The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 4

Sunlight crept through the gaps in the curtains.

The temperature of the floor slowly rose, and the morning air was filled with freshness and tranquility, accompanied by the intermittent chirping of birds outside the window.

Glancing up at the clock hanging on the wall, Xu Qing adjusted her smile to perfection and knocked on the door. “Second Miss, it’s Monday—”

Before she could finish, the door swung open from the inside.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xu Qing’s eyes as she took in Shen Juexia, already dressed in her uniform. She paused for a moment.

“Miss, why are you up so early today?”

“It’s Monday. I don’t want to be late.”

Dismissing the question with a casual reply, Shen Juexia who had barely slept all night; had faint redness around her eyes. “Is
breakfast ready?”

“I’ll go check right away.” Xu Qing looked troubled. She had estimated the timing before coming upstairs but hadn’t expected Shen
Juexia to wake up unusually early today.

“Don’t bother. Just toast two slices of bread for me.”

She had no appetite anyway.

“Understood.” Relieved, Xu Qing nodded. “I’ll go prepare it downstairs. It’ll be ready soon.”

Covering a yawn, tears welling at the corners of her eyes, Shen Juexia mumbled softly, “Mm-hmm…”

Five minutes later.

In the spacious and luxurious garden villa, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow across the
living room and adding a touch of brightness to the open space.

The interior of the living room was exquisitely decorated.

A soaring ten-meter-high ceiling was adorned with an elegant crystal chandelier. Though unlit, the translucent crystals still
shimmered faintly under the sunlight.

A rectangular dining table was draped with an ornate tablecloth. Shen Juexia sat alone at the seat closest to the entrance,
nibbling on her toast.

The morning light nestled affectionately on the girl’s shoulders.

Kneeling in front of Shen Juexia, Xu Qing carefully helped her into a pair of glossy leather shoes, her movements practiced and
gentle. “The First Miss would be so happy if she knew.”

Swallowing the last sip of milk, Shen Juexia looked puzzled and lowered her gaze. “What would my sister know?”

“That the Second Miss didn’t laze in bed and has started enjoying school.” Standing up, Xu Qing adjusted the silk ribbon on Shen
Juexia’s chest while lavishing praise. “So beautiful. The uniform looks like a custom-made gown on you.”

Her ears twitched, and Shen Juexia lifted her chin, pleased. Setting down the engraved glass cup, she said in a soft, sweet voice,
“Then you must remember to tell her.”

“Of course. I’ll definitely tell the First Miss.” Melting at her expression, Xu Qing smiled warmly.

Picking up the pink schoolbag from the table, Shen Juexia slung it over her shoulder.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly stopped and turned back with a strange expression, her gaze complicated. “Aunt Xu… what was originally planned for breakfast this morning?”

Shengde High School.

A prestigious private school in City S.

Located in the heart of the city, where land was worth its weight in gold, the school boasted vast grounds. Moreover, its faculty was among the best in the city.

The students here fell into only two categories: scions of wealthy, influential families, or brilliant scholars from impoverished backgrounds.

The former, the children of the elite were further divided into two types.

There are two types of people: those born with a silver spoon who still strive relentlessly, and those like the proverbial “unworthy heir” who, born in privilege, choose to lie flat unwilling to move even when prodded.

Shen Tinghan was a legend at Shengde High.

The eldest daughter of the Shen conglomerate, she had been in the spotlight since birth. During her time at school, everyone competed only for second place; with her around, the top spot was indisputable.

With such brilliance preceding her, her younger sister Shen Juexia not only failed to surpass her but shocked everyone instead. In the entrance exams, she too claimed the number one position.

Unfortunately, it was dead last.

The small school was a microcosm of social stratification. Though Shen Juexia’s grades were abysmal, her family’s status ensured no
one dared slight her.

But for the high-achieving students from humble backgrounds, it was a different story.

Though invited to attend, their vastly different upbringings made them stick out awkwardly at Shengde. The school board’s motive
for recruiting top-performing transfers was obvious to gild the school’s reputation.

At the end of the day, the “scholarship students’” transfer fees ultimately came from families like Shen Juexia’s.

Nothing was said outright.

Yet both sides understood perfectly, maintaining an unspoken boundary like the river dividing rival kingdoms in chess.

Even within the same school.

Parallel lines from different worlds would never intersect.

Ji Zhijie, formerly of City S’s top high school, had transferred to Shengde after winning a national math competition lured by a
full scholarship and performance-based stipends that covered all living expenses.

Her “national champion” title carried immense prestige.

Rumors swirled that the school board had spent hundreds of thousands just to recruit her.

The teaching building’s warm beige walls glowed under the sun, its spotless windows reflecting dazzling light that filtered through
towering plane trees, casting dappled shadows on the flagstones below.

Students in uniform stepped over the shifting patterns. Some chatting, others walking alone in silence.

It was still early.

