Zhou Yang's face turned ashen the moment he heard his uncle Zhou Xing's undeniable words.
His father had told him before that he and Zhou Xing, his biological younger brother, were not particularly close.
One reason was the eight-year age gap between them, which created a significant generational divide.
Another reason was that when they were young, Zhou Yang's father had much worse grades than Zhou Xing. Out of jealousy toward his younger brother, he had tried to sabotage him several times.
Even though they were blood brothers, they had never really seen eye to eye.
Zhou Yang's father had mediocre grades and took the college entrance exam before the apocalypse.
Yet, even in an era when universities were plentiful and admissions were more lenient, he still failed to get in. After graduating, he ended up as an ordinary cargo worker.
Meanwhile, the outstanding Zhou Xing took the college entrance exam after the apocalypse had begun and successfully got into an academy. After graduating, he became an official in the education department.
This stark difference in status pushed their families even further apart.
If not for their mother's dying wish that the two brothers get along better—and that Zhou Xing help his elder brother a little—Zhou Xing probably would have cut ties with them entirely.
Zhou Yang's father was also aware that his younger brother now held a high-ranking position and was an important figure at the edge of the safe zone. So, he abandoned his past attitude of cold sarcasm and instead began groveling to flatter his brother.
Zhou Xing, though he disliked his elder brother, could not ignore their mother's last wish. Plus, his brother had repeatedly apologized and admitted his past mistakes, so he helped him out a little.
Therefore, if Zhou Yang caused major trouble, Zhou Xing would have no hesitation in severing ties with their family.
But Zhou Yang had never imagined that the "major trouble" would be Qin Siyang—the very person he had once looked down on and refused to acknowledge.
Zhou Yang could only mumble, "Yes, Uncle. I understand."
["Mm. Pass the phone to Qin Siyang."]
Zhou Yang handed the phone back to Qin Siyang, his eyes filled with unwillingness and confusion.
Qin Siyang took the phone, "Hello? Director Zhou, thank you."
The moment Zhou Xing heard Qin Siyang's voice, he immediately regained his enthusiasm, ["Student Qin, when do you have time? Let's have a meal together."]
Qin Siyang asked bluntly, "Is there something that requires discussing over a meal?"
A director in the education department had no influence over him.
So Qin Siyang spoke directly, not bothering with unnecessary entanglements.
["Oh, it's like this—the higher-ups have assigned a special admission quota for University of Humanity and Kindness, and I wanted to discuss it with you to see if you're interested."]
'University of Humanity and Kindness?'
Qin Siyang knew little about universities for Sequence Abilities users, nor did he understand much about special admissions.
The olive branch Zhou Xing was offering did pique his interest.
He thought about it and figured he might as well accept for now—he could ask Ling Tianming about it later.
If it turned out to be unappealing, he could always decline the invitation afterward.
"Alright. Since Director Zhou is interested in having a meal together, I'd be happy to join. You pick the time and place."
["Great! Thank you for your time, Student Qin. I'll send you the restaurant details and reservation time later."]
"That works."
["Then, goodbye for now, Student Qin."]
"Mm, goodbye."
After hanging up, Qin Siyang glanced at Zhou Yang and Li Jingwen.
"Zhou Yang, what do you have to say?"
Zhou Yang had already been utterly shocked by how his uncle had spoken to Qin Siyang—practically ingratiating himself.
He had never seen his uncle act this way before.
Because Zhou Xing had awakened a Sequence Ability, even the bureau chief of the education department had to treat him as an equal. In fact, Zhou Xing even faintly outranked him.
Yet Qin Siyang had made Zhou Xing speak so humbly.
At that moment, Zhou Yang realized—Qin Siyang was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend.
And then there was the restriction against Sequence Ability users killing ordinary people—it only applied to students and employed workers.
Once he graduated high school and lost that protection, if Qin Siyang decided to come after him, he could easily take his life.
That thought sent a cold sweat down Zhou Yang's back.
Compared to Li Jingwen beside him, his relationship with his uncle Zhou Xing was far more important.
Zhou Yang bowed deeply to Qin Siyang, "I'm sorry, Student Qin. What happened before was my fault. I won't interfere in your matters with Li Jingwen anymore."
Hearing Zhou Yang say he was backing off, Li Jingwen panicked and grabbed his arm, trying to stop him, "Zhou Yang! What did you say to me last night? Do you still remember? You said you'd be with me forever, for a lifetime. You said you'd protect me from all hardships and take care of me until the end…"
Zhou Yang, feeling guilty, avoided her gaze, "You're the one who got on Student Qin's bad side. You heard what my uncle said—what can I do? You'd better apologize to Student Qin and see if you can resolve this grudge, make him forgive you."
"You heartless bastard! You're going back on your word? You had no problem saying those things when we were in bed. Are you even a man? You're just a little coward!"
"Being a coward is better than being dead."
Zhou Yang yanked his arm free from Li Jingwen's grip, threw out those words, and left the classroom.
Qin Siyang nodded with interest.
"Jingwen, congratulations—you found yourself a smart guy."
Li Jingwen turned around and met Qin Siyang's smiling face, her whole body trembling in fear, "Qin… Qin Siyang, I really know I was wrong. Can you forgive me?"
"I… I can give you anything… as long as you let me go…", As she spoke, Li Jingwen pushed out her slightly raised chest.
Qin Siyang glanced at her, then shook his head.
"That's not enough to redeem yourself. Just enjoy your final moments of peace."
Li Jingwen's face instantly turned as pale as a wall, completely devoid of life.
DING! DING! DING!
At that moment, the class bell rang.
"Go back to your seat. Don't disturb my class."
Li Jingwen dazedly walked back to her seat.
Her desk was already deserted.
Ever since Qin Siyang had awakened his Sequence Ability, news of their grudge had spread rapidly throughout the school.
Although hardly anyone knew the specifics of their conflict, aside from someone with background like Zhou Yang, no one wanted to get involved with Li Jingwen's mess.
Even her deskmate had moved to another seat.
The so-called best friends who had once surrounded her now kept their distance.
She sat there, alone, her face full of fear.
It was all over.
There was no longer any way to resolve things with Qin Siyang.
A Sequence Ability user. An orphan. He had no weaknesses.
'…Wait!'
'Weakness?'
'He has none himself, but maybe someone close to him does.'
'Qin Siyang seems to have a good relationship with that old librarian, Zhu Li! And also Wen Shu!'
'That has to be it!'
'Otherwise, why would Qin Siyang visit the library so often?'
A spark lit up in Li Jingwen's eyes.
'If I can get a hold of those two, I might just force Qin Siyang to hesitate!'
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