C7

Shi Qian's gaming alias, 'Muh Yuvming,' led everyone in the game to believe she was a man. The group, including Shi Qian, consisted of five members, all top-tier players in the game "Absolute Peak," enjoying immense popularity.

Many fans of 'Muh Yuvming' roamed the school halls, yet none suspected that Shi Qian was behind the moniker. At that moment, another message popped up from the dashing Sky Splitter: "Muh Yuvming, why don't you come out and meet Mr. Xu? He's been missing you like crazy."

Shi Qian replied, "There's a long line of people wanting to meet me. If I were to meet them all, how could I possibly manage?"

The universally handsome Sheng Xu was momentarily speechless, while Lu Sizhe, the Sky Splitter, chuckled, "Ha, I admire that confidence."

Shi Qian chose to ignore them both, setting her phone aside to continue her research.

Lu Sizhe teased Sheng Xu, "Sheng Xu, you haven't fallen for a guy, have you? You're eager to meet a man every day."

Unfazed, Sheng Xu kept his eyes glued to his phone, not even bothering to look up as he retorted, "Buzz off!"

He paused before adding, "I just want to see the face of the person who can beat me. There's no way he's more handsome than I am!"

Three days passed, and Shi Qian had not set foot in school, opting to stay at Monarch Garden instead. In her cozy study, she sat before her computer, tending to her private affairs.

Truth be told, she had self-taught her way through the high school and university curricula during her freshman year of high school. If it weren't for Shaang Sizhan's insistence on her attending Imperial University, she likely would have never gone.

Back at school, Shi Qian's absence for three days sparked a flurry of gossip.

"The school beauty, Shi, hasn't shown up for three days. What's happening? Is it connected to that incident at the restaurant?"

"That's a strong possibility! Rumor has it that Shi Qian is from the countryside. That day, the girl, Wen Yiran, though not from a wealthy family, has a business background. She should have no trouble dealing with someone without any connections."

"Exactly! Shi Qian must have been either beaten up or threatened to never return to school. I didn't expect Wen Yiran to be so cunning."

"Just a simple country girl, isn't it better to live honestly with her tail tucked? Why show off? Now she must be regretting and crying."

"Crying! She probably doesn't even have a place to cry!"

"If Shi Qian stops coming to school, shouldn't we consider replacing the reigning campus beauty? Actually, Shi Muxue from the chemistry department is quite stunning too. I've heard her family background is impressive. She shouldn't be limited to being the beauty of the department; she deserves to be the campus belle."

Shi Muxue sat in the classroom, scrolling through the forum comments on her phone, a smirk playing on her lips.

The following day was Friday.

Having finished her tasks, Shi Qian headed to school.

As soon as she stepped onto campus, she was met with a barrage of curious stares.

"There's Shi Qian. She actually showed up!"

"She's been gone for three days, and now she's back. Do you think she begged Wen Yiran for forgiveness?"

"That's hard to say, but she doesn't look like someone who's been bullied."

"Ha, she's just putting on an act. What else can she do?"

Listening to the whispers around her, Shi Qian realized that her absence had sparked wild rumors.

They thought Wen Yiran had dealt with her.

Unfortunately for them, Wen Yiran wasn't capable of such a thing.

Shi Qian paused, turned to a group of girls, and chuckled, "Quite the imagination you have there. Are you studying to be a screenwriter?"

The girl who had snickered earlier opened her mouth to retort but was quickly silenced and whisked away by her companions.

Shi Qian resumed her walk to the classroom.

By chance, Wen Yiran and Shi Muxue approached from the opposite direction.

It was a classic case of enemies on a narrow road.

Shi Muxue's eyes widened with astonishment upon seeing Shi Qian; she hadn't expected her to return to school.

Shi Qian passed by the pair without a glance.

Shi Muxue turned to Wen Yiran, a look of contempt in her eyes.

She hadn't managed to get rid of Shi Qian. Useless.

It looked like she'd have to take matters into her own hands.

Shi Muxue pulled out her phone, composed a message, and hit send.