Kujou Kana was one of the elite trainees in the Kujou family’s exclusive program.

An orphan among dozens of peers, only the absolute best earned a sliver of freedom.

She wasn’t just the top of her batch—she surpassed every previous record-holder.

Her talent earned her the Kujou surname as a special exception.

She knew they only wanted to squeeze out her last drop of value.

But she owed them for raising her. So she obeyed every order, completed every mission.

By now, the profits she’d generated should’ve repaid their "kindness" tenfold.

Yet she had nowhere else to go. Staying was simpler.

Back in training, she’d tried to stay low-key.

Living alone was exhausting, and the others seemed friendly enough at first.

Until her dual-soul nature surfaced.

They never knew she retained memories from her other half.

They thought when "Kujou Nana" was in control, they could vent their frustrations freely.

They bullied Nana relentlessly—making her serve tea, wash clothes, run errands. One mistake meant scolding.

Kana finally snapped. She crushed those trashy peers herself, landing them in hospitals and eliminating the entire batch.

To this day, they still blame "that timid little fool" for snitching.

Kana’s reputation soared overnight.

Many Kujou heirs tried recruiting her—the ruthless prodigy who’d fight for them.

Little did they know she sensed their filth. She’d only take family-assigned missions.

Ordinary maids had to obey every whim. They lacked the power to resist.

Once, a drunken young master tried groping her. Before his hand moved, she broke his "three legs."

The Kujou family gave no punishment.

Instead, they issued strict warnings: *Do not provoke her.*

Because the Kujou clan valued profit over blood.

When an heir’s worth fell below Kana’s? They became disposable trash.

Later, she met someone even stronger than her.

Kujou Yukihime—the clan’s once-in-a-millennium genius.

It almost seemed absurd.

Yet beneath that power hid genuine kindness.

How could such a person bloom in this rotten soil?

Meeting Lady Yukihime… and *him*…

That was her true luck.

…

Inside the apartment, Yun Mingxin wrestled with his thoughts.

He and Zhan Mengxi grew up together. Their families knew each other well.

Both hailed from the same hometown—not far from their university.

A forty-minute bus ride, roughly.

He hesitated. His thighs still ached. Should he refuse her hiking invitation?

But if he did, she’d ambush him at his doorstep… or worse, tattle to his mom.

His mother would scold him without hesitation: *"Sons are replaceable. Manners aren’t."*

*Sigh.*

Regret gnawed at him. He’d forgotten how exhausting intense exercise felt after half a year without PE tests.

*Beep.*

His phone shrieked another reminder.

Yun Mingxin clicked it open, irritation flaring.

*If it’s Second Dog again, I’ll kill him.*

Daring to bother him now?

But it wasn’t a message. Just a friend request.

He froze when he saw the profile picture.

Blank nickname. But that avatar—he knew it too well.

So *her*. Zero useful info. Classic style.

His ex-girlfriend, Su Xiaoyue.

He’d moved on completely. Why add him back after he’d deleted her?

To Yun Mingxin, exes could be acquaintances—but "best friends"? Impossible.

*"Hesitation breeds chaos,"* he thought.

He tapped **Reject** without pause.

No follow-up message came. He shoved the thought aside.

He started packing. He’d still accompany Mengxi.

Words spilled like water—once out, they couldn’t be taken back. Refusing would unleash her wrath.

Just as he zipped his hiking bag, a message popped up.

> **Mengxi sis:** Ready yet, Xin-Xin?

> **Mengxi sis:** Hurry up, or I’ll drag you out myself!

Yun Mingxin rubbed his temples. She always found his hidden stuff. Where’d she learn that?

If she barged in, his desk’s "big secret" would be exposed.

*Absolutely not.*

He typed back fast:

> **Yun Mingxin:** It’s barely dawn! So eager? You’ll collapse from exhaustion.

> **Mengxi sis:** Who’s eager?! I’m just scared you’ll forget water again and chug half of mine!

His cheeks burned. Last time, he *had* forgotten his bottle. Drank hers dry.

She’d complained about thirst for days. He’d bribed her with milk tea—probably adding half a pound to her weight.

> **Yun Mingxin:** Fine, my bad. If I forget this time, I’ll share mine.

> **Mengxi sis:** Like I’d let you die of thirst, you stinky Xin-Xin.

> **Yun Mingxin:** I could just… rinse my mouth and give it back.

> **Mengxi sis:** Dream on! Hahaha—*hic*—

> **Yun Mingxin:** Or I could do mouth-to-mouth. Transfer it back after a quick… surface-level thirst relief.

A smirk curled his lips as he typed each word slowly.

> **Mengxi sis:** !! YOU !!

> **Mengxi sis:** AAAAAH!

Across town, Mengxi buried her crimson face in her quilt, squirming like a worm.

*"Damn Xin-Xin! So filthy!"*

Her room echoed with flustered squeals.

Yun Mingxin knew her well. She’d pretend to be a veteran, knowing all his secrets—but every time, she’d blush at the *cover* alone.

This "keyboard warrior" was easy to handle.

With Mengxi silenced, he finished packing in two hours. He dumped his backpack on the bed and collapsed.

He *was* tired. Though Purple Mountain now had stone steps, he knew her—she’d drag him through hidden trails again.

*Seriously. No one around. Doesn’t she fear I’ll eat her alive?*

*Riiing—*

The phone’s shrill cry made him groan. *"God, who now? Spare me. I’m exhausted. Gotta write later!"*

He answered without checking the number, voice drained: "Yeah?"

"Hey, Brother Mingxin~" A sweeter voice than last time chimed through. "Tomorrow… come with me for research again?"

His face froze.

This bizarre turn of events…

Was a love triangle really brewing?

*Unbelievable.*