Chapter 131: The Dagger Is Finally Revealed

After finishing the call with her, the smile on Bian Yang’s face vanished in an instant.

His lowered gaze rested on his phone screen, which displayed a video and audio recording of the young girl’s interview. The mocking laughter, the sounds of blows and kicks, the sharp crack of slaps—they all played out with chilling clarity. Every word, every sound, and every stifled sob hidden within the recording felt like a venom-tipped blade, stabbing deep into his heart.

Bian Yang’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone. His chest felt tight and heavy, making it difficult to breathe. He took a deep breath, but it could not alleviate the suffocating, oxygen-starved ache that gripped his heart.

Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind.

"Ah Yang, why aren't you going inside?"

As he looked up, the visitor met eyes that seemed covered in a layer of frost, revealing a cold, piercing intensity and a lurking, violent rage he hadn't had time to conceal. The principal stared at him, startled, but within a mere second, the young man withdrew all emotion, his face becoming a mask of calm.

"What is it?"

For that brief moment, the principal had been genuinely unsettled by his expression.

Bian Yang locked the screen, forcibly suppressing the malice. He slid his phone into his pocket with a casual, lazy movement, having fully recovered his usual nonchalant demeanor.

"Nothing, Uncle Wang. Let’s go in and talk."

Inside the elegant, antique private room, famous paintings hung on all four walls. Sandalwood incense curled in the air, and behind a landscape-painted screen, a woman in a cheqipao played traditional string and bamboo instruments. Under the warm glow of cream-colored lamps, two deans from Qingbei University sat at a golden nanmu table—one from the Law School and one from the Medical School. The principal sat at the head of the table.

"Ah Yang, I heard from your father that you were going abroad. What brings you here to reminisce with us old folks?"

Bian Yang offered a faint smile, his blue shirt lending him a sense of ease. "I didn't go. I missed you all, so I came specifically to see you."

He began by sterilizing the tableware for each professor with hot water, then opened a tin of tea. The moment the box was opened, the aroma of tea filled the room.

"Isn't this the Golden Melon Tribute Tea your mother treasured? You're actually willing to bring it out for us to drink?"

"What are you saying, Uncle? Of course I’d think of you all when I have something good."

Bian Yang methodically opened the tea brick. Sitting before the tea table, he proceeded with the ritual: adding the leaves, waiting for the water, rinsing the pot, warming the cups, and pouring the infusion. His pale, slender fingers executed every step with meticulous precision—it was a sight to behold.

By the time the tea was served, the fragrance had permeated the room, diluting the scent of the sandalwood. He stood up from the tea table, slightly hunched, and respectfully poured tea for the three men, his etiquette flawless.

The principal and the two professors felt a bit flattered.

***

For some reason, the more formal and polite Bian Yang acted, the more they felt an ominous premonition.

After all, this boy had grown up at Qingbei. They had watched him grow up and were well aware of his temperament. His mother had been a legendary figure at Qingbei; she was supposed to complete a combined eight-year bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral program, but she graduated in only five years. The principal had tried his best to keep her on as a faculty member, and she became a respected full professor at the age of just twenty-two. Later, she spent another five years becoming the youngest dean of the Medical School, as well as the vice president of the Qingbei Affiliated Hospital.

Beyond that, Qi Mingwan was just like her name—bright, flamboyant, and breathtakingly beautiful. Moreover, she was righteous and kind, always helping those in need; they all owed her favors to some extent. Whether it was her classmates or the students at the Medical School, everyone looked up to her with deep admiration.

Bian Yang inherited seventy percent of his mother’s looks and lived close to the professors. When Qi Mingwan and Bian Cheng were busy, they would leave Bian Yang to be looked after by the senior and junior students, so he had been roaming around Qingbei since he was a child. The boy was clever; he inherited not only his mother’s beauty but also her intelligence. As for his personality, it seemed to come from his father—rebellious, troublemaking, and often turning their lives upside down.

Not only had the Medical School suffered under his mischief, but other departments were also all too familiar with his reputation, keeping a wide berth.

