Chapter 3: No Wonder This Person Is You

The first thing Lin Zhiwei did upon returning home was to open her computer. She carefully sorted through all the information Zhao Qianlu had just sent her, organizing her thoughts one by one.

In truth, she had already locked onto a suspect almost immediately. The only uncertainty was their motive. She had always kept to herself, and under the pressure from Lin Qiongjie, her parents absolutely would not dare to arrange any blind date for her without permission. There was no way they would block the path of someone she didn’t know for personal gain. It could only be someone close to her.

“Zhiwei, I’m coming in,” came a gentle knock at the door as Xue Yuanyuan stepped gracefully inside.

Lin Zhiwei quickly switched the computer screen.

Xue Yuanyuan took in Lin Zhiwei’s messy hair and sallow, tired face, feeling a wave of disgust. To have been friends with her for so many years was really something; looking at that face truly required a great deal of courage. Yet, she immediately replaced her expression with one of warmth and a bright smile. “Zhiwei, what’s wrong? Did today’s practice wear you out?”

Lin Zhiwei looked up and saw that Xue Yuanyuan was especially dressed up today. Normally, her sweet and charming features were paired with a gentle, understated style. But today, she was particularly dazzling—a pink off-shoulder dress, chestnut waves cascading down, and a pink hair clip to match.

Her makeup had clearly been meticulously chosen—subtle, just enough to enhance her complexion’s translucency and softness, while deliberately downplaying her eye makeup.

“Yuanyuan, do you have a date today?” Lin Zhiwei asked with interest.

“Oh… stop it. It’s just a senior from Fushi University. He’s organizing a party and invited a few of us juniors to support him,” Xue Yuanyuan replied, her face flushing as she lowered her head.

Hah, Lin Zhiwei, if you weren’t backed by the Lin family, I wouldn’t bother with you at all. After all, you’re Lin Qiongjie’s sister—even if from a collateral branch, your status is still there. Lin Qiongjie clearly wants to groom you. Just look at yourself in the mirror—who else would pay you any mind if not for that?

“Oh, alright. By the way, do you know Zhao Qianlu?” Lin Zhiwei blinked innocently.

“Uh, no… not really. I’ve only heard of her. Why do you ask?” Xue Yuanyuan returned a clueless smile, but a fleeting sharpness and chill flashed in her eyes.

Lin Zhiwei replied casually, “Oh, nothing much. I just saw her at the riding arena beside the training grounds today, flaunting how much she and her fiancé love each other. They’re about to get engaged, and she looked so happy. I’m really envious.”

A glint of calculation and disdain flickered in Xue Yuanyuan’s eyes. That wretched woman still dares to show off? Her fiancé has long since fallen for me. And she still has the nerve to brag? Clearly, she hasn’t been dealt enough of a blow.

Lin Zhiwei caught the change in Xue Yuanyuan’s expression and sighed inwardly. Yuanyuan, you really can’t hide your feelings—just a little prodding and you almost reveal everything.

Xue Yuanyuan quickly composed herself, her sweet smile returning as she said gently, “Zhiwei, these clan heiresses do love to show off. Honestly, I can’t stand it either. By the way, do you want to come with me tonight? You know my senior, after all—we all go to Fushi University.”

“Sure, sure!” Lin Zhiwei’s eyes lit up. “Yuanyuan, thank you. You’re the only one who’s willing to take me out. I really want to try socializing,” she said, looking down at herself with a gloomy expression.

The moment Lin Zhiwei lowered her head, Xue Yuanyuan rolled her eyes dramatically. She was only being polite—who would actually want to bring her along? But, keeping up appearances, she forced out a reluctant, “That’s great,” though the words barely squeezed past her teeth.

Lin Zhiwei began excitedly picking out dresses and shoes, matching them with enthusiasm and asking Xue Yuanyuan’s opinion on each.

Xue Yuanyuan folded her arms, feeling nauseated, but then reconsidered. Having this ugly girl as a foil would only make her shine brighter tonight. With that, Senior Shen Qian could easily become the next in her growing collection of backup suitors.

Her mood improved as she mentally tallied her current prospects. With Qi Heng, who was almost hers, and tonight’s Shen Qian, her path to becoming a future society wife seemed clear and unobstructed.

Any one of them was a catch, but sadly, being born into the minor Xue clan, she lacked real status. Her father was hopeless, drowning in debt. Fortunately, the Xue and Lin families were old friends, and Lin Zhiwei’s parents had taken her as a goddaughter.

Still, despite her excellence in everything, the lines between noble clans meant she could never truly connect with the elite heirs. Over the years, she’d worked hard on her appearance and used the Lin family name to finally make progress.

She had always depended on Lin Zhiwei, and she was genuinely grateful for her friendship and protection. But now, and in the future, she wanted her own world. Since Lin Zhiwei was ordinary and unremarkable, the position of Lin family heiress naturally ought to be hers.

While pretending to be happy as she picked out clothes, Lin Zhiwei secretly observed Xue Yuanyuan’s changing expressions. Watching her tense features gradually relax into delight, she knew Yuanyuan was already plotting her fishing expedition for the evening.

She sighed inwardly. She had always seen through Xue Yuanyuan’s ambition and had never minded her using their friendship to climb higher. As long as it didn’t go too far or threaten her own life, she could turn a blind eye. She wasn’t at all surprised that it was Yuanyuan stirring up trouble behind her back.

After all, she had no other friends, nor did she need any. Even though there was a scheming green-tea type by her side, she enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

But clearly, Xue Yuanyuan’s ambitions went far beyond this. She wanted more, and recently, she’d been feeding her all kinds of unpleasant things, likely to fully discredit her so she’d never be wanted by anyone, remaining forever useful and eventually replaceable.

Still too naïve, Lin Zhiwei mused. The only reason she didn’t fight back was laziness, not stupidity. But that was something Xue Yuanyuan would never understand.

Since someone was so eager to walk into the trap, there was no need to spoil the show. She would let this ungrateful white-eyed wolf take the lead and see what happened.