Chapter 35: I Will Counterattack Without Holding Back

Chapter 35: I Will Counterattack Without Holding Back

Shen Ci’s opening words were shocking; she had directly turned the matter into a criminal case.

"Indecent assault"?

This was no trivial charge!

Mother Li was instantly incensed, refuting repeatedly, "You're talking nonsense! My son, he..."

"Didn't you say you have the surveillance footage from the time of the incident?" Shen Ci interrupted her with a calm expression. "Then you should be very clear whether his act of grabbing me was forceful. I only resorted to defensive measures because my struggles and verbal warnings were ineffective. From beginning to end, this is entirely Li Xiao's fault. His injury and hospitalization are his own just deserts!"

"You and him are in a relationship. If he hugged you, could it be..."

Mother Li tried to argue further, but was once again interrupted by Shen Ci. Shen Ci stated her identity with a serious expression: "On the day I met you, I broke up with Li Xiao on the spot. When I returned to school that evening, I returned everything related to him. There are witnesses to all of this. He and I broke up long ago; he is the one who has been persistently pestering me. Would you like to see the messages he sent me?"

"Even if we take a step back—even if he and I hadn't broken up, him forcibly hugging me without my permission is still a crime. As long as it is not consensual, it is illegal!"

Principal Wang had graduated from the law department, so he nodded instinctively upon hearing Shen Ci's words. "Student Shen Ci is indeed correct. 'Rape' and 'indecent assault' are not bound by the nature of a relationship. Even within a marriage, if the woman does not consent and the man uses force, it constitutes 'rape'."

"Principal Wang!" Mother Li glared, shouting indignantly, "My son is still lying in the hospital! You... you are just protecting her like this?"

Principal Wang looked troubled. If things were truly as Student Shen Ci described, then she indeed bore no fault in this matter.

Furthermore, judging by Mrs. Li's reaction, it seemed Student Shen Ci was not lying and was stating the facts.

Shen Ci walked forward a few steps with composure. Only after passing Director Sun did she speak with an air of indifference. "There is no need to pressure the school, nor is there a need to make things difficult for the Principal. All charges must be based on facts, not on who happens to be lying in a hospital bed."

"Since this incident occurred off-campus, I had no desire to get further entangled with Li Xiao, so I was planning to let it go."

"Since you insist on pursuing this, I suggest you call the police. Because if you use pressure on the school to force me into unfair treatment, I will certainly pursue Li Xiao's criminal liability."

Shen Ci's speech was fluent and her logic clear, leaving Mother Li almost no room for maneuver or retreat.

Mother Li stared fixedly at Shen Ci. She knew she had no choice, but she was, after all, the wife of the Li family, and she never lacked confidence.

She suppressed her rage and said venomously, "Do you really think you can threaten me? Do you know who you are offending?"

The shift in her aura made Mother Li's presence exceptionally intimidating at that moment; Director Sun, standing before her, didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Shen Ci merely smiled slightly, showing no sign of fear. "It's not a threat. How could an female college student with no background threaten anyone? I am simply communicating with you, using direct language to clarify my thoughts."

As she spoke, Shen Ci's tone suddenly shifted, carrying a layer of chill. "But if someone were to threaten me, I would certainly counterattack without holding back."

But it was only for a moment; Shen Ci's demeanor returned to normal. She straightened her posture and looked at the Principal politely. "Principal, since the facts are clear, I believe the school knows who is at fault. However, being the bigger person, and out of consideration for the six months we sincerely dated, I will not press the matter for now. But I reserve the right to hold him accountable."

"If the other party's parents also choose not to report this to the police, then I shall take my leave."

Having said this, without regard for the expressions of others, Shen Ci turned and left, unwilling to linger.

Seeing this, Li Jianguo hurriedly said to the Principal, "Principal, I will speak with Shen Ci privately."

With that, he also exited the Principal's office.

Director Sun breathed a secret sigh of relief, lightly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. He turned back with a conciliatory smile. "Mrs. Li, look at how this has turned out. It's embarrassing for everyone, isn't it? How about this: I'll arrange it when I get back to move Student Li Xiao and Student Shen Ci to different classes. That way, we can greatly reduce the chances of them meeting."

How could Mother Li be satisfied when things were not handled according to her ideal outcome?

This was a university; what was the use of changing classes? It was merely treating the symptoms, not the cause—a mere attempt to cover one's eyes while stealing a bell!

She let out a cold snort, grabbed her bag, and walked out in a rage.

"Mrs. Li, would you like another cup of tea?" Principal Wang offered hypocritically. Seeing that Mother Li didn't even look back, he couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

He sat heavily in his chair, relieved, yet his face remained full of worry.

Seeing this, Director Sun leaned in and asked, "Principal, it's a good thing Student Shen Ci is smart and didn't let Mrs. Li threaten our school. Otherwise, this would have been very difficult to resolve."

Principal Wang sneered upon hearing this. "The matter is resolved, but hasn't the promise from the Li Group to donate four high-magnification, high-power astronomical telescopes to the Astronomy Department also gone down the drain?"

Director Sun slapped his thigh in realization. "That's right! How could I forget? Those four telescopes together are worth nearly a million! They are vital to our Astronomy Department!"

The Astronomy Department at UST (University of Science and Technology) was relatively obscure among national universities in the same field, but the equipment required for this department was a bottomless pit. Everything was expensive. While the department wasn't lacking in basic infrastructure, the school could not afford high-end, sophisticated, or top-tier equipment, nor were they willing to invest massive funds into a major that was considered a weakness.

However, ever since Li Xiao, the son of the Li Group, entered the UST Astronomy Department last year, the Li family had donated nearly a million in just one year to upgrade the department's equipment. They had even promised to donate four top-tier astronomical telescopes to the school this National Day.

Principal Wang had been looking forward to National Day. With those four telescopes, even if the UST Astronomy Department couldn't catch up to the Aerospace University, it would certainly rise to the forefront of universities.

After all, the economic base determines the superstructure.

As a result of today's commotion, those telescopes were eighty percent likely to be aborted in the womb. The more Principal Wang thought about it, the more distressed he became, only able to force himself to believe that Mrs. Li would not interfere with this matter.

On the other side, Shen Ci ducked into the school's small supermarket, intending to buy some snacks and drinks for Gu Lianxing.

Director Li followed behind her, speaking earnestly, "I have always felt that you act with discretion, but today's matter was so dangerous. It's a good thing Li Xiao's report didn't have any major issues; otherwise, what would you have done?"