Zhao Deming's voice grew heavy, laced with suppressed anger and a hint of subservience. "Sir, we can apologize. An apology in front of the whole school, a written self-criticism, whatever you want. But detention... the kid is still young, only twenty. Can't you give him another chance? He still has to go to school, he needs to graduate..."
Lu Fan didn't answer. He glanced at his watch, his tone unhurried. "President Zhao, it would take you at least three hours to get to Jinling from your home. I don't have that much time to wait. How about this: I'll give you five minutes. If your son doesn't agree in five minutes, then forget the apology. We'll file a lawsuit directly. At that point, it won't just be about a seven-day detention. It will be for slander, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. You'd best weigh your options."
