Chapter 4: Glück, das mir verblieb

During the next few weeks, Mei Yun, Xiao Lingling and Wu Jiahui started gathering evidence.

Hacking into the school's security camera system was an easy feat for Xiao Lingling and just as they suspected, the Principal and Director Luo were using the Principal's office for their trysts. In addition, it seemed that the pair didn't know that the security cameras were changed as there were recent trysts that dated back to a few days prior. The trio could only watch one session before they averted their eyes in disgust. It was rutting, just like how Wu Jiahui described it.

Wu Jiahui continued to request for teachers' help so she was going to the staff room frequently. Inside, she was able to find three archive rooms: One for the sciences, one for the humanities and one for music. She suspected that the evidence they needed was in the music archive room.

Breaking into the staff room was a complex operation but they were prepared. It was close to midterms and most of the final year students were staying back in school for night study. This gave the trio an excuse to stay back in school. While St Mary's did have security guards, during night study there was only one guard in front of the school gates. There were also no teachers so night study students had to sign a waiver that removes all responsibility from the school, basically telling them students that the decision to stay at school late was at their own risk. These set of circumstances lined up perfectly, giving the trio plenty of time to look through the files and obtain the evidence they need. As security cameras were also present around the school in addition to the staff room, Xiao Lingling hacked them an hour prior to the operation and ran a video on a loop to cover their tracks.

The entrance to the staff room was shrouded in darkness. Xiao Lingling had her computer ready while Wu Jiahui was stationed at the door – she was the one to go in and retrieve the files. Mei Yun was on the lookout just in case a student was nearby so they can pull the dark blanket over their heads and hide their presence before anyone notices.

"Ok, hacking complete. The doors have been unlocked."

Wu Jiahui took a deep breath before entering the staffroom. Mei Yun stood by the door and patted her back for encouragement.

The staffroom was pitch black and so silent you can hear a pin drop, a stark contrast from the daytime. Wu Jiahui turned on her flashlight and walked to the music archive room. As expected, the door was unlocked so she entered quietly. The music archive was huge, filled with drawers upon drawers of documents dating back to the department's founding. She walked to the drawer labelled '2010' and began to rummage through it – nothing to be of use. She tried the previous years all the way back until 2001 when Director Luo was first appointed – still nothing.

Wu Jiahui paused for a bit.

'If the information is not in the yearly files, then it might be in the staff files.'

She walked to the drawer labelled ��Staff' and opened it. Inside there were folders of each teacher that taught the music students. There was even a newer one of Tao Xinyin. However, Director Luo's file was nowhere to be seen.

Wu Jiahui was starting to get worried.

'As expected of a sleazy person in power – get rid of the evidence from plain sight. Oh! Director Luo's office! Why didn't I think of that earlier?'

Wu Jiahui walked to Director Luo's office and tried the handle – locked. Now, she knew; all the information that they needed is in that office. However, if Director Luo locked up every day then getting that evidence was near impossible.

Outside the staffroom, Mei Yun and Xiao Lingling were as quiet as mice. A delicate operation such as this required great concentration so neither of them were talking. When Wu Jiahui emerged from the staffroom, they spung to their feet.

"Did you find anything?" Xiao Lingling asked.

Wu Jiahui shook her head, "Nothing in the yearly files nor the staff files. I suspect it's in Director Luo's office but it's locked."

Mei Yun pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment, then she spoke,

"Ok, let's get of out here first, then we'll discuss."

The trio packed up their things, reset the cameras and doors and left the school quietly. It was still 8pm so Upper Downtown S-City was still showing bright lights. MontBlanc was closed for the day so they went to a nearby coffee chain to talk.

"As I suspected, we need someone on the inside to help us get those files." Mei Yun sighed.

"Yeah, but like I mentioned before, Tao Xinyin may be involved in all this. It's not a good idea to reveal what we're doing to someone who may be complicit." Xiao Lingling spoke, "Mei Mei, let's just use the camera footage of Director Luo and the Principal. It's enough to get them both fired from their positions."

