“You… you—”
Xia Xiaolan’s composure exceeded Mrs. Dawson’s expectations.
She had assumed a Chinese international student facing such trouble would be scared half to death.
Why else would Xia Xiaolan have been hiding?
After Heidi’s suicide attempt, this was Mrs. Dawson’s third visit to the school. Xia Xiaolan had been absent the first two times, leading Mrs. Dawson to believe she was hiding in fear.
In reality, Xia Xiaolan had taken leave to return to China, and the Academic Affairs Office knew this.
The Academic Affairs Office had been very protective of their students. They’d informed Xia Xiaolan about the situation when she was back in China, causing unnecessary worry. Even after her return, they hadn’t insisted she face the situation – she’d come of her own accord.
Mrs. Dawson’s unreasonable behavior and wealthy person’s arrogance made everyone see her lack of breeding.
Professor McCarthy directly suggesting Heidi take a leave of absence, and recommending she change majors even if her mental state stabilized, clearly indicated his unwillingness to continue teaching her… How would Cornell University choose?
There was no doubt – the school would side with Professor McCarthy!
Though the Demon King had a terrible temper, his professional skills were formidable. Losing him would be Cornell’s loss.
If a professor could be driven away by a student’s parent, what would that make Cornell University?
Professor McCarthy was unlikely to be affected, but Chinese international students like Xia Xiaolan and Snow Ning were more likely to face Mrs. Dawson’s accusations and abuse.
While Mrs. Dawson stammered “You,” Xia Xiaolan didn’t give her a chance to start cursing. Instead, she turned to ask the Academic Affairs staff:
“If Mrs. Dawson continues to maliciously interfere with my studies and pin non-existent crimes on me since she can bring lawyers to Cornell, may I notify my lawyer?”
“Xia, the school will handle this matter.”
That’s what the Academic Affairs staff said, but McCarthy was unsatisfied: “I haven’t seen any results from the school’s handling. If I’m called to the Academic Affairs Office again over the Dawson matter, I’ll submit my resignation.”
“Professor!”
“Professor, don’t resign because of people like this!”
“Professor…”
The little chicks were anxious – no one wanted Professor McCarthy to leave Cornell.
The Academic Affairs Office instantly felt immense pressure.
Xia Xiaolan explained to Daisy and the others, “The professor isn’t resigning because of an unreasonable parent, but because he’s disappointed in how the college is handling this. Tolerating uncouth people who enter campus and randomly accuse professors and innocent students – I’m disappointed in the college’s attitude too. Though this won’t affect me much since I’ll return home after my exchange program ends, for Professor McCarthy, who has taught countless outstanding students during his tenure at Cornell and has deep feelings for the university, yet—”
The rest didn’t need saying – everyone understood.
These words were meant for the Academic Affairs Office.
Without further ado, Xia Xiaolan called Connie Wen. The Academic Affairs staff couldn’t stop her:
“Connie, I need another favor.”
Xia Xiaolan briefly explained her situation, hoping Wen Manni could recommend a reliable lawyer. Connie couldn’t handle it herself – morning sickness left her low on energy, and this wasn’t her expertise anyway.
Connie found it laughable after hearing the story.
“She’s just trying to intimidate you. She can’t successfully sue you. Even if it went to court, you’d be seen as the vulnerable party – no jury would believe Mrs. Dawson’s accusations.”
Don’t joke around!
If anything, Chinese international students were the ones being bullied.
Blacks and Asians faced discrimination in America – most Americans knew this well.
The jury would be American citizens – putting Xia Xiaolan and Snow Ning in the defendant’s box, accusing them of bullying Heidi. That was absurd.
Speaking Chinese with Connie, unintelligible to others, Xia Xiaolan spoke freely:
“Still, we can’t let Mrs. Dawson off too easily. I want to counter-sue. Connie, recommend me a good lawyer – I need one to make a show of force!”
Nothing more needed saying.
Rich people rarely engaged in confrontation – even divorcing couples didn’t fight personally. The real battles were between their lawyers!
Xia Xiaolan was incredibly grateful that her three years of hard work had earned her enough dollars to afford a good American lawyer.
Hanging up, she addressed the grim-faced Mrs. Dawson:
“I’ve notified my lawyer. You can wait here or at home for news.”
The two lawyers beside Mrs. Dawson smiled.
A Chinese international student, here for such a short time, already adopting the American style of hiring lawyers for everything.
Everyone knew Chinese international students were the poorest – what kind of decent lawyer could she afford?
One lawyer whispered something in Mrs. Dawson’s ear, and she pulled out a chair to sit: “Fine, I’ll wait right here!”
Her contemptuous tone matched Heidi’s perfectly – truly mother and daughter.
Professor McCarthy, a man of his word, left Mrs. Dawson in the Academic Affairs Office, clearly intending to ignore her completely.
Before leaving, he called for Xia Xiaolan and Daisy’s group:
“Don’t you have afternoon classes? To prepare for class – don’t waste time on people like this!”
Matthew, though not in the same year as Xia Xiaolan and having few courses in his final year, followed along, trotting behind Xia Xiaolan: “Can your lawyer help?”
He’d been hit for nothing.
Even if they couldn’t get her arrested, they couldn’t let her act so recklessly.
One instance of tolerance would only lead to more excessive behavior.
“Of course, Senior Matthew. We’re classmates – I can provide you with free legal assistance!”
Hah.
Those poor Chinese international students, offering free legal assistance to others?
The Academic Affairs staff’s faces burned.
In such situations, the college should arrange legal assistance for students.
“The school deeply sympathizes with Heidi’s extreme behavior and greatly regrets it. However, Professor McCarthy’s teaching methods are highly effective. He will neither apologize nor face punishment.”
Just because Heidi’s father was a distinguished alumnus, the college leadership avoided facing Mrs. Dawson, pushing the Academic Affairs Office to take the hit.
Fed up with being caught in the middle, they told Mrs. Dawson the truth directly.
There was no point in continuing this chaos.
Between Professor McCarthy and Heidi, Cornell’s Architecture Department, and even higher levels, would choose Professor McCarthy!
If Mrs. Dawson understood when to quit, she could consider her emotions vented and leave – but unfortunately, even if asked to leave now, she wouldn’t. She insisted on seeing Xia Xiaolan’s “lawyer.”
“I want to see what kind of lawyer she’ll bring.”
Mrs. Dawson smiled contemptuously, “Yellow monkeys imitating human actions think they’ve become human. This isn’t backward China – this is America!”