Alongside Su Wanli’s firm and resolute declaration came the ringing of Baiying Academy’s class bell.
And an inexplicable burst of cheers….
“Good! Make Meng Huange pay the price! Show her what’s what!”
The three subordinates standing before Su Wanli broke into applause.
… Xingran hadn’t expected this reaction, but since each of them was so supportive, it was a good sign.
However, gazing into the clear and innocent eyes of these three, Su Wanli began to feel worried about the future.
Could she really complete the System’s bullying mission relying on their questionable conduct?
If Meng Huange dealt with things too easily, would that mean she failed the mission…?
In response to her worries came a reassuring System notification tone:
[Host Meng Han has successfully completed today’s third Main Mission: The Hidden Conspiracy in the Shadows.]
[Facing Meng Wange, who can calmly counterattack at any time, Su Wanli deeply realizes that the real problem lies in Meng Huange’s vigilance towards her.]
[This time, she has planted her conspiracy onto three unremarkable people—surely this will make Meng Wange look ridiculous.]
[Villainess Disguise Proficiency: Standard]
[Rewards will be settled after the series of missions concludes.]
Beep? So this mission doesn’t even require waiting for the others to produce results? Once she sets it up, it’s over?
Su Wanli silently scratched her nose.
Well, fine. That’s better—it saves her from having to closely monitor their actions later.
“…Alright, the class bell is about to stop ringing, let’s head back to the classroom.”
Leading the way, Su Wanli ascended the stairs while turning back to add one last instruction to them—
“Show me your results before noon today.”
“Understood!”
Upstairs, inside the classroom labeled Class Three, Year Two—
A tall, brown-haired girl stood next to Su Wanli’s desk, squinting out the window and quietly sighing.
Just after class had ended, Xiaohua Teacher had let out a relieved breath on the podium, said nothing more, and walked out of the classroom.
After that, Meng Huange had wanted to hand her neatly organized notebook to Su Wanli so she could see what had been accomplished during class, but before she could speak, Su Wanli coldly stood up and waved at the three classmates sitting in the last row, then headed out of the classroom.
…So that’s it. Are these Su Wanli’s friends at school?
Or are they, like back at the Orphanage, just a small group revolving around Su Wanli?
Heh, makes sense. After all, given the power of the Su family, it would be odd if Su Wanli had few subordinates at a place like Baiying Academy.
Meng Wange quietly watched the three shadows trailing behind Su Wanli as they left.
Pink hair, tall figure, and one with very long bangs…
It seemed the three who had been spying on her near the fountain before class this morning were exactly these three.
Since they were Su Wanli’s subordinates, that was good—it meant they probably bore no ill will toward her…
Yet, for some reason, Meng Huange felt an inexplicable unease growing in her heart.
Perhaps it was a kind of danger instinct. If Su Wanli had others she could rely on, her own position would never be so secure.
Moreover…
…Recalling how Su Xiaoli had left just now without looking back, Meng Huange’s anxiety started to swell.
Had she done something wrong? Or was there something about her that displeased Su Wanli?
Had her self-introduction been too flashy? Or was trying to connect with Su Xiaoli during class the wrong approach?
Maybe she should slow down, let Su Wanli calm down first, and once her mood improved, try to repair the relationship between her and those three…
No, no…
Her head was burning. Meng Huange silently pressed her hand to her forehead, then glanced toward where Su Wanli had been staring.
Nearby stood a towering tree whose branches nearly stretched inside the window; in the distance, a range of mountains stretched far away, their peaks glowing with a soothing pale blue.
…Wrong, Meng Wange. The one who needs to calm down isn’t Su Wanli—it’s you.
It’s just a small matter. Nothing has truly slipped from your control. Why panic and start plotting shady schemes immediately?
Have these past few days made your life too comfortable, so you’ve forgotten how to handle the unexpected?
Or could it be…
Thinking of a certain possibility, Meng Wange sighed softly.
…Or maybe, you’re just jealous of what you just saw?
Jealous that some people are closer to Su Wanli than you are? Jealous that some have shared more experiences with her?
…That’s too childish, Meng Huange.
Besides, your goal has never been to become good friends with Su Wanli, but to earn her trust as much as possible…
No, those are actually the same thing.
Whether as Su Wanli’s strategist, tool, or something else, you should be finding ways to get closer to her.
…Your relationship should be more intimate than that of others.
Thinking this, Meng Huange quietly lifted the corners of her mouth into a slight smile.
That’s right. But there’s no need to belittle those around her. As long as you show enough value, Su Wanli will naturally focus her attention solely on you.
For now, she would just place the notebook neatly beside Su Wanli’s desk, no need to open it deliberately—it would be too obvious. Once Su Wanli flipped it open, she’d naturally know what Meng Huange had done during class.
If by the next break Su Wanli still showed resistance to communicating, she would find ways to keep up—at least to observe what Su Wanli usually did and where she stayed.
There must be a way to bring Su Wanli’s thoughts back to her, even if just…
“Ring ring ring…”
The sharp sound of the bell snapped Meng Wange out of her wandering thoughts.
…Is it already this late? Has Su Wanli still not returned?
Heh, preventing her from interacting with questionable people is part of her duty as strategist. Even if not for herself, at least for the Su family’s sake, Su Wanli should settle down.
Meng Wange quietly turned her head and inspected the seats of those three.
…A tattered notebook recorded some religious phrases, a few scraps of snacks, a makeup mirror covering the desk, and some casually placed cosmetics.
Compared to Su Wanli, it wasn’t hard to gauge their personalities.
She would try to talk to them—if they cooperated, that would be best; if not, Meng Huange had other methods to persuade them.
“All right, class is starting. Everyone take your seats. It’s okay if you don’t come back though—ah, you three in Class Three…”
An elderly teacher with round glasses and a hunched back slowly pushed open the classroom door.
At the same time, Su Wanli and those three subordinates pushed open the back door of the classroom and exchanged a glance with Meng Huange standing next to Su Wanli’s desk.
Meng Wange pondered for a moment, then slid the notebook toward the center of Su Wanli’s desk and smiled faintly.
“Miss Su, welcome back.”
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