As the monthly exams approached, the betting group that hadn’t disbanded yet opened a new wager on whether He Siheng or Tan Jing would come out on top.
Whether it was back when they weren’t on good terms or now that their relationship had improved somewhat, He Siheng still took the six words “snatching first place from Tan Jing” to heart like an unbreakable mantra.
To prove that he was stronger than Tan Jing, He Siheng placed great importance on this monthly exam. He diligently studied his most hated and weakest subject—Chinese literature—doing reading comprehension passage after passage, to the point where he was practically using a magnifying glass to dissect every implied meaning in each sentence.
Tan Jing was somewhat surprised to see him treating it like a battle to the death. “Studying so hard?”
He Siheng didn’t even look up as he worked on the reading section, throwing out a harsh declaration. “I want everyone to know that even if you don’t skip the exam, I’m still above you.”
At those words, Tan Jing raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
He Siheng was determined to claim first place this time. Heaven rewarded the diligent cabbage, and when the monthly exam results came out, he edged out Tan Jing by a two-point margin, securing the top spot.
After the results were released, Young Master He waved the ranking sheet in front of the second-place student with a smug grin, asking a question he already knew the answer to. “Hey, desk mate, seen the scores yet? Take a look—who’s the name above yours?”
Tan Jing found his childish, face-full-of-bragging expression amusing. But laughing now would sour Young Master He’s victory joy—and even though this “competition” was entirely one-sided on He Siheng’s part…
Tan Jing obligingly took the score sheet. “Oh, congrats on taking first again.”
He paused, then curled his lips in a meaningful smirk. “But don’t get too cocky. This time you’re on top, next time it’ll be my turn.”
He Siheng snorted coldly, about to fire back, when the boy in the front seat—who was drinking water—choked and started coughing violently again. Just like last time, he turned around and offered an unconvincing excuse. “I-I-I wasn’t choking because of you guys! I didn’t hear anything!”
He Siheng: “…”
Only then did He Siheng realize the double entendre in Tan Jing’s words. He whipped his head around to glare at the culprit.
“What’s wrong?” The culprit looked utterly innocent.
…How was he supposed to explain this!
He Siheng ground his teeth to dust and swallowed his frustration.
At lunch, halfway through the meal, Zhou Yu finally couldn’t hold back. “I heard you and the class monitor are already debating who’s on top and who’s on bottom?”
“…”
He Siheng numbly set down his chopsticks. “How about next flag-raising ceremony, Tan Jing and I just fight it out in front of the school leaders?”
Zhou Yu looked horrified. “Why?”
He Siheng replied, “To show all the rumor-spreaders just how bad our relationship is.”
Zhou Yu twitched his mouth, blurting out bluntly, “What if you end up getting pinned down and beaten by the class monitor?”
He Siheng: “…”
He Siheng gripped his chopsticks tightly, gritting his teeth. “You think I’m not as strong as him?”
Seeing him about to explode, Zhou Yu quickly backpedaled. “I mean, we should learn from the class monitor’s mindset—ignore it, don’t care.”
Then he suddenly sighed wistfully. “Come to think of it, the class monitor’s got a pretty good temper. You provoke him all the time, and he never says a word.”
“Good temper?” He Siheng scoffed. “He’s just good at faking it.”
Tan Jing might look all prim and proper, but he was full of mischief. He could rile people up with just his mouth alone—no need for fists because no one ever pushed him to that point.
Over the years, He Siheng had only heard of one time in elementary school when Tan Jing got into a fight. He hadn’t been there, so he didn’t know the details, but judging from the injuries on those beaten boys, Tan Jing had gone all out.
Back then, Tan Jing had been a frail, sickly kid, but that didn’t stop him from turning into a madman. Once he started swinging, it was unstoppable.
He Siheng thought it over and dropped the idea of challenging Tan Jing to a fight to prove his strength. It wasn’t that he was scared—it was that Tan Jing wouldn’t even bother fighting him.
“Forget it. If we really fought, my mom would cut off my bank card for sure,” He Siheng said. “My allowance is already running low this month— not worth it for a fight.”
Zhou Yu was shocked. “It’s not even mid-month yet, and you’ve already spent it all?”
He Siheng brushed it off lightly. “Bought some stuff.”
Young Master He was a big spender, but as long as he stayed out of trouble and didn’t get his card frozen, his allowance was always plentiful. It was the first time Zhou Yu heard him say he’d run out of money from shopping.
Zhou Yu asked curiously, “What’d you buy?”
He Siheng clicked his tongue. “Why so nosy? Eat your food.”
He naturally couldn’t reveal that the thing draining his bank card balance was a jade pendant.
Tan Jing’s eighteenth birthday was coming up soon. Last month, Tan Jing had mentioned treating him to a birthday dinner—suspiciously like he was fishing for gifts—but since He’d agreed to go, he’d reluctantly get him something.
So He Siheng had casually browsed a few jade shops, casually spent some money, and casually picked out a gift.
He hadn’t liked any of the store’s styles, so he’d customized one. The carving and crafting took time, but it would be ready just in time for Tan Jing’s birthday.
Unlike He Siheng, who only invited peers for his birthdays in a casual way, Tan Jing’s annual birthday banquets were grand affairs organized by Tan Cong. Most guests were Tan Family business partners, or people currying favor. Half the night was spent schmoozing.
The He Family and Tan Family were business rivals, so He Siheng couldn’t just show up at their banquet. He didn’t like those schmooze-heavy events anyway. He’d arranged with Tan Jing for late-night snacks instead.
It was a Friday, so He Siheng didn’t have the family driver pick him up. After school, he went alone to the shop to pick it up.
The jade shop was in a somewhat remote spot, near an old street slated for demolition. But the engraver had a small reputation, and after checking several places, that’s what drew He Siheng there.
He Siheng was very satisfied with the finished jade pendant but despised the store’s packaging box.
It was just a casual gift, yet they’d packaged it so elaborately—like he’d put real thought into it.
He Siheng thought for a moment, took the item out, pocketed it, and tossed the box.
Much better.
He Siheng smiled in satisfaction, shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, and started walking forward when suddenly a hand reached from behind, locking around his throat while a cloth covered his mouth and nose.
He Siheng’s breath hitched. He jabbed his elbow back into the attacker, who grunted in pain, but the hand over his mouth and nose held firm.
He Siheng didn’t have time to hold his breath. A strange smell invaded his nostrils, and his strength and consciousness gradually slipped away uncontrollably.
In the second before blacking out, he faintly heard a low laugh by his ear.
“Little Heng, I’m back.”
*
Classical music flowed, fresh flowers and candelabras adorned the opulent, lively banquet hall.
But the festivities had nothing to do with the birthday boy.
Tan Jing checked his phone again. Signal was fine, but the messages he’d sent He Siheng still had no reply.
![Conquering the Psycho Villain [Quick Transmigration]](https://i3.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ins.jpg?resize=151,215 "Conquering the Psycho Villain [Quick Transmigration]")
