Chapter 10 – Chess Pieces

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through Meilin's window, painting golden streaks across her sheets. She sat at the edge of her bed, lacing her shoes with mechanical precision. Her hair was tied high, and her face carried that calm, unreadable mask she'd perfected.

"It's time to move forward," she thought, "One piece at a time."

Her plan wasn't finished. She still needed to get closer to the people who ruined her sister's life—and now she had decided on the next step.

Seduction.

Not out of romance or desire.

But control.

To get close. To break them down.

To make them feel what Xueyin had felt—helpless and exposed.

She wasn't sure who her target would be yet.

But today… she'd start the hunt.

---

As she walked toward the café, her usual shortcut led her through a newly renovated part of the street. A bookstore had opened there recently—glass doors, soft wood interior, and a sign that still gleamed from its first polish.

She paused out of instinct.

Then she saw him.

Zhao Liang.

Leaning against the counter, talking to a co-worker, sleeves rolled, his boyish grin in full display. His uniform was slightly crooked as usual, and his messy brown hair fell casually into his eyes.

Her pace slowed.

"Zhao..." she thought. "Student council golden boy. The friendly kind. Polite. Naive."

And he works here?

A slow smile crept across her lips.

This is my chance.

She pushed the door open, the soft chime of the bell catching his attention.

He turned, visibly surprised. "Oh—Xueyin?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Hey. Didn't know you worked here."

"First day," Zhao said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I needed something to fill the summer. And… books are nice."

"You don't strike me as the bookish type," she replied with an amused glint.

He smiled, leaning a bit on the counter. "You don't strike me as someone who'd talk to me twice."

Meilin chuckled softly. "Maybe I'm full of surprises."

Their eyes met—his open and warm, hers calculating but laced with something softer.

Before the silence could stretch, he gestured behind him. "Want a tour? It's small, but cozy. You'll be my first customer."

She nodded. "Only if you give me a personal recommendation."

Zhao grinned, walking around the counter. "Deal."

As they moved through the small shelves, Meilin kept her tone light, her smile effortless. But in her mind, everything was strategy.

Zhao might not be guilty.

But he was close enough to those who were.

And she needed someone inside the student circle.

Someone to trust her.

Someone she could use.

---

Later that afternoon, the bell above the café door chimed again.

Ryu Xian walked in, sunglasses tucked into his shirt, blazer gone, sleeves rolled up. The faint bandage on his arm was now replaced with a black wristwatch.

Meilin spotted him instantly—and cursed under her breath.

Twice in a row? Seriously?

He sat at the same table—table seven—and waited without calling her name.

This time, she approached slower.

"No coffee shops in the business district?" she asked dryly.

"I like this one." He glanced around. "It's quiet. Has decent pastries. And you."

She rolled her eyes. "That's a dangerous compliment."

"I deal in danger," he said smoothly.

"What will it be today, sir?" she asked, pulling out her notepad.

"Hmm." He tapped his fingers. "What do you recommend? I trust your taste."

Meilin leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "I recommend something bitter. To match your energy."

He smirked. "I like bitter. It lingers."

She paused. "You always flirt like this?"

"Only with girls who lie beautifully," he said without missing a beat.

A beat passed between them.

She straightened. "One black coffee. Coming up."

As she turned, he called out, "By the way… met any interesting boys lately?"

Meilin froze, just briefly. Then looked over her shoulder. "Why do you care?"

He leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming. "Let's just say… curiosity isn't exclusive to cats."