Chapter 77 — Gifts, Gossip & A Little Payback
Bai Xia slipped out of the restroom, adjusting her uniform with practiced grace, before tightening her grip on the two large bags she carried out of her space. The leather straps pressed into her palms, but she barely noticed; today's little "presentation" was part business, part marketing, and part… entertainment.
As she stepped into Class 3-A, the usual hum of chatter froze instantly. Conversations halted mid-sentence. Heads turned, slouched students straightened, and even those buried in their phones peeked over screens. For a suspended moment, silence hung like the calm before a storm. Then, as whispers cautiously returned, the room felt charged—curious, sharp, and slightly nervous.
This wasn't an ordinary classroom. Many of the students came from families with assets in the hundreds of millions; a few brushed the billion-yuan mark. In such a world, a single sneeze could spark gossip for days. And Bai Xia? She wasn't here to flaunt wealth—at least, not exactly. She was here to build her brand, to plant seeds for her company's newest venture, and to entertain herself with the predictable reactions of those around her.
Walking to the front of the class with effortless poise, she placed the bags down and addressed them.
"Hello, everyone. Please listen," she said clearly, voice steady, calm, and commanding.
Instantly, the room fell completely silent, as if someone had hit "mute." Bai Xia smiled faintly. These rich kids might be spoiled, indulgent, and dramatic—but they knew how to behave when the moment demanded it.
"Thank you," she continued, hands folded neatly in front of her. "As you all know, my company is opening a new brand."
The room erupted into applause. Some clapped earnestly, some out of habit, some simply because anything involving free gifts—or the hint of prestige—excited them. Bai Xia nodded gently, acknowledging their response without a trace of arrogance.
"Alright, thank you. Now, as my classmates, I must present gifts to you all to celebrate this progress."
A ripple of cheers spread across the room.
With practiced efficiency, Bai Xia opened the bags. Sleek, elegant hairpins she had designed herself for the girls; simple, stylish watches for the boys. Every item reflected understated luxury, a balance of taste and practicality.
One by one, she distributed them, offering each student the same composed smile. Each accepted eagerly, some whispering compliments to neighbors, others examining colors and packaging with careful fascination. It wasn't the gifts alone—they were receiving attention from the young entrepreneur whose reputation was already growing. Being acknowledged by Bai Xia carried its own weight.
When she finished, she returned to the front.
"Thank you all. Please enjoy the little I have."
The classroom buzzed again, a soft murmur of excitement and curiosity. Students compared items, discussed colors, and gawked at the sheer thoughtfulness of the presentation. But the harmony didn't last long.
A sharp, unpleasant voice sliced through the chatter.
"Bai Xia, what do you mean by this?"
The crowd parted slightly, and Bai Xia saw her immediately: Bai Gin. Arms crossed, eyebrows twisted in a permanent scowl, face contorted like she had just sniffed spoiled milk.
Bai Xia tilted her head slightly, expression calm, almost bored. "What do you mean?" she asked evenly. "I passed your seat, but you weren't there. So I gave the rest to others. It's just 2,000 yuan. You can go buy it yourself."
Her tone wasn't rude—merely factual. Controlled. Almost too calm, the kind of composure that made Bai Gin's frustration throb like a physical ache.
Humiliation colored Bai Gin's face. Her mouth opened and closed as if to speak, but words didn't form quickly enough. She snapped finally, unable to tolerate the quiet assertion of superiority.
"So that's it? You're feeling big now that you have some money?" she spat. "Just wait."
Without waiting for a response, she stomped out of the classroom dramatically, as if the floor personally offended her.
The students blinked, then shrugged. Bai Gin wasn't exactly taken seriously by anyone with a brain, and her theatrics were largely ignored.
Bai Xia, unbothered, walked to her seat and opened her notebook. Flipping through pages slowly, she let the classroom's quiet murmur wash over her. She refused to let trivial drama disrupt her focus.
Yet, even as she concentrated, she caught movement from the corner of her eye after class. Bai Gin and Shan Shang were huddled together outside, whispering and gesturing, scheming as though they could somehow undo what had just happened.
Bai Xia chuckled softly, a low, quiet sound that carried just enough amusement to be dangerous.
"These girls never learn," she murmured under her breath. "Well… if they want to scheme, I'll show them how it's really done."
She turned on her heel and headed toward the senior block with light, confident steps, fully aware of the attention she commanded.
Near the hallway railing, two girls leaned casually, deep in conversation. Li Guyan—the spoiled princess, delicate but dangerous in her calculated charm, a girl so rich that even the principal treated her like a fragile vase. Su Yin—the school's living gossip network, the human embodiment of rumor, who could destabilize social order with a single sentence.
Perfect.
Bai Xia approached with a pleasant, almost innocent smile. "Ladies, how would you like to go shopping?"
Both paused, processing the offer. Shopping… with Bai Xia?
The temptation was immediate. Li Guyan raised a brow, calculating potential advantages. Su Yin tilted her head, intrigued by the social leverage she could gain. After a moment, both nodded.
Bai Xia continued, her voice casual, but her eyes sparkled with careful mischief. "I have a friend joining us. She's been… annoying lately. I wish I had somewhere to vent. Anyway, you're going to get anything you like."
The girls froze just long enough to understand. Ahh. So this wasn't just an ordinary outing—this was a carefully orchestrated display.
Instantly, their expressions sharpened. The thrill of participation, of witnessing the upcoming social maneuver, sent their pulses racing.
"Don't worry," they said almost simultaneously, voices rehearsed to sound natural. "We'll shop well."
Bai Xia allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Her plan was unfolding perfectly.
"Good. Bai Gin, Shan Shang… let's see who wins," she said softly, almost as an afterthought, though the challenge hung in the air like a subtle threat.
As she walked toward the exit, her stride confident and deliberate, she glanced over her shoulder. Both Li Guyan and Su Yin exchanged excited glances, already plotting how to navigate this upcoming event for their own advantage. Meanwhile, Bai Gin and Shan Shang, unaware of the intricacies of the game about to unfold, were blissfully stepping into Bai Xia's carefully laid trap.
And somewhere deep inside, Bai Xia felt a surge of satisfaction. Business, social influence, and a little payback—all wrapped neatly in a single afternoon.