The classroom emptied after the bell rang, but Ji Yunxi remained seated, her chin propped on her hand as she watched Lin Xi pack her things with trembling hands.
Every move Lin Xi made screamed unease. Her pencil slipped, her bag zipper caught, and her eyes flicked nervously toward the door—as if she were afraid of being followed.
Ji Yunxi's lips curved. "Lin Xi, don't look so scared. I'm not going to bite. Yet."
"Y-You're imagining things." Lin Xi forced a laugh, clutching her bag like a lifeline. "I don't need anyone. I—I'm fine without the Ji family."
[Ding! Probability of target breakdown: 71%]
Ji Yunxi's smile deepened. "Then I suppose you won't mind when everyone finds out you've been secretly funded. After all, people love hypocrites who cry poor while living rich."
Lin Xi's face turned ashen. "You—you don't know anything!"
At that exact moment, Mo Liancheng entered, tall and commanding, his presence silencing the room. His dark gaze fell on Lin Xi with faint disgust before softening as it slid to Ji Yunxi.
He approached, casually setting a folder on Ji Yunxi's desk. "Thought you might like this."
She raised a brow and flipped it open. Inside were crisp photographs—Ji Feng slipping Lin Xi envelopes of cash, a private meeting in a café, a transfer record linking his accounts to hers.
Lin Xi's knees buckled. "No… impossible…"
Mo Liancheng's voice was silk over steel. "Did you think your uncle could protect you forever? One tug, and the whole web unravels."
Lin Xi staggered back, panic flooding her face. "I—I didn't want this! He forced me—!"
"Save it." Ji Yunxi rose to her feet, her eyes sharp as blades. "You wanted my place, my life, and now your backer's been dragged into the light. Don't act like the victim now."
[Ding! Main task progress: 70%. Optional mission "Expose the mastermind" at 40%.]
Ji Yunxi glanced at Mo Liancheng, a silent understanding passing between them. She didn't thank him—she didn't need to. He knew.
That night, the Ji household was thrown into chaos.
Father Ji slammed the evidence down in front of Ji Feng. "So it was you! No wonder Lin Xi dared to challenge Yunxi at every step—you've been feeding her from behind!"
Ji Feng paled but forced a sneer. "So what if I supported her? Yunxi's a wild girl, an outsider! Lin Xi understands me, she listens—she would've made the perfect heir!"
"Perfect heir?" Ji Yunxi's cold laugh rang out from the doorway. She stepped in, eyes glinting like frost. "A fake playing heiress, propped up by a greedy uncle. Is that your definition of 'perfect'?"
Ji Feng's face darkened. "You—!"
But before he could finish, Mo Liancheng's voice slid in, smooth and lethal: "Be careful how you speak to her."
The oppressive aura in his tone made Ji Feng falter. For the first time, true fear flickered in his eyes.
Ji Yunxi tilted her head, calm but merciless. "Uncle, your shadow has finally been dragged into the sun. I hope you're ready for what happens next."
[Ding! Task update: Confrontation with mastermind triggered. Reward pending completion.]