Mei Yun shook her head, "If the rumours were just about their affair, then I would be satisfied with the footage. However, it is common knowledge that Director Luo is verbally abusing the music students and showing favouritism to the ones she likes. We have to provide closure for this, not just for us but for the poor students who were targeted."

"Mei Mei…all this to leave the music programme with a bang."

Mei Yun smirked, "Of course! Would I have it any other way?"

Xiao Lingling and Wu Jiahui laughed at Mei Yun's shamelessness.

"So, about Tao Xinyin, have you spoken to her ex-boyfriend yet?" Wu Jiahui brought the conversation back.

"No…it's hard to bring it up. He's also having his midterms and I don't want to skew his focus by bringing up something painful." Mei Yun frowned.

"I understand that, but Jiahui—"

"I know, I know." Mei Yun looked out the window while stirring her drink, "I'll bring it up, I promise."

Wu Jiahui looked awkwardly before speaking up, "Don't worry too much about it. I'm not being targeted as much as before so take your time."

Mei Yun smiled at the formally withdrawn girl who had become more confident as she spent more time with her and Xiao Lingling.

"Thanks, Jiahui. I promise I'll tell him."

The trio spent 30 minutes in the coffee shop chatting about mundane things before going back to their respective homes.

The next day at school, there was no word on the staffroom break-in which made the trio relieved. They secretly heaped praise upon Xiao Lingling, who made the whole operation a success by buying her favourite cake and lighting candles as if it was her birthday. Xiao Lingling for the most part was utterly confused but was always a sucker for free food no matter the occasion.

The rehearsals were going well for Mei Yun. She was forming a tight friendship with Liu Fan and Wang Jun. However, she could never bring up Tao Xinyin when she was along with Wang Jun. She was starting to see him smile more whenever they were together and she couldn't find it in her heart to talk about it.

At night, she wondered why she was so afraid to say it. At first, she was being courteous and respecting the complicated feelings a breakup might bring but now it was something else – something she couldn't ascertain for herself.

For weeks, nothing happened to Wu Jiahui so Mei Yun thought she had a lot of time but one day, everything that could go wrong came crashing down all at once.

"What did you say!" Mei Yun screamed at Xiao Lingling.

Xiao Lingling nodded while comforting a crying Wu Jiahui, "I said that Wu Jiahui has to drop out in two weeks. Her music GPA is too low to keep the scholarship."

"But how?! Doesn't she have the midterms to fix it?" Mei Yun couldn't believe what she is hearing.

"Apparently not. The school administration said they need to save money on students that deserved to stay or something like that." Xiao Lingling scoffed, also incensed by the ridiculous ultimatum.

Mei Yun clenched and unclenched her fists, staring outside the window of Wu Jiahui's apartment. She knew what she had to do.

"I have a rehearsal tomorrow." She began.

Wu Jiahui and Xiao Lingling looked at her.

"I'll tell him about Tao Xinyin." She steeled her resolve, "Even if he hates me afterwards. If I don't do it, then I'll regret it."

The next day at rehearsal, Wang Jun, Liu Fan and Mei Yun were going through Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor. Unlike the first piano trio, this one was a standard piano trio with traditional roles played by the instruments. It should have been a simple rehearsal but,

"Mei Yun, is something going on? You have been off this entire rehearsal." Wang Jun pulled Mei Yun aside.

Mei Yun cursed herself. She knew her playing was linked to her emotions. Whatever she was feeling that day was transmitted into her playing and her nervousness to talk to Wang Jun about Tao Xinyin was showing in her performance.

There was no use hiding it.

"Wang Jun." She spoke confidently despite her apprehension, "I have something to talk to you about."

Wang Jun was surprised. He'd thought it was stress from studying for her midterms. It turns out it was something completely different and judging from her stare, it was very important.

