In the classroom, no one knew what Hu Ming was thinking.

He sat quietly at his desk, eyes fixed on the writing on the blackboard, appearing to study diligently.

But no one believed he was truly learning. Perhaps he was just staring blankly at the board.

The students reprimanded that morning were absent.

The moment the incident happened, their parents had been summoned.

As for Hu Ming, the school administration hesitated over whether to call the Khan Family. His identity was so awkward—they weren’t sure the Khans would even handle the matter.

If they cared, why hadn’t Han Yunxi or Han Shuyi notified them?

The school was shrewd.

Yet Hu Ming remained the center of everyone’s whispers.

The lunch bell rang.

Figures rushed out the door, scrambling to grab lunch.

After packing his books, Han Shuyi glanced toward Hu Ming in the back row.

He couldn’t quite decipher Hu Ming’s actions.

“Isn’t that Han Yunxi?”

A classmate about to leave spoke up. Han Shuyi instinctively turned toward the door.

Han Yunxi stood there.

He stood up, walked over, and greeted with a smile.

“Yunxi, what brings you here? Joining us for lunch?”

“Ah, brother. I’m here for Han Huming.”

“For Huming…” Han Shuyi’s eyes darkened briefly before returning to normal. He glanced back at Hu Ming, who was yawning lazily at his desk. “Right. After this morning’s incident, his mind must be in turmoil.”

Han Shuyi sighed helplessly.

Han Yunxi frowned at him, puzzled.

“Brother, didn’t you know about Han Huming’s situation?”

The question froze Han Shuyi.

Of course he knew—he shared a class with Hu Ming! That’s precisely why Han Yunxi couldn’t understand why he hadn’t been told immediately.

Han Shuyi’s expression turned regretful. He lowered his voice.

“I knew when I arrived that day. But many classmates resented Huming. If I’d asked directly, no one would’ve talked. I tried prying from a few—they stayed silent.”

Shame flickered across his face.

Though unsettled, Han Yunxi chose to believe him.

She brushed past Han Shuyi and approached Hu Ming.

He lay sprawled across his desk, seemingly asleep.

She poked his shoulder with a fingertip.

“Han Huming, why didn’t you tell us about this?”

“Tell you what?”

Hu Ming didn’t lift his head. His voice was lazy, utterly indifferent.

His attitude reminded Han Yunxi of their conversation that night.

He must still resent her—his sister who’d failed him.

This was serious.

According to Ye Qiuxue, it was about Hu Ming’s identity.

Lately, she’d noticed the crowd that once surrounded Hu Ming now flocked to Han Shuyi.

They all seemed to accept Han Shuyi as the true Khan heir, while Hu Ming was destined to be cast aside.

Yet he’d never shared this pain with them.

And now, he acted like it didn’t matter at all.

How could he? They’d lived together for years!

“Huming, you can trust us!”

“I only trust myself.”

Hu Ming slowly lifted his head. His eyes met hers—calm, empty.

Something twisted in Han Yunxi’s chest. She bit her lip, voice trembling.

“I know I wasn’t good enough before. I’ll change!”

“Change what? Your brother’s right there. I’m just an outsider.”

“You’re my brother too…”

“Pity?”

A faint smile played on Hu Ming’s lips. To Han Yunxi, it was bitterly mocking.

Seeing Han Yunxi’s tears welling up, Han Shuyi stepped forward, face grave.

“Huming, we’re family! Yunxi only wants to help.”

Hu Ming nearly gagged.

After all the underhanded things Han Shuyi had done lately, this “family” act was nauseating.

A classmate still in the room interjected.

“Han Huming, Han Yunxi came to help you! Don’t be so harsh.”

“If you’d all named those bullies earlier,” Hu Ming countered, locking eyes with the speaker, “wouldn’t this have ended already?”

The classmate paled, words dying on his lips.

Hu Ming crossed his arms, smile vanishing.

“I don’t know what you think, but spare me the lectures. Even if I’m not a Khan, I can handle you. Some of you know the consequences, don’t you?”

His words were meant for the room.

Anyone itching for a fight should check their weight first.

He dusted off his sleeves and faced Han Yunxi.

“I’ll handle this myself. No need for your worry.”

“But I’ve already told Mom and Dad!”

Defiant, Han Yunxi glared at him, eyes red-rimmed.

This was too grave—she had to make their parents see Hu Ming’s plight at school.

Outwardly calm, Hu Ming felt satisfaction bloom inside.

【Han Yunxi, you did perfectly.】

---

Avoiding further talk with Han Yunxi, Hu Ming retreated to a pavilion on campus.

But someone seemed to follow him. The moment he sat down, Li Yue appeared beside him.

Her eyes were red, nose sniffling.

“Huming… they bullied you too?”

“…Why cry over nothing? I’m fine.”

“But they were awful to you!”

“Speaking of which,” Hu Ming asked casually, “has Han Shuyi talked to you lately?”

“Ah… yes. But I refused him.”

“Good. He’s no good.”

Hearing Hu Ming’s venom toward Han Shuyi, doubt flickered in Li Yue’s mind.

【Why does Huming hate Han Shuyi so much? Is it because Han Shuyi stole his place as the Khan heir?】

She stole glances at Hu Ming, utterly missing his intent.

“Hey, Huming!”

Mid-conversation, an unwelcome voice cut in from behind…