There were two math classes in the morning.
Standing at the podium was the new math teacher, a man in his forties surnamed Zhang.
He had been transferred from a lower-tier school, and being able to teach at Haicheng No. 1 High School was already the pinnacle of his career. He didn’t mind which class he was assigned to.
Clearing his throat, he announced, "These two classes will be spent on an Olympiad math test. Students who perform well will be recommended by me to the school for Olympiad training. I assume no further explanation about the Olympiad competition is needed."
Of course, the class knew about the Olympiad.
Winning a gold medal at the national finals meant direct admission to top universities like Tsinghua or Peking University through special recruitment channels.
But how many could actually achieve that?
Even a top student like Song Huai, who had made it to the national finals last year, had only managed to secure a silver medal.
The rest of the class was light-years behind Song Huai. If even he couldn’t do it, they had no business dreaming about it.
Still, these problems were good practice material.
Rong Yu glanced at the test paper and immediately grasped the solutions—it wasn’t difficult.
But she didn’t want to waste time on this. Instead, she pulled out a draft notebook and began working on the project her senior had assigned her...
By noon, the classroom buzzed with excitement.
Rong Yu’s newly released commercial had just aired.
Ji Corporation’s latest ultra-large foldable phone had already generated significant hype, and with Rong Yu’s recent popularity, the commercial quickly trended online.
The class monitor remarked, "Our Rong Yu has such a star presence—she doesn’t lose to any A-list actress."
The academic committee member added, "The commercial looks so high-end. It makes me want to buy a foldable phone."
The class secretary scoffed, "A phone that costs over ten thousand? Can you even afford it? Unless you’re like Ji Zhouye—a low-key third-generation heir to a fortune."
Chen Nian cursed under his breath. "Damn it, why are there haters targeting Rong Yu again?"
Since this was her first-ever commercial shoot (counting both lifetimes), Rong Yu was also watching the ad on her phone.
But the comments section wasn’t friendly.
"Wouldn’t Rong Ruoyao’s face suit this better than Rong Yu’s?"
"If Rong Ruoyao had shot this ad, it would’ve been perfect."
"Ruoruo ranked first—this resource was supposed to be hers, but it got snatched by someone with a sugar daddy..."
Chen Nian frowned. "Rong Ruoyao’s fans are so annoying."
The class monitor chimed in, "Rong Yu, your fan club president is amazing. They spammed hundreds of your photos and drowned out all the hate comments."
Rong Yu’s expression darkened.
The fan club president was none other than Ji Shunying.
At his age, he was still getting into online fights. Didn’t he worry about his blood pressure?
Ji Zhouye waved his hand dramatically. "Everyone in our class, join the fan club and follow the president’s orders..."
During lunch break, most students were on their phones, and having a shared mission made it even more fun. The classroom was lively.
Ji Zhouye sent Chen Nian to buy yogurt for everyone as a reward.
Just then, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he instinctively looked at Rong Yu before stepping out to take the call.
Rong Yu didn’t notice.
After lunch, she went to the library to borrow books and spent the entire noon reading. When she returned to class, Ji Zhouye’s seat was empty.
Lately, the boy had been well-behaved—attending classes, doing homework, and performing remarkably.
Had he gotten his hands on money and started slacking off again?
Chen Nian leaned over. "Rong Yu, uh… Zhouye wasn’t feeling well at noon. Seems like he caught a cold. He went back to the villa to rest."
Rong Yu looked up. "Is it serious? Did he take any medicine?"
Chen Nian shook his head. "He said he just needed to lie down. Probably not too bad."
Rong Yu sent Ji Zhouye a message but got no reply.
After school, she called him, but he didn’t pick up.
Was he so sick that he’d passed out?
She grabbed her bag and headed to the pharmacy across the street to buy medicine for him.
Just as she reached the school gate, someone called out behind her.
"Rong Yu, wait up."
Song Huai walked toward her.
He stopped in front of her. "I haven’t had a chance to talk to you. Do you have time now?"
Rong Yu checked her watch. "You’ve got two minutes. What do you want to discuss?"
Song Huai’s smile stiffened.
There was a time when Rong Yu used to chase after him relentlessly. The tiniest acknowledgment from him would make her smile for days.
When had she become so indifferent?
Now, she couldn’t even spare a few minutes for a conversation?
"If there’s nothing important, I’m leaving."
She turned to go.
"I wanted to ask how you got into the Fourth Aerospace Research Institute," Song Huai forced out. "Was it Dr. Wang Xiaoli who invited you in?"
Wang Xiaoli was the female researcher who had escorted Rong Yu out that day.
Rong Yu frowned. "If that’s your question, then I’m sorry—no comment."
She pushed past him and walked away.
Song Huai, unsatisfied, chased after her.
Rong Ruoyao happened to exit the school at that moment and saw the scene unfold.
Her fiancé, the untouchable, noble Song Huai, was running after Rong Yu like some desperate admirer...
Rong Ruoyao’s breath hitched. "Song Huai!"
He stopped. "Ruoruo?"
Suppressing her emotions, Rong Ruoyao forced a sweet smile. "There’s a new restaurant behind the school. Want to grab dinner?"
"Not today," Song Huai replied. "I have Olympiad training."
Since his first year of high school, he’d been obsessed with national competitions, all to secure a special admission spot at Tsinghua or Peking University.
Last year’s Olympiad had been his closest shot—but he’d only won silver.
This was his final chance in senior year. He couldn’t afford to waste it.
Rong Yu bought several cold medicines and headed toward the villa near the school.
The place had hosted a birthday party the day before, with fifty guests eating and drinking. The mess was only now being cleaned up by Steward Yu and his team.
Spotting Rong Yu, he hurried over. "Miss Rong."
She asked, "Where’s Zhouye? Still sleeping?"
Steward Yu replied, "The fifth young master isn’t here."
Rong Yu’s eyes narrowed.
She noticed the car they’d driven here in the morning was also gone.
If he was sick, why was he out? Where had he gone?
She tried calling again—still no answer.
Her right eyelid twitched.
The car Ji Zhouye was driving was registered under her name, and she could track its location via her phone.
She pulled up the app and saw it parked outside a manor in the suburbs.
She showed Steward Yu. "Where is this?"
Steward Yu took the phone, and his face paled. "Miss Rong, this manor belongs to the Shang Family. They’re involved in some… gray businesses. On the surface, it’s a tea estate, but it’s actually a high-stakes gambling den. Why would the fifth young master go there? I’ll inform the old master immediately."
"Don’t trouble the old man with such trivial matters," Rong Yu said calmly. "As for this villa… Steward Yu, transfer the ownership to me right now."
Steward Yu hesitated.
He had been considering whether to consult the old master first.
Yet, in front of Miss Rong Yu, the old master acted like a meek grandson, obeying her every word without question.
A mere villa? The old master would probably be more than willing to hand it over to her with both hands. There was no need to seek permission—he immediately set out to arrange it.
"And transfer all his assets that can be liquidated into cash to me," Rong Yu's voice grew colder as she turned and walked away.