"Alright. I will stay and listen to what you have to say but can we finish this rehearsal first?" Wang Jun reassured her.

Mei Yun nodded and gave a small smile, "Thank you, Wang Jun." She walked back to her chair.

Wang Jun stared at the girl who picked up her violin and began to practice her part.

'This is the first time I've seen her so anxious, even more so than when I first met her.'

Despite the hiccup in the beginning, Mei Yun managed to pull herself together and the rehearsal ended on a good note. The Mendelssohn piano trio was more or less ready and they will be working on the Mozart piano trio next week.

As usual, Liu Fan left immediately after rehearsal to meet his friends, leaving Wang Jun and Mei Yun alone. However, the atmosphere was heavier and quieter than usual.

Wang Jun noted her nervousness and gently spoke to Mei Yun, "There is a park nearby. Why don't we go and sit there?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah sure." Mei Yun replied, a bit distracted.

The pair walked in silence to the park and found an empty bench under a tree. They sat down and the silence remained for a while.

Mei Yun spoke to break the tension in the air, "Wang Jun,"

"Hm?" Wang Jun gently replied.

Mei Yun, "You already know I am leaving the music programme."

Wang Jun, "Yes, I remember you telling me"

'Rather nonchalantly, in fact.'

"I wanted to leave with a bang. As in, I don't want to just leave, I wanted to leave with closure regarding the toxicity of the music programme. So…" Mei Yun hesitated, "I wanted to expose the Director of her crimes. I don't want to leave and subject other students to her cruelty."

Wang Jun was surprised. Never in his life had he seen someone who was willing to work to ensure something terrible doesn't happen to other people again. It was very noble of her and confirmed his hunch that Mei Yun was a person who wasn't afraid to act on something that she found wrong. She had already surprised him by saying that she was quitting before her graduation because of the favouritism but he didn't expect her to go all the way and care for prospective students as well.

'Her heart is really strong as well as kind.'

Mei Yun, "However, we need proof of her crimes so we broke into the staffroom to get them."

Wang Jun's eyes widened.

'...And apparently also daring.'

Mei Yun, "But we couldn't find them. We suspected that the proof is in her office but it was locked. And so…" She took a deep breath, "We need an inside person and the person I suggested is…Tao Xinyin."

Wang Jun's breath caught in his throat.

It had been almost a month since he met Mei Yun; almost a month since he officially moved on from Tao Xinyin. To think that she would be so anxious because of his broken heart was…ridiculous.

"Mei Yun," Wang Jun began.

Mei Yun looked at him with bated breath.

"You don't have to be on edge with me regarding Xinyin." He looked at the far distance, "I've long moved on from her."

"But when we first met, you had such a morose expression so I was afraid of making you sad." Mei Yun admitted.

Wang Jun smiled wryly.

'If it was as simple as making me feel uncomfortable, she wouldn't have thought too much about it. Knowing her, she would have had the right words to console me once she brought Tao Xinyin's name up; she was straightforward like that. No, this was because of something else.'

'Could it be that you…'

"Thank you for caring about my feelings. I really appreciate it." Wang Jun gave a sincere smile, "But you don't have to worry about making me sad. I've accepted that our relationship was over long ago so you can talk about her in however fashion you like."

Upon hearing his gentle words, Mei Yun wanted to smack herself. To think that her overthinking had pushed Wu Jiahui into this position. What kind of friend was she?! However, there is no time for moping, she may have lost the opportunity but she can still fix this.

At once, her mopey expression melted and her usual confident look reappeared. She slapped her cheeks and faced Wang Jun.

"Alright then! Then please tell me about Tao Xinyin as a person. We suspect that she is either complicit in the poor treatment of the students OR has no idea that this is happening. Since you were close to her, I wanted to ask you if this is something that she would do."

Wang Jun was relieved that Mei Yun got over that little misunderstanding quickly. He was starting to miss her confident attitude.

