As Su Ning left the cafeteria, ignoring the hushed whispers that followed Shen Luoluo and her friends groveling on their knees, a sharp, mechanical chime echoed in her head.
'Ding! Mission Completed:
Get the recognition of a powerful figure in Yinhai International Bank.
Reward: 70 percent shares of Imperial Skies International Hotel
Reward: Limited edition Phantom IX sport car
Reward: 10 million yuan'
She drew in a slow breath, her heartbeat steadying. Then, ever so slightly, she smirked.
"System, give me Principal Di's number."
Her phone buzzed softly. The system had just displayed a number across the screen—the private line of the principal of Fuyuan Academy.
A number reserved for governors, ministers, and billionaires.
She exhaled slowly, then pressed dial.
On the other end, Di Fulin, the principal of Fuyuan Academy sat in his office, sipping tea while reviewing Su Ning's file. He was a stern man in his fifties, with graying hair and the proud air of someone used to wielding authority over thousands of students. Yet when his private line rang, his hand jolted, and hot tea spilled across his papers.
This number…!
Only those of terrifying influence had access. His heart thundered as he wiped his trembling hand on his sleeve and answered, voice stiff. "Th-this is Principal Di speaking. May I ask who—"
"Su Ning," her calm, youthful voice cut across the line.
That voice was steady, cold, carrying none of the deference he was used to.
Principal Di froze, the teacup slipping from his grasp and shattering on the floor.
He swallowed hard. "M-Miss Su…?"
"I want a leave," she said simply, her tone like ice water. "I'll inform you when I choose to return."
There was silence. Then the sound of his chair scraping back violently as he shot to his feet. "Yes! Yes, of course! Take as much time as you need—days, weeks, months! Whatever you wish, Miss Su! I—I'll personally ensure no teacher or student disturbs you."
His voice cracked as sweat rolled down his forehead. He bowed deeply to the empty room, as though she could see him through the phone. "Forgive me for not recognizing your esteemed identity earlier!"
Su Ning smiled faintly, though he couldn't see it. "Good. Remember, Principal Di—silence is respect. If you value your position, you will never breathe a word of me to anyone."
"I wouldn't dare!" His voice trembled, almost pleading. "Not even if I were threatened at gunpoint! Miss Su, rest assured—I am loyal!"
The line went dead.
Principal Di stood frozen for a long moment, heart hammering in his chest. What poor scholarship student, she definitely had a powerful hidden backer even he couldn't afford to offend. His fingers tightened around the desk. This wasn't a mere student—this was a sleeping dragon coiled in his school.
He immediately thought of the ROYAL 6—the most powerful heirs in Fuyuan Academy. His lips trembled as a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps there will soon be a seventh… but I must wait. If I move without her permission, I could offend her. And if I offend her… He shuddered. No, he had to tread carefully.
Meanwhile, Su Ning slid her phone back into her purse and ordered a car.
She should check out her first company. It felt so surreal but she knew it was real.
An hour later, the sleek vehicle pulled up before a towering skyscraper of glass and steel—the Imperial Skies International Hotel. Its spire pierced the clouds, glittering like a jewel under the afternoon sun. Luxury cars lined the entrance, chauffeurs in neat uniforms opened doors for politicians, celebrities, and tycoons she'd only ever seen on television.
She stepped out of the car, her school uniform still on her slender frame.
Heads turned. Some with disdain. Some with curiosity. A schoolgirl didn't belong here.
Her heels clicked softly as she entered the grand lobby, where marble floors gleamed under golden chandeliers and a grand piano played a soft tune in the background. The air smelled of roses and wealth.
Behind the reception counter, a young woman with perfect makeup raised her brows. "Excuse me, miss, this is not a place for outsiders. Are you lost?"
"I want to see your director," Su Ning said, her voice even.
The receptionist's painted lips curved into mockery. "Our director? You must be joking. Even high officials need appointments months in advance. Please, don't waste my time."
A middle-aged manager overheard, striding over with arrogance dripping from his every step. "Throw her out," he ordered, his voice cold. "This hotel is not a playground for beggars in uniform."
The receptionist laughed lightly, her gaze full of scorn. A few guests nearby turned to watch, whispering.
Su Ning's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't raise her voice, didn't argue. Instead, she murmured softly to the system, "Send a message to Mu Fucheng."
[Ding! Message sent.]
The receptionist folded her arms smugly, waiting for security to throw Su Ning out. But before they could move, a sharp laugh echoed through the marble lobby.
"Heavens," a girl's mocking voice rang out, dripping with scorn, "what pitiful drama is this? A pauper student trying to barge into my family's hotel?"
Heads turned as Mu Suying descended the grand staircase. She looked like she'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine—her silk dress clung elegantly to her figure, her high heels clicked in rhythm with her confidence, and on her wrist glittered a diamond bracelet worth more than most families' annual income. In her hand dangled a crocodile-skin handbag, limited edition, imported, and costing no less than 1.5 million yuan.
