The garden fell silent.

Bai Yueru’s heart pounded as she instinctively took a step back. Why is he here?

Li Xuan’s gaze was locked onto Xia Wei.

Not her.

Not the heroine.

This had never happened before. The Li Xuan in the original story had always disregarded Xia Zhiwei, treating her like an annoying fly—someone beneath his notice.

And yet, his focus was entirely on her now.

Xia Wei, for her part, remained completely composed.

She lowered her teacup gracefully, barely glancing at the Crown Prince as she spoke in a calm, almost bored tone.

“Your Highness.”

Li Xuan’s brow twitched.

Gone was the desperate, lovestruck girl who once followed him like a shadow. The pleading, the adoration—all of it had vanished, replaced by cool indifference.

And he did not like it.

His steps were slow but deliberate as he moved closer, the servants bowing lower in his wake. His sharp golden eyes never strayed from her, as if trying to see through her.

“…You’ve changed.”

A soft laugh. “Have I?”

His gaze narrowed. “You no longer seem to care about me.”

Bai Yueru stiffened.

That was not a question.

And yet, Xia Wei simply smiled, her head tilting slightly. “Why should I?”

The air froze.

Even Su Mingyuan, who had been watching with mild amusement, suddenly felt his back straighten.

Li Xuan’s fingers twitched.

“…What did you say?”

Xia Wei sighed, setting down her teacup with a small clink. “I simply mean that I have no reason to concern myself with you anymore. It was a foolish phase, Your Highness. One I’ve moved on from.”

Bai Yueru’s nails dug into her palms.

She knew.

She knew this was an act.

Xia Zhiwei was just trying to make Li Xuan chase her, playing hard to get.

But even so, she couldn’t stop the small sense of unease creeping into her chest.

Because Li Xuan’s expression was unreadable.

And then—

He laughed.

A deep, quiet chuckle, low and dangerous.

Xia Wei’s brow lifted slightly, but she said nothing.

Li Xuan took another step closer, standing so near that his presence became overwhelming.

He tilted her chin up with a single gloved finger, his voice a smooth whisper.

“…Then I must admit, Lady Xia, that I find this new side of you quite intriguing.”

A pause.

Then, ever so softly, he added—

“Perhaps I should start paying more attention to you now.”

Bai Yueru’s entire body went cold.

—

Later That Evening: The Heroines’ Growing Panic

Bai Yueru’s teacup shattered.

Her maid trembled beside her, hastily picking up the broken shards, but Bai Yueru barely noticed.

She had spent the entire evening waiting, expecting Li Xuan to come to her courtyard as he usually did.

To reassure her. To speak of Xia Zhiwei with disdain and irritation.

But he never came.

Instead, she had heard whispers.

That Li Xuan had remained at the academy far longer than usual.

That he had been seen leaving the garden with Xia Zhiwei.

That his expression had been one of… interest.

Bai Yueru clenched her fists.

No. This wasn’t how the story was supposed to go.

She was the heroine.

She was the one meant to capture the hearts of all the powerful men in the capital.

But Xia Zhiwei…

She’s stealing the plot. Stealing what should be mine.

Bai Yueru’s breath came in shallow gasps.

No.

She wouldn’t allow it.

She would not let this villainess take what belonged to her.

Even if she had to get rid of her.

—

Meanwhile, in Xia Wei’s Courtyard

Xia Wei stretched lazily in her chair, letting out a small yawn.

“What an interesting day,” she murmured.

Across from her, her personal maid, Ah Lan, looked horrified.

“Miss! That was dangerous!” Ah Lan clutched at her heart. “The Crown Prince looked like he wanted to devour you!”

Xia Wei chuckled. “Oh? But didn’t he look handsome while doing it?”

Ah Lan gasped. “Miss! You—”

Xia Wei waved a hand dismissively. “Relax, relax. I know what I’m doing.”

Ah Lan did not look convinced.

Xia Wei leaned back against her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“Besides,” she mused, “we’re just getting started.”

—

End of Chapter 7

(Small theater)

Xia Wei: Step five: Get the Crown Prince obsessed? ✅ Li Xuan: Why do I suddenly want to lock her in my palace??? Bai Yueru: This isn’t right. This isn’t right. This isn’t—

Sky~