"Xinyin is a very cheerful person who sees the best in everyone. She can come off as airheaded but she is very perceptive. There's a chance that she does know about the toxic nature of the programme but because of her optimistic personality, she doesn't want to interfere." Wang Jun explained.

Mei Yun frowned, "Doesn't that make her complicit then?"

"I don't think it's that simple. I wouldn't take Xinyin as the type to let things be. She isn't the most confrontational person and isn't the most decisive. She would try to do small things to help out but not anything that would give her away. She isn't the kind to move oceans if you get what I mean."

Mei Yun, "But she was the one who broke up with you."

Wang Jun gave a tight smile, "She did, yes. But only after I asked her about our future and marriage prospects. I merely guided her decision, she didn't decide on her own."

Mei Yun thought for a while.

'If Wang Jun is right about Tao Xinyin, then all it would take to get her to help us is a little encouragement spliced with a bit of guilt-tripping.'

She stood up, "Thank you Wang Jun. I know what I have to do."

Wang Jun stood up as well, "It's my pleasure to help out in your altruistic endeavours."

Mei Yun laughed awkwardly, "I wouldn't call it altruistic. I could just leave without saying anything but I wanted to get back at Director Luo for making my music journey so terrible."

Wang Jun patted her head, "It may be like that to you but by exposing the crimes of your Director, you're making the music programme better for current and future students. Even if you name is not remembered down the line, your deeds will always be felt with every subsequent generation."

Mei Yun stared at Wang Jun touching her hair and looking down at her with an expression of admiration.

She gave a confident smile, "Indeed. I am doing something for the students, not just for myself. Thank you for making me realise that."

Wang Jun smiled back in response. He felt something warm touch his heart – something that he has yet to acknowledge.

**

Mei Yun was sitting in music class, not paying attention to Tao Xinyin teaching. She was too distracted trying to figure out how to break the news to her.

"…Yun…Mei Yun!"

Mei Yun snapped out of her thoughts and faced the slightly irritated Tao Xinyin.

"Sorry Ms Tao. I wasn't paying attention." She apologised immediately.

"As you should be." Tao Xinyin replied, "See me after class."

"Yes, Ms Tao."

'Well, now I have to tell her.'

After music class when all the students left the room, Tao Xinyin was standing at the whiteboard, waiting for Mei Yun to come to her.

Tao Xinyin was the same age as Wang Jun, 22 years old. Her appearance showed her age clearly: A youthful glow and soft features. Most men would consider Tao Xinyin the perfect woman appearance-wise; not too young-looking and not too mature-looking.

Mei Yun walked up to Tao Xinyin but before she could get a word in,

"Mei Yun, I have to stop you right there. I actually don't want to scold you."

'Eh?'

"I've been observing you for a while and noticed you've been distracted lately."

"Uh—"

"Stop! Don't say anything! I totally understand."

'You do?'

"I know that the music programme is tough. What happened to Jiahui was unfortunate. No matter how much help I give her she still can't get her grades up. I've also talked to Director Luo and she says that Wu Jiahui simply isn't cut out for it. I don't believe that so I beg of you, Mei Yun; please come to me if you need help, I wouldn't want to lose another student."

Mei Yun was speechless.

'Wang Jun was right. She does have an inkling on what's going on but does she know the entire truth?'

"Ms Tao. I want to quit."

Tao Xinyin, "What?! Why?"

It was not the most appropriate response that a teacher should make but Mei Yun did drop the announcement rather suddenly.

"If you know that Director Luo felt that Wu Jiahui wasn't cut out for the programme, then you would know how hard she worked to maintain her position as scholar. That's why you felt that she didn't deserve that kind of treatment."

Tao Xinyin only stared at Mei Yun who wasn't done yet.

"Do you know how much favouritism exists here? I'm sure you have noticed since you used to be a student here too. Have you wondered what happened to you former classmates who struggled?"

Tao Xinyin opened her mouth to speak but Mei Yun cut her off.

