Wow! It's Zhang Yупing's voice. "You can't do that! You're such an outstanding student!" Liu He-gou was stunned. Though Zhang Yупing had been occasionally distracted lately, with her grades slipping, the second unified exam tests had indeed brought tangible benefits—how could she allow her "golden reputation" to fade away? Yet Zhang Yупing's firm voice came through: "I must leave!" Amid the shock of the entire class and faculty, Zhang Yупing walked resolutely with her backpack, leaving everyone—especially our male lead, Gao Liang—feeling deeply regretful. As they stepped out of the school gates, Zhang Yупing paused and called out to Gao Liang, who was expressionless: "Gao Liang, let's study together! I know your studies will surely suffer once you leave school. I'll help you!" Wait a minute—this is Zhang Yупing? Didn't she just leave me completely cold? Could my ears have been mistaken? Yet it was true—High Light actually wanted to say yes, or simply nod in agreement. But he had sworn to himself: a man must be strong, must be strong! The path to divinity was, by nature, a path of self-reliance. He didn’t need Zhang Yuping to help him at all. Just thinking about how closely he had been with Zhou Chao that time—how intimate—left him deeply uneasy. You said you’d help me. Now I wonder if you truly meant it. Fine. Even if you do mean it, I won’t agree. I must be strong. "No!" High Light firmly declined, decisive at last. In this moment, he had made up his mind: to be strong. Zhang Yuping stood motionless, watching High Light’s retreating figure, and then cried out, "High Light! No! Husband! Do you know? Deep down, I have always loved you! But now I know—I can’t do it anymore. All I can do is give my very best, so that you may pass through the crucial gate—the college entrance exam—that so many others strive to cross!" High Light and Zhang Yuping went back home to study together. For Zhou Ha! High-light, high-light, you're going home to take remedial classes—effectively, you're out of the running for the college entrance exam. I'm not just making it hard for you to get into university—I'm specifically setting it up so you can't! I went to university, and that was all arranged for me. My family has money, influence, and connections. You, on the other hand, are just a poor kid—no money, no influence, no connections. You think you can challenge me? You think you can compete with me for Zhang Yurong? It's like trying to crack an egg against a stone—utterly out of your depth. Gaoang was too afraid to go home, fearing to see his parents' sorrowful and disappointed eyes. He walked alone through the quiet, cold streets, feeling deeply disappointed. His backpack was heavy, filled with all his review materials for the senior year. He wandered aimlessly, unsure of where to go. His money was running low—though he had won a prize of 15,000 yuan at the Tian Shang Ren Jian restaurant on Ruxue Street with Zhang Yuping, a significant portion of it had gone to his three close friends at Fenghuo Hall. With over 50 brothers now in the hall, most of them were not particularly wealthy. The hall's operations—funding, construction, procurement, and daily management—were all self-sustained. As the hall's head, Gaoang naturally felt a greater sense of responsibility and obligation to support his brothers. Thus, he had nearly fully devoted the 15,000 yuan to daily operational expenses. Now, he had become nearly penniless. Yet, he felt no regret—after all, for his brothers, he was willing to risk his life. "Boss, come to my place!" "When the highlight was hungry, he went through all his pockets and found only 1.5 yuan—enough to cover the cost of a bowl of soup dumplings priced at 2 yuan. That was the voice of Ding the Fat Pig. Behind him came Yang the Shy and Wu the Soft Egg. Wu the Soft Egg, in particular, came as a surprise to Highlight. He scolded, 'How come you don't go to class at school?' 'Boss, ever since you left, I've been thinking deeply and finally decided to give up the college entrance exam!' Wu the Soft Egg was the only one among the three friends who consistently attended school and had the fewest absences. Now, Wu the Soft Egg is choosing to abandon the exam—something that truly surprised Highlight, Ding the Fat Pig, and Yang the Shy. 'Why?' Highlight asked. 'For you!' 'No! All of you must take the college entrance exam!' Highlight's firm voice astonished the three friends, and he added immediately, 'All of us must take the college entrance exam!' 'Boss! Are you really not giving up the college entrance exam?' The three friends were actually worried that Highlight would abandon the exam. Gao Liang's enthusiasm was warmly received, and the three close friends clapped and cheered. "After the college entrance exam, I'll lead my brothers to achieve something grand and impressive," Gao Liang declared with passion, "making our Fenghuo Hall truly vibrant! We'll blaze a trail across the nine provinces!" His fiery words inspired the three friends to pledge their commitment. In her own cozy bedroom, Zhang Yuping had piled up all sorts of study materials, yet the home environment was far from ideal. Previously, she often lived in student dormitories and rarely returned home; when she did come back, her mother took care of her laundry and cooking. But now, her mother had not returned home at all—only her father remained. Honestly, Zhang Yuping didn’t particularly like this so-called father. Whenever she looked into his eyes, they seemed strange, especially when he was drunk—those glances made her feel terrified. She truly questioned whether this man was her biological father, and whether she was indeed his biological daughter. One day, while reviewing at home, Qiancai suddenly burst into her bedroom, stumbling and breathless, smelling strongly of alcohol, smiling sarcastically at her and saying, “Yuping! You’re now a young woman! I’ve raised you for exactly 17 years—by your birthday count, you’re 18. Girls of your age always eventually get married!” I've already arranged a good family for you—promise you a life of comfort and abundance. Yet I still feel uneasy. You're simply too beautiful! Every time my mother and I talk, I always imagine her as you. It's you! When she's speaking, I see you in her eyes. Oh my! Zhang Yупing was stunned—this was her father, no, truly, a beast! How could he...? When Zhang Yупing awoke, it was too late. Liang Qian had already locked the bedroom door from the inside, his gaze increasingly lewd, advancing step by step toward her.