Back at the prestigious FUYUAN Academy , which shimmered with quiet luxury, students in immaculate uniforms drifting through hallways scented faintly of cherry blossoms and old money.
Inside the relaxation centre, Su Ning, sitted gracefully on a velvet sofa. The soft clink of porcelain echoed faintly as she lifted a cup of coffee, steam curling in the air. Her long lashes lowered slightly, half-shadowing her eyes — eyes that gleamed with a calm, calculating light.
Across from her, Chen Anya still fidgeted nervously, while Mu Suying scrolled through her phone, occasionally glancing at Su Ning with barely concealed admiration.
For a while, none of them spoke. The air was serene — until a soft chime sounded in Su Ning's head.
'Ding!'
'Mission Completed
Display of Wealth and Strength in School.
Rewards :
60 percent shares of Radiance Skin Care International.
200 million yuan.
Ghost Queen Suppressing Aura.
Ten bottles of Qi Gathering Pills.'
Su Ning's lips curved ever so slightly.
She now had close to 400 million yuan in her bank account.
'Will host like to activate the ghost queen suppressing aura?,' the system sounded again.
'Not yet,' she thought.
Her slender fingers traced the rim of her coffee cup, the faint smile on her face deepening. To outsiders, it was the kind of smile that hinted at elegance. But beneath that serene façade, calculation rippled like still water stirred by wind.
She leaned back slightly, crossing her legs, her eyes flickering with a quiet amusement.
'So that's how it is,' she thought.
'The Royal 6 wanted to play with power and hierarchy? Let's see who truly rules this place.'
Pulling out her phone, Su Ning dialed a number.
The line barely rang once before a respectful voice came through.
"Miss Su."
It was the managing director Shennan Real Estates, Yang Feng.
"Bring the villa documents to Azure Lake Villa by 3pm," Su Ning said softly, her tone casual yet commanding. "I'll meet you there later."
"Yes, Miss Su. I'll prepare them immediately."
She hung up without another word, setting the phone down on the table beside her half-empty cup.
Moments later, a text notification blinked across the screen. Su Ning's eyes flickered as she picked it up.
[Mu Fucheng]: The interview went well. Mr. Chen has been appointed General Manager of Imperial Skies International Hotel.]
Her expression softened — a rare, genuine smile curving her lips. She could almost picture Chen Wei, still in disbelief.
Everything was falling into place.
She placed her phone down again, then turned to Chen Anya. "We're going to pick up your parents later," she said calmly.
Chen Anya blinked, confused. "Pick up my parents? Where are we going?"
Su Ning's lips twitched slightly. "You'll see."
Before Chen Anya could ask again, Mu Suying's phone rang. She checked the caller ID and straightened immediately. "It's my mom," she murmured, then answered softly, "Hello, Mom… Yes, okay, I'll come home soon."
When she hung up, she looked a little reluctant. "Su Ning, my mom wants me to come home early today…"
Su Ning nodded lightly. "Go on."
Mu Suying hesitated, glancing at Su Ning and then at Chen Anya, reluctant to leave the calm warmth that now surrounded them. "Alright… I'll see you both tomorrow."
As soon as she left, Chen Anya looked at Su Ning curiously. "You really don't mind her hanging around us? I mean, she used to be—"
"A rival?" Su Ning finished for her. Her tone was light, her gaze steady. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
There was something in Su Ning's voice that made Chen Anya lower her head, half in awe, half in trust.
When they returned to class, whispers rippled instantly.
Every head turned. Every gaze — filled with either awe or envy — followed Su Ning's figure as she entered the room.
Gone was the girl they used to mock as a poor transfer student. Now, her presence carried something magnetic — an aura that even the most privileged heirs couldn't replicate.
The moment she sat down, the classroom seemed to tilt toward her. The subtle scent of her perfume — cool jasmine and faint cedar — drifted in the air, distinct yet refined.
Not far away, several of the school's richest heirs exchanged looks.
"That's Su Ning, right?" whispered one boy, son of a real estate tycoon. "The one who humiliated Gu Yingying in front of everyone?"
"Yeah… She's even prettier up close."
"Look at her jewelry — that's not ordinary design. Custom pieces, I'd bet."
