Duan Kun and Liu Ming each had their own clever tricks. Duan Kun was unfamiliar with the place and people, so he was unwilling to get involved at all. Even though he did participate, his involvement was not significant.

Where is Liu Ming?

He was well aware of Duan Kun's plans, but he also had his own. The reason he dragged Duan Kun into this mess was because Duan Kun was the nephew of Madam Guo's family. He thought that by being meticulous, he wouldn't be discovered. However, if he were discovered, with Duan Kun involved, the Guo family might not necessarily side with Guo Shu.

Liu Ming had already inquired about Duan Kun's background. His father was a third-rank official in the capital. Although such officials were common in the capital, they were still quite impressive in this small place. Wasn't the eldest branch of the Guo family just a fourth-rank prefect who was sent to a remote area?

With Duan Kun around, even if things are exposed, the Guo family won't make a scene. So if this succeeds, Guo Shu is destined to suffer in silence.

The two had their own agendas, but because they shared the same goal, they got along very well.

Duan Kun said with a smile, "I've heard that there's also a Wu's Department Store in Jinghai County. Shall we go check it out together sometime?"

Upon hearing the words "Wu's Department Store," Liu Ming suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. However, he thought that so much time had passed, it should be alright by now. Surely the eldest prince wasn't still keeping an eye on Wu's Department Store every day.

Liu Ming said, "That's great. Brother Duan has come from afar, so I'll naturally treat him well."

Duan Kun complained, "My aunt is very strict and doesn't let me go out much. I haven't been to Wu's Department Store in a long time."

The two talked for a while, and when they saw that it was almost time, they headed towards Class Ding.

The two were classmates. If Duan Kun wasn't so bad, his family wouldn't be so worried. Even if the academy accepted him out of respect for the Guo family, it would be impossible for him to be admitted to the top class.

Duan Kun was fairly good-looking, at least his features were regular. Coupled with his spoiled temperament since childhood, when he walked with Liu Ming, the chubby boy, his originally unremarkable appearance was now highlighted by four.

Liu Ming naturally made quite a few friends in Class D. As soon as Liu Ming entered, everyone noticed that he and Duan Kun were quite close. One of Liu Ming's closest friends asked, "Liu Ming, who is this guy?"

Liu Ming quickly introduced, "This is Duan Kun, the nephew of Madam Guo's family. He came from the capital and will be studying at our academy for a while."