Chapter 3: Provocation
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“Cai Kun? So it’s him!”
In that instant, a realization struck Xu Yiren like a lightning bolt. His mind churned with emotion.
Of course. He now understood.
Cai Kun’s father was the District Chief of the Southwest Sector, a man of overwhelming influence in this entire region. His identity was like a blazing neon sign—everyone in this circle knew who he was.
Even if Xu Yiren was burning with rage, he dared not show even a hint of defiance toward Cai Kun’s sneering provocation.
Because he had no background, no connections. The only path left for him to change his fate was through relentless hard work and earning his place at a top university. It was the only way he could honor his mother’s sacrifices.
Sometimes he thought—if only he were an orphan, with no one to care about, he’d have already taught people like Cai Kun the value of life… and made sure they never dared act so arrogantly again.
But he wasn’t. He had his mother. And that made her both his deepest concern and his greatest restraint.
“Xu Yiren, well well, no wonder the teacher always defends you. Turns out you’re not just a top student, but also from a broken family, huh?
Maybe your mom and our teacher got something going on behind our backs?”
Cai Kun wore a smirk of mockery as he sauntered up beside Xu Yiren, leaning down to whisper in his ear.
The words weren’t loud, but they hit like a bomb, detonating in Xu Yiren’s mind.
Crack!
Xu Yiren’s fists clenched tightly—knuckles turning white, veins bulging. His silent response revealed the intense conflict and fury boiling inside him.
Cai Kun noticed this, of course.
But that was exactly what he wanted—to push Xu Yiren over the edge.
This kid didn’t just excel at school—he crushed every exam, always ranking above him. And now he’d dared to confess to Wang Xiuya, the most admired girl in school?
And worse—she seemed tempted to say yes?
It trampled on the last fragments of Cai Kun’s already fragile pride.
He could accept losing in grades. But lose the girl too? To a kid with a jailed father and an ordinary mother?
Unforgivable.
“You’ve gone too far, Cai Kun!”
“What did Xu Yiren ever do to you? You think provoking him makes you powerful? We’re almost adults! It’s time you take responsibility for your behavior!”
Wang Xiuya stood up in righteous fury, her eyes blazing with anger.
Her father was a Captain in the Safety Control Bureau. She had been taught from a young age never to bully the weak—and she couldn’t stand seeing people like Cai Kun throw their weight around.
Cai Kun’s eyes flashed with menace, but he ignored her entirely.
If he couldn’t have this woman, then he’d make her regret it. That, too, was a form of power.
“Oh right… you’re the oldest in our class, right? Pretty sure you’re already a legal adult by now?”
“Tsk tsk… not good. You know, adults face much more serious consequences.”
His face still wore a harmless smile, but his words oozed with thinly veiled threat.
Xu Yiren ignored him completely, as if he hadn’t heard a word.
He knew full well—getting into a fight with someone like Cai Kun would only make things worse. He had more important goals.
Like getting into Qingshui University.
Cai Kun saw his lack of reaction and felt a little bored. But it also solidified his resolve:
He was going to ruin Xu Yiren, no matter what it took.
“Lame,” he muttered, turning to leave.
Once out of the classroom, he whipped out his phone and dialed a mysterious number.
“Come on, don’t take it to heart, Xu Yiren. That’s just the kind of guy Cai Kun is—he hides behind his dad’s status and bullies people like a coward.”
“You can’t fall into his trap.”
Wang Xiuya gently consoled him.
She knew how much pride mattered to boys. In this situation, most would’ve lost their temper—maybe even tried to get revenge.
Xu Yiren slowly closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, like he was letting out all the anger and humiliation trapped inside him.
Then he smiled at Wang Xiuya.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not going to stoop to his level. I’ve got better things to do—like getting into Qingshui University.”
Though she could tell his smile was forced, Wang Xiuya admired his resilience. He was kind, composed, determined.
But deep down, she had her doubts.
His father had a criminal record—and that, in her eyes, could become a lifelong obstacle to her future career and even her children’s future.
One person in prison… could cast a shadow across three generations.
That wasn’t an exaggeration.
Ding ding ding! The bell rang.
They both returned to their intense study routine.
That night, 9:00 PM – End of Evening Study
Wang Xiuya returned to her dorm.
Xu Yiren, one of the few day scholars, was allowed to go home. He did it to save money—he knew how hard his mother worked. Every penny mattered.
But he had barely stepped twenty meters out of the school gate…
When a group of ten or more men suddenly surrounded him on a narrow side street.
“Hey kid… you Xu Yiren?”
A yellow-haired punk sneered, voice full of arrogance.
Xu Yiren lowered his head, staying silent. He knew exactly what this was.
He’d heard stories. People who crossed Cai Kun ended up being beaten half to death by hired thugs. Some even had to transfer schools.
Was it finally his turn?
But… his mom was still waiting for him at home.
If he came back bruised or bleeding, she’d be devastated.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! You deaf or something?!”
Another thug lost patience and stepped forward, fist raised to strike.
“Hold up!”
The leader grabbed the guy’s arm just in time.
“We’re not here for some petty beating. There are cameras around. Think before you act.”
They weren’t here to just rough him up.
They were here to destroy him.
“So, I heard your mom’s a… working woman, huh?”
“Well, we’ve been a little… pent up lately. How about you take us to your place? Don’t worry—we’ll pay extra.”
The leader smiled with sickening intent. His words were vile, dripping with cruelty.
“Yeah! Time for a joyride. We’ll have your mom screaming all night!”
The others jeered and howled with laughter.
Insults and threats filled the air like hooks from hell, tearing at the dam holding back Xu Yiren’s fury.
His hands began to tremble.
The rage inside surged like a rising tide, ready to drown him whole…
