The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Su Ning's room, washing the space in soft gold. Everything was silent except the rhythmic hum of the city outside. She stood before the mirror, buttoning her crisp white blouse, the faint shimmer of her blue jade necklace resting elegantly at her throat.
The matching earrings caught the light whenever she moved, delicate yet undeniably expensive. Her long dark hair flowed freely down her back, the simple style emphasizing her quiet grace rather than extravagance.
After dressing, she walked toward the kitchen. The faint click of her heels against the marble floor echoed softly through the house. She brewed a cup of black coffee, stirred it once, and took a slow sip,its warmth spreading through her like steady fire. There was no rush in her movements, only composed precision.
Finishing her drink, she picked up her midnight-black handbag, adjusted the sleeves of her uniform jacket, and stepped into the garage.
The garage lights came on automatically, illuminating her collection of vehicles. In the corner, her new car, the Xenon Seraph X9, purple and black, shimmered like liquid obsidian under glass light, its sleek aerodynamic body curving with predatory grace, the emblem glinting like a star.
But her gaze drifted toward the phantom IX, her second car, then walking towards it, she brushed her fingers along the hood before opening the door. She had decided to take the phantom IX because taking another crazily expensive car would attract too much attention.
The engine came alive with a deep, smooth growl. She fastened her seatbelt and, with one precise movement, pulled out of the driveway.
When Su Ning arrived at Fuyuan Academy, the usual chatter among the students fell into murmurs. Heads turned. Her car glided to a stop before the main gate, the black surface reflecting the morning light.
She stepped out, heels touching the ground with quiet certainty. Her presence drew every eye—students, guards, even teachers passing by. She didn't need to smile; her poise alone was commanding enough.
Whispers began instantly.
"It's Su Ning—look, she's really the one who had been trending on stargram all through the weekend."
"She looks even more beautiful in person."
"Didn't she post a picture in a private jet yesterday?"
"Her outfit looks so effortless but expensive... I'm so jealous."
Some whispered in admiration; others whispered in envy.
Su Ning didn't so much as glance their way.
Her steps were measured and steady, her expression calm. It wasn't arrogance—it was authority wrapped in serenity.
A few meters away, a BMW stopped abruptly. The door opened and Chen Anya stepped out in a hurry, waving excitedly.
"Ningning!" she called, her voice bright.
Her new appearance stunned the onlookers. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail, wrapped with a silk hairband that matched her uniform's shade. The diamond necklace and earrings glittered when she moved, and her manicured red nails caught the light. A luxurious schoolbag hung over her shoulder, every detail a declaration of change.
Gasps spread among the students.
"Is that Chen Anya?"
"What happened to her?"
"She looks like a completely different person!"
"Those jewelries are super expensive..."
Su Ning's lips curved faintly as Chen Anya reached her.
"You look good," Su Ning said softly.
Chen Anya flushed a little, brushing her hair back. "Really?"
Su Ning gave a quiet nod of approval, her tone light.
"It suits you."
Together, they began walking toward the school building, their pace unhurried. The murmurs around them grew louder.
In one corner of the courtyard, Li Peihan adjusted her glasses and said just loud enough for others to hear,
"Didn't you know? Chen Anya's mother is the Executive Manager of Luminous Group. You all thought she was just a scholarship student?"
Shock rippled through the gathered crowd.
"What? Luminous?"
"Then… Su Ning and Chen Anya might have been hiding their background."
"Maybe they acted poor on purpose!"
The whispers thickened like fog.
Su Ning didn't look back once.
Inside the classroom, the air felt different. Even the teacher paused briefly when she entered, her gaze flickering over Chen Anya's new look before starting the lesson.
Su Ning and Chen Anya took their seats quietly. Few girls, Li Peihan, Qin Rulan, and two others approached them with forced smiles.
"Su Ning, Chen Anya, we were just wondering…" Li Peihan began, voice sugary-sweet,
"Would you like to hang out this weekend? Maybe go shopping together?"
Su Ning looked at Chen Anya, one brow slightly raised.
Chen Anya tilted her head, smiled politely, and said with a crisp tone,
"No, thank you. We're busy."
The rejection was instant and final. The girls froze, exchanging embarrassed glances before awkwardly retreating.
