Chapter 35: Fortunately, No Blood Was Shed

When Chen Hanxing heard that "Zhu Chenglong hit Zhou Xiao," he immediately knew something was wrong. 

"Where are they now?" 

Chen Hanxing asked as he changed his clothes. 

"In Zhou Xiao's dorm." 

The dorms for second and third-year students were in the building next door, and by the time Chen Hanxing got there, Zhou Xiao's dorm was already packed with people, including security guards in uniform. 

Even worse, Guo Zhongyun, the advisor for Public Administration Class 2, and Zhou Xiao's class advisor were also there. 

"Damn it, what a mess!" 

Chen Hanxing cursed inwardly and finally understood the meaning behind Zhu Chenglong's questions earlier that evening. 

Zhu Chenglong had beaten Zhou Xiao for two reasons: one was to help Chen Hanxing vent his anger, and the other was to embarrass Zhou Xiao, making him unable to hold onto his position as vice minister in the External Relations Department. However, things had escalated to the point where both the school security and the advisors were involved.

Zhou Xiao's dorm was in disarray, with the washbasin and chairs thrown everywhere. He was sitting on the bed, covering his face, while Zhu Chenglong had a lump on his head and was being restrained by the school security. 

"No blood, that's the only lucky part." 

Chen Hanxing sighed with relief. 

At that moment, Zhou Xiao saw him and glared at him with eyes full of hatred. 

Chen Hanxing didn't pay it much attention and greeted, "Teacher Guo." 

Guo Zhongyun, who had been talking to Zhou Xiao's advisor, looked up and immediately said, "I was just about to find you. I don't want to deal with the Student Union matter from this afternoon, but right now I need to ask if you know about tonight's incident?" 

Guo Zhongyun was unusually serious. 

Chen Hanxing quickly realized that Zhou Xiao might be framing him, possibly claiming that Zhu Chenglong had acted under his instructions. 

But for Chen Hanxing, this was more than just explaining the facts. If he said "I don't know," he would be sidelined, and Zhu Chenglong would bear all the blame. 

"Speak, do you know about it?" Zhou Xiao's advisor also asked. 

Zhu Chenglong wasn't a coward, and he wouldn't let Chen Hanxing take the fall. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Hanxing shot him a glare and spoke first, "I know." 

"Smack!" 

Guo Zhongyun slammed the table. "Chen Hanxing, you're still the class leader, and you're involved in a fight. You need to write a serious self-criticism." 

Chen Hanxing silently nodded. "I'll write it tonight." 

"No, it needs to be written now. You have to give Zhou Xiao an explanation right here," Guo Zhongyun ordered sternly. 

Chen Hanxing glanced at Guo Zhongyun, realizing that the goal was to resolve this situation quickly. He had intended to settle things on the spot. 

Chen Hanxing and Zhu Chenglong both wrote self-criticisms right there. This was a quick decision based on the circumstances. Since Zhou Xiao wasn't seriously injured, there was a chance to defuse the situation. If Chen Hanxing stepped up and took some responsibility, the pressure on Zhu Chenglong would lessen. 

At that moment, the school nurse arrived and checked both Zhou Xiao and Zhu Chenglong's injuries. She shook her head, saying, "Nothing serious, no need for anti-inflammatory medicine." 

"Damn it, Zhou Xiao is just short of calling the principal himself." 

Chen Hanxing thought to himself, fully aware of Zhou Xiao's game—he had intentionally blown things out of proportion. 

"Alright, you two need to write self-criticisms, then apologize to Zhou Xiao. Afterward, the department will discuss the final punishment," Guo Zhongyun said sternly. 

Chen Hanxing's face was as cold as ice, while Zhu Chenglong felt uneasy. He hadn't expected things to escalate so much. He had fought worse in high school, but none of it had this kind of impact. 

Zhu Chenglong was intimidated by Guo Zhongyun's apparent fury, though he couldn't see through his advisor's "loud threats, little action" strategy. 

Once the security guards saw the situation was under control, and both advisors were present, they left with the nurse. 

