The car glided through Wuhan's neon-lit streets, reflections of gaudy billboards and streetlamps flashing across the windows. Inside, the air was suffocatingly quiet. Rong Ruxue's earlier arrogance had drained away; she sat stiff and pale, her gaze fixed on the blur of city lights outside.
Feng Meiling noticed immediately. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to her daughter.
"Ruxue," she asked slowly, her voice deceptively gentle. "What's wrong? Why are you so silent?"
For a moment, Rong Ruxue hesitated, as though weighing whether to speak. Finally, she turned her head, her lips trembling slightly.
"Mom… why didn't Dad come to send me off? Didn't you see Uncle Gong's reaction earlier? He looked… disappointed when he saw it was just us. I hate that look, Mom. That pity, that judgment. So what if I'm adop—"
"Enough!" Feng Meiling's voice cracked like a whip, booming inside the confined car. Her face twisted in fury as she shot a glance at the driver, who gripped the wheel tighter, eyes fixed dead ahead. Lowering her tone, she hissed,
"How many times have I told you? Never speak of that outside the house. Do you want the whole world to know? Do you want to hand them a weapon to humiliate you?"
Ruxue flinched but clenched her fists.
"But Mom… why do I always have to be the one hiding? Pretending? Why can't I be like the real heiresses in Beijing? Free, proud, admired! Why do I have to live in fear that one day they'll expose me as nothing but an adopted outsider? Why can't I be Dad's real daughter?"
Her voice cracked, but beneath the tremble was venom—raw and festering.
Feng Meiling's eyes flickered, her expression hardening. "Because that's the reality you were given. And reality is for us to twist, not cry over. You think pitying yourself will change anything?" She leaned closer, her whisper low and cold. "From tomorrow, you start school. Remember why you're here. Remember your goal. Everything else—your shame, your resentment—bury it deep where no one can see."
Ruxue bit her lip and said nothing, turning her face back to the window. Her eyes, though, burned with hatred. Why? Why must I endure this? She resented all of them—her mother, the Rong family, even Rong Minghao, who drew a line between her and Rong Yichen as though she were always "less."
Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang suddenly. The sharp melody filled the tense silence. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes lit up. A radiant smile bloomed across her face, masking the bitterness from moments before.
"Mom, it's Dad."
Even Feng Meiling blinked in surprise. Then, with a small smile, she said, "Pick up."
Ruxue answered sweetly, voice soft and sugary.
"Dad!"
On the other side, Rong Minghao's deep, warm voice came through, tinged with fatigue.
"Ruxue, I'm sorry I couldn't come to send you off to Wuhan. I hope you don't hold it against me?"
"Of course not, Dad," Ruxue replied instantly, her tone now playful and lively, a perfect mask. "We just met Uncle Gong and his family. Mom's friend is really nice."
She sounded nothing like the resentful girl glaring out the window a moment ago. Like a seasoned actress, she played her part flawlessly; she'd learned well under Feng Meiling's tutelage.
"That's good to hear," Rong Minghao said gently. "But Ruxue, are you sure about studying in Wuhan? Your brother's here in Beijing. The whole family's here. Why go so far?"
Ruxue hesitated and cast Feng Meiling a furtive glance before lying smoothly,
"Dad, I want to live independently for a while… explore more. And Wuhan City No.1 Middle School is one of the best in Central China. It'll be good for me."
There was silence for a moment on the line, then Minghao sighed softly. He knew, though he didn't say it, how uncomfortable she was in the Rong estate, enduring his mother's cutting remarks.
"Alright. But take care of yourself. If you need anything, call me. Once my schedule clears, I'll personally come see you."
His voice held warmth—a distant but genuine fatherly affection. Though she wasn't his biological child, she had grown up calling him "Dad," and that counted for something.
Ruxue's lips curled into a sweet smile. "Okay, Dad. I'll take care of myself, and I'll wait for you to come."
They exchanged a few more words before hanging up.
Feng Meiling had sat silently through it all. Not once did Minghao ask to speak with her. Not once did he even inquire if she was well. When the line went dead, she chuckled—a bitter, humorless sound—and turned to stare at the dazzling Wuhan skyline.
Ever since the night at the Rong estate, when she discovered Rong Minghao was secretly searching for that woman, he hadn't come home. And this time, Feng Meiling hadn't bothered to chase him either.
The moment Feng Meiling thought of that woman, a storm of venom churned within her chest. Her nails curled inward, biting into her own palm until faint crescent marks appeared. A month, she seethed inwardly. It's already been over a month, and the detective Mother hired still hasn't even managed to find a single photograph of her.
