Chapter 5: Big Trouble

Before Lin Yiwei could fall asleep, her door was rattled by a frantic pounding, as if an earthquake had struck.

She slipped on her slippers and opened the door. Su Andi rushed in without a word, wailing in grievance, "You’ve ruined me! Young Master Chi couldn't find you, so he came to make my life miserable!"

Lin Yiwei frowned, asking warily, "You didn't betray me, did you?"

"Lin Yiwei, do you even have a heart? I was beaten because of you, and all you care about is yourself!" Su Andi vented her frustration, layering on the drama. "I’m suffering all this because of you!"

Lin Yiwei lifted Su Andi’s chin to inspect a slight redness on her forehead. It was a scrape, the skin barely broken. She retrieved her first-aid kit and dabbed some iodine on the wound. As she leaned in, Su Andi held her breath. Even as a girl, she couldn't help but feel her heart race at the sight of Lin Yiwei’s face—a beauty so dangerous it could topple cities—let alone how a man might react.

Su Andi had envied that face since they were children, but she took comfort in knowing she possessed more than Lin Yiwei: a happy family, wealth, and a circle of friends—things Lin Yiwei could only dream of. Even when Lin Yiwei pretended not to care, Su Andi could see the longing in her eyes like a timid intruder watching from the shadows whenever Su Andi’s family was together. This subtle psychological balance was why they had managed to coexist for so many years.

"Does it still hurt?" Lin Yiwei’s concern was genuine.

"Of course it hurts! It hurts like hell."

"Was it Chi Xicheng?"

"Who else? He couldn't find you, so he took his anger out on me!"

The wealthy elite were often spoiled, and many had volatile tempers; Lin Yiwei was used to it. "You don't belong in that circle, yet you insist on forcing your way in. You’re just asking for trouble," she said, gently applying the medicine.

"Heh, look who’s talking, Lin Yiwei. Who was it that used to light up the moment they heard Chi Xicheng’s name?" Su Andi scoffed. "Don't forget, I got beaten because of you!"

"You didn't betray me, did you?" she asked again.

"Of course not! How could I betray you? We’re sisters—even if not by blood, we’ve known each other for over ten years!"

"You’re right," Lin Yiwei replied with a hollow smile.

Su Andi changed the subject. "By the way, why did you leave so suddenly tonight?"

"I wasn't feeling well."

"Chi Xicheng has his eye on you; that’s such a great opportunity. It’s a real shame you didn't seize it."

"A great opportunity?" Lin Yiwei gestured to the scrape on her forehead. "Do you want this opportunity for yourself?"

"I..." Su Andi faltered, then stammered, "I have someone I like."

"Did you see him tonight?"

"Xie Bo didn't even show up! I asked around, and they said he and Chi Xicheng have never gotten along," Su Andi said sullenly. "Even though their families collaborate in business, they have clashing temperaments. Chi Xicheng loves to run with a crowd—he’s a lot like his sister in that regard. But Xie Bo is a loner; he rarely attends Chi Xicheng’s gatherings. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone. What a waste of effort."

Lin Yiwei, uninterested in these social dynamics, packed away the first-aid kit. Her gaze landed on Su Andi’s new Hermes bag. "Nice bag."

Su Andi’s expression shifted slightly before she smiled. "A friend brought it back for me. It’s a high-end replica, very well made."

"I didn't ask where it came from, so there’s no need to explain."

"Well... I’m going to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

As Su Andi left the room, she looked visibly flustered. Lin Yiwei realized that Su Andi might have been bought off. For the next few days, she remained distant, declining every invitation to dinner or drinks, and even refusing to go shopping. Their friendship had always been superficial, but Su Andi was the only companion Lin Yiwei had for such outings. Knowing Su Andi’s vanity, Lin Yiwei knew she had to be on guard.

***

A few days later, Fige University began its new semester. Located on a peninsula in the international metropolis of Qinggang, Fige University had exchange programs with many world-class institutions. Its business and art schools were particularly renowned, producing countless talents in both fields. Consequently, many wealthy families sent their children to Fige to study both business and art, cultivating a refined aesthetic without neglecting the family business.