In essence, this was just a small fight, and the security guards didn't understand why Zhou Xiao had involved the advisors and even called the medical office and security. 

"Sorry, Senior Zhou Xiao. We were reckless, but we've realized our mistake. Please forgive us..." 

Chen Hanxing and Zhu Chenglong apologized publicly, but Zhou Xiao remained silent. 

"Sorry, Senior Zhou Xiao..." 

Chen Hanxing apologized again, but Zhou Xiao still didn't speak. Zhou Xiao's advisor exchanged a glance with Guo Zhongyun and said, "Since Zhou Xiao doesn't forgive you, don't stay here causing trouble. Go back to your dorm and wait for the outcome." 

The two advisors yawned and left. Zhou Xiao looked like he had been seriously injured on the phone, but in reality, there was nothing more than a few superficial bruises. 

The advisors reached the bottom of the teacher's dorm and lit cigarettes. After a few puffs, Zhou Xiao's advisor suddenly said, "I didn't expect this." 

"You noticed too?" 

Guo Zhongyun asked in return. 

"Obviously, your class leader was just covering for someone." 

Guo Zhongyun sighed, "I only found out about the Student Union issue this afternoon. Your student is too petty, and my class leader has a wild personality." 

Zhou Xiao's advisor nodded. "Zhou Xiao is smart but has some crooked thinking. This setback might not be bad for him, hopefully, he'll learn something from it. If not, he'll be at a disadvantage in the real world." 

Guo Zhongyun replied with a simple "Hmm." The problems of the real world were no longer their concern. When they were about to part ways, Guo Zhongyun suddenly asked, "By the way, where's my student's self-criticism?" 

"Are you worried I'll submit it secretly?" 

Guo Zhongyun laughed and grabbed the self-criticism. "The department head is already busy, let's not trouble him with small matters." 

---

Chen Hanxing and Zhou Xiao had no idea that their advisors had reached a "peace agreement." Zhou Xiao only felt regret, thinking that if he had known, he wouldn't have resisted. At least if he had been injured, Chen Hanxing would have been forced to take responsibility. 

Now, with only superficial bruises, these two guys might not even receive a formal reprimand. 

"You can go back now," Chen Hanxing suddenly told Zhu Chenglong. 

Zhu Chenglong wanted to say something but held back. After he left, Chen Hanxing started cleaning up Zhou Xiao's dorm. 

Zhou Xiao sneered, "No need for your fake sympathy." 

Chen Hanxing ignored him, continuing with the cleaning. Once he had tidied up most of the mess, he turned to Zhou Xiao and said, "If you weren't a college student, I wouldn't even spare you a second glance if you were dying in front of me." 

Zhou Xiao shuddered. The meaning behind Chen Hanxing's words was clear—if they were in the real world, Chen Hanxing wouldn't feel any guilt. 

Back in the dorm, the boys from their class gathered in the hallway, already aware of what had happened. 

Zhu Chenglong had realized his mistake and, hesitating, said, "Hanxing, I didn't mean for it to go this far." 

"Bang!" 

Chen Hanxing suddenly kicked out, landing a solid kick on Zhu Chenglong, who staggered back. Without saying a word, Chen Hanxing returned to his room. 

The other boys helped Zhu Chenglong up. He had a decent tolerance for pain and rubbed his sore spot, unsure whether to go back and apologize again. 

The others didn't know how to handle the situation either, but finally, the show-off, Jin Yangming, spoke up. 

He pushed his glasses with his middle finger and analyzed, "I think this is a good thing. Since Chen Ge kicked him, it means he's forgiven you." 

Zhu Chenglong thought it made sense, and limped back into the dorm, where he found Chen Hanxing smoking. 

"Class Leader, I'm really sorry, I was reckless when I was drunk, and I had you cover for me." 

Chen Hanxing turned around, looked at the guilty Zhu Chenglong, shook his head, and threw him a cigarette. 

"It's not like it didn't work. Zhou Xiao really won't be able to hold onto that vice minister position."