Yu Xiaxing clicked on the link titled “Inheritance Selection Contest, Task Two: Results of the Zero-Cost Complaint Resolution Challenge.”
This time, unlike the last, the rankings were listed from the bottom up, with all the details made public as well.
Seventh place: Yu Lingyi
(Overall score: 65.0.
Evaluation: The complaint-handling strategy focused on “maintaining stability.” It calmed the situation in the short term, but did not truly resolve the underlying problem.
In addition, the special committee received an anonymous report indicating that Yu Lingyi had been extremely irresponsible in her work. Her personal relationships had influenced her business judgment when handling disputes. She is hereby issued one yellow-card warning.)
Sixth place: Yu Zheng
(Overall score: 70.0.
Evaluation: The approach was overly personalized and could not be replicated, and it involved potential legal risks. However, it did resolve the problem, so no yellow-card warning was issued. Take note: Do not act like an outlaw in future assignments!)
Fifth place: Yu Yuanchen (evaluation…)
Fourth place: Yu Zhining
Third place: Yu Suisui
Second place: Yu Guan
First place: Yu Xiaxing
(Overall score: 92.5.
Evaluation: The complaint-resolution plan was exceptionally innovative and groundbreaking, using unconventional thinking to solve a long-standing problem.
Although the process was controversial and fraught with risk, leaving even the assessment committee holding its breath, the crisis was ultimately defused at the critical moment. The plan demonstrated extraordinary courage, precise foresight and control in a complex situation, as well as a powerful ability to turn crises around and guide public opinion.
The plan effectively addressed the core of the problem, prompting society to engage in deep reflection on the essence of education. It greatly enhanced the project’s brand influence and team cohesion.
Reward: An additional ten million yuan in operating funds, already transferred to the project account.)
Many people in the group congratulated her.
Even if her older brothers and sisters were seething with jealousy inside, they still had to maintain a show of harmony.
Grandpa: “@Yu Xiaxing, Seventh Sister, you really surprised Grandpa this time. How did you manage to control the situation so precisely and turn things around on the final night?”
Yu Xiaxing lay sprawled on the bed like a dead fish, her eyes vacant and her body limp.
She wanted to know the answer too.
This was all so absurd.
—
The hotel.
Yu Lingyi had not dared to go home today.
There were too many eyes in that house, too many seemingly casual glances waiting to watch her make a fool of herself.
She couldn’t take it.
At that moment, she was curled up on the bed, silent tears washing two faint trails through her makeup.
In truth, she knew her own personality flaws all too well.
When she was still forming her worldview, her mother had constantly drilled the same lessons into her:
“You buttoned your shirt crookedly. You’re making a laughingstock of yourself.”
“You did so badly on that test. Don’t say a word, or people will laugh at you.”
“It’s just a toy. Your classmate lost it, so let it go. You’re a wealthy young lady, yet you’re quibbling over something so trivial. How embarrassing.”
That toy had actually been her favorite. She had needed to hold it in her arms to fall asleep.
After losing it, she couldn’t sleep properly for a long time.
But she had taken her mother’s words to heart.
A young lady from a prestigious family had to speak softly, could not argue over minor matters, and must never get involved in messy confrontations or conflicts…
All to avoid becoming a laughingstock.
Over time, she had grown increasingly dependent on other people’s opinions.
She never argued with anyone. No matter how dissatisfied she was inside, she always wore a smile.
When handling company affairs, her first principles were “maintaining stability,” “preserving balance,” and “never putting anyone in an impossible position.”
But ever since Yu Xiaxing had started stirring up trouble, Yu Lingyi had realized just how constrained she was. She would never be able to summon the kind of reckless courage Yu Xiaxing possessed.
All because she was afraid of being laughed at.
She closed her eyes.
She didn’t dare look at the discussions about her online, yet she couldn’t stop imagining them.
Just picturing the whispers, the mocking sneers, and the contemptuous looks made it difficult for her to breathe.
It was worse than dying.
