Chapter 1229 - 825: The Grand Finale: Academic Scandal

Su Xiaomeng’s resolute attitude was something neither the school administration nor the Pu Family expected.

Without the main character in the meeting room, the atmosphere remained extremely tense.

The principal of Beijing Foreign Studies University took a deep breath and broke the eerie silence, "Vice Principal Lin, about this matter... our university can only assist so far, after all, it’s an established fact that Professor Pu Wei plagiarized Teacher Su’s paper. If it weren’t for the sake of Professor Pu, Professor Huang Sheng, and you, Vice Principal Lin, I wouldn’t have allowed Teacher Su to come for this negotiation."

"Principal Wang, you don’t intend to just..."

"The primary taboo at Beijing Foreign Studies University is plagiarism. I’m not sure how Principal Lin will handle the issue with Professor Pu Wei afterward, but if the roles were reversed between Professor Pu Wei and Teacher Su, our university would unhesitatingly take disciplinary action and directly expel them."

Principal Wang said this indifferently and then stood up, "Vice Principal Lin, Professor Pu Jin, Professor Huang Sheng, although Teacher Su’s words were harsh, the essence of her words was correct. Plagiarists should receive the appropriate punishment. If you continue to shelter Pu Wei today, it will only become more challenging for the domestic academic community to prove itself not a place of chaos in the future."

"..."

For a moment, Vice Principal Lin didn’t know what to say.

"Here, I also hope the two professors can persuade your daughter to issue a public apology letter, sincerely apologizing to Teacher Su at our school."

"Professor Qi, I suppose you’re free, could you escort Vice Principal Lin and the others out? I have another meeting to attend and will take my leave first."

Principal Wang glanced at Qi Jun, who nodded, knowing that Principal Wang didn’t wish to engage further with these people.

Being the principal of Beijing Foreign Studies University, he inherently detested plagiarism. If any student or teacher at his school plagiarized someone else’s academic work, Principal Wang would definitely deal with it mercilessly.

This farce of a "negotiation" wouldn’t have occurred if it weren’t for Vice Principal Lin’s persistent requests and the pressure from Pu Jin and Huang Sheng.

Both face and substance were given to them, yet from their expressions, it seemed they wanted even more.

Unwilling to continue negotiating, Principal Wang found an excuse to leave.

And Professor Qi Jun?

Su Xiaomeng’s words were indeed harsh, but they were quite satisfying.

Both Pu Jin and Huang Sheng were said to be prominent figures in the academic world, yet Qi Jun wasn’t particularly friendly with these two professors.

The Pu Family seemed to prefer prestige and reputation over academic research.

The saying goes, "Different paths do not lead to mutual understanding." Even though the Pu Family were influential figures in the academic field, Qi Jun couldn’t bring himself to forge a friendship with them.

Though tasked with seeing them out, Qi Jun merely escorted them to the meeting room’s door, then left it to his teaching assistant to see them off and found an excuse to slip back to his office.

However, Qi Jun didn’t expect to find that as soon as he returned, Principal Wang was already sitting in his office.

"Huh..."

"I knew you wouldn’t honestly escort them!" Principal Wang gave Qi Jun a glance.

Qi Jun quickly laughed, sitting on the sofa opposite Principal Wang, "Old Wang, I only learned this from you. You didn’t want to escort them, so why should I? Isn’t it obvious that you wouldn’t want something done to you?"

Principal Wang took a deep breath. He wasn’t actually concerned about this matter; it was just a casual remark, as they had known each other for years and understood each other’s natures.

"Why did you come to me?"

"You were the one who brought Su Xiaomeng in, so I wanted to ask, do you think this Teacher Su will really go to the Ministry of Education to file a complaint against them?"

"Even if Teacher Su doesn’t file a complaint, with that Weibo post from Yin Shixiu, how could the education department not pay attention?"

"But what’s on Weibo should only involve Pu Wei, Pu Jin, Huang Sheng, and the leadership at Beijing University, who at most might just ask for clarification. If Su Xiaomeng sends the recording from the meeting room to the Ministry of Education, none of them would be able to disentangle themselves."

Principal Wang said.

Qi Jun nodded, "That’s true. So, Principal Wang, what do you mean..."

"I actually don’t mean anything. I just wanted to hear your opinion."

Principal Wang leaned back on the sofa, pretending to be relaxed.

"I don’t have an opinion either. I think if Teacher Su truly wants to submit the recording to the Ministry of Education, that would be quite good. This Vice Principal Lin at Beijing University is too comfortably settled in his position. Losing such a principal, losing such a professor at the country’s top institution, I personally don’t see anything bad about it."