Chapter 40 The Invitation

The message was simple.

"Meet me at the west pavilion after sunset. We have unfinished business. — LY"

Leng Yiran.

Qingxue stared at the screen, her silver-blue eyes narrowing slightly. Her delicate fingers tapped lightly against the desk as she considered the implications. It had been years since she last saw her so-called cousin—the heir to the once-powerful Leng branch that had fallen from grace.

A ghost of the past, now reaching out.

Qiuhan, seated beside her, noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. Without needing to ask, he glanced at her phone and took in the message. His expression remained unreadable, but a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

"He's finally showing himself," Qiuhan murmured.

Qingxue slipped her phone back into her pocket, her voice as calm as ever. "He chose his timing carefully."

There was no doubt that this was tied to Ruolan. Leng Yiran had always been ambitious, but after his family lost their status, he had disappeared from their world. If he was reaching out now, it meant he had something—or someone—backing him.

The question was: what did he want?

Or rather—who had sent him?

The west pavilion was a secluded area on the academy grounds, meant for high-ranking students to conduct private meetings. By nightfall, it would be nearly deserted. A perfect place for a quiet conversation—or an ambush.

"I'll come with you," Qiuhan stated.

Qingxue shook her head. "Not this time."

His gaze sharpened. "You think I'll let you walk into a potential trap alone?"

"If it's a trap, they won't make their move with just one meeting. If you're there, he might hesitate and back off entirely." She turned to him, her expression unwavering. "I need to know what he wants first."

Qiuhan studied her for a moment before exhaling quietly. "If anything happens—"

"I know."

That night, Qingxue moved through the academy grounds like a shadow, her footsteps silent against the stone path. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of night-blooming flowers.

As she approached the pavilion, she caught sight of a figure already waiting.

Leng Yiran.

He had grown since she last saw him—taller, leaner, with an air of casual arrogance. His dark eyes gleamed under the lantern light as he smirked at her arrival.

"Qingxue," he greeted smoothly. "You look well."

She stopped a few feet away, her expression unreadable. "You've been hiding for years. Why come out now?"

His smirk widened. "Straight to the point. That's just like you." He took a slow step forward, lowering his voice. "I have an offer you might find interesting."

She remained still, waiting.

"I know you've been keeping an eye on Ruolan," he continued. "But she's not the only one moving in the shadows."

Qingxue's gaze remained steady. "And?"

"And," he drawled, "I have information that could give you an advantage. The question is—what are you willing to trade for it?"

She tilted her head slightly. "And what do you want?"

His smirk faded slightly, replaced with something more serious. "A chance to reclaim my place."

Silence stretched between them.

Qingxue's mind worked quickly. Leng Yiran was a snake—one who only slithered out when he thought there was something to gain. If he was offering information, it meant he had already aligned himself with someone.

Someone powerful.

Someone who wanted to test the waters before revealing their hand.

Finally, she spoke, her voice smooth as silk. "Prove your worth first."

Leng Yiran's lips curled into a slow grin.

"Then let's play, cousin."