The bonfire barbecue party was captured by several female classmates and posted on social media.
After finishing her piano practice, Rong Ruoyao opened her phone and came across a photo shared by a girl from Class Twenty.
The picture showed a beautiful, expansive lawn, an exquisitely prepared roasted lamb, a lavish spread of barbecue dishes, colorful desserts and drinks, a blazing bonfire… and a group photo of the Class Twenty students.
The caption read: "Celebrating our class’s Rong Yu taking first place—woohoo!"
Rong Ruoyao nearly choked on her breath, biting her tongue so hard it almost bled.
This bonfire party felt like a slap in the face to her.
After all, she was supposed to be the one in first place!
Rong Ruoyao opened the online voting page set up by the program team. In just a few short hours, her votes had surged to over 60,000, putting her in the lead.
Rong Yu’s votes, on the other hand, were much lower—just over 10,000.
She had been right all along—among this batch of contestants, she was the most popular.
But when she checked again the next morning, Rong Yu’s name was glaringly displayed in the top spot.
Rong Yu had somehow amassed over 200,000 votes.
Meanwhile, Rong Ruoyao only had a little over 100,000.
Being so far behind Rong Yu felt like another stinging humiliation, leaving her utterly mortified.
"She must have cheated," Rong Ruoyao muttered, biting her lower lip. "Mom, I need to buy votes too."
Shen Lin frowned. "The voting system set up by the Ji Corporation can accurately filter out artificial vote manipulation. Her popularity must genuinely be that high."
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken first place in the audience popularity rankings either.
Though she had no affection for her stepdaughter, Shen Lin had to admit—from an objective standpoint—Rong Yu’s three stage performances had been outstanding. Luck played a part, but talent was the real reason she had captured the audience’s attention.
"Ruoyao, I’ll say it again—you should focus on securing every resource within your reach," Shen Lin advised. "If Rong Yu has the spotlight, then ride on her coattails. There’s no shame in that."
Rong Ruoyao lifted her gaze. "What if Rong Yu’s scandal gets exposed?"
Shen Lin paused. "What kind of scandal?"
"Living with her boyfriend in high school, staying out overnight," Rong Ruoyao said, a smirk curling her lips. "Would that count as a scandal?"
Shen Lin was taken aback. "Is that true?"
"I checked with the girls in her dorm. Rong Yu’s bed has been empty all this time—she’s never spent a single night there," Rong Ruoyao said. "If we can get proof that she’s living with a man…"
"No, no, I don’t agree with this approach," Shen Lin shook her head. "You and Rong Yu share the same surname. No matter what conflicts exist between you, outsiders will see you as sisters. If the older sister has a tarnished reputation, people will naturally assume the younger sister is the same."
Rong Ruoyao fell silent.
By the end of Sunday, Rong Yu’s votes had surpassed 500,000.
By Monday morning, they were nearing a million.
Rong Ruoyao, meanwhile, had barely crossed 200,000.
She knew all too well—there was no way to overtake Rong Yu now.
Unless Rong Yu could be taken down.
Stepping out of the Rong family car, she immediately spotted Rong Yu walking side by side with Ji Zhouye.
Ji Zhouye was carrying Rong Yu’s backpack for her, and after she finished a cup of soy milk, he eagerly took it from her and tossed it into the trash.
Just then, a boy pushed past Rong Ruoyao and rushed up to Rong Yu.
He held something out to her with both hands.
Rong Yu blinked in surprise. "What’s this?"
"Rong Yu, your singing and dancing were amazing! I’m completely blown away!" The boy’s face was beet red as he shouted, "I like you, Rong Yu! Will you be my girlfr—mmph!"
Ji Zhouye clamped a hand over his mouth. "The hell? You think I don’t exist?"
The boy looked aggrieved. "I asked around in Class Twenty! They said you two aren’t dating!"
"Did your parents not teach you that high schoolers aren’t allowed to date?" Ji Zhouye punched him lightly on the shoulder before glaring at the onlookers. "Listen up—anyone who tries to pursue Rong Yu is interfering with her studies. Be prepared to receive a challenge letter from me, Ji Zhouye!"
The boys who had been considering making a move immediately scattered.
From a distance, Rong Ruoyao was fuming.
She used to be the one receiving public confessions as the school’s beauty. When had Rong Yu taken her place?
How had a returnee from the countryside like Rong Yu become the most talked-about figure in their school?
The resentment sat heavy in her chest, impossible to swallow.
After Monday’s evening self-study session, Rong Ruoyao left the school and got into the Rong family car.
Just as the driver was about to start the engine, she spoke coldly, "Wait. Don’t rush."
She lingered at the gate until she finally saw Rong Yu and Ji Zhouye emerge together. Ji Zhouye was still playing the role of an eager follower, practically tripping over himself to please her.
The two of them headed toward the lakeside villa area near the school.
Rong Ruoyao knew Ji Zhouye’s grandfather had bought him a villa there. Were they living together?
"Follow them," she ordered.
The driver stepped on the gas, keeping the car close to the curb as they trailed the pair.
She watched as Ji Zhouye and Rong Yu stopped in front of a villa. Parked outside was an extravagant car—she didn’t recognize the brand, but her instincts told her it was worth a fortune.
Ji Zhouye pressed the car key, opening the door for Rong Yu before circling around to the driver’s seat.
The car pulled out of the villa area.
Rong Ruoyao frowned.
Where were they going so late at night?
Did they not actually live there?
She took a deep breath. "Keep following."
Ji Zhouye was bragging to Rong Yu, "I scored over 90 on today’s math quiz. Going from 10 to 90 means I must’ve inherited at least a little of your genius, right, Great-Grandma? Wait—"
He narrowed his eyes at the rearview mirror. "Well, well. Someone’s tailing us. Great-Grandma, is this one of your obsessive fans?"
Rong Yu looked puzzled. "What’s an obsessive fan?"
"Even the great Rong Yu has knowledge gaps. Good, now I feel better." Ji Zhouye clicked his tongue. "Daring to follow me? Let me teach them the meaning of regret."
He suddenly floored the accelerator, speeding forward.
Rong Ruoyao’s driver grew nervous. "Second Young Miss, it’s already very late. We should head back—"
"No. Keep following," Rong Ruoyao insisted. "If you lose them, I’ll have Mom fire you."
The driver had no choice but to comply.
The car abruptly turned onto a less-traveled road filled with large trucks. The vehicle ahead was moving at breakneck speed, and in his haste, the driver swerved sharply—only to find the other car parked on the roadside. He slammed the brakes and jerked the wheel, sending their car crashing into the guardrail.
Rong Ruoyao’s head smacked against the window, leaving her dazed for a few seconds.
Then the car door was yanked open.
"Well, well. Look who decided to stalk me—none other than the school’s beauty, Rong Ruoyao. Didn’t know you had such refined hobbies."
Ji Zhouye leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a cold smirk on his lips.
It took Rong Ruoyao a moment to regain her composure. "I wasn’t following you," she said weakly. "I just wanted to ask my sister Rong Yu to come home with me. But your car kept speeding up, so it turned into a misunderstanding…"
Ji Zhouye couldn’t be bothered to listen to her nonsense. "Whatever you’re trying to do, remember this—there won’t be a next time. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to humiliate you in front of the entire school."
With that, he turned and walked away.
He got into the car, slammed the door shut, and sped off in a cloud of dust.
From start to finish, Rong Yu never stepped out of the vehicle.
