Chapter 114: Chapter 114

"Yinyin didn’t mean to, but you refuse to give her an inch..."

"Oh, so you admit I’m in the right? Then why are you acting like the saint here? Acting like you’re the kindest person in the world while the rest of us are villains."

Gao Yuyue retorted mercilessly.

The crowd watched as the two "goddesses" clashed—an age-old tale of divine battles where the mortals suffer. Not a single soul dared to speak up.

Everyone did think Gao Yuyue went a bit too far; her words were sharp enough to sting, and poor Qin Xiangge looked thoroughly bullied.

Still, people only dared to silently criticize her in their hearts. To step up in front of Gao Yuyue? That’d earn nothing but her wrath.

A trouble not worth facing.

"Gao Yuyue, don’t think for a second that no one can rein you in."

For the first time, everyone saw Qin Xiangge truly angry.

Gao Yuyue folded her arms across her chest, tilted her chin slightly upward, and regarded Qin Xiangge with smug disdain.

"Qin Xiangge, oh, I know you’re jealous of me. Sigh, who told me to be so exceptional?"

"I’m jealous of *you*?" Qin Xiangge reacted as though she’d just heard the joke of the century.

"Of course! There’s an eighteen-position gap between us, isn’t there? One more step, and you’d fall out of A Class. Honestly, I think you should go back and focus on playing your piano."

Gao Yuyue’s eyes gleamed; she waved with exaggerated enthusiasm, "Shen You’an!"

Shen You’an had just entered the school gate, only to immediately witness this dramatic scene.

He intended to pass through quietly, but Gao Yuyue’s sharp eyes locked on to him.

Feeling helpless, Shen You’an didn’t even turn his head, opting for a brisk retreat from the scene.

"What are you running for? It’s not like I’m going to eat you!" Gao Yuyue shouted while chasing after him.

"Xiangge, it’s all my fault. My mouth got you into trouble. But that Gao Yuyue was way out of line; she doesn’t take you seriously at all. What does she even have to be so proud about..."

"Shut up." Qin Xiangge snapped coldly.

Lii Yinyin stole a careful glance her way, too intimidated to say another word.

"Next time you talk, *use your brain first.*"

Leaving that warning behind, Qin Xiangge strode off without looking back.

The drama unfolding by the honor roll that morning quickly spread across the school forum. Most students spoke up in defense of Qin Xiangge, mocking Gao Yuyue’s arrogance.

It was clear Qin Xiangge held significant popularity within the school, whereas opinions on Gao Yuyue were more polarized.

Not that Gao Yuyue cared in the slightest—she’d already caught up with Shen You’an. "Shen You’an, I want to sit at the same desk as you."

Shen You’an took long strides, scaling three flights of stairs in one go. Gao Yuyue chased after him, panting and cursing her short legs.

When they reached the landing before a turn, Shen You’an suddenly stopped and turned around. Gao Yuyue nearly collided into his chest.

Shen You’an steadied her briefly, then took a step back.

"Miss Gao, if I recall correctly, you seem to dislike me quite a bit."

Gao Yuyue snorted coldly, "You *are* annoying, but... but..."

Gao Yuyue racked her brain, "But you’re smart. You even beat Gu Bichen. I completely admire you for that. So I’ve decided to learn from you. After all, Sun Tzu said: ’Know your enemy as you know yourself, and you’ll win every battle.’"

Shen You’an found it amusing. Was this girl always so straightforward?

"So you’re approaching me to learn my strengths and then defeat me?"

Gao Yuyue pulled the classic "challenge tactic," puffing up her chest. "What, are you scared?"

Shen You’an threw a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm.

"It’s not up to me. You’d have to check with the eight people ahead of you in line."

With that, he turned and walked upstairs. After taking two steps, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder from the staircase.

"Miss Gao, I wish you the best of luck."

And then, without another look, he disappeared.

Gao Yuyue clenched her teeth. Shen You’an was right—there were still eight people between them. What if one of them also wanted to be his desk mate? Then she’d have no chance.

So, her plan was to crush every potential rival while their chances were still in the cradle.

In the classroom, Gao Yuyue started with Xun Meng—an easy target. With just a small threat, Xun Meng meekly agreed.

Yan Lu, on the other hand, seemed intrigued after hearing what Gao Yuyue had to say. She turned her head to glance in Shen You’an’s direction.

"Ah, what to do? I kind of want to sit next to Shen too."

Gao Yuyue slapped the desk, looking adorably fierce. "Absolutely not!"

Realizing her tone had been too harsh, Gao Yuyue softened her approach.

"What would it take for you to agree?"

Yan Lu’s eyes darted playfully. "I’m new to Qingzhou; everything’s unfamiliar to me. How about... we become friends?"

Only then did Gao Yuyue take a proper look at her.

A delicate and cute face, big expressive eyes brimming with spirit and a hint of mischief—not an ounce of annoyance to her at all.