Despite training hard for the Dragon Gate Championship, Xueling did not lose focus on her academics. Her goal was clear: to prove her true ability in the college entrance exam — and then leave the Feng family lair for good.So the next morning, she got up as usual, boarded the bus, and slipped quietly into the rhythm of school life. When she got there the whole school was humming like a beehive. Clusters of students crowded around phones and tablets, their voices rising in excited bursts.
"Did you see the forum post? XL broke another record!""Another one? That's like the fifth round already!""No, no — this one's huge. It was the University Olympiad Challenge, meant for math majors! Even Tsinghua's seniors took it."
Screens glowed across the classroom, scrolling through the headline that had set every academic chat ablaze:Anonymous User XL solves final unsolved problem — sets national record.
Someone whistled.
"Four minutes flat for the last problem! How's that even humanly possible?""Maybe she's a ghost in the machine. Or an AI.""Nah, she's just a monster genius. Tsinghua's official page even said they'd take her sight unseen if she's still in high school!"
The chatter rippled louder until even the usually stern homeroom teacher had to smile helplessly before calling for order.
At her desk, Feng Xueling wrote quietly, the scratch of her pen steady against the din. The corner of her mouth twitched — not quite a smile, not quite denial.
Across the aisle, Jiang Xiaoman was practically vibrating.She leaned in until her ponytail brushed Xueling's arm."Okay, hear me out. If you suddenly told me you're XL, I wouldn't even blink."
Xueling didn't look up. "Then don't blink."
"Wait— so it is you?" Xiaoman's whisper spiked into a squeak.
"Don't be ridiculous." Xueling turned a page, calm as still water.
"Oh, come on! You frown exactly like that when you solve hard problems. And you keep twitching your pen right before you find the answer— the exact rhythm that XL's solution video showed. It's practically your signature!"
"Xiaoman," Xueling warned softly.
"Fine, fine." Xiaoman threw up her hands in mock surrender. "But if you run off to Tsinghua with your secret scholarship, I'm tagging along as your emotional-support panda."
That earned a quiet laugh from Xueling — a real one, light and rare enough to make Xiaoman blink.
The door slid open just then with a sharp clack.Feng Xueyao entered, immaculate as ever, trailed by her ever-loyal shadow Zhang Qiqi. They caught the tail end of the conversation as they glided to their seats.
"Tsinghua?" Qiqi's voice dripped amusement. "Don't tell me you're talking about her. Please. She barely scrapes passing marks."
Snickers rose around them.
Xueyao gave a tinkling laugh — light, practiced, perfectly cruel.
"Qiqi, don't tease her. My sister has been working very hard. I'm sure she'll… do her best. You'll see her improvement on the monthly test."
"Right! That's this Friday." Zhang Qiqi's eyes gleamed with wolfish delight."Why don't we make it interesting? Let's bet. If you lose, you have to publicly admit you are a dog and knowtow three times."
A collective gasp swept through the room like a gust of wind. Desks creaked, chairs scraped; half the class leaned forward while the other half began whispering behind their hands.
Xueyao folded her hands demurely, her voice a soft, honeyed contrast."Oh, Qiqi, there's no need for that—"
"I accept."
Xueling's voice cut through the chatter — calm, crystalline, final.
Every head turned. Even the teacher, halfway through grading papers, froze mid-pen stroke.
She set down her pen and met Qiqi's eyes without flinching."Friday, then," she said evenly. " What's the bet?"
The sudden quiet that followed was almost physical, pressing against the air.There was no arrogance in her tone, no provocation — just certainty.And that, somehow, made it worse.
Qiqi blinked once, her grin faltering. Then her expression twisted into mock outrage."The bet?!" she snapped, voice rising. "The audacity! The last in the grade dares to take a bet with me?"
A ripple of uneasy laughter followed, feeding her confidence."Qiqi…" began Xueyao softly, casting a glance around.
"No, Yaoyao! Don't defend her this time." Qiqi's tone sharpened like a knife. "You're too kind — so let me do it for you. It's time she remembered her place!"
By now, the commotion had drawn nearly every student in earshot.Back-row boys stood up to watch; girls in the corner huddled with wide eyes.
"A challenge?!" someone whispered. "Things are getting interesting.""Who would've thought we'd get drama the week of our dreaded test?""But… Qiqi versus Xueling? Isn't that… too much?""Shh, keep your voice down. The Zhangs are a solid family — her father's got connections with the city education board.""Still, bullying the Fengs'… unloved daughter? That's low.""Low, yes — but safe."
The hum of gossip swirled like gnats around the room.And in the center of it all, Feng Xueling sat utterly still.
Her gaze was level, her expression unreadable, as if the noise had nothing to do with her. She reached for her cup of water, took a sip, and placed it down with deliberate calm.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet — but it carried."How about this," she said. "I bet that I will score more than you in this test."
