That morning, as usual, the entrance of Montclair Elite University , a school located on top of a hill covered in mist and surrounded by ancient pine forests , was once again jam-packed with gleaming supercars lining up to enter the campus. From jet-black Rolls-Royce Ghosts, silver-shining Lamborghini Aventadors, to imposing armored SUVs like Range Rover Autobiography, the whole scene looked like an exclusive car exhibition.
Inside each car were heiresses, rich young masters, young tycoons, or school celebrities stepping out under strict protection and the watchful eyes of the entire school.
But then, something strange happened.
When the black iron gate opened, a girl's figure stepped in gently , no escort vehicle, no bodyguards, no companion.
Only… a light breeze, and that solitary silhouette blending into the fragile morning sunlight among the floating mist at the school gate.
Her long black hair reached her waist, softly wavy like water ripples, bouncing with each step, catching threads of golden sunlight. Her face was like a porcelain doll , smooth white skin, naturally rosy cheeks, red lips like a newly blooming rose, and most strikingly, her bright green eyes, cold, deep, and… emotionless.
The academy uniform was tailored with subtle precision , loose enough to highlight her small waist, yet accentuating an hourglass figure. The short skirt reached mid-thigh, tastefully revealing endlessly long, straight, fair legs, paired with simple black Mary Jane shoes. She didn't hurry, nor did she seem to seek attention, yet all eyes instinctively followed her.
"Who… who is that?"
"A new student? Oh my god, what's with that aura?"
"Pretty like an angel but cold like ice…"
On the second floor of Block A, at the balcony of the International Economics Department, the F4 leaned against the railing, arms crossed, looking down at the bustling courtyard.
Knox raised his eyebrows, took an AirPod out of his ear, and smiled slowly.
"Well… no need to ask, that new student must be her."
Easton rested his chin on his hand, lollipop in his mouth, nodding.
"That kind of coldness… and something not like the usual rich crowd. Intriguing."
Zane licked his lips, his gaze unable to hide his interest.
"Exactly my type of beauty. Leaf-green eyes, wavy black hair, that 'model off-duty' look. Mlem for real."
Only Blacke , nicknamed the "Ice Emperor" , remained standing straight, hands in pockets, eyes sharp as he looked at the girl below. No expression, but his gaze was so deep it was almost frightening.
As the girl walked past a group of foreign male students sitting near the walkway, a blond guy smirked and stepped up.
"Hey beautiful, can I get your number? Or do you like big motorbikes?"
She stopped for exactly one second, turned her head to look at him with eyes as lifeless as stone… then walked straight away.
The entire courtyard erupted.
"Damn, she ignored him!"
"That guy's famous for picking up girls, and she didn't even give him a chance!"
"Who the hell is she to be that badass!?"
On the balcony above, the F4 chuckled softly. Zane whistled. Easton raised his hand as if to "applaud the welcome," while Knox winked at Blacke:
"I bet… she's going to drive the Shanghai princesses insane."
At that very moment, the group of six Shanghai heiresses arrived. Leading was Xiao-Yu, flanked by Zhao Feiyan, Min Qian, Li Xia, Chen Yuling, and Tiffany Wei , all already famous in the school for their model-like beauty and origins from China's largest fashion, real estate, and commerce conglomerates.
Xiao-Yu sneered, stepping closer to the girl and speaking sweetly as if pouring honey, but every word laced with mockery:
"Oh, the uniform suits you. But it seems not everyone should wear a skirt that short before knowing Montclair's rules, right?"
Zhao Feiyan frowned:
"The semester's halfway through, and you got into the elite class? Do you know the acceptance rate for that class is 1:100? Who do you know?"
Chen Yuling smiled gently but challengingly:
"We're just curious, you know. Because… this isn't a place just anyone can 'walk into like it's their backyard'."
The whole courtyard held its breath. Everyone waited to see how this new student would respond. An unknown girl, with no visible family background, daring to "stand on the front line" against the top-tier heiress clique of Montclair?
But she only stopped, turned back. Her leaf-green eyes locked onto the group, gaze sharp as a scalpel on frozen stone.
Her voice was clear, soft like a stream, but each word cut like a blade:
"I like walking. That's the one thing you can't buy with your parents' money."
