The night sky was a canvas of twinkling stars, complemented by the lights of the city's towering buildings. Aircraft glided silently overhead, leaving trails of dazzling light. Shi Chu emerged from the bathroom, washed and refreshed, her hair still damp.
She stood before the living room mirror, her gaze falling upon her reflection. The black-haired girl in white looked back, expressionless and aloof. Shi Chu's hand rose, gently touching her face, as if reacquainting herself with her own features.
Her thoughts wandered back to her journey in this world. She'd shed her inhibitions, embracing her true nature. Her name, Shichu, reminded her to stay true to herself.
Today's events had been a stark reminder of her new reality. Killing wasn't new to her, thanks to the game, but the anger and determination had been real. She felt no remorse for the lives taken – they'd sought to take hers.
Shi Chu knew she wasn't a "good" person, but she owned her nature. She lived by one creed: he who kills will be killed. Her eyes, like glass, seemed to harden, reflecting her resolve.
The girl in the mirror seemed to radiate a quiet intensity, her eyes dropping, eyelashes casting shadows. Undercurrents surged in her glass-colored pupils, hinting at a simmering resolve.
Shi Chu had dug up info on the Leet family on Starnet. A second-rate Beta family, known in business circles. Their heir attended Icleus College – a possible connection?
She pinched her brows, piecing together the fragments. Little was clear, but one thing stood out: the Leet family wanted her gone. She'd remember that.
For now, she'd stay safe by avoiding the chaotic old town areas. The federal security team had her back, and a second-rate family couldn't touch her there. Petty tricks were all they could muster. Shi Chu's gaze hardened – she'd be ready.
Shi Chu's community was a safe haven, allocated by the federal government for military families. No need to worry about safety, no need to move. Best to keep things low-key for now, act normal. Wait till school started next week, see how things played out.
She yawned, withdrew her gaze, and headed to bed. Sleepy, she'd deal with everything later. Lately, things had been a real pain.
Hmm, was Mercury retrograde? Why was she so unlucky? Maybe she'd order an incense burner from Star Network, try burning some incense sticks.
Meanwhile, at the Leet family residence, Wu Li seethed with anger. "A bunch of losers!" he roared, slamming his hand on a vase, shattering it. His face twisted in a scowl. A powerless beta, living on the Outer Rim Planet, had escaped his goons. Unbelievable.
Wu Li's anger simmered, fueled by the thought of Luo Yanchuan possibly protecting Shi Chu. A lowly beta, and yet... His face twisted in a scowl, he struggled to calm down.
It didn't matter, he'd have Luo Yanchuan soon. With the Luo family's backing, a beta orphan was no threat. He'd keep a close eye on her, just in case.
"Send someone to watch her," he commanded, his voice cold. The beta was a military orphan – he couldn't risk openly murdering her. Not yet, not when it could jeopardize his plans.
The kneeling man trembled, vase fragments still lodged in his thigh. "Yes," he stammered, fear dripping from his voice. Wu Li waved him away, indifferent. "Go down."
Wu Li stood at the window, gazing out into the night. The darkness seemed to swallow everything, making it hard to see clearly. His eyes, like two deep pools, reflected his calculating mind.
He had one shot, one chance to act before Luo Yanchuan got engaged to that omega. If he succeeded, the Luo family's strict rules would bind Luo Yanchuan to him, and he'd squeeze a fortune from them.
The plan was risky, but Wu Li was convinced it would work. He'd play his cards right, manipulate the situation, and come out on top. The thought sent a cold glint through his eyes, a glint that seemed to gleam with ambition and calculation.
Wu Li's eyes gleamed with madness as he retrieved the potion from the secret compartment. The pink liquid glowed with an otherworldly fluorescence, casting an eerie light on his face.
He closed the box, his hands trembling with anticipation. Soon, he'd be part of the Luo family, elevating the Leet family to greatness. His name would be etched in the family's hall of fame.
The thought consumed him, driving him forward with an unrelenting passion. He'd stop at nothing to achieve his goal, to claim the power and prestige he craved. The potion, a key to his success, seemed to burn with an inner fire, fueling his ambition.