart.”

Wu Hongying patted his shoulder. “I can help you, but not for nothing. We aren’t friends—in fact, we’re more like enemies. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“What do you want?” Song Kai looked at her. “Just say it. If you want me to move out, I’ll agree—as long as I can take the entrance exam.”

Wu Hongying smiled confidently. “No need to move out. I have a case that needs your help. If you agree, I’ll help you this time. If not, I’ll follow procedure and let things play out as they should.”

Song Kai was puzzled; he was just a high schooler—how could he help Wu Hongying? But surviving the current crisis was his priority.

“Alright, I agree. As long as it doesn’t send me to my doom,” Song Kai said.

A gleam of triumph flashed in Wu Hongying’s eyes.

She turned to Chen Bao on the floor and said, “Alright, the cause and circumstances are clear. Chen Bao brought people here to cause trouble, and a minor scuffle occurred. Take Chen Bao away; I’ll educate him at the station and close the case.”

“What?” Everyone in the classroom was stunned, staring at Wu Hongying in disbelief.

Chen Bao clutched his head and yelled, “Hey! What do you mean minor scuffle? My head is bleeding—I might have lasting effects. The key issue is that Song Kai injured me, a minor. That’s intentional harm!”

“Is that so? Let me see your head. I’ll treat you.” Wu Hongying took out her electric baton and jabbed it into Chen Bao’s arm.

A crackling sound erupted.

Chen Bao shuddered violently, his whole body stiffening.

Even Song Kai was dumbfounded. Had Wu Hongying lost her mind?

Wu Hongying looked at Chen Bao. “Does your head still hurt?”

“You… you… I…”

Wu Hongying nodded. “Looks like it’s not better yet. Let me treat you again.”

Another crackle.

This time, Chen Bao’s mouth foamed, and he looked like a zombie, his hair standing on end.

“Does your head still hurt?” Wu Hongying asked.

Chen Bao shook his head desperately, no longer daring to resist.

Wu Hongying clapped her hands and addressed the room, “See, Chen Bao’s head doesn’t hurt anymore. Scum like him, hiding behind the protection of minors to commit crimes—once they’re in my hands, they confess obediently.”

With that, Wu Hongying waved her hand and dragged Chen Bao out of the classroom.

Simple. Brutal!

Damn!

Not only Song Kai, but everyone was stunned. If someone reported her, Wu Hongying would be fired immediately!

But clearly, Wu Hongying didn’t fear complaints.

The school leaders breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the reputation of Tengyun No. 1 High wasn’t affected, everything was fine.

The farce ended as quickly as it had begun. Before the third period even started, peace had returned.

Song Kai considered for a moment, then chased after Principal Wang Qinglin.

“Principal Wang,” Song Kai called out.

Wang Qinglin turned and nodded when he saw Song Kai. “What is it?”

“I’d like to switch classes,” Song Kai said. “You saw what happened today. That outsider was clearly looking for trouble, but Teacher Ma Bo never said a word in my favor—he just wants me sent to the police. So, Principal Wang, I want to change classes.”

Wang Qinglin, ever upright, thought it over and said, “Alright, come with me. My sister-in-law is homeroom teacher of Class Seven—you can join her class. Come, I’ll take you there.”

Song Kai thanked him at once.

Wang Qinglin led Song Kai to an office on the second floor.

A woman with thick, black-rimmed glasses was preparing lessons—it was Liu Yajuan, the homeroom teacher for Class Seven.

“Yajuan, I’ve brought you a student,” Wang Qinglin said.

“Huh? Pulling strings? Brother-in-law, that’s not your style!” Liu Yajuan looked up and smiled.

Wang Qinglin waved his hand. “It’s not favoritism, just a transfer. This student was in Class Three, but Old Ma doesn’t like him and targets him constantly, so I thought I’d move him to your class.”

Liu Yajuan sized up Song Kai. “What’s your name, and how are your grades?”

“Song Kai,” he replied promptly. “My grades were poor before, but rest assured, Teacher Liu—if I can’t rank in the top three, I’ll give up the entrance exam myself. I promise not to drag down your average.”

Liu Yajuan laughed, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “You little rascal, quite confident. But even if you finish last, you shouldn’t give up the exam, and I won’t mind your grades. Alright, come with me to class. After school, move your desk and chair from Class Three.”

Song Kai felt warmth in his heart and nodded. “Thank you, Teacher, for taking me in.”

Wang Qinglin smiled. “Alright, I’ll go transfer Song Kai’s records now. The rest is up to you.”

Liu Yajuan, carrying her English textbook, led Song Kai to Grade Three, Class Seven.

Inside, Liu Miaoyu sat listlessly, her eyes red.

Her desk mate, Li Lan, nudged her. “Hey, big class monitor, what’s wrong? You’ve seemed off lately—always absent-minded. Is it lovesickness?”

Liu Miaoyu rubbed her eyes and whispered, “Li Lan, do you think… do you think there are ghosts in the world?”

“Huh?” Li Lan was startled. “Don’t scare me, I’m timid. What’s going on with you?”

Liu Miaoyu grimaced. “I don’t know. Lately, every time I sleep, I have nightmares—like scenes from the Republic era, with corpses everywhere. Sometimes it feels like sleep paralysis, I can’t breathe, and I scare myself awake. Every morning, I feel exhausted. Am I haunted?”

Li Lan pinched her pretty cheek and laughed, “You scared me—I thought you really saw a ghost. You’re just stressed, but you’re such a top student, what’s there to lose sleep over? Even with your eyes closed you could ace the exam.”

Liu Miaoyu waved her hand irritably. “You just don’t get it…”

At that moment, Liu Yajuan led Song Kai to the front of the class.

“Alright, students, before we start, I have two announcements.” Liu Yajuan adjusted her glasses. “First, our class has a new student—Song Kai. He’ll be your classmate, so please look after him. Second, in three days, all high schools in Tengyun will hold the last major simulation exam before the entrance exam. It will be run exactly like the real thing—papers, rules, everything. Please take it seriously; your results will likely match your entrance exam scores. Do you all understand?”

“Yes!”

Liu Yajuan turned to Song Kai. “Go sit in the empty seat at the back.”

“Thank you, Teacher.” Song Kai bowed to Liu Yajuan, then to the class, and made his way to the last row.

Liu Miaoyu was stunned, staring at Song Kai in confusion. Why had he transferred to her class? Was he… going to pester her?

It must be! Men really are no good!

Her mind raced, worried Song Kai might reveal what happened in the hotel that night.

Song Kai took the empty seat at the back, sizing up Class Seven. Thirty-seven students, only seven boys!

And all seven looked delicate, almost effeminate.

“This class is so heavily female… Wait, isn’t that the girl from the hotel? She’s in Class Seven too?” Song Kai’s gaze paused on Liu Miaoyu’s back, surprised.

Just then, Liu Miaoyu turned angrily to glare at him.

Their eyes met, and neither could utter a word…