Author's Notes: I will fully admit I've been working on the dolls that I mentioned a few chapters ago then working on this. Needless to say I now understand why only Luwei Weiwei's show costume strayed so far away Dreams of Jianghu game's Swordwoman costume while most of the other characters closely match the actual game's counterparts with only some slight changes here and there. The swordswoman costume is a total bitch to construct and even harder on a 1/12 scale. I had to re-design the pattern nine times before getting it nearly right. (So many little pieces.) I am debating on also making the show accurate costume as well as the graphic novel accurate one as well. IDK, I'm just rambling at this point. Anyways, I still own nothing and pardon any mistakes that I have, while I do repeatedly re-read I sometimes miss some grammar or spelling errors.
Chapter 6:
Xiao Nai and Weiwei were the first ones to reach the President's office and Xiao Nai wasted no time in introducing one of his un-official 'Uncles' to Weiwei. He asked if he could have a quick moment of the president's time and Weiwei went to sit at the table on the other side of the office out of earshot figuring whatever Xiao Nai needed to say was for the president alone. Xiao Nai wasted no time to warn the president that Weiwei had a soft heart when it came to people who go after her and his concern that Weiwei would not want Meng Yiran too harshly and for the girl to disregard a lighter punishment and go after Weiwei again in a quiet whisper. The president hid his smile when he heard Xiao Nai's protectiveness over the girl. While he was impressed at Weiwei's school records when he had both her's and Meng Yiran's up prior to the meeting to see if any issues had happened in the past between the two girls finding only notations about a forum contest that had crowned one the prettiest and the other second place. Having seen the photos and now seeing Bei Weiwei in person he could tell that while Meng Yiran had entered the contest the other did not. There was no way that someone so pretty would use such a candid photo of themselves if they wanted to compete. The president could see why Xiao Nai would be smitten with the girl by what he had heard about the girl and now seeing her looks. Heck, if he was the boy's age he would also be smitten with the girl. He could not wait for the next time he sat down for a chat with the boy's parents. The president gave Xiao Nai an understanding nod and directed the young man to take a seat next to the pretty girl that the boy seemed to be smitten with as he asked his assistant to bring in some refreshments before joining the two young students.
"Now, Miss Bei." The president started "could you tell me what exactly happened from your point of view?"
Weiwei described that her and her roommates had received a request to interview to be interns at Zhen Yi Technologies and she was just sitting in the lobby and drinking some water when her head erupted in pain and the next thing was her waking up in a hospital bed with Xiao Nai explaining to her that she was hit in the head. "I didn't see what hit me or who did it. I'm afraid, sir." Weiwei admitted.
"And you, Xiao Nai? What did you see?" The president turned his attention to his colleagues' son.
"I had been chatting with Yu Banshan and I was looking in Weiwei's direction when I saw Meng Yiran glare at Weiwei before picking up a white ceramic mug and throwing it in Weiwei's direction. The mug crashed into Weiwei's temple and Weiwei collapsed. I immediately took it upon myself to take Weiwei to the hospital. Yu Banshan drove as I made sure she didn't get further injured as we made our way to the hospital. I sat with her as Yu Banshan checked her into the hospital. The doctor said there was not any lasting damage, just a non threatening case of Intracranial epidural hematoma. You can see the bruising behind her bangs. Once Weiwei was released from the hospital I made sure that she made it to her dorm safely." Xiao Nai's response to the president's question was precise and almost clinical in the way he recounted what happened.
Weiwei, however, noticed that he left out him taking her to eat and other minor things but figured they really were not important to the narrative. She did wonder why Meng Yiran was glaring at her. She had only met the girl once and while the other girl rejected her help she did not think there was anything that could have caused the other girl to dislike her. Weiwei's thoughts were interrupted when the president's assistant poked their head and informed the president that Meng Yiran's parents were here. The president thanked his assistant and requested for Xiao Nai to wait outside for Weiwei. She watched as both Xiao Nai and the president stood and walked out of the door. Temporary alone in the office, Weiwei felt a bit uncomfortable about the meeting that was about to start. While the information that Xiao Nai shared just now gave her more of a clear picture of what happened none of it made sense to her. Weiwei's thoughts were broken when the president returned with three people in tow. Two older people which she guessed were the campus bell's parents and a guy around her age.
