Chapter 66: Conversation

“You’re pretty active these days.”

Inside the cafe’s private room, Fu Mingxuan was scrolling through Jiangzhou University’s Forum, where a newly posted thread had rocketed to fourth on the trending list.

“‘Financial Goddess parachutes into the School of Electrical Engineering, shocking everyone with her erudition? Turns out you know about electrical engineering too?'”

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his tone.

“Just a little.”

Yu Qing smiled serenely, scooping a sugar cube into her coffee and stirring gently.

Since the start of training, she’d made a conscious effort to familiarize herself with the taste of coffee.

Etiquette Class also included lessons on coffee etiquette, and after so many days, she’d made some progress.

As Fu Yi, a daily cup of coffee helped keep her mind clear for work—an important part of the role.

“Modesty is a good habit.”

Fu Mingxuan smiled.

“People like that rarely act on their own and don’t cause trouble for others behind their backs.”

His words were clearly pointed, but Yu Qing showed no sign of unease.

She didn’t reply, simply stirring her coffee in an unhurried rhythm.

Soft piano music flowed through the cafe, the air filled with the rich aroma of coffee beans.

The girl’s elegant movements melded seamlessly with the atmosphere, forming a beautiful scene.

Fu Mingxuan put down his phone, picked up his black coffee, and took a sip, his gaze falling on Yu Qing as she stirred her cup gracefully.

“It seems Miss Wen Wan truly teaches well.”

A gentle smile lingered on his lips, but behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were devoid of warmth.

“The way you are now, you resemble my overbearing little sister more and more—even stirring up attention in the classroom. Honestly, if this were ancient times, this face could truly upend nations.”

“Not just a mere classroom—even the entire school is nothing but a cage for you, isn’t it?”

Not necessarily.

Forget the school—even the Academy required careful consideration.

After two weeks of classes, Yu Qing had only managed to raise her etiquette level, picking up some basic acting skills along the way.

As for inner growth—

It existed, and it wasn’t insignificant.

Under Wen Wan’s Eavesdropping and Subtle Influence, Yu Qing’s own spirit was infected, naturally becoming less introverted.

But she still lacked real experience, and didn’t have enough confidence in her heart.

Her striking behavior and aura in the classroom had been deliberately put on, appearing calm on the surface, but with nervousness beneath.

The goal, of course, was to make an even bigger impact and draw Mei Xue’s attention.

Even as Fu Mingxuan spoke, Yu Qing’s stirring remained steady.

She lifted her eyes, ancient and deep, a hint of languid boredom within.

She spoke softly.

“Cousin, you’re joking. Classroom matters among students are nothing but petty squabbles—compared to what you’ve done, they hardly count for anything.”

The clear voice entered Fu Mingxuan’s ears.

On the surface, Yu Qing’s words praised him, but in truth, they mocked his ruthless methods.

Fu Mingxuan smiled, neither affirming nor denying.

He glanced at the time; the small talk had run its course.

Leaning forward, he clasped his hands under his chin, his tone suddenly solemn and gentle.

“I’ve received a Message—thanks to you, Xiao Yi has already noticed this Fake’s reappearance at school. With her personality, she would never sit by and do nothing.”

“Our job is to act before she’s ready!”

“We could have prepared longer, but now, we have to move sooner.”

Yu Qing automatically filtered out the irrelevant details, nodding in understanding.

She knew the real reason for this meeting had finally arrived.

She set down her coffee, the porcelain clinking against the saucer.

Her hands folded on her lap, eyes fixed on Fu Mingxuan, she assumed a posture of serious listening.

Wen Wan had taught her that the stance of a focused Listener could greatly lower a person’s guard.

Yu Qing didn’t know if it worked on Fu Mingxuan, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.

“The plan isn’t complicated. The key is you.”

Fu Mingxuan gazed at her obedient appearance, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes before calmness returned.

“You need to keep acting as Fu Yi within the school, drawing her attention—go to the places she frequents and do things only she would do.”

“These actions will make her feel you’re interfering in her life, investigating her past. No matter your intent, it’ll only make her more desperate to catch you.”

“In addition, you need to leave ‘accidental’ weaknesses for Xiao Yi to find, again and again.”

“For example, let her think you prefer to act alone. That will greatly increase the chances of her sending someone to capture you directly.”

Here, Fu Mingxuan paused, watching Yu Qing’s face closely, unafraid of causing discomfort, simply smiling as he observed.

Yu Qing felt a slight physical unease from his gaze, but her quickly learned etiquette skills allowed her to keep it hidden, revealing only a slight frown—just enough to show concern.

“Isn’t that too risky? If she really sends people to capture me, what countermeasures do you have—”

“It’s about making her believe there’s a chance to catch you.”

Fu Mingxuan cut her off, his tone carrying the confidence of someone in control.

