Chloe sat on the sofa in Leo's dormitory and pretended to doze off with her eyes closed.
The clock hands on the wall pointed to three in the morning, and there was only a slight hum of the air conditioner running in the room.
Leo fell asleep on the bed, occasionally turning over and grunting.
Chloe opened her eyes and pressed her hand to her chest.
At that moment just now, she felt a strange tearing sensation, as if something had cut her soul.
Cold sweat oozes from her forehead, and her fingers tremble slightly.
This feeling is familiar to her.
Eleven years ago, when she first awakened her abilities, she was in such pain.
It's just that the situation is even more dangerous now, and her soul is reacting with this body.
Chloe stood up holding the armrest of the sofa, her steps a little unsteady.
She walked to the window, looked at the dark campus outside, and began to count the time in her heart.
At this rate, she could last a week at most.
Within a week, she had to return to her dormitory or it would completely dissipate.
The street lamps outside the window cast long shadows, and only a few wild cats roamed the empty school road.
Chloe's vision blurred for a moment, and she quickly blinked.
The situation was worse than expected.
The sky began to turn white with fish belly, and a new day was coming.
Leo was woken up by the alarm clock and sat up sleepily.
"Sister, what's wrong with you?"
He saw Chloe leaning against the window, her face frighteningly pale.
"It's fine."
Chloe turned around and forced a smile.
"I just can't sleep."
Leo frowned.
Although he is not very smart, he is very sensitive to people's emotional changes.
Yesterday's Chloe was strict, but she was in good spirits.
Today, she exudes an indescribable weakness.
"Do you want to go to the infirmary?"
"No, you don't."
Chloe waved her hand, "Just wash your face." "
Leo's dormitory has a separate bathroom, and Chloe walks in and looks at herself in the mirror.
This Asian face is indeed beautiful, but now the circles under the eyes are dark, the cheeks are sunken, and it looks extremely haggard.
She unscrewed the faucet and patted her face with cold water.
The water was cool, but she could hardly feel the temperature.
This is a sign of instability in the soul.
Chloe took a deep breath and cheered herself up in her heart.
Now is not the time to show weakness, she still has too much to do.
At eight o'clock, Noah showed up at the door of Leo's dormitory on time.
He carried a breakfast bag in his hand and a cup of hot coffee.
"Good morning, sister."
Noah's tone was more natural than yesterday, and he had clearly accepted the title.
"Your face is not very good."
Chloe took the coffee, and the aroma of the coffee made her feel a little better.
"I just stayed up late."
The three of them sat at a small table for breakfast.
Noah brought a boutique breakfast from the College Restaurant, sandwiches, fried eggs, bacon, and fresh orange juice.
Leo buried his head in eating, and Noah slowly cut the omelette in a slow manner.
Chloe barely moved her chopsticks, mainly drinking coffee.
"Noah, let me ask you something."
Chloe put down her coffee cup, "Is the faculty villa near the college still there?" "
Noah's movements stopped.
Leo also raised his head, still stuffing half a sandwich into his mouth.
The air instantly became heavy.
"Sister, what are you asking that for?"
Leo's voice was a little muffled.
"Just want to know."
Chloe's tone was calm, but there was a persistence in her eyes that could not be refused.
Noah put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth.
"That villa... Shortly after your accident, you were sold by your second uncle in the name of filling the family's deficit. "
Chloe's fingers tapped on the tabletop without immediate response.
The second uncle said that there was a problem with the family's liquidity and some assets needed to be sold.
Noah continued, "At that time, we were young and had no say at all. "
Leo's fists clenched, anger flashing in his eyes.
"That bastard, while my sister is away, he can do anything disgusting!"
"Pay attention to language."
Chloe said lightly, "Continue." "
Noah took a deep breath.
"Not only the villa, but also many of the family's properties were transferred by him."
"Our three brothers were almost kicked out of the academy, and it was with the help of some old friends that we kept our student status."
"But the price is very high, and we owe a lot of favors."
Chloe listened, her expression still calm.
She reached out and patted Noah on the shoulder, then Leo's shoulder.
"It's okay, I'll get what I lost with my own hands."
This sentence is said lightly, but there is a power that cannot be questioned.
Leo's eyes were red.
"Sister, we really thought we would never see you again."
"In the past eleven years, we have had a hard time."
"Especially the fourth child, he ..."
Noah stopped Leo with his eyes.
Now is not the time to talk about this.
Chloe noticed this detail.
"What's wrong with Finn?"
Finn Miller, her youngest brother, is eighteen years old and a genius painter.
From an early age, he showed amazing artistic talent, and his works were collected by art museums at the age of seven.
Noah hesitated for a moment.
