With midterms just over two weeks away, the study atmosphere in Class 6, Grade 1 grew tense. One desk was completely surrounded by students—Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan’s.
"Hey, Ouyang," a girl leaned in from his left, "could you go over chemistry’s key points for me?"
"Hey! I was here first," another girl tugged Ouyang’s arm from the right. "You should help me with biology first!"
"Help me first!" Others crowded closer.
Pressed tightly against the girls, Ouyang felt accidental touches. Pure-hearted and rarely touched by anyone but his sister, he flushed crimson.
"Ouyang, just teach me humanities!" A girl, unable to squeeze through, hugged him from behind.
"Ugh!" He felt soft pressure against his back. His face heated up again, steam practically rising from his head.
"Enough!" Bai Yuxuan’s icy voice cut through. "Don’t think only you need to study." The girls scattered instantly. Bai Yuxuan buried himself in his book again.
"Sorry, Ouyang," the girls apologized, bowing their heads. "We forgot you need to study too."
"Well, explaining things reinforces my own knowledge," Ouyang said gently. "Just don’t overwhelm me next time."
"Yes! We’ll be careful!"
"Ouyang’s not just top in studies and arts—he’s so kind!"
"Like an angel!"
"Haha… you’re exaggerating."
The bell rang. The girls returned to their seats, disappointed.
"You’re annoying," Ouyang whispered to Bai Yuxuan when no one was looking, "but thanks for helping."
"They were noisy," Bai Yuxuan replied flatly. "And I don’t want you losing to me again for some silly reason."
"I won’t lose this time!"
"Good. I hope you make it interesting." Bai Yuxuan turned back to his book.
Ouyang noticed it wasn’t a college textbook anymore—it was a high school study guide. Bai Yuxuan was serious now.
"Guess I’d better work hard too." Ouyang opened a notebook, jotting every detail the teacher mentioned. During easier sections, he pulled out a reference book.
After school, Ouyang headed to the Go Club.
"Hey? Aren’t midterms coming?" The club president looked surprised. "Why are you here?"
"I need last semester’s midterm papers," Ouyang explained. "To understand the exam patterns."
"Sure, but your grades are already perfect. Is this necessary?"
"At Cherry Blossom Academy, learning’s like rowing upstream. Complacency gets you passed."
"Huh. That’s not like you—you used to study just for fun. But since you asked…" She rummaged for the papers.
"Thanks, senior."
"Don’t be formal with me."
Meanwhile, in the dorm, Qian Wang waited anxiously.
*Click.* The door opened—Ouyang entered.
"You’re back!" Qian Wang lunged at him. "I didn’t understand a single class today! The teachers are too fast. I’m counting on you!" She gazed up, teary-eyed.
"I knew you’d say that. I got last year’s papers from the Go Club president. I’ll predict questions for both of us."
"Haha! I knew you’d save me! Now I can slack off again."
"What are you saying?" Ouyang flicked her forehead. "Study hard, or I’ll tell your aunt."
"Yes…" Qian Wang rubbed her head, pouting.
At the same time, in a small town near Xijiang City, a boiler factory operated under Western River Boiler Co., Ltd.—a subsidiary of Bai Corporation. A man in a suit spoke to the manager.
"Your profits have been good," he said, handing over a file. "Headquarters approved funds for expansion. Review this."
"Wait—this budget’s way too low."
"Figure it out yourself. If we hand you everything, why keep you? A pig could do your job."
"We can’t borrow more. Last year’s expansion loans aren’t paid off."
"You’re as useless as they said. Lean in." He whispered in the manager’s ear.
"What? That’s illegal!"
"Fear nothing. In Xijiang City, the White Clan is the law. Do it—the authorities won’t dare inspect you."