Unless a student from a poor background possessed exceptional talent and could earn a scholarship by scoring exceptionally high on the entrance exams, this sanctuary of luxury was not meant for ordinary people. Lin Yiwei belonged to the latter category. While her painting skills were not quite on par with Lin Xie’s, she possessed a fierce sensitivity and intuition for color.

Lin Xie used to stroke her hair, smiling as he promised to send her to the Royal College of Art in London for advanced studies. Fige University had a long-standing partnership with the Royal College, making it the shortest path to her dream—a path she would pursue by taking the IELTS in her junior year. She knew that Lin Xie had placed his own dreams upon her shoulders. In their world, without a prestigious academic background, rising to the top of the art scene was nearly impossible.

Standing before the magnificent European-style architecture of the Fige Art School, watching the sunlight glint off the opulent, arched dome, Lin Yiwei wasn't thinking of her own future. She was thinking of Lin Xie, who had been missing for two years. She had to find him and go to the Royal College of Art with him. Then, they would never be apart again.

***

Although the school had waived most of her tuition and living expenses, she still had to cover part of them. She found a part-time job at a maid-themed convenience store near the campus, which was surrounded by art galleries. In her spare time, she sold her paintings at a bargain or took commissions for portraits to earn extra pocket money.

On her first day of registration, she saw Chi Xiyu. Stepping out of a Mercedes, carrying an ostentatiously diamond-encrusted pink bag, with delicate straps of her heels winding up her slender ankles, she radiated the aura of an aristocratic young lady. A group of girls crowded around her, discussing her new hairstyle, her skincare, or the latest luxury hair accessories.

Of course, other girls stood on the sidelines, casting cold, disdainful glances. Not everyone was willing to fawn over Chi Xiyu, especially at Fige University, where the elite gathered; Chi Xiyu had many "friends," but even more enemies.

On the first day of school, Chi Xiyu held an art sharing session for her award-winning painting, "The Secret." Before she entered the lounge, a girl placed a tray of red paint in her path, hoping to humiliate her and ruin her session. As expected, Chi Xiyu tripped over the tray and had to run off to the restroom to scrub her dress.

It was a godsend of an opportunity. Lin Yiwei successfully made contact with her and earned her trust and favor. The plan was progressing smoothly, but an unexpected complication arose.

On her first day, she ran straight into the man she had been trying to avoid. She had thought that deleting him from WeChat would end the absurdity of that night, but it was merely the beginning. Whether it was due to their physical intimacy or his inherent nature, Xie Bo was "presumptuous" with her, shedding the gentleness and obedience she had once imagined he possessed.

She had provoked someone she could not control, someone far beyond her ability to handle. In those few minutes of their reunion, she could read the intense possessiveness and dominance in his eyes, as well as his... lingering desire. He still wanted her.

Lin Yiwei claimed she was on her period to hold him off, but she could tell Xie Bo didn't believe her. Yet, he didn't force her, which gave her a sliver of relief. She reasoned that someone like Xie Bo was never short of admirers. Perhaps... after a while, he would forget all about her. That was her hope.

***

Holding her backpack—which contained his racing jacket—like a hot potato, Lin Yiwei carefully stepped out of the art building. She happened to see Xie Bo, standing before a black Rolls-Royce Phantom, accepting a massive bouquet of Snow Mountain roses from his driver as he turned to greet Chi Xiyu.

Chi Xiyu approached him with a demure, ladylike smile. "Hi, Brother Xie Bo, I saw you earlier."

They had known each other since childhood and had even studied abroad in England together during high school, so they were close. Especially since the Xie and Chi families had expressed interest in a marriage alliance, Chi Xiyu had already pegged Xie Bo as her future husband. Even if they weren't officially a couple, she had claimed him. From the moment she first saw him, she had decided he was hers.

In theory, given their relationship, they should have been a couple long ago, but Xie Bo never made it official. As a girl, Chi Xiyu kept her pride and refused to ask. Thus, they maintained a perfectly ambiguous relationship. She wasn't sure what Xie Bo was thinking, and she had heard plenty of gossip about him having pretty girls in his car, only to switch them every few days. He was incredibly popular, with endless girls chasing him. But fortunately, Xie Bo never crossed the line. Compared to her brother Chi Xicheng’s endless string of scandals, Xie Bo was a model of virtue among the elite.

