Chapter 81: Professor Liu!

She was a servant of the Yang family. Even though she was dissatisfied with how Yang Yini openly criticized her son in front of her, she dared not say so directly.

Yang Yini snorted coldly and said, “I haven’t had my meal yet. Deng Hui deserved it.”

Deng Hui, enduring the pain all over his body, spoke gently, “Yes, yes, it was my own carelessness. But what happened today was indeed rather strange...”

At that moment, the door to the hospital room was pushed open from outside.

An energetic elderly man, around sixty years old, entered. He had dark circles under his eyes, an air of refinement, and the bearing of a scholar.

“Teacher!”

“Professor Liu!”

Deng Hui and Yang Yini called out in unison.

The person who entered was Vice Principal of Qingming School and also Deng Hui’s calligraphy professor, Liu Yixi.

Behind him, several teaching assistants followed, carrying boxes of fruit and gift baskets.

“Professor Liu, what brings you here? Please, have a seat—everyone, please sit...” Deng Hui’s mother greeted them warmly.

Professor Liu spoke, his voice as gentle and refreshing as a spring breeze. “Deng Hui, the school heard you were injured, so I came to see you. Tell me, what exactly happened?”

The teaching assistants set the fruit and gift baskets aside.

Professor Liu was not just his calligraphy teacher—he had formally accepted Deng Hui as a disciple, making him a personal student, which was a special relationship. Since his disciple was hospitalized, it was only proper for him to visit on behalf of the school.

Deng Hui was deeply grateful and tried to sit up in bed. “Teacher, I’ve embarrassed you.”

His mother quickly pressed him down. “Hui, the doctor said you mustn’t move around these first three days.”

Professor Liu smiled and told him not to get up.

Deng Hui recounted what had happened in the calligraphy club, with Yang Yini interjecting now and then, embellishing the story.

Yang Yini, of course, was acquainted with Professor Liu; after all, Deng Hui had only been accepted as a disciple because of the Yang family’s influence.

“Shi Qingqing and I were in the same class—she’s always been annoying, always on her phone at work, and even got caught by our Chinese teacher once. After she joined the calligraphy club, she refused to follow the rules and even got the club president hurt like this. I’m sure she tripped Deng Hui on purpose. Otherwise, how could a grown man like him have fallen so badly...”

Professor Liu listened, smiling as he did so. “A trip is one thing, but why did the classroom lights fail as well? Qingming uses only the highest quality equipment and conducts regular inspections. There’s no reason for the lights to break without cause...”

“Exactly! That Shi Qingqing is so strange—maybe she’s a jinx.”

Professor Liu and the assistants laughed together. “Miss Yang, this is a scientific society. Superstition like that has no place here.”

Yang Yini pursed her lips. “Anyway, Professor Liu, you’re a renowned calligraphy master in the capital. All the prominent figures pay their respects to you. Deng Hui is your disciple—you must help him get justice. You really ought to give Shi Qingqing a stern talking-to; she’s responsible for all this...”

Professor Liu smiled.

He handed Deng Hui’s mother a large red envelope, speaking kindly, “Deng Hui’s injuries were mainly caused by the explosion of a school light fixture. The school will cover all his medical expenses. This is a little nutritional allowance from us—please accept it.”

Deng Hui’s mother thanked him profusely as she took it.

Professor Liu reminded Deng Hui to focus on his recovery, then took his leave with his assistants.

Yang Yini left with Professor Liu’s party as well.

Deng Hui’s mother went to see them off.

In the hospital room, Deng Hui was left alone, his whole body throbbing with pain.