All she had was a name—a name that might not even be real. After all, if that name were genuine, would it really be this difficult to find her? Feng Meiling's lips curled into a silent, bitter smile. But no matter. Even if she's hiding in the deepest pit of hell, I will drag her out. The moment I find that woman, her entire family will pay. I will make her weep blood and regret the day she ever crossed paths with Rong Minghao. He belongs to me—only me. Anyone daring to come between us will die. Not a swift death, but a slow and excruciating one.
Her eyes gleamed with a ruthless, almost deranged malice. I'll find her before Rong Lihong's people do, she vowed silently, as the taxi rolled to a halt at Wuhan International Airport.
The car door opened, and the humid Wuhan air swept over her face. She adjusted her designer dress, her smile returning—a mask hiding the venom beneath. At the airport entrance, she turned to her daughter, her tone crisp and commanding.
"Ruxue," Feng Meiling said smoothly, "I've arranged everything for you. The car, the driver, the house, even a maid. I've spent a fortune to ensure you have no distractions. All you need to do is focus on your goal."
Rong Ruxue straightened immediately, her delicate chin lifting arrogantly. "Yes, Mom. I'll definitely win over Shen Zeyan," she replied with absolute conviction, though deep down her desire was closer to obsession.
Her heart thudded faster at the thought. I can't stay in the Rong family any longer, she told herself. I won't spend my life as their punching bag. I'll become a true phoenix, soaring above them all. And once I marry into the Shen family, the Rong family will kneel before me. I'll make them regret every slight.
Feng Meiling, oblivious to the deeper darkness festering in her daughter's heart—or perhaps reveling in it—continued speaking with a haughty smirk. "Remember, you are the heiress of the Rong family. In this small backwater like Wuhan, no one can compare to you. When you step into that school tomorrow, you will be the brightest star in the sky. Hold your head high. Let everyone know their place beneath you. And most importantly, let Shen Zeyan see how extraordinary you are. He will fall for you. There's no way he won't."
Ruxue's lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. Her mother's words were like honey to her ears. With my looks and brains, no boy in Wuhan No.1 High can resist me. Shen Zeyan will be mine sooner or later. And when I'm part of the Shen family, no one will dare look down on me ever again.
A strange, manic gleam flickered in both mother and daughter's eyes—a mirror of their shared ambition.
---
The next morning, Li Ziqing stirred awake to the familiar sound of her mother, Li Jianfang's energetic voice echoing through the house.
"A-Qing! Xiao Yan! Get up already!" Jianfang's cheerful call reverberated from the hallway like a morning alarm.
Li Ziqing let out a soft groan, burying her face deeper into her pillow. Ugh, I hate the first day of school after summer vacation, she muttered inwardly. Yet as her heavy eyelids fluttered open, she froze.
Something felt… different.
A strange clarity coursed through her senses. Her mind felt sharper, her body inexplicably refreshed, as though every cell within her brimmed with newfound vitality. Her vision was unusually vivid; the morning sunlight streaming through the window seemed brighter, the edges of the curtains more defined, each speck of dust shimmering like tiny fireflies suspended in air.
What's happening to me? Ziqing wondered, her heart quickening.
Unaware of the subtle yet extraordinary transformation taking place, she didn't notice the ethereal gleam in her eyes. If she had glanced into a mirror at that very moment, she would have been stunned to see how her phoenix-like eyes now radiated a mesmerizing brilliance. The deep contrast between her dark pupils and the whites of her eyes made them appear almost otherworldly, as though they held the reflection of the heavens themselves.
Then, like a flash of lightning across her mind, she remembered.
The Zhuge's Insight Scroll!
Excitement surged through her veins. She understood instantly, her photographic memory had been unlocked. Every detail she saw, heard, or read could now be etched into her mind with flawless precision.
Her lips curved upward, a spark of determination igniting in her heart. This time, everything will be different.
Gone was the helpless, naïve girl of her previous life—the one who had been bullied, humiliated, and ultimately kicked out of Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School. Gone was the version of her who had been forced to settle for an obscure, second-rate school while her dreams crumbled.
Not this time.
In this life, she would rewrite her fate. She would not only remain in Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School but also follow in her brother's footsteps to enter the most prestigious high school in the city. She would compete with the best, conquer the college entrance exams, and carve out a future far brighter than anyone could ever imagine.
"Ziqing! Are you still sleeping?!" Li Jianfang's impatient knock snapped her out of her thoughts.
Li Ziqing sat up, her phoenix eyes gleaming like stars hidden within storm clouds, her heart thundering with newfound resolve. She whispered to herself, her voice barely audible, yet filled with unshakable conviction.
"This time… no one will stand in my way."
