The results of the Go tournament had been announced, and the one to enter the national youth competition was naturally Zhan Jinzhi.
By the time of the finals, his health had almost fully recovered, and he no longer needed Zhan Shiqing's assistance.
He progressed smoothly, defeating all his opponents.
However, during the award ceremony, Zhan Jinzhi specifically pulled Zhan Shiqing onto the podium with him.
"The reason I achieved victory today is partly due to my parents' support, and the other part is because of my sister. If she hadn't stepped forward to help me, I wouldn't be standing here today."
Hearing this, Zhan Shiqing smiled happily.
But soon, she remembered something. She had made a bet with Qiu Shaoyi before.
So, she quickly ran off the podium and dragged Qiu Shaoyi over.
"Little brother, you haven't forgotten the bet we made, have you? You promised that if we won, you would shout out that my brother is the best!"
How could Qiu Shaoyi possibly shout that? He had only agreed because he thought he would win.
"Are you going to go back on your word?" Zhan Shiqing pressed. "How can you, a boy, lie to me, a girl younger than you?"
Qiu Shaoyi clenched his fists. His carelessness in today's match had indeed led to his defeat. He had to honor the bet and couldn't go back on his word.
Just as he was about to shout, Zhan Jinzhi stopped him.
"Forget it," Zhan Jinzhi said. "The outcome of a competition is not originally important. What matters is the process. I'm glad to have met a formidable opponent like you, and I will always remember you."
With that, he extended his hand to Qiu Shaoyi.
Qiu Shaoyi was taken aback. Even he had thought Zhan Jinzhi would seize this opportunity to humiliate him.
After all, during the match, he hadn't held back from saying hurtful things to Zhan Jinzhi.
Zhan Jinzhi's demeanor made him suddenly realize that he had lost more than just a game of Go; he had lost in terms of character.
It was precisely because Zhan Jinzhi maintained a steady mindset from the beginning to the end that he was able to secure this victory.
He, on the other hand, had been too easily swayed by his previous successes, causing him to overlook crucial aspects of the game.
Finally, he extended his hand and shook Zhan Jinzhi's.
Warm applause erupted.
However, Qiu Shaoyi still said to Zhan Jinzhi, "Although I lost to you this time, I will work hard to become stronger. One day, I will surpass you."
Zhan Jinzhi chuckled, "Alright, I'll be waiting."
Seeing this, Zhan Shiqing also smiled with delight. Although she had intended for Qiu Shaoyi to be embarrassed, the current outcome seemed not too bad.
"Damn it, why did he win again?"
In a dimly lit corner beneath the stage, a figure was dissatisfied with the outcome.
"If only I had put more of that medicine..."
"If you had added more, your parents would have been in serious trouble," Fang Xun's voice came from behind her.
The small figure turned around, revealing Qi Shanshan.
It was she who, after some investigation, had drugged Zhan Jinzhi.
When Fang Xun brought Qi Shanshan before Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan, Qi Shanshan still showed no sign of remorse.
"What do you want? Mommy said no one can bully me at school. If you do anything to me, I'll tell Mommy to tell the principal!"
Wei Yumeng merely shook her head, looking at her. She hadn't expected such a young girl to go this far.
The school doctor had informed her that fortunately, the dosage of the drug was not high, otherwise, it wouldn't have just been stomach pain, and the consequences could have been dire.
The teacher, after arranging everything, rushed over. She was surprised to see Qi Shanshan.
"Qi Shanshan, were you the one who drugged Zhan Jinzhi?"
But Qi Shanshan looked innocent and said, "Teacher, what drug? I don't know anything about it."
The teacher was confused but trusted the two adults, Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan, that they wouldn't frame a young girl.
Zhan Mohan also found the situation preposterous. He had never encountered a feud between children escalating to this extent.
He couldn't judge the matter himself, so he handed everything over to Fang Xun.
"Teacher, we've investigated with classmates and found that Qi Shanshan was the one who handed the water to Zhan Jinzhi. We also found a classmate who witnessed her putting the drug in the water, and the unused medicine bottle was found in her bag."
"No, Teacher, I didn't do such a thing," Qi Shanshan still argued. "I'm just a child, how could I get hold of such medicine?"
Fang Xun continued, "I've also investigated this. The medicine is actually a prescription drug that needs to be taken for a specific condition. If taken incorrectly, it can cause abdominal pain. And Qi Shanshan's family, Mr. Qi, happens to fit the conditions for using the medication."
"Qi Shanshan, how could you do something like this?" the teacher was furious.
On one hand, she was angry at Qi Shanshan's actions, and on the other, she was angry at herself.
Angry that, as Qi Shanshan's teacher, she hadn't noticed her problems earlier.
"Yes, I did it. Because I was resentful. I still don't understand why my mother, who always doted on me, pushed all the blame onto me that day? I still don't understand what I did wrong? I just wanted the person I like to like me back."
As Qi Shanshan spoke, she became more and more agitated. "I don't understand many things, but why do I have to suffer such unfair treatment?"
Hearing this, Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng exchanged a look. They now understood the root of the problem – it was due to the flawed upbringing Qi Shanshan received from her family.
"I just... I just wanted him to like me more, to pay attention to me," Qi Shanshan said, her voice growing softer.
At this moment, another voice rang out.
"Qi Shanshan."
Qi Shanshan looked up and saw Zhan Jinzhi and Zhan Shiqing walking towards them with the trophy.
Zhan Jinzhi approached Qi Shanshan. "Like you, I don't understand many things, but that doesn't give you the right to do wrong. You keep saying you like me, but before liking someone, you need to understand respect. Your actions only make me feel like you're being unreasonable."
Zhan Shiqing also nodded, "No one likes a spoiled girl like you."
"But," Zhan Jinzhi continued, "doing wrong is not scary. At least you still have time to change. I'm not completely rejecting this version of you, but I cannot condone your flaws. Are you willing to change them?"