What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Apologizing — Are You Pleading to the Wrong Person?

The efficiency of the Military University administration was even higher than Shu Qiong had imagined.

Not long after the group returned to the dormitory after dinner, Shu Qiong received a message from her instructor asking them to come to the office. The group, having just parted ways, gathered once again in the instructor’s office, feeling quite weary from the back-and-forth.

Song Lianqiao tried to find humor in their hardship, showing her bracelet: “I’ve burned nearly a thousand calories climbing stairs today.” She lived on the seventh floor.

“…” How tragic.

When they arrived, the Mech Department instructor and several school leaders were actually all present. A group of stern-faced officials was surrounding a male Alpha, giving him a severe lecture on ideological and moral education.

Shu Qiong only had to listen for a few moments to realize the worst-case scenario had happened: someone had taken “Mind Like Still Water’s” insults and slanders against Ms. Shu Ci from the forum and posted them to the StarNet. This had immediately triggered a wave of public questioning, putting immense pressure on the Alliance Military University.

“Little Shu, you’re here?”

The group then noticed that Professor Wang, who taught the History of Mech Warfare, was also there. She was sitting on a sofa in the corner of the office drinking tea. Seeing the girls standing dazed at the door, she beckoned them over: “Come in and have a seat.”

Shu Qiong and the others walked through the center of the storm with heavy hearts, heading deeper into the office to sit in a neat row, politely greeting Professor Wang one by one.

Professor Wang looked very gentle when she wasn’t teaching: “No need to be formal. I called you here because I wanted to ask you, as the victims, what your opinions are regarding the resolution of this matter? Don’t be afraid; say whatever is on your mind.”

Song Lianqiao asked the question she had been curious about: “Why does this ‘Mind Like Still Water’ student have so much malice toward us? We don’t even know him.”

Professor Wang glanced at the boy bowing his head while being scolded: “As soon as he heard the technicians had traced his IP, he confessed everything, begging the instructor not to tell his parents. Regarding your question, his explanation was that he believed Student Shu entering the university through special recruitment was unfair—that she is part of the ‘privileged class.’ He’s blamed his failure to meet the score cutoff for the Mech Department entirely on Student Shu.”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Jin Yan spoke in a dazed tone: “Did he not see the media interview with the Capital Star’s Top Scorer regarding Shu Qiong after the results came out?”

“Who knows?” Professor Wang shrugged. “Perhaps he only saw the parts he wanted to see, like Student Shu being specially recruited. As for the rest, it wasn’t important; he just found an outlet for his resentment over being reassigned to an unpopular major.” She sighed. “In fact, this kind of displaced anger doesn’t hold water at all. Special recruitment doesn’t take up spots from general admission. Even without Little Shu, he wouldn’t have made it into the Mech Department with those grades of his.”

The moral education on the other side was coming to an end. The school leaders turned their gazes toward Shu Qiong and the others, their smiles instantly becoming warm as they beckoned: “Student Xin has something to say to you.”

“Mind Like Still Water,” whose real name was Xin Zhize, kept his head low and his eyelids drooping listlessly. His voice was very muffled as he apologized: “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have posted thoughtless and foul comments on the forum.”

He gritted his teeth as he spoke. There was no remorse, only a heart full of fear and resentment. This time, his head had been too hot and he’d taken too much for granted. He would never strike again on a place like the school forum where it was easy to leave traces; next time, he would be more discreet.

Shu Qiong didn’t speak. She lightly nudged Song Lianqiao with her arm, indicating that since she was the primary victim, she should be the one to state her position.

Song Lianqiao thought for a moment and said: “Then you must handwrite an apology letter and publish it publicly. The apology must be addressed to everyone you insulted.”

“As for the school’s side…” She turned to look at the instructor.

The instructor looked at the leaders and, after receiving a nod, quickly said: “Student Xin’s situation is a relatively serious violation of discipline. According to the rules, he will receive a warning, be sent home to reflect for one month, and his parents will be invited to join the school in conducting serious ideological education. If it happens again, he will be expelled.”

Xin Zhize immediately looked up: “No, you can’t involve my parents! I…” He suddenly turned and knelt toward Shu Qiong, startling her. “Student Shu, I promise I won’t do it again, I beg you…”

Shu Qiong looked at him with a faint, mocking smile, leaning slightly toward Song Lianqiao: “Are you pleading to the wrong person?”

Xin Zhize’s eyes were red, but he couldn’t squeeze out a single tear. Hearing those words, he felt utterly humiliated. Of course he hadn’t pleaded to the wrong person; he knew whose words held the most weight. If Shu Qiong were willing to say a few good words for him…

His mind raced. He glanced at the Omega standing next to Shu Qiong, suppressing the disdain in his heart. His hatred for Song Lianqiao hadn’t lessened at all. He couldn’t understand—it was one thing for a powerful second-generation Alpha like Shu Qiong to be specially recruited into the Mech Department, but why did a defenseless Omega female like Song Lianqiao get to be ranked ahead of him?

Yan Xiangyu’s assessment of his “smooth cerebral cortex” was correct; his paramecium-like brain capacity was completely unable to think beyond his own narrow perceptions. This resulted in his behavior appearing incredibly foolish and conspicuously stupid to outsiders.

