Chapter 121: Defiance

"Hmm?" Li Changtian felt a slight panic. He immediately realized that someone must be playing tricks. He hurriedly said, "I didn't call the Deputy Mayor. Several days ago, someone left a few photos on my desk. At the time, I assumed it was just some students who had a conflict with Jiang Xiwen and were being bored and mischievous, so I burned them immediately.

"But today, someone put them in my drawer again. This time there were even more than before, and some were taken quite recently. I intended to handle them the same way as last time—burn them—and I didn't want to bother you, but then I unexpectedly received your call..."

He poured out the whole story in one breath. After listening to him, Zhang Yong fell into deep thought. Li Changtian naturally did not dare to disturb him and began to ponder the matter carefully as well.

What was the purpose of this prank? Was it to cause trouble by exploiting the fact that the two of them were unfamiliar with each other's voices? That seemed too simple. What would be the point of that? Puppy love, at most, caused a bad influence; it wouldn't really amount to much. Could it be aimed at Li Changtian, trying to make him, the Deputy Mayor, dissatisfied with Li?

Thinking of this, Zhang Yong spoke up: "Old Li, let's just let this matter pass. If it's a simple prank among children, there certainly won't be a next time.

"If this person really has an agenda, it is aimed at me, Zhang Yong. I believe our Xiaoya does not have a relationship with Jiang Xiwen beyond simple friendship. These photos are clearly taken from carefully chosen angles. So, regardless of what tricks this person is playing, there is no need to waste too much energy on them. Go back and focus on your work."

Hearing Zhang Yong's words, Li Changtian's worries were greatly eased. He had just been thinking that someone might be trying to set him up, but Zhang Yong's words were clearly telling him not to worry about it.

He said gratefully, "The Deputy Mayor is right. There is no need to pay attention to such bored people, and making phone calls to impersonate others—it really is just a childish game."

"Yes, well, Old Li, the matter is clear. Let's just consider this a breath of fresh air. I'll pay for the tea..." Zhang Yong said with a smile. Being easygoing with his subordinates had always been his style. Li Changtian didn't know him well, but he understood this much.

"Deputy Mayor, how could that be? This matter originated at the Second Middle School, and it's because I failed to manage things properly that I've caused you to make a wasted trip. I should certainly pay for the tea." After saying this, he immediately called the waiter to settle the bill.

The waiter responded from afar and walked toward them.

Li Changtian politely let Zhang Yong leave first. Zhang Yong understood his intentions and didn't stand on ceremony. It would be inappropriate for a Deputy Mayor and a subordinate school principal to be seen having tea together.

Zhang Yong had spoken to Li Changtian that way to put his mind at ease, but he himself did not let the matter go as easily as he had claimed. He would not allow such pranks to continue. Even if he couldn't investigate the culprit, he had to take precautions. The first step was to go home, talk to his daughter, and ensure Zhang Ya stopped associating with Jiang Xiwen.

Who knew if anyone else besides Li Changtian had received these photos? For the sake of his reputation and influence, with a promotion on the horizon, Zhang Yong had to ensure stability.

"Xiaoya, have you finished your homework?" After dinner, Zhang Yong called his daughter aside as she was about to return to her room.

"Dad, it's done. I'll take a short break and then continue with some exercises. Don't worry, I won't slack off on my studies." As she spoke, Zhang Ya's face was full of smiles; she seemed very happy.

Before dinner, she had already solved several problems that Jiang Xiwen had given her, and her mind was occupied with how to surprise him when she saw him tomorrow. She had long forgotten that her original purpose for going to see Jiang Xiwen was to help him tutor.

Zhang Yong didn't know what his daughter was thinking. He responded with a chuckle, "You're quite confident, aren't you? Come to my study for a moment; I have something to discuss with you."

Being called to talk in such a formal manner had only happened with her mother, Qin Shu; this was the first time with her father. Zhang Ya followed him into the study, feeling a bit strange.

"Sit down, Xiaoya." Zhang Yong signaled for his daughter to sit and then asked, "Have you and Xiwen been playing around a lot during your free time lately?"

Hearing her father's question, Zhang Ya was slightly stunned, then she pouted and said, "Him? Sometimes I review with him, but that guy got special permission to skip classes and spends his days fiddling with computers, yet his grades keep getting better."

Although she had an unconvinced expression, a smile clearly played on the corner of her lips. Seeing his daughter like this, Zhang Yong couldn't help but frown slightly. It seemed necessary to give her a warning.

