The auditorium was packed.
Students from every class filled the seats, whispering excitedly. Teachers sat in the front row, waiting to witness the highlight of Shenghua High's annual debate tournament.
But this year, the excitement wasn't just about the competition.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on one girl.
Ji Yunxi.
The fake heiress. The one whose identity had been shattered only days ago. The one who had arrogantly accepted Zhao Rui's public challenge.
"She's going to embarrass herself.""Does she think she can still act superior after being exposed?""I heard Lin Xinyue is participating too. She'll definitely shine while Ji Yunxi falls."
Whispers grew louder until the host finally announced:
"Team A: Zhao Rui, Lin Xinyue, and representatives from Class 3-B.""Team B: Ji Yunxi and representatives from Class 3-A."
Ji Yunxi walked onto the stage with calm steps, her long hair falling over her shoulders. Her uniform was neat, her posture elegant, every step radiating quiet confidence.
Even under the scorching stage lights and hundreds of stares, she looked untouchable.
Zhao Rui smirked. "Don't worry, Ji Yunxi. I'll go easy on you."
Lin Xinyue gave her a pitying glance, her soft voice dripping with false concern. "Sister, if it gets too hard, you can always back out. No one will laugh at you for it."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
But Ji Yunxi only tilted her head, her lips curling faintly. "If you're so sure of my failure, then you'd better pray I don't win. Otherwise, your humiliation will be twice as bitter."
The room buzzed with shock at her audacity.
The debate began.
The topic: "Should reputation define one's worth?"
Zhao Rui rose first, launching into a passionate argument. "Of course reputation defines worth. Without a good name, no one respects you, no one trusts you. A person with a ruined reputation is nothing more than trash to society."
Applause rang out. His teammates nodded in approval.
Lin Xinyue stood next, her voice soft and pitiful. "Yes, without reputation, people will despise you. It's so sad… but that's the reality we live in."
The audience sighed, already moved by her delicate act.
Then it was Ji Yunxi's turn.
She stood slowly, her eyes sweeping the audience. The room fell silent.
Her voice was calm, but every word struck like a blade.
"Reputation is nothing but the opinion of others. If you live bound by it, you are nothing more than a puppet dancing for the crowd."
Gasps rippled.
She continued, her gaze sharp. "A person's true worth lies in their ability, their choices, their resilience when the world turns against them. Reputation is fleeting. Strength endures."
Her words cut through the whispers like fire.
Zhao Rui tried to counter, but Ji Yunxi dismantled every one of his arguments with icy precision.
When Lin Xinyue attempted to interject, Ji Yunxi's eyes flickered with disdain. "If reputation were everything, Lin Xinyue, then why did the Ji family live a lie for over a decade without realizing? Were they blind to reality just because of reputation?"
The room froze.
Lin Xinyue's face drained of color.
Students gasped, whispers erupting instantly.
"She just—she just used the Ji family against Xinyue!""And it makes sense… the Jis were fooled for years.""Ji Yunxi's too sharp—no wonder Xinyue can't compete."
The debate dragged on, but by the final round, it was clear who had won.
The judges announced:
"Team B, Ji Yunxi's team, is victorious!"
The auditorium erupted in applause—some shocked, some reluctant, many exhilarated by the spectacle.
Onstage, Zhao Rui's face was dark. He clenched his fists. "You—"
But Ji Yunxi cut him off, her eyes cold. "Don't forget our agreement. Kneel and apologize."
The room exploded.
"Kneel?!""She's really making him do it!"
Zhao Rui's face turned red with humiliation. For a moment, he looked ready to explode.
Then a low, lazy voice drifted from the back of the auditorium.
"You'd better keep your word."
Everyone turned.
Mo Liancheng leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on Zhao Rui. His presence was overwhelming, a silent warning that dared Zhao Rui to defy the bet.
Zhao Rui's face went pale. Under the weight of countless eyes—and Mo Liancheng's piercing gaze—he finally dropped to his knees and muttered an apology.
The crowd erupted in shock and disbelief.
Ji Yunxi's expression remained indifferent, but inside, the system chimed:
[ Ding! Mission Completed: Win the debate tournament. Reward: +500 points. Current Total: 780. ]
Her lips curved slightly.
This was only the beginning.