The Cold Beauty's Rebirth

Ruolan's footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as she walked, her nails digging into her palms. Her carefully constructed mask of fragile innocence cracked the moment she turned the corner, fury twisting her delicate features.

They thought they had won.

They thought they had stripped her of her control.

But they had underestimated her.

She wasn't done. Not yet.

She needed a new approach. A new strategy.

And she knew exactly where to start.

---

At lunch, the air around Qingxue and Qiuhan was unusually quiet. Their table, which had once been surrounded by wary students, was now occupied only by those who had firmly chosen their side—Lihua, the Xu siblings, and Li Shen.

It wasn't that the others had turned against them. If anything, Ruolan's latest failure had made people more hesitant to openly engage in her schemes. But something was brewing in the atmosphere, an uneasy tension that none of them could quite place.

"She's planning something," Lihua muttered, stabbing at her food.

Qiuhan smirked. "Obviously."

Li Shen tapped his fingers against the table. "The question is—how long before she makes her move?"

"Not long," Yiran murmured, her violet eyes calm but sharp. "Ruolan doesn't like feeling cornered. She'll strike soon."

Qingxue was silent, her fingers lightly resting on her teacup.

She had a feeling that this time, Ruolan wouldn't go for petty rumors or passive-aggressive jabs.

This time, she would be aiming to destroy something.

Or someone.

And she had a terrible suspicion about who her target would be.

---

That evening, as Qingxue and Qiuhan arrived home, they were greeted by an unexpected sight.

Their parents were waiting for them in the main hall, their expressions unreadable.

And standing beside them…

Was Chen Meiyu.

Ruolan's mother.

Qingxue's grip on her school bag tightened slightly.

Chen Meiyu smiled, but it was the kind of smile that never reached the eyes. "Ah, Qingxue, Qiuhan. It's good to see you."

Qiuhan raised an eyebrow. "Wish we could say the same."

Jiang Yuixen shot her son a brief look before turning to Chen Meiyu. "Why are you here?"

Chen Meiyu sighed, a look of feigned sadness crossing her face. "I came to discuss the… recent tensions between our children." She placed a hand over her chest, as if deeply pained. "I fear Ruolan has been deeply misunderstood."

Qingxue held back a scoff.

So, this was her next move.

Not through rumors. Not through classmates.

But through the family.

Chen Meiyu wanted to paint Ruolan as the wounded, helpless niece—hoping to force their parents into stepping in.

But if Ruolan thought they would fall for it…

She was about to be very disappointed.