The warm flicker of the television screen painted soft glows across the minimalist living room. Su Ning sat quietly on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like a silk curtain. The news anchor's voice droned faintly in the background, but her attention wasn't truly on the TV. She couldn't help but think about her earlier conversation with Qi Xiyue as colour tainted her cheeks.
Suddenly, the serene quiet broke with a familiar digital chime.
'Ding!'
The mechanical tone was cold, crisp, and emotionless.
'Mission completed.
Side mission completed: Assist the man who has just been rejected.
Rewards granted
Full Ownership of Fuyuan Academy.
Limited Edition Sport car, Zenon Seraph X9.
100,000,000 Yuan.'
Su Ning blinked, her gaze softening. A faint smile curved her lips, calm and faintly amused.
Her phone buzzed.
[Your account XXXXXXX has been credited with 100,000,000 yuan]
She lazily reached for it, checking her balance.
[Your account balance is 527,000,000 Yuan.]
Her manicured fingers brushed lightly over the screen as she let out a soft exhale. "Not bad," she murmured, voice smooth as silk, devoid of surprise.
'Host has received: Ownership Document of Fuyuan Academy.' The system chimmed.
The document materialized before her eyes, shimmering faintly with a golden hue before solidifying into tangible parchment. The seal of authenticity gleamed boldly in red.
Su Ning's eyes glinted. "So… Fuyuan Academy—." She leaned back, her tone laced with quiet irony. "is now mine?
She reached out, flicking her fingers, and the document vanished into her spatial storage.
"System," she said evenly, "send me the insider data on Fuyuan Academy. Full list—donors, staff, board members, and financial contributions. I want everything."
[Sent]
A dozens of files piled up on her tablet, flickering with streams of classified information. Su Ning's eyes moved steadily through each file, her lashes casting faint shadows over her cheeks.
Her lips curled slightly at the corner. "So… that's how it is." Her tone was calm, but her eyes—sharp, deep, betrayed her growing amusement.
After scanning for a few more minutes, she turned off her tablet and rose gracefully to her feet.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Principal Di Fulin of Fuyuan Academy had just finished dinner with his wife and children. He retired to his study, still humming contentedly from the meal, when his phone buzzed sharply.
Seeing the caller ID, his relaxed expression froze.
Minister of Education.
He straightened immediately and answered. "Good evening, Minister."
"Principal Di," came the stern voice on the other end, "I'm calling to inform you that Fuyuan Academy has been sold."
Di Fulin's face went pale. "S-sold?"
"Yes. Full ownership. The new owner's information is included in the transfer documents. I'll forward the digital documents immediately. You'll need to contact her directly. She'll be your superior from now on."
"U-understood Minister." Di Fulin replied as the line disconnected.
His phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming email. With trembling fingers, he opened it.
Lightening struck him as he recognized Su Ning's profile and information.
His throat ran dry. "M-Miss Su…" he whispered, staring at the image.
He sank slowly into his chair. "How… how is this possible?"
In his mind, memories blurred together—her being a black card holder, he hadn't gotten over the fact that she was the owner of Zongsheng Medical Centre, one of the most powerful and influential hospitals in the country, now FUYUAN had changed owners and it turned out to be her. A new fear crept into his heart.
She was more powerful than he thought.
Heart hammering, he grabbed his phone and dialed her number.
In her apartment, Su Ning was staring through the ceiling to floor window in her living room, the phone vibrated.
The name flashed across the screen: Principal Di.
She smiled faintly and answered. "Principal Di."
Her voice was warm, low, and refined—like velvet brushing against glass.
"Miss Su," he began quickly, his tone trembling between respect and awe, "I—I just received confirmation. Congratulations on your acquisition. I didn't expect that Fuyuan Academy would…" He trailed off, unable to find the right words.
"Would fall into my hands?" Su Ning completed smoothly.
Di Fulin swallowed. "Yes, Miss Su. It's an honor. I'm truly… honored to have you as the Academy's new owner."
"Thank you, Principal Di." Her tone was even, serene. "There's no need for formalities. Continue running the school as usual. I don't intend to change anything… for now."
Her calm confidence made his palms sweat. "O-of course, Miss Su. If you ever require my assistance—"
"I'll contact you," she interrupted softly, her voice neither cold nor kind, just quietly commanding.
"Yes! Of course."
"Have a good night, Principal Di."
"Good night, Miss Su."
The line went dead.
Su Ning set her phone aside, her reflection glimmering faintly in the surface of the wine glass. Her eyes were tranquil, but the quiet satisfaction in them was unmistakable.
She carried the glass upstairs, her steps slow and unhurried. Inside her bedroom, the air felt softer—perfumed faintly with orchids and moonlight. She set her drink aside and sat on the edge of the bed.
Her hand brushed lightly across the sheets before she entered her space.
She sat cross-legged on her bed, her posture straight, her breathing even. From her stand, she retrieved a qi gathering pill and swallowed it.
The pill melted instantly on her tongue, dissolving into warm energy that spread through her body like liquid sunlight. Her veins pulsed faintly as the spiritual energy began to circulate, swirling gently within her meridians.
Her heartbeat slowed.
The world grew silent.
Every inhale drew in the surrounding energy; every exhale purified her thoughts. The mist responded to her presence, spiraling slowly around her body like living ribbons of light.
Su Ning's mind was utterly still—her consciousness sinking deep into the rhythm of the universe.
Time lost meaning.
At some point, her body began to glow faintly, a thin aura of silver-white light surrounding her form. Her long hair floated softly around her, her lips slightly parted as her qi synchronized with the natural pulse of the realm.
The air shimmered faintly, as though the very world acknowledged her growing strength.
Seven hours passed—yet for her, it felt like a dream suspended between seconds.
When she finally opened her eyes, her gaze was clear, tranquil, and full of quiet satisfaction.
She rose gracefully, brushing her hair behind her ear. Her movements carried the unspoken elegance of someone utterly in control of herself, and of everything around her.
Reality folded again, and she appeared back in her dimly lit bedroom.
Her phone on the nightstand blinked once, two hours had passed in the real world.
Su Ning smiled faintly, the smallest hint of warmth touching her expression. She slipped under her sheets, hugging her plush teddy bear loosely, its softness a quiet contrast to her usual steel composure.