The usual gentle smile twisted slightly, but he didn’t mind, continuing.

“She’ll suspect it’s a Trap, but your mere existence is a challenge and threat to her. With her arrogant and suspicious nature, she’ll send people to test and confirm again and again.”

“Our job is to let her actions fail, time after time—testing her nerves, amplifying her doubts and anxiety, until she’s convinced she must act personally or mobilize her Core Force to ensure absolute victory.”

Fu Mingxuan gently swirled his coffee, the brown-black liquid rotating in the cup.

His gaze remained locked on Yu Qing, the previous confidence receding, replaced by his original calm.

“And throughout this, I’ll do everything I can to intensify her impatience.”

“Remember the people I introduced you to the other day? They’re minor heads of small enterprises under Xiao Yi. Imagine when this Message reaches her ears—trust me, she won’t sit still.”

Fu Mingxuan lowered his voice, a trace of icy temptation seeping in—dangerous and chilling.

“We’ll prepare the perfect place for her to act.”

“A location that seems hidden and convenient, but is completely under our control.”

“When the time comes, the people she sends to capture you—no, she’ll come herself. And then, she’ll walk straight into the net.”

Yu Qing listened in silence, her heart beating steadily.

Fu Mingxuan’s plan sounded reasonable, with feasible steps, placing Yu Qing as bait, fully utilizing his style of hidden knives behind polite smiles.

But from his words, she also sensed several missing pieces.

Fu Mingxuan hadn’t specified what the perfect location needed, nor detailed how he would deploy people or the timing of the operation.

He hadn’t even explained why he was so sure Mei Xue would fall for his scheme and step into his Trap.

He only provided a framework—the most crucial details remained vague.

Yu Qing had expected this.

Fu Mingxuan would never disclose all information to her.

She cooperated, displaying tension and resolve on her face, hiding the irony in her heart, and nodded.

“I understand. I’ll do as you say.”

With that, Yu Qing lifted her coffee, her fingertips steady, sipping lightly.

The bitter taste spread across her tongue, sharpening her mind.

She truly didn’t enjoy drinks lacking sweetness.

“But which areas I should move in, and what flaws I should reveal, will require your assistance to judge, Cousin.”

“After all, I know nothing about Mei Xue’s daily habits.”

Yu Qing cleverly returned some control to him—letting him take the lead while extracting more about Fu Mingxuan’s intelligence network.

A sharp glint flickered in Fu Mingxuan’s eyes.

Almost without pause, he smiled and nodded.

“Of course. I’ll have Chen Jing assist you. The contact method is the usual—communicate if anything happens.”

He agreed quickly, but Yu Qing knew this so-called cooperation and communication would also be filtered and controlled by him.

Most of what would reach her would only be superficial information—barely any true intel to be gained.

Not that Yu Qing ever counted on turning the tables through his mistakes.

Afterward, the two discussed some minor details.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but undercurrents churned beneath the surface.

Fu Mingxuan maintained his refined composure throughout—hidden daggers in his smile, every word intended to deceive and guide Yu Qing.

Yu Qing, meanwhile, perfectly played the Listener, agreeing with every word, but letting it pass through one ear and out the other—never believing a syllable.

As the conversation wound down, Fu Mingxuan glanced at his wristwatch and rose elegantly.

“That will be all for now. I have a meeting in an hour. Xiao Yi, be careful.”

He extended his hand, as if to pat Yu Qing’s shoulder in encouragement.

Almost simultaneously, Yu Qing shifted to retrieve her handbag beside her, naturally evading his touch.

She stood up, a distant smile on her face.

“Same to you, Cousin. May all go well.”

Fu Mingxuan’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before he casually withdrew it, his smile unchanging.

“I’ll take that as a blessing.”

He gave Yu Qing a long look, then turned and walked away at a measured pace.

Watching his back disappear through the cafe’s door, Yu Qing’s faint smile faded, her eyes growing calm and deep as a bottomless pool.

She sat back down, fingers unconsciously rubbing the cool wall of her coffee cup.

Fu Mingxuan’s plan was essentially to make her a decoy, drawing fire—all risks falling on her, while he lurked in the shadows, ready to collect the spoils.

If it succeeded, he claimed the prize; if it failed, she became a disposable pawn.

But Yu Qing had no intention of sitting still.

If Fu Mingxuan wanted to use her as bait, couldn’t she just as well use his resources and plans?

If he hid his core information, did she not have her own cards?

Yu Qing finished the last of her now-cold coffee, the bitter liquid sliding down her throat, a faint, icy curve forming at her lips.

The board was set, the pieces in place.

Fu Mingxuan believed himself the player, but she would let him know—even a piece can bite back.

This drama was only beginning.

She set down her cup with a crisp sound—a silent declaration of war.