"Ever since last week, my kid won’t stop coughing. No idea why."
"Mine too."
"You think that’s bad? My second uncle’s newborn was hospitalized with a lung infection."
In a town near Xijiang City, a few residents huddled together.
"You think it’s that boiler plant? The stench near it lately... it burns your nose."
"Who else? It’s the only factory here. They’re dumping poison into the air for profit!"
"Disgusting. Would they do this if their own kids lived here?"
"Let’s report them to the environmental department! Shut that place down!"
"I’m with you!" They marched off to file complaints.
The officials quickly escalated the report—to their boss.
"You want to lose your jobs?" the boss snapped. "This whole region belongs to the White Clan. That boiler plant? Their property. Investigate it today, we’re all fired tomorrow."
A week later.
"Why hasn’t anyone come to inspect?" The residents grew restless.
"Fools," an old man sighed. "Don’t you know who protects that plant? The White Clan."
"So we just let them poison us?"
"Only one option left: appeal directly to higher authorities."
---
Meanwhile, Cherry Blossom Academy buzzed with pre-midterm tension. Even during self-study, students buried themselves in books. Except in Class 6, Grade 10. Every eye locked onto Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan.
"Look over there!"
"Is she... copying answers? Ouyang’s flipping pages like it’s nothing!"
"She’s almost finished the workbook! We haven’t even covered half this material!"
"Holy—look at Bai Yuxuan!"
Heads swiveled. Bai Yuxuan solved complex problems mentally, scribbling answers without pause. Every ten seconds, he turned a page. A thick exercise book vanished in minutes.
"That’s the #1 and #2 ranked students?"
"Like monsters..."
"I feel ashamed sharing a classroom with them."
---
Back at the White Clan estate, Bai Yuxuan’s father’s phone rang.
"Mayor Chen? To what do I owe—"
"You’re in deep trouble. Inspectors are coming to audit your boiler plant!"
"*What?*" He shot to his feet.
"I warned you. Good luck." The line went dead.
"*Damn it!*" His fist slammed the desk.
"Chairman, what now?" A suited aide leaned in.
"Halt all production. Destroy every trace of pollution evidence."
"But inspectors won’t be fooled. They’ll find proof."
"Let the plant manager take the fall. Keep this from touching our main family."
"Sir, this plant is one of your major projects. The clan elders will demand answers for this blunder—"
"*Blunder?*" His voice turned icy. "I am the White Clan’s current head. My decisions are flawless."
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He could scapegoat the manager externally—but the clan’s reputation would bleed. His brothers had always coveted his position. This scandal would give them ammunition. His authority would crumble.
"*I won’t allow it!*" He swept a teacup off the table.
The shattering porcelain jolted him calm. After a long silence, his eyes narrowed.
"Unless... the mistake wasn’t mine to begin with." A cold smile returned to his lips.
---
After self-study, Bai Yuxuan trudged back to her apartment. Juggling company duties and the exam rivalry with Ouyang Qianxue had drained her. Her phone buzzed.
*Father? Why now?*
"Yuxuan. Return to the White Clan estate. Immediately." The order cut off.
She found her father waiting in the living room.
"Father, you wanted—"
"Sit." His tone was unusually gentle. "You’ve handled company affairs well lately. I’m entrusting you with the Xijiang Boiler project."
"*Really?*" Her voice trembled with excitement. This was one of his flagship ventures. His trust meant everything.
*(Does he finally see my worth?)* Hope fluttered in her chest. Maybe their fractured bond could heal. Maybe she’d finally know a father’s love—like other children did.
She didn’t see the trap closing around her.
