By the time the last school bell rang that Thursday, Gu Ning was already walking toward the back gate.
She wore a plain white blouse and long navy skirt—neither fancy nor expensive, but somehow it gave her the aura of someone who didn't need to try. Her hair was neatly tied back. She carried a cloth tote bag with only two things inside: her notebook and a sample pendant wrapped in black silk.
At 5:01 p.m., the gate squeaked open. A girl stepped through. She wore a short denim jacket over her uniform and sported an overconfident smirk. Behind her trailed two other girls.
She brought backup. Good. It means she thinks she's negotiating power.
The girl stopped in front of Gu Ning, one hand on her hip. "So you're the pendant seller?"
Gu Ning didn't answer. She just lifted the silk wrap and let the sunlight catch the edge of the pendant. Soft violet glinted off the braided thread.
The girl's eyes flicked to it, curiosity ignited despite herself.
"Nice," she muttered.
"Original design," Gu Ning said. "Only I source this style. You won't find it on Taobao."
"And how much do you want?"
Gu Ning calmly replied, "12 per piece. You sell it for 18, you make 6 profit. Bulk delivery. I pack them, label them, and provide QR order codes you can flash-sell with."
The girl looked skeptical. "Why not 10, like I said before?"
Gu Ning stepped closer, gaze unwavering.
"Because you came to me. Because I already sold 43 in two days. Because your class's booth is the only one without a confirmed draw, and the festival is in three days."
One of the other girls whispered to the leader, "She's right, Min. No one signed up for our booth yet…"
Min clicked her tongue. "Fine. 12. But I want one extra design included for free."
Gu Ning didn't flinch. "I'll throw in two. But I want a banner with my shop's QR at your booth."
Min raised a brow. "You're ambitious."
"I'm not here to stay small," Gu Ning said. "Are you?"
A beat of silence passed. Then Min grinned and extended her hand.
"Deal."
---
That Night – Business Mode Engaged
Back at home, Gu Ning set up her small workspace.
The desk was now covered in colored threads, bead kits, pliers, tiny packaging boxes, and handwritten thank-you cards. Her fingers moved precisely, weaving crystal cords with almost meditative rhythm.
Across the room, Lin Yuhan sat with his laptop open, working on updates to the landing page. The new addition? A festival promo corner with limited stock countdowns.
"I can't believe you locked in a 100-unit booth deal already," he muttered, impressed.
Gu Ning tied off a thread. "I used to negotiate six-figure contracts before most kids here learned to spell 'business.' This is child's play."
Lin paused typing. "You… used to?"
Gu Ning didn't respond. She reached into a box and pulled out a sealed packet of new pendants.
She changed the subject. "I'll need you to write a simple check-in form that logs customer name, phone, and the color they want. I'll scan it into my inventory spreadsheet."
"You sound like someone who's done this for ten years."
Gu Ning gave him a small, unreadable smile. "Maybe I have."
---
Friday – The Rumors Begin
By the next morning, buzz had started to form.
Someone posted in the campus group:
> [MoonPeach00]: "Anyone see that QR booth at Class 7's festival spot? They're gonna sell these really pretty crystal pendants. Kinda want one."
> [GlassCup]: "Apparently they hired some girl to design them and make everything custom?"
> [SummerInk]: "I heard it's Gu Ning. You know, the girl who used to be so quiet?"
> [Anon78]: "No way. She doesn't even talk to people."
> [PeachyMe]: "Well she talks with money now."
Gu Ning read the messages in silence during homeroom. She allowed herself a moment to process the shift.
Visibility was beginning. And with visibility came attention—both useful and dangerous.
She pulled out her notebook and wrote two names under a new list titled:
> "Potential Competitors / Disruptors"
Class 9: Known for trendy resale shop last semester
Class 4: Boy's sports team often uses fanbase to sell gear
She circled both.
---
Saturday – Festival Day
The school courtyard was transformed into a maze of decorated booths, banners, and crowds. Students and parents drifted in with excitement.
Gu Ning wore the same simple outfit. White blouse, navy skirt. This time, she pinned a lavender ribbon at her collar.
Lin stood behind the booth's second table, watching as Gu Ning unpacked a neatly organized crate of display boxes.
The banner above them read:
"G.N. Studio – Simplicity Sells. Limited Drop Only."
People stopped. They looked. They whispered.
Min, the class leader who'd struck the deal, arrived at 9:00 sharp. She scanned the setup.
"You're seriously pro," she muttered. "You sure you're a student?"
Gu Ning handed her a clipboard. "Scan code to track sales. Update the sheet every 20 sales. Keep it orderly. No freebies."
By 10:00 a.m., the line had stretched to 15 people.
By 11:30 a.m., they had sold out the first 70 units.
By noon, word had spread.
"Who made these?"
"Where can I buy more?"
"Can I pre-order if it's sold out?"
Min was glowing from the success. Lin was stunned at the sheer volume of QR scans.
And Gu Ning—she simply took it all in with quiet calculation.
This is only the beginning.
---
Later That Evening – Rooftop
Lin sat beside her on the rooftop as dusk rolled in.
"I updated the backend," he said. "Now we've got a mailing list too. 112 unique visitors scanned today."
Gu Ning nodded, sipping cold tea.
He hesitated before speaking again.
"Why are you really doing all this?"
Gu Ning didn't look at him. Her gaze stayed locked on the skyline.
"When I was younger, I trusted the wrong people. I let others control my life, my name, my company. And then... they buried me."
Lin blinked.
She turned to face him, voice softer now.
"This time, I don't wait to be chosen. I build the seat myself."
---
Final Scene – Phone Alert
At 11:23 p.m., a new message appeared on her phone. The contact was unknown.
> [ID: 004_BlackViper]
"Your work's clean. Real clean. I've got a proposition for you."
Gu Ning stared at the screen.
The underground trade circle. They've noticed.
She opened a new page in her notebook.
Next Target: Learn who "BlackViper" is. Decide whether to use or crush them.
She closed the book.
Tomorrow, she'd expand again.