Their whispers turned into open admiration. Some of them gathered the courage to approach her, each trying to make a good impression.
"Su Ning, that car you drove this morning … was that the new Phantom IX?"
"It suits you perfectly! You've got such great taste!"
Even a few girls who once turned their backs on her now smiled sweetly. "Su Ning, your necklace is stunning! Is it from the Imperial House collection? You really have an eye for fashion!"
Su Ning only smiled faintly — the kind of smile that was polite but distant. She didn't bother replying.
These were the same people who had sneered at her when she had worn plain shoes and carried a secondhand bag.
Now that she had power, they flocked to her like moths to a flame.
She had no need to swat them away.
Their hypocrisy was punishment enough.
Instead, she turned to Chen Anya who now had her new laptop open — one Su Ning had personally chosen and gifted earlier before.
The silver gleam of the logo reflected faintly on Su Ning's wristwatch as she leaned closer. "Here," she said softly, tapping the screen. "You'll need to adjust this function here — it'll make your presentation smoother."
Several nearby students glanced over — and froze.
"That's the new Orion QuantumBook!" one of them hissed. "It's almost a million yuan"
"No way! My dad tried to buy one and couldn't even get on the waiting list."
The murmurs spread like wildfire. Heads turned, gazes widened. Even the students from wealthy families couldn't help but stare in disbelief.
Chen Anya blushed in embarrassment.
Su Ning chuckled softly, not bothering to speak.
But one voice — sharp and mocking — sliced through the tension.
"Some people don't know how to act humble even when they're just riding on someone else's coattails." said Qin Rulan, the daughter of a major jewelry company owner. She leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, eyes narrowed as she aimed at Chen Anya.
The words hit like a spark in dry grass. The whispers started again — hushed, uncertain.
Chen Anya froze. For a moment, the old instinct to shrink back, to apologize, clawed at her. She could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck.
But then she remembered Su Ning's voice earlier.
'If you keep cowering, people will keep stepping on you.'
Her hands clenched.
She took a deep breath, turned her head, and met Qin Rulan's mocking gaze directly.
"You're right," she said quietly, her voice trembling at first but gaining strength. "I'm not as rich as Su Ning. But at least I don't need to drag other people down just to make myself feel important."
The classroom went silent.
Qin Rulan's smirk faltered, color draining from her face. "You—what did you say?"
Chen Anya straightened her shoulders. "I said," she repeated more clearly, "that you should mind your own business. Whether I'm rich or poor doesn't concern you."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Even the teacher who had just entered stopped at the door, stunned.
The meek, quiet Chen Anya — the one who had spent years bowing her head — had just publicly humiliated one of the academy's top socialites.
For a second, Qin Rulan could only gape. Then her face twisted in anger. But before she could retaliate, Su Ning's voice cut through the air — calm, lazy, but laced with quiet dominance.
"Anya."
Chen Anya turned instinctively.
Su Ning's eyes softened — rare warmth glinting in them — and she smiled faintly. "Well said."
She reached out and gently patted Chen Anya's head. The gesture was simple, but the meaning behind it made the entire class pause.
It wasn't condescending.
It was acknowledgment.
Chen Anya's cheeks turned pink, her heart fluttering in her chest.
Meanwhile, Qin Rulan's face burned with humiliation. Her nails dug into her palms as she sat down stiffly, glaring daggers at the pair.
'How dare Chen Anya, that bitch make a fool of me in public?' she thought furiously. 'Just wait… I'll make her pay for this.'
But Su Ning didn't spare her another glance.
She leaned back, sipping her coffee quietly as if nothing had happened. The corner of her lips curved upward again — the faint smile of a queen watching pawns rearrange themselves.
Around her, whispers began anew. This time, they weren't mocking. They were reverent, fearful, fascinated.
"Did you see how Su Ning just looked at her?"
"She didn't even have to speak — Qin Rulan backed off!"
"She's on another level entirely…"
Su Ning's eyes drifted to the window. Outside, the sun was setting, streaking the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
The Royal 6 had ruled the school for years.
But the throne they sat upon was beginning to tremble.
And Su Ning — calm, poised, untouchable — was already building her own empire.