BDBE 45

Chapter 45 Hairstyle

After the children left, the adults no longer needed to worry about their words. 

Zhou Hui abandoned his feigned politeness, and coldly stated his position: “Now that the facts are clear, please, the Bureau and the school, handle this impartially. Otherwise, how can we parents trust you in the future?” 

Chen Yu chuckled gently: “Zhou, why be so blunt?” 

“Let’s not even mention that those things are only the children’s side of the story.” He paused, “Even if Xiao He really did those things, it’s just a minor conflict between children. After all, it didn’t cause any major harm. There’s really no need to make such a fuss, and don’t make things difficult for the school. Let’s reach a private settlement; it’s better for everyone.” 

Ning’s mother was infuriated by his shamelessness: “Your own child made a mistake, and you want to settle it privately? And you say there wasn’t any major harm? Your son bullied my daughter for a whole year, causing her so much psychological damage. Can that be ignored?!” 

For the first time today, Chen Yu looked at Ning’s mother directly and said calmly: “The child is no longer here, so stop playing the good mother.”

“Let’s be practical. Instead of pursuing this to the end, which might only result in my son receiving a minor punishment, why not name a price? I’ll compensate you, and you can use the money to buy your daughter a gift as compensation.” 

“You!” Ning’s mother abruptly stood up. She wished she could tear Chen Yu’s mouth apart. 

Wu Yi coldly reminded him, “Mr. Chen, watch your words.” 

Chen Yu chuckled and said to Wu Yi, “Investigator Wu, you should check your phone messages first.” 

Wu Yi’s frown turned to surprise after checking her phone ​unauthorized copy​(which was set to Do Not Disturb mode for work).

The deputy director had sent her a message asking if she was on fieldwork at Qiongya School. 

Wu Yi finally showed a hint of human emotion; she ground her molars in disgust before glancing at Chen Yu. 

Chen Yu smiled. 

Wu Yi suppressed her discomfort and replied to the deputy director: [Yes]. 

The deputy director replied instantly: [Do what needs to be done, don’t let external influences affect you.]

Wu Yi was stunned; the pressure instantly dissipated. 

Zhou Hui appeared to have everything under control and was neither surprised nor alarmed by the change in Wu Yi’s expression.

Then Zhou Hui said to Chen Yu, “Mr. Chen, my attitude is the same as Ms. Ning’s: I do not accept a private settlement. I advise you not to try to insult parents’ love for their children with money.” 

Chen Yu smiled sarcastically. He was about to say something, but was interrupted by Wu Yi, who had already put away her phone. 

“The basic situation is clear. Next, I will conduct inquiries and investigations at the school. Once sufficient evidence is collected, everything will be handled in accordance with the Omega Rights Protection Regulations and other relevant legal provisions.” 

She resumed her impartial demeanor, and Chen Yu’s expression changed as well upon sensing something was wrong from her tone.

Wu Yi glanced at Chen Yu with a hint of impatience: “Mr. Chen, [unauthorized copy]no matter how many times you let me see the messages on my phone, I will still handle this matter impartially, without any personal feelings. Goodbye.” 

With that, Wu Yi and her colleague turned and left the conference room. 

The grade director and Yang Liu quickly followed them, and Ning’s mother also got up to look for her daughter. As for Chen Zhenhe, he had been asked to leave the meeting room shortly after the other children left. 

At this moment, only Chen Yu and Zhou Hui, along with their secretary and assistant, remained in the meeting room. 

Chen Yu’s face was ugly, and his lips twitched with anger. 

Zhou Hui didn’t intend to linger any longer and got up to leave, but was suddenly stopped by Chen Yu. 

Chen Yu, helped up by his assistant, stood up. “President Zhou, are you planning to completely sever ties with the Chen family today? Don’t forget, Linshan and we still have unfinished collaborative projects.” 

Zhou Hui waited for him to finish before smiling slightly. “Business is business. I thought President Chen was someone who clearly distinguished between public and private matters, but I didn’t expect you to bring this up yourself. Very well, since our personal grudges have reached such an irreconcilable point, it’s indeed not suitable for both sides to continue cooperating. After returning, the project manager will formally inform you that the cooperation is terminated. As for the future, we don’t need to cooperate anymore. Goodbye.” 

