"Ouyang, you're absolutely amazing!" Class Six students crowded around, exclaiming.

"I just got lucky this time," she replied modestly.

"Don't be so humble! You swept both matches without losing a point—how is that luck? Anyway, Ouyang, you can't skip celebrating such a win!"

"Exactly! I heard there's a new KTV across from school. How about we go sing our hearts out?" another classmate suggested.

"Great idea! I haven't had enough of Ouyang's singing yet. Let's head to the KTV and keep listening to her perform!"

"Perfect! It's not too late, and midterms just ended. This is a great chance to relax!"

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Wait," Ouyang Qianxue hesitated slightly under her classmates' enthusiastic invitation.

"I think I'll skip it."

"What are you saying, Ouyang? You're the star of this party! Without you, it won't have the same vibe."

"Yeah, what's the point if you're not there?"

"But..." Ouyang Qianxue anxiously glanced toward the gym entrance, only to find it completely empty.

"I guess it makes sense," a classmate sighed. "Someone as outstanding as Ouyang wouldn't want to hang with ordinary folks like us."

"Is that so?" another student immediately put on a pitiful look. They knew gentle Ouyang Qianxue wouldn't refuse—but just then—

"That's enough, all of you!" Qian Wang suddenly shouted.

"Can't you see Qianxue is exhausted?"

"Do you even know she's been studying hard for midterms, helping clubs, and facing Ning Caiwei's challenge right after exams? As her roommate, I know she hasn't rested properly in ages. Now you're stealing her rest time just for fun?"

Faced with Qian Wang's words, Ouyang Qianxue's classmates fell silent.

"Sorry, we were selfish. Competing against an idol must've tired you out. We'll skip you this time—go home and rest well," a classmate finally said apologetically.

"I'm really sorry, everyone. Such a warm invitation is rare. I'll definitely join next time," Ouyang Qianxue said before turning to leave.

"Qian Wang, thank you," she added quickly, walking away.

"I can't stand your pushover personality. They're clearly after your School Beauty title," Qian Wang sighed.

Meanwhile, in a small alley near Cherry Blossom Academy, Ning Caiwei walked alone.

(This must be a dream! A nightmare!) She still refused to accept reality. Stumbling, she fell hard. Seeing blood on her knee and feeling the sting, she realized this wasn't a dream.

"I'm already an idol, yet I got swept! Is my opponent too strong? No—Ouyang Qianxue denied being Wang Shimin's disciple. She's just an ordinary student."

"Am I just too weak?" For the first time facing such defeat, Ning Caiwei began doubting herself.

"I won a TV talent show, but that was just a contest. My idol status came from packaging. Maybe anyone could be an idol with the right image. So... I'm not special?"

"How laughable. Yesterday, I was proud of my talent, even challenging Cherry Blossom Academy's School Beauty. Only someone like Ouyang Qianxue deserves to be called special. A waste like me trying to challenge her—I was so naive," Ning Caiwei sighed.

"I heard there's a peaceful cafe nearby. I'll go calm down," she thought, pushing through pain to stand and walk deeper into the alley.

New to Cherry Blossom Academy's maze-like alleys, she quickly got lost. Spotting three men chatting, she approached for directions. Too downcast to notice their thuggish looks, she didn't pay attention.

"Excuse me, where is XX Cafe?"

"Huh?" The middle man recognized her face, paused in surprise, then grinned widely while pointing.

Once Ning Caiwei was out of earshot, his buddies turned to him.

"Boss, wasn't that idol Ning Caiwei?"

"That's her alright."

"Since you knew her, why not tell us? We could've taken advantage—she'd stay quiet to protect her rep, right?"

"You're short-sighted. Satisfied with small gains? Don't you want to taste a popular idol?"

"But boss, she's far gone."

"Don't worry. I sent her to a dead end. We just follow quietly."

"You're the best, boss!"

Ning Caiwei, following the directions, soon hit a dead end.

"Weird... I went the right way. Oh no!" She suddenly recalled their thuggish appearance—and she wasn't in disguise! She spun to run, but too late.

"Where to now, big idol?" The three men blocked her path.

"What do you want?"

"We're your fans. Let's chat properly—physically," the leader leered, advancing.

"Stay back! I'll scream!"

"Go ahead. No one lives here. Few pass by."

"Do you think this is forgivable? I'll call the police!"

"Call away. Tomorrow's headlines: 'Popular Idol Assaulted by Thugs.' We get a few years in jail—but we'll brag about sleeping with an idol. You? Your career ends."

With that, the leader slammed Ning Caiwei to the ground.

(Why? Why does all this misfortune hit me, Ning Caiwei? First losing to Ouyang Qianxue, now this...) Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Haha, giving up? Let Uncle give you a kiss first," he grinned, his foul breath closing in. Terrified, Ning Caiwei squeezed her eyes shut—just then—

"You bastards, what are you doing?!" A foot slammed into the man's face. He flew off in a parabolic arc.