"Accept," Li Ziqing whispered, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling in her chest.
A mechanical chime resonated in her mind, followed by the calm yet authoritative voice of the System:
[Ding… Congratulations, Host. You have successfully accepted the new main mission.
Knowledge, Host, is the greatest power in any world. Wealth may crumble, weapons may fail, but wisdom—true wisdom—illuminates not only oneself but everyone in their orbit. To stand at the helm of the most powerful business clan is not merely about money or force. It requires discipline, vision, and a mind that can see beyond the horizon.]
Li Ziqing blinked, startled by the solemnity in the System's tone.
[The path ahead will be arduous. You have already altered the fate of your family, but now the System has detected a deeper force within you—a burning will to change your own destiny. This awakening has triggered your main mission.]
A pause. Then, the System's voice grew firmer, resonating like a bell tolling across a battlefield:
[Main Mission: Increase all personal attributes to the peak—100.
Objective: When you reach the summit of each skill, the world itself will recognize your brilliance. You will no longer be a pawn shuffled by others, but the one moving the pieces.]
Li Ziqing frowned in confusion. "Character stats? What does that even mean?"
[Ding… Host, as part of the System upgrade, a new feature has been unlocked: Personal Attributes. To access it, simply will it in your mind.]
Still skeptical, Li Ziqing closed her eyes and focused as instructed.
Suddenly, the darkness in her mind lit up with golden light. An elegant interface unfolded before her, gleaming with runic designs and the faint hum of celestial machinery. At the top, in bold golden characters, her name appeared:
Name: Li Ziqing
Age: 14
Then, line by line, her personal attributes materialized, glowing faintly as if inscribed on an ancient divine scroll:
Core Attributes
IQ (Intelligence Quotient): 60 / 100 – Analytical ability, problem-solving, and knowledge retention.
EQ (Emotional Intelligence): 42 / 100 – Social awareness, empathy, and influence over others.
Expanded Attributes
Technical Expertise: 40 / 100 – Proficiency with modern technology, gadgets, and digital systems.
Logical Reasoning: 55 / 100 – Deductive ability, strategy, and critical thinking.
Business Acumen: 18 / 100 – Negotiation, entrepreneurship, and financial instincts.
Ancient Cultural Knowledge: 36 / 100 – Calligraphy, jade appraisal, poetry, and classical heritage.
Music & Arts: 0 / 100 – Singing, instrumental performance, painting, aesthetic cultivation.
Culinary Skills: 100 / 100 – Cooking, tea-making, and food presentation.
Scientific Aptitude: 45 / 100 – Basic understanding of physics, chemistry, biology; experimental thinking.
Gambling Instinct: 22 / 100 – Risk assessment, jade-gambling intuition, reading opponents.
Combat & Survival: 28 / 100 – Physical stamina, self-defense, wilderness adaptability.
Charm & Influence: 72 / 100 – Charisma, leadership potential, ability to inspire loyalty.
Li Ziqing's eyes widened as she read through the list. Her lips trembled slightly. Except for culinary skills and, surprisingly, charm, most of her abilities were barely average. Her business sense was almost non-existent, and music… a flat zero.
Her frustration boiled over. "System! How can you give me such humiliating scores? You're making me sound completely useless!"
[Ding...Host, calm yourself. These scores are not an insult; they are a revelation. The metrics here are assessed using the most advanced analysis methods, far beyond ordinary human standards. Even with these numbers, you are already better than most students your age.]
Li Ziqing pursed her lips, still unconvinced.
The System's tone deepened, becoming almost reverent:
[But the System's goal is not to make you average, Host. It is to make you extraordinary. The day will come when you stand among a crowd and need no words nor beauty to draw attention—your presence alone will command respect. In the high society kids that once trampled you, you will stand unmatched. No one will dare to bully you; no one will dare to treat you as they did in your past life.]
Li Ziqing froze, her heartbeat quickening. Memories of betrayal and humiliation flickered before her eyes.
[Even your enemies in the shadows will hesitate to strike, for they will know one truth: the moment they move against you, they are already checkmated. To reach that level, Host, every facet of you—mind, body, and soul—must ascend to perfection. That is why this mission exists.]
The words struck deep, igniting a flame inside her chest she didn't know she had.
Her lips curled slightly. "Then let's see just how far I can go."
