The college entrance exam results were out. Shen Zeyu sat on the sofa with a laptop in front of him, texting friends on his phone.
He tilted his head and told Shen Fengkai, “Ah Huai says the website’s lagging, and it’s stuck for me too. What should we do?”
Shen Fengkai ruffled his hair and tried to calm him, “Don’t worry. Didn’t you compare scores after the exam? They shouldn’t be far off.”
Zeng Yun sat between the two boys, watching Qi Xu playing snake game on his phone while rolling beads on a bracelet.
“Xiao Xu, don’t know how to check your score? Let Zeyu help you.”
Shen Fengkai looked over and snapped, “It’s time to check scores, and you’re still playing games? Don’t you care about your college results?”
The Shen children were raised to do the right thing at the right time. Shen Fengkai couldn’t stand Qi Xu’s casual, careless attitude. If their parents hadn’t stopped him, telling him to give the boy time to adjust after just coming home, he would have given him a serious talking-to.
He didn’t see how playing games had anything to do with caring about exam results.
Qi Xu didn’t even look up but moved his fingers and slid the bead bracelet back onto his wrist. “I do care, but what good does it do? If I cared, the website wouldn’t lag, right? Or are you the website admin who can give me a backdoor to check first?”
Shen Fengkai was clearly annoyed, thinking this wild kid had picked up bad habits outside.
He’d first seen Qi Xu in a video and thought he was smart and ambitious. The kid never asked his parents when he’d be home, and always ended calls with “Mom and Dad, have fun.”
He pretended to be obedient in front of elders to make his parents feel guilty and sympathetic.
But now, meeting face-to-face, his true nature was fully exposed—not innocent or harmless.
Shen Fengkai knew some of Qi Xu’s past. At sixteen or seventeen, he had fought his foster father, injuring his hand and even got locked up by the police.
Violent, rebellious, frequently skipping class, bad behavior—he’d be a shame to the Shen family.
Just as Shen Fengkai was about to scold Qi Xu, Shen Zeyu grabbed his hand. “Brother, don’t be mad. After I finish checking, I’ll help him. Maybe he really doesn’t know how to check.”
Such a nice phone used just for single-player games. Probably doesn’t know how to use electronics much, maybe even no clue how to use a computer.
Shen Zeyu’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
Qi Xu ignored them and kept playing snake, his score growing longer and fatter, about to top the leaderboard.
Shen Fengkai, calmed down by Shen Zeyu, walked over to the scowling Shen Zhuohai.
Everyone had overheard the exchange. The second uncle took a sip of tea and hinted, “This kid’s got a big temper, that’s good. Won’t get bullied. Zeyu’s always had a gentle temper; I’m just worried he’ll get picked on outside.”
Shen Fengkai said, “With me around, Zeyu won’t get bullied. He’s my most beloved little brother.”
Those present once again praised Shen Fengkai, saying a few words about his responsibility and accomplishments.
With his eldest son there, Shen Zhuohai’s expression finally softened a bit.
Shen Zeyu suddenly exclaimed, “Ah Huai’s score got blocked — but he definitely made the top 50!”
Qi Xu’s attention snapped at the familiar name, and his snake game almost crashed into the wall. Luckily, he turned in time and paused the game, losing all interest.
Zeng Yun happily covered her mouth, “Oh my goodness.”
Shen Zeyu grew anxious again, leaning against Zeng Yun’s shoulder with a worried face. “Mom, what if I bomb the test and can’t get into the same school as Ah Huai?”
Zeng Yun was about to reply when Qi Xu’s phone rang, interrupting the tender moment between mother and son.
The caller was Qi Xu’s high school homeroom teacher, Zhao Wen. During the crucial senior year, every weekend he had traveled back and forth to the key city high school, bringing Qi Xu mock exams.
He was the only one who wanted Qi Xu to leave Qi Family Village, to leave the mountain region behind.
When the Shen family came to pick Qi Xu up, Zhao Wen, a usually burly man, surprisingly had tears in his eyes. He patted Qi Xu heavily on the shoulder and said, “That stubborn kid is finally flying away—leave here and enjoy the bright future you deserve.”
Just like in his past life, Qi Xu left his phone number with Zhao Wen before leaving. They had kept in touch these past few days, chatting about things in the capital city.
Qi Xu knew Zhao Wen worried about whether he could adapt to life in the capital, so he tried to reassure him.
But this time around, Qi Xu didn’t intend to compete; there would be no donations to his alma mater in the name of the Shen family. He could only offer his small efforts to help the school’s development.
“Teacher Zhao,” Qi Xu greeted the person on the other end of the line, “How have you been lately?”
Zhao Wen’s rough voice rose a few tones with excitement: “Hahaha, great! Have you checked your scores yet?”
Qi Xu replied, “Not yet.”
Someone beside him said something, and Zhao Wen laughed, telling them to buzz off—“You’re not my student anyway.” Then he turned back to Qi Xu and said, “No need to check. I have your results right here. Qi Xu, congratulations — you’re the city’s top science scorer!”
Zhao Wen was extremely excited, grinning from ear to ear, repeatedly saying, “I knew it, kid—you’re destined for greatness, I just knew it.”
Qi Xu already knew his results and was grateful to have been reborn after the college entrance exam. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure he could have matched his past scores. This timing at least gave Zhao Wen one more reason to be happy.
Zhao Wen didn’t hear Qi Xu’s reply and asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything? So happy you’re speechless?”
Qi Xu laughed aloud, “I’m over the moon! Thank you, Teacher Zhao, for your guidance and help. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. You’re the most important person in my life, bar none.”
Qi Xu spoke loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, not trying to hide it.