So, after this display of etiquette… they exchanged glances, all feeling that the tea before them wasn't a precious vintage, but poisoned arsenic.

"Well then," Principal Wang said, not drinking the tea, looking kindly at Bian Yang. "What are your plans now that you're back?"

Bian Yang smiled. "Uncle Wang, before my mother passed away, she always wanted me to finish my doctorate at Qingbei. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few months and realized she was right. I’m still young, so there’s no rush to start a business; I should focus on learning more theory."

Principal Wang was thrilled. "It’s wonderful that you think that way! You don't know—after you left, your Uncle Zhang didn't sleep well for half a month. If you come back to finish your doctorate, your Uncle Zhang will wake up laughing in his sleep."

Bian Yang smiled. "I was young and ignorant before, and I failed to live up to Uncle Zhang’s high expectations. After reflecting on my mistakes, I realized it’s better to stay at Qingbei. After all, you are all my family; there’s no place with a better sense of belonging than here."

Principal Wang was deeply touched. The boy had grown up; he finally knew how to care for his elders.

"By the way, Principal Wang," Bian Yang changed the subject, appearing to make idle conversation. "I remember when my mother was admitted to Qingbei as the national top scorer, the university offered her excellent terms. What were they, exactly?"

Principal Wang hesitated. "Ah, Mingwan..." It had been many years, and he couldn't quite remember.

It was Dean Zheng from the Medical School who spoke up. "Tuition waiver, plus a 50,000-yuan scholarship. Also, she was a key talent for the Medical School under some special program, though I’ve forgotten the name." He had been Qi Mingwan’s senior and a colleague. After she passed away, he had taken over her position.

The two were both mentors and friends, and her death had left him mourning for a long time.

Bian Yang asked nonchalantly, "Uncle Zheng, what would a 50,000-yuan scholarship from '96 be worth today?"

Dean Zheng laughed. "That was worth a lot back then. Pork was three yuan a jin, and now it’s eighteen. Prices have risen nearly six times, so that 50,000 would be at least 300,000 today."

Principal Wang looked at Bian Yang, puzzled. "Why are you asking about this?"

Bian Yang sipped his tea and smiled faintly. "Uncle Wang, do you know who the national top scorer is this year?"

"Who?" Every year, Qingbei tracked the top scorers from every province, competing with other universities for talent. A national top scorer, needless to say, would be highly sought after. Seeing Bian Yang’s smug expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Do you know them?"

Bian Yang raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

"What’s her name? Did she participate in Qingbei’s independent recruitment exam?"

"Her name is Tang Yu," Bian Yang explained. "She didn't participate in the independent recruitment exam because Qingyuan High School didn't have a quota for it, but that didn't stop her from taking first place this year."

Principal Wang couldn't miss the emphasis and boasting in his tone. He asked, "I haven't had a chance to look at the provincial scores yet. How did that child score?"

Bian Yang lifted his chin, tapping his fingers on the table with a touch of pride. "749 points."

The three men looked at each other; that was a score unseen in the last decade. Seeing him playing hard to get, Principal Wang urged, "If you know her, then it’s easy. Tell that child to come to Qingbei; she can choose any major and professor she wants. And, of course, the scholarship will be generous."

Bian Yang got straight to the point. "Since Uncle Wang is so sincere, I won't beat around the bush: waive all her tuition and fees during her time at school, provide a 300,000-yuan scholarship, and since her grandparents are in poor health, the Qingbei Affiliated Medical School will provide them with free medical treatment, covering all expenses."

Principal Wang: "..."

Dean Zheng: "..."

They knew this tea wouldn't be easy to drink!

Bian Yang then turned his gaze toward Dean Shen of the Law School, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. "Uncle Shen, I know you treasure talent above all else. You wouldn't let such a promising seed slip away, would you? By the way, the Law School is launching the 'Shen De' program, right? A five-year combined bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral track. That sounds great—give her a spot."

Dean Shen: "..."

Good heavens, the cat was finally out of the bag!