The Cold Beauty's Rebirth

Leng Ruolan's fingers tightened around the hem of her uniform as she returned to her seat, her every step measured, her face a perfect mask of fragile composure. But inside, her heart pounded with barely contained frustration.

It wasn't supposed to go like this.

She had orchestrated the perfect scene—appearing graceful, kind, and regretful. If things had gone her way, Qingxue and Qiuhan would have either accepted her apology, making her seem noble, or rejected her outright in a way that would earn her sympathy.

Instead, they had done something worse. They had dismantled her act in just a few words, leaving her exposed.

The weight of lingering gazes settled on her like a suffocating cloak. She forced a trembling smile as a few of her classmates hesitantly approached her.

"Ruolan… are you okay?" one of the girls asked.

Ruolan lowered her lashes, a delicate sigh escaping her lips. "I… I just wanted to make peace," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. "But it seems Xue Xue and Qiuhan don't want that."

The girl exchanged glances with the others, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "Maybe… they're just not used to opening up?"

Ruolan bit her lip, a soft, helpless look settling onto her features. "Maybe…"

Let them think that. Let them pity her. She wouldn't push too hard—not yet. If she acted too desperate, the doubt in their eyes might solidify into suspicion.

No, she would wait. Play the part of the wounded cousin who only wanted harmony.

And when the time was right, she would make them regret humiliating her.

---

On the other side of the classroom, Qingxue barely spared a glance at Ruolan's performance, her silver-blue eyes remaining on the book in her hands.

Qiuhan, lounging lazily in his seat, let out a soft scoff. "Too easy."

Qingxue hummed in agreement. "She's getting desperate."

Qiuhan's fingers tapped against his desk, his lips curving into a smirk. "Do you think she'll try something bigger next time?"

Qingxue turned a page. "Most likely."

His smirk deepened. "Good. I was getting bored."

The whispers around them hadn't faded, but no one dared to speak to them directly. The flawless test scores had already made them an object of curiosity, but now, their cold indifference toward Ruolan only heightened the intrigue surrounding them.

For the rest of the day, no one approached them.

And they preferred it that way.

---

That evening, at the Leng estate, the atmosphere around the dining table was warm but tinged with amusement. The moment Qingxue and Qiuhan stepped inside, all five of their older brothers turned toward them with knowing expressions.

Leng Yuxian, seated at the head of the table, swirled the wine in his glass, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "So, the white lotus tried to play innocent?"

Leng Zhaoyan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Predictable."

Leng Haoyu, adjusting his cufflinks, nodded in approval. "And you handled it well. You didn't let her control the narrative."

Leng Yichen propped his chin on his hand, a grin tugging at his lips. "Ruolan must be fuming right now."

Leng Jiuhan, the youngest, leaned closer to Qingxue, silver-blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "Xue'er, if she tries anything else, can I handle her?"

Jiang Yuixen shot him a look of mild exasperation. "No need to make a mess, Jiuhan."

Their father, Leng Zhen, let out a chuckle as he poured himself a cup of tea. "But… I do think we should prepare for the next move. Chen Meiyu won't sit still if her daughter's reputation is threatened."

Qingxue placed her chopsticks down, meeting her father's gaze without hesitation. "We're ready."

Qiuhan, beside her, took a sip of his tea. "Always."

Their parents exchanged glances before Jiang Yuixen smiled.

"Then let's see how this plays out."