[Ding! The reward for accepting the Main Mission has been triggered: Zhuge's Insight Scroll!]
A sudden burst of golden radiance shimmered in the air beside Li Ziqing. Before her eyes, an ancient scroll materialized out of thin air. It bore the same intricate patterns as the Yi Yin Culinary Sage Scroll she had obtained earlier, but this one was different—its entire surface pulsed with an unsteady glow, trembling as if infused with boundless energy, yearning to be unleashed.
Li Ziqing's brows furrowed. Her slender fingers reached out, hesitating for only a heartbeat before picking it up. "System," she asked cautiously, "what exactly is this Zhuge's Insight Scroll?"
[Ding! The Zhuge's Insight Scroll bestows the legendary gift of Divine Photographic Memory. What mortals call a myth is, in truth, an enlightenment of the brain's dormant potential. In ancient times, monks and martial artists would awaken this ability through years of meditation and spiritual refinement. Modern scholars have another name for it—eidetic memory.
The scroll is named after Zhuge Liang, the unparalleled strategist of the Three Kingdoms era, renowned for his wisdom and insight that bordered on the supernatural. Upon activation, Host shall inherit the same boundless memory and clarity of mind.]
Li Ziqing's eyes widened. "Photographic memory…?" Her heart pounded as she recalled countless novels from her previous life, where protagonists in cultivation or transmigration tales gained such miraculous abilities. Never had she imagined that she, too, would possess this legendary gift.
Yet, a sliver of doubt flickered within her. "System, if I gain such an ability, wouldn't that make everything too easy? Where's the challenge in completing future missions then?"
[Ding! No, Host. The System may grant you tools, but mastery lies in discipline. Memory alone does not equate to wisdom. Only through comprehension, perseverance, and application can you uncover your true potential. This scroll merely opens the door. Walking the path is up to you.]
Li Ziqing inhaled slowly, a spark of determination glimmering in her eyes. "So it's not a shortcut—it's a trial in disguise," she murmured, more to herself than the System.
With newfound resolve, she brought the Zhuge's Insight Scroll closer to her forehead. The moment its surface touched her skin, the unstable golden light surged violently. A sharp flash erupted as the radiant energy leapt into her skull like a living serpent of lightning.
A piercing headache struck instantly, more intense than the last time she had absorbed a reward. Her vision blurred; cold sweat trickled down her temples. Yet, unlike before, she did not panic nor cry out for help.
"It's fine… I know this pain," she whispered through gritted teeth. "Growth always comes with a price."
She collapsed onto her bed, curling slightly as waves of pain throbbed inside her skull. The room dimmed around her, the golden light fading into her consciousness, weaving itself into the depths of her mind.
Somewhere deep within, she felt the first stirrings of something vast awakening—a sea of clarity, an endless library of memory waiting to be unlocked.
---
In an opulent private dining room at one of Wuhan's exclusive restaurants, the atmosphere was warm and lively—at least on the surface. Beneath the soft glow of crystal chandeliers and the delicate clink of porcelain against silver chopsticks, an undercurrent of unspoken calculation flowed among the guests.
Tonight, Gong Mutai, accompanied by his elegant wife Jiang Ruolan and their daughter Gong Xinyue, was hosting a dinner for an esteemed visitor from the capital. It was meant to be an evening of pleasantries, yet there lingered a faint tightness in the air—not out of hostility, but the natural awkwardness that comes when every word carries hidden weight.
When Jiang Ruolan first called her husband with the news, he had been ecstatic. Her old university friend, now married into the illustrious Rong family of Beijing, was visiting Wuhan.
Gong Mutai's smile had barely faltered all evening, though his heart had sunk when he realized the president of Rong Group himself, Rong Minghao, would not be attending. Instead, his wife Feng Meiling and their daughter Rong Ruxue had come in his stead. But Gong Mutai knew better than to show disappointment. Even if Rong Minghao was absent, the woman sitting before him carried weight in her own way.
Who in the business world hadn't heard of the Rong family? One of Beijing's four great aristocratic houses, the second-richest in the country, teetering on the brink of international expansion. Any company that could attach itself to their momentum could ride the wave of Rong Group's success. Gong Mutai's shrewd mind knew this dinner was an opportunity he could not afford to waste.
