After school, Xia Lan slung her bag over her shoulder and quietly made her way out of the building.
The golden glow of the afternoon sun bathed the schoolyard, students chattering and laughing as they poured out of the gates. But Xia Lan moved alone, her steps steady, her mind deep in thought.
This body is weak now… but not for long.
She was just about to step through the front gate when a group of girls blocked her path.
They were all in the same school uniform, giggling and clinging to the arm of a greasy-looking middle-aged man in flashy clothes and cheap cologne.
The moment her eyes landed on him, Xia Lan's steps froze.
Her expression darkened.
Her hand instinctively clenched at her side.
That face...
She narrowed her eyes, coldness flashing through them.
Isn't this the bastard who tried to trick me into going to a bar back then? That so-called "entertainment agent"…
He lured girls in with fake promises of stardom and ruined their lives behind closed doors.
Her gaze shifted to the girls beside him—naïve smiles on their lips, unaware of the trap they were walking into.
Girls from her school.
Wearing the same uniform as hers.
Xia Lan's expression turned icy.
She stepped forward slowly, her presence suddenly carrying a chill that cut through the warmth of the afternoon air.
"Move," she said coldly, her voice sharp and commanding.
The girls blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden pressure. The man turned to look at her, squinting as if trying to place her face.
"Huh? You're that quiet one from last year, right? What's wrong, sweetie? Interested now?"
His greasy smile made her stomach twist in disgust.
Still disgusting, she thought.
But this time…
She wouldn't be silent.
The fat man pulled a shiny business card from his pocket and held it out with a greasy grin, his eyes raking over Xia Lan shamelessly.
"Here, sweetie. You've got potential. Come with me, and I'll make you a star."
Xia Lan's eyes narrowed in disgust—but then, an idea flashed through her mind.
Her expression shifted in an instant. Calm. Blank. Calculating.
She took a small step forward and pointed to the narrow alley between two buildings beside the school.
"Mr. Agent," she said softly, "could we talk in private? Over there."
She nodded toward the alley.
The man's grin widened into something disgusting.
"Heh… so you do know the rules." He laughed lecherously. "That's right, girl. Don't act innocent later. Come, come, I'll take good care of you."
Still clinging to the giggling schoolgirls, he turned and led the way toward the alley, clearly thinking he was about to take advantage of another victim.
But behind him, Xia Lan followed silently—her eyes cold and sharp, like a predator in wait.
The moment they entered the shadowy alley, her entire demeanor changed.
She dropped her bag quietly onto the ground, rolled her shoulders once, and muttered under her breath:
"Still disgusting as ever… but lucky for me, I remember exactly where your pressure points are. You'll be easier to kill next time."
"With this body… I can't take him down in a full fight," Xia Lan thought, her eyes narrowing as the man approached, licking his lips like a predator. "But I can still teach him a lesson he won't forget."
The alley was silent, save for the soft shuffle of his shoes as he moved closer.
She didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Her face remained calm—unreadable.
He reached out, his hand moving toward her shoulder.
And in that exact second—
Crack!
Xia Lan's leg shot up like lightning, far faster than anyone could have expected from such a thin, frail-looking girl.
Her foot connected directly between his legs with pinpoint precision and brutal force.
"GAAAAHHHHHH!"
The man let out a blood-curdling scream and collapsed to the ground like a sack of meat, clutching himself and rolling in agony, his face turning beet red.
Xia Lan didn't even look down at him.
She dusted her skirt casually, voice calm and cold.
"You should get your dirty mouth stitched shut before you try to lure schoolgirls again," she said icily.
Outside the alley, the girls had heard the scream and came rushing in—only to find the fat man groaning on the ground, twitching, and Xia Lan standing above him like a ghost of judgment.
"You… you kicked him?" one girl gasped.
Xia Lan turned to them slowly, her tone sharp and flat.
"He's no talent scout. He's a predator who sells girls to illegal bars under the promise of fame. If you'd followed him today, you might not have come back."
Their faces paled in horror.
"If you want to be idols, study hard, train hard. Don't let men like this write your future."
And with that, Xia Lan stepped over the man without another glance and walked away, her back straight, her eyes cold.
As Xia Lan stepped into the small, dimly lit apartment, the smell of cheap cooking oil and mildew hit her nose.
Before she could even shut the door, a sharp voice exploded in her ears.
"There you are, you dirty little brat!" a woman snapped, storming toward her with heavy steps. "Why are you late again?! Do you think this house is a hotel?!"
Xia Lan froze, staring at the woman in front of her.
Her dyed red hair was messy, her makeup thick and caked. Her angry expression was twisted, as if scolding her brought her joy. And in her hands—she held a greasy spatula like a weapon.
But Xia Lan didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she stared at the woman with an eerie calm.
In her mind, memories surged like a wave.
That's right… this woman…
Her eyes narrowed.
This is my greedy aunt. The one who sweet-talked me into signing papers when I was young, telling me it was for school fees. But in reality—
She stole everything my parents left behind.
The house. The savings. Even the insurance money.
And once she got it all… she threw me out like trash.
Xia Lan's jaw tightened, but she kept her expression cold.
She stood still as her aunt ranted, only muttering in her mind:
So fate gave me a second chance, huh?
Then I'll make sure this woman regrets every breath she ever wasted on greed.