Chi Xiyu had investigated every girl who had been in his car. Through threats and bribery, she had received the same answer: "We didn't sleep together."

So, Chi Xiyu turned a blind eye, maintaining her high ground and ignoring the eyesores around him. Naturally, Xie Bo gave her plenty of face and protected her pride. Especially on important days like today, he would go the extra mile, attending her sharing session, standing before his Rolls-Royce with flowers to wait for her, and taking her out for a romantic French dinner.

Xie Bo complimented her outfit. Chi Xiyu felt a twinge of embarrassment; this was the cheap, collegiate-style skirt she had bought from that girl who looked a bit pathetic earlier.

"I want to go back and change, Brother Xie Bo. Could you drop me off at the dormitory?"

"Of course."

Chi Xiyu smiled happily as she watched Xie Bo open the car door for her. She elegantly stepped inside. As for the bouquet of roses, she chose to ignore the hidden confession notes left by other girls tucked among the flowers. She truly believed they would grow old together.

Lin Yiwei turned and walked away, heading in the opposite direction from the enviable golden couple.

***

That evening, Lin Yiwei returned to the dorm. Taking advantage of the empty room, she hurriedly pulled out Xie Bo’s jacket and shoved it into her wardrobe. She considered throwing it away, but realized that for a playboy like him, nothing he owned was cheap. This nondescript jacket was probably worth more than she could pay if she sold everything she owned.

Lin Yiwei needed a way to return this "hot potato" without making direct contact.

As she pondered, the click-clack of high heels announced the arrival of Shen Zitong. Lin Yiwei quickly slammed her wardrobe shut. The force of the impact made a loud sound, drawing Shen Zitong’s attention.

"Sneaky. What are you doing?" she asked, frowning.

"Nothing."

Lin Yiwei had learned to read people from a young age. On her first day in this dorm, she had realized Shen Zitong was a natural leader. She had immediately volunteered to be the dorm head and quickly turned the girl who lived across from her—whose family background was slightly inferior to hers—into a lackey. The other girl was a bookworm who stayed out of cliques, so Shen Zitong had set her sights on Lin Yiwei.

By nature, if Lin Yiwei had to deal with someone as aggressive as Shen Zitong, she would usually act weak, concede, and say sweet things to keep the peace. However, Lin Yiwei had done her homework: she knew Shen Zitong and Chi Xiyu were rivals. The paint-tray incident was Shen Zitong’s handiwork. If she wanted to get close to Chi Xiyu, she couldn't join Shen Zitong’s clique.

Therefore, Lin Yiwei remained cold toward her, which infuriated Shen Zitong. Lin Yiwei was too beautiful—aggressively so—and her refusal to be a "sister" made Shen Zitong feel instinctively uneasy. She would find ways to pick on Lin Yiwei.

Just then, Shen Zitong walked to her desk and glanced at her with contempt. "I noticed my face mask went missing this morning. Did you take it?"

"No," Lin Yiwei replied, her expression calm despite the insult. "I wouldn't do something like that."

"Do you dare open your wardrobe and let me check?"

"You have no right to open someone else’s wardrobe. It’s an invasion of privacy."

This reaction only made Shen Zitong more convinced that Lin Yiwei was a thief. She began to shout, "Guilty, aren't you? You must have stolen my mask! The moment I walked in, you slammed your wardrobe shut. If it wasn't you, who was it?"

"I am not a thief."

Sensing drama, girls from neighboring rooms gathered like butterflies smelling nectar, crowding the doorway to watch the show. Seeing the audience grow, Shen Zitong became even more arrogant. "Since you say you didn't steal it, open the cabinet and let me see."

Xie Bo’s jacket was lying in that cabinet. If the other girls saw it... the rumors would spread at lightning speed to every corner of Fige University. Her long-planned strategy would be ruined.

Lin Yiwei stood firmly in front of the cabinet.

"You want to see..." She grabbed a fruit knife from her desk and slammed it into the cabinet door, her chin lifted, her gaze locking onto Shen Zitong’s.

"Try it."