Only a handful occupied the classroom, where faint campus announcements and occasional birdsong accentuated the emptiness.

Click-clack.

The sound of leather shoes on tile echoed down the hallway.

Shen Juexia strode in, her gaze sweeping the room before locking onto the corner seat by the window.

Pursing her lips, she lifted a slender leg and marched straight toward Ji Zhijie who was slumped over the desk, catching up on
sleep.

Thud!

Her backpack slammed onto the desk with a screech.

Startled awake, Ji Zhijie blinked groggily, irritation flashing in her eyes as they met Shen Juexia’s.

Morning light streamed through the window, gilding the air with warmth as dust motes drifted lazily in the beams.

With glossy black hair cascading over her shoulders and almond eyes brimming with arrogance and something more inscrutable, Shen
Juexia looked down and declared: “Ji Zhijie, I’m your deskmate.”

After sharing a desk for a month.

Now she decided to introduce herself?

“Hmm.” Frowning, Ji Zhijie responded coldly.

She bent down and unzipped her backpack.

Pulling out a lunchbox printed with little rabbit patterns, she clumsily lifted the lid and slowly pushed it toward Ji Zhijie. “I
brought this breakfast especially for you.”

After speaking, the girl crossed her arms and slightly lifted her chin, as if waiting for something.

Staring at Shen Juexia’s delicate face, Ji Zhijie momentarily lost herself in thought: This young miss had never spared her a
glance before. What was she suddenly trying to do now?

Just then.

An early summer breeze slipped in through the window.

The wind fluttered the white curtains and gently lifted Shen Juexia’s hair, the silken strands swirling like scattered dandelion
seeds in the air.

A tingling sensation prickled Ji Zhijie’s heart.

A shadow flickered through her eyes as an inexplicably strange thought crossed her mind, she really wanted to touch that hair.

“Damn wind, why’s my hair sticking to my lips?” Shen Juexia grumbled irritably.

Snapping out of it, Ji Zhijie lowered her gaze, looking somewhat dazed.

Pursing her lips, Shen Juexia reached up to tame the unruly strands. Then, frowning, she removed the hairband from her wrist and
lightly held it between her teeth.

Her wrists turned deftly as her pale fingers wove through her hair with practiced ease, soon tying it up high.

For no reason at all, Ji Zhijie felt a pang of disappointment.

Turning away without another glance, Ji Zhijie silently pushed the lunchbox back onto Shen Juexia’s desk, then took a black pen
from her pencil case and opened her textbook.

Her reaction annoyed Shen Juexia.

Not eating it?

What did that mean? Was she rejecting her?

Taking a step forward, Shen Juexia leaned close to Ji Zhijie’s ear.

Tilting her head, she carefully examined the lifelike little rabbit cake in the lunchbox before declaring confidently, “You think
this bunny’s too cute to eat, don’t you?”

That had to be it.

Otherwise, she couldn’t actually be rejecting her, right?

“We’re not close.” Gripping the black pen tightly, Ji Zhijie shifted slightly away, her voice cool and clear.

Just five short words.

Yet to Shen Juexia, they struck like a thunderbolt.

What was wrong with this person?

Her lips puckered in displeasure as a glimmer of mischief flashed through her almond eyes.

“This was originally my breakfast. I didn’t eat anything this morning just to save it for you. How can you bear to turn me down?”
Tears welled in her eyes as Shen Juexia lightly poked Ji Zhijie’s arm, her voice pitiful yet tinged with obvious guilt.

Ji Zhijie’s fingers paused mid-stroke, causing the pen mark to skew.

Setting down the pen, she asked quietly, “If I eat this, will you stop bothering me?”

Long lashes fluttering.

Shen Juexia stared intently at Ji Zhijie without answering, simply retrieving a clean pair of chopsticks from her bag’s side pocket
and obediently placing them in her palm, offering them forward.

Probably just trying to mess with her.

Who knew what had been put in that cake?

Closing her eyes impatiently, Ji Zhijie took the chopsticks, pulled the lunchbox toward herself, and began eating under Shen
Juexia’s watchful gaze.

The first bite was lightly sweet.

None of the strange flavors she’d imagined.

Her expression darkened instantly as she put down the chopsticks and turned to Shen Juexia. “No chili or vinegar. Did you put
laxatives in this instead?”

“Why would you add chili and vinegar?”

Baffled, Shen Juexia looked at Ji Zhijie in astonishment. “Do you actually like putting vinegar and chili in cakes?”

“Isn’t this exactly the kind of prank you people enjoy pulling?” Ji Zhijie sneered; her tone sharp with sarcasm.

“Are you out of your mind?” Kicking a chair in frustration, Shen Juexia’s face flushed red. She snatched the chopsticks from Ji
Zhijie’s hand and took a bite from the exact spot she had just eaten from, fuming as she snapped, “What do you think this is, some
kind of drama? Poisoning someone? Ridiculous!”