When Han Shuyi stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere had shifted completely.

He glanced at Hu Ming, who sat calmly in his seat—a stark contrast to his wild behavior the previous night.

Everyone froze in place, waiting for Hu Ming’s next move.

The morning bell rang. Students scrambled back to their desks.

This was the elite class; grades here were uniformly excellent. Except for one outlier.

Heads turned subtly, stealing glances at Hu Ming. Then—the unthinkable happened.

Hu Ming was actually reading a book.

He’d always slept through class before.

The news rippled through the room. Whispers erupted: *Had Hu Ming lost his mind?*

Others offered a logical explanation: *Since he’s not the Khan Family’s real heir anymore, he’s faking diligence to avoid being kicked out.*

The memory of Hu Ming as a spoiled heir was unforgettable. Everyone knew his true colors.

Now that he’d fallen from grace, they all wanted to kick him while he was down.

In moments, the studious classroom drowned in gossip.

Beside them, Han Shuyi stayed silent. Head bent over his textbook, he slowly twirled his pen.

No one knew what he was thinking.

*Knock knock knock!*

The door rattled. The noisy classroom fell dead silent.

All eyes locked onto the girl standing at the entrance.

Her crisp uniform skirt paired with black-stockinged legs. Dainty brown loafers hugged her feet.

A delicate watch clung to her slender wrist—golden band, lavender-pink face—complementing her porcelain skin.

But her icy gaze shattered the allure.

An aura of frost radiated from her, like an untouchable glacier.

Ye Qiuxue. Student Council President.

In Hu Ming’s memory, they’d always clashed.

She caught him red-handed every time he caused trouble. Others joked she was his natural predator.

Hu Ming had been thoroughly tamed under her rule.

Rumor said he once tried to hit her. She’d just stared him down until he fled, spitting empty threats.

Since then, Ye Qiuxue inspected his class daily. Many resented Hu Ming for the inconvenience.

Standing at the door, her cold presence still drew lingering stares.

"You’re the elite class," she stated flatly. "Yet you chatter like sparrows during morning reading. Something special happening?"

Her tone was calm, but a chill swept down every spine.

Her gaze swept the room—then landed on Hu Ming.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly. Surprise flickered in her eyes.

*Hu Ming wasn’t sleeping?*

Under everyone’s watch, she strode straight to his desk. Seeing what he was doing, her expression shifted to open astonishment.

[*Has this wastrel reformed?*]

Ye Qiuxue narrowed her eyes and reached for his textbook.

Suddenly, a hand clamped around her wrist.

Strong. Burning hot.

Gasps echoed silently. Someone mentally gave Hu Ming a thumbs-up.

This was Ye Qiuxue. Most students barely dared to speak to her. And Hu Ming had just grabbed her wrist? Was he suicidal?

Ye Qiuxue’s eyelid twitched. She tried to pull free with minimal movement—but Hu Ming’s grip was an iron vise.

Their eyes met.

Hu Ming’s gaze remained lazy, yet now held a sharp edge of scrutiny.

"President," he drawled, "I’m studying. No need to disturb me."

"I’m checking the graffiti on your desk!"

At her words, Hu Ming released her and slid his book aside.

The scribbled words on his desk lay exposed.

To read them clearly, Ye Qiuxue leaned closer.

Her black-stockinged leg accidentally scraped Hu Ming’s elbow.

A faint mint scent washed over him. His thoughts scattered.

She straightened abruptly, facing the class. Her voice turned glacial, sharp as a guillotine blade.

"I never expected bullying in this classroom. The culprit—step forward now. Don’t make me investigate. If I do, expulsion awaits."

Silence crashed down. Even Hu Ming was stunned.

He looked up at the girl standing before him like a deity.

*She was defending him? When everyone else was throwing stones?*

The clock on the blackboard ticked loudly.

Every second Ye Qiuxue remained stretched the tension. Students held their breath.

Then Han Shuyi stood up.

He offered Ye Qiuxue a warm, sun-like smile meant to soothe the room.

"President Ye, this is awkward to discuss publicly. Let the culprit apologize to Hu Ming after class. Would that work?"

Hidden figures exhaled in relief. Their admiration for Han Shuyi deepened.

Ye Qiuxue’s cold eyes fixed on him. Her armband gleamed under the sunlight.

"Were you the instigator?"

"...Of course not. But I can—"

"Then why stand up? I want the culprit. Not you."

Han Shuyi’s smile froze solid. He hadn’t expected this.

*Pfft.*

Hu Ming snorted, muffling laughter behind his hand. His shoulders shook.

Watching Han Shuyi get shut down was pure bliss.

This president was fiercely fair. Truly admirable.

"Laughing?" Ye Qiuxue snapped. "Out. Now."

Hu Ming’s grin died instantly.

She seized his collar and yanked him out the door.

Before leaving, she shot a warning at the class:

"I’m giving you a chance. If no one comes to me by the end of morning reading, I *will* dig until I find the truth."

...

Alone with the president, Hu Ming found it oddly amusing.

Arms crossed, she scrutinized him.

Hu Ming leaned casually against the railing.

Ye Qiuxue frowned. "Stand properly. Must you be so frivolous?"

"President," Hu Ming shrugged, "haven’t you heard? I’m a rat everyone wants to beat now."

"Aren’t you always?" Her expression didn’t flicker.

"...I mean, I’m no longer the Khan Family’s heir. No capital left to mess with you." He waved a hand, calm. "Can’t you see? They dared graffiti my desk. Go ahead—give me trouble anytime."

Ye Qiuxue’s tight frown slowly eased.

She pressed her lips together, a trace of exasperation in her eyes.

"All this over something so trivial?"

"Trivial?"

"Whether you’re a Khan heir means nothing to me." Her voice turned firm. "I deal with Hu Ming—the person."

Her words struck him silent.

He’d never met anyone this bluntly honest.