Chapter 30
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Volume 1 + Chapter 30: A Changing Heart
“Xiao Liu, what’s wrong?” It wasn’t until Bai Yuxuan spoke that Xiao Liu snapped out of her daze.
“Ah, it’s nothing! It’s just… just that I feel you’ve changed a bit, young master.”
“I’ve changed?”
“You seem… gentler than before.”
“Is that so… I didn’t expect that person could even change someone like me,” Bai Yuxuan sighed softly.
“That person?”
“I was just talking to myself. Don’t mind it. Anyway, what’s the Bai family’s decision on my punishment?”
“The family has decided to remove your current position as heir.”
“And?”
“That’s all.”
“What? Those people in the family actually let me off that easily?”
“It’s said that the former head of the family personally vouched for you. And although your heir position was removed, you haven’t been stripped of the chance to participate in the heir selection one year from now.”
“So it was Grandpa… In other words, my position is just frozen for a year. Honestly, even if my spoiled cousins were given a whole year, they still wouldn’t be able to surpass me.”
“You’re absolutely right, young master.”
“Still, even though it’s only a temporary removal, the impact on me isn’t small. Losing my heir status means I no longer control several major companies. And to quell the boiler plant incident, I’ve already used up all my available funds.”
“You mean… all the power and influence you worked so hard to build is gone? What should we do?”
“Don’t be so pessimistic. Sure, everything I built is gone, but as long as I am still here, what’s to fear? I’ll just rebuild it all—and not just what I had before, but something even stronger. This time, not even my father will be able to manipulate me so easily again!”
At that moment, Bai Yuxuan’s eyes were sharp like an eagle’s, exuding a presence more commanding than ever before.
(This… this is the young master I’ve pledged to follow! This setback didn’t defeat him—it only made him sharper, like a newly-forged blade!)
Xiao Liu felt silently grateful in her heart for choosing to follow that twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy all those years ago.
“Alright, since I won’t be able to handle company matters this year, I’ll focus on school instead. After all, there’s still a rival there I care about very much.”
Bai Yuxuan then glanced at a photo in his phone’s encrypted folder—the one of the blonde-haired maid.
The next day arrived in a blink. As the class bell rang, everyone returned to their seats. Ouyang Qianxue glanced beside her and saw that Bai Yuxuan’s seat was still empty.
“That guy still hasn’t come? Hmph, why am I even worried about him? He wouldn’t even delete my blackmail photo—that ungrateful jerk. It’s better if he doesn’t show up.”
“Then I guess I’ve disappointed you.” A familiar voice suddenly rang beside her.
“You—! When did you…?” Ouyang Qianxue looked up to see Bai Yuxuan grinning mischievously at her.
“Anyway, let’s put that aside. Today’s the day they’re posting the midterm results. Even if I’m no longer blackmailing you, that bet still stands, doesn’t it?”
“I can’t believe you still have the nerve to mention the bet! You answered one less question than I did!”
“That one was only worth six points. Even with six points less, I’m confident I scored higher than you.” Bai Yuxuan’s confidence remained unshaken.
“Is that so? Then I’ll crush your confidence and avenge myself today! The loser still has to do whatever the winner says, right?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Let’s wait and see!” As soon as class ended, the two of them made their way to the bulletin board.
The midterm scores were already posted.
“Wait…!”
“I never expected this result at the top!” The students who arrived first looked shocked.
“Ah, they’re here!” When Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan arrived, the crowd immediately made way for them.
“Let me see,” Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan pushed to the front.
“What?!” ×2
Both were stunned by the ranking on the board.
Bai Yuxuan’s name was still at the top—but Ouyang Qianxue was also listed in first place. The two had scored exactly the same.
“What the heck! I thought I’d finally beat you, but it’s a tie…”
“So, do we move to round three?”
“You said you wouldn’t use my sister to threaten me again. Why would I bother with a third round?”
“Is that so? What a shame. I don’t mind either way, but someone clearly lost a lot last time, didn’t they?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Someone came to my house and acted as my maid… and got totally bullied~”
“You—!” Ouyang Qianxue trembled with rage at the memory.
“And yet, when she had the perfect chance to take revenge, she just let it go~” Bai Yuxuan wore an infuriating grin.
“Fine, just you wait! I’ll pay you back double for the humiliation I suffered! Now tell me, what’s the third round going to be?”
Seeing how easily Ouyang Qianxue walked right into it, Bai Yuxuan smirked slyly.
“I’ll let you decide this one. I picked the first two.”
“Then I’ll think it over and let you know later.” With that, Ouyang Qianxue turned and walked off.
“Qianxue, I finally passed!” Just then, Wang Qian from another class ran over. She naturally walked up to Ouyang Qianxue and clung to her arm affectionately.
Watching the two walk away together, Bai Yuxuan smiled bitterly.
She was so jealous of Wang Qian. How she wished she could stand beside Ouyang Qianxue—the person who had given her warmth in her darkest hour.
But after so many years of being alone, she had long developed a cold demeanor. She didn’t know how to express her feelings, or how to close the distance between them. She feared that if she clumsily tried to get close, she might only push Ouyang Qianxue away.
So, instead, she chose to stand by her side… as her rival.
[End of Volume One.]
