The 30-Year-Old Magical Girl - Chapter 28

You Xi’s voice was unwavering.

Firm.

Resolute.

Like a nail driven deep into solid wood, impossible to pull free.

Mrs. Mo’s expression darkened instantly.

Beside her…

You Dong stood speechless.

Officer Qian looked back and forth between the three of them, visibly puzzled.

He had only been informed about the assault case.

This was the first time he had heard anything about bullying.

As emotions flared…

The atmosphere inside the mediation room grew noticeably colder.

“…Very well.”

“I understand your attitude now.”

Mrs. Mo spoke each word slowly.

Her voice was icy.

“You believe your friend…”

“Just as I believe my daughter.”

“I understand that.”

You Xi met her gaze without backing down.

“But my friend deserves an apology.”

She knew perfectly well…

Those words would only make the situation worse.

But every time she remembered Bai Mian locking herself inside her room…

Refusing to see anyone…

She simply couldn’t remain silent.

As expected…

Mrs. Mo finally exploded.

“An apology?”

“What apology?”

“What exactly are you trying to imply?”

“Are you insisting that Li Li bullied someone?”

“Do you have any evidence?”

“Did the school confirm it?”

“No.”

“You have neither.”

“Isn’t that right?”

With a cold sneer…

She pulled a thick stack of medical documents from her handbag.

Bang!

She slammed them heavily onto the table.

“I have my daughter’s official medical examination report.”

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

It struck You Dong like a punch to the chest.

For a brief moment…

He couldn’t even breathe.

…This has gone terribly wrong.

Truthfully…

The moment Mrs. Mo proposed her second condition…

He had already guessed how this would end.

There was absolutely no chance You Xi would agree.

That was simply the kind of person she was.

Faced with Mrs. Mo’s relentless questioning…

You Xi never wavered.

She stared directly into the furious woman’s eyes.

Neither side was willing to retreat.

Invisible sparks seemed to fly between their locked gazes.

Someone had to ease the tension.

Taking a deep breath…

You Dong stepped forward.

“Mrs. Mo…”

“The school is still investigating the alleged bullying.”

“Nothing has been officially concluded yet.”

“Could we set that issue aside for now?”

“Instead…”

“How about discussing compensation?”

“If you’re willing to continue talking…”

“I’m sure you’ll see our sincerity.”

Mrs. Mo answered with an irritated click of her tongue.

“Compensation?”

“Do you think we’re trying to extort money from you?”

“And besides…”

“Who exactly are you to this girl?”

“Her uncle?”

“A relative?”

She looked at You Dong with open disdain.

“When something this serious happens…”

“Shouldn’t her parents be here?”

“Where’s your sincerity?”

“You clearly never intended to resolve this properly.”

“Mrs. Mo…”

“Actually, I—”

You Dong tried to explain.

But Mrs. Mo interrupted him before he could finish.

“Forget it.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“You can’t make decisions anyway.”

“Bring her parents here.”

“What upsets me isn’t only that she injured my daughter.”

“She also damaged Li Li’s reputation.”

“Do you have any idea how serious an accusation like bullying is?”

“Can people casually throw that word around?”

“So listen carefully.”

“I want her mother.”

“Or her father.”

“To come here.”

“I’d like to know exactly how they raised a daughter like this.”

“…Mrs. Mo.”

Officer Qian finally spoke.

He quietly leaned closer…

Whispering something into Mrs. Mo’s ear.

While speaking…

His eyes repeatedly drifted toward You Xi.

Only then…

Did Mrs. Mo learn the truth about You Xi’s family.

The anger on her face slowly disappeared.

It was replaced first by surprise…

Then guilt.

Remembering the harsh words she’d just spoken…

She suddenly looked uncomfortable.

After an awkward silence…

She cleared her throat.

“…Ahem.”

“…Anyway.”

“Our request is actually very simple.”

“As long as there’s a proper apology…”

“We’ll withdraw the report immediately.”

“We don’t want any financial compensation.”

Hearing that…

You Xi calmly stated her position.

“I’ll apologize.”

“But Mo Li must apologize to Xiao Mian first.”

“She started everything.”

“…”

Neither side was willing to compromise.

The mediation had reached another deadlock.

Officer Qian clapped his hands.

Trying to regain everyone’s attention.

“Excuse me.”

“I think I finally understand the situation.”

“But before we continue…”

“I’d like to ask something.”

“What exactly happened with this bullying incident?”

“And how does it relate to You Xi injuring Mo Li?”

“Mo Li bullied my friend.”

“So I hit her.”

“And then—”

Before You Xi could continue…

Mrs. Mo interrupted again.

“How many times do I have to repeat myself?”

“This bullying accusation exists only in your imagination.”

“Not only does Li Li deny it…”

“Even the school hasn’t confirmed it.”

“Bullying is bullying.”

You Xi replied immediately.

“It doesn’t suddenly disappear just because someone refuses to admit it.”

“That’s nothing more than self-deception.”

“Self-deception?”

Mrs. Mo scoffed.

“I think you’re the one living in a fantasy.”

The moment the subject returned to bullying…

The argument erupted once more.

Voices overlapped.

Accusations flew back and forth.

The room quickly descended into chaos.

Seeing there was no end in sight…

Officer Qian raised his voice.

“Alright.”

“I understand.”

“Let me make a suggestion.”

“Please hear me out.”

As the head of the police station’s mediation office…

He had handled countless civil disputes.

The heart of this conflict was already obvious.

You Xi firmly believed Mo Li had bullied Bai Mian.

Mrs. Mo firmly believed her daughter was innocent.

If that issue could be resolved…

Everything else could be negotiated.

“Let’s put it this way.”

Officer Qian looked at everyone present.

“The real issue is no longer whether You Xi injured Mo Li.”

“The real issue…”

“Is whether the alleged bullying actually happened.”

“Am I correct?”

All three nodded.

“Good.”

Officer Qian clapped his hands once.

“Then the solution is simple.”

“We still have twenty days before this case enters formal legal proceedings.”

“Since both sides disagree…”

“Let’s use those twenty days to investigate.”

He turned toward Mrs. Mo.

“If it’s proven that bullying really occurred…”

“I believe your daughter should apologize.”

“Mrs. Mo.”

“Would that be acceptable?”

Mrs. Mo answered without hesitation.

“If…”

“If Li Li truly bullied someone…”

“Then she will absolutely take responsibility.”

“Excellent.”

Officer Qian nodded approvingly.

“That’s a very reasonable attitude.”

He then looked toward You Xi.

“On the other hand…”

“If the investigation proves that no bullying occurred…”

“You Xi.”

“You’ll need to publicly apologize.”

“And clear Mo Li’s name.”

“Can you accept those terms?”

“I’ll find the evidence.”

You Xi answered calmly.

“If I can’t…”

“Then even if I’m detained…”

“I’ll accept the consequences.”