There was a collective gasp all around. It's not that Zhang Qiqi was that good. It was because Xueling was that bad. Although she wasn't in the top 100 in the grade, she was atleast in the top 150, a whole 100 points better than Xueling who always scored in the last 5 in the grade. To score more than Zhang Qiqi, Xueling has to improve her grades by more than 100. Definitely a losing bet! "Ha hahahah" laughed Qiqi in derision. "Score more than me? You'll have a better chance of winning if you were to bet on pigs flying!!"
"Cut nonsense. Either make the bet or get lost. We don't have time to waste with you". This was Xioman. She was getting real tired of Zhang Qiqi's antics. How can one person speak so much nonsense and not get to the point?!
"Alright, If Feng Xueling does not score more than me in the upcoming exam, she will knowtow three times and admit I am her master"
"Qiqi….." began Xueyao once again, trying on her green tea act again. "Hmmph. For Yaoyao's sake, I'll save you some face. You knowtow thrice and admit Yaoyao is your master. How about it?"
Feng Xueling barely thought about it. "Alright" She said. "But what if you lose? What if I score more than you?"
"Hahahaha. Impossible!"
"Zhang Qiqi!!" began Xioman again. "Alright alright! I will humor you. If I lose the bet, I will knowtow three times and apologize for my behavior, alright?"
"No, if you lose the bet, you leave the school" said Feng Xueling. The chatter and around came to an abrupt end. There was pin drop silence.
"Leave the school…? Ling jie, isn't that too much?" began Xueyao.
"Why? Do you think aksing me to knowtow and apologize is okay but this is too much? Me and my friend were minding our own business… it was you guys who came up to provoke us. And now, that the stakes are clear, you finally think its too much?" said Xueling sharply.
Some in audience had the grace to look a little sheepish.
"Yes, it was true that Xueling hadn't provoked anyone. Why should she be blamed for balancing the stakes?"
"Its not like she'll be able to stick around after a public spectacle like knowtowing and admitting a master. If its not asking for a voluntary expulsion, then what was?"
"And such a scandal so close to the final college entrance exam… How can anyone recover from it and go to good school after?"
"Don't tell me, Zhang qiqi is all talk! She is actually scared of making this bet?"
"Shut up everyone!" said Zhang qiqi, thoroughly embarrassed. "Yes! I agree to this stupid bet! You are all witnesses. If I can't beat Xueling, I will withdraw from this school! And if Feng Xueling loses, she has to knowtow to me and leave the school too!"
"Agreed" said Feng Xueling, her gaze steady and her voice cold as ice. "Let's wait till the monthly test later this week."
"hmmph. Just don't pretend and cry when you lose" said Zhang Qiqi.
"Sister!" Xueyao cried, her eyes wide with fake tears brimming in them "please think about it… you can't provoke anyone just because you are from the Feng family. Mom and Dad won't be able to protect you"
"When has the Feng family ever protected me?" said Xuelign coldly. Xueyao's fake tears came to an abrupt end and she couldn't muster any retort. "I Xueling always keep my word. Make sure you can afford to lose. Xiaoman, let's go. It's time to practice".
Feng Xueling left the scene smoothly, with the whole class looking at her agape. There was something so different about Feng Xueling.
It wasn't defiance. It wasn't submission.It was confidence — the kind that didn't need to be proven, only revealed.
For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Zhang Qiqi's face.Even Xueyao, smiling her practiced smile, felt a thin chill slide down her
At the library, Xiaoman was still jittering."Are you crazy? You know they're just baiting you!"
"It's not bait," Xueling said, slipping her pen into its case. "It's practice."
"Practice? For what, world domination?"
"For winning. Now, open that Physics workbook and let's finish that paper."
Xiaoman groaned and dropped her forehead onto the desk. "You're impossible. You know that?"
Xueling tilted her head, eyes warm with faint amusement. "You'll thank me when you ace your physics section."
"Yeah, right." Xiaoman shot her a mock glare but couldn't hold it. "If I actually pass this time, you're treating me to milk tea."
"Deal," Xueling said simply.
That evening, it was very late when Xueling finally made her way back to the Feng household. The Dragon Gate Championship was drawing near, and she had stepped up her training, pushing herself past her limits. She hadn't stopped until well after ten.
Her limbs ached pleasantly, but her mind was calm — the kind of stillness that came only after complete exhaustion. Some part of her thrived on it. Returning to the ring, to discipline and control — it was like she was born for it.
"Hold it right there!"
The shrill voice snapped her out of her thoughts the moment she crossed the threshold. Xueling sighed inwardly. So much for the calm.
She turned, eyes half-lidded, toward the source.Sure enough — Madam Feng, perched dramatically on the living-room sofa like a vulture in silk, and beside her, Feng Xueyao, eyes red and shimmering with crocodile tears.
Xueling silently counted to three before speaking. "What now?"
"You dare ask what now?" Mrs. Feng's voice rose to its familiar, grating pitch. "Do you have any idea what you've done? The entire school is gossiping! The Gu family called me today! Even the teachers called to ask what sort of upbringing lets a child make public bets like a street thug!"
"Mother, please don't be angry," Xueyao said softly, dabbing at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief that matched her pale pink pajamas. "Sister didn't mean it. She's just… impulsive. I'm sure she'll apologize."
