Xu Jingran looked at the scrolling comments and tried on all three dresses.
By coincidence, every single one fit her perfectly.
It was as if the people who sent them knew her body inside and out.
Especially when she put on the second dress—
Her fair back was smooth and evenly toned, her delicate skin glowing softly. The graceful curve of her waist and the faint dimples at her lower back made it impossible to look away.
The black dress was paired with a glossy pearl chain. It draped behind her neck, traced over her shoulder blades, and finally rested between the dimples of her lower back.
Xu Jingran shyly pinched the pearl chain, while the comments in front of her scrolled wildly.
[I can’t take it anymore—just grow already! Hurry up!!! I’m going to explode!!]
[Jiang Lijin is totally the quiet, secretly passionate type. Okay, okay, I’m enjoying this.]
[She actually looks really good. I love watching this.]
[You’re all crazy. She’s not even the heroine. Besides her face, what’s there to like?]
[Exactly. Bad personality. Flirting with three men at once. Other than her looks and body, she’s no different from a background character.]
[Stop yelling. You can’t ignore it. The moment she gets close, I’m overwhelmed.]
[So gorgeous, so gorgeous. I swear Jiang Lijin did this on purpose. Just imagine his big hands on those waist dimples from behind—]
[He definitely fantasized about it. Otherwise why send a dress like that? Even her official boyfriend didn’t.]
[She smells so sweet. I just want to kiss her. I’m completely enchanted.]
Xu Jingran watched the comments and knew they were a bunch of shameless fangirls.
Just like her.
So the black dress was from Jiang Lijin.
Then she definitely couldn’t wear that one.
For a man like Jiang Lijin, the best way was to keep him at arm’s length—close enough to tempt him, far enough that he could never have her.
If he couldn’t have her, he would keep thinking about it. Not openly—he would think that was beneath him.
He would bury that twisted, hidden desire deep inside his heart.
Like molten lava slowly eroding the walls he built around himself—until one day, the walls would collapse completely.
And he would become the most obsessed of them all.
Go ahead and look. Go ahead and imagine.
Xu Jingran gently stroked the white dress.
Sterling Castle stood at the deepest part of St. Tian Academy, beyond a quiet forest of red maple trees.
Tonight, the century-old building was fully awakened by lights.
Golden light streamed from nearly a hundred windows. Three Gothic spires pierced the night sky, and the academy’s flag fluttered sharply in the evening wind.
A wide staircase covered in deep red carpet stretched up to the massive oak double doors.
Attendants in vintage uniforms stood on both sides, each exceptionally attractive.
Soft classical music floated from inside the castle, dreamlike and enchanting.
The moment Xiao Si Ming stepped into the grand hall, the air seemed to freeze briefly.
The music did not stop, but the conversations noticeably quieted.
The rarely seen student council president immediately drew everyone’s attention.
He wore a pure black suit—not the glossy fabric typical for banquets, but a light-absorbing matte black that fit perfectly over his pale frame.
The tailoring was flawless, without a single unnecessary crease.
The collar was buttoned neatly to the top, revealing only a slender stretch of pale neck and the sharp outline of his collarbone.
His soft black hair was carefully styled, slightly long strands falling naturally. His eyes were a deep, bottomless black, as if they could see through everything.
His face was so exquisite it hardly seemed human—like a beautiful ghost from a painting, breathtaking and haunting.
Jiang Lijin stood by a pillar, swirling a glass of champagne. He picked up another glass of red wine and handed it to him.
“You’re a little late. The ball needs you to open it, Xiao Si Ming.”
Xiao Si Ming smiled faintly, took the glass, and glanced around the hall.
“I’m not late enough. Where are the other three?”
Lu Ran and Jiang Si were usually very interested in events like this.
This time, they were actually late.
How rare.
Jiang Lijin rubbed the obsidian ring on his finger, his gaze fixed on the entrance. “They’re here.”
