"Miss we're here."
I nodded at the driver.
"Come get me at five."
"Sure thing miss."
I took my bag and got off the car. I quickly made my way into the school. Although it's been long since I came back, I still recalled my way around. I knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The teacher muttered.
"Yes, you are?"
She stared at me confused. I just changed my clothing style and made sure my bangs don't cover my eyes. Guess I look different. I noticed Bai Rorou staring at me in shock. I laughed coldly in my heart. Then I saw the jealousy, resentment and hate? I never knew why she felt this way. I brushed those thoughts away, since it has reached this point there's no turning back.
"Miss I'm Li Wei La."
I answered softly. Doesn't Bai Rorou like to act like a damn white lotus I'll show her what real acting is. I noticed Chen Feixue seated there. The only friend who was true to me and treated me right even when the world gave up on me. But I never treated her well and at the end I only heard that she committed suicide due to her abusive boyfriend, this time I'll protect her. I took my seat right by her.
"Hi." She looked surprised that I was talking to her.
"Me." I nodded my head at her.
"I would like to become your friend." She stared at me trying to gauge off to see if i was kidding but the seriousness in my eyes surprised her.
"sure we can."
"Feixue."
"Wei La."
We smiled at each other as we shook hands. After this I need to start recruiting the people who would become powerful in the future. After all, I have a cheat code so why not use it.
"Li Wei La" the teacher called my name.
---
Fengxie motioned at the English passage with a subtle nod, her eyes betraying quiet uncertainty. Most of the students in our class could glide effortlessly through Mandarin and Classical Chinese, but when it came to English? That was the collective Achilles' heel. The moment her eyes landed on me, I understood — she was calling on me.
"Read the passage on page 54," she said softly, handing me the book like a ceremonial offering.
I took it with calm fingers, flipping to the page as a murmur swept through the room. A flicker of memory sparked in my mind — in my past life, I had mastered English, French, Spanish, and even a bit of German, all for the sake of Peng Rushi. That shadow of a life came rushing back now, like muscle memory, steadying my breath.
I began reading. My voice glided through the room, accent and rhythm flowing like silk across the classroom. Not a stutter, not a slip. Just smooth, articulate English that echoed against the four walls like a breeze carrying foreign magic.
By the time I looked up, the room was still. Every eye had frozen on me. The usual hum of classroom whispers had vanished into a stunned silence.
"Alright, go on and read the questions," Fengxie said, clearing her throat awkwardly. Her voice broke the trance, though her wide, starry eyes still clung to the sound of my voice.
"You know how to read English… with the accent and everything," she whispered, half in awe.
I gave her a small smile. "Yeah."
"Could you maybe… tutor me?" she asked, blinking up at me with the kind of hopeful sparkle that could melt iron. Her voice was so soft it felt like a secret.
She was adorable.
"Sure." I reached out to ruffle her hair, an old habit I didn't even think through. She swatted my hand away instantly, cheeks puffed and brows furrowed as she muttered, "You messed it up…"
"Wei la!" a sharp, familiar voice snapped from the door.
I turned, and my expression shifted.
Of course. Bai Rorou.
Now what does this b***h want?
I adjusted my posture, giving her a blank stare as I picked up my bag. "Excuse me, but we're not that close. Call me by my full name — Ms. Bai."
Her eyes twitched slightly, and her painted lips parted in surprise.
---
"Wei la," she said again, more firmly this time.
"Ms. Bai," I replied evenly, biting back the amusement curling at my lips. "I'll say it one more time — we're not that close."
A blush flared across her cheeks, her eyes watering just slightly. I noticed our classmates had all gone quiet again, like they were waiting for something to explode.
"I know you're angry," she said, her voice trembling under a fragile smile.
"Why would I be angry?" I tilted my head. "We have no relationship. It would be a waste of emotional investment."
I grabbed my bag and took Fengxie's hand in mine. The warmth of her palm grounded me.
