After witnessing Huang Na's emotional display, two more girls approached—familiar faces from Lin Yunyi's past.
They were the other two who had bullied her alongside Huang Na.
"Xiao Na, what's wrong?" one of them asked, noticing her red eyes and trembling lips.
Huang Na quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
Fine? Not even close. Her eyes were swollen, and her voice trembled. Only a fool would believe that.
Their gazes shifted toward Lin Yunyi—still disguised as Jiang Hao—who was calmly enjoying snacks nearby.
"Jiang Hao, Xiao Na's clearly upset. Aren't you going to comfort her?" the taller girl said, frowning.
"Exactly, exactly," the girl with glasses echoed, nodding emphatically.
With backup arriving, Huang Na's performance intensified. She dabbed at her eyes and sniffled dramatically.
"Don't blame Jiang Ge… It's my fault. I just couldn't compare to that bitch Lin Yunyi… I failed to win his heart…"
Lin Yunyi: ??
You're still going?
"Wait, Lin Yunyi? Isn't she that girl who didn't even Awaken? You ran into her?" the two girls asked, confused.
"Yes! We saw her at the academy gate earlier. That little tramp actually tried to seduce Jiang Ge right in front of me," Huang Na said, voice trembling with indignation.
The two girls immediately rallied behind her.
"Jiang Hao, listen—Lin Yunyi's just a nobody. Xiao Na's beautiful and comes from a proper family. She's the one who deserves you," the tall girl insisted.
"Exactly! That bitch is probably out there selling herself right now," the girl with glasses added with a sneer.
Lin Yunyi nearly burst out laughing.
Keep going.
Keep cursing.
She was standing right in front of them, and they had no idea. The irony was delicious.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
She was nearly full, and the "Shadow" assassins would be arriving soon.
After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she suddenly pulled Huang Na into an embrace.
"I misjudged you before. I was wrong. I apologize," she said gently, mimicking Jiang Hao's tone.
Huang Na gasped, stunned by the sudden affection. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Oh, Jiang Ge… people are watching!" she whispered, playfully swatting Lin Yunyi's chest.
Lin Yunyi leaned in and whispered in her ear, "After the banquet… want to go out and have some fun?"
Huang Na's eyes widened in surprise.
Had Jiang Hao finally come to his senses?
Was her gamble paying off?
"Jiang Ge… aren't you being a little too eager?" she said shyly.
Lin Yunyi knew exactly what kind of person Huang Na was—and what she wanted from Jiang Hao.
She smiled sweetly, masking her inner sneer. "What, unwilling? After tonight, I'll introduce you to my father."
"Really?!"
Huang Na lit up, practically glowing with excitement.
Lin Yunyi turned to the other two girls.
"Do you two want to join?"
"Us? Jiang Hao, isn't that a bit much?" they said, stunned.
Still, they didn't dare protest too loudly. Jiang Hao's status made him untouchable.
Lin Yunyi shrugged. "If you're interested, my father can provide cultivation resources for your abilities. One-time offer. Think it over."
"Cultivation resources? You mean… Ability Potions?!"
The girls' eyes sparkled.
For ordinary students, Ability Potions were a luxury beyond reach. Even the Jiang Family, though not first-rate, was still far above their social standing.
"Oh, Jiang Ge, we were just teasing. Of course it's fine."
"Exactly, we were just joking~"
They began fawning over Lin Yunyi, their behavior no different from Huang Na's earlier.
"You!" Huang Na snapped, jealousy flaring. She clung tightly to Lin Yunyi's arm.
Watching their true colors unfold, Lin Yunyi sneered inwardly.
And you call me a bitch?
Tsk tsk tsk.
When the real Jiang Hao wakes up and walks into this mess… it's going to be a show.
She could hardly wait.
Just then, a lavishly dressed young man entered the hall.
The crowd's attention shifted instantly.
It was Bai Yuechen—the host of the banquet.
"Thank you all for attending," he said with a warm smile. "I hope you've had a chance to meet your fellow Tianhuan Academy students."
He paused, then added, "But the real reason for this banquet is to make an announcement."
He cleared his throat and scanned the room.
"The Bai Family is offering a rare opportunity. One month from now, the top ten students in the newcomer's competition will each receive an Ability Potion."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Of course," Bai Yuechen continued, "this reward is only for those who attended today's banquet in support of the Bai Family."
"A newcomer's competition?" Lin Yunyi mused.
Was Bai Yuechen trying to build alliances within the academy?
But as the heir of a first-rate family, why bother with such gestures?
She couldn't quite figure it out.
Then she glanced at the time.
It was almost time.
Clutching her stomach, she turned to the three girls. "Excuse me, I need the restroom. I'll be right back."
Under their puzzled gazes, she slipped out of the hall.
In a surveillance-free corner, she reverted to her Sparkle form and summoned firefly.
"Firefly, once the assassins arrive, follow my instructions."
Firefly blinked and nodded silently.
"Then… let the show begin."
Lin Yunyi's lips curled into a sly smile as she donned her fox mask.