"Mrs. Rong," he said warmly, placing a porcelain bowl gently before Feng Meiling, "you must try this bird's nest soup. It's prepared with ginseng and snow fungus—nourishing and exceptionally rare. I had it specially ordered the moment Ruolan told me you'd be visiting."
Feng Meiling's painted lips curved into a polite smile. "President Gong is too kind. This restaurant certainly lives up to its reputation." She lifted her spoon with delicate grace. Though she appeared demure, there was a calculating glint in her eyes, well-hidden beneath layers of social polish.
Jiang Ruolan, dressed elegantly but slightly overdone compared to Feng Meiling's understated luxury, leaned forward with a playful laugh. "Meiling, you haven't changed at all. Sixteen years since our graduation, and you still look exactly the same. If I didn't know better, I'd think we were back at our convocation yesterday."
Feng Meiling gave a gentle, self-deprecating chuckle. "Ruolan, you're teasing me. It's all makeup and careful maintenance. Truth be told, Minghao's been so busy with work lately, hardly ever home. I've had to run to the capital office and even pull a few all-nighters just to see him. It's exhausting, but a wife worries, you know? After all, health is wealth."
Her tone was soft, but there was a deliberate lilt to her words. She liked playing the role of the devoted wife—even if her marriage was more façade than reality. It looked good to outsiders, and she had mastered the art of leveraging appearances.
At her words, Gong Mutai's eyes lit with interest. Pulling all-nighters at Rong Group? That meant she might have caught wind of their latest projects. He forced a hearty laugh. "You're absolutely right, Mrs. Rong. What wife doesn't care for her husband's health? My Ruolan nags me day and night not to overwork, but you know how business can be—sometimes there's just no way around it."
Feng Meiling's lips curled. "Men and their empires," she said lightly. "Always chasing the next deal, the next Opportunity. Minghao is the same—he barely sleeps when there's something big in the works."
Gong Mutai's pulse quickened slightly. He maintained a calm exterior, feigning casual interest. "That dedication is exactly why Rong Group is where it is today," he said. "I hear the capital market has been… buzzing recently. Big projects, high stakes. You must worry about him."
Across the table, Gong Xinyue, his teenage daughter, fidgeted slightly, unused to the veiled tension of adult conversations, she was also getting little impatient. Rong Ruxue, however, sat perfectly composed, her clear eyes watching everyone with quiet detachment.
Feng Meiling stirred her soup lazily, appearing oblivious to the subtle fishing attempt. "Mm, the capital is always noisy. Business rumors, market speculation—half of it is true, half nonsense. You know how it is, President Gong." She smiled faintly and, before anyone could press further, shifted smoothly. "But enough about tedious work matters. Children are far more interesting, don't you agree?"
Jiang Ruolan blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Children?"
"Yes." Feng Meiling turned her gaze to the two girls. "Xinyue and Ruxue will be classmates now, won't they? I'm very happy about that. It's rare to find good friends at this age. The girls will have each other to rely on."
The topic change was artful and absolute. Gong Mutai and Jiang Ruolan shared the briefest flicker of disappointment. They'd hoped to steer the conversation toward Rong Group's plans, but Feng Meiling had deftly pulled it toward safer territory.
Jiang Ruolan forced a smile. "Yes, that's true. Xinyue is a little shy, but I'm sure she and Ruxue will get along well."
Rong Ruxue inclined her head politely. "I look forward to studying with you, Miss Gong."
Gong Xinyue finally smiled, little exited as she looked at the girl donned head to toe in luxary brands. "Me too."
Feng Meiling reached over to brush an invisible speck from her daughter's sleeve. "Ruxue has always been focused on her studies, hardly time for friends. I'm relieved she'll have someone like Xinyue. Perhaps you two can motivate each other."
Gong Mutai, though disappointed, allowed himself a small inward smirk. If Ruxue will be staying in Wuhan long-term, there will be other opportunities. Plenty of them. He had long wanted to strike at Huiheng Group but had been restrained due to its ties with the Shen family. With a connection, however tangential, to the Rong family, his confidence was returning.
For now, he lifted his cup in a toast, masking his ambition with geniality. "Then it's settled. To new friendships—and a prosperous future for all."
After dinner outside the high-end restaurant, the cool evening breeze carried the faint aroma of roasted duck and jasmine tea. The valet had already lined up the cars, their polished exteriors gleaming under the golden streetlamps.
