"Liu, what's wrong?" Only after Bai Yuxuan's reminder did Xiao Liu snap out of his daze.

"Huh? Nothing! It's just... I feel like you've changed, Young Master."

"Changed?"

"You seem... gentler than before."

"Is that so? I never expected that guy could change even someone like me," Bai Yuxuan murmured with a sigh.

"That guy?"

"Just talking to myself. Don't mind it. What punishment did the White Clan decide for me?"

"The family has stripped you of your heir position."

"And?"

"That's all."

"What? They're letting me off that easily?"

"Old Master personally vouched for you. Though you're no longer heir, you can still compete for the position in next year's selection."

"So Grandpa froze my position for a year? My playboy cousins couldn't surpass me even with ten years."

"As you say, Young Master."

"Still, losing the heir title means I've lost control of those major companies. And after settling the Boiler Plant Incident, my funds are completely drained."

"So all the power you built is gone? What now?"

"Don't be so pessimistic. As long as I'm alive, I'll rebuild—and stronger than before. Next time, not even Father can manipulate me like this!"

Bai Yuxuan's eyes sharpened like an eagle's, his aura radiating newfound dominance.

*(This is the Young Master I chose to follow! This setback didn't break him—it polished him like a freshly honed blade!)* Xiao Liu silently reaffirmed his decision to pledge loyalty to that twelve-year-old boy years ago.

"Since I can't handle company affairs this year, I'll focus on school. After all, I have a rival there I care about."

Bai Yuxuan glanced at the photo of a golden-haired maid saved secretly in his phone.

***

The next day, the bell rang. Students scrambled to their seats. Ouyang Qianxue glanced beside her—Bai Yuxuan's seat remained empty.

*He still hasn't come? No... why am I worried? That ungrateful jerk won't delete my embarrassing maid photo anyway. Good riddance.*

"Guess I've disappointed you then." A familiar voice sounded beside her ear.

"When did you—?!" Qianxue looked up to see Bai Yuxuan smirking down at her.

"Never mind that. Today's mid-term results day. I won't blackmail you anymore, but our bet still stands, right?"

"You dare mention the bet? You skipped a whole question!"

"Just six points. Even with that, I'm confident I scored higher." Bai Yuxuan's grin never wavered.

"Oh? Then I'll shatter that confidence and repay your last 'arrow of vengeance.' Same terms: the loser grants the winner one unconditional request!"

"Naturally."

"Perfect. Let's see who wins." After class, they headed to the bulletin board.

The results were posted.

"What—?!"

"Unbelievable! The top spot—!" Early arrivals stared in shock.

"They're here!" Students parted like waves as Qianxue and Yuxuan approached.

"Let me see." They squeezed to the front.

"What?!" ×2 Both froze at the rankings.

Bai Yuxuan still held first place—but Ouyang Qianxue shared it. They'd scored identically.

"Tch. Thought I'd finally beat you. A tie, huh?"

"Want a third match then?"

"You promised not to use my sister against me. Why would I agree to another match?"

"Pity. I don't mind, but someone just missed a golden chance for revenge..." Bai Yuxuan wore an infuriating smirk.

"You—!" Qianxue trembled, memories of that humiliating day flooding back.

"...Someone had the perfect opportunity to get even. And let it slip away."

"Fine! I'll make you regret this twice over. What's the third match?"

Seeing how easily she took the bait, Bai Yuxuan's eyes flickered with cunning.

"You choose. I picked the first two."

"I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you later." Qianxue turned sharply to leave.

"Qianxue! I passed this time!" Wang Qian from another class rushed over, looping her arm through Qianxue's with easy affection.

Watching them walk away, Bai Yuxuan's smile turned bitter.

*How I envy Wang Qian... I long to stand beside Qianxue—the one who warmed me when I was coldest. But years of solitude hardened me. I don't know how to bridge the distance without pushing her away. So I chose this clumsy path: becoming her rival, just to stay near her.*

End of Volume 1