School was a foreign landscape to Ye Xia now. The loud halls, the mundane classes, the petty dramas—it all felt so trivial after what she had been through. She still had a lot of weight to lose, but the transformation was already apparent. She walked with a new air of confidence, and her once-slumped shoulders were now straight and tall. Her old classmates, who used to mock her and call her "Fatty Ye," now looked at her with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Hey, Fatty! Did you get a makeover or something?" a boy named Wang Wei sneered, his voice loud enough for the whole hallway to hear.
Ye Xia turned to him, a cool expression on her face. "No. I just started to take better care of myself."
Wang Wei was about to retort when another voice cut in. "Leave her alone, Wang Wei."
The voice was deep and resonant. A tall, handsome boy stepped out of the crowd. He was a second-year senior, and one of the most popular boys in the school. His name was Lu Chen. He was a bit of a recluse, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He had an air of effortless power about him that was hard to ignore.
Wang Wei flinched, his bravado instantly evaporating. "C-Chen, I was just joking with her…"
Lu Chen's gaze was sharp, and it seemed to pierce Wang Wei's very soul. "It didn't sound like a joke. Now go."
Wang Wei scrambled away, his friends following close behind him. Ye Xia was surprised. In her past life, she had barely noticed Lu Chen. He was always in the background, a silent, powerful presence. Now, he was standing up for her, an action that felt both unexpected and oddly comforting.
"Thank you," Ye Xia said, her voice soft.
Lu Chen just nodded, his dark eyes studying her. "You don't look like the kind of person who needs a savior."
His words were a paradox, but she understood what he meant. He had seen the steel in her eyes, the quiet strength that belied her young age. He saw that she was not the weak-willed girl everyone thought she was.
"I'm not," she said, her voice gaining its edge back. "But I appreciate the help."
He didn't respond, just gave her another curt nod and walked away. Ye Xia watched him go, a new curiosity sparking in her mind. Who was he? In her past life, she had been too consumed by her own misery to notice anyone. But this time, she would pay attention.
That night, as she was going through her usual routine of researching potential investments, a new notification from the System appeared on her screen.
[New mission: Unlock the 'Charisma' and 'Influence' rewards by attending a high-profile social event and making a significant impression. The event is the annual 'Starfall Charity Gala.' Ticket funds have been deposited into your account.]
The Starfall Charity Gala. It was a notoriously exclusive event, attended only by the most powerful and influential people in the country. It was the perfect stage for her grand debut. It was a place where she could flex her new power and make connections that would solidify her place in this new life. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. The girl she saw was no longer the fat, plain girl. Her face was becoming more defined, her eyes were bright with intelligence and a fierce resolve. The chrysalis was almost complete.