Gong Mutai walked ahead with Jiang Ruolan on his arm, while Feng Meiling glided beside them, her red lips curled in a perfect socialite's smile. Behind the adults, Rong Ruxue and Gong Xinyue trailed along, the clinking of their heels on the pavement echoing in the night.
Rong Ruxue's gaze was indifferent as she swept her eyes over the waiting cars, before turning to Gong Xinyue. Her tone was casual, yet it carried a hint of aloofness.
"Your school—Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School, isn't it? What's it like?"
Gong Xinyue's eyes brightened instantly. Pride bloomed across her face as she straightened her back. "Of course it's the best in Hubei Province! Our school produces top scorers every year, the facilities are unmatched, and we even have exchange programs with top universities. Getting admitted there is something most kids can only dream of."
There was a distinct enthusiasm in her voice; this was her badge of honor.
But Rong Ruxue only gave a light, almost mocking laugh.
"Oh? Sounds… decent. But it's nothing compared to my previous school in Beijing. Even our second-tier classes there would outshine Wuhan's so-called best."
Her words sliced through Gong Xinyue's pride like an icy blade. The smug little smile on Rong Ruxue's lips made her seem like a peacock displaying its feathers.
For a brief moment, Gong Xinyue's smile froze, her face stiffening. Inside, a storm raged—What's so great about you? If your Beijing school is that amazing, why didn't you just stay there?
But she bit her tongue, refusing to let her irritation slip out clumsily. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her tone deceptively sweet.
"Well, I suppose everyone has their own reasons. After all, not everyone can handle the competition in Beijing, right? Maybe Wuhan will be… easier for you."
Her jab was subtle, but the glint in her eyes gave her away.
Rong Ruxue's gaze sharpened. Her lips curved, amused, unbothered.
"Easier? Oh, you misunderstand. I came here because I chose to. Some things can't be measured by provincial rankings, you see. Not everyone needs to prove themselves with a report card."
Her voice carried a quiet arrogance, her chin lifting slightly. It wasn't just what she said—it was the way she looked at Gong Xinyue, like a queen regarding an upstart maid.
The unspoken tension crackled between them. Gong Xinyue's fists clenched at her sides, but before she could retort, Rong Ruxue had already turned away with graceful disdain. She walked to the luxury car waiting ahead, slid into the back seat beside her mother without sparing another glance, and the driver closed the door behind her.
The car purred to life and drove away, its taillights vanishing into the night.
Gong Xinyue stood rooted to the spot, her chest heaving. Her eyes glared at the disappearing car with all the fury of a spoiled princess denied her crown.
Gong Mutai, noticing his daughter's expression, frowned sharply.
"What are you glaring at? If Mrs. Rong saw you making that face, what would she think? Do you want to ruin everything with your childish temper?"
Jiang Ruolan, ever the mediator, patted her daughter's arm gently.
"A Yue, listen to your father. Tomorrow, you'll be classmates with Rong Ruxue. You must get along with her. We cannot afford to offend the Rong family. If you indulge her a little, it will only benefit you."
Gong Xinyue finally let her frustration spill.
"But Mom, Dad, didn't you see how she looked at me? Like I was beneath her! She's so spoiled! If Beijing is so amazing, why bother coming to Wuhan? It's not like we begged her to come here!"
Her voice trembled with anger. She was the young miss of the Gong family, the apple of her parents' eye, spoiled since birth. No one had ever dared look down on her—until Rong Ruxue.
Gong Mutai's face darkened, ready to scold her, but Jiang Ruolan shot him a warning glance. Instead, she spoke softly, her voice calm yet laced with meaning.
"A Yue, control your anger. Think ahead. This connection with the Rong family is not just for Gong Group's business—it's for you too. Imagine if you become close friends with Rong Ruxue. Maybe one day she'll invite you to Beijing. You could meet the real high society there… the kind of rich second-generation heirs who could change your life."
Gong Xinyue blinked, Jiang Ruolan's words sinking in. The fury in her heart began to simmer down, replaced by a glimmer of calculation.
To be honest, she knew her father's nature well. Unless something promised great benefit, he wouldn't spend a cent on her whims. Most of her branded clothes and jewelry came from her mother's secret indulgence, nothing compared to Rong Ruxue's head-to-toe luxury.
