Twins are born in the Smith household and a fortune-teller, Master Trent, declares one a lucky star and the other a jinx. Mrs. Smith Sr. names her grandson the lucky child and commands Ivy to "get rid of that jinx"—the newborn daughter—sparking protests. A relative pleads for mercy and offers to hide the baby in the backyard to protect the family. Before a decision is reached, Mdm. Smith begins hemorrhaging; attendants call for a doctor and chaos erupts. The purge is halted as the mother's life hangs in the balance, leaving the infant's fate unresolved.
A desperate mother begs a doctor to draw another bag so she can sell it to feed her baby, but he refuses. The episode cuts to Joel's birthday, where the family insists he become the top scholar and openly shames a young girl labeled a "jinx"—children taunt her and dogs are driven at her. She pleads, "I want to go to school." Ms. Smith concedes, "let's go to school tomorrow." The episode closes with her granted schooling but still facing family contempt and a missing "lucky star," leaving her acceptance uncertain.
Joel returns to the Smith home after a coordinated stock purchase that sent Smith Group shares up and Horizon Group's land down. Grandma protests that he brought a girl back; Joel insists he's the family's lucky star and recalls a childhood wish that healed Grandma's leg. Joel announces he secured one of the 20 guaranteed admissions to Second Academy just days before the national exam. Then Zoe reveals a notice: she was granted guaranteed admission to First Academy. The family, stunned and calling her a 'jinx,' demand an explanation as the household fractures over her unexpected fortune.
Zoe stands accused by her household after passing an important exam: relatives claim she "stole our luck" and even blame her for their mother's death. She insists she earned the result, while one woman defends her and reminds them the exam is in three days. Elders invoke Master Trent and Joel to back the accusation, then order attendants to seize her and break her arms. Zoe pleads, "Please, not my right hand!" The episode ends with Zoe grabbed and punishment imminent, threatening her ability to sit the exam.
Mrs. Smith Sr. accuses Ivy of bringing a family curse and raises a cane to punish her. Ivy insists she is the family's lucky star, but Mrs. Smith Sr. repeats that Ivy was never meant to live after what happened to her mother and orders her to be taught a lesson. Someone at the scene pleads that Ivy never harmed the family and warns breaking her hand will destroy her future. Ivy tries to protect others and downplays the injury, but Mrs. Smith Sr. presses on. The cane lands—'Ow!'—and Ivy’s hand and future hang in the balance.
A woman's leg gives out the moment Grandma announces punishment, and relatives brand her a jinx, accusing her of killing her own mother. Threats escalate; Mr. Smith orders her locked in the backyard until Joel finishes exams. One family member pleads to be punished instead, noting Ms. Smith must study. A letter of admission from First Academy arrives: Joel is due to be the top scholar in three days. The family locks the accused to protect his chance, but they end the episode reeling; could the jinx already have stolen his luck?
At the episode's start, family members urge Henry to withdraw a girl's First Academy offer, fearing she'll 'steal Joel's luck,' and they decide to turn it down immediately. The girl confronts her brother, asking why he hates her; he accuses her of killing their mother, denies ever knowing the woman, and sneers, "When I become the top scholar, you'll regret ever being born." He boasts he's the Smiths' lucky star and resents her presence. The episode ends with her ostracized, her school chance revoked, and her brother's open threat hanging over her future.
Zoe receives an admission letter to First Academy, but Grandma immediately refuses the offer and a family member boasting about becoming the top scholar insults her as a "little jinx" who should rot in the mud. After twelve years of study Zoe is stunned as her achievement is dismissed and she is shut in a room. She bangs on the door and cries, "I'll kill myself right here!" to force them to open it, but they refuse. Zoe decides she must still take the exam and vows to break the curse herself; she ends the episode trapped but determined.
Campus buzz surrounds Joel Smith as classmates heap praise and try to borrow his luck after he becomes the top scholar. Mockery about a jinx dissolves into relief until a frantic student interrupts, pleading that they're late for the exam and begging for a ride. Under pressure from onlookers hoping his luck will rub off, Joel leaves the crowd and agrees to help. He tells the student, "I'll take you there in three minutes!" The episode ends with classmates stunned and the late student's arrival at the exam left unresolved.
During the 205th State Examination, unexpected candidate Zoe appears and hands in her paper early, prompting shock in the hall. Joel, hailed by Master Trent as this year’s top scholar, insists his score will still be higher. Zoe then reveals she checked answers with the teacher and matched the top score: 670. Pressure spikes when she says she asked her father to host a graduation party tomorrow and threatens, "I'm going to expose your crimes in front of everyone." The episode ends with Joel facing imminent public exposure that could ruin his prospects.