Hu Ming never expected to hear that answer from Ye Qiuxue’s lips.

She showed no change in attitude despite her shifted status.

A slight smile curled at the corner of Hu Ming’s mouth, but he quickly raised an eyebrow, his expression teasing as he spoke.

“President, you’re always frowning—you’ll turn into an old hag before you know it!”

“...Are you asking for death?!”

Before she could finish, Hu Ming had already dashed back to his classroom.

Watching his retreating figure, Ye Qiuxue’s expression returned to its usual calm. She turned and walked toward the monitoring room.

...

He didn’t know the final outcome, but at least no one came to apologize before morning break.

Hu Ming sat at the very back of the classroom, yawning lazily.

He’d already figured out the school’s interpersonal dynamics involving himself. All that remained was waiting for things to simmer.

As for Han Shuyi’s actions, Hu Ming couldn’t care less.

After all, leaving the Khan Family wouldn’t affect him much.

“Fake young master... this identity is really something.”

Just as Hu Ming lowered his head to nap, someone tapped his shoulder.

Peeking through his arms, he saw a girl standing before him.

She wore the standard uniform, her lovely figure enviable—especially those fair, long legs.

But her long hair covered half her face, and she looked slightly nervous.

“Hu... Hu Ming, I made lunch for you today. Will you eat it?”

The timid girl stayed by his side even as his reputation crumbled.

Hu Ming recognized her instantly. Propping his chin on one hand, he stared and said,

“Don’t you know I’m not a young master anymore? How dare you approach me?”

“I... I’m not afraid. You’re my fiancé.”

She mustered her courage to say it boldly.

A gentle breeze lifted her hair, revealing a red birthmark on that half of her face.

That horrifying sight ruined her natural beauty. No matter how stunning her figure, her face made people hesitate.

Yet Hu Ming treated her as usual.

The original owner had seen her hide her face often. Curious, he’d lifted her hair—only to be startled.

Seeing his reaction, her eyes reddened as she cried, “Am I really that ugly?”

The fearless original owner panicked then.

Irrationally, he lied: “You’re beautiful. Very pretty.”

That’s why she’d followed Hu Ming ever since.

Hu Ming watched her timid form, his heart utterly calm.

Constant cold treatment made his fiancée weak and deeply insecure.

Such a personality was easily swayed.

Like by Han Shuyi.

She’d betray Hu Ming because of him—Hu Ming’s identity, Han Shuyi’s fake kindness, her growing confidence—all would ignite it.

Thinking this, Hu Ming took the lunchbox and calmly said,

“Your fiancé? Li Yue, I’m not him. Han Shuyi is who you’re truly meant to marry.”

“I... I won’t! Believe me!”

Li Yue’s voice grew urgent. Hu Ming’s unusual attitude unsettled her.

He didn’t react.

He quickly finished the food and handed back the box.

“Li Yue, I’m not as good as you think. So many hate me—can’t you see the problem?”

“But... you’ve always been kind to me.”

[But you still betrayed Hu Ming in the end, didn’t you?]

Those vows were just comforting lies people told themselves.

Hu Ming trusted only what he held now.

He laid his head back on the desk, ignoring her.

Li Yue’s lips trembled. She didn’t understand his sudden coldness.

Dejected, she took her lunchbox and walked out.

Head down, she avoided eye contact.

Classmates called her an ugly freak, but only Hu Ming used her name and treated her normally.

She was his fiancée. If he didn’t hate her, she’d marry him someday...

This thought eased her sadness slightly.

“Hmm? Are you Li Yue?”

A voice sounded by her ear.

Li Yue looked up, surprised—no one but Hu Ming had ever called her name.

A handsome boy with a gentle aura stood before her.

In a white shirt, he glowed like a novel’s male lead.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, sorry—I’m Han Shuyi.”

“Han Shuyi... You’re the Khan Family’s long-lost son?!”

Li Yue froze briefly.

She’d heard her father mention the Khan Family finding their real son, but she hadn’t cared.

When he’d asked to switch the engagement back, she’d refused anxiously.

Now, seeing Han Shuyi, a flicker of doubt crossed her heart—but she buried it fast.

“I don’t know you.”

“My mother spoke of you. She said you’re cute. But now I see—she was wrong.”

“I’m ugly, right...” Li Yue lowered her head in shame.

Han Shuyi’s voice returned quickly.

“You’re beautiful. That birthmark can’t hide what truly shines. Be bolder—show the world everything.”

No one had ever said such things to her.

But remembering Hu Ming’s coldness, she gritted her teeth and ran off without looking back.

...

Han Shuyi watched her flee. His gentle smile faded into a dark scowl.

He’d thought winning over Li Yue would be easy—that ugly woman was surprisingly wary!

[Need another plan.]

He stood deep in thought in the corridor, unaware a figure had been watching from the corner behind him all along.