"Miss Bei," the president led the three people to where she was sitting. "This is Mr and Mrs Meng and her cousin, correct?" the president looked to the young man.
"Zhen Shaoxiang." the young man stuck out his hand for Weiwei to shake.
"Bei Weiwei." Weiwei nodded as she shook his hand.
'She's even prettier up close.' Zhen Shaoxiang smiled what he deemed a charming smile.
"Now that everyone has been introduced, let us get down to business." The president took the seat at the head of the table and motioned for Weiwei to take her original seat and for Meng Yiran's family to sit on the other side of the table. "Now I've not only spoken with Miss Bei, but multiple other students that were present during yesterday's incident. I have also viewed both the videos and the photos on the school's forum showing what happened and it doesn't look good."
"Video… pictures?" Mrs Meng's eyes widened. This was a lot worse than she thought.
"Yes, videos." The president stood up and grabbed the laptop on his desk so he could play the footage for everyone present. "The student populus tends to go a little bit crazy when any one of three individuals are seen in public and all three just so happen to be in the same place at the same time. Your daughter, Meng Yiran, Miss Bei here, and the third one I've asked to wait outside which is a young man named Xiao Nai. I will have him come in shortly to give his eyewitness account." He sat down, hit play on the video, and turned it to the rest of the room. "As you can see here Miss Bei was minding her own business waiting in the lobby and as the video pans out you can see Xiao Nai looking at Miss Bei and there is Meng Yiran oh and it appears you too Mr Zhen. And there goes Meng Yiran, picking up the mug, aims at Miss Bei, launches the mug, and here is it hitting Miss Bei in the head. The video continues with Xiao Nai carrying Miss Bei off to the hospital and oh look, isn't that you again Mr Zhen reprimanding Meng Yiran? I feel that the evidence speaks for itself here." The president stood up to call Xiao Nai into the room.
"I have no words." Mr Meng started and turned to Weiwei. "Miss Bei on behalf of my family, please accept our deepest apology."
Weiwei stayed silent for a few moments as she went through everything she just saw. She now understood what had set the campus bell off by watching Meng Yiran's face. Meng Yiran saw Xiao Nai staring at her and got upset. Leaving Weiwei the unaware victim in all this mess. She saw Xiao Nai come into the room and she gave him a small smile as he took his place next to her. "There is no need for you to apologize Mr. Meng. You and your wife are not to blame. What I would like to know is would anyone else be the victim of your daughter's..." she paused searching for the correct word. "Reactions?"
Zhen Shaoxiang was slightly shocked at Luwe- Bei Weiwei's bluntness. He had not thought that she would be as fierce as she is online. Chancing a look at Xiao Nai and seeing amusement in the other man's face which he hates to admit that it annoyed him. How did Xiao Nai know his former gaming ex-wife so well? That man seemed to know more about Luwei Weiwei in a few weeks than he did in the entire six months that he was married to her in the game. He needed to find the opportunity to do his offer for the internship and get the two of them separated soon.
When no answer was forthcoming from Meng Yiran's family the university president cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I brought Xiao Nai in here so he could give his account of what he saw happen that day along with what happened when he took Miss Bei to the hospital. Since Miss Bei was both caught unaware and was unconscious during a majority of the incident. Xiao Nai, would you please relay what you told me earlier?" The president listened as Xiao Nai repeated his point of view of the incident and then once the young man stopped speaking the president asked the question that he had a good inclination on the answer but wanted it confirmed. "Do you have any idea why Miss Bei would have been targeted?"
