The arrival of the school's "second belle," Jie Ying, instantly piqued the curiosity of the students in the classroom. It was the first time the so-called second belle and the undisputed beauty, Ying Yuexia, were seen together. The difference between them was striking.
Ying Yuexia possessed a natural elegance—her fair, snow-white skin glowing effortlessly without the aid of makeup. Her beauty was pure and undeniable. In contrast, Jie Ying, though undeniably attractive, relied heavily on cosmetics and luxury beauty products. Everyone was well aware of Jie Ying's immense wealth; after all, the Jie family owned one of the most powerful companies in the country. Yet, even with her riches, there were only two families she dared not offend—the Ying Enterprise and the Lei Corporation.
Despite Jie Ying's well-known identity, Ying Yuexia remained a mystery. Most assumed she had earned her place in the prestigious school through a scholarship, given her diligence and studious nature. However, there was no denying that in terms of beauty, she was in a league of her own. And that, more than anything, was why Jie Ying resented her.
"What do you want?" Ying Yuexia asked calmly, picking up her books, unfazed by Jie Ying's sudden appearance.
"What's with that attitude?" Jie Ying sneered, crossing her arms. "I came to 'greet' you."
"Then be quick. I have studying to do." Mei barely spared her a glance, her focus returning to her books.
Jie Ying's lips curled into a smirk. "Lei Shin."
The name alone was enough to capture Yuexia's attention. Lei Shin—the young master of the most powerful company in the country. Girls fawned over him, not just for his looks but for the wealth and status he represented. However, he was infamous—a notorious playboy and an untouchable bully. No one dared to cross him, not with the Lei family's immense influence.
Jie Ying leaned in closer, her voice a low whisper. "I heard he has a crush on you. He asked me to relay his message." Her tone turned sharp as she added threateningly, "Don't even think about accepting. If you do, I'll make your life miserable."
She then straightened up, smiling as if the exchange had never happened. Around them, envious eyes bore into Ying Yuexia, waiting to see her reaction as everyone knew why Jie Ying was here.
Yuexia stopped writing, setting her pen down. Her gaze met Jie Ying's. To the onlookers, it appeared to be just a stare, but Jie Ying felt an unspoken pressure, a silent dominance that chipped away at her arrogance.
"I'm not interested. Don't bother me again." Yuexia's voice was even, unwavering. Then, as if nothing had happened, she resumed writing.
Gasps rippled through the classroom. No one had expected such a blunt rejection.
Jie Ying snapped out of her momentary daze and shot up from Yuexia's desk. That single glance had shaken her confidence.
"What a waste," she huffed, before storming out.
As soon as she left, the classroom erupted into a hushed buzz, students whispering about what had just transpired.
---
The school day came to an end with teachers piling on an overwhelming amount of homework. Ying Yuexia gathered her things and left, heading towards her home—the Ying residence. As usual, she donned a mask to conceal her identity, blending into the crowd as just another student. Once out of sight, the school uniform was replaced by casual jeans and a simple shirt.
Her home was located in an exclusive neighborhood, where only the most influential families resided. As she approached the grand yet serene estate, the guards at the gate immediately bowed in recognition. Without a word, she stepped inside.
The interior of the Ying residence was elegant yet understated, a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication. As she made her way inside, a familiar voice singing from a nearby room reached her ears. She smiled knowingly—her fourth brother, Ying Yuchen.
Despite still being a university student, Ying Yuchen had already risen to fame as a singer and actor. His fanbase was massive, his popularity soaring higher each day. Yet, to Yuexia, he was simply her playful older brother.
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she stealthily approached him from behind and launched a tickle attack.
"No—no, stop! Haha—Xia Xia! Hahaha—no, don't!" Ying Yuchen's laughter echoed through the room as he struggled to escape her relentless tickling.
"You're always singing. Doesn't your throat ever get tired?" Yuexia teased, her usual cold demeanor melting into a rare, cheerful smile.
Just as Yuchen was about to reply, the air in the room shifted. They both froze.
Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, was their eldest brother—Ying Zihan.