The Cold Beauty's Rebirth

The air in the classroom felt heavier after Ruolan left. Though the tension had dissipated slightly, Qingxue knew better than to think the storm had passed.

Ruolan wasn't the type to retreat without a plan.

Lihua leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "So… what do you think she'll try next?"

Tianyi smirked. "Something pathetic, probably."

Yiran, more cautious, swirled the tea in her cup before speaking. "Desperate people do desperate things."

Qingxue tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her gaze calm but thoughtful. "She'll try to gain sympathy first. If that fails, she'll escalate."

Qiuhan's silver-blue eyes flickered with an almost predatory sharpness. "Then we'll be ready."

As if summoned by their conversation, a soft, hesitant voice interrupted.

"Excuse me…"

A delicate-looking girl with wide, tear-filled eyes stood near their table. Her uniform was slightly ruffled, and her expression was pitifully distressed. It was the kind of face that would stir instinctive protectiveness in most people.

Qingxue's gaze sharpened. She already knew what was happening before the girl even spoke.

"I… I didn't want to say anything, but I feel like you should know," the girl said hesitantly, glancing around nervously as if afraid of being overheard. "There are rumors going around about you two…"

Lihua scoffed. "Oh, please. There are always rumors."

"But these are different," the girl insisted, voice trembling. "Someone said that you two—" she gestured toward Qingxue and Qiuhan, "—have always been jealous of Ruolan, and that's why you're treating her so coldly."

Silence.

Then Qiuhan chuckled. A low, amused sound that sent chills down the girl's spine.

"Jealous?" His voice was deceptively soft, but the underlying iciness was unmistakable.

The girl shrank back. "I-I didn't say I believed it! I just thought you should know that people are talking…"

Li Shen, who had been quiet, finally spoke. His golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he tilted his head. "And who, exactly, started this rumor?"

The girl hesitated. "I don't know… I just overheard it."

Yiran sighed and set her cup down with a soft clink. "How convenient."

Tianyi grinned. "Let me guess… you overheard it near Ruolan?"

The girl flinched.

Lihua rolled her eyes. "Honestly, can she be any more predictable?"

Qingxue leaned back in her chair, utterly unfazed. "Ruolan is testing the waters. If this works, she'll push harder."

Qiuhan's gaze darkened. "Then we should send a message."

Li Shen smiled slightly. "I think that's a great idea."

The girl standing before them shifted uncomfortably. "W-what do you mean?"

Qingxue finally looked at her directly, her silver-blue eyes as cold as moonlight. "Go back and tell whoever sent you that if they want to play games, they should at least be subtle about it."

The girl's face paled. "I-I wasn't sent—"

"Then leave," Qiuhan interrupted, his tone carrying no room for argument.

The girl scurried away, nearly tripping in her haste.

As she disappeared, Tianyi let out a whistle. "Well, that was entertaining."

Lihua grinned. "What's next?"

Qingxue's gaze flickered toward the door Ruolan had exited earlier.

"She wants a battle," she murmured. "So let's give her one."