Xueling arched an eyebrow. "Apologize? For what? For accepting a challenge I didn't start?"
Mrs. Feng slammed her teacup onto the table; hot liquid sloshed over the rim. "Don't you dare take that tone with me! Do you think the Feng family can afford to look ridiculous? Competing against your own sister's friends? What are you trying to prove?"
"Nothing." Xueling dropped her bag by the door and straightened, her expression cool. "It's just a test. I'll take it, like everyone else."
"Don't play the fool with me! You'll lose, embarrass this family, and drag Yaoyao down with you!"
At that, Xueyao lowered her lashes, voice trembling just right."Mom, please… don't scold her. I'm sure she didn't mean to cause trouble. Maybe she just wants attention. It must be lonely always being compared to me…"
Xueling almost laughed. The performance was flawless — soft, pitiful, a perfect dagger sheathed in concern.
Mrs. Feng's fury turned back on her like a storm. "Did you hear that? Even your sister's defending you, and you're still ungrateful!"
"I didn't ask for her defense." Xueling's tone was mild, almost lazy. "And I'm not causing trouble. If the family's reputation can be destroyed by a school test, maybe it's more fragile than you think."
The color drained from Mrs. Feng's face, then flooded back twice as red. "You insolent—!"
Before she could finish, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairwell.Mr. Feng appeared, robe half-tied, face tight from interrupted rest."Enough noise! What's going on now?"
Mrs. Feng opened her mouth and described the bet and the Zhang family and Gu family's dissatisfaction with great fanfare.
Mr.Feng listened and directly asked Xueling.
"Xueling, did you really do this?"
"Yes," she said simply.
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.
Mr. Feng rubbed his temples, eyes narrowing in calculation."Then if you lose," he said evenly, "don't think about using the Feng family name to save yourself."
"Heh." Xueling's lips curved into a small, humorless smile. "You speak as if the Feng family protects me — as if there's anything here I could rely on."
"You ungrateful, white-eyed wolf—!" Mrs. Feng burst out, voice shrill with rage.
"Shut up!" Mr. Feng snapped.
The sound of his voice cracked through the air like a whip.Mrs. Feng froze mid-scream, her chest heaving, eyes wide.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," Xueling said coolly, and turned toward the stairs. Her steps were slow, measured — deliberate.
"Look at her!" Mrs. Feng exploded the moment Xueling disappeared. "She's getting worse by the day!"
"I already told you to be careful with her," Mr. Feng said, his tone low but sharp. "And besides — this might not be a bad thing. If she loses the bet, she'll stay home after graduation. We'll have the perfect excuse to keep her under our roof."
Mrs. Feng blinked, caught off guard. "But—"
"I said enough!" he thundered. "After all these years, you're still so shortsighted! Can't you see the advantage? Why waste breath on things that don't matter?"
The veins in his neck strained; Mrs. Feng instantly wilted, clutching her silk shawl like a lifeline. She was a woman long accustomed to bending under pressure — a trophy wife who knew her survival depended on obedience.
Turning to Xueyao, Mr. Feng's tone softened, falsely paternal."Are you ready for the weekend? The Crimson Pavilion Gala is crucial. Don't let me down."
"Don't worry, Father." Xueyao smiled sweetly, the perfect picture of filial grace. "Mother's already ordered the latest design from House Meiling — I'll make sure we leave an impression."
"I don't mean your clothes." Mr. Feng waved dismissively. "Just don't act petty and shortsighted like your mother."
Color drained from Mrs. Feng's face, then returned with venom. Just as she gathered her breath to retort, footsteps came again — Xueling descending the stairs.
Her old canvas backpack hung from one shoulder, her expression impassive.
"And just where do you think you're going at this hour?" Mrs. Feng demanded, seizing the chance to redirect her humiliation.
"Out. To study," Xueling said crisply, moving toward the door.
"Who goes out to study at this time?!" Mrs. Feng's voice rose to a screech. "Acting like a tramp all day, sneaking in and out—"
Xueling stopped cold. She turned, gaze like a blade of ice."If I'm acting like a tramp, what does that say about your upbringing, Mrs. Feng? Shouldn't a woman of status know better than to accuse her own daughter of shady behavior? Or are you dissatisfied because I'm doing exactly what you told me — studying hard?"
"Little bitch!" Mrs. Feng shrieked, lunging a step forward.
"Stop!"Mr. Feng's hand came down in a sharp slap across her cheek. The sound cracked through the hall.
"You never learn when to shut your mouth!" he barked. "You'll ruin us with that tongue one day!"
Mrs. Feng stood frozen, face red and blotched, trembling between rage and humiliation.
Mr. Feng turned to Xueling, voice now cool again. "Go. But remember — no one has time to keep track of you this week or next. We're busy with something important. Make sure you return once you're done."
Xueling gave a half-smile — too faint to be kind, too sharp to be polite. "Of course," she said.
Then, without another word, she walked out of the Feng residence, the sound of the heavy door closing behind her.