"Oh — and yes," I added casually, "I'll be sending someone to collect everything you borrowed from me."
Her face froze. "What?"
"My designer bag, those shoes, the limited edition–" I let the sentence trail off with a smile.
"Okay, I get it," she hissed, her words sharp and bitter. Her jaw clenched tight.
"Ha. Bai Rorou… this is just the beginning." I gave her one last glance. A soft warning. Not loud, not dramatic — but it struck her.
I turned to Fengxie. "Let's go."
But Bai Rorou wasn't done yet. She moved to block our path.
"Good dogs don't block the way," I said softly, my voice cool like porcelain.
"You—!" she choked out, fuming, but I didn't give her the satisfaction of my attention.
As we walked away, Fengxie looked over at me, curious. "Weren't you two best friends?"
"Not anymore." I didn't want to explain. Some stories are better buried.
She nodded slowly, accepting it for now.
"Anyway!" I said, brightening. "Today's my birthday. We're organizing a banquet, and you absolutely have to be there."
---
"Really? Then I'll definitely come!" Her smile lit up, and we fell into casual chatter.
We talked about celebrities, trending dramas, and viral scandals. Fengxie was a chatterbox, her voice dancing from topic to topic. She mentioned her two close friends, and soon I found myself seated at their cafeteria table.
They introduced themselves as Leng Anran and Gu Ran — both adorable in their own ways. Anran was the quiet one, speaking softly but smiling sweetly, while Gu Ran had a loud laugh and a twinkle in her eye that screamed mischief.
We exchanged numbers and they added me to their WeChat group, the name of which was "Golden Butterflies 🦋." I chuckled. Fitting.
---
When I got home, I barely stepped through the door before my mother rushed toward me, wrapping me in her arms.
"Thank God you're back!" she said, her voice laced with excitement and nerves.
"Mom?" I asked, confused, but she was already dragging me upstairs by the wrist.
"We've got so much to do — your hair, makeup, dress, everything has to be perfect tonight!" Her words tumbled over each other.
"Mom!" I said, trying to calm her down.
She froze. "Okay, okay. Breathe in… and out…" I watched her do it.
I hated seeing her like this — so worked up for my sake.
"Right. Go take your bath." She patted my arm and left the room.
I stepped into my private bathroom and gasped. The tub was full, bubbles rising like clouds, rose petals floating on the surface like a dream. My favorite essential oil was already sitting beside the tub.
"Mom…" I whispered, smiling.
I dropped my robe and slipped into the warm water, letting out a sigh as the scent wrapped around me like an embrace. For thirty glorious minutes, I was a goddess in her temple.
---
When I stepped out, a team of stylists was already waiting.
They pampered me like royalty — facials, lotions, oil massages. My hair was curled and styled into a regal updo. Then came the outfit: a white lace strapless lingerie that hugged my frame, followed by the gown — a white and gold mermaid dress that shimmered as I walked. It sculpted my body perfectly.
Gold heels. Jade jewelry. My look was almost complete.
The room fell into a hush as I stepped forward. The stylists just stared, their mouths slightly open, their eyes glowing with admiration.
"You look… divine."
And for the first time in a long time, I felt it too.
Then the door creaked open.
My mother entered first, her eyes welling with tears.
Behind her was Grandma, her gaze filled with quiet pride.
"My baby…" Mom whispered, touching my cheek as tears fell. "You're all grown up."
She stepped forward with a velvet box, its exterior embossed with ancient silver designs. My breath caught.
When she opened it, a moonstone hairpin shimmered inside, shaped like a chrysanthemum. The exact shade of my gown.
With trembling fingers, she pinned it into my hair.
"Now," she said softly, "you're perfect."
She signaled the stylists, and one by one, they slipped out.
"Come," she said.
I placed my perfectly manicured hand on her arm, gold-tipped nails gleaming, and allowed myself to be led out.
Tonight, everything begins.
---