The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, but Ji Yunxi sat calmly, eating at her own pace. Her poise only added fuel to the fire of gossip.
"She actually walked away from him…""Doesn't she know who he is?!""Of course not. She's just a bumpkin. Still, isn't it amazing she's not scared?"
Ji Yunxi's lips twitched. She didn't need the system to tell her that information was being delivered to her for free. Students loved to gossip, and in their gossip lay truth.
Sure enough, a girl at the next table leaned in to whisper, "That was Young Master Mo, Mo Liancheng. His family practically owns half the city. Even teachers don't dare provoke him."
Mo Liancheng… Ji Yunxi rolled the name over in her mind. It suited the aura he carried—calm, oppressive, dangerous.
[System Notification: Identity of Unknown Entity – 70% complete.]
Her chopsticks paused. Only 70%? So there's more to him than just being a rich heir.
Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced down. A message, sent anonymously:
Be careful. She's plotting against you tonight.
Her eyes narrowed. She… Lin Xi?
Sure enough, when classes ended that afternoon, Lin Xi's eyes gleamed with malicious triumph as she left the room.
Ji Yunxi's system chimed quietly:
[Side Task Triggered: Avoid the trap set by Lin Xi and reverse the situation. Reward: 200 points.]
"Reverse the situation?" Ji Yunxi murmured under her breath. A wicked little smile tugged at her lips. "Very well. Let's see who steps into whose trap."
Night fell.
The path leading out of the school's back gate was quiet, lined with tall trees. Ji Yunxi strolled casually, already sensing the shadows lurking ahead.
"Country rat, you dare show your face after embarrassing me?" Lin Xi's voice rang out. Several girls stepped forward, blocking the path.
Ji Yunxi arched a brow. "Oh, you've gathered an audience this time. How bold."
Lin Xi sneered. "Did you think the classroom was your stage? Tonight, I'll show everyone your true colors."
Ji Yunxi didn't even flinch. Instead, she raised her chin, eyes gleaming with icy mockery. "Lin Xi, let me give you some advice. When you set a trap…" Her gaze flickered behind them. "…make sure you know who's watching."
Confused, Lin Xi turned. Her breath caught.
Standing a short distance away was Mo Liancheng, his hands in his pockets, expression unreadable as his cold gaze swept over the scene.
The girls paled instantly.
Ji Yunxi's smirk widened. "Well? Aren't you going to continue? I'd love for him to see your true colors."
Lin Xi's face drained of all color, her arrogance crumbling under the weight of Mo Liancheng's presence.
[System Notification: Side Task Completed. +200 points. Main Task Progress +15%.]
Ji Yunxi tilted her head sweetly, her voice a razor-sharp whisper. "Lin Xi, from this point on… every step you take will only lead to your own ruin."
And then she walked past them gracefully, leaving silence and fear in her wake.
Behind her, Mo Liancheng's lips curved slightly, as though the performance had pleased him.
"Interesting…" he murmured.