*(Ah, I’m going to lose.)* Watching Ouyang Qianxue’s exquisite performance, Bai Yuxuan realized her defeat was set in stone.

But just then, the tide turned. Ouyang Qianxue made a sudden mistake mid-performance. From there on, it was a complete mess.

“What’s wrong with her?” Bai Yuxuan frowned at Ouyang Qianxue. Only then did she notice Qianxue’s body trembling uncontrollably, large beads of sweat dotting her forehead.

*(Is she pushing herself again like last time?)* Bai Yuxuan clenched her fists.

As the music continued, Qianxue’s shaking worsened. By the second half, it barely resembled a performance.

*(No, I must stop her. But someone that stubborn would never quit willingly. Then I’ll have to…)* Bai Yuxuan decided to ask the nearby teacher to call it quits. Just then—

“I declare this match won by Bai Yuxuan!” the teacher announced, halting the contest. Ning Caiwei and the teacher rushed to check on Ouyang Qianxue.

But Qianxue bolted from the music room. After a stunned pause, Ning Caiwei chased after her.

Bai Yuxuan worried deeply about Qianxue. She longed to follow but, as mere rivals, she could only send someone to check on her.

That evening, alone in her apartment, Bai Yuxuan’s thoughts swirled around Ouyang Qianxue.

“I never expected to win. What should I demand from her?” Since piano was Qianxue’s forte, Bai Yuxuan hadn’t anticipated victory. Now, faced with this chance, she hesitated.

*(What kind of demand should I make?)*

An image flashed in her mind: Ouyang Qianxue laughing with Ning Caiwei and Qian Wang.

Ever since Qianxue saved Ning Caiwei, Ning had showered her with warmth—chatting after class, sharing homemade sweets. Their bond grew intimate.

This stung Bai Yuxuan. Watching others draw closer to Qianxue, she felt herself drifting away. Ning’s warning echoed: “Keep this up, and you’ll only drift further from her.”

She couldn’t continue like this. She had to act—bridge the gap, become Qianxue’s friend.

“I could order her not to leave me! No… that’d trap her by my side. I want real friendship, not that.”

A knock shattered the apartment’s silence.

“Come in!” Bai Yuxuan called. A suited woman entered.

“Young Master, Ouyang Qianxue is unharmed. Only a minor injury to her rear end.”

“I see. Good work, Xiao Liu. Sit with me awhile.”

“Yes.” Xiao Liu poured tea and sat respectfully nearby.

“Xiao Liu, how do you bridge the distance between people?”

“It depends, Young Master. You mean with Ouyang Qianxue?” Xiao Liu guessed instantly. After all, Bai Yuxuan had once ordered her to escort Qianxue home—a level of care Xiao Liu had never seen before.

“You see right through me. How do I get closer to her? Become friends?”

“Just say it. Tell her you want friendship.”

“But I’ve wronged her terribly before.” Bai Yuxuan’s voice turned uncharacteristically shy.

*(She outshines adults in business, yet in love, she’s a child. Loneliness must have shaped her.)* Xiao Liu sighed inwardly. *(But she’s my savior. I must help.)*

“Then apologize.”

“Will she accept?”

“Show sincerity. From what I’ve seen, Ouyang Qianxue is magnanimous.”

“How?”

“You must find your own way. True kindness moves people.”

Bai Yuxuan fell silent. Minutes later, her eyes lit up.

“Xiao Liu, remember that file on Ouyang Qianxue you compiled? Show it to me.”

Xiao Liu pulled up the file on her laptop.

“Ah, I was right. I know what to do.”

The next day after school—

“Ouyang Qianxue, you haven’t forgotten losing to me, have you?” Bai Yuxuan flashed a sly smile.

“You… what do you want?” Qianxue shrank back, fearing another scheme.

“Three days from now, come to my place. You’ll understand.” Bai Yuxuan turned and left.

“Is that what he said?” Qian Wang asked, facing Qianxue in their dorm.

Qianxue nodded. “Mm. What should I do?”

“Agree for now. I’ll follow secretly. Bring your phone—call me if anything happens.”

“Yes.”

“Also…”

“What?”

“You mentioned the contest was already over. Your impulsiveness caused this rematch, right?”

“Sorry,” Qianxue murmured, head bowed.

“Let it go. But after this, cut all ties with Bai Yuxuan. No matter what he demands, don’t act rashly. Stay ordinary classmates. He’s dangerous—one misstep could ruin your mission. Your mother and sister…”

“I understand!” Qianxue declared, resolve hardening her voice.