"He's not been in good shape lately, and he locks himself in the studio and doesn't see anyone."
"Why?"
"Because of Ryan."
Leo said indignantly, "That bastard copied Xiao Si's painting style and released it first, and now he bites back and says that Xiao Si plagiarized him." "
A cold light flashed in Chloe's eyes.
Ryan Smith, the male protagonist of the novel.
In the original plot, he did have such an operation.
Use his "Trajectory Prediction" ability to see Finn's creative ideas in advance, and then complete similar works first.
Because he released earlier, he took the initiative in public opinion.
Although Finn is the real creator, he cannot provide strong evidence to prove his innocence.
In the end, under great psychological pressure, he chose to give up on himself.
"How is Xiao Si now?"
Chloe's voice carries a hint of urgency.
"It's not good."
Noah told the truth, "He hasn't eaten for three days, and he doesn't even open the door to the studio." "
"The teachers were also worried, but he didn't see anyone."
Chloe stood up.
"Take me to see him."
"Sister, your body ..."
"I'm fine."
Chloe interrupted Leo, "Solve the problem of the fourth child first." "
Noah looked at the time.
"It's class time, and there are very few people in the studio."
"Just right."
Chloe picked up her bag, "Let's go." "
The three left the dormitory and walked along the campus path to the art department.
The morning light casts mottled shadows through the sycamore leaves, and the air is filled with a faint fragrance of flowers.
Occasionally, students walk by in a hurry, carrying a drawing board or holding a musical instrument.
The building of the art department is very distinctive, with the façade of light beige stone and crawling with green vines.
The corridors are filled with student works, colorful and varied.
Finn's studio is in the innermost part of the third floor, with the door closed and the windows tightly covered with curtains.
Noah knocked on the door.
"Xiao Si, it's me."
No response.
"Xiao Si, sister came to see you."
There was still no sound.
Leo was a little anxious and raised his fist to smash the door.
"Little four! Open the door! "
Chloe stopped him.
She walked to the door and said softly.
"Finn, it's me, Chloe."
There was a slight sound behind the door, as if something had fallen to the ground.
A few seconds later, the door lock clicked open.
A crack opened in the door, revealing half of his emaciated face.
Finn Miller stood behind the door with messy hair, red and swollen eyes, and sunken cheeks.
He stared at Chloe for a long time, his eyes filled with doubt, anticipation, and deep despair.
"You really are... Sister? "
His voice was so hoarse that it was almost inaudible.
Chloe felt a pain in her heart.
This younger brother was originally the most lively and sunny, but now he has become like this.
"It's me."
She reached out and caressed Finn's cheek.
"I'm back."
Finn's tears gushed out instantly.
He threw himself into Chloe's arms and cried like a child.
"Sister, I thought I would never see you again..."
"What did I do wrong? Why doesn't everyone believe me? "
"My paintings are obviously original, why do they say I'm a plagiarist?"
Chloe patted Finn on the back, anger burning in her heart.
Ryan Smith.
She will slowly settle this account with him.
"It's okay, sister is here."
Her voice was very soft and soft, "All grievances, sister will help you get them back." "
The studio was in disarray.
The canvas was scattered all over the floor, and the paint tubes were squeezed everywhere.
The walls were covered with sketches and color drafts, most of which were torn apart.
Empty instant noodle boxes and mineral water bottles are piled up in the corners.
Finn cried exhaustedly and leaned into Chloe's arms and refused to let go.
Leo and Noah watched from the side, their eyes red.
"Xiao Si, eat something first."
Noah took out a loaf of bread, "You haven't eaten for three days." "
Finn shook his head.
"I don't want to eat it."
"Eat."
Chloe's tone suddenly became stern, "How can you fight with strength without eating? "
Finn was stunned for a moment.
"Fight?"
"Of course you have to fight."
Chloe helped Finn sit down, "Someone bullied my brother, this can't be left alone." "
A glimmer of light flashed in Finn's eyes.
"But, I have no evidence..."
"The evidence can be found again."
Chloe said in a firm tone, "The most important thing is that you can't give up." "
"A true artist must not stop creating because of the malice of others."
Finn bit his lip.
"Sister, do you really believe me?"
"Not only do I believe in you, but I will also let everyone see the truth."
Chloe stretched out her hand to wipe away the tears from Finn's face, "But now, you have to take care of your body first." "
Finn nodded, took the bread and ate it in small bites.
Noah walked to the window and pulled open the curtains.
Sunlight instantly poured into the room, illuminating the gray space.
"Sister, Ryan's side is very powerful."
Noah lowered his voice, "He is not only the blessing of the male protagonist's aura, but also the support of the Smith family behind him." "
"And many teachers in the academy are on his side."
Chloe sneered.
