11: Chapter 11 Expelled from school? Principal, you've chosen a dark path!

The leather sofa in the principal's office was quite comfortable, but the atmosphere was a bit nauseating.

Principal Zhou Weimin sat behind that large mahogany desk, holding a Parker fountain pen, its tip tapping "click-clack" against an A4 sheet of paper titled "Voluntary Withdrawal Application."

Standing next to him was the face that made him want to vomit—Wang Kai.

This young master Wang was dressed like a dandy today, his hair slicked back to a shine, looking at Jiang Chen with schadenfreude. His expression was like a spectator who had just finished watching a good show, wishing he had a handful of melon seeds to snack on.

"Jiang Chen, let's not beat around the bush."

Principal Zhou Weimin pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, his tone cold and official. "You know the school rules. Your truancy rate this semester has already hit the red line, not to mention the... trouble you've caused off-campus."

He paused and pursed his lips in disgust, as if the word "loan sharking" would dirty his mouth.

"To avoid affecting the century-old reputation of Tianhai University, after deliberation by the school administration, we suggest you voluntarily withdraw. This is better for everyone; at least it won't look too bad on your permanent record."

Jiang Chen leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed high, showing absolutely no panic about being kicked out of school.

He even felt like laughing.

Those armored vehicles outside hadn't even turned off their engines yet; was this principal working in a vacuum?

"Principal Zhou Weimin, isn't this 'deliberated decision' of yours a bit hasty?"

Jiang Chen picked up the application on the table and glanced at it like it was waste paper. "Truancy? I recall I already submitted my 'special assignment' to Professor Yuan. As for the trouble off-campus..."

He looked up at Wang Kai, the corner of his mouth curling into a playful smile. "Young Master Wang, you're the one who whispered in the principal's ear, right?"

Wang Kai scoffed, crossed his arms, and stepped forward, looking down at Jiang Chen:

"Jiang Chen, it's a virtue to know your place. Your family's mess is known to the whole school. You're drowning in debt from loan sharks. I heard the police even chased you to the cafeteria today? It's only because Lin Yao is soft-hearted that she didn't charge you with intentional injury."

At this, a hint of sinister delight appeared on Wang Kai's face. "School is a place for education, not a shelter for social scum like you. Principal Zhou Weimin is trying to save face for you, so don't be ungrateful."

He turned to look at Principal Zhou Weimin, putting on a respectful face. "Uncle Zhou, I don't think we need to waste any more words on him. This kind of person is just a rogue. Let's just expel him and post a notice to the whole school, lest one rat dropping ruins a whole pot of soup."

Principal Zhou Weimin nodded, clearly enjoying being called "Uncle Zhou." Wang Kai's father was a member of the school board and donated a lot of money to the school every year; he had to give him this much face.

Moreover, he was indeed rattled by the commotion outside.

The head of security had just reported that many SWAT teams and even military vehicles had arrived outside and surrounded the school. Principal Zhou Weimin assumed that they must be here to arrest Jiang Chen, the troublemaker.

He had to kick this jinx out of the school and clear his association before the police took action!

"Jiang Chen, did you hear that?"

Principal Zhou Weimin's expression darkened as he slammed his fountain pen onto the desk. "I don't have time to bicker with you here. Sign it, pack your things, and get out. If you wait for security to drag you out, it won't be a pretty sight."

Jiang Chen crumpled the application in his hand and tossed it away.

The paper ball traced a graceful arc in the air and landed with a "clang" precisely into the trash can in the corner.

"What if I refuse to sign?"

Jiang Chen stood up, brushed off his clothes, and his gaze instantly turned cold.

That look was no longer the usual laziness, but a sense of composure and oppression that comes from having seen great storms.

"Principal Zhou Weimin, leave a way out for others, and you'll leave one for yourself later. You haven't even conducted an investigation, and you want to expel me based on the one-sided words of this rich kid?"

Jiang Chen took a step forward, pressed his hands on the desk, and looked straight into Principal Zhou Weimin's eyes. "Isn't the path you're taking a bit too narrow?"

"Insolent!"

Principal Zhou Weimin was furious, stood up abruptly, and trembled with rage.

He had been the principal of Tianhai University for so many years; which student didn't treat him with respect? Today, he was actually being lectured by a poor, debt-ridden student?

"Rebellious... truly rebellious!"

Principal Zhou Weimin pointed at the door, spittle flying. "I originally wanted to leave you some dignity, but since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame me for being ruthless! Dean! Call security! Throw this student out immediately!"

The dean, who had been on standby, immediately took out his walkie-talkie and shouted obsequiously, "Security Department! Security Department! Bring a few men up! Bring electric batons! Someone is causing trouble in the principal's office!"

Wang Kai laughed on the side, his eyes full of mockery. "Jiang Chen, who are you trying to fool? 'Narrowed your path'? Let me tell you, in this part of Tianhai, my word is the law! Get out, go back to moving bricks to pay off your debts!"

Jiang Chen shook his head and glanced at the wall clock.

Calculating the time, those people should be here.

"Fine, since you insist on burning all bridges."

Jiang Chen stepped back, sat back on the sofa, and calmly crossed his legs. "Then I'll wait here. I'd like to see who can throw me out today."

"Good! Very good!"

Principal Zhou Weimin laughed in extreme anger, grabbed the phone on the desk, and prepared to call the police. "Refusing to leave, are you? Causing trouble, are you? I'll have the police come and arrest you right now! By then, forget about expulsion; I think you'll be spending time in jail..."

"Bang—!!!"

A loud noise, like a thunderclap, instantly interrupted Principal Zhou Weimin's roar.

That thick solid wood door was not pushed open, nor was it rammed open, but kicked open with sheer force!

The lock shattered, and wood chips flew everywhere.

Half of the door panel flew in, grazing Wang Kai's scalp and smashing into the bookshelf behind him, shattering glass all over the floor.

Wang Kai was so scared that his legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the floor, his face turning pale.

The receiver in Principal Zhou Weimin's hand fell onto the desk with a "clatter," and he froze in place like a duck whose neck had been grabbed.

The dust settled.

At the door stood two rows of fully armed special forces soldiers.

Sunglasses, masks, bulletproof vests, and those black gun barrels glinting with a cold, chilling light in the sunlight.

The pitch-black muzzles did not waver in the slightest, all locked onto Principal Zhou Weimin behind the desk.

A suffocating, murderous aura instantly filled the entire principal's office.

Before Principal Zhou Weimin could figure out whether this was a drill or a terrorist attack, a majestic, powerful voice filled with endless rage came from outside the door, shaking the entire floor.

"Principal Zhou Weimin! What a grand display of authority you have!"

"You dare to expel even a Level 1 Nationally Protected Person?"

"I think your time as principal has come to an end!"