The night in Xijiang City hung under a brilliant full moon. By day, this bustling metropolis roared like a symphony; now, it fell silent as if hitting a rest note.

Bai Yuxuan sat alone in her study, reading a finance book. Rustling. The spacious apartment was eerily quiet—so still she could hear each page turn.

Yet despite the silence, her heart churned with restlessness.

"If you keep this up, Ouyang Qianxue might drift further away from you."

Bai Yuxuan strained to focus on her book, but Ning Caiwei’s words from earlier clung to her mind like monsoon clouds.

"Damn it!" Frustration boiling over, she hurled the book at the shelf. After the outburst, she sank into thought.

As a child, kids had flocked to her—pushed by parents seeking her status. At first, she welcomed them warmly. But once she saw their true motives, she drove them off with harsh words.

From then on, Bai Yuxuan trusted no one who approached her kindly. Whether chasing her influence or genuine friendship, she rebuffed them all. Slowly, everyone kept their distance.

"All my life, I’ve only hurt others. Before fixing my twisted self, I dared not get close to you—afraid you’d grow to hate me."

"But if this pushes you away instead… what should I do?" She slammed her fist on the desk.

Meanwhile, at Ning Caiwei’s home, she lay in bed texting Ouyang Qianxue.

"Qianxue, about that thing you mentioned—helping you deal with Bai Yuxuan—what’s the deal?"

"Oh, we had a bet before. I lost, and he humiliated me terribly."

"Humiliated? Did he do something beastly…?"

"No! Don’t imagine weird stuff. It was an insult to my spirit and dignity. I’ll never forget that shame. So we agreed: next match, I pick the challenge. Loser fulfills one request. I’ve been stuck on what to choose."

"I see. So it’s less about ‘dealing with’ Bai Yuxuan and more about brainstorming the challenge?"

"Exactly. Pick something you excel at but he doesn’t."

"But Bai Yuxuan’s nearly perfect at everything."

"Then choose something guys suck at—like cooking or singing."

"Absolutely not! That’d feel like cheating. Winning that way wouldn’t satisfy my grudge." (Truthfully, Ouyang Qianxue feared losing male dignity by relying on "girly" skills.)

"How about piano? I heard you’re amazing, and it’s not overly gendered."

"Right! Why didn’t I think of that?"

The next morning, Bai Yuxuan had just sat down when Ouyang Qianxue flashed her a mischievous grin.

"What’s up? You seem unusually happy."

"I finally found my revenge! Remember our bet? Challenge decided: piano."

"Piano?"

Bai Yuxuan hesitated. She wasn’t skilled at piano, and Ouyang Qianxue had swept Xijiang City’s competition recently. Confidence wavered.

"What? You let me choose. Regretting it now?"

"Don’t joke. I, Bai Yuxuan, never take back my words. I accept. But judge and venue?"

"Handled. The Music Club advisor’s arranging it. Right after last period’s PE class? You’re free at lunch, right?"

"Fine. I’ll meet you in the music room after PE."

At noon, they rushed to the music room, drenched in sweat from long-distance running drills.

"You should shower first," sighed the Music Club advisor. "Piano needs focus. You can’t play well soaked like this."

"But dorms are far. Showering there would waste our break."

"No issue. There’s a teachers’ hot spring bathhouse opposite. Quick trip."

"But we’re students. Using teachers’ baths? If others see us…" (Both hid their true genders—entering the wrong bath could mean disaster if spotted.)

"Don’t worry. It’s closed by day. I know the manager. Mention my name; you’ll be alone."

"Then we’re set."

"One warning: repairs are ongoing. No signs for men’s or women’s baths. Just pick different ones."

"Let’s go! I can’t wait for revenge, Bai Yuxuan!" They hurried off.

After changing in separate baths, a shadow slipped inside—Ning Caiwei.

"I doubt Bai Yuxuan can beat Qianxue at piano, but just in case…" She pulled out a small bottle. "Special chili powder. Sprinkle it on your underwear. When you sit to play, fire will burn your skin. Bai Yuxuan, you’re doomed today."

"But which bath is hers?" Two unmarked doors faced her.

"Check the clothes!" She crept into one changing room.

"Oh no…" Identical PE uniforms filled the basket—impossible to tell genders apart.

Then, a pair of boxer shorts caught her eye. "Clearly men’s! Haha, Bai Yuxuan, prepare to suffer!" She sprinkled chili powder on them.