She is merely twenty years old.

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw a stranger in a different uniform.

"Who are you?" Mu Qingcheng also asked, her face full of confusion.

The man, unfazed, took the initiative to explain, "I am a servant of the Si family, here to deliver clothes for you. I don't belong to this riding club."

"Did Si Qingchen send you?"

Si Qingchen!

He clearly hadn't expected the young girl before him to address his employer by name so bluntly. He was stunned for a moment but quickly regained his composure, nodded, and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Miss Mu. If you please."

"Alright." Mu Qingcheng answered without hesitation and followed him away.

Only Ran Siya was left standing where she was, not even receiving a farewell.

It was only then, belatedly, that Ran Siya finally understood Mu Qingcheng's earlier reaction. It turned out she hadn't been timid or unable to fight back. Mu Qingcheng simply hadn't regarded her as worthy of her attention at all.

But Mu Qingcheng certainly had skills—she'd only been here a short time and had already managed to get close to the Si family's eldest son.

It seemed she could no longer afford to take her lightly!

With her mind made up, Ran Siya stopped dwelling on it and strode toward the center of the field. When it came to equestrian skills, she was absolutely confident she could best Mu Qingcheng.

There would be time enough to humiliate her—no need to rush.

...

Soon after, two cheerful girls came running toward Ran Siya. She walked to the horse they had chosen for her in advance and began her warm-up routine. Little by little, students gathered around, like fans surrounding their idol.

Yet Ran Siya's gaze was fixed on Qin Beichu.

After a few minutes, she gently brushed aside the crowd and, a little shyly, approached the campus heartthrob. The students egged her on, their teasing bringing a noticeable flush to her otherwise dusky cheeks.

Qin Beichu, hearing the commotion, turned to see the school beauty who was nearly his equal in reputation. He smiled and nodded at her.

****

Meanwhile,

In the changing room,

Mu Qingcheng had changed into a black riding outfit, complete with boots. From head to toe, she was dressed in the deepest black—so different from the white she had worn moments before.

Except for missions, Mu Qingcheng rarely wore this color. Black so easily laid bare her true nature. The real Mu Qingcheng, usually hidden behind thick glasses, was sharp and cold as a dagger encased in ice—utterly unapproachable, with none of the vibrancy or passion a twenty-year-old girl ought to possess.

After all, she bore the weight of a vast empire on her shoulders, with many brothers depending on her. There was never a time or place for her to be childish or naïve.

Mu Qingcheng was the leader of Wuhen, the mastermind behind many businesses—yet, curiously, not Mu Qingcheng herself.

As her thoughts drifted, there was a faint knocking at the door—knock knock, knock knock.

Mu Qingcheng snapped back to herself, drew a deep breath, and adjusted her tone, "I'll be ready in just a moment."

With that, she quickly braided her hair into a childish, lopsided plait that hung down one side of her neck and carefully arranged her bangs to hide the details of her features. Once she was sure everything was in place, she opened the door and stepped out.

"…Miss Mu…" Even so, the servant waiting outside couldn't hide his shock.

Mu Qingcheng paused, puzzled, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"S-Sorry, Miss Mu. Right this way, please."

He quickly bowed his head, hiding his astonishment. Yet the immense shock lingered in his heart. He couldn't understand how a girl with such "plain" looks could radiate such an irresistible, breathtaking allure.