[Haicheng No.4 High School—School Entrance]
As Qiao Ning stepped into the classroom—HUSH.
Silence slammed down like a guillotine. Not the silence of mockery. Not the silence of pity. This time… it was the silence reserved for something dangerous.
Dozens of eyes widened.
Chairs creaked.
Breaths were held.
Qiao Ning walked with calm, steady steps—like a predator entering unfamiliar territory. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Controlled.
Song Xiaoting waved urgently from her seat, "Come fast… you have homework to finish."
Qiao Ning groaned, dragging her hand down her face. "This damn homework…"
But before she could take another step—THUMP.
Someone blocked her path.
Tall. Rigid shoulders. Jaw tight. Eyes burning with confusion and something deeper.
Shen Yacheng.
The air tightened. The classroom held its breath. Qiao Ning looked up—expression sharp and unbothered.
"…Hey, kid," she muttered, voice low and edged like steel. "Do you have a death wish standing in my way—"
