Within days, word spread among the educated youth: Xiao Yan had pulled strings at the health clinic to secure a spot for the college entrance exams.

Who wouldn't be jealous?

They'd all been sent down together. Back then, it was only because Xiao Yan was articulate and knew how to give injections that she got the chance for further training. She became a barefoot doctor at the clinic—a much easier life than theirs in the villages.

Now, with the exams coming back, she was getting a spot through the clinic? How was that fair?

They all knew that even if the exams were restored, not everyone would get to take them. There would be quotas—big or small. So behind the scenes, everyone was busy currying favor with the party secretary, hoping to secure a nomination.

Hearing that Xiao Yan had less competition at the clinic and a better chance enraged them.

Where there was jealousy, there were those who felt wronged—and wanted revenge.

It wasn't long before someone reported to both the party secretary and Director Chen: Xiao Yan had engaged in improper conduct with the production team's work-point recorder.

Director Chen took it seriously. He called Xiao Yan in for a talk. Improper relations between men and women were no small matter—in earlier years, it could have meant public shaming or even a struggle session.

Xiao Yan turned pale as she read the accusation. "Director Chen, I've been wronged. There was nothing inappropriate between me and the recorder."

Director Chen sighed. "It's all written here. When did you meet with him alone? What were a single man and woman doing up in the hills together? It's hard not to speculate—especially with so many witnesses."

Xiao Yan fell silent. Back when she was still with the youth group, she had indeed strung along the recorder—who had a crush on her—so he would give her more work points.

She'd lured him out with conversations, flirted just enough to keep him interested, but never let him get what he wanted.

She kept him hooked. The recorder, a simple and earnest man, dreamed of the impossible—and secretly padded her work points again and again.

In the end, he never even got to hold her hand.

So the accusation wasn't entirely baseless—and that terrified her. If this came out now, would she ever get into university?

Seeing the shift in her expression, Director Chen knew the report held some truth. "Xiao Yan," he said gravely, "your work here has been adequate, if not outstanding. But something like this... it doesn't look good. It could affect your future."

The words struck fear into her. "No—it's not true! There was nothing between us!" she insisted, on the verge of tears. "Director, someone is trying to ruin me. I did go to the hills with the recorder a few times, but we only ever discussed ideology, work, and study. Nothing improper happened."

Director Chen had heard enough. "I'll keep my opinion to myself for now. This hasn't blown up yet—but be careful from now on."

After all, Xiao Yan wasn't officially on staff. If she caused too much trouble, she could easily be dismissed and sent back to the youth group.

Xiao Yan understood. She didn't dare argue further.

She left the office pale and shaken. Back at her desk, she saw Lin Xiaoxiao and Shanzi sitting across from her, sharing a sponge cake. Suddenly, she wondered—had Lin Xiaoxiao been the one who reported her?

But that didn't make sense. How would Lin Xiaoxiao know about the recorder?

More likely, it was someone from the youth group. By now, everyone had heard about the exams. They were all scrambling for advantage—and plenty were jealous of her.

Yes, that had to be it. They were trying to bring her down before she could succeed.

Lin Xiaoxiao nibbled her cake and watched Xiao Yan fidget across from her, shifting in her chair as if sitting on pins and needles.

As soon as her shift ended, Xiao Yan packed up and asked Director Chen for leave.

Lin Xiaoxiao knew it wasn't enough. The official notice hadn't even been published yet—anything could change. She couldn't give Xiao Yan a chance to recover.

She had to strike harder—make sure Xiao Yan never got back up.

Walking home with Shanzi, she pondered her next move. The boy had been with her for two days now. Though he missed his mother, he didn't dare cry for her in front of this auntie. Besides, during the day, he got to eat snacks he'd never had before.

When she had time, Lin Xiaoxiao even told him stories—dry and emotionless as they were, Shanzi listened happily, forgetting his mother for a while.

A child will cling to whoever feeds him. The saying couldn't be more true.

Back home, she let Shanzi play while she prepared dinner, still turning over how to make Xiao Yan fall—and fall hard.

Then it came to her: force Xiao Yan out of the health clinic. Send her back to the youth group. Then she could forget about university.

As for how to do it... Lin Xiaoxiao would need a plan. But when dealing with snakes, you don't fight fair.

Just as the idea solidified, a sharp, twisting pain stabbed through her chest—like a knife digging in and turning. She doubled over, nearly falling off her stool.

Her body spasmed, curling into a tight ball.

Zhou Xiaoling walked in at that moment and froze. Lin Xiaoxiao was trembling like a shrimp about to be tossed into the pan. She dropped her lunchbox and rushed over. "Sis! What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't speak. Her face was contorted with pain.

It took two or three minutes for the agony to fade. Lin Xiaoxiao was drenched in cold sweat, as if pulled from water. "Help me to the bed," she whispered.

She still didn't understand. Why did she keep having these warning pains? She had no heart condition.

Maybe she needed to go to the city hospital.

Zhou Xiaoling was badly shaken. "Sis, we're going to the city tomorrow. This is too scary."

Her voice trembled. Lin Xiaoxiao's episode had terrified her.

Lin Xiaoxiao took a shaky breath. "It's fine. Let me rest. If I feel normal tomorrow, there's no point—they can only catch it when it's happening."

"But we never know when it will happen!" Zhou Xiaoling insisted. "If you have another attack like that, I'll die of fear."

Lin Xiaoxiao pressed a hand to her chest. A superstitious thought crossed her mind: Was it Zhou Huaian? Or her parents? Had something happened?

She didn't dare dwell on it. The more she thought, the more afraid she became.