Chapter 322: Li Pan Defended

Chapter 322: Li Pan Defended
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Initially, the blame was squarely on Li Pan, but Song Zhi’s words changed everyone’s perspective. They found Song Zhi’s reasoning convincing and turned their collective gaze towards Xia Wan.
“Xia Wan, why not talk to the police and clear Li Pan’s name?”
“Indeed, let’s wait until her college entrance examination is over.”
“I heard Zhou Kai didn’t actually harm you. Just release Li Pan. We’re classmates, after all, showing some compassion is only fair.”
Xia Wan lifted her head and regarded those advocating for Li Pan with a detached air. These students, untouched by the incident, found it easy to suggest leniency.
Truly laughable.
“Release her?” Xia Wan retorted.
A unanimous nod from the students.
Xia Wan’s response was a sardonic smile. “If I hadn’t managed to call the police, can you guess what would have transpired next?”
Without allowing anyone to interject, she continued, “I would have been forcefully dragged to a bar by Zhou Kai and his gang. Coerced to drink, maybe even assaulted.
“They would parade me the next day, showcasing Xia Wan as weak, self-indulgent, lacking self-respect.
“This rumor would spread like wildfire in the school.”
She scanned the gathering, contemplating, “What conclusions will you draw then?
“You would think being associated with me is embarrassing, that I’m cheap.
“Even if I explained being dragged, you’d retort—why not anyone else? It must be my fault.”
Xia Wan’s words silenced the crowd.
They placed themselves in her shoes and contemplated. Perhaps they would genuinely think as she described.
Those urging Xia Wan to be magnanimous found their voices stilled.
Some looked guiltily at Xia Wan. “Apologies, Xia Wan. I oversimplified things.”
Liu Hua approached, addressing everyone, “Wanwan knows your intentions are good; she won’t hold it against you. Someone manipulated your goodwill.”
The one with sinister intentions was Song Zhi, as Liu Hua implied.
The crowd’s perception of Song Zhi altered.
They might not have confronted Xia Wan if Song Zhi had not egged them on.
A hot-tempered individual confronted Song Zhi, “Song Zhi, did you engineer this? Did you want us to trouble Xia Wan?”
“Exactly, Song Zhi. Li Pan was at fault. Why mislead us?”
Song Zhi was rendered speechless.
Usually, these individuals were easily misled. What changed now? They were swayed by Xia Wan’s perspective.
Song Zhi avoided the confrontation and walked away.
The others grasped the situation. They ceased crowding around Xia Wan. Those needing the restroom attended to their needs, while some engaged in hallway conversations.
Li Pan returned to school three days later but soon left again, packing her bags and heading home.
Rumors circulated that the school suspended Li Pan due to her behavior, only allowing her return during the next exam.
With Li Pan’s case resolved, Xia Wan felt an unburdening of her chest.
From then on, Liu Hua and Xia Wan became inseparable in school.
Today marked Xia Chen’s enrollment day. Xia Wan and Liu Hua eagerly awaited him at the school gate.
Yan Han accompanied Xia Chen. He beamed upon spotting Xia Wan and waved in greeting.
Xia Wan ushered them to the principal’s office.
The principal’s eyes twitched upon seeing Xia Wan again.
Her again?
“Ahem, here for enrollment, Xia Chen, right?” The principal perused Xia Chen’s records.
Among the papers were Xia Chen’s test results and a recommendation letter from a teacher.
Xia Chen nodded respectfully. “Yes, Principal. I left due to personal reasons, but with improved family circumstances, I wish to return and commit to diligent studies, elevating my grades for the school’s honor.”
Xia Chen’s sincerity impressed the principal, who examined his report card.
Given his past scores, Xia Chen stood a chance at a top-tier university, maybe even a prestigious one.
In their small county, entry into such a university was a rarity, an accomplishment that would genuinely elevate the school’s reputation..