Mediation (2)

The moment You Dong stepped into the mediation room, he felt a sharp, unfriendly gaze. He looked up—Mo Li’s mother was already there, seated by the window, her face stern and eyes glaring at them.

Mo Li and her father weren’t present. Only she had come.

Seeing this, You Dong’s nerves tightened. He had no confidence in convincing Mo Mrs. alone.

“You’ve arrived. I’m the officer who called you yesterday. Officer Qian,” said the other person in the room—a middle-aged policeman in uniform, who stood and showed his badge.

“Officer Qian, hello. I’m You Dong. This is You Xi.”

After greeting the officer, You Dong quickly approached Mo Mrs., forcing a smile.

“Mrs. Mo, good morning. What happened the other day was truly heartbreaking for me too. We’re here today to sincerely apologize to your daughter. We’ll compensate for any damages—whatever’s needed. So, uh…”

“Morning.”

She cut him off before he could finish.

“Apologize?” She sneered. “You came to apologize last time too, didn’t you? And then what?”

“You travel all the way to someone’s home, then push my child to the floor—her head hit the armrest, gave her a concussion… Is that how people apologize? Because of how you acted last time, I didn’t even dare bring Li Li today. I’m afraid you’ll do something again.”

Mo Mrs. was furious, her words firing like a machine gun. You Dong could only stand there, bowing and apologizing, overwhelmed.

“Everyone.”

Officer Qian stepped in as the tension rose, taking on the role of peacemaker.

“What would you all like to drink? We’ve got green tea and plain water. I’ll go get some—let’s sit and talk calmly.”

“I’m fine.”

Mo Mrs. pulled out her thermos and took a sip, then continued.

“Last night, my husband and I talked it over. We’ve reached an agreement.”

Here, her gaze shifted to You Xi.

“Yes, this student, You Xi, did injure my daughter. But she’s only sixteen—still a child. When children make mistakes, they should be given a chance to correct them.”

“My husband and I—we’re educated people. We’re reasonable. Our daughter was hurt, and we simply want an explanation.”

“As a mother, after what happened, of course I’m afraid of her getting hurt again. That’s why I asked the police to help mediate. Filing the report was a means, not our goal. I hope you two can understand that and not take it personally.”

“You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Mo. Our goal should be the same: to resolve this and eliminate the conflict.”

Mo Mrs. had covered every angle—both kind and stern words. You Dong could only nod along helplessly.

“Officer Qian, I’d like to confirm something,” Mo Mrs. said.

“Even though we filed a report, we can withdraw it, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Officer Qian nodded. “If you don’t withdraw it within twenty days, the case will proceed to formal investigation.”

His words answered Mo Mrs.’s question—and subtly reminded both parties that they had a twenty-day window.

In other words, they had to change her mind within twenty days.

Good news: Mo Mrs.’s attitude was far more lenient than You Dong had expected. He felt a small relief.

He didn’t know what conditions she’d demand, but as long as the case could be dropped, it would be worth it. You Xi was still young. If this left a stain on her record, the consequences could be irreversible.

“Mrs. Mo, are you saying… you’re willing to withdraw the report?” You Dong asked cautiously.

“I’m willing to agree,” she said, then laid out her terms. “Two conditions.”

“First.”

She raised one finger.

“You Xi must take responsibility for her actions and formally apologize to my daughter. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

It wasn’t unreasonable.

But would You Xi agree?

The world isn’t kind. Mistakes come with a price.

But if that price could be paid with just words, even if the truth was debatable, even if bitterness remained, You Dong would apologize without hesitation.

In his heart: This person is an idiot.

On his lips: “I’m sorry. Deeply sorry.”

Step back, and the sky opens. — This weak but practical wisdom was the eternal rule of adults.

But for a rebellious teenager like You Xi, logic didn’t work.

Trying to reason with her was like telling a lion or tiger, “From now on, just eat grass.” Pure fantasy.

Would she really do as she said at the police station entrance—set aside her friend’s bullying and sincerely apologize to Mo Li?

Thinking this, You Dong glanced nervously at his niece. His heartbeat quickened.

“I will apologize,” You Xi said.

“No matter what, what I did that day was too far. I regret my actions. I want to apologize to Mo Li in person.”

Here, she lowered her head, fingers tightly gripping the hem of her skirt.

“…No. Please—give me the chance to apologize.”

Seeing his niece’s sincerity, You Dong felt both relief and sorrow.

This was a police station. He worried she was only acting this way because of the pressure.

“Since Miss You is willing to apologize, the first condition is met. Mrs. Mo, what’s the second condition?”

You Dong was about to ask the same, but Officer Qian jumped in first.

As the host of the community mediation room, his principle was simple: if there was no major crime, resolve it through mediation. Avoid formal procedures. Especially when the child involved was this cooperative.

“The second condition is also an apology,” Mo Mrs. continued.

“I’ve confirmed—my daughter has never bullied anyone. I want You Xi to publicly apologize at school for spreading false claims, and clear my daughter’s name.”

“No. I refuse.”

You Xi lifted her head, her demeanor shifting instantly from humble to defiant. She stared straight at Mo Mrs.

“Mo Li bullied Bai Mian—that’s a fact. I didn’t say anything false. I have nothing to apologize for.”