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"Are you saying that after Luben concluded that Wang Yedan was being supported by someone, he wanted to be alone for a while?" Old Shao's words came out almost word for word, without any ambiguity, ensuring that all eight people in the dormitory could hear them clearly.
"Yes," Zhang Jun replied. "That's not like Luben. He has always been cheerful and optimistic. We kept comforting him in the group chat, saying that girl probably had been with many people already, and it wasn't worth it to be hung up on her."
Then a boy wearing a blue sweater spoke up, "After that, no matter what we said, he wouldn't respond. We thought about it and decided he needed some time to cool off. I remember from the second semester of our freshman year, Luben started pursuing Wang Yedan, but she never agreed. It's been almost a year now. Letting go of a relationship that's lasted over a year isn't something that can happen overnight."
Zhang Jun lay back on his bed. "If only we had been more vigilant back then, maybe Luben wouldn't have died. If we must blame someone, let's blame that despicable person, Wang Yedan. She caused Luben's death. Now look at her, this gold digger who will hop on any bus as long as it has money. If I had money, I'd go after her too!"
Zhao Xiu, who had been silent until now, seemed to find her voice. "That's right! It's Wang Yedan who killed my son. Teacher Zhao, isn't Wang Yedan in your class? You need to bring her here so we can address this matter directly. She is the reason my son committed suicide."
Old Shao reached out to stop Zhao Xiu, addressing the group in the dormitory. "Alright, let's put aside the issue of Wang Yedan for now. I want to ask you all if there have been any unfamiliar people coming around or looking for Luben. Someone you don't recognize and whom Luben hasn't discussed with you in detail."
Jiang He added, "This person is likely between twenty-five and thirty years old, around five foot seven to five foot eight tall, with no accent—speaking standard Mandarin."
The room was warm enough; the chubby guy was wearing a short-sleeved shirt. He said, "I've never seen this person. We're all single in this dorm; aside from gaming, we don't have many other hobbies. Although Luben is local, I've never seen him visit relatives or go home—just like us, he only goes back during long breaks."
"No," several others nodded in agreement.
Old Shao shook his head. "He has always been very cautious; how could he let anyone discover him beforehand?"
At that moment, Teacher Zhao had already dialed Wang Yedan's number. "Hello, is this Wang Yedan? I'm your instructor, Teacher Zhao. I believe you're aware of Luben's death; it seems this matter involves you. I think you should come and handle it. I've already contacted the school; you'll need to take a week off to deal with this situation."
"A week off?" On the other end of the line, Wang Yedan's voice was calm but sharp enough for the keen-eared Jiang He to catch what she said: "Luben's death was not my fault; it has nothing to do with me. He's an adult; he should take responsibility for his actions. I didn't kill him—why should I be suspended?"
Jiang He could tell that Wang Yedan was becoming agitated.
Teacher Zhao continued, "The police have confirmed that Luben committed suicide; this is not anyone else's fault. But still, you should come because Luben took his life due to unrequited feelings for you. There are many matters that require your attention; the school has also contacted Luben's parents, and you need to cooperate actively with the school."
"Luben's parents?" Wang Yedan replied sharply. "I never want to see them again! They are completely unreasonable—coming from some rural place with their ignorance and arrogance. I can't communicate with them at all; I refuse to meet them."
Teacher Zhao seemed a bit angry as she spoke, "Wang Yedan, although I don't know your situation well, I've heard about it from your classmates. I know exactly what kind of girl you are, so don't force me to confront you."
With a furrowed brow, Teacher Zhao glanced at Luben's parents and continued, "Even though Luben's parents are from the countryside and may not be as educated as you, that doesn't give you the right to insult them. Your home is close to the school, so why are you afraid to come over? Have you gone somewhere you shouldn't? And bring your parents with you."
"I'm at home, but my parents haven't returned," Wang Yedan replied. "I need to call them."
"I know," Teacher Zhao said with a mocking smile. "Of course you're at home and not in some hotel. Come back first; I'll contact your parents. Just come directly to Director Xi's office; we'll all be waiting for you there."
Without giving Wang Yedan a chance to respond, Teacher Zhao hung up the phone.
