The familiar, oppressive atmosphere of the Ye family villa greeted Ye Xia as she pushed the front door open. It was a large, tastelessly opulent house, a testament to her father, Ye Zhentao's, desperate attempts to appear wealthier and more established than he truly was.
"Is that you, Xiaxia?" Wang Yan's voice, saccharine and sharp, called from the living room. "You're late. We were about to start dinner without you."
Ye Xia braced herself. She hid the bag containing the iPhone and the books behind an ugly porcelain vase in the entryway, keeping only the bag of gourmet food visible. She walked into the dining room.
Her father, Ye Zhentao, sat at the head of the table, already frowning over a newspaper. Her stepsister, Ye Meng, a year younger than her and the spitting image of her mother, was picking at her nails, looking bored. Wang Yan was the picture of a concerned matriarch, but her eyes immediately zeroed in on the shopping bag in Ye Xia's hand.
"What's that?" Wang Yan asked, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Did you waste your allowance on junk food again, Xiaxia? You really need to learn some self-control."
In the past, this comment would have filled Ye Xia with shame. Now, she saw it for the manipulation it was.
"It's just some fruit, Auntie Wang," Ye Xia said, using the deliberately distant term she was forced to use instead of 'Mom'. She placed the bag on the table. "I thought we could try something different."
Ye Meng peered into the bag and sneered. "Dragon fruit? Mangosteens? Where did you get the money for this? Did you steal it?"
Ye Zhentao finally looked up, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "Xiaxia, is this true? Your allowance is for school expenses, not for frivolities. We are not made of money."
This was the man who had married Wang Yan barely a year after Ye Xia's mother had passed away in a mysterious car accident. This was the man who had allowed his new wife to systematically alienate and belittle his own daughter. The anger that rose in Ye Xia's throat was so potent it was a physical taste.
She took a deep breath, calling upon the composure of the woman who had once, albeit foolishly, navigated high-stakes business dinners.
"I didn't steal it," she said, her voice calm. "I used the money my mother left me."
A dead silence fell over the room. Wang Yan's face tightened. Ye Xia's mother was a taboo subject, a ghost Wang Yan could never exorcise.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Ye Zhentao spluttered, his face turning red. "Your mother didn't leave you any specific funds. Everything is managed by me for the family."
"That's what you think," Ye Xia said, layering her words with a hint of mystery. It was a gamble, a bluff based on a faint childhood memory of her mother whispering about a "small gift" put aside for her. She had no proof, but the reaction was telling. Wang Yan's eyes narrowed into slits.
"What does that mean?" Wang Yan demanded, her sweet tone evaporating.
"It means I have access to a small, personal inheritance," Ye Xia said, meeting her stepmother's gaze directly for the first time. "It's not much, but it's mine to use as I see fit. For things like… better food."
She saw the calculation flash in Wang Yan's eyes. The possibility of unknown funds was a threat. It meant Ye Xia had a sliver of independence.
"Well," Wang Yan said, forcing the sweetness back into her voice. "That's… wonderful news, Xiaxia. But you must be careful. The world is full of people who would take advantage of a young girl. You should let your father and I manage it for you."
"That won't be necessary," Ye Xia said softly. "I think I can manage."
She sat down at the table and served herself some of the bland, cheap vegetables that were the usual fare. The dragon fruit and mangosteens remained in the bag, a silent, luxurious rebellion.
The rest of the meal passed in strained silence. Ye Meng shot her venomous looks, while Ye Zhentao seemed lost in thought, no doubt wondering about the extent of this supposed inheritance.
Later, in the room she was rarely allowed to leave, Ye Xia hid her new phone and books under a loose floorboard. Her room was sparse, little more than a storage room with a cot, while Ye Meng had a lavish suite filled with clothes and gadgets. The injustice that had once choked her with self-pity now only fueled her resolve.
She powered on the iPhone. It was a tool. She needed to learn how to use it. But first, she had to deal with the inevitable fallout.
As predicted, there was a soft knock on her door around nine o'clock. It was Lin Wanwan.
"Xiaxia!" Lin Wanwan said, sweeping into the room without invitation, her face a mask of exaggerated concern. "I was so worried about you! You were so strange today. And then I saw you going into that fancy salon! How could you afford that?"
Ye Xia looked at her, this viper in a best friend's skin. The memory of water filling her lungs was suddenly vivid.
"I had some money saved," Ye Xia said noncommittally.
"Saved? From what?" Lin Wanwan pressed, sitting on the edge of the cot. "Xiaxia, you have to tell me. We're best friends. Are you in some kind of trouble? Did you… do something you shouldn't have?" She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You know you can trust me."
The audacity of it was breathtaking. In her past life, this performance had always worked. Ye Xia would spill every secret, seeking comfort and advice, never realizing she was feeding information to her greatest enemy.
"It's nothing like that, Wanwan," Ye Xia said, forcing a small, grateful smile. It felt like stretching a rubber mask over her face. "My mother… she left me a little something. I just decided it was time to use a bit of it to feel better about myself."
Lin Wanwan's eyes widened with a greed she quickly tried to disguise as excitement. "Really? Oh, Xiaxia, that's amazing! How much? What are you going to do with it?"
"I'm not sure yet," Ye Xia said, feigning shyness. "It's not a huge amount. I just wanted a nice haircut."
"Well, it looks wonderful!" Lin Wanwan gushed, but her mind was clearly racing. "You know, this is perfect timing! Liang Rui was just talking about how he's trying to raise funds for a new project for the student union. A real business venture! With your money, you could invest! It would be a great way to get closer to him."
Ye Xia's blood ran cold. So it began already. The subtle steering, the manipulation designed to funnel her resources towards Liang Rui. In the past, she would have jumped at the chance, seeing it as a way to win his affection.
Now, she saw the trap.
"Liang Rui's project?" Ye Xia tilted her head. "That sounds interesting. But I think I need to be careful. My mother would have wanted me to be smart with it."
Lin Wanwan's smile tightened. "Of course! But investing in Liang Rui is being smart. Everyone knows he's going to be a huge success. It's a sure thing!"
Yes, Ye Xia thought, a sure thing that will leave him wealthy and me dead in a pool.
"I'll think about it," Ye Xia said, yawning. "I'm really tired, Wanwan. It's been a long day."
Lin Wanwan was clearly dissatisfied but had no choice. "Okay, get some rest. But promise me you'll think about it! It's a great opportunity!"
After Lin Wanwan left, Ye Xia leaned against the door, her heart pounding. The wolves were already circling. But this time, the sheep was growing fangs.
She took out her new phone and opened the notes app. She began to type, her fingers flying across the screen.
Targets: Liang Rui, Lin Wanwan, Wang Yan, Ye Meng, Ye Zhentao.
Assets: The Money Wasting System. Knowledge of the future.
Short-term goal: Gain strength, knowledge, and capital. Survive the household.
Long-term goal: Utter ruin of all enemies. Uncover the truth about Mother's death.
She looked at the list, a cold satisfaction settling in her gut. The game was indeed on. And she was no longer a player to be underestimated.