Chapter 33: Xu Shaonong's Miscalculation (Part 1)

"Tell me, what happened?" A section chief from the security office lit a cigarette and asked casually.

Li Yi recounted the events.

"Is that all?" The section chief frowned.

"I just wanted to make a call, nothing else. When I went in, Secretary Fu and the female teacher were both inside."

"Oh? What were they doing?" The section chief leaned forward, asking with interest.

"I don't know."

"You didn't see anything?" The section chief's eyes gleamed.

"What do you want me to have seen?" Li Yi retorted coldly, showing his disgust at the lecherous man.

"Still being stubborn? If you don't cooperate, you'll be in big trouble." The section chief threatened.

"Hmph! When I went in, Secretary Fu was putting on his pants, and the female teacher's pants were halfway on." Li Yi said, trying to suppress his anger.

"Oh, so you saw the woman's butt?" The section chief chuckled.

"..." Li Yi remained silent.

"Speak up!" The section chief said fiercely.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Li Yi said, "I'll pay for the door damage and the phone call!"

"Is this just about money? Let me tell you, your problem is serious! Do you know this school is state property? You damaged state property, and you used the principal's private phone, which is classified! At worst, we can charge you with burglary and stealing state secrets! At best, it's still malicious damage to state property! The charges are severe! As a student, if this happens, your future is ruined." The section chief, holding a cigarette in his left hand and tapping the table with his right, looked at Li Yi with a face full of disappointment.

Li Yi was taken aback, "I just made a call, is it that serious?"

"Just a call? Didn't you see how you got in? You broke the door! And what phone did you use? The principal's! Do you think you can just use the provincial party secretary's office phone like a public phone? You can eat whatever you want, but you can't make calls randomly, classmate!" The section chief blew a smoke ring and glanced at Li Yi coldly, "Besides, who can prove you only went in to make a call? Who can guarantee you weren't there to steal?"

"I told Professor Sha! He can vouch for me, and all my classmates can too. Secretary Fu and the female teacher can also vouch for me! After I went in, I immediately picked up the phone and didn't do anything else!" Li Yi realized someone was trying to make a fuss and get some benefits out of it.

"Wow! Then go get them to write a statement! I won't press charges. But the damage and phone fees must be paid." The section chief stubbed out his cigarette and threw a piece of paper at Li Yi, "You also need to write a self-criticism."

Li Yi said, "Ask Professor Sha to write a statement? That might be difficult, he's a famous professor and might not listen to me."

"Hehe! That's your problem!" The section chief grinned, showing his yellow teeth.

"I'll try!" Li Yi picked up the paper.

"Hold on, pay the compensation first before you leave."

"How much?"

"That door is made of Yangnan wood. Including the long-distance call, I'll fine you 3,000 yuan." The section chief calculated on his fingers.

"3,000 yuan? You should go rob someone! The call won't cost more than 5 yuan! The door is just jammed. Even if it's Yang wood, a carpenter can fix it for a few dozen yuan. I'll pay you 100 yuan at most!" Li Yi said with a cold laugh.

The section chief got angry, slammed the table, and said, "Do you listen to me or you? 1,000 yuan, no less, or you won't leave!"

At that moment, Vice Principal Xu Shaonong's coughing was heard at the door.

The section chief quickly put on a smile and went forward to flatter, "Good day, Vice Principal Xu!"

Vice Principal Xu brought Professor Sha Huailin with him.

Professor Sha Huailin walked in, pushed his reading glasses up, nodded at Li Yi, and said to Vice Principal Xu, "Vice Principal Xu, I can vouch for this. Li Yi asked me for leave to make a call and asked where the nearest phone was. I told him the principal's office phone was the closest. This student usually behaves well. I guarantee with my party spirit that he has no problem!"

Li Yi was suddenly moved.

Professor Sha Huailin was usually very strict with students, especially Li Yi, often scolding him and even throwing chalk at him. Li Yi thought he was worthless in the eyes of this famous professor. But unexpectedly, at this moment when everyone was trying to avoid trouble, he stood up to clear Li Yi's name! This couldn't help but make Li Yi, who had seen the coldness of the world, feel deeply moved and grateful.

Li Yi called out, "Professor Sha!"

Professor Sha smiled kindly, "Don't be afraid! All our classmates can vouch for you."

Vice Principal Xu said, "Alright, Professor Sha, we will make a fair judgment after understanding the situation!" He then said to the section chief, "The logistics department has checked, and there was no property damage in the principal's office. You should focus on criticism and education. As long as he shows a good attitude, let it go."

Professor Sha nodded, walked out with his hands behind his back, and his slightly bent waist.

Vice Principal Xu followed.

Li Yi said, "Did you hear that? Can I go now?"

"Heh! You wish! Didn't you hear Vice Principal Xu? You need serious criticism and education! And your attitude isn't good. Two conditions: one, write a self-criticism and explain the situation; two, pay compensation. Considering you're a student, I'll give you a 50% discount, 500 yuan!"

"I don't have money!" Li Yi said, somewhat angry.

"No money? You can call your family to bring it. I have a phone here, will you call?"

Li Yi said, "No, my family is poor and doesn't have a phone."

"Ah! You're as stubborn as a stone in a latrine! I have things to do, so I'll leave. Write your self-criticism here!"

With that, he left. Li Yi thought, if he had to pay, he would. 500 yuan wasn't a big deal. Just as he was about to call the section chief, he heard a click, and the door was locked from the outside, trapping him inside.

Li Yi grabbed the phone, wanting to check on his uncle, but found he couldn't make long-distance calls, only local ones.

"Damn!"

Li Yi threw the phone and fell into a chair. At this point, he could only leave it to fate.

Xu Shaonong returned to the principal's office and instructed the logistics department to fix the door.

At that moment, the phone rang.

Xu Shaonong hesitated for a few seconds, then walked over and picked up the phone, "Hello! Principal Qian Ning is on a business trip. I am Vice Principal Xu Shaonong. Who is this?"

There was a pause, and a powerful official voice came through, "Please find Li Yi."

Xu Shaonong knew it was the call from Li Yi's uncle, but the tone was very harsh, making him uncomfortable. He thought Li Yi was just a regular student, and his uncle, at most, could be a minor official.

Xu Shaonong pursed his lips and replied, "Li Yi is not here!" and hung up the phone with a slam.