She then turned to Zhang Jun, who was sitting on the bed. "You all need to get dressed and head to Director Xi's office shortly. We need to clarify what happened yesterday. Also, call Zhao Yan and the others from their dormitory to see if this is related to Wang Yedan. Once Wang Yedan and their parents arrive, we can decide how to handle it."
Zhang Jun nodded and said to Teacher Zhao, "Understood, Teacher Zhao. We're all college students and know that legally, Wang Yedan can't be punished for this matter. But at least morally, we should condemn such behavior. She made quite a bit of money by sleeping with someone; that money should go to Luben's parents who worked hard to raise a college student. It's not easy!"
"Exactly," several others chimed in.
Teacher Zhao looked at Zhang Jun and shook her head. "You kids may not study well, but when it comes to these matters, you're much better than most people. Remember to tidy up the dormitory before heading to the office."
"Got it."
The group followed Teacher Zhao outside as she said, "Officers, while this matter may not trouble you police officers directly, the leadership thinks it's better for the police to be present for coordination purposes later on."
"Coordination?" Old Shao asked.
Teacher Zhao replied quietly to Shao the Elder so that only he could hear, "After confirming that Luben has indeed passed away, his parents have already contacted the school. They discussed compensation last night; however, how much will need further negotiation. The school will pay a portion, and Wang Yedan will pay another part; that's basically the direction we're heading."
"Why should the school and Wang Yedan pay?" Yuan Jun questioned in confusion.
"Humanitarian compensation, of course. What parent can bear to see their child, whom they raised, just disappear like that? It's all to keep the peace; there's no other way. And you, Wang Yedan, what kind of people are these? This incident happening in my class has had a significant impact on me. It's all that Wang Yedan's fault."
"Do you know Wang Yedan?" Elder Shao asked.
Teacher Zhao frowned and replied, "I don't really know her well. She's an average student and doesn't actively participate in activities, so she has a low presence in my eyes. If it weren't for these classmates, I wouldn't have known Wang Yedan was this kind of person. But then again, I remember she has a rather expensive bag. For a girl like her without a job, where would she get the money?"
Old Shao sighed and fell silent.
There weren't many people on campus as they walked; they hardly saw any students. Occasionally, a few students carrying books headed toward the library, while some boys dribbled basketballs, preparing to go to the court.
"New Year's Day is coming soon," Teacher Zhao said. "After New Year's Day, we'll have a holiday in just over a week. But with this incident happening right before the break... The office on the sixth floor of that building ahead is Director Xi's office. He'll be here shortly; we just need to wait for him."
"Do you want to wait inside or...?" Teacher Zhao looked at everyone.
"Give me a list of your class members; I need to recognize them. I need their ID numbers, understand?" Old Shao said to Teacher Zhao.
"What do you need those for?" Teacher Zhao asked.
"I need them," Old Shao replied without elaborating.
Teacher Zhao nodded and made another call: "Hello, class monitor? Right now, I need you to conduct an investigation and compile a list of all our class members' ID numbers and names. Create a table and print it out; I need it immediately, understand? Get on it right away."
"And their dormitory numbers," Old Shao added.
Teacher Zhao nodded again: "Also include who shares dorms with whom; make sure that's all sorted out."
The class monitor was efficient; within half an hour, all the ID numbers and dormitory numbers were printed out.
At that moment, Wang Yedan also arrived downstairs.
Teacher Zhao dialed a number: "Hello, Director Zhang, it's Zhao. Everyone is here, come on over, we're heading up now!"
Teacher Zhao led the group upstairs, with Wang Yedan following at the back. Unlike yesterday, Zhao Xiu seemed to have controlled her emotions; she walked at the front without looking back, not glancing at Wang Yedan even once.
Old Shao and the others took the elevator, while Wang Yedan walked up the stairs with the other students.
"This is Director Zhang." Zhao Xiu pushed open the door and entered Room 601. It was a rectangular office that could accommodate many people; having around twenty people standing inside was not an issue.
After a few pleasantries, they sat down at the desk, and at that moment, the students also arrived.
The students stood in several rows in the office, as if preparing for a large meeting. Director Zhang cleared his throat and then spoke: "Wang Yedan, which one is Wang Yedan?"
Wang Yedan stepped out from the crowd, and people formed a circle around her, creating a vacuum zone as if she were a virus carrier; no one was willing to approach her.
"Come here," Director Zhang said.
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