With dreams shining in her eyes and determination burning in her veins, Li Ziqing stepped out of bed and began her morning routine.
As soon as Li Ziqing stepped out of her room, freshly dressed for school, she headed toward the dining table. Her eyes immediately fell on her mother and Li Zeyan, both huddled together, intently looking at something on his phone.
Today, Li Ziqing had opted for a simple yet effortlessly chic outfit—a plain white blouse tucked neatly into a light-wash denim skirt, paired with clean sneakers. Her jet-black hair was tied into a loose ponytail, with a few wisps framing her delicate face. On anyone else, the outfit might have looked ordinary, but on her, it exuded a quiet elegance and youthful vibrance.
"What are you two whispering about?" Li Ziqing asked lightly as she pulled out a chair and sat down.
Li Jianfang immediately lifted her head, her eyes lighting up at her daughter. "A-Qing, have you heard of the Renren app? Xiao Yan just showed me—it's amazing! You can make friends from anywhere in the world and even create private communities with people around you. I'm thinking of creating one for all the staff at Qianyan Pavilion today."
Li Zeyan nodded enthusiastically. "That's right, A-Qing. We didn't grow up with smartphones, so we had no clue about things like this. But I just discovered there's a community for my new high school on Renren. And guess what? There's also one for Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School! It's so much fun. You can connect with anyone, send messages, even start threads and… well, gossip a little too."
Li Ziqing froze for half a second, a faint flicker flashing across her eyes. In her previous life, she hadn't owned a phone until she fled that backwater village where Zhao Shide lived. Back then, she had only vaguely heard about Renren—a precursor to Weibo. It was a lite social networking platform launched around 2005, while Weibo wouldn't come until 2009.
In this life, Weibo hadn't even been conceived yet, and Renren itself had yet to reach the masses. But, unsurprisingly, Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School—the most prestigious school in the region—was ahead of the curve. Its elite students always stayed updated on the latest technology and trends.
Even so, Li Ziqing had no intention of dabbling in it. Her schedule was already packed, and she had far more pressing matters than online chatter. She offered a mild smile and said casually, "Sounds interesting. I'll check it out later." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added, "Mom, I'll come home for lunch from now on. Our house is just a few steps away from school; it's more convenient that way."
Li Jianfang's face instantly brightened. "That's perfect! This way, you won't have to queue in the school canteen." She turned to her son. "In fact, Xiao Yan, you should come home too. I'll be cooking for Xiao Ping anyway. I can just make extra. The three of you can warm it up and have lunch together. How about that?"
Li Zeyan smiled and nodded. "Sounds good."
After finishing breakfast, the siblings left the apartment building together. Their new residence was situated in Wuhan's prestigious Central District—a coveted school district where property prices soared into the tens of thousands per square meter. Their apartment complex was a towering thirty-story building, and their family occupied a spacious five-bedroom unit on the 17th floor.
The best part was the location. Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School was barely a ten-minute walk away. But living in a school district came with its own peculiar charm.
The moment Li Ziqing stepped onto the street, the morning scene unfolded before her like a carefully painted scroll. The entire road was choked with cars and streams of students, backpacks swinging behind them. The cacophony of honking horns and chatter filled the humid late-summer air.
Today marked the official end of summer break across China; schools and universities all resumed on the same day.
Students shuffled along the street with varied expressions—some brimming with excitement, others visibly nervous. A few stragglers still wore the dazed look of those reluctant to wake from their summer haze, their faces etched with sleepiness and irritation.
Li Ziqing's lips curved upward slightly. Observing the bustling scene, she felt an unexpected sense of vitality well up inside her.
Whatever bitter memories she carried from her past life as a middle schooler, today was different. This second chance at being a student felt like a blessing wrapped in disguise.
As soon as Li Ziqing stepped through the tall wrought-iron gates of Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School, she instinctively drew in a deep breath. The crisp morning air carried the mingled scents of fresh-cut grass and faint exhaust fumes from the line of luxury cars parked outside. Her gaze swept across the campus, and a ripple of quiet awe stirred in her chest.
The school lived up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious middle schools in central China. The grounds stretched wide and immaculate, with tree-lined walkways that framed vast emerald lawns. A glass-domed library glimmered beneath the rising sun, and beyond it stood the stately main academic building, its white walls and modern architecture lending an air of sophistication.
Students swarmed across the campus in clusters, their voices rising in a chorus of excitement. Laughter, chatter, and the occasional squeak of sneakers against the pavement blended into a lively symphony.
At the front entrance, sleek sedans and luxury SUVs formed a neat procession. Parents in tailored suits and elegant dresses waved their children off with encouraging smiles. First-year students, wide-eyed and brimming with enthusiasm, clutched new schoolbags as they looked around like explorers in an unfamiliar kingdom.
