The day for the results of the first level of the art competition had finally arrived, and the atmosphere at the school was charged with anticipation. Students gathered around the notice board where the names of the top 10 selected across the province were listed. The competition was tough, and everyone knew it. Only the best would move forward to the second round, where they would tackle a more challenging theme, "Nature's Colour". Though the topic seemed simple, it had deeper meaning.
Feng Yue, brimming with confidence, walked through the hallway toward the board, a smug smile dancing on her lips. Her painting teacher had assured her that with his recommendation, she would easily make it to the top 3. She could almost see her future, basking in the praise and admiration of everyone around her.
As she reached the board, her heart raced with excitement. Students were already gathered, murmuring amongst themselves about the results. She elbowed her way through the crowd, eyes scanning the list for her name. Her breath caught when she saw it—"Feng Yue: 5th place".
A sense of satisfaction washed over her. She had made it to the next round, just as she had expected. She was about to turn away when something caught her eye. Her gaze shifted slightly higher, scanning the names above hers. And then she froze.
There, at the very top of the list, was a name she never expected to see: Feng Yan: 1st place.
Her mind went blank. What? No, it couldn't be. She blinked several times, hoping the name would change, but it didn't. Feng Yan—her quiet, insignificant sister—had placed first. First.
Feng Yue's entire body tensed as disbelief hit her like a wave. "When did Feng Yan even submit her work?" She had been so certain that Feng Yan wouldn't participate, let alone excel. After all, Feng Yue had been under the impression that Feng Yan was supposed to help "her". She had assumed that her sister would obediently stay in her shadow, just like always.
A surge of jealousy swelled in Feng Yue's chest. How dare Feng Yan submit her own work? And to top it off, to take the first place slot that Feng Yue had believed belonged to her! Her hands trembled as her eyes burned with unshed tears of anger and frustration. Her face flushed red as her heart hammered against her ribcage.
"What right does Feng Yan have to participate in this competition?"
Without thinking, Feng Yue stormed off in search of her sister. Her footsteps echoed through the hallways, her fury growing with every passing second. The image of Feng Yan's name in first place replayed in her mind, over and over, like a taunting reminder of her failure.
Finally, she spotted Feng Yan sitting calmly near the art room, seemingly unfazed by the day's events. The contrast between her own emotional turmoil and Feng Yan's serene composure only fueled her anger further.
"Feng Yan!" Feng Yue yelled, her voice trembling with rage.
Feng Yan, who had been lost in thought, barely glanced up at her. She met Feng Yue's gaze with a bored, indifferent expression, as if she couldn't be bothered by her sister's outburst.
"Why did you submit your work for the competition?" Feng Yue demanded, her voice rising. "How dare you compete against me?"
Feng Yan simply raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Feng Yue's theatrics. She remained silent, her expression unreadable, which only stoked Feng Yue's fury.
Feng Yue's anger was boiling over, and she noticed students gathering nearby, watching the spectacle unfold. Their curious whispers buzzed in her ears, but she didn't care. In that moment, she was blinded by jealousy, and she needed to assert herself.
Realizing the attention on her, Feng Yue shifted her tone, adopting a softer, more concerned demeanor. "Feng Yan, are you sure you submitted *your* work?" she asked sweetly, though her voice dripped with venom. "You didn't… submit someone else's painting, did you?"
The crowd around them grew quiet, listening intently to Feng Yue's thinly veiled accusation. Some of the students exchanged uneasy glances, while others began whispering among themselves.
Feng Yan's expression remained cold, but inside, she felt a flicker of irritation. She had anticipated that Feng Yue might try something like this. Slandering her in public to gain sympathy—typical of Feng Yue.
Not willing to be used as a pawn this time, Feng Yan stood up slowly, her gaze piercing through Feng Yue. "And who are you to decide whether I can submit my own work or not?" Feng Yan asked, her voice calm yet filled with a quiet menace that sent a chill through those nearby.
Feng Yue faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I just want to make sure you're not trying to deceive anyone," she said with false concern. "I mean, you've never shown much interest in painting before. It seems strange that you'd suddenly come first place in such a prestigious competition."
Feng Yan's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. She stepped closer to Feng Yue, her presence radiating a quiet, dangerous authority that made Feng Yue instinctively take a step back.
"I know exactly what I've submitted," Feng Yan said coldly. "And I'm quite sure you've seen my work before, haven't you, Yue'er? Or are you so focused on yourself that you've forgotten?" Her voice lowered, but her words carried an unmistakable warning. "If you continue slandering me, the consequences won't be something you can handle."
Feng Yue's heart skipped a beat at the threat in Feng Yan's voice. Her breath hitched as she met Feng Yan's gaze—those cold, unyielding eyes that now seemed foreign to her. For a moment, Feng Yue felt something deep inside her quiver. There was a strength in Feng Yan that she had never noticed before, a force that she instinctively knew she couldn't easily defeat. It made her feel small, vulnerable, and completely outmatched.
The tension between the two sisters hung thick in the air, and the crowd watched with bated breath. Feng Yue's bravado crumbled, her jealousy giving way to a creeping fear. Something about Feng Yan's new confidence and cold demeanor unnerved her in ways she couldn't explain. It was as if Feng Yan had become someone else entirely—someone untouchable.
Without waiting for another word, Feng Yan turned and walked away, leaving Feng Yue standing there, stunned and speechless.
Feng Yue's mind raced, trying to process what had just happened. She had expected to confront Feng Yan and put her back in her place, but instead, it was she who had been put on the defensive. And the worst part was, deep down, she knew that Feng Yan wasn't bluffing. If she continued to challenge her, the consequences could indeed be far worse than she could handle.
For the first time, Feng Yue felt a real fear toward her sister. This was no longer the timid, naive girl she had grown up manipulating. This was someone far more dangerous—someone who could very well destroy her if she wasn't careful.
As the crowd dispersed, murmuring amongst themselves, Feng Yue stood frozen, her heart pounding. She had always considered herself the queen of their little world, but now… she wasn't so sure anymore.