Beginning

But before they could say anything, Zhang Tai began cursing furiously.

"You've got something wrong with you! Blocking my way!"

"That's right. Hurry up and get out of the way. My son is taking the City Exam today. Can you afford to delay him?"

Zhou Qing also berated them arrogantly.

"I'm Guard Chief Locke of the First Guard Bureau of the Lower District. You're Zhang Tai, aren't you?"

Locke wasn't angry. Instead, he looked at Zhang Tai maliciously.

"I'm Zhang Tai. What do you want?"

Zhang Tai was as arrogant as ever and didn't take Locke seriously at all. He was merely a guard chief from the Lower District. In his eyes, the people of the Lower District didn't even count as people.

"Good. You recognize this person, right?"

Locke took out a photograph of Wang Qiang and asked ominously.

"I don't know him!"

Zhang Tai finally realized that these people had come for him.

"His name is Wang Qiang. He was recently suspected of murder, and he has already identified you as the mastermind behind it. I'm arresting you now in accordance with Old Federation law!"

After Locke finished speaking, he waved his hand. Several subordinates immediately stepped forward and roughly seized Zhang Tai.

Zhang Tai struggled desperately and roared.

"Let go of me! Otherwise, you're all dead!"

Many pedestrians on the surrounding streets gathered to watch the scene.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know. It looks like the guards are arresting someone."

"The person being arrested seems to be a student."

Seeing her son being arrested, Zhou Qing flew into a rage and cursed hysterically.

"Let my son go at once! Do you know who my husband is? Believe it or not, one phone call from me will have all of you packing up and getting fired!"

"Who your husband is has nothing to do with us. We're simply carrying out a normal investigation. Sorry for the trouble, but don't interfere. Otherwise, we'll arrest you too!"

Locke spoke harshly to Zhou Qing.

"You—"

Zhou Qing was so furious that she couldn't speak. She could only point at Locke repeatedly.

"Take them away!"

Locke gave the order directly.

Several guards immediately dragged Zhang Tai toward the guard vehicle.

Zhang Tai struggled with all his might and shouted repeatedly.

"Mother, call someone!"

Zhou Qing immediately pulled a phone from her pocket. Unfortunately, Locke slapped it away, sending it flying out of her hand.

Smack!

The phone flew through the air and smashed onto the ground, breaking into pieces.

Zhou Qing stared at the phone that had been knocked away, completely stunned.

"Sorry. I thought you were drawing a gun. You can come to the Guard Bureau afterward to claim compensation for the damaged phone. Goodbye!"

After saying that, Locke turned and left.

Locke naturally knew who Zhang Tai's father was. Normally, he wouldn't have wanted to provoke him, but the Su family wasn't helpless either.

More importantly, he was simply enforcing the law impartially. Everything he had done was legal and proper. What could the other side do to him? At worst, he could release Zhang Tai after a few hours.

Seeing her son being taken away, Zhou Qing panicked. She hurried over to the driver and yelled at him.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and make a call!"

Thirteenth District · Mient Junior Academy entrance.

A dense crowd of students and parents had gathered there. Since everyone had arrived early, the time had not yet come, and the examination hall gates had not opened.

At this moment, guards carrying real firearms could be seen standing at the school entrance.

During the City Exam, order at the school was maintained jointly by the guards and teachers of the Thirteenth District.

In an open area outside the entrance, Su Yuan and Zhao Ning stood around Su Ming, both extremely nervous. Su Yuan in particular kept pacing back and forth.

"Can't you stand still? You've paced so much that my eyes are starting to blur."

Zhao Ning complained to Su Yuan.

"Ah, I'm just nervous! Good son, you have to do your best this time. Listen to me—if you can score 150 points, you'll bring honor to our ancestors!"

Su Yuan stopped and spoke to Su Ming.

Su Ming's mouth twitched slightly when he heard Su Yuan.

Before Su Ming could say anything, Zhao Ning raised her hand and struck Su Yuan on the head with her fist, scolding him angrily.

"150 points? You couldn't even score that yourself. Why make things difficult for our son?"

"I just want to get our son into a better school."

Su Yuan spoke aggrievedly.

"Son, don't listen to your father's nonsense. You only need to score 120 points. Then we can graduate safely and live a peaceful, stable life."

Zhao Ning spoke gently to Su Ming.

Su Ming secretly sighed. Just how little did they believe in him?

However, he said nothing and merely spoke.

"I'll do my best."

"Son, this isn't a joke. You really have to work hard this time!"

Su Yuan nervously held Su Ming's hand and urged him.

"Okay, I'll do my best."

Su Ming replied with a bitter smile.

Elsewhere, Li Fubai, Lin Chuyu, and several others stood together while Teacher Chen Yi gave them his final instructions.

"During the exam, don't get nervous. Do the questions you know how to solve first, then come back to the blank ones at the end. Don't get stuck on any one question!"

"Understood!"

Li Fubai answered calmly.

"By the way, why hasn't Zhang Tai arrived yet? I remember he was assigned to this school too. Haven't you seen him?"

Chen Yi asked.

"Teacher, don't worry about him. That guy always does things his own way. What's so strange about it?"

Li Fubai said indifferently.

"All right, let him be, then. I've already reminded you about the usual things. As for the rest, I won't say much. Do your best!"

Chen Yi didn't dwell on it.

"Okay."

Lin Chuyu answered softly.

Teacher Chen Yi then turned and left.

At that moment, Li Fubai picked up a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Lin Chuyu.

"Chuyu, have some water."

"No need. I brought my own cup."

Lin Chuyu shook her head and refused.

Just as Li Fubai was about to say something, a male student wearing a Mient uniform, his face covered in black spots, hurried over to him with a panicked expression.

"Li Fubai."

"Wu Bo, what is it?"

Li Fubai looked at the boy before him, his brows knitting slightly as he asked.

Wu Bo looked at Li Fubai as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Li Fubai then walked aside with Wu Bo. Wu Bo lowered his voice and said.

"Something happened to Zhang Tai."

"What happened?"

Li Fubai's heart sank as he asked.

"I don't know. He was taken away by the guards on his way to the exam."

Wu Bo spoke in a lowered voice.

After hearing the news, Li Fubai's mood grew even gloomier. A very bad feeling lingered in his heart.

However, he quickly composed himself and spoke calmly.

"I understand."

Time passed bit by bit, and before they knew it, it was already seven twenty.

At that moment, the guards watching the school entrance opened the gates and began conducting security checks.

"It's starting! We can go in!"

The anxiously waiting students began shouting.

Seeing the school gates open, Su Ming said to Su Yuan and Zhao Ning.

"The examination hall is open. I'm going to line up!"

"Son, you have to do your best! We'll wait for you outside!"

Su Yuan and Zhao Ning spoke nervously.

"Mm."

Seeing how worried Su Yuan and Zhao Ning were for him, Su Ming smiled faintly in response.

Then Su Ming headed toward the entrance.