"Fine… I admit it. Luck is part of skill too. The fact that you restrained me like this already proves your strength—but I haven’t lost!" Xia Xi’s face flushed as she gave Nangong Ruihui a light, half-hearted shove. "Let me go first. I won’t fight back. I, Xia Xi, am not someone who goes back on her word."

"No can do~ You promised to give me a little rub if you lost," Nangong Ruihui said, shaking her head.

"Y-you let me go… I won’t run…" Xia Xi stammered, voice barely above a whisper.

Xia Xi was at her wit’s end. She never imagined being lifted like this by a junior student—leg raised, forced to plead…

"Okay."

Nangong Ruihui released her. If Xia Xi was physically mature, Nangong Ruihui was emotionally mature. Since they’d work together, she couldn’t let things turn hostile. Given Xia Xi’s status as young mistress of the Xia Clan and her personal capability, Nangong Ruihui knew no one suited the role better.

Brushing slight wrinkles from her clothes, Xia Xi kept her head lowered, silent. If Nangong Ruihui truly intended to touch her… she’d have to take responsibility. No more closeness with other girls—not even Mu Yao.

"Xia Xi, now that you’re officially on the student council, I’ll call you directly. First, let’s clear the air. I don’t accept ‘pervert’—it was pure accident and coincidence. Still… I’m sorry~" Nangong Ruihui bowed deeply. A girl needed respect to forgive something like that.

"Never mind. I thought it over—you didn’t seem intentional. A senior forgives generously. Consider it even after those punches," Xia Xi waved dismissively.

"And calling me a coward? I wasn’t. I genuinely didn’t expect Yao Yao to jump in front of me."

"Mm. I was biased." Xia Xi admitted anger had clouded her judgment. It was Mu Yao’s choice, not Nangong Ruihui’s. No need to push them apart anymore.

Nangong Ruihui knew Xia Xi was reasonable. With the misunderstanding cleared, no more hidden schemes to worry about.

"Alright, Miss Xia. I’m off. Report to student council tomorrow morning." Nangong Ruihui turned, then paused. "Black suits you~"

The blush that had just faded rushed back to Xia Xi’s cheeks. "You—!"

Her outfit was all white. The only black spot was… under her skirt. How could anyone believe he had no ulterior motives?! Noticing *that* when lifting her leg—what a bizarre focus!

"Y-you’re not… going to touch me?" Xia Xi asked in a small, hesitant voice. If he had no interest, why mention it? She couldn’t leave it ambiguous.

"Just teasing. You’re not my girlfriend. If you were? I wouldn’t hold back." Nangong Ruihui’s voice faded with her retreating figure. A strange, nameless feeling stirred in Xia Xi’s heart.

This junior student—shorter than her—was no ordinary person. The sharpness vanished from Xia Xi’s eyes as she watched her leave.

As a girl herself, Nangong Ruihui understood female psychology well. Playing hard to get would surely win Xia Xi over. She’d only been curious about that noticeable spot—not itching to touch. Doing Xia Xi a small favor cost nothing.

Unlike Nangong Ruihui, Xia Xi wasn’t destined to inherit the Xia Clan leadership. She had little interest in the clan’s corporate affairs, and they never pressured her. She’d only recently learned Leji Entertainment belonged to her family and that Mu Yao was a fashion model. She had no idea *Angel Show* was Leji’s magazine or that Mu Yao was their signed artist.

Still… Mu Yao was undeniably cute. Just picturing her smile made Xia Xi’s lips curve. *Wish she were a boy…* Too bad reality wasn’t a novel.

…

Early next morning, Xia Xi arrived at the student council office. Nangong Ruihui had just come in too, with "doormat" Mu Yao beside her.

"Good morning, Nangong Ruihui~ And Mu Yao~" Xia Xi greeted warmly.

Mu Yao blinked, glancing between them. *What happened overnight? Enemies to friends…?*

"Xia Xi, good morning. Yao Yao, why so quiet? Impolite~" Nangong Ruihui lightly pinched Mu Yao’s arm.

"O-oh! Good morning, Senior Xia Xi." Mu Yao tilted her head. "Are you two… calling a truce?"

"Temporary truce," Nangong Ruihui said, sorting A4 papers on her desk. "Xia Xi, you’re student council secretary now. You’ll act as vice president when I’m away. With your seniority, few will challenge you. Rest today, get familiar. I’ll assign duties tomorrow. Outstanding members—including you—get bonus points at term’s end."

"Mm~" Xia Xi was indifferent. Bonus points? Useless. She failed every subject except English—perfect scores earned her the rep role despite her overall record.

"Whoa! Senior Xia Xi’s chatting with President Nangong! Is she joining the council?" a boy whispered.

"Join?! Are you insane?! Who survives the ‘Black Widow’? If she joins, I’m out. Only son—I’ve got filial duties!" another shuddered.

"The secretary spot’s still open… You don’t think—"

"! I’m submitting my resignation this afternoon!"

"Truly the dreaded ‘Scorpion Beauty’…"

Many in council had suffered Xia Xi’s bullying—unknown to Nangong Ruihui, who assumed harmony would follow.

…

"Yao Yao, the music teacher invited me to try the new Steinway grand piano later. Come listen?" Nangong Ruihui asked.

"Of course! Honored~" Mu Yao beamed. She’d never heard Ruihui play.

Mu Yao knew pianos well. Steinway was royalty—a single grand piano cost millions. Yet Yingshengya Academy treated it like routine. *No fanfare for such luxury…* she mused. *This academy truly earns its elite name. Ruihui’s playing must be wonderful~*