"…"
Each word rang out crisp, precise, utterly still… and instantly exploded like a bomb in the courtyard.
"WTF???"
"What did she just say!?"
"That line was TOO good!!!"
"Girl war just kicked off…"
Xiao-Yu's face drained of color, eyes wide. The rest of the heiresses were speechless.
Up on the second floor, the F4 laughed out loud.
Knox smirked:
"Cold, smart, and she knows where to stab… she's really interesting."
Zane patted Blacke's shoulder, whispering:
"That girl… is the new riddle of the academy. Let's have some fun."
The bell signaling the first class rang, and students simultaneously stepped into the classroom. International Economics Class A1 was known for gathering the top-performing students… and the most powerful family backgrounds of Montclair Elite.
Knox sat with his legs crossed at the second-to-last desk, lazily scrolling through his phone when his F4 friends Blacke, Caelum, Easton, and Zane ,walked in one after another, their charisma as striking as always. They still hadn't stopped talking about the mysterious girl from this morning.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open.
Aurora walked in.
Immediately, the room fell into an unusual silence. The head lecturer, Ms. Evans, smiled faintly before stepping to the center of the podium.
"Everyone, today we have a new student."
"She is a special transfer student directly appointed by the board of directors. Her name is Aurora…"
Before the lecturer could continue, a sharp female voice came from the front row:
"Transferring in the middle of the semester? There must be something shady going on." – Xiao-Yu, one of the six Shanghai heiresses, said mockingly with her legs crossed.
"That's right. No one has ever been admitted mid-semester, unless… they have someone backing them." Li Xia, also a Chinese heiress, sneered, her eyes scanning Aurora from head to toe.
"And those eyes, green irises? Wearing colored contact lenses during the day is a uniform violation ,lecturer, aren't you going to say something?" Tiffany Wei chimed in, her lips curling in ridicule.
"And that skirt is shorter than the regulations. Trying to seduce someone?" Min Qian, another heiress, taunted, glancing toward the F4's desks.
The air in the classroom felt thick. All eyes turned toward Aurora, the girl who stood silently, her face devoid of expression.
The lecturer was about to defend the new student, but Aurora gently touched Ms. Evans's shoulder light as a breeze, yet her gaze was razor sharp.
Aurora took a step forward, standing tall, eyes locked on the group of heiresses.
"Length doesn't define class. But the way you judge others says everything about yours."
"And if you're trying to drag me down just because you feel yourselves being overshadowed… then please, try harder. I'm not in the habit of looking down when I speak."
The whole class: "Oooooh…!"
The F4 froze, then chuckled lightly.
Zane whispered:
"Cold… like a razor blade across the face."
Easton nodded:
"I'm starting to see why the whole academy is in an uproar over her."
Caelum let out a long whistle.
Blacke, who rarely showed emotion, tilted his head slightly, his eyes darkening, but the corner of his lips curled. "Interesting."
Ms. Evans cleared her throat softly, then said:
"Aurora, your seat will be the last one, by the window."
The class collectively dropped their jaws.
Because… that was the F4's territory.
Specifically, it was next to Blacke Virell's right side the man famous for never letting anyone sit beside him except the other three members of the group.
The heiresses looked like they were sitting on hot coals. Chen Yuling stood up to protest, but the combined glares from the lecturer and the F4 shut her up immediately.
Aurora walked toward the back.
Each step was smooth, cold, yet confident.
She pulled out the chair, rested her chin on her hand, and gazed out the window, completely ignoring the four brightest boys in the room.
After a few seconds of silence, Zane leaned back:
"Aurora, right? Beautiful name. I'm Zane, lover of smiles and morning sunshine. If you need someone to show you around, I'd be more than happy…"
No response.
Easton laughed:
"You talk like this academy is a resort… But hey, Aurora, tonight we're having a small bar party. If you like music, cocktails, and neon lights, you could join us."
No response.
Knox glanced over and smirked:
"Don't be too stuck-up, maybe you just don't know who we are yet…"
Aurora didn't look at anyone. She simply closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly.
Blacke finally spoke, his voice deep and authoritative:
"Do you know you're causing me trouble?"
Aurora turned, locking her emerald gaze on Blacke's ice-gray eyes.
