The applause still rang in her ears as Ji Yunxi left the arena, but she felt no triumph. The whispers of awe, the jealous stares—none of it mattered. The System's mechanical voice lingered in her mind like a shadow.
"Task complete. Temporary points awarded: 50. Reminder: Main task in this world has not yet been achieved. Next directive will be issued at midnight."
She exhaled sharply. Temporary victories were nothing compared to the true mission. Yet, she had to play her part convincingly.
As she stepped into the corridor, the world seemed to shift. Students parted, their earlier ridicule drowned by a mixture of fear and reverence. Some bowed slightly, while others bit their lips until they bled. To them, Ji Yunxi was no longer the disposable fake heiress—they now had to reckon with her strength.
But she didn't miss the venom in their eyes. Especially not the girl in the crimson uniform leaning lazily against the wall—Qin Yuxi, the real heiress, her lips curved in a mocking smile.
"So, you learned a few tricks," Qin Yuxi drawled, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you think that makes you worthy of standing beside us?"
Ji Yunxi tilted her head, her calm expression masking the sharpness in her tone. "Worthy? No. But strong enough to crush anyone who underestimates me? Definitely."
The words landed like a slap, and whispers broke out instantly.
Before Qin Yuxi could retort, a hand appeared between them. Long, slender fingers, pale against the light. Ji Yunxi's heart skipped—Mo Liancheng had arrived.
He stood beside her, tall and imposing, his expression cool but eyes burning with something unreadable. "If you have complaints," he said evenly, "take them to me. But you'll regret it."
The corridor fell silent. No one dared breathe. His protective stance was unmistakable.
Qin Yuxi paled but forced out a laugh. "Brother Liancheng, why defend her? She's nothing compared to—"
"Enough," Mo Liancheng cut her off, his gaze sharp enough to freeze the air. He glanced at Ji Yunxi, something fierce flickering beneath his calm exterior. "She is not 'nothing.' She is everything."
Ji Yunxi's chest tightened, her hand instinctively clenching at her side. His words were dangerous—too intense, too consuming.
She forced herself to meet his eyes, her voice cool. "You shouldn't get involved. This is my battle."
But he only smirked, leaning slightly closer so only she could hear. "I'll always get involved, Yunxi. Whether you want me to or not."
The System's voice chimed softly in her head at that exact moment:
"Warning: Affection level of Mo Liancheng is rising dangerously. Current status: Obsession."
Her blood ran cold.
Obsession was never a good thing.