Su Ning turned a page in her notebook, her expression unreadable. Chen Anya chuckled under her breath.
"You should've seen their faces," she whispered.
Su Ning didn't respond, but the faintest flicker of amusement passed through her eyes.
Lunch Break and the Scandal
By lunchtime, the school's energy had shifted again.
Su Ning, Chen Anya, and Mu Suying—who had come running with her usual cheer—sat together at a corner table in the cafeteria.
"I've been looking for you guys all morning!" Mu Suying exclaimed as she slid into the seat. "You won't believe how everyone's talking about you two."
Chen Anya rolled her eyes.
"They always talk."
Mu Suying laughed and went to order their meals. When she returned, they sat down and started eating. The sight was oddly peaceful, Su Ning's every movement smooth and deliberate, Chen Anya's new found confidence blooming beside her.
Then, suddenly—
A chorus of phone alerts broke the calm.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The sound echoed through the cafeteria like falling glass.
Students began pulling out their phones, murmuring in confusion. Then shock spread. Screens lit up across the hall. Within seconds, dozens of eyes turned toward Su Ning's table.
Whispers ignited.
"Wait—look at this!"
"No way… is that Su Ning?"
"Tsk..So that's all she's been all these while"
Chen Anya froze, her phone trembling slightly as she opened the notification. Mu Suying gasped.
On every social platform—Stargram, Startok, and Starbook—headlines screamed across the feed:
"Goddess Su Exposed: The Hidden Mistress Behind the Mask."
"The Beauty Behind Zongsheng Director Zhao Qi—A Bought Goddess?"...
Photos accompanied the stories—grainy shots of Su Ning and Zhao Qi from their meeting in the capital, edited to suggest scandal. The captions were venomous; the comments worse.
Su Ning looked at her phone, her expression perfectly still.
Her fingers didn't tremble. Her gaze was cold, distant—as if she were looking at someone else's name.
Around her, the whispers thickened.
"So she was a mistress all along?"
"I can't believe it… she fooled everyone."
"Tsk... I knew it was all fake…"
"I knew she was just the poor, wretched girl who wanted to be rich at all cost..."
"Pfft...I wonder how much her body was worth"
Chen Anya slammed her phone on the table, her voice shaking.
"Who would do this? This is nonsense!"
Mu Suying leaned closer, pale with worry.
"Su Ning, do you want me to call my dad? He can talk to the media—"
Su Ning lifted a hand slightly, cutting her off.
"No need," she said, voice calm and low.
Chen Anya looked at her, distressed.
"But Ningning, we need to stop it before it spreads everywhere—"
"Let it."
Her tone was quiet but final. The words carried the weight of quiet dominance, like an invisible wall that no one dared to challenge.
Across the cafeteria, students stared, murmuring loud enough for her to hear.
"I can't believe I followed her account, I'm u following now."
"She acted so high and mighty. Turns out she's just a whore."
"Who knows how many men she fooled with that face?"
"I heard a rich old man bought her that car!"
A notification appeared on her phone—Zhao Qi calling.
She answered. "Director Zhao."
His voice was taut with urgency. "Chairwoman Su, I—I just saw the news online. Please don't worry, I'll take care of this immediately. I'll call the—"
"There's no need." Her tone was cool, steady. "Don't involve yourself. I'll handle it."
"But—"
"Trust me."
He hesitated. "...Alright Chairwoman. Be careful."
Su Ning placed her phone down, lifted her cup, and took a sip of her drink. Her expression never changed, but a faint, unreadable smile touched her lips—a smile without warmth, more like quiet amusement.
The cafeteria buzzed with gossip, every corner alive with speculation and judgment.
Yet at the center of it all, Su Ning sat still, regal and unconcerned.
Her calm made the chaos louder.
She continued eating her lunch slowly, as though nothing had happened.
Outside the window, the wind stirred the trees, carrying the echoes of voices that would soon regret underestimating her.
Su Ning finished her meal, wiped her lips gently with a napkin, and stood up.
Her eyes, calm and glacial, swept briefly across the room before she turned to leave, her heels clicking softly, the sound fading with her steps.
Chen Anya and Mu Suying who had also finished eating, picked up their bags and ran after her.
Stares followed as they left the cafeteria.