She was dressed in red today, a rare sight indeed. Her graceful figure, like a pine tree reflected in the snow, was exceptionally eye-catching.

Chi Yan couldn't help but feel smug, thinking to himself, "Didn't Shen Tangning say she wasn't superstitious? Why is she suddenly believing in these things now, and even wearing red for good luck?"

His voice was slightly deep, and he feigned composure: "What do you have to say?"

Shen Tangning paused slightly, then smiled and said, "Mother has already said everything that needs to be said, and I'm sure my husband is tired of hearing it, so I won't go on and on."

Before Chi Yan could show any disappointment, she looked at him with her clear, bright eyes and said, "Don't feel pressured, just do your best."

Chi Yan was taken aback, her ears turning red as she nodded haphazardly: "I'm leaving, it's so hot outside, you guys should go back too!"

He took a few steps, turned his back to them, and waved, "Go back!"

He was relaxed and unhurried, his figure bathed in a thin layer of light from the blazing sun, even the hem of his robe and sleeves were dazzlingly white.

Madam Chi sighed, "I'm so nervous, even more so than when he took the exam for the first time."

Shen Tangning smiled and said, "Look at my husband, he's clearly confident of victory. Mother, you don't need to worry too much."

Madam Chi looked at her with a hesitant expression, her face slowly turning red: "I won't lie to you, he's always like this."

Seemingly embarrassed, she covered her face and whispered, "This kid calls it 'losing the game but not losing face.'"

Shen Tangning's smile froze: "..."

It turned out she had misunderstood.

Since the person couldn't come out anytime soon, and other people couldn't linger for too long, Shen Tangning and Madam Chi returned to the mansion.

——

They are queuing up here for the exam, and will only be allowed to enter the exam room after a routine body search.

Bored, he looked around and unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone sinister: "Oh ho, what a small world?"

Chi Yan gave a forced smile: "Yes, it's really bad luck."

"Chi Yan, you!" Xiao Yu glanced around, still somewhat hesitant, and lowered his voice, "Even if you didn't do Pingting's death, you're definitely involved! Don't try to lie to me!"

Look at his wise expression, as if he were the only one sober in a world of drunks.

Chi Yan picked at his ear, gave him a disdainful look, and said as if he were an idiot: "I beg you, Young Master Xiao, to use your brain. Don't be used as a pawn without realizing it. I have no grudge against Pingting, so why would I kill her?"

Xiao Yu was stunned.

Were we being used as pawns?

What's the meaning?

He was about to ask further when the proctor, who had witnessed the scene, shouted, "What are you doing over there? Talking is prohibited outside the examination room! This is a warning!"

He had no choice but to suppress his frustration, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty.

What exactly did Chi Yan mean by those words?

Does he mean someone deliberately provoked him?

Xiao Yu racked his brains, thinking it over and over, and finally came to a conclusion—

Chi Yan must have deliberately tried to distract him so that he would perform poorly in the exam and fail!

What a sinister intention!

He won't let that despicable man, Chi Yan, succeed!

...