Gasps rippled through the lobby. Guests whispered, recognizing the only daughter of Director Mu.
Mu Suying's sharp eyes scanned Su Ning up and down, her lips curling. "Ah. So it's you." She smiled wickedly. "I wondered why the air smelled so cheap. Turns out the scholarship beggar from Fuyuan Academy has wandered in where she doesn't belong."
The receptionist laughed in scorn instantly emboldened. The manager smirked, nodding approvingly.
Su Ning, standing calm in her school uniform, didn't flinch. Her eyes were still, cool, unreadable.
But Mu Suying stepped closer, deliberately dragging her bag along the marble floor so its golden buckles clinked loudly. "Do you know how much this costs?" She held it up, her voice rising so everyone in the lobby could hear. "One point five million yuan. The price of your life. Can you even count that high without your little calculator?"
Snickers broke out among a few onlookers.
"And this bracelet?" She extended her wrist, letting it glitter under the chandelier. "Eight hundred thousand yuan. My father bought it for me last month after I scored top in the term tests. Tell me, pauper, what reward did you get when you failed your last math test? A leftover bun? Perhaps a pat on the head from your charity sponsors?"
Laughter rippled now, cruel and sharp.
Su Ning's fingers lightly tapped on her phone, but her face didn't change. Her silence only seemed to fuel Mu Suying further.
"You think you can stand here, in Imperial Skies International, looking like—like a stray cat dragged in from the slums? I'm sure our school's uniform is the most expensive thing you can ever have all your life" Mu Suying sneered, circling her like a predator savoring its kill. "Even if you sold your body for a hundred years, you couldn't afford the shoes on my feet." She thrust out her leg, showing off the gleaming high heels—handcrafted, jeweled.
Su Ning finally raised her gaze, her eyes locking with Mu Suying's. Calm. Cold. Unshaken.
And that unnerved Mu Suying more than any words could.
Still, she forced a laugh, her voice sharp. "What's that look? Are you angry? Then show me your bank card, beggar. Oh wait—do you even have one?" She tilted her head mockingly, her long hair swishing like a whip. "Do you know what I carry in my wallet? Gold cards. Cards that could buy even the latest car outright. What do you have, Su Ning? Pity? Trashy uniforms? Empty hands?"
The crowd chuckled, murmuring in agreement.
The manager respectively leaned toward Mu Suying, whispering, "Should we just throw her out now?"
But before she could answer, the elevator at the far end of the lobby dinged.
A hush fell as every head turned.
Out strode a tall man in a tailored navy suit, his hair combed neatly, his face pale with panic. Mu Fucheng—the legendary director of Imperial Skies International Hotel. A man powerful enough to dine with ministers and turn tycoons into beggars with a single command.
His eyes scanned the lobby, then locked onto Su Ning. His breath caught, his pupils dilated. He strode over and carefully asked "May I ask—are you Miss Su?"
"Yes I am" Su Ning replied calmly.
Then—like a servant greeting his empress—he strode forward, bent low, and said with reverence, "Miss Su… forgive the delay—I rushed as soon as I received your message."
"It's fine" Su Ning's eyes coldly scanning everywhere.
Gasps filled the lobby.
The receptionist went white as paper. The arrogant manager's legs gave out beneath him. The guards stumbled back, as though they had almost committed suicide by touching her.
"D-dad?"
"Why are you bowing to her?" Mu Suying demanded, her voice petulant, spoiled. "Don't let her fool you, she's nothing but a poor—"
Slap!
The sound cracked across the marble like a whip. Mu Fucheng's hand trembled as he lowered it. His face had gone ghostly white.
"Silence!" he roared, voice shaking with anger. "Apologize to Miss Su. Now."
Mu Suying froze, stunned. The guests stared, stunned. The director of the most powerful hotel in City F had slapped his own daughter—for a girl in a school uniform?
Mu Suying's lips trembled. She stumbled forward, bowed her head, and whispered, "I… I'm sorry, Su Ning."
Su Ning didn't even look at her. Her eyes remained on Mu Fucheng. Calm. Distant. Commanding.
Her lips parted softly. "An arrogant manager and a disrespectful receptionist– I'm afraid the hotel might crumble soon," she said, flicking her nails.
They collapsed on the spot, begging. Mu Fucheng shouted at the guards "What are you waiting for, Remove them quickly."
Security guards dragged them away, faces ashen.
Then, with a bow that bent almost ninety degrees, Mu Fucheng gestured with his arm. "Please, Miss Su. Forgive my incompetence. Allow me to escort you to my office."
Gasps echoed again as Su Ning walked across the lobby. Every head turned, every whisper rose. A schoolgirl had just reduced the Imperial Skies Hotel to trembling silence.
And she hadn't even raised her voice.