Just as Hu Ming had imagined, those people were like a flock of sheep, huddled tightly together.

None chose to expose him when tempted.

Yet Hu Ming still noticed occasional glances flickering toward him.

A slight smirk curled his lips, his expression unreadably deep.

No one knew his thoughts—but all understood: no one wanted to be the first bird to stick its neck out.

After all, none wished to become the next Han Huming.

Time crept toward its end.

The morning exercise bell rang. Strangely, many students seemed to exhale in relief, glad no one had spoken up.

What they didn’t realize: one black sheep in the flock could shatter the whole herd in an instant.

...

On the playground, students buzzed about Han Huming’s earlier stunt. Some even called him a clown.

"This is exactly what he deserved," they muttered.

Descending the stairs, Hu Ming bumped into Han Yunxi.

Seeing him, her mind flashed back to their conversation last night.

She opened her mouth to speak—but Han Huming walked past her like a stranger, calm and detached.

Outwardly unchanged, yet this time, unease coiled in Han Yunxi’s chest.

*Did I do wrong?* she thought. *Even before recognizing Han Shuyi as family... Han Huming is still my brother, isn’t he? Have I shattered his heart?*

A storm of emotions churned within her.

She drifted toward the playground, distracted. When Han Shuyi greeted her, she barely managed a nod.

Someone watching them whispered:

"Hey—if Han Yunxi and Han Shuyi are siblings, doesn’t that make Han Huming her brother too? Why do they never acknowledge each other at school?"

"Who’d want to claim *that* brother?" another scoffed. "I’d avoid him too. Having a deadweight like him dragging you down? Pathetic."

Han Yunxi froze mid-step. Students jostled past, bumping her shoulder—but she didn’t react.

...

Classes lined up in formation.

Morning exercises were pure torture. Given a choice, who wouldn’t rather nap five more seconds in class?

Hu Ming shared that sentiment. He yawned, laziness etched on his face.

Suddenly, the boy ahead twisted around. Glancing furtively at the crowd, he leaned close to Hu Ming.

"Han Huming," he hissed. "Are you still offering that deal?"

Hu Ming’s eyebrow arched. *Someone’s cracking already.*

"Expired," he said flatly. "Why didn’t you speak up in class? Afraid of getting ostracized? Smart move—I wouldn’t do something that stupid either."

"And you think *I’m* stupid?" Hu Ming crossed his arms, a teasing glint in his eyes. "What if I already know who vandalized my desk?"

The boy paled. *How could he—?*

Hu Ming patted his shoulder.

"Someone’s about to get screwed."

His gaze drifted toward the stage.

A girl impeccably dressed stepped into the spotlight.

Her face was cool, her expression serene.

Instantly, every eye locked onto her—but she ignored them all.

"Morning exercises are canceled," Ye Qiuxue announced, her voice cutting through the chatter. "I must address a serious issue."

Her eyes found Hu Ming in the crowd. He grinned back, as if he already knew her next move.

*If only she knew what he’d just done,* she thought inwardly. *He’s using me!*

"Lately, I’ve heard disturbing rumors. Students ostracizing a classmate over his background."

"Let me be clear: you’re here to study. Your only identity is *student*."

"So why," her voice sharpened, "do some of you deliberately bully a fellow student?"

The projector flared to life behind her.

Security footage played: classmates dumping Han Huming’s belongings beside a trash can, scribbling obscenities on his desk, sticking chewed gum onto his textbooks.

Hu Ming, who’d been watching with detached amusement, stiffened.

*Damn. They’ve got creativity.*

He silently thanked himself for not bringing his Yingyang Kuaixian drink today.

Han Shuyi stood rigid, fists clenched until his nails bit white crescents into his palms.

Han Yunxi’s mouth hung open, disbelief flooding her eyes.

*Yesterday... I was so busy welcoming Han Shuyi back, I never noticed Hu Ming.*

But his expression last night had screamed the truth.

*As his sister—even if not by blood—I failed him.*

Li Yue trembled. She knew this pain intimately.

"Hu Ming..." she whispered, scanning the crowd for him.

All eyes turned to Hu Ming. The once-arrogant boy, now humiliated.

Some felt vindicated. Others thought it went too far.

But what stunned everyone was Hu Ming’s calm.

Arms crossed, he watched the footage like it was a show.

The video ended. Ye Qiuxue’s icy stare pinned the culprits in Hu Ming’s class. She named them one by one.

"I gave you a chance yesterday. You wasted it. Bullying is unforgivable here. The principal will meet your parents today. Without Han Huming’s forgiveness? You’re expelled."

Her words struck like knives. Two boys crumpled to their knees, faces ashen.

Others silently thanked their luck for not joining in.

Suddenly, Hu Ming was the center of every whisper.

But he only watched Ye Qiuxue on stage, smiling softly.

Her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Then she turned away, vanishing behind the curtains.