HH Chapter 34

Upon hearing “watch a show,” Fang Yuan immediately perked up, “Count me in.”

Cheng Ye quickly dampened Fang Yuan’s enthusiasm, “Stay here and monitor the surveillance footage.”

Fang Yuan pouted, hung his head, and walked away.

It was a Saturday. As soon as Cheng Ye got into the car, he stepped on the gas. Pei Qinghuai fastened his seatbelt and asked, “Do you know where we’re going?”

“To the school,” Cheng Ye replied. “You mentioned that causing a scene here won’t help her. Considering her high-end attire, it shouldn’t be hard to guess where she’ll go.”

He raised his eyebrows, “Smart, right?”

Pei Qinghuai stifled a laugh and gave Cheng Ye a thumbs up. After passing a traffic light and seeing a group of students crossing the street, shoving each other, a thought seemed to dim the light in Cheng Ye’s eyes. As the car moved forward, the road ahead appeared endless.

He asked, “Why do you think school violence occurs? It’s just a bunch of strangers thrown together. Can there be that much animosity?”

Pei Qinghuai chuckled and relaxed in his seat, “You’re underestimating human relationships.”

He explained, “School violence isn’t just about the aggressors. It’s also about the victims who repeatedly compromise and submit, allowing the aggressors to escalate. The same applies to the victims’ families. Their weakness and blame towards the victims contribute to the tragedy. It’s not one person’s fault but a prolonged butterfly effect.”

As they approached within 500 meters of the school, they saw the woman waiting at the gate. Pei Qinghuai commented, “She’s a prime example.”

“No one loves their child more than she does, but her pride and face matter more,” he continued. “The show is secondary. We’re here to talk to Guo Rui again.”

The three people from the surveillance footage—one man and two women—were stopped by Chen Yuxin’s mother as soon as they left the school. She caused a scene, and with so many onlookers, the three were too intimidated to react.

“Captain Cheng, Professor Pei, what’s going on?” Another voice suddenly joined in, startling Cheng Ye and Pei Qinghuai. They turned to see Chen Xiaonuan in the back seat.

“How did you get in so quietly?” Cheng Ye complained, turning back.

Chen Xiaonuan pursed her lips, “I have new information. Those three you’re watching—I saw them bullying a student in the grove as soon as I arrived at school. Guess which class they’re from?”

“Chen Yuxin’s class,” Pei Qinghuai and Cheng Ye said in unison.

Cheng Ye turned around, “You caught them in the act. Who were they bullying?”

Chen Xiaonuan squinted, “Let me see.”

“Oh! It’s her,” she said, pointing across the street.

“Guo Rui,” Cheng Ye read the name, starting the car and driving to Guo Rui. He stopped the car in front of her.

“What are you looking at?” Pei Qinghuai asked, rolling down the window.

Guo Rui, startled, looked up and recognized them. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

“We need to talk,” Cheng Ye said, stepping out of the car. “We have some questions for you.”

Guo Rui hesitated but eventually nodded, “Okay.”

Pei Qinghuai and Cheng Ye led her to a quieter spot away from the commotion at the school gate. Pei Qinghuai began, “We noticed some inconsistencies in your earlier statements and the surveillance footage. Can you tell us more about what happened that day?”

Guo Rui’s eyes darted around nervously. “I… I didn’t see much. I was just scared.”

Cheng Ye leaned in slightly, his voice gentle but firm, “Guo Rui, we need the truth. You’re not in trouble, but your information could help us a lot.”

After a moment of silence, Guo Rui sighed deeply. “Those three,” she pointed to the group causing the scene earlier, “They’ve been bullying me for weeks. That day, I saw them… and I just wanted to avoid them. I didn’t want any more trouble.”

Pei Qinghuai nodded, “We understand. But we need to know everything you remember. Even the smallest detail could be important.”

Guo Rui bit her lip, thinking. “Well, when I was leaving, I saw Chen Yuxin. She looked… scared. I think she was being followed by those three. I didn’t want to get involved, so I didn’t say anything.”

Cheng Ye exchanged a glance with Pei Qinghuai. “Thank you, Guo Rui. You’ve been very helpful. If you remember anything else, please let us know.”

Guo Rui nodded and walked away, her shoulders still tense.

Cheng Ye turned to Pei Qinghuai, “Looks like we have more digging to do.”

Pei Qinghuai agreed, “Let’s find out more about those three and see where this leads.”