The 30-Year-Old Magical Girl - Chapter 27

The moment You Dong stepped into the mediation room…

He felt an unmistakably hostile gaze fixed on him.

Looking up, he saw Mrs. Mo already seated by the window.

Her face was icy.

Her sharp eyes stared directly at him and You Xi.

Mo Li and her father weren’t there.

Only Mrs. Mo had come.

Seeing that…

You Dong’s heart sank.

He had almost no confidence that he could persuade her on his own.

“You’ve arrived.”

A middle-aged police officer stood up from his seat and showed his badge.

“I’m the officer who contacted you yesterday.”

“My surname is Qian.”

“You can call me Officer Qian.”

“Hello, Officer Qian.”

“My name is You Dong.”

“This is my niece, You Xi.”

After greeting the officer…

You Dong immediately walked toward Mrs. Mo with a forced smile.

“Mrs. Mo…”

“Good morning.”

“What happened that day…”

“Honestly, it pains me as well.”

“We came today to sincerely apologize to your daughter.”

“We’re willing to cover all medical expenses and any other reasonable compensation.”

“So if you’ll just—”

“Good morning.”

Mrs. Mo interrupted him before he could finish.

“An apology?”

She let out a cold laugh.

“Didn’t you come to apologize the other day too?”

“And what happened after that?”

“You came all the way to my house…”

“And your niece shoved my daughter to the ground.”

“She hit her head on the armrest.”

“She suffered a concussion.”

“Is that what you call an apology?”

“After seeing what happened last time…”

“I didn’t even dare bring Li Li with me today.”

“I’m afraid something else might happen again.”

Her words came one after another like machine-gun fire.

Faced with her anger…

You Dong could only lower his head and continue apologizing.

“Everyone…”

Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense…

Officer Qian quickly stepped in.

“What would you all like to drink?”

“We have green tea and plain water.”

“I’ll pour everyone a cup.”

“Let’s all sit down and talk calmly.”

“No need.”

Mrs. Mo raised the thermos she had brought with her and took a sip.

Then she continued speaking.

“My husband and I discussed this thoroughly last night.”

“We’ve reached a decision.”

Her gaze shifted toward You Xi.

“Yes.”

“This student injured my daughter.”

“But she’s only sixteen years old.”

“She’s still a child.”

“When children make mistakes…”

“They deserve an opportunity to correct them.”

“My husband and I are educated people.”

“We’re willing to be reasonable.”

“Our daughter was hurt.”

“All we want…”

“Is an explanation.”

“As her mother…”

“After seeing my daughter injured…”

“Of course I’m worried something like this could happen again.”

“That’s why I reported the incident to the police.”

“The report itself isn’t our goal.”

“We simply wanted the police to help mediate.”

“I hope both of you understand that.”

“And don’t take it personally.”

“You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Mo.”

“Our goal is the same.”

“We both want to resolve this matter peacefully.”

Her words balanced firmness with restraint.

There was nothing You Dong could object to.

He could only continue nodding.

“Officer Qian.”

Mrs. Mo turned toward the officer.

“I’d like to confirm something.”

“Even though we’ve already filed a report…”

“We can still withdraw it, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Officer Qian nodded.

“As long as the report is withdrawn within twenty days…”

“The case won’t proceed to formal investigation.”

His explanation answered Mrs. Mo’s question.

At the same time…

It quietly reminded everyone present that they only had twenty days to settle the matter.

In other words…

They had twenty days to persuade Mrs. Mo.

At least…

That was better than You Dong had expected.

Her attitude today was far more reasonable than he’d feared.

He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn’t know what conditions she intended to propose.

But if withdrawing the report required paying a price…

He was prepared to pay it.

You Xi was still young.

If this incident permanently stained her record…

The consequences could affect the rest of her life.

“…Mrs. Mo.”

“Does that mean…”

“You’re willing to withdraw the report?”

“I am.”

Mrs. Mo nodded.

“But I have two conditions.”

“First.”

She raised a single finger.

“You Xi must take responsibility for what she did.”

“I want her to apologize properly to my daughter.”

“That’s not an unreasonable request.”

It wasn’t.

The request itself was perfectly reasonable.

The question was…

Would You Xi agree?

The world was never kind.

Every mistake came with a price.

If that price could be settled with nothing more than an apology…

Then even if he felt wronged…

Even if he believed the situation wasn’t entirely fair…

You Dong would still apologize without hesitation.

Inside his heart: You’re an idiot.

Out loud: I’m sorry.

I’m truly sorry.

Adults survived by understanding one simple truth.

Take one step back…

And the sky becomes wider.

It was weak.

It was frustrating.

But it worked.

Unfortunately…

That kind of reasoning meant nothing to a rebellious teenager.

Trying to convince You Xi…

Was like asking a tiger to become vegetarian.

Almost impossible.

Would she really do what she’d promised outside the police station?

Would she put aside everything involving Bai Mian…

And sincerely apologize?

Thinking of that…

You Dong nervously glanced toward his niece.

His heartbeat unconsciously sped up.

“I’ll apologize.”

You Xi spoke before anyone else could.

“No matter what happened…”

“What I did that day went too far.”

“I regret it.”

“I want to apologize to Mo Li face to face.”

As she spoke…

She lowered her head.

Both hands tightly gripped the hem of her skirt.

“…No.”

“Please…”

“Allow me to apologize to her.”

Seeing how sincerely she spoke…

You Dong felt both relieved…

And heartbroken.

This was a police station.

He couldn’t help wondering…

Was she only forcing herself because of the pressure?

“Since Miss You is willing to apologize…”

“The first condition has been settled.”

Officer Qian smiled slightly.

“Mrs. Mo.”

“What’s your second condition?”

He asked the question before You Dong had the chance.

As the mediator…

Officer Qian always preferred reconciliation over formal legal procedures.

Especially when the child involved was cooperating so earnestly.

“The second condition…”

Mrs. Mo said calmly,

“…is also related to an apology.”

“I’ve already confirmed the facts.”

“My daughter never bullied anyone.”

“I want You Xi…”

“To publicly apologize at school.”

“She must admit she falsely accused my daughter.”

“And she must clear Li Li’s name.”

“…No.”

“I refuse.”

You Xi slowly raised her head.

The humility she’d shown only moments earlier vanished completely.

Her eyes met Mrs. Mo’s without the slightest hesitation.

“Mo Li bullied Bai Mian.”

“That’s the truth.”

“I never lied.”

“So…”

“I have nothing to apologize for.”