Unexpected Scores and a Snowy Encounter

whispered into Lin Yi’s ear.

“Little Yi, I heard your exam results are out. What did you score?”

Lin Yi’s thoughtful expression froze upon hearing this. He looked up at Lin Yiting’s demon-like gaze, a bone-chilling coldness rising within him.

“Hahaha, Sister, they’re here.”

With that, Lin Yi opened his phone’s photo album and respectfully handed it to Lin Yiting.

Taking the phone, Lin Yiting’s eyes widened when she saw the scores displayed.

“Did you cheat?”

She spoke almost instinctively, already preparing to grab something.

Lin Yiting had seen Lin Yi’s previous monthly exam scores. While they had improved significantly, they were never as outrageous as today’s, where he scored eighty or ninety in almost every subject.

It was important to remember that the highest score for a single subject at Xinshi Private High School was only 120, and this applied only to a few core subjects. Other subjects were scored out of 100.

For Lin Yi, who usually had mediocre grades, such rapid improvement truly left Lin Yiting bewildered.

“No, Sister, this was the final exam. How could I possibly cheat?”

Lin Yi quickly explained. His lower scores in previous monthly exams were because he had only recently transmigrated and was unfamiliar with the exam system and his previous way of thinking.

Now, after this period, he had thoroughly mastered the knowledge taught in this world, hence his rapid progress.

Seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, Lin Yiting didn’t press the matter further.

Whether he cheated or not, the scores were already finalized, and there was no point in investigating now.

“I hope you’re not lying to me.”

“Hehe, how could I lie to my dear sister?”

“Smart mouth!”

Lin Yiting glared at Lin Yi before huffing and returning to her bedroom.

Lin Yi rubbed his nose, then settled onto the sofa and played a few rounds of mobile games, a pastime he hadn’t indulged in for a while.

****

On both sides of the dim road, oppressive high-rise buildings loomed. A long-haired girl strolled leisurely along the extended street.

She wore the winter uniform of Xinshi Private High School, a delicate, small women’s backpack slung over her shoulder, and a joyful smile graced her face.

Compared to the summer uniform, the winter version exuded less vibrancy and more solemnity.

The gray short skirt was replaced by deep blue trousers, and the white sailor suit by a dark blue jacket. Although these clothes weren’t particularly aesthetic, they offered protection against the biting cold wind outside.

In truth, this uniform was rarely worn at Xinshi Private High School, as the weather was usually warm, making it uncomfortable. Today’s snowfall, however, was the first in several decades.

Sparse snowflakes drifted onto her, not melting, but instead covering her in a layer of white, making her appear like an elf in the snow.

The light snow arrived and departed quickly. Before the girl had taken two steps, the snowflakes transformed into rain.

A fine drizzle pattered against her, and the melting snowflakes gradually turned into raindrops, seeping into the deep blue fabric.

The street grew increasingly deserted. A little further ahead was the designated pickup spot for private cars.

She could have had her private car drive to the school gate, but she disliked drawing attention.

Rather than boringly riding in a private car alone, Qin Ruoxue preferred to walk a short distance with Lin Yi.

Therefore, she usually instructed her driver to wait at that specific location. Even with the snow today, the custom remained unchanged.

As she walked, a chilling gust of wind seeped into her collar. Qin Ruoxue shivered, glancing left and right, feeling as if someone was following her.

Without much thought, Qin Ruoxue dismissed it as a mere illusion. Yet, as she rounded a corner, a prickle of cold apprehension rose in her heart.

Before her lay a deserted alley, a convenient shortcut.

However, the streetlights here had broken a few days ago, plunging the area into gloomy shadows, making the path ahead invisible.

Being a girl, it was natural for Qin Ruoxue to feel some apprehension towards darkness.

Just as she pondered whether to take that route, a sudden powerful force from behind kicked her directly into the dark alley.

Behind her, the silver-haired girl smiled eerily, a small, sharp dagger clutched in her hand.

Qin Ruoxue was startled into a daze, and seeing the dagger lunge, she remained motionless.

Only when the blade was about to graze her neck did Qin Ruoxue barely manage to shift her body, narrowly dodging the attack.

*Clang!*

The dagger didn’t stop, clashing against the asphalt ground with a sharp ring.

The sharp tip was chipped, and the girl’s movements faltered for a half-beat.

Seizing this opportunity, Qin Ruoxue shoved the silver-haired girl away, quickly got to her feet, and widened the distance between them.

She clutched her fiercely pounding heart, beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead.

It was truly a narrow escape; if not for her body’s instinctive reaction, that dagger could have claimed Qin Ruoxue’s life.

Her gaze returned to the silver-haired girl, and Qin Ruoxue clenched her fists. Although the surrounding light was dim, she had seen the girl’s face during their brief skirmish.

“You’re… Chen Sishi?”

Chen Sishi raised her head, her aqua-blue eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Ahaha, quick on the uptake, aren’t we?”

She toyed with the small dagger in her hand, its blade reflecting the distant streetlights like a pair of icy eyes.

“Chen Sishi, what do you want?”

Qin Ruoxue stared vigilantly at the silver-haired girl, already prepared to flee.

“Huh? What do I want? Isn’t it obvious? As long as I kill you, Lin Yi will only have me.”

Chen Sishi’s smile became even more twisted as the dagger in her hand suddenly lunged towards Qin Ruoxue’s vital points.

“Lunatic!”

Qin Ruoxue cursed under her breath, sidestepped the blade, and grabbed Chen Sishi’s slender arm.

Her physical prowess was far superior to an average girl’s; even with a dagger in Chen Sishi’s hand, it would be difficult to harm her.

Controlled, Chen Sishi showed no panic; instead, a cunning smile appeared on her face.

She knew she couldn’t match Qin Ruoxue, whose physical strength was even better than an average boy’s—a fact she had long been aware of.

Therefore, she had a second plan.

A silver glint flashed from her cuff, and a syringe plunged directly into Qin Ruoxue’s arm. The syringe was small, only as thick as an index finger.

Inside the transparent tube, a pristine white liquid slowly flowed—the same substance that had previously knocked Lin Yi unconscious.

Chen Sishi had waited for this moment for a long time. Her uncontrolled hand pressed firmly on the syringe, attempting to inject all the medicine.

Qin Ruoxue’s pupils constricted, but it was too late to withdraw her arm.

One-third of the white liquid had entered. Based on the amount used to incapacitate Lin Yi before, this was enough to put Qin Ruoxue to sleep for a while.

However, Qin Ruoxue suddenly burst with strength. She pushed Chen Sishi away with a palm strike and quickly widened the distance.

Qin Ruoxue leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

Although the syringe had been pulled out, the drug had already entered her bloodstream and would soon spread throughout her body.

Her consciousness grew increasingly hazy. Qin Ruoxue felt as if her body was floating, and she was only forcefully maintaining her awareness to avoid collapsing.

Chen Sishi was somewhat bewildered by the blow. By all accounts, Qin Ruoxue should have been incapacitated. Yet, she still stood there, which was quite baffling.

A thought of retreat bloomed in her mind; she had only prepared this much for the confrontation. If she prolonged it, the outcome of who lived and who died would be uncertain.

“Miss? Are… are you there?”

Just then, a middle-aged man’s voice echoed from deep within the dim alley. It was likely Qin Ruoxue’s driver, coming to pick her up.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Chen Sishi gritted her teeth, ultimately deciding to withdraw first.

As Chen Sishi left, Qin Ruoxue’s taut nerves relaxed, and she collapsed to the ground with a thud.