In the principal's office late at night.

Knock knock. A sudden knock echoed.

"Come in."

Zhao Fuguo didn’t look up, intently studying the documents in his hands. He circled and marked points occasionally.

The college entrance exam had only run one day, yet many issues surfaced. He had to resolve each before tomorrow’s tests began.

"Principal Zhao." Xu Lehua’s signature bald head gleamed under the light.

"Old Xu, just spit it out. I’m swamped."

Zhao Fuguo barely glanced up before lowering his head back to the files.

The exam was an annual big deal. The county had few test centers, with First High as the largest. Its success affected every student’s future. He dared not slack off.

"Oh, I plan to discipline two key-class students. Just informing you."

"Hmm." Zhao Fuguo rarely set his pen down. He leaned back, rubbing his temples. "What happened?"

Key-class students were usually disciplined. Homeroom teachers handled minor slips. Why was Xu personally involved?

"One openly defied school leadership. I’ll revoke his scholarship and give a verbal warning. The other skips class, arrives late, and keeps a cat at school. I’ll transfer him to a regular class and issue a school-wide reprimand."

"Names?" Zhao Fuguo didn’t press further. Xu handled discipline; he wouldn’t be unfair.

"Lin Jin and Qin Yi."

"Noted." Zhao Fuguo buried himself in paperwork again. An unspoken dismissal. Xu Lehua turned to leave.

A voice from behind froze him.

"Wait."

Zhao Fuguo paused his pen. "That student... what was his name again?"

"Who? Lin Jin?"

"No. The other."

"Qin Yi."

"Qin Yi..." Zhao Fuguo stroked his chin. "That name rings a bell."

"Ah, he’s a model student this year. Top five grades. Won national physics and chemistry Olympiad golds."

"This kid... so outstanding. What did he do wrong?" Zhao Fuguo frowned, though the name’s origin escaped him.

"Disrespecting elders. Defying leadership."

"Related to the little girl?"

"Little girl?" Bald Xu blinked in shock.

"Isn’t Lin Jin a girl?" Zhao Fuguo pictured a tale: a girl scolded for a pet, her boyfriend raging to defend her.

"No..." Xu Lehua chuckled. "Both boys. Friends. Qin Yi’s loyal—he’d stab himself in the ribs for his buddies."

"I see." Zhao Fuguo waved him off. "Fine. That’s settled."

Xu Lehua turned and closed the door.

Just before it shut, Zhao Fuguo snapped his head up.

"Xu Lehua! You can’t touch Qin Yi!"

Staring into Zhao Fuguo’s sharp eyes, Xu Lehua froze, dumbfounded.