Everyone’s eyes instinctively turned toward the door as well.
When they saw who had arrived, soft gasps spread through the castle.
“It’s Young Master Jiang Si and Young Master Jing Yuan. Is the entire F5 attending tonight? We’re so lucky!”
“Ah, I can’t even imagine how happy I’d be if all of them pursued me at the same time.”
“Young Master Jing Yuan’s silver-white long hair is so beautiful. And he’s wearing such a tight training outfit… Is he giving us a special treat?”
“Young Master Lu Ran has an amazing figure too. That special admit girl is so lucky. I can’t imagine how happy Xu Jingran must be at night.”
“Lower your voice! Isn’t that embarrassing? Ahhh! Young Master Jiang Si just looked over here!”
Jiang Si glanced at Jing Yuan beside him.
Jing Yuan’s expression was cold. Having trained with the sword for years, his body was covered in smooth, defined muscle. He had likely come straight from training to the ball.
He wore a tight black training top and black training pants. The fabric clung closely to his perfectly sculpted body, wrapping him from head to toe.
What was so handsome about that?
Jiang Si walked quickly to Jiang Lijin’s side. “Brother, haven’t Xu Jingran and Lu Ran arrived yet?”
Jiang Lijin thought he looked hopeless. “Don’t rush.”
He took a sip of the slightly chilled wine, inexplicably recalling the image of the girl covered in water droplets, trembling slightly.
Her methods were certainly not ordinary.
The manager had already reported to him about Jiang Si’s excessive spending at their luxury brand D.
He let out a quiet scoff.
That woman had completely bewitched Jiang Si.
Impressive.
He needed to keep a close eye on Xu Jingran, in case his foolish younger brother got deceived without even realizing it.
The four members of F5 standing together were enough to make everyone below them scream in obsession.
On one side of the castle hall, flowers overflowed from decorative arrangements. A beautiful attendant was wrapping elegant bouquets.
Tonight, anyone could receive a bouquet there and present it to the person they wished to invite for a dance.
Accepting the flowers meant agreeing.
Bai Zhenxi shyly stepped forward, holding a bouquet of lilies as she approached Jiang Lijin.
“Young Master Jiang Si, may I have the first dance with you tonight?”
Jiang Si immediately slapped Jiang Lijin’s shoulder and burst into laughter.
They were wearing identical silver-gray suits. Even their amber eyes shone the same way when expressionless.
If they didn’t speak, no one could tell them apart.
Jiang Si laughed so hard he nearly doubled over.
He looked at Bai Zhenxi with amusement, a mocking curve at the corner of his lips. “Bai Zhenxi, I’m Jiang Si. The one in front of you is my brother.”
The color instantly drained from Bai Zhenxi’s face.
Everyone in the academy knew—
Jiang Si and Jiang Lijin hated being mistaken for each other.
Bai Zhenxi stammered, nearly in tears.
“Young Master Jiang Si, Young Master Jiang Lijin, I—I’m sorry!”
She hurriedly offered the bouquet to Jiang Si instead. Her carefully made-up face looked pitiful and wronged.
“You two look so alike, I made a mistake. Young Master Jiang Si, would you accept my invitation? My father said we’ll have many business collaborations this year…”
Jiang Si let out a soft “Ah,” his gaze instantly turning cold and condescending. His jawline sharpened, carrying the arrogance of someone used to trampling others beneath him.
“Miss Bai Zhenxi, I was just joking earlier. Actually, I’m Jiang Lijin.”
Bai Zhenxi’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she gripped the bouquet tightly.
Soft laughter had already begun spreading around them.
There were always higher levels above one’s own status.
Bai Zhenxi had overestimated herself.
The other members of the student council looked on with sympathy. The vice presidents were as cruel as ever.
When they first joined the student council, they had been tricked several times too.
Jiang Si quickly lost interest and dismissed Bai Zhenxi. His tone carried faint anticipation.
“Why isn’t Lu Ran here yet?”