The night was quiet. A soft glow from the desk lamp spread across her bedroom, brushing against the edges of Su Ning's world. She sat with an old school notebook open before her.
The pages were yellowed, corners bent, the ink faded into smudges. Her own sloppy handwriting stared back at her—a ghost from another life.
Her throat tightened. Back then, she couldn't afford expensive notepads and laptops as recommended by the school, let alone expensive laptops Shen Luoluo and her dogs flaunted around. Other scholarship students whose parents where better off managed to get notepads for them including Chen Anya's parents.
She remembered Shen Luoluo and her cliques bragging that their laptops were imported and cost about 860,000 yuan each. She was green with envy then.
She traced the jagged lines of her writing with her fingertip, and memories crashed down like waves.
Nights spent at Aunt Chen's stall, sleeves rolled up, hands raw from washing endless dishes.
Evenings when she'd stumble home, head pounding, only to be dragged out by Shen Luoluo's clique—forced to carry their bags, clean their shoes, buy their snacks, beaten and hurt to their satisfaction.
Midnights when she'd collapse at her desk, her eyes burning, but still try to study… only for her grades to sink lower with every test.
She swallowed hard. The weight of those years still clung to her chest like chains.
She had failed most of her tests last month and the school threatened to suspend her if her grades fell further. She had been so anxious.
Her hand tightened around her pen until it creaked. Suspension? Expulsion? She used to worry about that…
Her lips curved into a dangerous smile. Not anymore.
Her thoughts flickered to Shen Luoluo. That venomous snake had been quiet lately. But quiet never meant harmless. Quiet meant plotting.
Let her come, Su Ning thought coldly, her smirk sharpening. 'If she dares to do anything… don't blame me for being ruthless.'
The time for revenge was not yet ripe, after all she was no longer their pawn, they were now hers instead. And she would decide when to crush them.
'Ding!'
The stillness shattered.
'New Mission
Task: Pass tomorrow's weekly test with your effort and get outstanding results.
Shock all students and teachers.
Reward: Shennan Real Estates.
Reward: Limited-edition BMW 7.0 luxury car.
Reward: 20 million yuan in cash.
Reward: Grade 3 Driving Skill (automatic mastery).
Reward: Memory Pill (enhanced recall), Chi Gathering Pill (cultivation foundation booster).
Reward: Heaven-Grade Cultivation (Manual: Nine Heavens Immortal Scripture.)
Failure to complete mission: Loss of all of host's acquired properties'
The mechanical voice echoed in her mind, crisp and absolute.
Su Ning's breath caught. Her chest tightened, as though a fire had suddenly ignited inside her.
A real estate property. A luxury car. 20 million yuan.
And more importantly… a Heaven-Grade Cultivation Manual and legendary pills.
Her eyes widened, disbelief and awe colliding in her gaze. This… this isn't generosity. It's madness!
Her hands trembled slightly, and for a moment, her mask of calm slipped. She quickly drew in a deep breath, forcing herself steady.
Excitement crackled through her veins like lightning, but beneath it was something sharper—resolve.
She opened her notebook, her eyes glinting like steel.
'It was just to read and pass right? Sounds easy' She thought
For three hours, she studied relentlessly. Words, formulas, and facts seared into her mind with unusual clarity, almost as if the system had already sharpened her brain.
Finally, she leaned back, exhaling a long breath. But her thoughts didn't rest.
That black premium card. It was too flashy, too dangerous. The more people noticed, the more rumours they spread and she couldnt afford enemies yet as she couldn't protect herself, at least, at the moment.
Her gaze narrowed. I need ordinary bank cards. Something simple. Something that hides me until I'm ready.
Her eyes drifted to her phone, cracked and flickering. This relic… I'll replace it tomorrow. And one for Anya too.
Warmth bloomed in her chest. Chen Anya. Her only real friend. She hadn't been at school today, and worry gnawed at Su Ning's heart.
Anya's parents—hardworking, kind people. Her father ran a tiny food stall, her mother worked as a cleaner in a small company, always cleaning offices day and night. Despite their struggles, they had always welcomed Su Ning with kindness. When she sat at their table, eating hot meals and laughing with Anya, it had felt like… family.
'They saved me when I had nothing. Now that I can, I'll repay them.'
Her brows furrowed.
'But how? If I suddenly hand them high positions at the Imperial Hotel, will they accept? Or will it scare them away? And how will I even explain to Anya?'
The questions lingered, unresolved.
Her eyes sharpened. One thing, at least, she could settle tonight.
"System, give me Yinhai International Bank Director's number"
—
'Ding! Sent'
The system had provided her with a private number. The Director of Yinhai International Bank.
She dialed.
Far across the city, in a golden villa lit by chandeliers, Qiao Yuan was sipping tea when the phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—then nearly dropped his cup.
"Hello? This is Qiao Yuan. Who am l speaking with?"
A calm, steady voice flowed through the line. "Su Ning. I need few registered bank cards. Have them prepared and delivered today."
He nearly dropped his cup.
Qiao Yuan bolted upright, tea forgotten. His pulse thundered in his ears. "Y-Yes, Miss Su! That will be arranged immediately!"
She gave him her address casually, but before she could finish, his voice broke in, urgent.
"Miss Su, please forgive my boldness, but I cannot entrust such a task to anyone else. I will deliver them personally! Please, allow me this honor!"
Su Ning hesitated. She hadn't wanted unnecessary attention. But his sincerity left her little choice.
"Very well," she said lightly. "But come quietly."
"Yes! Yes, of course!" he stammered, bowing though she could not see him.
When the call ended, Su Ning immediately rang the estate's security team.
"Someone will be arriving to see me. Direct him to my villa."
"Yes, Miss Su," came the prompt reply. But she could hear their curiosity beneath the professionalism.
After all, few in the city could claim the right to be a guest at Villa One.