"Xiaoya, you've always had good grades and have been a well-behaved child since you were little, so I haven't had to worry much about you. In the last few months, you've become more outgoing at school, which is great, but your mother's previous advice remains correct: try to have less contact with things outside of your studies. After all, you are still young and should prioritize your education."

Zhang Ya felt a bit confused and replied, "Dad, I know everything you're saying. Besides, getting into the key class isn't exactly hard for me."

Hearing his daughter's reply, Zhang Yong's heart sank further. "Xiaoya, you used to be very modest. Why have you changed so much? What did your mother teach you before?"

"Uh?" Zhang Ya was blank for a moment, then thought about it and pouted again. "Dad, it's all Jiang Xiwen's fault. I've learned bad habits from hanging out with him too much."

Seeing the same expression on her face, Zhang Yong felt that his daughter must have developed feelings for Jiang Xiwen that went beyond friendship. He had to stop this. It wasn't just about her grades; more importantly, someone was watching him, and they were using his daughter's puppy love as ammunition against him.

Zhang Yong's expression turned serious. He looked at his daughter and said in a low voice, "Xiaoya, don't associate with Jiang Xiwen anymore. Focus on your studies, and you can play together after the high school entrance exams."

"Why?" Zhang Ya didn't quite understand her father's words. Since she had run away from home during the New Year and returned, she had assumed her parents and grandfather considered Jiang Xiwen her best friend. If her mother didn't like him, she wouldn't have been too surprised, but for her father to forbid their friendship was truly unbelievable.

Zhang Yong's tone became slightly heavier. "There is no 'why.' Being with him all the time will affect you."

"Hmm?" Zhang Ya immediately understood her father's meaning. Her face flushed slightly, but after a moment, she giggled. "Dad, you're overthinking it. Xiwen and I are just good friends. Being with him doesn't affect my studies; it actually helps improve my grades."

"Xiaoya, I rarely criticize you, but this time you must listen to your father." Zhang Yong was slightly annoyed but quickly suppressed his temper and adjusted his tone. "There are some things you are too young to understand regarding your own emotions. Even if it doesn't affect your studies, we cannot let these kinds of emotional entanglements spread."

"Dad, it's really nothing," Zhang Ya said earnestly, seeing her father's serious attitude. "Xiwen and I are not what you imagine. Mom suspected us before, didn't she? And in the end, it was fine. Besides, Xiwen even went to Modu for me..."

"Modu? You have the nerve to mention that? Do you know how many people were worried about you then? It made many people wonder about my status as a Deputy Mayor! Jiang Xiwen used your grandfather's name at the hospital in Modu, and you know how many people tried to send gifts! Even though he was sensible and didn't accept them, do you know what his tone was like when he refused them? Do you know how bad of an influence that is?!"

Hearing the word "Modu," Zhang Yong's anger flared up again. His daughter had always been quiet and obedient, but ever since she became close to Jiang Xiwen, one thing after another had happened. In Modu, many people had mistaken the relationship between the Zhang and Jiang families for a long-standing friendship, and now, someone was taking photos, causing trouble for his work at every turn.

It was the first time Zhang Ya had seen her father lose his temper at her. She was at a loss and didn't know what to say.

Zhang Yong waved his hand and said, "That's enough. Listen to me: do not have any contact with Jiang Xiwen!"

"But..." Zhang Ya's voice was barely a whisper. "But you just said we could play together during the summer."

"You..." Zhang Yong was annoyed again. "Look at yourself! Ever since you became friends with Jiang Xiwen, you've become increasingly unruly!"

"How am I unruly..." Zhang Ya hung her head and pouted, her voice even softer, yet it still reached Zhang Yong's ears clearly.

"Xiaoya, I am going to be firm with you this time. If you continue to associate with Jiang Xiwen, I will notify your principal and have him transferred to another class. There are other key classes in your grade, so it won't delay his studies. As for you, if you aren't in the same class, you'll have no reason to be together!"

"No!" Zhang Ya suddenly lifted her head. "Dad, you have never been such an unreasonable person. I don't believe you would do this for no reason."

"Xiaoya, I am your father, and I must be responsible for your studies and your life. That is the end of the discussion. In a few days, I will find time to talk to Jiang Xiwen. He is a sensible child..."

Hearing her father say this, Zhang Ya suddenly panicked. "If you do that, I'll run away from home again!"