Evening, rest time.

Absent for the whole afternoon, Liu Chuandao stepped into Class 8. He had been in the infirmary all afternoon, both physically and mentally exhausted.

But in front of his classmates, he naturally couldn't show his weak side.

He was Liu Chuandao, a true disciple of the Lightning Five-Chain Whip.

Wang Longlong asked curiously, "What happened to you, Chuan Dao?"

Liu Chuandao shook out seven or eight banknotes, "Jealous?"

Guo Kunnan exclaimed, "Whoa, where'd you get that?"

Liu Chuandao proudly said, "Got it from Director Wang."

Wang Longlong, "Is it compensation after he made you cry?"

Liu Chuandao felt uncomfortable hearing that.

Seeing more and more classmates paying attention, his flat face revealed a sly look.

Actually, he over-trained the Lightning Five-Chain Whip at noon, damaging his arms. Director Wang's steady grasp made his injury worse, leaving him so miserable.

Facing everyone, he first asked, "What kind of person is Director Wang?"

Cui Yu, "A tough guy."

Liu Chuandao, "Usually, he's the one disciplining others, never the one losing, right?"

"That's true." Guo Kunnan agreed.

"You see him acting all high and mighty, looks like he deserves a beating. Last time, he dared come to our class showing off." Liu Chuandao first stirred up some hatred.

"Last time, to protect Class 8, I pretended to be a cripple. From then on, Director Wang set his sights on me. I thought, I can't always pretend to be a cripple, right?"

Then Liu Chuandao smoothly explained the excuse he had pondered all afternoon in the infirmary, "So today, I employed the strategy of retreating in order to advance, you know about the self-sacrifice strategy, right?"

"I deliberately acted out a self-sacrifice strategy and then fiercely cut him off."

Liu Chuandao flicked the red banknotes, "Haha, that silly guy Director Wang, he's probably still hurting now!"

Admittedly, this excuse had reason and evidence, convincing quite a few classmates.

Guo Kunnan, "Impressive!"

Hu Jun, "Courageous and wise!"

Liu Chuandao basked in everyone's praise, walking proudly towards the seat surrounded by the Four Golden Flowers.

Outside the crowd, Chai Wei clicked save on the recording.

He put away his phone, staring at Liu Chuandao sinisterly: 'You're finished!'

...

Outside the school, in a small alley near the intersection.

As the talisman paper burned, a faint smoke filled the air, accompanied by the distinctive burnt smell of paper.

After a minute, Zhang Chi sat on the ground, staring intently at the ashes, sniffing hard to capture a scent, but only the smell of plant ash lingered.

Zhang Chi turned and looked at Yan Tianpeng and Duan Shigang, his expression solemn, "Did you two smell the ancient scent?"

The two felt an inexplicable respect arising.

Zhang Chi stood up, circled the ashes three times left and three times right, then shook Duan Hua's hand and murmured:

"All things have their fate, all will eventually return to dust, and I, Zhang Chi, seize fortune from eternity!"

Duan Shigang and Yan Tianpeng were stunned, feeling it was quite badass!

Duan Shigang thought for a moment, bravely asking with his limited knowledge, "I've heard that praying to the gods often requires a sacrifice, did you offer something?"

Yan Tianpeng also wanted to know the answer.

Zhang Chi glanced at the two, thinking to himself: 'I brought you two here to sacrifice you both!'

Outwardly unfazed, he dusted off his hands, saying, "It's unknowable, unaskable, lest it disturb the divine."

"Alright, let's head back to school." Zhang Chi took the lead, "Tonight, watch me defy fate."

...

First evening self-study session.

The preparatory bell rang; there were still ten minutes until class, and the classroom atmosphere was somewhat restless.

Draw, draw!

Not just Class 8, but the entire school buzzed with an air of restlessness.

It's an invitation from Evergreen Liquid, after all, the invitation alone is made of gilded material, sure to fetch a sizable sum for a student.

Moreover, it allows entry to visit the Evergreen Liquid headquarters, join global industry elites to watch the Evergreen Liquid launch, rumor has it there are complimentary gifts too.

Even for working adults it poses a significant allure, let alone for students of Fourth Middle School.

Many couldn't focus on their books, restlessly flipping pages, waiting for the lottery news.

In the southwest corner, Chen Siyu occupied Xue Yuantong's seat with a large bowl of jelly.

She suddenly thought, "Do you think the Evergreen Liquid invitation might be fake?"

Bai Yuxia, "Probably not, I heard it's numbered."

"And Evergreen Liquid has always been great at preventing counterfeits, including their products. If it's genuine Evergreen Liquid, once the bottle is opened, you can detect the unique medicinal aroma."

Bai Yuxia often heard her parents talk about Evergreen Liquid, and she had even touched it herself.

After hearing this, Chen Siyu sighed, "If all products could be authenticated as thoroughly as Evergreen Liquid, that would be wonderful."

Beside them, Chai Wei, having grasped Liu Chuandao's weakness, felt delighted, meaning he could crush Liu Chuandao anytime, and let him experience utter despair.

He was still himself, the sovereign strategist above and below.

Upon success, people often lose sight of themselves. Chai Wei listened to the charming Chen Siyu speaking.

He joined the conversation, "Typically, if you don't settle for less, you won't buy fakes."

"Because fake goods are undoubtedly cheaper than the genuine ones."

Chen Siyu looked at him.

