CHAPTER 14 — Setting the Trap
Zhao Xiao Qi in charge
Zhang Xiao Qi didn't act immediately.
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She returned to class.
Sat down.
Opened her book.
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Calm.
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As if nothing had happened.
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Because rushing—
Was for people who didn't think ahead.
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— Silence Before Movement
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The classroom buzzed faintly with leftover excitement from the sports field incident.
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"…I heard she won't be attending classes for a few days…"
"…That fall looked serious…"
"…Who even bumped into her?"
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Speculation.
Assumptions.
Noise.
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Zhang Xiao Qi ignored all of it.
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Because she already knew one thing—
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It wasn't random.
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Her fingers tapped lightly against the page.
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Timing.
Angle.
Execution.
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Too clean to be accidental.
Too messy to be professional.
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"…Someone testing boundaries," she thought.
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Expose them?
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No.
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Too simple.
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Too boring.
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Instead—
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"…Let them move again."
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That afternoon—
A message quietly circulated among a small group of students.
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Unverified.
Unconfirmed.
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But convincing enough.
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«"Pei Ruoxi will still attend the academic evaluation tomorrow."»
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False.
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Completely false.
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But believable.
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Because she was known for pushing herself.
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Zhang Xiao Qi leaned back in her chair, her expression calm.
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"…If you acted once," she thought,
"…you'll act again."
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Because people like that—
Didn't stop halfway.
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Across the room—
Li Xinyue's gaze flickered briefly.
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Not obvious.
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But she had seen the message.
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And she was thinking.
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Gu Yichen noticed it too.
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"…You're spreading something," he said quietly, glancing at Zhang Xiao Qi.
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Not accusing.
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Curious.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't look at him.
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"…Am I?"
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A pause.
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He smiled faintly.
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"…You're not as passive as you pretend."
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"…And you're not as observant as you think."
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That answer made him pause.
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Just slightly.
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Then his smile returned.
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"…Now I'm more interested."
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— Elsewhere
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In the medical room—
sat quietly, her ankle resting.
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She hadn't left.
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But she wasn't idle either.
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Her phone screen lit up briefly.
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A message.
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She read it once.
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Then—
A faint pause.
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"…So that's your move."
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Her gaze lowered slightly.
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Not surprised.
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Just… acknowledging.
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— Alignment
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She didn't stop it.
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Didn't correct it.
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Instead—
She placed her phone down.
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"…Let's see who steps forward."
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— Next Day
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The academic building was quieter than usual.
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Because not everyone had classes scheduled.
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Which made movements—
More noticeable.
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Zhang Xiao Qi stood by the corridor.
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Waiting.
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Not obviously.
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But deliberately.
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Footsteps approached.
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Careful.
Measured.
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Someone trying not to be seen.
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Zhang Xiao Qi's gaze shifted slightly.
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"…There."
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The trap had been set.
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The bait had been taken.
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And now—
All that was left—
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Was to see—
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Who would fall into it.