"I think… you're the ones disturbing me."
The whole class practically exploded.
Easton slammed the desk:
"Oh damn. I surrender."
Zane shook his head in awe:
"We just met destiny."
Blacke's eyes never left Aurora's face.
A strange expression flashed across them , no longer curiosity, but something… more dangerous.
The atmosphere in International Economics A1 was unusually tense that day. Ever since Aurora sat beside the F4, both male and female students couldn't stop staring toward the back. Their gazes were full of jealousy, curiosity, and even admiration.
Dr. Roland, a man in his fifties with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes, adjusted his glasses and began the lecture.
Dr. Roland: "We will begin today's topic: International investment strategies in unstable markets. First, I want to ask a simple opening question…"
His eyes swept the room, momentarily pausing on Aurora, as if even he couldn't resist her intriguing presence. But then, he shifted.
Dr. Roland: "Knox Virell, tell me ,what is the key factor in maintaining the stock value of a multinational corporation when the global market falls into a financial crisis?"
Knox (leaning back, lazy yet confident): "Trust. Investor trust is what keeps stock prices stable, not the balance sheet."
Dr. Roland: "Good answer, very good."
Some female students looked at Knox dreamily. But Knox's gaze slid to his left, where Aurora sat, taking notes without the slightest interest in his performance.
Zane (whispering from behind): "Knox, you've lost your touch. Back then, girls would faint after you answered."
Easton (smirking): "Is this girl bulletproof? Or does she not know who you are?"
Blacke (deep voice, tilting his head slightly toward Aurora): "Or… she just doesn't care."
Aurora remained expressionless. No smile, no nod. No one knew what she was thinking.
In the front row, the Shanghai heiresses began whispering, their voices dripping with mockery.
Xiao-Yu: "Look at her taking notes, pretending to be some academic genius?"
Min Qian: "I heard she has no clear family background. Ridiculous, how could the school admit someone mid-semester without a background check?"
Zhao Feilay: "Someone must be covering for her. Green eyes, pale skin, short skirt… probably using the beauty trap."
Min Qian: "Careful, you might see her at the bar tonight with one of the F4."
Tiffany Wei: "If she actually worms her way into the F4, I swear I'll…"
Aurora (without turning around, her voice light as a feather yet sharp as a blade):
"There are things others can have without scheming. If you've tried everything to stand out and still no one remembers your name, the fault isn't with others."
The class: "…"
The lecturer nearly dropped his pen. The F4 turned instantly toward Aurora like they'd just seen a meteor crash into the room.
Easton (mouth agape): "Holy…"
Zane: "She just… headshotted the entire Shanghai team?"
Blacke (soft chuckle, eyes glinting with interest): "Smart. Bold. Knows how to play with words. I'm starting to enjoy this."
The Shanghai heiresses fell silent. Some male students nodded in impressed approval.
Dr. Roland (clapping, smiling): "I think… this is the perfect moment to invite our new student to share her perspective."
Aurora stood, walking gracefully to the podium. The room was silent. Her cold voice rang out:
Aurora: "When the market collapses, the key factor is not trust, not predictions, but control. Control the information, control the capital flow, and if necessary… control the competition."
The entire class exchanged glances, as if slapped awake from a dream.
Dr. Roland (nodding, his gaze complex): "An interesting… and accurate perspective."
Aurora returned to her seat, passing the four stunned faces of the F4 without sparing them a glance. She sat down, once again looking out the window.
Knox: "Did she just refute me?"
Easton: "And did it flawlessly."
Zane: "What kind of girl talks like a mafia CEO?"
Blacke (low voice): "I don't like anyone sitting in that window seat. But… she might be the exception."
The bell for recess rang. Aurora packed her notebook into her bag and stood up. As she passed the F4, Knox couldn't resist lightly blocking her path:
Knox: "Hey, Aurora, tonight we're hanging out at Bar Hallowed. Want to come with us?"
Aurora lifted her eyes to meet Knox's, her emerald gaze making his heart stutter for a second. Then she said, her voice thin as mist:
Aurora: "Not fond of noise."
She walked away.
Easton: "God… I'm done for."
Blacke (muttering): "Don't bother me…"