Chai Wei first glanced at Jiang Ning, feeling a bit dismissive. Although the other's grades were better, when it came to talent, there was a whole Yellow River between them.

To make them more convinced, Chai Wei said, "For example, my pair of shoes is a classic Nike model, originally priced at 499. Over the years, the discount has never dropped below 399 yuan."

"Theoretically, this pair of shoes could never be below 399 yuan."

"But online, there are many of the same style selling for 79 yuan, 89 yuan, how could it be real?"

"So my method is simple, once it drops below 399 yuan, I assume it's fake, and I only purchase above 399 yuan."

Chai Wei spoke confidently, with gestures full of assurance.

Chen Siyu tilted her head in thought, asking, "What if the originally 79 yuan fake sells for 399 yuan? Wouldn't you be deceived even more?"

Chai Wei was stunned.

He didn't speak for a few seconds.

The sudden ringing of the class bell interrupted the conversation. Chai Wei was ready to continue explaining his reasons, but then the class teacher Shan Qingrong pushed the door open.

Seeing his figure, the class was surprised, and soon a vague answer arose within them.

Shan Qingrong got straight to the point: "You know about the Evergreen Liquid launch event, right?"

"Yes!" The shout echoed through the classroom.

Shan Qingrong motioned with his hand to quiet down, saying, "Today, we're drawing for Evergreen Liquid spots."

Seeing the uproar again, Shan Qingrong continued, "Because there aren't many spots given by Evergreen Liquid, divided among each class, possibly only one or two spots, the school decided that each class will first select one representative to grab the number slips proportionate to class size, then proceed with the draw within their class."

Upon these words, Yu Wen asked, "Since the class luck is counted, is it possible that some classes get several spots while others get none?"

Shan Qingrong nodded, "That's right."

He looked at the class, "So everyone better choose someone with good luck."

Upon this, Jiang Yanan said, "Jiang Ning has really good luck, let's have him draw!"

Zhang Chi stood up abruptly, volunteering himself, "I have good luck! Let me do it!"

Dong Qingfeng was eager to try, but soon settled down.

Because he thought of the consequences, if he drew several spots for the class, surely he'd be praised by classmates, but what if he didn't draw any?

Wouldn't he be despised by classmates?

After weighing the pros and cons, many classmates didn't step forward.

Only Zhang Chi and Jiang Ning stepped forward to compete.

Zhang Chi looked at Jiang Ning, boasting, "No one in this class can compare with my luck!"

Shan Qingrong looked at Jiang Ning, asking, "Do you intend to represent the class?"

From the back seat, Geng Lu poked Jiang Ning, trying to convince him to let go and not take such a risky thing.

Jiang Ning: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Zhang Chi shouted, "Me too."

Shan Qingrong looked at the situation, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's have a non-disclosed vote then. Huang Zhong... oh, Xin Youling, come up to read the names, and Wang Longlong will make the tally marks."

Xin Youling secretly clenched her small fists, feeling somewhat reluctant!

Was she still just a substitute until now?

The anonymous voting commenced, Zhang Chi was full of confidence because no one could question that he was the luckiest in Class 8.

Since this draw was strange, Jiang Ning didn't show any refusal, so classmates who usually have a good relationship with him all voted for him.

As for those not on good terms, like Chai Wei and Liu Chuandao, they waited for Jiang Ning to embarrass himself but still decided to vote for him.

The final vote count was 49:1.

Zhang Chi's face turned ashen, he felt like destroying this class.

Shan Qingrong was ready to announce the results.

Xin Youling stepped forward, "Teacher, wait a moment; I need to talk to Jiang Ning."

"Alright." Shan Qingrong gave her this face.

Xin Youling called Jiang Ning out to the eastern corridor of the classroom, the girl stood elegantly, her goose-like face with beautiful lines, eyes deep and commanding, yet below them were cute undereye bags.

"Jiang Ning, from a personal perspective, I don't want you to take risks as there's no benefit from this. If you don't draw a spot, the classmates will surely blame you."

"From the class perspective, I think Zhang Chi's luck is better, he previously won both the marathon and One Dollar Treasure draws." Xin Youling said.

She wasn't saying this for nothing, because she was betting that if she could convince Jiang Ning to let Zhang Chi do the draw and win several spots, this surely would showcase her decision-making as a class president.

Originally, she didn't want to gamble, but today Shan Qingrong almost mistakenly called the wrong name, pushing her to take this small risk.

Jiang Ning looked at her, "I can agree with you, but, what's in it for me?"

Xin Youling bit her lip, "I... I can promise you one unreasonable request, how about it?"

The girl's head hung low, her pretty face filled with stubbornness, shoulders slightly trembling, but Jiang Ning felt her determination.

He said, "Alright."

Xin Youling lifted her head, her eyes came to life, she solemnly said, "Thank you."

Jiang Ning smiled, "Actually, the only vote Zhang Chi got, I asked Siyu to vote for him. This secret is a gift for you."

When Jiang Ning returned to the class, he voluntarily gave up the opportunity.

The class was astonished, he was the absolute victor, wasn't he?

Zhang Chi, even if dense, understood there must be Xin Youling's contribution in this.

He saw Xin Youling's smile, at that moment, Zhang Chi felt overjoyed; he finally knew who cast that one vote.

'What's called veto power, this is veto power!'

Bai Yuxia turned her head, looking at Jiang Ning, then at Xin Youling.

For some reason, countless images flashed through her mind, and suddenly, an odd, shameful thought popped up:

'Master's… task?'

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.