Watching Xin Zhize’s expression change a hundred times a second, Shu Qiong reflected deeply. She had truly underestimated the depth of his “bully the weak, fear the strong” nature and the thickness of his skin.

Shu Qiong avoided his move to lunge for her calves and looked up at the school leaders: “I have no objection to the school’s resolution. Please ensure all punishment follows school regulations. After all, just like Xin Zhize, I am not part of some ‘privileged class.'”

After that, there was nothing left for them to do but wait for the apology letter. Xin Zhize’s tantrums and pleading seemed fragile in the face of the threat of expulsion. Shu Qiong and the others walked out of the office with Professor Wang.

Jin Yan rubbed her temples: “You really see everything if you live long enough.” The Eldest Miss Jin had lived a life that was too smooth; she truly hadn’t seen such a transparently stupid and wicked person before.

Everyone had 8:00 AM classes the next day. Once they reached the residential area, they bid farewell to Professor Wang and returned to their respective dorms.

During the practical class on Thursday morning, Shu Qiong found an opportunity to show her modified Starsea to the teacher.

The instructor for the Mech Construction practical was a stern Beta who did everything by the book.

“I can tell that compared to elite-style mechs, your heart leans more toward inclusive, ‘pro-benefit’ mechs.” The instructor nodded slightly, offering an objective review after testing the mech. “In fact, both paths have their own advantages and disadvantages. In recent years, the Alliance Mech Designers Association has focused almost all research and development on the former, neglecting the latter, which has led to the barrier of entry for mech pilots becoming higher every day. However, this year’s Mech Design League has finally turned its gaze slightly toward the development of inclusive mechs. You are very clever to have captured what the judging panel wants to see.”

The instructor opened the course system and directly entered a high score of 99 for Shu Qiong. “As a prospective mech designer, I hope you never forget in the future: mechs are merely tools for humanity, not a sheepfold for social stratification.”

Shu Qiong nodded earnestly.

The instructor then explained where the remaining one point was deducted and which details still needed optimization. Shu Qiong pulled out her pen and paper to take notes, new inspirations sparking in her mind. Experienced mech designers have a broad vision. Although the instructor might not have had top-tier innovative talent, he possessed a seasoned eye and rich experience. He pointed out several areas for improvement without holding anything back.

Finally, he smiled: “Since you don’t need to attend the practical classes anymore and have plenty of free time, don’t waste it. Although the Mech Design League is difficult, for you, it won’t be overly time-consuming. How do you plan to arrange your remaining time?”

Shu Qiong understood the underlying hint and asked humbly: “Do you have any suggestions?”

Sure enough, the instructor said: “Registration for the Alliance Solo Combat Training Camp opens this weekend. You might want to consider seizing this opportunity.”

“Solo Combat… Training Camp?” Shu Qiong was startled.

The instructor explained: “It’s a part of the military’s ‘Young Eagle Project.’ The camp accepts students from all mech-related professions. The training focuses on intensive combat training. It’s difficult, but in just ten days, it has a transformative effect. Although you are a construction student, if you go to the battlefield in the future, the enemy won’t be exceptionally kind to mech designers. An excellent designer must have self-defense capabilities so they don’t drag the team down.”

“The training pressure is very high, so the school doesn’t force you to attend; we only encourage top students from the Mech Department to try. It’s quite suitable for you right now.”

After hearing this “sales pitch,” Shu Qiong was actually tempted. She completely agreed with the instructor’s view. Even if she couldn’t reach her mother’s level of being both a soldier and a designer, she would eventually have to make up for her shortcomings in mech combat.

She agreed on the spot. Climbing back into the mech, she headed to another corner of the training hall, handing Starsea over to Yan Xiangyu, whose practical class hadn’t ended yet.

The Mech Combat Class 1 was currently doing warm-up exercises. Their instructor saw Shu Qiong, turned around, and said with a smile: “Which little student are you looking for?” His tone was very much like a kindergarten teacher asking who was visiting a child.

Shu Qiong jumped down from the mech and walked over obediently: “Reporting, Instructor. I’m here to deliver a mech for Yan Xiangyu.”

“Alright.” The instructor of Class 1 had a much more easygoing temper than Shu Qiong’s own class. He invited her: “Since you’re already here, want to join the class? Experience the solo combat curriculum.”

Shu Qiong’s footsteps, which had been about to turn away, stopped immediately. “Since you’re already here” was truly one of the hardest phrases for a human to refuse.

She ran to the end of the line and joined the combat students in their warm-up. After stretching, the instructor told them to pair up. He first demonstrated common technical grappling and tactical dodging postures.

Shu Qiong looked left and right. The warm-up line was arranged by height. She didn’t want to disrupt anyone else’s position, so after joining the back of the line, the people around her were mostly slightly shorter Omega students.

“…” Shu Qiong fell into a moral dilemma. Having physical contact with an Omega was still a bit too close; the risk was too high.

While she was hesitating, someone tapped her shoulder.

Yan Xiangyu spoke with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “Which Omega were you planning to partner with?”

Family! Shu Qiong was instantly touched: “Did you specifically come to pair up with me? I’m willing, I’m willing!”

Yan Xiangyu’s heart full of irrational jealousy was choked back. In her stunned silence, her earlobes turned slightly red.

She… hadn’t actually issued the invitation yet, had she?