Huayu Hotel — Main Entrance
Lin Yunyi stood before the grand entrance, hands on her hips, gazing up at the ornate plaque above the door.
"According to Teacher Han, this should be the place."
Before arriving, she'd made sure to confirm the banquet location with Teacher Han, who oversaw freshman affairs.
The host of the event was Bai Yuechen, heir to the prestigious Bai Family—one of Lin City's top-tier clans, renowned for producing powerful Ability Users. Bai Yuechen himself had awakened a formidable lightning-type ability.
Not that Lin Yunyi cared.
She gave the entrance one last glance, then strode confidently into the hotel.
Freshman Banquet Hall
The banquet hall buzzed with chatter and laughter. Students in Tianhuan Academy uniforms mingled, sipping drinks and nibbling desserts. On the surface, it looked like a lively social gathering.
In truth, most were here to curry favor with Bai Yuechen.
Thanks to her Mask ability, Lin Yunyi blended in effortlessly. As she scanned the crowd, her eyes landed on three familiar faces—girls who had bullied her in the past.
One of them was Huang Na.
Huang Na stood beside Jiang Hao, the boy Lin Yunyi had seen earlier at the academy gate. They chatted and laughed, playing the part of a couple.
"Isn't that Jiang Hao? So you made it into Tianhuan Academy too," one boy said, approaching them.
"School's barely started and you've already switched girlfriends again. Classic Jiang Hao!" another teased.
Huang Na's smile faltered. She knew exactly what kind of person Jiang Hao was. But she'd bet everything on him—hoping her charm might win him over and secure a connection to the Jiang Family.
Just then, Jiang Hao's phone rang.
"Excuse me, I need to take this." he said, slipping away from the banquet.
Lin Yunyi's eyes gleamed. She quietly followed.
She watched him enter the men's restroom and hesitated—she was a girl now.
Quickly, she ducked into a surveillance-free corner, activated Mask, and transformed into a male form. Then she entered the restroom.
Inside, only one stall was closed. Jiang Hao's voice echoed from within.
"Yes, Father, I'm at the banquet."
"You remember the task I gave you, don't you?" came a deep voice from the phone.
Lin Yunyi's ears perked up. She crept closer.
"I remember," Jiang Hao replied solemnly.
This sounded serious.
"Good. 'Shadow' will strike Bai Yuechen at 5 PM—before the banquet ends. Two Bronze One-Star assassins. With your strength, I expect you to perform well and earn the Bai Family's trust."
"Understood, Father."
"Excellent. Return to the banquet and get close to Bai Yuechen."
The call ended.
Lin Yunyi, hidden in the third stall, pieced it together.
Jiang Hao's father had hired assassins from the organization "Shadow" to stage an attack on Bai Yuechen—not to kill him, but to let Jiang Hao play the hero and win favor with the Bai Family.
Clearly, the Jiang Family wasn't as influential as the Bai Family.
Moments later, the stall door opened and Jiang Hao stepped out.
Lin Yunyi seized the moment and summoned Stellar Hunter "Sam."
Sam materialized in the restroom, her Bronze Three-Star aura radiating power.
Jiang Hao, a mere Bronze One-Star freshman, didn't even have time to react before Sam knocked him out cold.
"Perfect. He didn't even see us," Lin Yunyi said, satisfied.
She dragged his unconscious body into the stall and locked the door.
"He won't wake up before 5 PM, right?" she asked.
Sam nodded silently.
"Excellent."
Footsteps echoed from outside. Lin Yunyi quickly recalled Sam and activated Mask, transforming into Jiang Hao.
Two boys entered, chatting.
"Lots of pretty girls this year. I just got one's contact info."
"So you came here to flirt, huh?"
Lin Yunyi, now disguised as Jiang Hao, brushed past them. They didn't suspect a thing.
In the lobby, she checked the time.
16:17:52.
Still plenty of time before the assassins arrived.
"I really need to buy a phone…" she muttered. She'd had to find a clock just to check the time.
Grumble~
Her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten all day since transmigrating.
"The banquet's loaded with food. Might as well enjoy it while I'm Jiang Hao."
She headed back into the hall.
"Jiang Ge, you're finally here! I've been waiting forever~"
Huang Na greeted her with a sugary smile, clinging to her arm.
She had no idea the real Jiang Hao had already been swapped.
Seeing her former bully act so sweet made Lin Yunyi's skin crawl.
She gently pushed Huang Na away. "I'm hungry. I'll grab something to eat first."
She made a beeline for the dessert table.
As expected of a wealthy host, the spread was lavish—rows of exquisite pastries and unfamiliar drinks. In her past life, Lin Yunyi could only afford such treats after receiving her monthly allowance.
Now, they were free for the taking.
"Jiang Ge, why are you so quiet?" Huang Na asked, sensing his coldness.
Lin Yunyi was focused on food. She had no time for Huang Na's drama.
But Huang Na misread the situation. She assumed Jiang Hao had grown distant after seeing Lin Yunyi's beauty at the academy.
Damn it! What does that bitch have that I don't?!
Still, she forced a smile and pressed her chest against Lin Yunyi's arm.
Lin Yunyi's expression darkened.
Was Huang Na really willing to throw away her dignity for Jiang Hao?
She took a deep breath. She had bigger things to worry about.
Huang Na's antics would soon become a joke.
But her clinginess was unbearable.
"I'm eating. Can't you take a hint?" Lin Yunyi said coldly.
Huang Na flinched under the icy gaze and backed off, looking hurt.
"Jiang Ge… what do I lack compared to that bitch?" she whispered, on the verge of tears.
Jiang Hao had changed. He didn't love her anymore.