Chapter 1227 - 823: The Best Is Still Su Xiaomeng

Sure, here is the translation:

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Qi Jun’s words brought Zhou Mengqin into the spotlight, causing the expressions of the people opposite to stiffen.

"Professor Qi, please don’t get so angry. We are here to resolve the issue..." Pu Jin quickly spoke up. This man in a Zhongshan suit looked about the same age as Principal Lin, except his hair was still black.

"To solve the problem... Is it necessary for so many people to sit together? Pu Wei plagiarized Teacher Su’s paper. She should be reported, suspended, and criticized! Stripping all her titles, a university teacher? Such a teacher will only mislead students!"

Qi Jun angrily slammed the table as he spoke.

Before Su Xiaomeng came, she was already aware. Especially seeing Pu Wei showing no sign of remorse, she understood even more clearly that this confrontation was just to protect Pu Wei and minimize the impact of the plagiarism incident on her.

After listening to Professor Qi’s words, it was indeed the case.

"This... Professor Qi..." Vice Principal Lin called Qi Jun, but looked troubled as he glanced at the Beiwai University President.

The Beiwai University President gave Qi Jun a look, and Qi Jun took a deep breath and snorted.

Su Xiaomeng felt much better seeing Professor Qi taking such a stand for her, and thus had no regrets accepting his invitation to return to Beiwai to teach.

"Teacher Su, Pu Wei did indeed plagiarize your article. I and Pu Wei’s mother only found out about this this morning. We have severely criticized Pu Wei. We never expected that Pu Wei would hold a grudge against your husband because of something from many years ago."

"She doesn’t resent my husband. She’s just jealous of me, I understand." Su Xiaomeng appropriately took over Pu Jin’s words and said lightly.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room became even more awkward.

Yet the parties involved seemed oblivious, smiling slightly, "What’s wrong? What I said wasn’t wrong. If she resents my husband, she should target him directly. Isn’t Professor Pu Wei quite capable? Beat him up, and I’ll admit she’s right. Bullying me only shows she’s jealous, doesn’t it?"

Pu Wei sat expressionless on one side, the usually adept at disguise and presenting a false front Pu Wei was now uncharacteristically quiet.

Huang Sheng quickly said,

"Whether Pu Wei holds resentment toward Yin Shixiu, or harbors jealousy toward Teacher Su... Pu Wei indeed committed such a disgraceful act."

"Professor Huang is sensible, not biased towards his daughter, willing to admit, I truly respect that."

Su Xiaomeng said leisurely.

Raising someone so high, Huang Sheng suddenly didn’t know how to proceed with his next words.

After all, he’s a highly respected professor, probably unable to save face this suddenly... But Vice Principal Lin came directly and said,

"Teacher Su, about this matter... can we settle it privately?"

"Oh?" Su Xiaomeng’s eyes opened wide suddenly, looking at Vice Principal Lin with delight, "You should have said earlier! Actually, I’m a person who avoids trouble and never intended to make a big deal out of this. Yesterday, the phone was completely smashed by Professor Pu Wei, I never expected that the recording would be of any use. But, who knew... my husband couldn’t take it lying down and spent the night recovering the data from the phone, haha... sometimes, having a husband skilled in technology isn’t necessarily a good thing. Look, his post on Weibo made the matter so big, making it quite awkward for the principals and professors, isn’t it?"

"Teacher Su is kind-hearted, honest, and low-key. Yes, this matter growing so large isn’t good for the reputations of either school."

Vice Principal Lin hurriedly said.

"Not correct, right? Professor Pu Wei is a professor at Beijing University, not at our Beiwai. How does Pu Wei’s plagiarism of my paper tarnish Beiwai’s reputation?"

Su Xiaomeng quickly said.

Initially worried that Su Xiaomeng was too soft-spoken and might be bullied by these people, Qi Jun felt relieved after hearing this.

Laughing quietly to himself, Vice Principal Lin’s attempt landed on a stone wall.

"Yes, yes, it’s Beijing University’s reputation at stake, slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue!"

"Vice Principal Lin, being a principal at Beijing University, you should be more precise with your words, otherwise it really sounds like you’re trying to muddle through."

"..." Vice Principal Lin smiled, though the smile was really frozen on his face, swallowing back the anger and saliva that rose in his throat.

"Teacher Su, since you agree to settle privately, then... let’s settle this properly, alright?"

Pu Jin and his wife were never ones to mess with. Back then, when Pu Wei did everything possible to marry into the Yin Family, it was also Pu Jin who was strategizing behind her.

But now, with evidence of wrongdoing firmly in their hands, they could only negotiate humbly with Su Xiaomeng.

"Good! Private settlement is for the best!" Xiaomeng clapped her hands, showing a very agreeable attitude.

Hearing Su Xiaomeng say this, Huang Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. Originally thinking that Su Xiaomeng’s words of mockery were resolute against a private settlement, now it seemed Su Xiaomeng might prefer a private resolution, which made things easier.

"Everyone doesn’t want to make this a bigger issue, after all, with so many voices, making it larger may not be good for Teacher Su, right?"

Huang Sheng said.

Su Xiaomeng smiled, her gaze intense as she looked at Huang Sheng, who swallowed hard. Although she didn’t speak, he probably guessed what she would say next and quickly changed his tune,

"Actually Professor Su is a victim, and will definitely receive a lot of sympathy and encouragement, it’s mainly... my daughter Pu Wei, she’s already in her thirties, still single and unmarried. If the matter becomes too big, her life would be ruined."

Su Xiaomeng nodded,

"Well, in that case, it does indeed have a significant impact on Professor Pu Wei, but... Professor Huang, let me say something fair... even if Professor Pu Wei isn’t affected by this incident, finding a good man to marry would still be relatively difficult."

"Teacher Su, you..."

"We can settle privately, if Pu Wei voluntarily resigns from her professorship and all teaching positions at Beijing University, and is permanently barred from teaching or working in any language or translation-related field. If so, I will not publicly pursue the issue of Pu Wei plagiarizing my paper."

Su Xiaomeng, utterly calm, finished speaking, her gaze falling on Pu Wei, whose face grew increasingly pale.

Not only did Pu Wei’s face change completely, but the expressions of the two senior professors and the principal from Beijing University across the table froze.

Qi Jun raised an eyebrow and immediately chimed in, "That’s exactly it! If you want to settle privately, preventing this matter from causing further social impact is the bare minimum!"

Chi Lun remained an observer, sitting on one side and watching the spectacle at the table, evidently finding Su Xiaomeng the most intriguing.

After spending more than a month together, he thought he understood Su Xiaomeng quite well, a straightforward young woman without any machinations. Now, it seems that Yin Shixiu really has a discerning eye.