The Shen family members’ expressions shifted in various ways, complicated feelings stirring inside.
Zhao Wen shivered and couldn’t stand the sappy words: “Shut up, don’t disgust me. The city’s interviewers wanted to come see me, but I refused. Honestly, I hope you never come back here.”
He didn’t want Qi Xu’s background to be made public and disrupt the boy’s normal life.
After a few words of advice, Zhao Wen said, “Tell your family this news. They’ll definitely be happy and proud of you.”
They would be happy—for just a few seconds. Shen Zeyu, upset because his estimated score and actual score differed by over ten points, started crying quietly, and the whole family rushed to comfort him.
Qi Xu replied, “Teacher Zhao, don’t get too happy or you might fall into a ditch on your bike riding home after work.”
Zhao Wen laughed and cursed as he hung up.
Zeng Yun wiped away the sadness in her eyes, lifted her spirits, and asked, “Xiao Xu, who was that?”
“That was my high school teacher,” Qi Xu put away his phone, his tone steady and flat. “He told me I’m the city’s top science scorer.”
Now it was Zeng Yun’s turn to exclaim, “Oh my gosh!” She hugged Qi Xu excitedly. “Really? Xiao Xu, you’re amazing!”
She turned to Shen Zhuohai and said, “Old Shen, Xiao Xu is the city’s top science scorer.”
The Shen family’s branch relatives all voiced congratulations. Shen Zhuohai finally smiled but didn’t praise Qi Xu directly, wary the kid might get arrogant.
“Keep working hard. The college entrance exam is just a small part of life. The days ahead are long—stay grounded and keep moving forward.”
Out of everyone’s sight, Shen Zeyu clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His hands trembled, eyes full of grief and frustration.
Minutes later, Shen Zeyu checked his own score, and the moment he saw it, he slammed his laptop shut without a word and hurried upstairs.
Zeng Yun was startled by the loud “slam” and looked up to see Zeyu rushing upstairs. “Zeyu, what’s wrong?” she asked.
No response.
Shen Fengkai opened the score website and said, “Zeyu’s actual score is over ten points below his estimate. He’s always competitive, maybe he can’t accept the gap. I’ll go check on him.”
Fengkai went upstairs, but Zeyu had locked the door and wouldn’t open it. With no other choice, Fengkai came down and asked Zeng Yun to go up and persuade him.
Zeng Yun glanced cautiously at Qi Xu, then, worried about Zeyu, said, “Xiao Xu, I’m going upstairs to check on Zeyu. Mom and Dad will come celebrate with you soon.”
Qi Xu smiled casually and kindly said, “It’s okay, you go ahead.”
Zeng Yun’s attempt to persuade Zeyu failed. Shen Fengkai went back upstairs and asked Shen Haizhuo to try. Since Zeyu respected his father, maybe he’d listen to him.
Shen Haizhuo said a few words at the door, and Zeyu, still crying, finally opened it.
With the parents gone upstairs, Fengkai went down to attend to guests, only to see Qi Xu leaving the house again.
“Stop right there,” Fengkai called out sharply, “The guests are still here. Where do you think you’re going?”
Qi Xu often left early and came back late, never saying a word. Zeng Yun had mentioned that Xiao Xu didn’t seem to want to get close to them, that she couldn’t reach into his heart.
Just thinking about how his mother stayed up at night worrying about him made Fengkai’s heart ache. Yet this unfilial son still acted indifferent and did whatever he wanted.
How bad could it be at home for him? Could the outside world really be any better?
Qi Xu turned calmly, meeting Fengkai’s gaze without hesitation: “Where am I going? To celebrate, of course. I’m the top science scorer. If I can’t be happy for myself, why should I expect you to be happy for me?”
After saying that, he turned on his heel and left the Shen family home, going to find Kaixin.
Knock, knock, knock.
Qi Xu knocked on the door of a certain rented apartment. “Hello, is Li Kaixing here?”
After a moment, a man in shorts, shirtless and looking groggy, appeared. Without opening his eyes, he stretched a hand out the door and said, “Thanks, big brother.”
Apparently, he thought Qi Xu was a food delivery guy. Qi Xu handed him a broom standing by the door.
Why was today’s meal shaped like a stick? What did you order?
Li Kaixing blinked, still half asleep, realizing he was holding a broom and seeing a stranger standing in front of him. Panicked, he instinctively covered his private parts with one hand and held the broom out defensively with the other toward Qi Xu.
“What’s the deal? Robbing me for money or for my looks?”
Qi Xu sized him up from head to toe. “You don’t seem to have much worth robbing for looks either.”
Li Kaixing, now gripping the broom with both hands, said, “Bro, my situation’s clear as day. What do I have worth robbing?”
Qi Xu fixed his gaze on Li Kaixing’s head. “I want to kidnap you.”
Li Kaixing: “…”
Holy crap, I’m dealing with a human trafficker.
He asked, “At my age, would anyone even want to buy me?”
Qi Xu, understanding his thought process, went along with it: “Hard to resell, but they could send you up north to Myanmar to have your kidneys harvested.”
Li Kaixing clutched his waist. “I’m kidney-deficient—do you still want me?”
Qi Xu: “…”
He didn’t want to keep bantering, or the whole day would be wasted.
“I’m here to hire you as my partner.”
Li Kaixing eyed him warily. “What kind of new scam is this? I’m just a recent graduate who failed to get into grad school or public service, a freeloading college kid at home who even has to pay for food delivery in installments every month.”
Qi Xu got straight to the point. “Didn’t you interview at Shen Corporation a few days ago but got filtered out? I saw your resume and found you based on the address listed.”
Li Kaixing asked, “And you are…?”
Qi Xu said, “An investor.”