Chen Yu coughed a few times in anger as he watched Zhou Hui’s departing figure, and shouted, “That project was Linshan’s request! Are you planning to abandon the local market in Qiongying?!” 

Zhou Hui heard his words but didn’t turn around, and left the conference room on his own. 

The assistant quickly supported Chen Yu; although he was only in his early fifties, he already had high blood pressure and his health was not good. 

Faced with Zhou Hui’s resolute stance, the assistant couldn’t help but ask Chen Yu, “Mr. Chen, is Linshan really going to terminate the cooperation? We’ve already invested a lot of money in the early stages. If we stop now, we might lose everything, and it might even affect the company’s future operations…” 

“Shut up!” Chen Yu shoved him away. “Do you think I’m ​Read on​senile? Who gave you the right to make noise here!” 

… 

A week later, Yang Liu praised the students in charge and gave the good news that the class’s blackboard bulletin had received first prize.

After class, Yang Liu called Ning Beilei and Zhou Mingchen out separately. 

Fang Chi asked Shen Wanchao curiously, “Did Teacher Yang ask Zhou Mingchen and Ning Beilei to collect the rewards for those of you who drew the blackboard bulletin?” 

Shen Wanchao put away his English book, took out the Chinese book for the next class, and replied with a smile, “It shouldn’t be that.” 

“Then what is it?” Fang Chi’s bald head gleamed. 

“It’s about time, I guess Teacher Yang is going to tell them the final outcome of Chen Zhenhe’s case,” Shen Wanchao said. 

Less than two minutes later, Zhou Mingchen returned to his seat and said to Shen Wanchao, “The school and the Bureau have released their results regarding Chen Zhenhe.” 

Actually, Shen Wanchao had heard about it from Zhou Hui the previous night; he didn’t want to spoil the mood, therefore he still asked, “What were the results?” 

“Chen Zhenhe and his two lackeys all received major demerits and were forced to transfer schools,” Zhou Mingchen said. “The Bureau… also implanted a surveillance chip in Chen Zhenhe.” 

Fang Chi was still dissatisfied, “Just a transfer? That’s too lenient on him.” 

Shen Wanchao explained to him, “Most schools know about students who are forced to transfer. A little investigation can reveal what they [visit our site]did at their previous schools, and I’m afraid they’ll have a hard time getting into any good schools.” 

Fang Chi asked, “But isn’t Chen Zhenhe’s family very wealthy? He shouldn’t be without a school to attend, right?” 

“Indeed,” Shen Wanchao had to admit, “but his father probably won’t keep him in the country any longer.” 

“He’s going abroad to study…” Fang Chi, unaware of the reason, sighed to himself, “It’s good to be rich.” 

However, this result was probably not good for Chen Zhenhe. With a surveillance chip, no peaceful country would accept him. Perhaps Chen Yu would wait until the surveillance period ended before sending him out, but in the meantime, Chen Zhenhe would be monitored and questioned wherever he went, enough to give him a headache for a while.

As the three were talking, Lu Niannian suddenly stopped beside Zhou Mingchen. 

The girl, with her hands behind her back, bowed to Zhou Mingchen. 

Zhou Mingchen was shocked: “What are you doing?” 

Lu Niannian straightened up and said frankly, “I’m apologizing to you. I’m sorry I misunderstood you before, and I even said some hurtful things to you that day. As an apology, here, take this.” 

With that, Lu Niannian took a notebook from behind her back and handed it to Zhou Mingchen. 

Zhou Mingchen looked blank: “What’s this?” 

Lu Niannian winked: “My unique study summary notes. I spent a week compiling a basic knowledge version, which is perfect for you.” 

Zhou Mingchen: “…” 

Shen Wanchao smiled and accepted it: “Thank you, Niannian, this is exactly what he needs.” 

The group chatted and laughed, unaware that Liu Xingrui had just entered through the back door of the classroom, head down, and headed towards his seat. 

