Xia Xi, eldest daughter and young mistress of the Xia Clan, was born with silvery hair and piercing eyes. A natural sadist who solved problems with brute force, she reigned as Yingshengya Academy’s most untouchable senior sister—no one dared cross her.
Rumors whispered of one-eighth foreign blood in her veins, though unconfirmed. Others claimed she was merely the Xia Clan’s adopted daughter, but the clan had long debunked it.
She delighted in pitting the weak against each other, savoring the thrill of domination. Lost in indulgence yet hollow inside, she was little more than a beast draped in beauty.
------
Long Yue had already deleted the forum thread discussing those words and muted the anonymous poster for thirty days. By then, she’d brewed a cup of black coffee.
*This? How could I possibly let you know?*
...
Noon the next day, Xia Xi and Nangong Ruihui coincidentally met at the first-floor cafeteria counter. Nangong Ruihui hadn’t gone to the fourth-floor hall; Xia Xi, avoiding hassle, hadn’t either.
Nangong Ruihui had bottled up his emotions all morning. Too ashamed to speak to Mu Yao—and she hadn’t approached him either—their cold war had truly wounded her heart.
“Yo~ If it isn’t *Young Master* Ruihui?” Xia Xi shot him a contemptuous glance. “If I were you, I’d have ended it already. Cowards don’t deserve to live.”
...
Nangong Ruihui ignored her, quietly ordering a vegetable salad sandwich.
“Hmph. Starve.” Xia Xi snatched it, took a bite, and made it clear it wasn’t his anymore.
He stayed calm. Knowing he was in the wrong, he reasoned she was being restrained—if he stood in her shoes. He couldn’t imagine his own reaction if a stranger had groped *his* chest on first meeting.
Treating it as payment, he got another sandwich. Xia Xi snatched it again, bit down—*surely he’d snap this time*.
Normally, he could endure it. But today’s incident had truly gotten under his skin.
Fists clenched, stance set, Nangong Ruihui was certain he’d take her down. The fire in his eyes rivaled Xia Xi’s natural crimson irises.
*Perfect.* Xia Xi had been waiting for this. If he struck first, she could beat him senseless with impunity.
*Just surrender, boy. The Nangong Clan disappoints me.* Her blood boiled—she loved fights, especially against fearless opponents.
She ached to punch that disgustingly handsome face. *How dare he grope me yesterday?* That alone would ruin his entire year.
“What do you two think you’re doing—”
Mu Yao stepped between them, facing Nangong Ruihui, back to Xia Xi, expression icy.
“Senior Xia Xi, I know what he did last night,” Mu Yao said, glancing back with a faint smile. “But this is the cafeteria. Please don’t stoop to his level.” Her expression shifted in an instant, swift as Peking opera mask-changing.
“Hm? You’re that girl from yesterday… Ah. So you’ve seen Nangong Ruihui’s true colors? Wise choice.” Xia Xi’s aggression faded.
“You two eat. I’m not hungry.”
An inexplicable tightness gripped Nangong Ruihui’s chest watching her. He couldn’t stay. He turned and left.
The ache was so sharp he couldn’t form an apology.
Mu Yao stood frozen, breath uneven. Sensing her distress, Xia Xi wrapped an arm around her from behind, gently holding her still.
“Tell me your name~” Xia Xi whispered warmly—she adored lovely girls.
“Mu… Mu Yao…”
“What a sweet name~ Call me Senior Xia Xi from now on. What’s worth clinging to with a guy like him? Cutting ties early is best. Advice from a senior.” She patted Mu Yao’s head. “You’re so cute. Stick with me, okay? If you like a boy, Senior Xia Xi will help~”
“Mmm…”
...
First class that afternoon forced desk mates Mu Yao and Nangong Ruihui to face each other.
“Yaoyao… Yaoyao…”
Dark circles shadowing his eyes, Nangong Ruihui finally spoke. Silence would hurt worse.
Mu Yao glanced reluctantly. He looked pale, swaying unsteadily.
“What do you want? I said I’d never talk to you again.” She played tsundere—giving in too fast would make him think her easy.
No one knew Nangong Ruihui’s pride like Mu Yao. This first word must have cost him countless inner battles.
“Yaoyao.”
He leaned his head on her shoulder, motionless, silent. She didn’t pull away. Let him rest as long as he needed.
After a beat, worry crept in. *This silence feels… wrong.*
*No. Wake him.*
“Ruihui? What’s wrong?”
She shrugged her shoulder. His head bobbed. Panicked, she steadied him—and saw his eyes tightly shut.
“TEACHER!! I need to leave—*now*!” Mu Yao shot up, voice trembling, cold sweat on her brow.
The teacher adjusted his glasses. Trusting his model student’s urgency, he nodded.
Mu Yao hoisted Nangong Ruihui onto her back, supporting his thighs, and dashed out like a rocket.
Classmates gaped. *How did a girl just… fly out with a boy?!*
“Teacher, Nangong Ruihui fainted—”
“Should we help?”
“No need,” the teacher said calmly. “I trust Mu Yao. Let’s continue.”
On the path to the infirmary—
“Ruihui, hold on! We’re almost there! If you dare sleep… I—I *really, really* won’t forgive you!”
“Please… *please* don’t scare me like this… I’m not mad anymore… just… please…”
