The department head choked on his words.
Did she really just say that so casually?
"No, look here, student. Do you have any idea what you’ve done to those boys?" The department head, noticing other teachers nearby watching the spectacle, was so enraged he wanted to lunge at Li Jiu himself.
Li Jiu spread her hands, her expression serene. "How could a frail girl like me possibly beat four boys? Sir, isn't there some sort of misunderstanding here?"
A misunderstanding?
The department head pointed a finger at her nose. "You are the most wicked student I have ever encountered!"
Li Jiu looked innocent. "That just shows your limited experience, sir. There is always someone better out there. I suggest you get out more and broaden your horizons."
The teachers nearby nearly laughed out loud.
Many of them had long been suppressed by the department head but dared not resist. This student, however, was bold enough to stand up to him directly.
Indeed... the younger generation was to be feared. Their own chests felt much lighter just watching this.
"I see you really are one of those who won't cry until they see their own coffin. I’m calling your parents right now to come and drag you home!" The department head fumed as he began searching for her parents' number.
A cold glint flickered deep in Li Jiu’s eyes.
Just as she was about to step forward and snatch the phone away...
"Easy now, sir. It’s better to understand the situation before jumping to conclusions." A lazy voice drifted in from the hallway, followed by the office door being kicked open.
Li Jiu frowned. Who was this, being so arrogant?
He had even more attitude than she did.
She always knocked on the office door out of politeness.
Everyone reflexively turned to the doorway.
A boy stood there with a wicked, nonchalant air. Yet, this very demeanor made people afraid to get too close.
Duan Qili waved a hand, and the four boys walked in.
"Go ahead, tell the department head exactly what happened," Duan Qili said with a smirk.
Li Jiu took a second look at the boy.
It wasn’t anything else; it was just that he was appearing quite often.
And... Li Jiu realized, this boy was the best-looking one...
The best-looking one she had seen in the entire school.
Li Jiu was a bit of a sucker for good looks.
The four boys entered, instinctively licking their lips and glancing at Duan Qili with apprehension.
One look from Duan Qili made them shrink back.
"What is going on here?" The department head’s brow furrowed as he sensed something was wrong.
"Did... did student Li Jiu bully you?" He asked, guiding the four boys.
Li Jiu waited in calm composure, also expecting their response.
Duan Qili walked to her side, unbothered. "Impressive."
Li Jiu was puzzled, not knowing what exactly he found impressive.
"No... no..." the four men said in unison, shaking their heads.
"She didn't bully us." They glanced reflexively at Duan Qili.
The department head: ...
"This is an office. You can speak the truth. Don't worry, I will stand by you!" The department head wanted to curry favor with these four young masters, as the school would rely on their families' investments later on.
The gang of four was getting impatient. "Are you saying the four of us couldn't even beat one girl? It’s obvious we were the ones bullying the weak!"
"Then these injuries on your faces..." the department head asked, confused.
"Caught in a door."
"Tripped and fell."
"Scratched myself in my sleep."
"Just didn't like the look of myself, so I hit myself."
Each of them offered a "reasonable" excuse.
Li Jiu raised an eyebrow. "Sir, you accused me wrongly. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
The department head: ?
Wait... how did things end up like this?
He pondered it, but couldn't pinpoint where it had gone wrong.
"Shouldn't there be some compensation?" Li Jiu gestured with her hand.
The gang of four understood instantly—she wanted money!
Without hesitation, the four of them pulled cards out of their pockets in unison.
"Student Li Jiu, this... this is our monthly allowance. Please, spend it as you like. We're sorry, it was our fault, we scared you."
A smile curled on Li Jiu's lips. Quite sincere.
She took them one by one.
Then, she looked at the department head. "Sir, is there anything else?"
The department head’s lips moved; he was about to lecture her, but he caught a cold, icy gaze drifting over from Duan Qili and was silenced instantly.
"No... nothing else. Go back to class." The department head felt cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Duan Qili raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you, sir." Li Jiu remained polite.
As she left the office, she paused when passing Duan Qili. She caught the faint scent of camellias.
He had good taste.
As soon as Li Jiu walked out, the gang of four followed her.
Li Jiu: ?
"Still want to fight?" She motioned with her fist.
The four boys shook their heads in unison. "No, no, it's a misunderstanding, Sister Jiu. We just want to learn from you."
"Learn?" Li Jiu was bewildered.
"Yes, we really admire you, Sister Jiu. You're just too amazing."
Taking on four people alone and coming out without a scratch—that was definitely something to admire.
"Sister Jiu, we can pay for lessons!" The leader, Zeng Yuan, looked at Li Jiu expectantly.
When Li Jiu heard the word "pay," her eyes lit up.
That was good.
"My fees aren't cheap," she coughed, putting on an act.
"That's fine, we're willing!"
"The school prohibits forming gangs," Duan Qili said, strolling over and casting a provocative look at the four of them.
They had some nerve, actually trying to get Li Jiu to be their teacher.
The four of them gulped upon seeing Duan Qili.
"Brother Li, we didn't do anything. We really just want to learn," Zeng Yuan said earnestly.
Duan Qili sneered. "Learn how to fight?"
"If I report you, none of you will be staying in this school for much longer," he said dismissively.
The four boys looked aggrieved.
"Get lost," Duan Qili said, and the four boys had no choice but to leave.