"We interrupt this broadcast with a news update. The highly publicized case of the 'genius girl who killed her father' was ruled on today. The sixteen-year-old defendant, Jiang, has been sentenced to ten years in prison."
No one paid any attention to the radio in the Rolls-Royce.
"Son, once you win the championship, your early admission to Q University is practically guaranteed. How do you want to celebrate tonight?"
Xie Zhaoye rubbed his temples and gazed out the window. He gave only a two-word answer: "Whatever you like."
The wind blowing in through the window flipped through the training materials on the seat beside him. A line of text flashed past:
"The leading favorite to win this year's National 'Zhiyi Cup': Jiang Linyuan."
Eight years later.
Xie Zhaoye carries on his mentor's legacy, devoting himself to long-term research into the psychology of juvenile offenders.
The market's filthy runoff flows everywhere as his research subject, Jiang Linyuan, walks toward him, closing in step by step.
"Dr. Xie," she says, rolling the questionnaire in her hand into a tube. Its cold paper edge lifts his chin. Her clear eyes brim with scorn. "What have you managed to find out about me?"
Xie Zhaoye, the pride of the heavens, is pinned against a fish stall counter, his ears redder than the fish gills glistening on display.
(The blurb has been screenshotted.)
Theme: The world is vast. No situation is truly hopeless.
