Soon, the statisticians released the results of this year's senior alchemist assessment.

The first place undoubtedly belongs to the S+ grade pill refined by Shi Miao. However, since she did not register for this assessment but joined suddenly midway, and also has the position of vice president of the association, she should not be included in the ranking.

Besides, Shi Miao herself didn't care about this. She went to participate in the assessment simply because she couldn't stand Vice President Lin's attitude and just wanted to teach him a lesson so he wouldn't look down on her.

Therefore, she told Si Nan that she didn't need to include her score.

Therefore, the first place naturally went to Shi Ying, who was originally in second place.

However, when Shi Ying looked at her first place, her fingertips tightened slightly, and she wasn't particularly happy; in fact, she looked a little embarrassed.

She not only felt extremely humiliated, but also felt that Shi Miao did it on purpose to humiliate her.

It's just a subtle way of implying that she lacks ability and needs others' charity and pity to get first place.

Shi Ying took a deep breath, composed herself, and put on a faint smile that was flawless.

Shi Miao had no idea that Shi Ying had imagined so much. After the assessment, she didn't stay there any longer. After receiving a message from the driver that she had arrived, she said goodbye to Si Nan and left the scene first.

She had just stepped out of the association's main gate when a voice suddenly called out to her from behind, "Vice President Shi."

Hearing the voice, Shi Miao stopped and turned around. Seeing that it was Shi Ying, he was somewhat surprised and said in a rather indifferent tone, "What is it?"

Shi Ying took a few steps forward and stopped in front of Shi Miao. Her eyes flickered slightly as she suppressed her displeasure. "Vice President Shi, you have already reached such a level in alchemy at such a young age. May I ask who your master is?"

Shi Miao raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, but instead of answering her question, she suddenly said, "You should know who I am."

When Shi Ying heard what she said, her expression stiffened slightly. She had always thought she was in the shadows, but she never expected that Shi Miao knew everything.

After thinking it over, the only thing that came to mind was the visit to the Shi family manor a few days ago. Although Shi Miao didn't show up at the time, Shi Jing must have said something to her afterwards.

She smiled gently, quite poised and confident, her voice tinged with surprise, "I'd only heard about you from people in my clan. When I heard your name at the assessment site earlier, I wasn't quite sure if it was the same person, but now that I hear you say this, I'm absolutely certain."

Shi Miao gave a faint "hmm," knowing full well that she wasn't telling the truth, but she didn't expose her. She raised her chin slightly and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Shi Ying glanced at the car Shi Jing often used parked in front of her out of the corner of her eye. Knowing that she couldn't get anything out of Shi Miao, she suppressed her doubts and didn't press the matter further. "Okay."

Only after Shi Miao got into the car and left the association's main gate did Shi Ying slowly withdraw her gaze.

Just as I turned to go back into the association, my cell phone suddenly rang in my pocket.

Shi Ying paused, took out her phone from her pocket, glanced at the caller ID—it was Shi Song, who hadn't replied to her messages—and then answered.

"I just saw your message. How could Shi Miao be the vice president of the Pharmacy Association? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Shi Song's incredulous voice came from the other end of the phone.

Shi Ying pressed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and said in a low voice as she walked, "Yes, President Si said it himself."

"How could this be? Shi Jing paved the way for her?" This was Shi Song's first thought.

"No, Shi Miao is different from what we found in our investigation. She can concoct medicine, and her skill level completely surpasses everyone in the association," Shi Ying said truthfully.

Shi Song: "What?! She also participated in today's assessment?"

Shi Ying breathed a sigh of relief, her voice sounding quite calm, though her brows remained furrowed. "I participated, and I lost completely. If those old guys in the Elders' Council knew about Shi Miao's status in the Medicine Association and her alchemy skills, they might have to reconsider the position of successor."

She paused, unsure of what to do next, and asked for help, "Third Uncle, what do we do?"

"What's the rush? The selection of an heir isn't based solely on this one factor."

Shi Ying pursed her red lips. "Yes, I know."

“However, the best solution is to make her disappear directly.” Shi Song’s voice was soft, but it carried a hint of ruthlessness.

A dark glint flashed in Shi Ying's eyes. She was never one to be soft-hearted. "Third Uncle, what do you plan to do? It shouldn't be easy to make a move on the territory of a hidden family, right?"

Shi Song chuckled. Although he had never had the chance to plant his own spies in the Shi family manor, he could find out Shi Miao's whereabouts as long as she left the manor. "That's easy. She's still studying in China. She'll have to go back eventually."

Shi Ying's eyes flickered slightly, and she seemed to feel a little happier. "Third Uncle, you're right."

Shi Song didn't say anything explicitly, but Shi Ying, who had been by his side since childhood, knew him quite well and instantly understood that he was prepared to go all out this time and make his move on the plane back to Shi Miao.

The plane crashed in the air, killing everyone on board. There was no chance of survival; even a miracle couldn't save them.

......

Meanwhile, Shi Miao had just returned to the Shi family manor, unaware that someone else was ' eyeing' her again.

"Young Miss, you're back." Butler Shi's eyes lit up when he saw the girl walk in from the door, and he greeted her with a smile, "How did things go at the Pharmacy Association today?"

"Not bad." Shi Miao nodded slightly, glanced around the hall, and asked, "Where's my brother?"

Butler Shi glanced at the second floor behind him and said cheerfully, "He's been in his room the whole time."

Shi Miao hummed in response, greeted him, and then headed upstairs to the second floor.

She didn't go back to her own room, but went straight to Cheng Si's place.

Shi Miao stopped at Cheng Si's door and knocked twice.

The door was opened very quickly.

Cheng Si looked at the girl in front of him with sleepy eyes, his voice a little hoarse, "When did you get back?"

Shi Miao glanced at him, her dark eyes clear and pure. "Just got back."

Cheng Si smoothed his slightly messy hair and stepped aside. "Come in."

Shi Miao stood still and refused, saying, "No need, I'll just say a few words and then leave."

Cheng Si yawned, leaning lazily against the doorframe, a faint smile playing on his lips. "What did you say?"

Shi Miao didn't waste any words, "Going back to the capital tomorrow, is that alright?"

Cheng Si stretched and said, "Okay."

Shi Miao nodded, "Okay, I'm leaving."

Cheng Si glanced at Shi Miao's departing figure, and was about to close the door when he suddenly remembered something and called out to her again, "What time is your flight tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Miao stopped and turned to look at him. "Two o'clock in the afternoon."

Cheng Si: "Okay, I understand."