In contrast, many seniors trudged by with expressions of weariness, the looming pressure of the high school entrance exams already weighing on their shoulders. Some looked at the younger students' excitement with thinly veiled envy, as though yearning for a time when school still felt like a fresh adventure instead of a battlefield.
Li Ziqing walked at an unhurried pace toward her classroom, absorbing every detail. The sunlight dappled the pavement through the leafy canopy above, and snippets of animated conversations floated to her ears.
"Did you see my photos from Paris? The Eiffel Tower at night is absolutely magical," one girl gushed, waving her phone.
"I swear, your parents take you abroad every summer. My family barely managed a trip to Hangzhou," her friend complained half-jokingly.
"Check out my new sneakers—they're the latest limited edition. Cost me an entire month's allowance," a boy boasted, lifting his foot as his friends whistled.
"Whoa, those are fire! Where'd you get them? I tried and they were sold out!"
"Hey, have you joined the Renren community yet? Our school's page is buzzing!"
"I joined last night! Did you see the thread about the upcoming sports festival? People are already making memes about the teachers."
"Memes? What memes? Send them to me, quick!"
Li Ziqing smiled faintly at their energy. This kind of chatter was so different from the muted, joyless routine she remembered from her previous life. It made her feel inexplicably warm inside.
Then a different conversation caught her attention. Ahead of her, a girl with neatly braided hair spoke in an almost reverent tone. "You guys won't believe the place my parents took me last night. The food was… otherworldly. I swear, I've never tasted anything like it. The moment I took the first bite, I thought I'd ascended to heaven."
Her friends gasped. "Stop keeping us in suspense! Where is this magical place?"
"Yeah, spill it! What restaurant was it?"
The girl grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Qianyan Pavilion. It's on Jiangshan Road. You have to try it—the dishes are divine! My dad said even the head chef is a mystery. Whoever's behind those recipes is a genius."
Li Ziqing's steps faltered for a heartbeat, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. Qianyan Pavilion… her restaurant. A sense of quiet pride blossomed in her chest. Day by day, its name was spreading through Wuhan, carried on whispers and delighted exclamations like this.
But just as Li Ziqing was basking in the lively atmosphere of the campus, a strange sense of unease washed over her. Something felt off. Then, as if struck by an electric current, realization dawned on her.
Wait... the system hasn't issued any daily mission since the main mission was triggered.
Her heart skipped a beat. She immediately asked in her mind, "System, what's going on? Why haven't you assigned me any daily tasks?"
A familiar mechanical chime echoed in her consciousness.
[Ding... Host, in this stage of your personality development, we will focus on your overall personal growth. There will be no fixed daily missions. Instead, you must work on enhancing your personal attributes. Once you make a significant improvement in your core attributes—such as IQ or EQ—by five points, you will automatically receive a reward.]
Li Ziqing blinked in surprise, a slight frown forming on her delicate face. "Only core attributes? Not the expanded ones?" she asked mentally.
[Ding... Host, the core attributes cannot be directly increased. Improvements in your expanded attributes will naturally influence and raise the core ones. Focus on those, and the results will follow.]
Understanding finally clicked. So, to enhance her core attributes and earn rewards, she would need to work hard on the expanded ones—academics, physical fitness, social skills, emotional intelligence, and more. It wouldn't be easy, but her lips curved into a determined smile. So be it.
She stepped into the academic building, her polished shoes clicking softly against the spotless marble floor. Just as she was about to ascend the staircase to her classroom, a sudden voice jolted her from her thoughts.
"Li Ziqing, the Academic Director is calling for you. He wants you to report to his office."
Li Ziqing paused mid-step and turned. A girl stood behind her, arms crossed loosely over her chest. It was one of her classmates. Her tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable glint of schadenfreude hidden in her expression, like someone secretly hoping to watch a drama unfold.
Li Ziqing's sharp gaze lingered on her for a brief moment. Smudged expression, fake sweetness... She almost chuckled inwardly. This wasn't surprising. In fact, it was common knowledge that hardly anyone in her class liked her.
The girls resented her for reasons they probably couldn't even articulate. Some were jealous of her looks; others disliked her quiet, introverted nature that made her seem aloof. The boys, once eager admirers who had worshipped her like a goddess during their first year, had quickly turned cold when she ignored their advances. She had been too shy back then, too withdrawn to even look their way—and wounded male egos could hold grudges far longer than logic dictated.
But that's a story for another time.
What truly puzzled her was something else entirely.
Why is the Academic Director calling me?
In her previous life, nothing like this had ever happened. The timeline was already shifting in subtle but undeniable ways.