A razor-sharp thriller where innocence turns deadly. When three children accidentally capture a perfect murder on camera, they seize the opportunity to blackmail the killer—triggering a chilling game of manipulation, survival, and escalating violence. As secrets unravel and loyalties fracture, each character is pulled deeper into darkness, proving that no one is truly innocent. Twisty, unsettling, and impossible to put down, Bad Kids is a gripping exploration of how far ordinary people—especially children—will go when pushed too far. One of the most dangerous & important Chinese writers of the 21st century Zijin Chen both critiques the intense dehumanizing pressure of Chinese educational institutions, while offering a case study of both violent crime & greed, as well as clashing class tiers in contemporary Chinese society.

This dark decaying, yet beautifully composed novel remains a slow burn & rabid page turner & was adapted into one of the most popular & infamous original series to come out of China in recent memory. A series that sadly never made it to US streaming. Read the english translated paperback of the novel that shocked viewers across China & evaded the censors.