Death would put an end to everything. But remaining alive and facing the pointing fingers was a form of torture every second of every day.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when the electronic lock at the door beeped as it was opened.
Yu Lingyi shuddered. She quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, forced herself to sit upright, smoothed her hair, and restored her usual composure.
Su Hao walked in and sat down beside the bed. “Lingyi, it’s only one yellow card. It doesn’t mean anything. Don’t be sad. There’s always the next assignment.”
Yu Lingyi gave a quiet “Mm,” not daring to say more in case he heard the tears in her voice.
Su Hao lowered his voice. “Besides, Lingyi, don’t you think there’s something strange about this? The assessment committee said they received an anonymous report… Do you think it might have been Yu Xiaxing?”
He was always afraid that Yu Xiaxing would expose him to Yu Lingyi, so he took every opportunity to drive a wedge between the two sisters.
That way, if Yu Xiaxing ever revealed the truth about them, Yu Lingyi would not believe her.
Yu Lingyi said nothing.
She didn’t think it could have been Yu Xiaxing.
Why would the person in first place target the person in last place? If Yu Xiaxing had framed her eldest brother, who was currently second in total points, that would at least have made logical sense.
Su Hao continued, “So this really isn’t your fault. Your sister is far too calculating. You should—”
Yu Lingyi cut him off. “Go home and get some rest. I want to be alone for a while.”
Su Hao fell silent for a moment, then cautiously asked, “What about the show I’m currently working on?”
Yu Lingyi was in no mood to think about it. “Just keep moving forward with it.”
Su Hao said nothing more. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “All right. I won’t disturb you anymore.”
He rose, walked out on quiet footsteps, and softly closed the door behind him.
Only then did Yu Lingyi dare to cry again.
—
After leaving the hotel, Su Hao called Qiao Tang.
The moment she answered, she asked, “How did it go? She didn’t suspect anything about us, did she?”
Su Hao hummed. “Relax. She cares far too much about saving face. I took a peek at her phone and saw the assessment committee’s evaluation of her. There wasn’t a single word of praise. She’s definitely hiding somewhere crying right now and doesn’t have the energy to think about us.”
“That’s good.” Qiao Tang let out a relieved breath, but soon began to worry again.
“She didn’t receive the operating bonus this time, and she even got a yellow card. Do you think the old man will really become disappointed in her? What if she actually gets eliminated in the end and doesn’t inherit a single cent? What will happen to the training school we planned, or your plans to expand your studio?”
The “training school” Qiao Tang referred to was another fallback and source of income that Su Hao had carefully arranged for her.
He knew that Qiao Tang’s talent for acting was limited. With the economy in decline, investors were not fools.
With so many beautiful actresses who actually possessed acting skills available, why would they choose someone like her, who had no real talent?
So he had used his connections and his status as the Yu family’s prospective son-in-law to secretly acquire an arts-exam training institute that was on the verge of bankruptcy, then rebranded it.
Under the slogans of “celebrity instructors,” “insider connections,” and “high admission rates,” it attracted teenagers harboring dreams of stardom, along with parents determined to see their children succeed.
The fees were exorbitant, and the profits staggering.
It was not only a career he had found for Qiao Tang, but also a cash cow he had prepared for himself—one that could continue generating money even after he left the Yu family.
But all of it depended on him firmly retaining his position as the Yu family’s son-in-law.
Yu Lingyi had to receive at least a substantial share of the inheritance for him to profit from it.
They could expand this training program, perhaps even turn it into an entire industry chain for arts entrance-exam preparation.
“Don’t worry. That’s impossible.”
Su Hao’s tone was certain.
“Yu Zhengrong values blood ties above all else. Saying he’ll throw the kids out if they fail the competition is just a scare tactic to motivate them to work harder.”
“Even if Yu Lingyi is useless, she’s still his granddaughter. Even if she doesn’t end up receiving a share of the core businesses, she’ll certainly get her portion of the stocks, properties, and cash. That’ll be more than enough for us.”
He paused, his gaze turning sinister. “What worries me most right now is something else…”
