Chapter 70: Morning Rift and Hidden Schemes

Having made up her mind, Hua Mu’ai climbed back into bed.

After tossing and turning for half the night, she was exhausted both physically and mentally.

She had barely closed her eyes when, half-asleep, she felt someone else beside her.

A familiar fragrance filled her nose.

A hand gently touched her cheek.

“Qing…”

A whisper so low it seemed to cross time and space, landing by her ear.

Hua Mu’ai snapped her eyes open.

The room was pitch black. No one was beside her.

Only the moon cast a pale white light on the floor through a gap in the curtains.

‘Was it a hallucination?’

Hua Mu’ai touched her cheek. The sensation seemed to linger.

She turned over and wrapped herself tightly in the blanket.

That night was destined to be sleepless.

The next morning.

Hua Mu’ai pushed open the door with dark circles under her eyes.

The living room was filled with the smell of fried eggs.

Hua Mu’ai paused.

Xia Xingyan wasn’t there. It was obvious who had made breakfast.

She took a deep breath and walked to the dining room.

Shen Tinglan was coming out of the kitchen carrying a plate.

Today she wore casual clothes, her hair tied back, looking fresh and capable.

“Good morning, Captain.”

She greeted with a smile, her tone as natural as if nothing had happened last night.

Hua Mu’ai pulled out a chair and sat down, staring at her coldly.

“Did you make this?”

“Since Miss Xia isn’t here, I can’t let the captain go hungry.” Shen Tinglan slid the plate in front of her. “Try it. See if it suits your taste.”

The plate had golden fried eggs, bacon, and two slices of toast.

This was the breakfast style Wanning used to love.

Hua Mu’ai’s anger flared up again.

She picked up her fork and stabbed the egg. The yolk ran out.

“I don’t like things that aren’t fully cooked.”

She threw down the fork, folded her arms, and leaned back in her chair.

“Do it again!”

Shen Tinglan still smiled and nodded.

“Okay, Captain. Wait a moment.”

She picked up the plate and went into the kitchen.

Hua Mu’ai watched her go, feeling as if she had punched cotton. Helpless.

‘Why is she so good-tempered?’

‘Anyone else would have turned hostile by now.’

Soon, Shen Tinglan came out with another plate of breakfast.

This time the egg was fully cooked.

“Captain, try the new one.”

Unable to resist the enthusiasm, Hua Mu’ai picked up her fork and took a bite.

Surprisingly, it tasted great.

The heat was just right. The salty fragrance of bacon blended perfectly with the egg.

“Hmph, barely passable.”

Hua Mu’ai muttered stubbornly, but then started eating heartily.

Shen Tinglan sat across from her, chin resting on one hand, watching quietly.

Her eyes were still so gentle.

Hua Mu’ai felt a chill under her gaze.

“What are you looking at! Never seen someone eat?”

“The way the captain eats is very cute.” Shen Tinglan chuckled.

“Cough!”

Hua Mu’ai nearly choked.

She gulped a mouthful of milk, blushing as she glared at Shen Tinglan.

“Don’t try to get chummy with me. I’m warning you, what happened last night must not happen again.”

“Last night?” Shen Tinglan tilted her head as if confused. “Are you referring to the close-contact check, Captain?”

“You dare bring it up!” Hua Mu’ai slammed the table and stood up.

“It was for the captain’s health.” Shen Tinglan’s smile faded, her tone turning serious. “Your star force fluctuations were abnormal. Without timely intervention, the consequences could be disastrous.”

“I know my own body. No need for you to worry!”

“But…”

“No buts!” Hua Mu’ai cut her off roughly. “From today, without my permission, you are not to set foot in my room or touch me!”

With that, she drained the remaining half glass of milk and stormed back to her room.

Leaving Shen Tinglan alone in the dining room.

Staring at the closed door, the smile in Shen Tinglan’s eyes faded.

“Qing…”

She moved her lips silently.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I can’t tell you the truth now.’

‘To prevent the future of destruction from repeating.’

‘Even if you end up hating me, I won’t regret it.’

‘The Void Abyss’s activities will become more frequent. The monsters lurking in the shadows will bare their fangs at any moment.’

She must speed up the process.

Even if it means using the most extreme methods.

…

Hua Mu’ai knew nothing of her beloved’s worries.

She was lying on her bed, staring at a message from Chu Yuyao on her phone.

“Mu’ai, I got the notification for the next round! Thank you!”

Turning over, Hua Mu’ai looked at the ceiling.

Good. If Wang Kaiming hadn’t let Chu Yuyao advance, she would never have let him off.

The next day, at Holy Sakura Academy, in the Student Council Vice President’s lounge.

Qin Xuzhi had just dried her hair when her phone screen lit up with an incoming call from Chu Yuyao.

She pressed answer, her voice instantly becoming sweet and gentle.

“Yuyao, what’s up?”

On the other end, Chu Yuyao’s voice was excited.

“Senior Xuzhi, I… I got the notification for the next round! I advanced!”

Qin Xuzhi’s smile froze for a moment, but her tone remained pleasantly surprised.

“Really? That’s great! I knew you could do it. Yuyao, you’re amazing.”

After a few more pleasantries, Qin Xuzhi hung up, saying she needed to rest.

She threw her phone onto the sofa.

Qin Xuzhi’s usually gentle face twisted, her eyes filled with malice. She swept the cups off the coffee table, shattering bottles and jars all over the floor.

“How is this possible!”

She ground her teeth and immediately dialed a number.

“Hello? Sister Qin?” a fawning voice came from the phone.

“Find out! Did that bumpkin Chu Yuyao really get the notification?” Qin Xuzhi ordered sharply.

Ten minutes later, the phone rang back.

“Sister Qin, it’s confirmed. Starflare Entertainment just updated the list on their website. Chu Yuyao’s name is indeed on it.”

“How is that possible! With her awful look, dressed like a beggar, are the judges blind? How could she advance!”

“Sister Qin, it… it’s true. I’ve sent you a screenshot of the list.”

Qin Xuzhi hung up, her chest heaving.

She knew exactly what Chu Yuyao was like.

That voice was a gift from heaven. With just a little grooming, she could become a top-tier cash cow in the entertainment industry.

Qin Xuzhi’s family’s Star Entertainment Media was in need of a new star to carry the load.

To firmly grasp this cash cow, Qin Xuzhi had been scheming since Chu Yuyao enrolled.

She secretly instructed Zhang Li to bully Chu Yuyao: knock over her lunchbox, tear her textbooks, trap her in the restroom and insult her.

When Chu Yuyao was pushed to the brink of collapse, Qin Xuzhi would appear like an angel and chase away those delinquents.

This great favor would make Chu Yuyao, who was starved for love, see Qin Xuzhi as her best friend.

That was exactly what Qin Xuzhi wanted.

She wanted Chu Yuyao to be inferior and cowardly, clinging desperately to her and obeying her. When the time was right, she would produce a contract of indenture, and Chu Yuyao would sign it in gratitude.

But now, this pet she had raised in captivity had jumped out of the cage on its own?

Qin Xuzhi’s nails scraped against the glass, producing a harsh sound.

Could it be that the bumpkin had suddenly come to her senses and learned to dress up?

But could Chu Yuyao’s wooden brain really think of that?

There was another possibility.

Someone had seen through Chu Yuyao’s disguise and her great potential, and had cut in front of her!

Qin Xuzhi’s face turned ashen.

Chu Yuyao was the cash cow for her future entertainment empire. She could not let anyone snatch her away!

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