Yara Lu slipped into the bathroom and quickly called Ning Xiner."Xiner, what's going on? I was gone for just a little while, and that ugly Celia suddenly turned into some goddess everyone calls Su Xian?"
"Yaoyao, you don't understand," Ning Xiner replied anxiously. "Celia's facial scar was fake—she painted it on herself. She's actually stunningly beautiful. The girl I've been fangirling over all this time—it's her!"
Yara Lu froze. "What?"
"She's now tied with you in the School Beauty rankings," Ning Xiner continued. "It only took her one day to get there. Your reign as the top beauty is about to collapse. If she surpasses you, then—"
Yara immediately pulled up the School Beauty rankings on her phone. Sure enough, Celia had caught up, her name now right beside Yara's at the very top.
Just one more vote, and her title as the campus beauty queen would be gone.
How could this be possible?
She had never once considered Celia a real threat. But who would have thought that scar was fake, and behind it was a face so beautiful it seemed otherworldly? A true rival had suddenly appeared in her life.
Yara had never met an equal in the capital. And now this Celia—where on earth had she come from?
"I understand. Don't worry. I won't let her surpass me," Yara said coldly, hanging up without another word.
She had already arranged for people to manipulate the forum voting. How could she possibly allow Celia to steal her spotlight?
Her good mood for the day was completely ruined. She had always loved being the center of attention, adored like the star she believed she was. The thought of anyone stealing her thunder was unbearable.
Celia…
She repeated the name silently, her eyes darkening. She was determined to crush her.
After composing herself, Yara returned to the dining hall, only to find Nathaniel Fu already gone.
Secretary Song politely informed her, "Miss Lu, the president has returned to work."
"But… didn't Nathaniel say he would have dinner with me?" she asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
"The president's schedule has changed," Secretary Song explained smoothly. "He is lecturing at Tsinghua University tomorrow, so he needs to work overtime tonight."
Yara's eyes lit up. "He's going to Tsinghua University tomorrow?"
"Yes, Miss Lu."
Her heart leapt with joy. Perfect! Nathaniel Fu, her fiancé, was going to appear at Tsinghua University—one of the most prestigious schools in the country. A genius professor paired with a celebrated campus beauty… She could already picture the glamorous attention they would draw.
The next morning.
A black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up discreetly at a side entrance of Tsinghua University. Nathaniel stepped out, exuding his usual calm, reserved aura. He wanted to avoid unnecessary attention, so he chose a quieter road to enter campus.
Just then, a cheerful female voice rang out from behind him.
"Cici, you're here!"
Nathaniel's steps faltered. Slowly, he turned his head.
In the stream of students, he spotted her. Celia.
She wore her school uniform today—a crisp white shirt tucked into a pleated skirt, layered with a dark-blue mid-length down jacket. A small backpack hung over her shoulder, swaying slightly as she walked.
She looked casual, no different from the other girls around her. And yet, she stood out effortlessly.
Her slender frame carried a quiet elegance. Her delicate features, soft and luminous like flowing water, seemed even lovelier than he remembered. She now had wispy bangs, and her long black hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, giving her a refreshing, youthful air.
She looked like an ordinary schoolgirl—pure, ethereal, untouched.
Nathaniel's gaze lingered. He thought she had become even more beautiful.
Celia walked up to Li Yuting with a warm smile. "Good morning, Yuting."
"Good morning, Cici. Let's head back to class together," Yuting replied cheerfully.
The two of them joined several classmates, chatting as they made their way toward Class 28. None of them noticed Nathaniel standing nearby.
But the rest of the crowd did. A commotion rippled through the corridor.
"Look, it's Su Xian from Class 28!" several male students whispered excitedly, their eyes fixed on Celia.
The boys' gazes trailed after her, full of admiration and awe.
Nathaniel's eyes followed her, too, his expression unreadable. In that moment, countless memories of the time they had spent together resurfaced—her laughter, her tears, the way she had once looked at him with those clear, unwavering eyes.
He stood there silently, the corner of his lips curving almost imperceptibly.