Liu Mingliang had been in a great mood these past few days — especially after becoming the department head, he felt quite proud and elated.

Early in the morning, he walked with his hands behind his back, patrolling the department once before heading to the cafeteria for breakfast, where he also warmly checked in on some students.

He believed he was much more down-to-earth than Su Huaiyuan.

He truly cared for and looked after the students — unlike Su Huaiyuan, who split his time half between teaching and half with his family.

If it weren’t for Su Huaiyuan’s experience studying abroad, how could the department head position have ever fallen to him?!

Just because Liu Mingliang’s family was poor and he couldn’t afford to go overseas for “gold-plating,” did that mean he was any worse?!

Not at all!

Fortunately, Su Huaiyuan had finally left, and Liu Mingliang had gotten his wish — he was now the department head.

In a few years, he might even land the position of vice principal.

Liu Mingliang was in such a fantastic mood, he went to class with a smile on his face.

Even though he was now the department head, because there weren’t enough teachers, his course load hadn’t lessened one bit.

So this morning, Liu Mingliang’s schedule was packed — no breaks at all.

His first and second classes were in the same classroom, and right now, he was in the middle of his second lecture, delivering it with deep passion, as if he were an exceptionally good teacher.

But just then, a lot of loud, chaotic footsteps echoed from the hallway outside. The sounds were heavy enough that even the students in the classroom noticed.

Since taking over as department head, Liu Mingliang felt he had managed the department quite well. Hearing this sudden noise outside instantly displeased him.

He frowned, but the commotion not only failed to quiet down, it even seemed to be heading straight for them. Inside the classroom, the students were distracted by the noise, their curious gazes drifting toward the door.

“Class, stay focused. I’ll go take a look.”

Liu Mingliang couldn’t bear it anymore. Not only were the students distracted, but the footsteps outside were getting louder and clearly coming this way. He couldn’t tolerate such things happening in his department.

After giving instructions, he stepped toward the classroom door — but just as he reached it, he came face-to-face with the people outside.

Lin Kesheng, wearing a grim expression, led a group from the “Cutting Committee” straight into the department, moving like they owned the place.

They didn’t even need anyone to guide them — they were already very familiar, having been here many times before.

“You…”

Just moments ago, Liu Mingliang had been composed and full of authority as the department head.

But now, seeing this group with red armbands, his heart panicked, and he couldn’t even finish his sentence.

“You’re Liu Mingliang?! Professor Liu?!”

Lin Kesheng sized up the man before him, smiling thinly with a look that didn’t reach his eyes.

Earlier, he had already caught sight of this man’s smug and high-and-mighty attitude — people like Professor Liu, Lin Kesheng had seen many times.

A hypocrite!

A petty villain!

“I—I am… What do you want?!”

Faced with Lin Kesheng and his group, Liu Mingliang was both flustered and afraid. Especially when they called him by name — in front of so many students, he couldn’t even deny it.

“Someone reported you. Professor Liu, please come with us to the Cutting Committee.”

Lin Kesheng cheerfully raised the report letter in his hand. For some reason, seeing Liu Mingliang’s guilty, fearful face — pretending to keep his dignity — gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.

It was like playing a cat-and-mouse game.

Fun.

Interesting.

He liked it.

“Who—who reported me?! Who did I offend?! It must be someone jealous of me! Comrade, you can’t trust everything written in that letter. My background is clean — I’m from a poor family, no overseas ties, never studied abroad. I work wholeheartedly for the people!”

Liu Mingliang was provoked by the mocking expression and knowing look in front of him.

First, he tried to bluff his way through, then couldn’t help but lower himself, fearfully trying to defend himself.

But Lin Kesheng — what kind of people hadn’t he seen before?!

In a good mood, he just watched the man’s performance a bit longer.

As for truth or lies — he only cared about the report letter.

“Sorry, but since someone reported you, we have to handle this officially.”

“Take him away.”

Who cared to listen to his explanations?

Even if he explained at the committee, it wouldn’t matter.

Lin Kesheng smiled, waved his hand, and sharply ordered his people to seize Liu Mingliang.

Just as Liu Mingliang thought of backing away or fleeing, seven or eight red armbands surged forward and pinned him down.

Not only did they grab him quickly, they also saw right through his intentions, instantly angering the group.

“This guy’s trying to be sneaky.”

“Not playing fair! Beat him a few times, he’ll behave.”

“Was he just trying to run?!”

“I heard this guy just became department head, strutting around earlier like a big shot — definitely something fishy going on.”

“Hit him! Beat him up first, then drag him back for questioning.”

…

The red armbands especially disliked people like Liu Mingliang. They hadn’t seen this type in a while — now that he’d landed in their hands, of course they wouldn’t go easy.

Liu Mingliang was immediately mobbed and beaten.

The students, terrified, could only watch wide-eyed as their department head and professor was pummeled, hands over his head, crying out and begging for mercy.

No one dared step forward to help — let alone plead for him.

After all, there had already been faint rumors going around that their department’s Professor Su had been reported by none other than Liu Mingliang.

An eye for an eye.

Now, this was just reaping what he had sown.