The thought of marrying into a wealthy Beijing family, living a life of true extravagance, sent a thrill through her chest. Slowly, a smile curved on her lips.
"Okay, Mom. Don't worry. I'll make sure to be good friends with her."
Jiang Ruolan and Gong Mutai exchanged a satisfied glance. Their daughter wasn't stupid—she just needed to see where the advantage lay.
Gong Mutai leaned forward with a broad grin, patting his daughter's shoulder. "If you keep your word, Daddy will reward you with that Cartier watch you were eyeing back then. And not just that—you can ask me for anything you want."
The moment the words left his mouth, Gong Xinyue's eyes lit up like fireworks. She practically leapt into her father's arms, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Dad! I promise—I'll keep my word and get along with Rong Ruxue. You'll see!"
Her childish excitement filled the surrounding, but Jiang Ruolan wasn't smiling. Her brows furrowed as she recalled her daughter's earlier outburst, and a thorn of unease pricked her heart.
She turned toward her husband, voice low but pointed. "Mutai, doesn't it strike you as odd? Why would the Rong family send their daughter all the way to Wuhan? From Beijing of all places?" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "People fight tooth and nail to get their children admitted to elite schools in Beijing. And yet, Feng Meiling and Rong Minghao are willingly sending their daughter alone to such a small city? Doesn't that sound strange to you?"
Gong Mutai paused. His wife's words had merit. Even his daughter's earlier tantrum suddenly seemed less childish and more… telling. He stroked his chin, contemplative. "You're right. No one in their right mind would send their daughter away from Beijing—especially not the Rongs. Compared to Beijing, Wuhan is insignificant."
He fell silent for a moment, his eyes growing distant, then shook his head. "But whatever their reason is, it doesn't concern us." His tone hardened with ambition as he straightened in his chair. "What matters is how we take care of Rong Ruxue while she's here—and how we use this to form a good connection with the Rong family."
At that, his gaze sharpened with a glint of excitement, as though a grand idea had just bloomed in his mind.
"December is approaching within two months," he said, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "And with it comes the Annual Winter Ball in Beijing. You know what that means, don't you?"
Jiang Ruolan's expression shifted. "The ball hosted by the Xie family?" She uttered the surname almost in a whisper, as if speaking it aloud carried weight.
Gong Mutai's lips curved in satisfaction. "Yes, the Xie family." He leaned back in his chair, eyes glittering with desire. "Once a royal clan, and even after the fall of the monarchy, they remain China's first aristocratic family. Their influence reaches everywhere—business, politics, even the military. The head of their family is rumored to be a personal friend of His Excellency himself. An invitation to that ball isn't just a piece of paper; it's a golden key. Anyone holding it will have doors of opportunity opening like magnets drawn to steel."
Gong Xinyue tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "But Daddy, do you think we can really get invited? Isn't it only for the most important people in the country?"
"That's exactly why Rong Ruxue's presence matters," Gong Mutai replied smoothly. "If we play our cards right, if we make her feel at home, if the Rongs are pleased with us… who knows? Perhaps they'll put in a word for us. And once we step foot in the Winter Ball, Gong Group will never be the same again."
Jiang Ruolan still looked unconvinced, though her calculating eyes betrayed that his ambition had ignited something in her as well. "Hmph. You're putting a lot of weight on one teenage girl," she murmured. "But… you may have a point."
Gong Mutai smirked. "A man must seize opportunities where they appear, Ruolan. Even if they come disguised as a schoolgirl in Wuhan."
____
Author's Note:
Don't get confused, dear readers.
The power dynamics in Beijing can be tricky, so let's make it clear before we move forward.
Xie Family – the First Aristocratic Family, with a century-old royal lineage; their influence stretches across business, politics, and the military.
Rong Family – the Second Aristocratic Family, and also the second richest in all of China.
Han Family – the Third Aristocratic Family, into which the Rong family's daughter, Rong Lihong, married.
Song Family – the Fourth Aristocratic Family, belonging to Song Renshu's lineage.
As for the Shen Family, though they are the richest in Asia, they are based in Hong Kong and therefore not counted among the Beijing aristocratic clans.
And before I sign off—thank you so much to mwansa0 and Kulsum_Bano for your power stones! 🙏
We've already crossed 60+ chapters, and if you're enjoying the story, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a review. Your support means the world! 💖