Feng Xueling finished typing and closed her laptop with a smirk. She had just resolved a particularly troublesome bug for Helios Tech, the biggest tech company in China — destined to grow into one of the largest conglomerates in the world.
In her last life, Gu Mocheng had been able to compete with them in cybertech only because of her.
In this life… Gu Mocheng, Feng family, you're on your own.
Now that she had money to fall back on, the first and most urgent task was clear: leave the Fengs. Cut them off without a trace. But how?
The next morning, sunlight streamed weakly through the curtains, painting faint lines across her desk. Xueling moved silently, already packing her life into compact boxes no one else would notice.
Her phone buzzed. The transfer from Helios Tech was complete — a clean six-figure sum, tucked safely into an alias account under the name XL. For the first time in years, her lips curved in a genuine smile.
Freedom was no longer a dream. It was a calculation.
She tied her hair back, revealing delicate brows and eyes that seemed too brilliant to hide. But it wasn't time yet. She slid on the plain wire-rimmed glasses, dusted her luminous skin with dulling pigment, and pulled on her shapeless school uniform. The world would see only an ordinary, overlooked girl.
The dining hall hummed with laughter. Father's booming voice praised Xueyao's "upcoming victory." Mother fussed over which dress would photograph best at the student tech showcase. Xueyao, glowing in pastel pink, basked in every word.
The far corner seat — her seat — was, as always, bare.
Xueling slipped into it without a sound.
"Yaoyao, top of the nation. The media will eat it up," Father beamed.
"Wear the sapphire studs I gave you," Mother added. "They match your eyes."
Xueling buttered her bread in silence.
"Xueling," Xueyao's honeyed voice carried across the table. "You'll help me with the debugging tonight, won't you? Just a few tweaks."
The servants chuckled knowingly. Even Father smiled. "Yes, yes. Xueling may not have your flair, Yaoyao, but her patience with details is useful."
Behind her glasses, Xueling's eyes glinted like obsidian under water. "Of course, Sister. I'll make sure it's flawless."
She set down her bread. "By the way… could I borrow one of your bags for the showcase? Mine is falling apart."
A ripple of silence. Xueyao's smile stiffened; Mother's brows drew together.
"Why would you need a bag, Xueling? Just focus on the essentials. These things don't suit you."
"Ah. Not suited to me." Xueling's lips tilted higher. "Then what about a dress? I'd hate to embarrass the family, standing beside Yaoyao in rags."
This time the silence was heavy.
"Standing beside Yaoyao?" Mother's voice sharpened. "Don't be ridiculous! You're not coming."
Father added smoothly, "Your grandmother is coming that day. She loves having you around. It's best you keep her company. Filial, isn't it?"
Xueling sighed inwardly. How starved for love she had been, once, to fall for such cheap lies. That "grandma" was nothing but a cruel old hag who delighted in berating her.
She adjusted her expression. "Grandma, is it? Then—"
"Yes, Grandma!" Xueyao's voice chimed, syrupy sweet. "You're the best, Sister. Now, about that bug—"
"I'll be late for school." Xueling stood smoothly, cutting her off. Under the startled gazes of servants, she walked out without another word.
The bus rattled along its route, packed with students. By the time she stepped into the classroom, the lively chaos felt almost refreshing.
"Xueling! Over here!" Jiang Xiaoman waved from their shared desk, her glasses crooked and hair frizzed. Ordinary to others — but to Xueling, a stubborn brightness burned in her friend's eyes.
"You look like you fought a war," Xueling remarked.
"It was a war." Xiaoman shoved a bun into her mouth. "The canteen line nearly took my arm."
A smile tugged at Xueling's lips before she could stop it.
"Wait," Xiaoman squinted. "Are you… smiling? Since when does Feng Xueling smile in the morning?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Xueling muttered, hiding behind a book.
"You are! Oh my god, maybe you've been replaced by an alien."
"Mm-hm." Xueling coughed lightly, but warmth stirred in her chest.
Xiaoman slid her a packet of chips. "Eat. If you faint again, I'm not carrying you. You're heavier than you look."
Xueling took one, letting the spice burn her tongue. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me. My grades depend on your tutoring."
"Extortion, is it?"
"Survival," Xiaoman declared.
For the first time in years, Feng Xueling felt almost normal.
The lesson had barely begun when a boy snickered. "Jiang Xiaoman, why ask her? Feng Xueling's the class ghost."
Laughter rippled. Xiaoman flushed red.
Xueling set her pen down. Calmly, she explained problem seven, her voice precise, her solution neat and effortless. The boy's smirk faded as he realized she wasn't bluffing.
The teacher strode in, cutting short the silence. "Books open to page one-twenty!"
Xiaoman leaned over, whispering, "Show-off."
"Only because someone asked," Xueling replied.
When the final bell rang, Xiaoman tugged at her sleeve. "Come to my place this weekend? Finals are in three months. Please…?"
Xueling hesitated, then gave in. "…Fine."
Xiaoman grinned. "Great! My cousin will be there too, he is on some important errand is running around like crazy. So he won't bother us."
The corridor buzzed with students when a saccharine voice rose behind her.
"Xueling!"
Xueyao, flawless as always, trailed by her admirers. "Mother was so worried when you rushed out this morning. You really should be more considerate of family."
Gasps and giggles followed.
Xueling adjusted her glasses. "Thank you for the reminder. I'll manage."
Xueyao's smile sharpened. "You're not trying to compete with me for the showcase, are you?"
"Compete?" Xueling's voice was cool, almost bored. "You give yourself too much credit." She brushed past, adding softly, "I don't waste time on stolen things."
The words sliced like glass. For a heartbeat, Xueyao's perfect smile faltered.
"Who are you accusing?!" Zhang Qiqi blurted.
"Stop," Xueyao snapped — uncharacteristically loud. Her friends stared, stunned. But in the next breath her voice softened again, syrup-sweet. "Perhaps Sister is just stressed about exams. Let's not trouble her."
"You're too kind, Yaoyao," Qiqi gushed. "Anyone else would fight back."
"Come," Xueyao said with a gentle smile. "Let's shop, hm?"