The morning light filtered through the canopy of ancient trees, casting dappled patterns across the training grounds of Shrek Academy. Liu Feng stood at the edge of the main courtyard, his arms crossed loosely as he watched Lan Xuanyu and Bai Xiuxiu walk hand in hand toward the cafeteria. Their laughter carried on the breeze, light and carefree, a sound that grated against something dark and possessive in his chest.
He balled his fists behind his back, nails digging into his palms. Lan Xuanyu was too soft, too trusting, too *happy*. The way Bai Xiuxiu leaned into him, her silver hair brushing against his shoulder, the way her fingers interlaced with his—it was a picture of pure devotion. And Liu Feng wanted nothing more than to shatter it.
He had known Lan Xuanyu for years. They had trained together, fought together, bled together. But friendship meant nothing when desire reared its head. Bai Xiuxiu was exquisite—delicate features, a gentle voice that could soothe any wound, and a submissiveness that hinted at depths she herself might not understand. Liu Feng had glimpsed it in the way she deferred to Lan Xuanyu, the way she lowered her eyes when praised. She was a treasure waiting for a stronger hand.
*Why should he have her?* Liu Feng thought, a bitter taste coating his tongue. *What has he done to deserve such loyalty? I’m stronger. I’m sharper. I could give her everything—and take everything from him.*
He smiled, a thin, cold curve of his lips, and turned away. The plan began to form in his mind, each step as deliberate as a blade being honed.
---
Three days passed before opportunity knocked. Lan Xuanyu received a mission from the academy—a solo reconnaissance deep into the southern forests, expected to last at least a week. Liu Feng heard the news through the rumor mill and felt a surge of satisfaction. *Perfect.*
That evening, he found Bai Xiuxiu alone on the dormitory rooftop, staring at the stars with an absent look in her eyes. The wind played with her hair, and she hugged her knees, looking smaller than usual.
"You're up here all by yourself?" Liu Feng said, his voice soft and warm, a mask of concern. He approached slowly, hands raised as if to show he meant no harm. "I noticed Xuanyu left this morning. Thought you might want some company."
Bai Xiuxiu turned, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she smiled politely. "Liu Feng? I didn't expect to see you here. Yes, he left early. It's... a bit quiet without him."
"Quiet and lonely, I imagine." He sat down beside her, maintaining a respectful distance, but close enough that she could feel his presence. "He's always training or on missions. I know he loves you, but sometimes I wonder if he realizes how much he's missing right in front of him."
Her smile faltered. "He's dedicated. That's one of the things I admire about him."
"Admiration is different from happiness, Xiuxiu." Liu Feng's voice dropped, intimate and conspiratorial. "You deserve someone who sees you—not just your silhouette in the moonlight, but the fire inside you. Lan Xuanyu is a good man, but he's... blind."
Bai Xiuxiu bit her lower lip. Her eyes flickered with something—doubt, perhaps, or the first crack in her loyalty. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing you don't already feel." He leaned back, looking up at the sky. "But if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who listens without judging, I'm here. No strings attached."
She was quiet for a long moment. Then she nodded, barely perceptible. "Thank you, Liu Feng. That's... kind."
He smiled, this time with genuine pleasure. The first hook was set.
---
Over the following days, Liu Feng made sure to appear at every turn. A casual encounter in the library, where he recommended a novel he knew she'd enjoy. A shared meal in the cafeteria, where he listened to her talk about her childhood. A walk by the lake, where he offered his jacket when the evening chill set in.
Each interaction was calculated, calibrated to fill the void Lan Xuanyu had left. Bai Xiuxiu, starved for attention and drowning in the silence of an empty room, began to open up. She told him about her dreams, her fears, her small frustrations with Lan Xuanyu's endless cultivation. Liu Feng nodded sympathetically, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You're so easy to talk to," she said one afternoon, as they sat on a bench overlooking the academy's central fountain. "Xuanyu... he's so focused on getting stronger. He doesn't have time for this."
"Strength isn't everything," Liu Feng said, letting his hand rest casually on the back of the bench, inches from her shoulder. "What use is power if you can't share it with someone who matters? Take me, for example. I've been working on a new technique—an evolution of my shadow control. It's taxing, but I always make time for the people I care about."
Bai Xiuxiu's eyes widened with interest. "Shadow control? I've heard you're one of the best in your year."
"I'm modest." He chuckled, a low, confident sound. "But yes, I've been pushing the limits. Xuanyu is talented, but he's still relying on his bloodline and the Golden Dragon King legacy. That's not skill—that's inheritance. I've forged my strength through sheer will and training. No shortcuts."
She looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together. "He does rely on that quite a bit..."
"Exactly." Liu Feng leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You deserve someone who stands on their own merits. Someone who can protect you without leaning on ancient power. Someone like—" He stopped himself, as if catching an emotion he shouldn't voice.
Bai Xiuxiu's breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away quickly.
"I'm sorry," Liu Feng said, pulling back. "I overstepped. Forget I said anything."
"No, it's... it's fine." Her voice was shaky. "I should go. I have training in the morning."
She stood abruptly and hurried away, but not before Liu Feng caught the turmoil in her eyes. The seed had been planted. The wavering had begun.
He watched her retreating figure, a predator savoring the hunt. Lan Xuanyu would return to find a woman already slipping through his fingers. And Liu Feng would be waiting, ready to claim what had never truly belonged to anyone but him.