The morning sun rose behind Qinghe University's stone archways, but Luo Xinyi wasn't admiring it.
She was standing by the edge of the sports field, watching the boys' martial club sparring session—hands in her pockets, jaw tight.
There he was.
Zhou Hao.
Fourth brother.
Same athletic build. Same lazy posture. Same arrogance.
But his face was different now—older, colder. This wasn't the playful boy she once knew who used to sneak sweets and whistle off-key when he got nervous.
This was a man who forgot her.
In her first life, she'd spent years wondering why.
This time, she wouldn't wait for the answer.
Inside the Cafeteria
Buzzing voices, clicking trays, and cliques in every corner. Qinghe's social hierarchy already arranged itself like chess pieces.
Xinyi walked in, alone, sharp eyes scanning the room.
She didn't belong to any table—and she didn't care.
"Xinyi!" came a honeyed voice from the window seat.
Zhou Yuxi was waving, perfectly dressed, surrounded by her usual glossy-haired followers.
Xinyi gave a small nod and walked over, knowing exactly what game was about to begin.
"Everyone was just talking about yesterday," Yuxi said sweetly. "Zhou Hao really doesn't get along with new people, huh?"
Xinyi tilted her head. "Good thing I'm not new."
The smile on Yuxi's face faltered. "Well, it's just—he looked really upset after that scene."
"Oh?" Xinyi leaned in, voice like velvet. "Tell him next time, if he wants to yell, he should use facts. Not attitude."
One of the girls at the table whispered, "Is that her real sister?"
Yuxi turned to glare at the girl—just briefly. But Xinyi noticed.
She walked away, head high.
Behind the Engineering Building
Zhou Hao wasn't surprised when she showed up. He was leaning against his bike again, arms crossed, pretending he wasn't waiting.
"You again," he said.
"You owe me an apology."
He scoffed. "For what?"
"For forgetting me."
He looked up now, brows furrowed. "What?"
"You don't remember the girl you used to fight over dumplings with?" Her voice didn't tremble. "The one you called 'bamboo shoot' because her pigtails stuck out?"
He froze.
She stepped closer.
"I remember everything, Zhou Hao. The way you used to jump from the balcony to skip class. How you once took the blame when I broke Grandfather's brush. I remember your laughter—and the day you stopped laughing."
Silence.
Then he muttered, "You talk like you lived my childhood."
"I did," she said, voice low. "You just weren't looking."
For the first time, his gaze didn't carry mockery—just confusion.
And something else. Something like... disbelief.
"You're reckless," he finally said.
Xinyi smirked. "You said that yesterday."
"And I meant it."
"Well, get used to it. I'm not here to be liked. I'm here to reclaim my name."
She turned and walked away, but this time he didn't scoff.
He just watched.
Back on Campus – Zhou Yuxi's Whisper War
Later that day, Yuxi stood beside a faculty lounge, talking in a low voice to a professor.
"I'm just worried," she said, voice laced with concern. "Xinyi's… not adjusting well. There was even shouting between her and Zhou Hao. Some students feel intimidated."
A well-placed lie.
A drop of poison in the right ear.
She didn't just want Xinyi dismissed—she wanted her isolated.
Her next step? Text Zhou Hao directly.
"Ge, please be careful around her. She's not who you think she is."
What Yuxi didn't realize?
Zhou Hao was already beginning to doubt his own certainty.
That Night – Dorm Room
Xinyi sat cross-legged on her bed. Her roommate Shuang tossed her a packet of chips.
"You're all over the dorm chat again," she grinned. "They're calling you 'The Ice Lioness.'"
Xinyi tore the packet open. "Not bad."
"Also... Zhou Hao's been asking around about you."
Xinyi paused mid-bite. "What?"
Shuang smirked. "You got under his skin."
"I wasn't trying to."
"That's what makes it better."
They both laughed—but Xinyi's smile faded slightly.
Because inside, the truth hurt more than she admitted.
She didn't want to fight Zhou Hao.
She wanted her brother back.