Xiao Nai took a breath before giving a small squeeze to Weiwei's hand under the table. "If I had to guess without having all the facts but just with what I have observed and have overheard. Meng Yiran has been attempting to gain my attention nearly all this semester with no luck. I have also heard rumors of her and known associates attempting to blacken Weiwei's name by posting photos of Weiwei getting out of the car of the disabled child that Weiwei has been tutoring math in mother's car and claiming that she has a 'sugar daddy'. Not to mention people overhearing Meng Yiran complaining that people flock to Weiwei instead of her because she was voted the winner of a beauty contest that Weiwei did not enter and was still voted second with the out of focus photo that was posted of Weiwei without her permission. However, what I believe caused the final trigger in the attack was that Weiwei and myself have been enjoying a non-public relationship that has just recently made public."
He had to admit the information that both Hao Mei and Weiwei's roommates have texted him while he was waiting to be called back into the office has made the case against Meng Yiran more damning and he did have a tiny bonus throwing a trail to Cao Guam in it made it all the more sweet. Granted he knew that some of the stuff he said was nothing more but exaggerated gossip but there was enough truth in the statement to make it damning for the so-called campus bell. He knew, however Weiwei would have some questions and might be a little put out on the way he described their relationship but after she reflects on it she will admit that what he said about their relationship is true. From a certain point of view.
After Xiao Nai's statement Meng Yiran's parents knew that even if some of what the young man said was false; with the fact that their daughter actually attacked the girl in front of them and the recording of it was publicly posted was damning. Their daughter would not live the damage to her reputation down at this school and they could only hope that it would not spread further.
"Well in light of what I am hearing I do not believe that it would be safe for Meng Yiran to continue here while both Xiao Nai and Miss Bei are still attending. While Xiao Nai graduates soon, Miss Bei has not yet completed her second year. I am afraid that Meng Yiran cannot continue at this school." the president turned his attention to Weiwei. "Now for the more serious issue Miss Bei, do you wish to press charges against Meng Yiran?"
Weiwei was silent as she thought about the pros and cons of pressing charges. While, yes it would make sure that Meng Yiran would not be able to harm anyone else it would also destroy the other hand having a criminal record would affect the other's life for the rest of their life. No one would want to hire someone with a violent criminal record and very few people would want to associate with someone with that type of record. "I- I would like the answer to my question before I can make a decision." Weiwei looked at the other girl's parents feeling some sympathy for the two.
"While, I would like to automatically say no right away. In light of what we have heard today and saw I cannot guarantee it. But what I can promise is that from this point on both her mother and myself will make sure that we do everything within our power for Yiran to get her emotions under control as well making sure she truly understands the gravity of what she has done. I only beg for you not to condemn her before she has a chance to reform herself." Meng Yiran's father deeply bowed to Weiwei with his wife and nephew following suit to various degrees. The man debated on doing an offer of compensation but by looking at the young couple in front of him he could tell it would have not only been accepted but most likely insulting as well. The girl his daughter attacked did not call any attention to the fact that she was injured and judging by her one question cared more about others than herself. The boy however was a bit of a wild card. While he was calm and collected, the one thing he did notice was he was not a person to cross. With the way the boy was looking at Bei Weiwei he had to guess that this Xiao Nai would make anyone's life miserable if they harmed her.
While Weiwei looked in mild surprise as the three people across from her bowed their heads low in forgiveness she made her decision. "While it is not the guarantee I had hoped for, it will do." She turned her head to the president. "I won't be filing charges, sir."
"That's good to hear, Miss Bei. Now if you do not mind you and Xiao Nai are excused. I would like to talk with Mr and Mrs Meng privately." The president smiled at Weiwei thinking the girl was a gem and he could not wait to hear more about the developing relationship with the two in the future.
As both Weiwei and Xiao Nai stood up, Zhen Shaoxiang called out to Weiwei so he could offer an internship at his father's company. But the offer was quickly turned down with her saying that she had already accepted a different internship. He could not help notice her glancing at the other man and the other man's eyes narrowing at him. As if Xiao Nai knew what he was about. Which was crazy because there was no way the man could have piece together what he was planning. Xiao Nai could not have known who he was in the game nor his plan. He could not think of anything else to keep her from leaving the room with Xiao Nai. While the battle was seemingly lost the war was far from over. He just needed time to regroup and come up with another strategy. It would be tricky but it would be worth the effort.