Patience?
Lu Ming's dictionary didn't have that word.
He chuckled and said casually, "If the entire kindergarten class was bullied by Tang Yuhang, would you teachers still tolerate it? As educators, do you still have any semblance of being a teacher?"
Xu Jiao's face turned ashen.
She shrugged, "Everyone understands the principle, but the problem is, who is Tang Ding? And who are we? Do you believe me, if you dare to displease him even a little, no kindergarten in Shanghai would dare to admit your child! People, don't always think about getting even; sometimes, you just have to accept your fate."
It sounded as if she had a point.
Were power and status all-encompassing?
Lu Ming simply refused to believe it!
Furthermore, was a mere deputy director considered powerful? Nonsense!
"Call Tang Ding and tell him to get his butt over here. I'm going to settle this score with him today," Lu Ming said without giving her any face.
Xu Jiao sighed, "This is what you asked for. You'll bear all the consequences yourself; don't drag me down."
"Enough nonsense!"
Lu Ming roared, startling Xu Jiao into quickly dialing the phone.
Xu Jiao tremblingly dialed Tang Ding's number and began, "Deputy Director Tang, are you free now? Please come to the school. Your son beat up a little girl in the class yesterday, and now her parents are here at the school."
Normally, parents would choose to resolve the issue immediately upon hearing such news.
But unexpectedly, Tang Ding seemed to be accustomed to such calls and didn't take it seriously.
He said disdainfully, "Isn't it just a bit of roughhousing between kids? What's the big deal? Tell that parent not to make a fuss, to take care of their own child, and to prevent them from fighting again."
Everyone in the office was speechless.
Tang Yuhang was clearly the one who hit someone, yet they were asking the other parent to watch their child better. Wasn't this putting the cart before the horse?
Xu Jiao pointed to the phone, looking at Lu Ming, her meaning clear: You heard him, it's not that I'm not handling it; it's just that this matter cannot be resolved.
Lu Ming chuckled and walked over.
He took the phone and said concisely, "Tang Ding, is this the example you set as a deputy director? Fine, I've recorded what you just said. I'm going to the Education Bureau, or even the Ministry of Education, right now to ask how this matter should be handled."
Huh?
Looking for trouble?
Tang Ding immediately became furious and said menacingly, "Hillbilly, are you threatening me? You want to report me to the higher-ups?"
Lu Ming calmly replied, "I just want an attitude."
"Fine, I'll give you an attitude!" Tang Ding said coldly, "You wait, I'm on my way over now, and I'll make you know the consequences of offending me!"
The call ended with a dial tone.
Lu Ming returned the phone to Xu Jiao.
Xu Jiao took the phone, shaking her head, "You, you're too impulsive. Do you think reporting it will actually work? Not only will you fail to punish Tang Ding, but your Chen Xian's schooling will also become very problematic. Endure for a moment, and the storm will pass. You don't listen; just wait to suffer."
Lu Ming said calmly, "It's precisely because of spineless cowards like you who bully the weak and fear the strong that pests like Tang Ding can thrive!"
"You say I bully the weak and fear the strong?" Xu Jiao sneered, "Alright, when Deputy Director Tang arrives later, I'll see how formidable you are! Don't be so scared that you wet your pants or beg on your knees."
Lu Ming ignored her and walked out of the office, standing by the door, waiting quietly.
In less than 20 minutes, the person arrived.
A middle-aged man of obese build huffed and puffed his way over, followed by three burly men carrying briefcases.
"Deputy Director Tang!" Xu Jiao scurried over, then pointed at Lu Ming and said, "It's him, Chen Xian's godfather—Lu Ming, he's the one causing trouble for you!"
"Hmm."
Tang Ding nodded and walked up, also calling his son, Tang Yuhang, over.
Everyone stood at the office door, silent, but the atmosphere was heavy.
After a long pause.
Tang Ding slowly spoke, "Are you Chen Xian's parent?"
Lu Ming nodded.
Tang Ding continued, "You came to me to resolve the issue. Fine, I'm here, and I'll resolve it for you right now."
He patted Tang Yuhang's head and said, "Yuhang, recount what happened at the kindergarten yesterday."
Tang Yuhang nodded and shamelessly said, "Yesterday, Chen Xian snatched my toy, and when she couldn't get it, she hit me! The other classmates couldn't stand it, so they helped me push Chen Xian away. Accidentally, they pushed too hard, and she fell. Then she cried, saying we were bullying her."
Whoa!!!
My goodness, the ability to twist the truth was incredible.
Chen Xian immediately became agitated, "No, it wasn't like that! It was Tang Yuhang who snatched my toy, he called me a wild child, and he hit me!"
Tang Ding chuckled.
He waved his hand dismissively and said, "A little girl, quite good at lying."
Lu Ming frowned slightly, "Perhaps it's someone else who is lying?"
Tang Ding sneered, "What do you mean? Are you saying our Yuhang is lying? Our Yuhang has received a superior education since childhood, listening to operas, attending art exhibitions, and participating in high-class balls; unlike some children, who lost their mothers at a young age and frequent all sorts of disreputable places, spewing lies!"
The phrase "lost their mothers" made Lu Ming, Chen Yingong, Dragon King, and others' adrenaline surge.
It was originally a matter between children, but now it had escalated to personal insults and a conflict between adults!
This matter would not end simply!
Tang Ding asked, "Yuhang, did you call her a wild child?"
Tang Yuhang shook his head.
Tang Ding then asked, "Did you ostracize her and hit her?"
Tang Yuhang continued to shake his head, denying everything he had done before, completely refusing to admit it.
"Hmm."
Tang Ding wobbled his fat head and said sarcastically, "You all heard it. Our Yuhang is not only not the perpetrator but also the victim! You parents, without distinguishing right from wrong, come to settle scores. Do you have any shame? It's precisely because of shameless parents like you that you've nurtured such a lying brat!"
Hearing this, Chen Xian cried out "wah" with grievance.
Tang Ding showed no sympathy and mocked, "Crocodile tears. Does crying mean you're innocent? You liar."
Then.
He snapped his fingers at the man behind him.
The man opened the briefcase, revealing a thick stack of documents inside.
Tang Ding took out a pen from his breast pocket, unscrewed the cap, and said, "Parents like you need to be taught a lesson! Children like Chen Xian need to be disciplined! Today, I will teach you scoundrels a good lesson! I will sign the withdrawal documents now, expel Chen Xian from the kindergarten, and send her home to reflect!"