Xia Chuan planned to return to school after just one day’s rest. He wasn’t the genius type who grasped everything effortlessly—only hard work could make up for that. With studies so intense, missing more classes would cost him precious time to catch up.

Though Mo Yao had fiercely opposed Xia Chuan attending school while injured, he’d eventually persuaded her.

As usual, Xia Chuan prepared breakfast early, then headed to take Qian Yu to kindergarten.

When he entered Mo Yao’s dorm, both mother and daughter were still asleep, utterly defenseless.

Lifting Qian Yu gently, Xia Chuan noted Mo Yao slept like a dead log, completely unaware. *If I were a kidnapper, Qian Yu would’ve been long gone.* He sighed, resolving to scold her properly later. Then he slipped out with Qian Yu, moving as quietly as possible.

—

Though only a day had passed, it felt like ages since he’d walked Qian Yu to school. Cradling her sleeping form, Xia Chuan slowed his pace to avoid jostling her.

Despite carrying a child, he reached the kindergarten quickly, greeting the familiar receptionist.

“Mr. Xia, what happened to your injuries?” The receptionist—clearly nosy—asked the moment he placed Qian Yu in her arms. Bruises still marred his exposed skin.

Xia Chuan froze. *She’ll assume I was brawling. My “devoted dad” image is ruined.* But how to explain? Only a fool wouldn’t see these were beating wounds. No “tripped” or “bumped” excuses would work.

After frantic thought, he settled on a plausible story.

“To be honest…” Xia Chuan feigned helplessness. “You know I’m an extras actor. The day before yesterday, I was filming a fight scene with a big star. Normally, I just play corpses! But the director finally noticed me—gave me the lead’s opponent role. I was overjoyed… until it became a nightmare.”

The receptionist’s eyes gleamed with gossip-hunger, practically craving popcorn. Xia Chuan pressed on, spinning a five-minute tale about offending a celebrity who “used the fight scene” to settle scores.

“And so… he took revenge, leaving me like this.” He finished with theatrical despair.

“Hah! Not bad.” The receptionist snorted, barely containing laughter. Without Qian Yu in her arms, she might’ve clapped.

“You see my helplessness too… wait, what?” Xia Chuan had prepared comforting replies—but her smirk revealed she knew the truth.

“No need to explain, Mr. Xia. Your wife already told me. You were hurt defending someone, right? Nothing to be ashamed of.” Her smile lingered.

“You… knew?” Xia Chuan flushed. *Mo Yao covered for me?* To escape the awkwardness, he bid a hasty goodbye and fled.

—

By the time Xia Chuan reached school, morning reading was nearly over. He sprinted toward his classroom.

As the school’s infamous figure, whispers followed him.

“Look—the Demon King’s injured!” Student A squinted at his bruises.

“Probably brawling again,” Student B shrugged.

“But who could *mark* him?” Student C gasped.

“Only someone equally strong,” Student D declared solemnly.

“Could it be… Xiao X?”

*Seriously? Too many web novels.* Xia Chuan sighed inwardly. *How much more will you mythologize me?* He quickened his steps, desperate to escape.

Inside his classroom, students chatted in clusters or silently copied homework. No whispers followed him here. *Typical. Ignore anyone you can’t bully.*

“Master, morning!” Bai Yifan greeted from his seat.

“Morning…” Xia Chuan replied, pulling out textbooks.

“Why’s Master back already? I thought you’d rest days.” Bai Yifan eyed his visible bruises worriedly.

“Can’t fall behind. Catching up would be hell.” Xia Chuan sighed.

“Wow. Master’s actually a good student?” Bai Yifan looked stunned.

“What did you expect? Even delinquents want to study.” Xia Chuan shot back.

“Honestly, Master—that line should be a light novel title: *Even Delinquents Want to Study Hard*.” Bai Yifan grinned. *Natural-born troll*, Xia Chuan realized.

“Oh? Then *you* should write *How to Forge the Ultimate Cross-Dresser*. Guaranteed bestseller!” Xia Chuan retorted sharply.

Bai Yifan froze, utterly petrified. Xia Chuan chuckled.

“Yixia! You’re here—what’s wrong?” A voice cut through the chatter.

Liu Yixia stood at the door, still stunning but hollow-eyed, like a ghost. Xia Chuan’s gaze turned concerned.

She ignored the greeting, locking eyes with Xia Chuan instead. He’d hoped her anger faded overnight—but her gaze held pure resentment. Xia Chuan stiffly looked away. *She still hates me. I’ll apologize later… maybe.* He shook his head with a bitter smile.

—

After first period, Xia Chuan headed to Northsea Yuxue’s classroom. Apologies shouldn’t wait.

Since both were in Grade 11, he reached her doorway swiftly.

“Yo. If it isn’t the Black-Haired Demon King.”

From a corner, a group of boys sneered. The speaker was their leader.

“Oh? Eager for another beating, Lin Qiu?” Xia Chuan’s voice turned icy. For this instigator—the one who’d isolated him—he held no courtesy.

“You—” Lin Qiu sputtered.

“Bully the weak, fear the strong.” Xia Chuan snorted, turning away. Lin Qiu stayed silent, seething.

Scanning the room, Xia Chuan spotted Northsea Yuxue staring blankly into space, unaware of his presence.

“Northsea?” His tone softened.

“Huh?” She jolted awake, then stiffened seeing him. “Xia Chuan? What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk. Come out for a moment.” He gestured outside—too cowardly to apologize publicly.

“You? Yuxue would never—” Lin Qiu scoffed.

“Mm.” Northsea Yuxue rose slowly, face unreadable, and walked toward the door.

“Yuxue! Where are you going?” Lin Qiu cried.

She ignored him.

“Let’s go,” Xia Chuan said.

“Yuxue! How can you go with *him*?!” Lin Qiu lunged to stop her—but froze under her glacial stare.

“Lin Qiu. My whereabouts are none of your concern.” Her words were shards of ice.

Lin Qiu didn’t move. He watched, jaw clenched, as they left. As Northsea Yuxue’s figure vanished, his face twisted. “Bitch!” he hissed under his breath.

—

Silence hung between them as they walked to an empty courtyard.

“This is fine,” Xia Chuan stopped, turning to her. “What is it?” Her expression remained frosty. He assumed she still fumed over yesterday.

“I’m sorry.” Xia Chuan bowed deeply. No hesitation—unlike Bai Yifan, he knew when to yield.

“No! I was wrong too—I overreacted.” Northsea Yuxue’s sternness melted into flustered guilt. She fidgeted. “You were just worried about me. I… lashed out unfairly.”

“Wrong is wrong.” Xia Chuan straightened, earnest. “Your concern came from care. My anger was pure selfishness.”

“…It’s okay.” She knew further politeness would trap them in loops.

“Thanks for forgiving me.” Xia Chuan scratched his head, smiling sheepishly.

“Now it’s my turn to apologize.” Northsea Yuxue bowed. “For clinging to you. For my tantrums. And… for *that* incident.” She owed him this—yesterday and before. If he could be honest, so could she.

Xia Chuan was also startled by Northsea Yuxue's action, momentarily at a loss for words.

He could've easily brushed off her apology—after all, that incident had led to his isolation by classmates. Though he'd concluded she wasn't directly responsible, her shadow still lingered in it.

But seeing the girl bowing before him, Xia Chuan simply couldn't bring himself to say it.

"She's already taken this initiative. If you don't accept, are you even a man?" a voice echoed in his mind, snapping him back to reality. He gave a self-deprecating smile.

Indeed, she'd gone this far. What more could he say?

Finally, Xia Chuan took a deep breath and chuckled lightly.

"I forgive you."