Days before the results of Jinling Imperial Academy's preliminary examination were released, the internet was already in chaos. On Weibo and the academy's internal forum, students were discussing only one topic: Who would be the top scorer? For most people, the answer seemed obvious. Vivian Chen. Not only was she known as the school flower, she was also a popular internet celebrity with a verified Weibo account and hundreds of thousands of followers. Her fans were extremely active online. Posts praising Vivian flooded the school forums.
@VivianAngel: "Our Vivian will definitely be the top scorer again!"
@QueenVivSupport: "Beauty and intelligence combined. Vivian Chen is unmatched."
@JinlingVivian: "Top scorer already decided. Everyone else can fight for second place."
Very soon, the discussion shifted toward mocking Lila Chen. Some students began digging up Lila's old examination results and posting them online.
@AcademicObserver: "Look at Lila Chen's past scores. Average at best. How can she compete with Vivian?"
@ExamRankingKing: "Someone like her dreaming of being top scorer is hilarious."
These comments quickly gathered attention. The topic #VivianTopScorer began trending within the school's online circle.
Vivian herself could not attack Lila directly. Her official verified Weibo account had to maintain a pure and elegant image for her fans. So she used a single hidden alternate account. The username was: @MoonlightV
Using that account, Vivian subtly guided the conversation and mocked Lila.
@MoonlightV: "Some people should first learn basic knowledge before competing with Vivian Chen."
Once she posted something, her fans and hired water warriors would immediately support the narrative. The most active accounts included:
Fan Accounts
@VivianAngel
@QueenVivSupport
@JinlingVivian
@VivStarGirl
@ElegantVivian
Water Warrior Accounts
@TopStudentWatcher
@ExamRankingKing
@StudyForumLeader
@AcademicObserver
@TruthExamNews
They constantly reposted insults and exaggerated Vivian's reputation. Soon, even students at Jinling Imperial Academy began laughing at Lila openly.
At that moment, Serena Goon was out shopping with her mother, Mia Goon. While resting in a café, Serena opened Weibo and immediately saw the posts attacking Lila. Her face turned red with anger. She immediately called Lila.
"Lila! Did you see what those idiots are posting online?"
Lila's calm voice came through the phone.
"Yes."
Serena exploded. "That green tea bitch Vivian! I swear she hired those trolls!"
Serena even began replying to several posts herself.
@SerenaGoonOfficial: "Before mocking others, maybe check if your brain exists."
@SerenaGoonOfficial: "Results aren't even out yet and you're already worshipping Vivian like she's some goddess."
Her replies quickly attracted attention. Mia Goon looked at her daughter with curiosity.
"That girl… Lila. The one you always talk about?"
Serena nodded. "Yes, Mom."
Mia smiled warmly. "She sounds like a good girl. Should we help her?"
But Serena shook her head. "No need. Lila already has a plan."
Ethan's Concern
Meanwhile, Ethan Li had also seen the online drama. He showed the posts to Lila.
"Do you want me to stop this?" he asked calmly. With Ethan's influence, shutting down those rumors would take only minutes.
But Lila shook her head. "I'll handle it my own way."
Ethan studied her carefully. There was no anger in her eyes. Only calm confidence. That made him curious, so he decided to step back and watch. He wanted to see how Lila would deal with everything herself.
Later that evening, Ethan received a phone call from his grandfather, Li Zhongyuan. The patriarch of the Li family rarely called unless something important had happened.
"Ethan," the old man said. "I heard something about the girl you're protecting. Lila Chen."
Clearly, the rumors had already spread far. Ethan calmly explained the entire situation. Then he said confidently, "She will be the top scorer."
Li Zhongyuan paused, then changed the subject and asked about business matters. After discussing company affairs, the old man suddenly said:
"When will you give me great-grandchildren?"
Ethan sighed helplessly. "Grandfather…"
"You and that girl should at least get engaged."
After a moment, Ethan replied calmly, "We'll get engaged after Lila graduates high school and enters university."
The old man snorted but accepted the answer. Soon after, they ended the call.
That night, Lila opened her laptop quietly. Few people knew her other identity. In the hacking world, she was known as Shadow Phoenix, a legendary hacker who had won multiple international cybersecurity competitions. Tracking the Weibo attackers took only minutes. Her fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard. Very soon, she located the origin of the most aggressive posts. The IP address belonged to Vivian Chen, specifically the account @MoonlightV. Lila saved every screenshot. Then she performed a few quiet actions. Several abusive accounts suddenly received temporary suspensions from Weibo. To the public, it looked like the platform had taken action. But in reality… it was Lila.
While investigating Vivian's activities, Lila discovered something even worse. Hidden messages. Photos. Private recordings. Evidence showing that Vivian had repeatedly tampered with Lila's drinks during exam periods. Sometimes she added substances that caused fatigue. Other times she deliberately distracted Lila from studying. Vivian had been sabotaging her for years. Lila quietly saved all the evidence. Her eyes turned cold. Your time will come, she thought calmly.
The morning sun shone brightly over Jinling Imperial Academy. Students crowded the courtyard, waiting for the exam rankings. Even online, people continued mocking Lila. One student posted on the school forum:
@JinlingStudent102: "Plot twist: Lila becomes the top scorer."
The comment section exploded with laughter. "No way!" "In your dreams!"
Derek's Mockery
Derek Wang stood among a group of students. When he saw Lila entering the courtyard, he smirked.
"So you actually came to see the results?"
Students turned to watch. Derek crossed his arms. "You really think you can beat Vivian?" His friends laughed. "You should know your limits, Lila."
Lila looked at him calmly. Then she replied softly
"If mocking others could improve intelligence…"
She paused slightly. "…you would already be the smartest person in the academy."
The courtyard suddenly went silent. Some students struggled not to laugh. Lila walked past him calmly. "You'll understand when the results come out."
For some reason, Derek suddenly felt uneasy.
The Results Are Posted
The principal stepped onto the stage.
"The preliminary examination results are now released."
Students rushed toward the notice board. Then everyone froze. Top Score: Lila Chen
Perfect Scores
Chinese Language & Literature: 100
Mathematics: 100
English: 100
Physics: 100
Chemistry: 100
Biology: 100
History & Politics: 100
Arts: 100
Gasps spread everywhere. "She really did it?!" "She got perfect scores in everything!"
Vivian's Face
Vivian's face turned pale.
The principal called forward the students who mocked Lila. Wang Bo. Chen Rui. Li Na.
Lila looked calmly at Wang Bo. "You made a bet. If I became the top scorer, you would apologize publicly for a month."
Wang Bo's face turned red. "Today," Lila said calmly, "it begins."
Vivian's Humiliation
Students whispered around Vivian. "She's prettier than Vivian…" "And smarter." Vivian clenched her fists. Her perfect reputation was collapsing.
Derek stared at the rankings in disbelief. "She's really better than me…" For the first time, regret filled his mind.
Ethan gently took Lila's hand. "You did brilliantly."
Lila smiled slightly. "This is only the beginning."
Ethan nodded. And somewhere in the distance, the online storm that Vivian had created was quietly preparing to turn against her. Very soon. Everything would explode.