Chapter 12: The Price of Underestimation

The idol trainees may leave now. We'll begin the actor selection auditions shortly," the judge announced through the microphone.

Backstage, the trainees who hadn't made the cut quietly filed out—some with trembling lips, others holding back tears, their dreams slipping silently through their fingers.

As Xia Lan turned to go, Su Xin reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.

"Sis, we'll meet again in the program," she said with a bright smile. "From now on, you're my friend."

Xia Lan blinked, a flicker of surprise passing through her calm expression. She looked at Su Xin's sincere eyes, full of warmth and trust.

Why is she so quick to trust?Xia Lan thought to herself.Isn't she afraid of being betrayed?

Still, she gave a small nod and offered a rare, almost imperceptible smile.

"Okay. I'm going now. See you," she said softly.

After parting ways with Su Xin, Xia Lan exited the building and walked along a quiet side road near the audition center. The cheers and buzz of the auditorium faded behind her, replaced by the low hum of the city and the occasional passing car.

But as she turned a corner, her steps slowed.

Up ahead, near the edge of the sidewalk, stood a small group of men—muscular, rough-looking, their clothes wrinkled, their postures cocky. One of them noticed her first. His lips curled into a crude grin as he elbowed the man beside him. Another one chuckled lowly, licking his lips as his eyes raked over her.

Xia Lan's steps came to a stop.

Her gaze settled on them, cold and unreadable. She said nothing—but her hands slowly curled into fists at her sides.

The leading man swaggered forward, his grin widening as he blocked her path.

"Ohh, beauty," he drawled, eyes glinting with malice. "Why don't you come with us into that alley over there, nice and polite? We wouldn't want to mess up that pretty little face of yours."

Xia Lan stared at him, silent and still.

Then, her eyes lowered slightly—to his exposed gut—and her fist twitched.

She was just about to strike when another man behind him laughed and spoke up.

"Oi, don't ruin him too early. Remember? The guy who paid us said he wanted her untouched—at least at first."

That made Xia Lan pause, just for a second.

But the man kept talking, tone mockingly sweet.

"He said she destroyed his future kids or some crap. Something about a kick so bad he can't even have children now. So come on, darling—don't make us work too hard. He's waiting in that alley to thank you properly."

Laughter erupted around her.

"Hahaha—"

"Hahaha—what a gentleman!"

Their jeers filled the air, their bodies starting to surround her.

But Xia Lan's eyes sharpened. Cold, calm. Dangerous.

Her lips curled—not in fear, but in disdain.

"I see," she said quietly. "So it's that trash."

She raised her chin slightly, her voice icy and flat.

Xia Lan silently stared at them, her expression unreadable. Then, with a calm voice, she said,

"Let's go."

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the alley.

The men exchanged surprised glances, then leered as they watched her back.

The leader chuckled, licking his lips.

"Wow… didn't she look like the pure, innocent type? Guess she's not that pure after all."

"Well said, brother," another laughed, eyes gleaming.

They followed her eagerly, unaware of the storm they were stepping into.

Inside the narrow alley, a few broken boxes lay scattered. Slumped against one of them sat the agent Xia Lan had beaten previously. His bruised face twisted into pure hatred as soon as he saw her.

"You—!" he snarled, struggling to his feet. "Brothers, surround her! I want to kill this bitch with my own hands!"

At his shout, the group of thugs closed in, forming a rough circle around Xia Lan.

She stood still in the center, as calm as ever. Then her voice, cold as steel, rang out:

"Looks like you weren't grateful I let you live last time."

"You—what did you just say?" the agent spat, his voice rising in fury. "You bitch, I'll make you regret being born! I'll kill you slow. Real slow."

But before he could finish, Xia Lan moved.

With lightning speed, her leg shot out in a brutal arc, her heel slamming directly into the muscular leader's gut.

WHAM!

He flew backward like a ragdoll, crashing into the pile of trash and groaning in agony.

The others froze, stunned.

Xia Lan's eyes gleamed with quiet, ruthless intent.

The lackeys snapped out of their stunned daze.

"Beat this bitch!" one of them shouted, eyes bloodshot. "How dare she lay a hand on Brother Bai?!"

One of the thugs lunged from behind, swinging a wild punch toward the back of her head.

But Xia Lan was faster.

With a graceful leap, she flipped backward, landing behind him in a fluid, catlike motion. Before he could even turn, she delivered a brutal uppercut to his jaw.

CRACK!

His head snapped back, blood spraying from his mouth as several teeth flew out. He dropped to the ground, clutching his face and groaning in agony.

Xia Lan didn't spare him a glance.

She turned to the rest of them,

Seeing their companion drop like a sack of bricks, the others hesitated, nerves flashing in their eyes.

"She's just one person!" one of them shouted, trying to rally the group. "A girl! There's five of us—she can't take all of us down!"

The others exchanged uncertain glances.

"…Y-Yeah! Let's get her!"

Regaining a shred of confidence, they rushed at Xia Lan together—shouting, fists raised, trying to overwhelm her with numbers.

Xia Lan didn't move.

Not until they were within striking range.

Then—

Crack!

She ducked under the first attacker's punch and drove her elbow into his ribs. He screamed, folding like a paper fan.

Without a pause, she twisted and slammed her knee into the next man's groin. He collapsed with a strangled gasp.

The third managed to grab her wrist, but before he could lock his grip, Xia Lan used his own momentum against him—spinning her body and hurling him over her shoulder. He landed hard, groaning as the air was knocked from his lungs.

Only two were left standing now.

They froze in place, staring wide-eyed at the damage she'd done in mere seconds.

Xia Lan tilted her head, expression unreadable.

"You wanted to ruin my face," she said softly. "Now I'll ask once—do you still want to try?"

The men took a step back—then another.

The remaining two thugs, faces pale and confidence shattered, turned on their heels and bolted down the alley.

But Xia Lan didn't let them go.

Without a word, she bent down, picked up two jagged rocks from the ground, and narrowed her eyes.

Thwip! Thwip!

With lightning precision, she flicked her wrist—launching the rocks through the air like bullets.

Crack!

Both stones struck their targets squarely at the back of their heads.

"Aghhh—!"

They dropped instantly, unconscious before they even hit the ground.

Silence settled in the alley.

The agent, still slumped in the corner, stared at Xia Lan with wide, horrified eyes. His face paled further as she turned to face him slowly, her expression colder than ice.

Her eyes locked onto his trembling form.

The moment their gazes met, he panicked—shaking, flailing, scrambling backward as his voice rose in a shriek.

"D-Don't come any closer! I-I didn't mean to! It wasn't my idea!"

He slipped on the dirt, falling flat on his back, arms raised as if they could shield him from what was coming.

Xia Lan took a step forward—silent, composed, deadly.