Ning Fei looked away first.
Not because she was afraid—but because she understood something now.
If she continued staring at Ningran, she might laugh.
And that would ruin everything.
"I just woke up," Ning Fei said softly, lifting a hand to her temple. "My head still hurts."
Ningran immediately relaxed. Relief washed over her face so naturally that anyone watching would think it genuine. She reached out, supporting Ning Fei by the arm with careful gentleness.
"You scared me," Ningran said, her voice trembling slightly. "When I heard you collapsed, I couldn't sleep all night."
Collapsed.
Ning Fei remembered. In her past life, this had been the day Ningran accused her of stealing a jade pendant—an heirloom meant for the family's eldest daughter. Ning Fei had fainted from stress and exhaustion.
And when she woke up? Everyone already believed Ningran.
The system interface hovered quietly at the edge of her vision.
[Reminder:]
[Hypocritical Saint detected.]
[Emotional manipulation in progress.]
So calm. So precise. Ning Fei almost admired it.
"Thank you," Ning Fei murmured, allowing herself to lean slightly into Ningran's support. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
Ningran smiled. A perfect smile. But the system saw through it.
Hidden Emotional State: Satisfaction.]
Ah. So that's how it felt.
Ning Fei followed Ningran out of the room. Servants bowed as they passed, their gazes filled with concern—for Ningran. No one asked Ning Fei how she felt. No one ever did.
In the hallway, Ningran suddenly stopped. "Fei-jie," she said hesitantly, "about yesterday… the pendant…"
There it was.
In her past life, this was where she defended herself. This time—the system chimed.
[New Mission Triggered.]
[Mission: Accept the accusation.]
[Reward: Villain Points ×50.]
[Bonus: Emotional Resistance Lv.1.]
Ning Fei's lashes lowered. Accept it? Her heart beat steadily. So this was how the system worked. Not justice. Not truth. Only results.
"It was my fault," Ning Fei said quietly. "I shouldn't have touched it. If I caused trouble for you… I'm sorry."
Silence.
Ningran's eyes immediately pooled with tears.
"No, no! Fei-jie, don't say that!" she cried. "I never blamed you!"
But the system displayed:
[Emotional Spike Detected.]
[Subject experiencing panic.]
Panic? Why panic? Because the script was changing.
Footsteps echoed from the corner of the corridor. Their aunt. Their grandmother.
Ningran hurriedly shook her head, gripping Ning Fei's sleeve. "Please don't misunderstand—"
But it was too late. They had arrived.
And for the first time—Ning Fei didn't explain. She simply stood there, silent, eyes lowered, shoulders trembling ever so slightly. The perfect villain.
The system chimed softly.
softly.
[Villain Points increased.]
They reached the main hall. The elders were already seated. Her aunt's eyes flicked toward her. Sharp. Accusing. Hungry for confirmation of Ning Fei's guilt.
Her grandmother tapped her cane lightly. "Ning Fei, explain yourself. Or will you continue letting your cousin's misfortune happen?"
The words stung, but Ning Fei did not flinch.
[Mission Reminder: Accept Blame.]
"I… caused trouble for Ningran," Ning Fei said softly. "I touched the pendant. I am… responsible."
Gasps echoed around the hall. A perfect performance.
Ningran's eyes widened—just the slightest fraction too late. She blinked, a tiny crack in the mask, and Ning Fei noticed.
[Villain Points ×50.]
The system spoke again, softer this time:
[Optional Task: Publicly manipulate Ningran's reaction to increase VP.]
[Consequence of refusal: +0 VP, mission risk ↑.]
Ning Fei's gaze flicked toward Ningran. Her cousin's hand trembled slightly. She opened her mouth to speak… then paused. The silence was almost unbearable.
Perfect.
Ning Fei raised her head just enough to catch her aunt's approving nod. The elders murmured, their gaze softening in sympathy for Ningran.
She let a shiver run through her shoulders. Weakness. Desperation. Exactly what the world expected of her.
[Mission Status: In Progress.]
Suddenly, Ningran's voice rang out, loud enough to echo through the hall.
"Cousin Fei… I… I don't want you to be blamed!"
Perfect timing.
[Emotional Manipulation Detected: Increase VP for passive acceptance.]
Ning Fei allowed herself to shiver slightly, lowering her head as though overwhelmed.
"Yes… I am to blame," she whispered.
The system chimed once. Twice.
[Villain Points ×100.]
[Bonus: Emotional Resistance Lv.2.]
She had learned quickly. Every word, every pause, every flicker of emotion could be measured and exploited. In her past life, she had tried to fight truth with truth. That had killed her.
Now she fought perception with strategy.
The hall seemed to tighten around her. Every glance, every whisper, every movement of Ningran's fingers against her own—a trap waiting to spring.
And then the final test arrived. From the corner of the hall, her aunt's voice sliced through the air:
"Ning Fei, you've admitted fault. But do you truly understand the consequences?"
The words were venom wrapped in silk.
[Mission Update: Ultimate Confrontation Incoming.]
Ning Fei's heart beat steadily. Calm. Control. She stepped forward slowly, the perfect amount of hesitance in her posture.
[Optional Task: Use public appearance to gain maximum VP while preserving cover.]
Her gaze swept the room. Elders, servants, Ningran. Everyone expected her to break. To cry. To beg.
She did none of that.
A small, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips.
[Villain Points ×150.]
The system hummed in approval.
[Warning: Ningran's hidden aggression detected.]
[Threat Level: Extreme.]
And then, the moment that would define this chapter—and set up the entire arc:
Ningran's eyes flashed—not with innocence, not with fear, but with something sharp.
"Cousin Fei," Ningran whispered , voice soft but deadly, "don't think this will be easy for you… because now, I will make sure everyone sees the real you."
And just like that…
[New Mission Triggered: Public confrontation with Ningran.]
[Potential VP Gain: Massive.]
[Risk of Fate Convergence: Severe.]
The hall seemed to hold its breath.
Ning Fei's smile widened.
Finally… the game begins.
The battle for perception… begins now. And this time, losing is not an option.