"Don't try to stop me, Ms Tao. After the midterm, I'm sending in the termination form to the general office. But before I leave, I want to put Director Luo's abuse to light. Did you know she was also sleeping with the Principal?"

Tao Xinyin's face didn't change. Wang Jun was right once again, she is not as clueless as one would initially expect.

"I don't want to just quit and let this go on. I'm sure you would want that too had you the courage. So please help us. I don't want a teacher like you be swallowed up by corruption."

That wasn't completely true. Tao Xinyin has a long way to go before she is considered a 'good' teacher. Heck, she was only in St Mary's as part of an elective in S-City University. However, Mei Yun thought to stroke her ego to further encourage her to swap sides.

There was a stifling silence in the air before Tao Xinyin finally spoke,

"I admit, I knew a bit about the favouritism but what teacher isn't inclined to get along with certain students?"

Mei Yun quietly listened.

Tao Xinyin's lip quivered and tears started to fall from her eyes,

"But when I returned, I realised that what I thought previously was so wrong. I was reminded of my classmates who never contacted me after they graduated. I didn't care back then because I thought that I deserved the praise since I worked hard and they didn't. But now I realise that I should have paid attention. They hated me, called me 'The Devil's Loyal Servant.'. They tried so hard and I didn't defend them because I was on my high horse. It hurt so much to see them hanging out but once they saw me, they would sneer and leave."

Mei Yun handed Tao Xinyin a piece of tissue paper. She took it and dabbed her eyes.

"Director Luo once favoured me over everyone else but now as a teacher, I see everything. Jiahui's grades, I knew it was Director Luo who meddled with the system and failed her on purpose. She saw them together, the Principal and Director Luo. I tried to help her but it was not enough. I should have confronted her but I just don't have the courage nor do I like being in the centre of attention. I am just as complicit as Director Luo in bullying those students."

Mei Yun finally spoke, "No, you're not."

Tao Xinyin looked at her, confused.

"You didn't stand by. You tried to help Jiahui but you it's not your nature to speak up. Take that as something to work on after your time here is up. I'm just glad you're not in cahoots with Director Luo which makes things easier for us."

Tao Xinyin raised an eyebrow, "Us?"

Mei Yun put her hands on her hips, "You said you have no courage to stand up to Director Luo, right? Then work with me, a student who can stand up to Director Luo. If you are lacking in something, then learn from someone who has that skill."

Tao Xinyin looked at Mei Yun in awe, "I will. I want to make up to my former classmates and poor Jiahui."

Mei Yun was ecstatic; she now had a person on the inside.

"Meet us at MontBlanc after school. We'll discuss our plan there."

"Alright, I'll be there."

Mei Yun was late to her next class but she did have an excuse and was rarely late so the teacher would forgive her easily. She was about to leave when the door to the music classroom opened and Director Luo entered. She was a tall thin woman in her mid-thirties. She had a thick head of black hair and always dressed impeccably. It was no wonder the middle-aged Principal was enthralled by her.

"Xinyin, I have something to a—" She spotted Mei Yun still in the music classroom.

"Tch! You're still here? I'm surprised you haven't quit yet. That performance exhibition was sure to be your final downfall." Director Luo scoffed.

She made these kinds of insults in front of Tao Xinyin often. It was clear that she thought that Xinyin was a simpleton. But Mei Yun knew better.

"Good Morning Director Luo." Mei Yun smiled sweetly, "I'm afraid not. I still have many things to achieve here so I won't be quitting soon."

"Humph, such insolence. Just like your mother when I called to tell her about your recent behaviour." Director Luo harrumphed.

Mei Yun continued to smile.

'Too bad for you, my mother already knows about your crimes. Do you think she would respect you?'

"I have to get to my next class, please excuse me."

Mei Yun left the music classroom, a devious smile slowly appearing on her face. Soon, the final curtain will fall on Director Luo.

And it won't be rising anytime soon.