Chapter 104: A Microcosmic Collision

When a person is blinded by prejudice, facts often cease to matter.

Lihua County’s First High School was the premier educational institution in the area and, consequently, the top choice for the children of the wealthy and influential. Dong Honghao had secured his position as the Director of the Student Affairs Office not merely because he was the cousin of Vice Principal Dong Qing.

He had known from the moment Li Yifan enrolled that he was the son of Li Gengsheng, the Executive Deputy County Magistrate. He had spent years currying favor with the boy, which explained why Li Yifan acted with such impunity, bullying and striking fellow students for years without ever facing disciplinary action. Furthermore, Dong Honghao had a long-standing grudge against Miao Jianghong, the homeroom teacher of Zhang Ye’s class. If Zhang Ye committed an offense, his teacher would inevitably be implicated.

It is fair to say that the moment Dong Honghao saw Li Yifan on the playground, he had already reached a verdict, and he proceeded accordingly.

However, for all his calculations, he had failed to account for a much more formidable figure standing right before his eyes.

Guo Xiangqing was the daughter of the County Party Secretary. While this status might not have held much weight within the school system, her aunt—the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau—was the direct superior of his own superiors. He might have been safe from the County Party Secretary due to the nature of his position, but if he were to be targeted by the head of the Education Bureau, his career would be on shaky ground.

He had not anticipated this, and Guo Xiangqing was not someone to be trifled with. She had always kept a low profile and never flaunted her status, but once someone crossed her bottom line, she did not mind leveraging her background to teach them a lesson. Her recent experience at the police station had made her realize the true weight of power.

"I am going to call my aunt. I am going to tell her every single detail of what happened here," Guo Xiangqing declared. She stood before the desk, looking Dong Honghao squarely in the eye without a hint of fear.

"Your aunt? And who might she be?" Dong Honghao found the remark amusing. It reminded him of a little girl who, feeling bullied, runs to tell on someone—it was childish and laughable. In his experience, even if parents came to the school, the final decision always rested with him; he had nothing to fear.

"Yuan Yuqing. Her aunt is Yuan Yuqing. You might not know her, but you should certainly be familiar with her title: Deputy Director of the Education Bureau." The turn of events was as unexpected as it was jarring.

Dong Honghao, who had just moments ago appeared so composed, froze. The smile on his balding forehead vanished, his face stiffening. He looked like a crowing hen suddenly struck by a blade; his vocal cords seemed severed, leaving only a hoarse, desolate, rattling sound.

Cold sweat instantly beaded across his forehead. He realized far more than Guo Xiangqing did. In the local hierarchy, the person who holds authority over your daily affairs matters more than a high-ranking official. Between the Executive Deputy County Magistrate and the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau, it was not the Magistrate who held the key to his future. And if the weight of the County Party Secretary were added to the scale on the Deputy Director’s side, the already tilted balance would shift catastrophically against him.

He never imagined that a simple schoolyard brawl would entrap him so deeply. With both sides possessing such heavy backing, he was terrified of offending either. He found himself in a paralyzing dilemma.

"Director Dong, may I use your phone?" Li Yifan’s expression had turned grim. When Guo Xiangqing stepped forward, he realized his plan to use the Director to persecute Zhang Ye had fallen through. Once her identity was revealed, Dong Honghao would never dare act recklessly. Even if he doubted her claim, he wouldn't dare gamble his career on it.

Li Yifan had no choice but to call his father. He had kept quiet about being hit the first time to save face—swallowing his pride because only Qian Sen had been there to witness his humiliation. But this was different. The entire school had seen him slapped by Zhang Ye. He had lost all dignity and respect. He could already imagine the derisive looks and whispers he would face as he walked through the school hallways. It was intolerable.

"Dad, it's Yifan. I've been hit, here at school." He hung up and shot a defiant glance at Zhang Ye. Meanwhile, sweat continued to stream down Dong Honghao’s face, whether from the heat or the terror of his situation, it was hard to tell.

"Here, use this." Zhang Ye’s expression had grown grave. He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to Guo Xiangqing. He knew that the moment Li Yifan made his call, the situation had spiraled out of his control. He couldn't predict what would happen next, but he understood one thing: this was no longer a dispute; it was a war. A silent, fierce clash between the camp of the Executive Deputy County Magistrate and that of Guo Haijun was about to unfold, condensed within the confines of this office.

"Dad, I was bullied at school. The other person is very aggressive, I’m so scared… Yes, please come over quickly. Okay, I won't cry. His father is coming over too, I heard he’s a very powerful man… Alright, thank you, Dad!" Never underestimate the hidden cunning of a girl; when they resort to acting helpless, the force they unleash is truly startling.

Standing nearby, Zhang Ye broke into a cold sweat listening to Guo Xiangqing’s "tearful" plea.

"Auntie, your niece has been bullied at school. Please come over quickly. My father will be here soon too." After making two calls, Guo Xiangqing walked back in and returned the phone to Zhang Ye.

Dong Honghao’s eyes narrowed, his face turning deathly pale. How could someone who carried a mobile phone—a rare, expensive luxury that even most business owners and leaders wouldn't dare purchase—be an ordinary person? Especially since she was just a teenager? Just how wealthy must her family be?

Abandoning all pretense of dignity, he hurriedly dialed the Principal’s office to cautiously ask for guidance. The person on the other end hung up abruptly, and moments later, the Principal rushed out of his office, ignoring his secretary’s questions as he hurried down the stairs.

The situation had turned beyond everyone's expectations. The more mature students realized the gravity of the situation, while the others stood in the office, heads bowed in confusion and anxiety, terrified of the punishment that might follow.

*Ring—*

Just then, the bell rang for class, causing Liu Wei and the others, who had been standing stiffly, to tremble. They cast cautious, fearful glances toward Dong Honghao.