Power and Wealth - C.1546: Who says you can leave?

At the entrance of the university.

As the middle-aged man exited the Audi, the two groups confronted each other. On one side was Deputy Mayor Dong Quan and seven or eight security guards with four or five university staff members. The other side consisted of more than two hundred current students, alumni, and some teachers who knew Jiang Min. The two groups jostled with each other, and the situation was getting a bit out of control. The security guards weren't purely trying to help Dong Quan, but in the course of the conversation, everyone knew that this person was a deputy mayor. He was a cadre at the Deputy Division level and seemed to have also entered the County Party Committee as the Executive Deputy Mayor. Everyone understood the weight of this position. If Dong Quan were to be attacked by students at the university, the consequences would be unimaginable. No one knew how big the trouble would be.

"Everyone, go back!"

"We'll leave if he apologizes."

"Today is the university's anniversary. Let's talk about this later."

"If there's no apology, compensation is necessary, or this won't end."

"What's wrong with you? Do you still want to graduate? This is inciting a crowd!"

"Don't threaten us. It was him who hit someone first."

Under the leadership of their class Principal, Jiang Min's students were at the forefront, with many passionate youths from other departments rushing forward and some teachers joining in.

Dong Quan was also very annoyed and didn't expect to encounter such a situation. Initially, he hadn't planned to attend this university anniversary celebration. After all, the county had many things, and it was in the south, too far from the capital city. Even taking a plane would take about three hours. But a vice Principal of the university had called him several times in a row, and in the end, Dong Quan had no choice but to take a day off and rush over from afar. Yet, as soon as he arrived on campus, he ran into trouble. Dong Quan considered himself blameless. He was driving into the university properly when, suddenly, many people rushed over. He couldn't stop in time and bumped into a teacher. It wasn't even considered a collision; it was just a slight bump. How big of a deal could this be? Who would have expected these students to be so stubborn? They even blocked his car. Dong Quan felt like he was returning home to glory, not coming here to be humiliated.

Apologize?

Compensate?

How could such a trivial matter warrant this?

Dong Quan's face also darkened. He raised his hand and called Principal Wang. "Old Wang, where are you?"

"Mayor Dong, I'm sorry, really sorry. I've heard about the situation. I'm on my way over. This is our fault. We didn't plan it properly." Vice Principal Wang sounded out of breath as if he were running.

"Come over immediately," Dong Quan said.

"I'll be there right away," Vice Principal Wang replied.

Dong Quan has helped the university a lot over the years. Many of the companies that recruited fourth-year students were contacted through the university leaders and Dong Quan's connections. So, he wasn't so polite when talking to Vice Principal Wang. Vice Principal Wang also understood this. Dong Quan was a university graduate who had done well. He was already an executive deputy mayor before the age of forty-five. He might even advance further by the age of fifty, possibly even taking charge of an entire region. So, Vice Principal Wang naturally treated Dong Quan with respect.

The students were still shouting.

Although security guards protected Dong Quan, he was still jostled around a few times. His face was getting worse and worse.

As for Le Hai Dong, Zhao Meng, and others supporting Jiang Min, they didn't shout at Dong Quan or get involved in the confrontation despite their anger. Students are the most adorable group. The campus is a safe place. Since the students are still in school and haven't entered society, they haven't been tainted by too many impurities. They dare to love and hate. They are passionate and persistent. So, when they saw Jiang Min injured, everyone was emotionally stirred, regardless of whether Dong Quan was a deputy mayor or a high-ranking official. However, Le Hai Dong, Sun Ruhua, and others were different. Le Hai Dong was already part of the system. In his view, it was best to avoid offending people whenever possible, especially someone like the Executive Deputy Mayor, who was way above his level. After all, the man was from a prefecture-level city, entirely out of Le Hai Dong's league. Sun Ruhua and Zhao Meng had the same thoughts. Although angry, they were reluctant to offend a deputy mayor. They feared that if they joined in cursing, Dong Quan would hold a grudge against them in the future and make things difficult for them. Sun Ruhua, Le Hai Dong, and their group relied on connections for their livelihoods. They didn't want to see this scene, so they remained silent.

"Teacher Jiang."

"We'll take you to the infirmary."

Le Hai Dong and Sun Ruhua supported her on either side.

Jiang Min breathed a sigh of relief, feeling less pain. With their help, she stood up, her right foot hanging, afraid to touch the ground. "No need."

"You should still get checked," Zhao Meng added.

But Jiang Min looked at her students, "Zheng Tao, take everyone back."

The class monitor, who had been at the forefront, said, "Teacher Jiang, why should we go back?"

"I told you to go back. I'm fine." Jiang Min insisted, "Go backstage and get ready. Your performance is up soon."

