Chapter 28: Demanding Justice for You

Having listened to the teacher, Chen Liyang glanced at Zhou Chengdong.

The boy had no particular expression, looking entirely detached as if this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

But Chen Liyang could deeply relate to what he was feeling right now. Back in his own school days, his family had been average, he hadn’t been particularly pleasing to look at, and his grades had been poor.

So no matter what happened, he was always the one in the wrong, carrying enough bottled-up resentment to weep down the Great Wall^[1].

If he were to act like this teacher right now, blaming the boy without asking for the truth and demanding an apology…

…the harm would be permanent. It was just like how, even after transmigrating into this book, he still felt an instinctive revulsion toward teachers.

What he hadn’t expected was that such things didn’t just happen in the real world; they existed in the world of the book all the same.

Thinking of this, Chen Liyang asked with a smile, “So according to you, Teacher, the side that hits first is always in the wrong.

“Does that mean if someone takes a dump on your head, you still have to thank them for the gift?”

“How… how can you be so vulgar? How can you even compare the two?

“Besides, Qi Haohao didn’t take a dump on your son’s head.

“Your son hit someone, yet instead of apologizing, you’re here shirking responsibility. No wonder your son lacks upbringing; like father, like son,” the homeroom teacher snapped angrily.

“I never said I wouldn’t apologize, but as his parent, I have the right to know what happened.

“If it really is my son’s fault, I will naturally apologize and take responsibility. But if it isn’t, I won’t let him suffer this kind of injustice for nothing.

“Furthermore, as a teacher meant to educate and guide, you say he lacks upbringing right in front of him. Is he really the one setting a bad example, or do you, as a teacher, lack the open-mindedness to treat students equally?” Chen Liyang spoke softly, but his presence was overwhelming.

Zhou Chengdong, who had been expressionless until now, looked at him with surprise after hearing those words.

He had never anticipated such a confrontation. He had assumed that even if Chen Liyang came, given his bully-the-weak and fear-the-strong nature, he would demand an apology without asking any questions, or even beat him to appease the other parent.

Yet before even asking him what had happened, Chen Liyang had stood firmly on his side and even talked back to the teacher.

This unreserved trust was like a ray of winter sunshine, melting his frozen heart bit by bit.

The teacher’s face turned as purple as a pig’s liver. Just as he was about to explode, Qi Haohao’s mother spoke up.

“Take a good look at yourself before talking. What kind of good child could someone like you possibly raise?

“Targeting the teacher like this… you really are just a low-class, broke loser.

“I haven’t ever laid a finger on my son since he was born, yet your son beat him like this! If you can’t give me a satisfactory answer today, your son won’t be staying in this school any longer,” the woman said, looking at Chen Liyang with an arrogant posture, radiating an overbearing sense of impunity.

“Is your mouth spewing manure? Why does it smell so foul? What’s wrong with being poor? Did I eat your family’s rice?^[2]

“I’ve never seen someone dress up spoiled pampering in such hypocritical drivel. Aren’t you afraid of ruining your child’s entire life?”

When had Qi Haohao’s mother ever been humiliated like this? Enraged, she slammed her hand down on the office desk, her eyes practically spewing fire. “I dare you to say that again!”

But Chen Liyang didn’t bother arguing with such a shallow woman. Instead, he looked at his eldest son with a gentle gaze. “Chengdong, tell Dad what actually happened.

“Just tell the truth. If it’s not your fault, Dad will get you justice.”

That phrase, “Dad will get you justice,” deeply shook Zhou Chengdong’s heart.

Was this what it felt like to be protected by a parent?

Even before Chen Liyang arrived, he had prepared for the worst.

There was no way he would apologize for this. At worst, he would be expelled; it wasn’t like he was cut out for studying anyway.

But seeing Chen Liyang fighting tooth and nail on his behalf, he suddenly felt that he didn’t want him to fight this battle alone. So, he explained the whole story from start to finish.

“When class ended, I wanted to go to the bathroom. Qi Haohao shares a desk with me, but he wouldn’t let me out and started insulting me. I got angry and talked back.

“Then he threw a punch at me. To protect myself, I punched him in the nose, and his nose started bleeding.”

He thought that after he finished speaking, Chen Liyang would definitely scold him for going too hard and causing such a big mess.

But Chen Liyang’s next words made him feel an unprecedented warmth once more: “Were you hurt by him?”

Zhou Chengdong shook his head. “I’m fine… I just brought you trouble. You don’t blame me?”

“Silly child, why would Dad blame you when it’s not your fault?

“On the contrary, you did the right thing. We don’t bully others, but we won’t let others push us around either.” Chen Liyang gave him an encouraging look.

Then, he walked over to Qi Haohao. His expression was completely normal, yet Qi Haohao felt a chill down his spine under his gaze. “Wh-What do you want?”

“Don’t get so close to my son! If you dare hurt him, I’ll make you pay!” The woman instantly shielded her son behind her, full of vigilance.

“I believe what my son said, so you need to apologize to him!” Chen Liyang stated, emphasizing each word.

Qi Haohao’s expression turned instantly defiant. “He’s the one who beat me up like this! In your dreams!”

Although he spoke with apparent confidence, his mind was filled with confusion.

Wasn’t Zhou Chengdong’s dad a stepfather who beat and cursed at him all the time? Why did he come to school to stand up for him?

Yet he had to admit that seeing Chen Liyang target him directly caused fear to swell in his heart.

If this man could beat his own son nearly to death, what would he do to an outsider?

“Have you lost your mind? You actually want my son to apologize? I’ll slap some sense into you!” Qi Haohao’s mother raised her hand, aiming to slap Chen Liyang across the face.

But Chen Liyang anticipated her move and stepped aside, dodging it easily.

“You should be glad I don’t hit women, otherwise…” He trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

He then turned to Zhou Chengdong. “Eldest, tell Dad the truth. Does he bully you often?”

Having been through it himself, he was certain this wasn’t the first time.

It had been mentioned in the book that the four children were frequently bullied at school.

Knowing the original host would never stand up for them, they had never told him.

Zhou Chengdong didn’t want Chen Liyang to know he was constantly being bullied at school, so he was just about to shake his head in denial.

But Chen Liyang seemed to sense what he was going to say and spoke up first, his gaze intensely earnest. “I’m your dad, and I’m your rock. If you’ve been wronged, don’t bottle it up inside. Dad promises he’ll get justice for you.”