The Cold Beauty's Rebirth

The next day, the air in the academy felt different. Qingxue could sense it the moment she and Qiuhan stepped into the hallway. Conversations hushed as they walked past, subtle glances were exchanged, and an unnatural tension hummed beneath the surface.

The rumors had spread.

Ruolan had done exactly what they expected—planted seeds of doubt and watched them grow.

Lihua approached them with a scoff. "Ugh, people are so predictable. They hear one baseless rumor and immediately eat it up."

Qiuhan smirked. "Let them talk."

But Qingxue wasn't one to let things spiral out of control. Ruolan was trying to control the narrative, spinning herself into the victim while painting them as the cruel, jealous villains. If they let this continue, it wouldn't just be annoying—it could start affecting their reputation.

They needed to turn the tide.

As they entered the classroom, Ruolan was already seated, surrounded by a few classmates who were whispering in hushed voices. She looked fragile, her expression carefully sculpted into hesitant sorrow.

Perfectly pitiful.

One of the boys beside her turned to glare at Qingxue and Qiuhan as they approached. "How could you two be so cruel to your own cousin?"

Qiuhan arched a brow. "Oh?"

Ruolan immediately shook her head, a small, heartbroken smile on her lips. "Please, don't say that… I'm sure they didn't mean it…" Her voice was soft, like she was trying so hard to defend them despite her own suffering.

It was an act so well-practiced that it almost made Qingxue impressed.

Almost.

But Qingxue had played this game far longer than Ruolan.

She took a single step closer, her silver-blue eyes locking onto Ruolan's with chilling intensity. "Did we, Ruolan?" she asked, her voice smooth, emotionless.

Ruolan faltered for a fraction of a second. But then she lowered her gaze, as if burdened with unspoken pain. "I don't want to fight… I just wish things could go back to how they used to be."

"How it used to be?" Qiuhan mused, crossing his arms. "You mean when you could manipulate people without being exposed?"

Ruolan's lashes fluttered. "Qiuhan, that's not fair…"

At that moment, Li Shen entered the room. He took one glance at the situation and let out a low whistle. "Oh? Are we already starting the morning drama?"

Ruolan's expression twisted for just a second before she quickly masked it. "Li Shen, I—"

"I heard some very interesting things yesterday," he interrupted, stepping beside Qingxue and Qiuhan. "It seems there's a story going around that these two are jealous of you." He tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Strange, don't you think?"

Ruolan's hands clenched subtly. "I—I never said anything like that…"

"Of course not." Li Shen's smile sharpened. "But rumors don't start themselves, do they?"

The students who had gathered began shifting, suddenly uncertain.

Lihua jumped in with a bright laugh. "Oh, please. You all believe a story about them being jealous of her?" She gestured toward Qingxue and Qiuhan. "Have you seen them?"

Tianyi, who had just arrived with Yiran, grinned. "It's kind of hilarious when you think about it."

A ripple of uncertainty spread through the crowd.

Ruolan, sensing her control slipping, quickly tried another tactic. She let out a soft breath, lowering her shoulders as if in defeat. "I never wanted this… I just wanted to be a family."

Qingxue's lips curled slightly. "Then you shouldn't have started a war."

Ruolan flinched.

And just like that, the game shifted.

The students who had initially bought into the rumors were now looking between Ruolan and the twins, uncertainty creeping into their expressions.

The damage had been minimized.

But Qingxue knew Ruolan wasn't done yet.

Not even close.