In the hallway, a flicker of apprehension danced across Anran's delicate face—
tinged, too, with waves of quiet joy.
The unease stemmed from the unfamiliar surroundings,
but the joy? It was the sheer elation of stepping once more into a life
that mirrored the beauty of her past.
Gratitude welled up in her heart, her eyes shining with emotion.
All of it—because of Chu Yi.
"So you're nothing more than that mysterious god's nameless sister,"
came a voice,
cool and tinged with disdain.
"You and I… we're not so different after all."
Anran wrinkled her petite nose at the sound,
her gaze shifting toward the speaker—
Shang Yanyan, leaning lazily against the wall,
her face alight with smug arrogance,
eyes lowered in deliberate contempt.
And just like that, the little embers in Anran's heart flared.
"Even if I am just Chu Yi's sister,
that bond alone places me a hundredfold above you,"
Anran replied, coolly.
"And to tell you the truth—
we came out of the same house this morning."
"We live together now."
"You—!"
The words sliced through the air,
leaving Shang Yanyan seething,
her jaw clenched, fury burning in her chest.
"Hmph!"
Anran cast her a triumphant glance,
sailing past her with calm elegance.
Yanyan stood frozen, torn between rage and disbelief,
but moments later, she hurried to catch up.
"Why are you following me?"
Anran asked, puzzled.
"Mind your own business. This road doesn't belong to you,"
Yanyan shot back.
"Besides, since you're the male idol's dear sister,
I suppose I could do my part and keep you company."
"This place is crawling with bullies, after all."
"And me? I happen to have a bit of clout around here."
Though she remained haughtily aloof,
her gaze lingered enviously on the soft swell at Anran's chest.
"Very well then,"
Anran replied, catching the underlying goodwill hidden beneath the girl's pride.
She smiled faintly.
"I'll count on you, big boss, to look out for me."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
"Wait until you see how much influence I carry here!"
Shang Yanyan sighed inwardly,
relieved that the hostility between them had eased.
It turns out… maybe Anran wasn't so bad after all.
Her eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion.
Meanwhile, Chu Yi reclined comfortably on a public bench.
Before him stood Li De, a genial smile stretched across his face.
"Young Master Chu, please, try some Longjing tea."
Li De poured from the delicate teapot,
and soon the room was awash in the light fragrance of tea,
its gentle steam curling through the air like a wisp of cloud.
"Not bad,"
Chu Yi murmured, taking a sip.
It wasn't quite the artisan tea from his family's collection—
but still, this blend must cost at least two thousand yuan per tael.
"Ha! As long as it pleases you, I'm satisfied,"
Li De beamed,
eager to please the young heir before him.
He knew Chu Yi was no ordinary guest—he was a golden goose.
Chu Yi, discerning the flattery, offered a faint smile
and took another sip before cutting to the heart of the matter.
"Enough pleasantries. Let's talk business.
Find a good villa for my sister."
"At once! Let me show you the listings."
Li De hurried to present the options,
and Chu Yi soon made his choice—
a quaint villa nestled beside a forest and a serene lake.
Modest in size, barely a hundred square meters,
yet typically reserved for scholars and elites.
Of course, this wasn't won through merit—
Chu Yi had merely donated a building and pulled a few strings.
"Very well, Director Li. That concludes our business. I'll be on my way."
"You're leaving already?"
"Would you allow me the honor of escorting you?"
"You'd walk me out? But I intend to check in on my sister first. Isn't that too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all, how could it be?"
"In fact, I was just heading out myself."
Trouble? As if he, Li De, would find it troublesome
to escort a scion of immense wealth and influence!
He was lucky for the chance.
"In that case, let's go together."
Chu Yi's voice was cool and composed.
…
At that moment, Anran was quietly polishing her little wooden desk,
while beside her, Shang Yanyan wiped down a bench.
Around them, a group of boys gazed at Anran, utterly mesmerized.
"Wow… she's so beautiful. Her skin's flawless."
"Yeah, probably the prettiest girl we've seen around here. I want to ask her name."
"I think I'm falling for her already…"
Their whispers filled the classroom,
yet none dared approach—
still clumsy and shy in the ways of love.
But Anran felt nothing in response to their attention.
Her heart was filled with only one person—Chu Yi.
No other boy could stir her feelings.
"Anran, look at them. They're all bewitched by you,"
Shang Yanyan teased.
