A soft knock echoed on Bai Meilin's bedroom door.
"Come in," she said, seated before her mirror with a hairbrush paused mid-stroke.
The door opened to reveal her personal maid, Xiaoyun. "Miss, the Young Master Chen is here to see you."
Meilin's eyes lit up momentarily, but she quickly masked her glee with practiced calm. "Show him to the tea room. I'll be there shortly."
As Xiaoyun bowed and exited, Meilin stood and checked her reflection. She pinched her cheeks slightly to bring a natural flush, applied a pale peach gloss, and selected a pale green hanfu that made her appear gentle and graceful.
The innocent younger sister. The newly returned daughter. The fragile flower.
She had roles to play.
By the time she stepped into the tea room, Chen Yuxuan was already lounging on the embroidered couch, a cup of Longjing tea in hand.
"You're getting bolder," he remarked, eyeing her entrance.
"And you're getting impatient," she replied, gliding to sit across from him. "What's wrong? Still shaken by Zhi-jie's attitude?"
He chuckled. "She's not who she used to be.
I didn't expect her to be so sharp. So cold."
"Do you miss her?" Meilin asked with a tilt of her head, smiling softly.
He didn't answer right away. "I'm curious. That's all."
Meilin's smile remained, but her fingers clenched under the table.
Curiosity was dangerous.
He didn't need to know the whole truth.
"Then let me help you," she said sweetly. "Bai Zhi may be acting all composed now, but she's still just someone who doesn't belong. She's never really been a Bai."
Chen Yuxuan gave her a long look. "You're not as innocent as you act."
She laughed lightly. "Who is?"
Later that day at the academy, Bai Zhi stepped into the studio reserved for voice training. She had been selected for a vocal duet showcase for the Jianning Group's upcoming talent exhibition.
Qiaoqiao waved her over excitedly. "They've paired you with the academy's golden boy Zhou Yiming! He's a senior and last year's top performer!"
Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like trouble."
"No way. He's known for being strict, but fair. Just... don't be late. He hates that."
Bai Zhi's lips curved. "Got it."
Zhou Yiming was already waiting when she entered the practice room. He was tall, with sharp features, an icy demeanor, and a clipboard in hand.
"You're punctual. That's a good start," he said without looking up.
"I don't waste time," she replied coolly.
He finally glanced up and paused.
"You're Bai Zhi."
"Clearly."
"I've seen your audition clip."
"Hopefully it didn't offend your ears."
He smirked, slightly impressed. "You're confident. Let's see if it's earned."
The rest of the session passed with surprising ease. Bai Zhi's tone and rhythm were near-perfect, and though Zhou Yiming barely gave praise, he didn't offer critique either, a sign of rare approval.
As they wrapped up, he said, "I look forward to performing with you."
She gave a small nod. "Likewise."
Unseen in the hallway, Bai Meilin watched through the studio window with a faint smile.
She turned and whispered to the girl beside her, Sun Mengli, one of her newer "friends."
"She thinks she's special now... but let's see how long it lasts."
The next day, an anonymous message was delivered to one of the Jianning Talent Program supervisors.
"Please verify the originality of Bai Zhi's vocal audition. There are rumors she lip-synced to a pre-recorded track. A fair contest deserves transparency."
Attached was a grainy video clip that had clearly been tampered with.
But in elite circles, even rumors were knives.
By evening, whispers had spread across the academy.
"Did you hear about Bai Zhi?"
"Lip-syncing? Seriously?"
"She always seemed too polished... maybe it was fake."
Qiaoqiao ran to find Bai Zhi. "Zhi-jie, they're saying awful things about you online. Someone posted a video. The quality is bad, but the angle makes it look like your mouth doesn't match the song..."
Bai Zhi's expression didn't shift. "Let them talk."
"But your reputation!"
"That's exactly what they want me to worry about."
At the Bai family home, Bai Meilin was all smiles during dinner.
"Zhi-jie, I heard about the rumors. Are you okay?"
Her tone was soft, concerned. So well-acted it would fool anyone.
Bai Zhi stared at her for a beat.
"I am," she said calmly. "Rumors are a sign of relevance, after all."
Bai Meilin's smile faltered slightly. "But they're saying you cheated. What if it affects your spot in the program?"
"Then I'll prove them wrong. Simple."
She wasn't Bai Meilin who lived a Lie.
Madam Bai sighed. "Zhi'er, you must be careful. Your position is fragile now that the spotlight is on both of you."
Bai Zhi turned to her. "Then maybe you should ask who turned the lights on."
Meilin lowered her gaze, pretending to be hurt. But her clenched fist under the table betrayed her.
The following day, Bai Zhi requested a formal re-audition, live, in front of the judges and mentors.
It wasn't required, but the news of her bold request made headlines within the academy and industry circles.
Even Jianning's representatives agreed to attend.
The auditorium was packed.
Qiaoqiao squeezed her hand backstage. "This is crazy, Zhi-jie... but you've got this."
Bai Zhi took the stage under blinding lights.
She didn't flinch.
No backing track. No mic assistance. Just her voice, steady and sharp, ringing through the auditorium like a silver bell in snow.
By the end, the hall was silent, then exploded into applause.
The lead Jianning mentor stood and clapped slowly, looking at the others. "I think that settles it."
Bai Zhi bowed, then walked off stage with calm grace.
In the dark corner of the audience, Bai Meilin sat frozen.
Sun Mengli leaned over and whispered, "You said she'd mess up. She didn't."
Meilin's nails dug into her palm.
"She just made her fall more dramatic when it happens."
Bai Zhi's live performance was still the talk of the academy. Articles, clips, and commentary flooded Jianning's internal networks. Some called her brave. Others called her arrogant. But all agreed on one thing, she was unforgettable.
And that was exactly what Bai Zhi wanted.
She sat beneath the large gingko tree in the academy garden, sketchbook in hand, idly working on costume designs for the upcoming talent showcase. Her fingers moved quickly, the lines confident, while her mind spun through future steps like a master strategist on a warboard.