"Powerful? Then let's compare and see who has more power. "
She took out her phone and made a call.
"Hey, it's me."
"Help me check all of Ryan Smith's recent release records, the more detailed the better."
"And his social media accounts, bank statements, and communication records."
"When? Now. "
Hanging up the phone, Chloe looked at her three younger brothers.
"Since you want to play, then play big."
Noah's eyes widened.
"Sister, do you still have this kind of connection?"
"Connections are a thing, you know how important it is when you use it."
Chloe smiled mysteriously, "Do you think I've spent the past eleven years in vain?" "
This is of course nonsense.
But now she needs to show great ability in front of her younger siblings and give them confidence.
Leo got excited.
"Sister, how are we going to deal with that bastard Ryan?"
"Don't worry yet."
Chloe thought about strategy, "Know yourself and know your opponent, and you will be invincible." "
"We need to find out the details of him first, and then formulate a plan of action."
Finn finished the bread, his face slightly better.
"Sister, it would be nice if you could really prove my innocence..."
"It's not if, it's definitely possible."
Chloe's tone was firm, "But before that, you have to promise me one thing." "
"What's the matter?"
"Keep creating."
Chloe pointed to the torn drawings on the wall, "Redraw these, and make them better." "
"But ..."
"No, but."
Chloe interrupted Finn, "A true genius will not be knocked down by setbacks. "
"You have to speak with your work and let everyone see the real strength."
Finn bit his lip, his eyes rekindled with fighting spirit.
"I see, sister."
At this moment, Noah's cell phone rang.
He glanced at it, and his face changed slightly.
"It's an urgent notice from the student union that Ruian is going to hold a personal art exhibition, just next week."
"And ..."
Noah's voice was a little heavy, "He asked all art students to visit by name, saying that it was for 'academic exchanges'. "
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
Ryan: This is a demonstration.
He wants to establish himself completely in full view while humiliating Finn.
"It's interesting."
She stood up and walked to the window to look at the campus outside.
"Since he is so eager to perform, then we will give him a bigger stage."
"Sister, what do you want to do?"
Noah asked.
"Noah, you go and make arrangements, I need to meet Alex Chen."
"At eight o'clock tonight, downstairs in Building 7 in the East District."
Noah was stunned for a moment.
"You want to see that special enrollment?"
"The dormitory matter must be resolved."
Chloe turned to look at her three younger brothers, "Moreover, I need a more stable place to live." "
"Sister, you can stay with me forever."
Leo said quickly.
"No."
Chloe shook her head, "My physical condition is relatively special and requires a specific environment to recover." "
This is not a lie.
She really needs to go back to the dormitory back then, otherwise her soul will completely dissipate.
"That Alex is hard to deal with."
Noah frowned, "His status in the academy is very special, and even the dean has to give him some face." "
"So what?"
Chloe asked rhetorically, "Do you think I can't deal with him?" "
Noah thought for a moment and shook his head.
Judging from yesterday's contact, this girl who claimed to be the successor of her sister's soul did have extraordinary abilities.
"By the way, there is one more thing."
Noah took out a black credit card from his bag, "Sister, this is the family's working capital card, and the password is your birthday." "
"Whatever you need, buy whatever you want."
Chloe unceremoniously took the card.
"Very good, you have to prepare enough food and grass before fighting."
She was never polite to her younger brother, and this natural attitude made her brothers feel at ease.
This is the sister they remember.
Strong, domineering, but always on their side.
"Sister, what should I do about the fourth child?"
Leo asked.
"Finn continues to create, preparing new works."
Chloe looked at Finn, "Give me three days, and I'll give you a satisfactory answer." "
"Noah is responsible for collecting Ryan's intelligence, the more detailed the better."
"Leo ..."
She thought for a while, "You go and reformulate the basketball team's training plan, according to the method I said yesterday." "
"We split up and will meet in three days."
The three younger brothers nodded at the same time.
With clear goals and action plans, the despair in their hearts began to transform into fighting spirit.
Chloe looked at the time, it was almost noon.
"I'll go back and rest first, and there are still tough battles to fight in the evening."
She patted Finn on the shoulder, "Remember my words and keep creating." "
"A true genius will not be knocked down by setbacks."
Finn nodded vigorously.
"I know, sister."
After leaving the studio, Chloe walked alone on campus.
The sun is warm, the breeze is blowing, and everything looks beautiful.
But her heart was full of urgency.
Time is running out.
She must complete all the layouts before her soul dissipates.
Alex Chen, Ryan Smith, and the second uncle hiding in the shadows.
Every opponent is not easy to deal with.
But she is never afraid of challenges.
After all, she is Chloe Miller.
Even if he changes his face, she is still the one who makes everyone awe-inspiring.