"Teacher Jiang!"

"We're not leaving."

"He must apologize."

"Teacher Jiang, please don't worry about us. We can't let you suffer in vain."

"Exactly, we must demand justice today."

The students from the computer class didn't move or listen to Jiang Min. They continued to surround Dong Quan and his group under the leadership of their class monitor. They understood that Jiang Min was worried about them, didn't want them to clash with the leaders, and didn't want them to take responsibility. With the power of an executive deputy mayor, it would be easy to deal with some students without backgrounds. Even though Dong Quan wasn't currently working in the capital city, the students couldn't compare to his influence. He had previously worked in the capital city before being transferred to the south, so his connections were extensive. But precisely because they understood Jiang Min's intentions, the students didn't leave. They were even more angry at Dong Quan. Their blood was boiling, and they didn't care about the consequences. On the contrary, the more Jiang Min tried to get them to leave, the more they resented Dong Quan.

Suddenly, there were hurried footsteps in the distance. Many people turned to look and saw Vice Principal Wang leading school officials and many teachers running over, their faces grim. Vice Principal Wang still had some weight in the school, and everyone knew he had a bad temper. Seeing him and many school leaders coming over, the situation calmed down slightly. Many people looked over.

"Principal Wang."

"Director Chen."

"You're here."

The staff members protecting Dong Quan hurriedly greeted them.

Taking a glance, Dong Xuebin recognized Vice Principal Wang as the middle-aged man who had tried to boss him around in the auditorium earlier. He smirked.

When Vice Principal Wang and the others arrived, they saw so many students and teachers gathered around and noticed the Audi with a muddy shoe print on the front. His eyebrows furrowed, and he shouted angrily, "What are you all doing here? The celebration is about to start! Why are you still gathered here?"

A teacher who seemed to have a good relationship with Jiang Min said, "Vice Principal Wang, Teacher Jiang was hit."

Vice Principal Wang glanced at him. "I've heard about it. It was just a scratch, and she's not seriously injured. The celebration is more important. Everyone, go back."

Another teacher said, "But"

Vice Principal Wang interrupted angrily, "City leaders will be here soon. What does it look like to block them outside and make them a laughingstock? Won't you let them in?"

His imposing presence and loud voice stunned the crowd. The students might not care much about an Executive Deputy Mayor, but the school's vice Principal directly controlled their graduation certificates. They couldn't ignore him.

A small number of students had already stepped back.

Jiang Min's class stood still, but they didn't speak.

Vice Principal Wang continued, "I'll say it one last time. Teachers, take your students to the auditorium and sit down immediately. If anyone is still blocking the entrance, don't blame the school for being rude."

However, the class monitor, Zheng Tao, didn't listen. He was angry and said, "Teacher Jiang was injured like this. Is it wrong to ask for an apology?"

Vice Principal Wang looked at him coldly. "Which class are you from, and what's your name?" He singled him out.

Before Zheng Tao could speak, Jiang Min interrupted, "It has nothing to do with the students. All of you, go back. Stop causing trouble. I'm fine, I just twisted my ankle."

"Teacher Jiang," a female student said.

"Are you trying to anger me?" Jiang Min's face turned stern.

Hearing this, her students gritted their teeth and remained silent.

Some teachers began directing their students, leading them away from the crowd, clearing a space. Many other students also voluntarily backed away. In the end, only Jiang Min's class remained. Under her fierce gaze, the class monitor, Zheng Tao, looked at Dong Quan, cursed inwardly, and reluctantly led his classmates back a few steps.

The path cleared.

Vice Principal Wang immediately squeezed in and looked at Dong Quan, quickly reaching out his hands. "Sorry, Mayor Dong, for the trouble. It's our fault for not arranging properly."

Dong Quan replied lightly, "It's resolved. Can I go in now?"

Vice Principal Wang wiped his sweat. "Of course, I apologize again. We received the news late, so we didn't rush over in time."

Dong Quan waved his hand. "That's enough, let's go."

"I'll have someone park your car." Vice Principal Wang instructed a nearby teacher.

Then Dong Quan walked ahead, with Vice Principal Wang following behind. Several people surrounded Dong Quan as they walked into the campus.

Many students and teachers, although they had stepped back, still held onto their anger as they watched Dong Quan and Vice Principal Wang leave. They felt it was unfair but realized Dong Quan was an Executive Deputy Mayor, and the school leaders were biased towards him. As ordinary people, what could they do?

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

Everyone watched them leave with clenched teeth.

However, just as Dong Quan and the others had taken only three steps away, a voice suddenly spoke up.

"Who allowed you to leave?" Dong Xuebing walked to the front of the crowd with narrowed eyes.