"Why don't you pick one? Maybe someone will catch your eye."
"Not a chance,"
Anran replied calmly.
"My heart belongs to Chu Yi—
there's no room for anyone else."
"Alright, alright, I won't bring it up again,"
Yanyan said with a sigh, a touch disheartened.
She hadn't expected Anran's devotion to Chu Yi to be so absolute.
Winning her attention for someone else? Practically impossible.
Sigh.
When would she get to keep her oppa all to herself?
She lowered her head,
scrubbing the bench as though venting her frustration.
Just then, someone caught sight of them from the hallway—
Xiao Li.
"Is that… Shang Yanyan?"
"What is she doing here?"
Xiao Li was stunned to see her there,
let alone cleaning.
And beside her—
a breathtakingly beautiful girl.
Who is she?
Seeing Anran's snow-white complexion,
the air of innocence, and her delicate charm,
a dark jealousy flared within Xiao Li's heart.
Why does such a girl exist?
If she stays here, will any boy ever look at me again?
Her envy took root and bloomed into something cruel.
She stared blankly, her expression twisted by shifting emotions.
And then, without hesitation, she bolted down to the lowest level of the building.
She had made up her mind—
Anran must be destroyed.
Why should she be used and discarded by others,
while that girl shone like a lotus blooming atop a snow-covered mountain?
…
Down in the boys' restroom—
the hangout of local thugs—
a cloud of smoke hung thick in the air.
Seven or eight youths lingered inside,
the most imposing of them a brutish figure with knotted muscles—Fang Hao.
The school's notorious bully.
"Boss Hao, now that Dao-ge backs us, we've crushed most of the rival gangs,"
one lackey said proudly.
"Yeah, but we still have to hand over seventy percent of our protection money.
Not much left for us,"
another muttered.
Fang Hao narrowed his eyes.
A slap cracked across the second boy's cheek.
Grabbing him by the collar, Fang Hao growled—
"Everything we have is because of Dao-ge.
Say another bad word about him,
and you'll wish you hadn't been born."
"Y-yes, Boss!"
The boy fell silent instantly, trembling.
Fang Hao shoved him to the ground and turned away with a grunt.
The others scattered,
nervously slipping out to avoid trouble.
But one person walked in.
Xiao Li.
Fixing her hair, she sauntered in with a flirtatious smile.
"Boss Hao, I've got good news for you today."
She sashayed toward him,
drawing lustful stares from the other boys.
Fang Hao smirked.
"You're just in time. I need you."
Xiao Li faltered, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
She knew exactly what he meant.
But this was not what she came here for.
"Let's talk first—"
"I said come here. Did I stutter?"
Fang Hao's eyes flashed with impatience.
"Yes, Boss…"
She had no choice but to obey,
her pride swallowed in silence.
…
Time slipped by.
At last, Fang Hao sighed contentedly.
Lighting a cigarette, he asked:
"So? What's this good news?"
"A new girl just arrived,"
Xiao Li said quickly.
"She's unbelievably beautiful. Pure. Delicate."
"Pretty? What girl here is ever that pretty?"
Fang Hao scoffed.
"I swear, Boss—she's even more stunning than Shang Yanyan."
"What?!"
The cigarette nearly burned his fingers as he stared in shock.
More beautiful than Shang Yanyan?
He had long coveted her,
but dared not touch her due to her background.
And now, someone even more enchanting had appeared?
One without any ties or protection?
"Does she have anyone backing her?"
"No one. She's new—completely alone."
Xiao Li's voice trembled with excitement.
It was done. The trap was set.
…
"Wow! Finally done!"
Shang Yanyan admired the neat desk and stack of sixty books beneath it.
"Thanks so much for helping,"
Anran said warmly.
"Ah, it was nothing."
Yanyan scratched the back of her head, smiling.
But then—
a voice rang out in panic.
"F-Fang Hao's coming!"
What?!
Why would he come here?!
Shang Yanyan's face turned pale with worry.
She wasn't afraid for herself—
but for Anran.
And Chu Yi wasn't here yet.
Quickly, she pulled Anran to the corner of the room to hide.
But it was too late.
Fang Hao entered.
"Boss, she really is gorgeous.
Definitely the prettiest girl I've ever seen around here!"
"Even her clothes are expensive—must be from some luxury brand!"
Fang Hao's eyes lit up like he'd found treasure.
His face twisted in hungry delight.