So What If the Beautiful Campus Belle Loves Money? (4)

The door was pushed open.

A girl wearing a school uniform washed pale stood in the doorway.

She was slender and pretty, with her hair tied in a simple ponytail and a few wisps falling across her forehead.

She held a stack of documents in her arms.

Su Qingqing.

The original novel's female lead.

A flicker of surprise passed through Shi Zheng's eyes.

Why was she here?

Su Qingqing walked in and bowed slightly to the two of them. "Sorry to interrupt. I'm here to submit the review materials for this semester's financial aid for students in need."

Her voice was clear and steady, and her manner was neither servile nor arrogant.

The deputy director nodded. "Put them on the desk."

Su Qingqing placed the documents on a corner of the desk. As her gaze swept over Shi Zheng, it paused almost imperceptibly.

Just as she was about to leave, Teacher Wang, as if he had found reinforcements, pointed at Shi Zheng and said to Su Qingqing, "Su Qingqing, you came at just the right time."

"Look at Shi Zheng. Things have gotten so ugly on the forum, and the school decided to suspend her, but she refuses to accept it. She says she wants to wait for the Disciplinary Committee's review, and that the president might help her... What wishful thinking!"

Teacher Wang's tone held a natural warmth and trust toward a good student.

It was hardly surprising. Though Su Qingqing came from a poor family, her grades were dazzling. She had ranked first in her major for three consecutive years and had won so many scholarships that her hands had gone soft from collecting them.

Rarer still, she not only got good grades but was also extremely conscientious and responsible in everything she did, never making a mistake.

So, at that moment, Teacher Wang naturally regarded Su Qingqing as "one of their own," someone who could help educate the problem student Shi Zheng.

Su Qingqing stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Her gaze fell on Shi Zheng again, lingering a little longer this time.

Although she concealed the emotion in her eyes well, Shi Zheng still clearly caught the contempt in her gaze.

"Regarding the Student Council, I think I must make one thing clear."

The three people in the office all looked at her.

Su Qingqing stood straight, her tone firm. "The Student Council, especially under President Gu's leadership, has always been known for its rigor, impartiality, and defense of school discipline and rules."

"They would never favor or target a student because of any personal relationship or preference."

She turned her gaze to Shi Zheng. "Shi Zheng, if you're counting on using certain... irregular means to gain the Student Council's protection, or even have President Gu veto the suspension proposal for you at the Disciplinary Committee meeting, then you're not only underestimating the Student Council's principles, but also insulting President Gu's character."

"The Student Council exists to safeguard the interests of the majority of students and maintain order at the school, not to provide a protective umbrella for individual students who break school rules and damage its reputation."

Su Qingqing spoke each word distinctly. "I believe President Gu and every member of the Student Council will make the fairest judgment based on the facts and the rules. And that judgment will never change because of anyone's request."

Su Qingqing's words seemed impartial, but in truth, they completely blocked Shi Zheng's last remaining path.

She had elevated the Student Council and Gu Yanshen to a height of absolute impartiality, where they would never show favoritism.

That way, if Gu Yanshen really did help Shi Zheng at the Disciplinary Committee meeting, it would instead become proof that he had abandoned his principles.

What a move—retreating to advance, killing not just the person but the heart.

Shi Zheng stood where she was and sneered inwardly.

But Su Qingqing had forgotten one thing.

Even if Gu Yanshen really did violate his principles, most people, even if they disagreed, could only dare to be angry but not dare to speak.

After all, in the face of absolute power and status, many things could make way for it.

"Well said! Just what I'd expect from a good student!"

A smug look appeared on Teacher Wang's face, as if Su Qingqing's words had fully confirmed his judgment.

The deputy director also nodded slightly, clearly approving of Su Qingqing's righteous statement.

Having said her piece, Su Qingqing bowed slightly again. "Sorry, I've said too much. The materials have been delivered, so I won't disturb you teachers while you deal with your business."

She turned and left.

The office door closed softly.

"Did you hear that, Shi Zheng?"

Teacher Wang's voice carried a victor's mockery. "Even a good student like Su Qingqing says so, and you still expect Gu Yanshen to help you? Dream on! I advise you to accept your suspension obediently and go back and reflect on yourself. Don't make things any uglier!"

Shi Zheng said nothing.

Then she suddenly gave a soft laugh.

Her smile was faint, like a thin sheet of ice on a lake in early winter.

"Su Qingqing is absolutely right. The Student Council should indeed be impartial."

The two of them froze, seemingly not expecting her to agree.

Shi Zheng spoke slowly. "That's why I have even more reason to stand by my demand—before the Disciplinary Committee formally reviews the matter and makes a decision, I won't sign any suspension documents, and I won't leave school."

"Since it's impartial, I believe the Disciplinary Committee will make a judgment that accords with the facts and the rules."

She paused, then added, "If the school insists on enforcing it unilaterally... then, as a student, I also have the right to use legal means to safeguard my rights and interests."

Shi Zheng took her phone out of her pocket. On its screen was a recording interface.

She said, "I'll contact a lawyer immediately and file a complaint under my real name with the education authorities, reporting that the school punished a student under pressure from public opinion without conducting a complete investigation and making the matter public."

"At the same time, given that this matter has already drawn some public attention, I think there will also be media outlets interested in the subject. That should affect Sacred Cherry Academy's reputation more than my scandal, shouldn't it?"

Shi Zheng spoke unhurriedly, but every word was like a pebble cast into stagnant water, stirring ripples of chill.

A naked threat.

The office fell deathly silent.

Both their expressions changed at once, and they looked at Shi Zheng with shock and anger.

"Shi Zheng, how dare you threaten the school?!" The deputy director's face turned red with anger.

They clearly hadn't expected this seemingly cornered girl, who had nothing but her looks, to dare take such a hard line.

Not only did she know the loopholes in the rules, but she also dared to threaten the school with a move that would leave both sides battered!

"Shi Zheng, you—!" Teacher Wang trembled with anger.

Just then, the screen of the deputy director's phone, which lay on the desk, lit up.

The deputy director glanced at it impatiently. It was a message from the work group chat.

He had meant to ignore it, but the sender's contact name made his pupils contract slightly.

He immediately picked up the phone and opened the message.

[Deputy director, regarding Shi Zheng, the student involved in the forum incident, the Disciplinary Committee has, after consideration, decided to convene an emergency meeting to review the matter. Notice of the meeting has been issued to the relevant departments. Please be advised.]

The two short lines struck the deputy director's wavering thoughts like a thunderbolt.

The Disciplinary Committee... really convened?

He abruptly looked up at Shi Zheng, who stood before the desk.

The thing that had seemed like a tale from the Arabian Nights at the time had actually come true!

But now, the notice of the Disciplinary Committee meeting meant that Gu Yanshen had not only noticed the matter, but had also pushed it into the formal handling process.

Given Gu Yanshen's way of doing things, unless he thought it necessary, or... there was a reason he had to pay attention, he would never lightly initiate a relatively formal and time-consuming process like convening the Disciplinary Committee.

Could it be that Shi Zheng's earlier "crazy talk" had not come entirely out of thin air?

Could she really have... some connection to Gu Yanshen that they knew nothing about?