Reborn: Mob Queen at 18

Chapter 8: The Studio Takes Shape, Under Currents Stir

The registration process for the creative studio went exceptionally smoothly.

With the competition prize money, the 10,000-yuan compensation from Li Na’s family, and the profits she had cashed out from the stock market, Yu Han gathered her first real startup fund. Without hesitation, she asked for leave that afternoon and went to the Industry and Commerce Bureau, completing all the formalities as quickly as possible.

When she held the business license printed with “Inferno Creative Studio”, her fingertips tightened slightly.

Inferno.

That was the name of the power she had built in her past life. Now, it was reignited in this world, in a different form.

By the time she returned to school, it was already the last class of the afternoon.

As soon as Yu Han reached the classroom door, she noticed several strange glances. After what had happened with Li Na, almost no one at school dared to look down on her openly anymore. Yet in those stares, there was awe, curiosity, and also undisguised jealousy.

She walked straight to her seat without glancing sideways.

Zhan Zesheng turned his head, his gaze falling on her slightly reddened fingertips, then moved away quietly. He spoke softly:

“Out all afternoon?”

“Taking care of some personal business.” Yu Han’s tone was flat as she pulled out her chair and sat down.

“Related to the project from the competition?” Zhan Zesheng asked directly, without beating around the bush.

Yu Han lifted her eyes to look at him. Ever since he transferred to this school, this boy had remained unusually calm—never overly flattering, nor casually dismissive, and unlike the others, full of curiosity and speculation about her.

“Yes.” She did not deny it.

“Need any help?” Zhan Zesheng offered naturally. “I know a bit about design, promotion, and sales channels.”

A few students nearby, eavesdropping with pricked ears, froze in shock.

Who was Zhan Zesheng? Outstanding-looking, noble in temperament, clearly from an extraordinary family. Since the semester began, he had never** helped anyone; even in casual conversations, he was polite but distant. And now he was offering to help Yu Han?

Yu Han’s fingertips stilled for a moment.

She never believed in unprovoked kindness, especially from someone with an unknown background.

“No need. I can handle it myself.” She refused calmly.

Zhan Zesheng did not insist, only smiled lightly. “Alright. If you ever change your mind, you can always come to me.”

Yu Han said no more, set down her bag, and took out her textbook.

But beneath the desk, her hand was already clenched tightly.

Zhan Zesheng’s appearance was too coincidental, his attitude too odd. Either he was truly interested in her… or he had come with some kind of agenda.

Either way, it was more than enough to put her on guard.

As soon as the school bell rang, Yu Han packed her things and prepared to leave.

Just as she reached the school gate, a hesitant, cautious voice stopped her:

“Y-Yu Han…”

Yu Han turned around and saw a slightly chubby girl with black-rimmed glasses, holding a stack of notebooks, looking at her nervously.

It was Su Xiaoxiao from her class, usually quiet and barely noticeable.

“What is it?” Yu Han stopped.

Su Xiaoxiao bit her lip, as if summoning all her courage.

“I-I heard you started a studio, making campus merchandise… I-I can draw, both traditional and digital. I can design logos, draw patterns… I-I don’t need much pay. I just want to learn from you.”

After speaking, she lowered her head nervously, afraid of being rejected.

In everyone’s eyes, Yu Han was cold and tough, impossible to approach. But Su Xiaoxiao truly admired her—from someone who was bullied at will, to rising up step by step, winning first prize in the competition, and starting her own studio. That kind of courage was something she could only envy in her life.

Yu Han looked her over.

Her studio had just launched and was short-handed. Design, production, promotion, sales—she had to do everything alone. She was truly stretched too thin.

“Show me your previous work.” Yu Han said.

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly handed over the notebooks. “E-Everything’s here!”

Yu Han flipped through them casually.

Clean lines, fresh style, delicate details. She was especially good at chibi characters and small decorative elements—perfect for campus merchandise.

Her skills were even better than Yu Han had expected.

“Stay after school starting tomorrow. We’ll work on the designs.” Yu Han closed the notebooks. “Payment per piece, plus bonuses if sales are good.”

Su Xiaoxiao froze, unable to believe her ears. “R-Really?! I-I can do it?”

“Yes.” Yu Han handed the notebooks back to her. “Bring your digital art tomorrow too. I want to see the finished results.”

“Okay! Okay! I will!” Su Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly, her eyes reddening with excitement.

Watching Su Xiaoxiao run off, a faint ripple crossed Yu Han’s eyes.

For manpower, she had her first member.

She had only taken a few more steps when her phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a text from an unknown number. The message was short, but it made Yu Han freeze on the spot.

—“Miss Yu, long time no see. I never expected you to reappear in this way.”

Yu Han’s eyes turned sharply cold.

She spun around abruptly. Behind her, students poured out in a busy crowd, young faces passing by—not one she recognized.

Yet the tone of that message made her heart sink heavily.

Someone who knew her?

An enemy from her past life… or…?

Yu Han gripped her phone, her fingertips turning ice-cold.

She had thought that after rebirth, everything could start over, and the grudges of her past life could be set aside for now. But now it seemed that some people, some things, could not be escaped no matter how hard she tried.

The setting sun stretched her shadow long.

Standing in the middle of the crowd, the warmth around Yu Han faded little by little. In those dark eyes, cold, wary flames ignited once again.

Her Inferno Studio had just been lit.

But trouble, it seemed, had already come knocking early.