He patted his deskmate’s shoulder, signaling him to let him in. His deskmate rolled his eyes when no one could see, and then got up to let him sit down. 

Without saying a word, Liu Xingrui sat down and appeared to be very focused as he read a book.

Only he knew that he couldn’t concentrate. 

The Bureau’s investigation eventually revealed that he had indeed lied because Chen Zhenhe had threatened him, so no punishment was taken against him. The school only had Yang Liu talk to him once, giving him some moral education, and then let the matter drop. 

However, too many classmates had witnessed the incident that day, and rumors inevitably spread throughout the class. Everyone knew he had slandered his classmate, and many people disapproved of his actions and didn’t want to associate with him. 

Liu Xingrui was already introverted and withdrawn, and this made it even harder for him to integrate into the class. 

… 

Two days later, on Saturday evening, Zhou Mingchen, who had disappeared for the entire afternoon, returned home. 

Shen Wanchao was sitting in the living room watching TV when Zhou Mingchen passed by. He glanced at him, and suddenly sat up. 

“…What are you doing!” 

Zhou Mingchen’s attention had actually been focused on Shen Wanchao the whole time. The moment he saw him sit up, he immediately bristled. 

Shen Wanchao slipped on his slippers and walked over to Zhou Mingchen before incredulously touching his hair. His once dark blue, permed hair had been straightened and dyed black. Thanks to the skilled hands of the hairdresser, and the meticulous care with hair oil, it was soft, fragrant, and felt like silk to the touch, a far cry from the frizzy, messy look of his curly hair. 

Shen Wanchao couldn’t help but ruffle it a few more times before realizing that his silly son’s earring was gone. 

Zhou Mingchen looked as if he had been thoroughly washed in a bathtub. His black hair was smooth, his features handsome, a perfect blend of his two fathers’ looks. He still had a touch of baby fat on his cheeks. He wore a simple white T-shirt and cargo pants, a black crossbody bag slung over his back. He perfectly matched Shen Wanchao’s ideal image of a 17-year-old boy. 

“Have you touched enough?” Zhou Mingchen’s patience wore thin, and he pulled Shen Wanchao’s hand away. 

Shen Wanchao looked at him with a satisfied expression: “Great, this look is so handsome.” 

Zhou Mingchen’s ears turned red, and he said smugly, “Hmph, I don’t need your praise, I’m handsome no matter what.” 

A moment later, Lin Anyi, who had been studying, also came out of his room. He stopped in his tracks as soon as he saw Zhou Mingchen’s new look. 

Zhou Mingchen was bursting with confidence because of Shen Wanchao’s praise. He perked up, waiting for Lin Anyi’s reaction, then pretended to be indifferent while staring at the television.

Shen Wanchao, like an enthusiastic salesman, proactively called out to Lin Anyi, “Xiao Yi, come quick! Zhou Mingchen dyed his hair black!” 

Lin Anyi took a glass of water and replied casually, “Oh, I see.” 

Oh!? 

Just an “oh”? 

Zhou Mingchen stopped shaking his leg and turned to look at Lin Anyi. 

Lin Anyi, however, took the glass of water and went back to his room faster than a rabbit. 

Zhou Mingchen was furious . 

Just then, Zhou Hui opened the door and came home; he immediately noticed his son’s change. 

“You dyed your hair back?” Zhou Hui asked in surprise. 

Zhou Mingchen crossed his arms, tilted his chin up, and waited for praise. 

But Zhou Hui said, “I think you look better with blue hair.” 

Shen Wanchao asked disapprovingly, “Why?” 

Zhou Hui smiled, “Because he looks too much like me with black hair, but not as handsome. Blue hair is much better; we each have our own unique charm.”

Zhou Mingchen: “…” 

He couldn’t stay in this house for another day! He was going to run away!! 

Shen Wanchao gritted his teeth and questioned Zhou Hui with his eyes: “You mean the parts of Xiao Chen that resembles me aren’t handsome?” 

Zhou Hui: “…” Oh no.