Hu Ming hated being schemed against.
But he had to clean up every mess left by his predecessor.
Truth was, he despised such trouble. Yet since it landed on his doorstep, ignoring it might lead him to the same fate as the original Hu Ming.
Han Shuyi wanting to target him?
No problem. He had his own ways to deal with master manipulators.
Then there was Li Yue. He’d warned her countless times to stay away from Han Shuyi.
He was genuinely curious how she’d choose in the end—repeat the original path or turn back?
Hu Ming observed it all.
Halfway through afternoon classes, the homeroom teacher stood at the door and called Hu Ming out.
Every student knew it was about this morning’s incident.
The teacher had already sternly reprimanded them for their cold-shoulder treatment of Hu Ming.
How many actually listened? No one could say.
Han Shuyi watched Hu Ming’s retreating back, lost in thought.
Following the teacher to the principal’s office, Hu Ming found the ringleaders standing outside the door. Heads hung low, bright red handprints blooming on their cheeks—they’d clearly been punished before his arrival.
To his surprise, Han Litian had come alone.
Spotting Hu Ming, Han Litian began explaining:
"You know your mother’s health is fragile. If she heard about this, she’d be devastated."
"Hmm."
Hu Ming replied flatly, showing little interest.
This only deepened Han Litian’s guilt.
After all, Hu Ming had lived with them for years. Since Han Shuyi’s return, they’d neglected his feelings.
But this? School bullying? Unacceptable.
His eyes turned icy as he faced the principal.
"Principal, my child suffered greatly at your school. I expect an explanation."
As the top sponsor, Han Litian’s words carried weight.
Sweat beaded on the principal’s forehead. He rushed over, bowing obsequiously.
"Mr. Han, this behavior is utterly unacceptable! Bullying among classmates? These students deserve expulsion. Our school won’t tolerate such moral failures!"
His voice grew harsher as he glared at the punished boys.
Their parents panicked.
"Principal, please! He’s just a child—he didn’t know better!"
"We’ll discipline him strictly! Give him another chance!"
They pleaded desperately, terrified of Han Litian’s wrath.
Han Litian remained silent, his gaze shifting to Hu Ming.
Hu Ming stood arms crossed, expression unchanged—as if this had nothing to do with him.
Han Litian couldn’t understand. The old Hu Ming never tolerated such humiliation. He’d always retaliated.
Why stay silent now?
Puzzled, Han Litian slowly rose.
The room fell dead silent.
All eyes turned to Hu Ming.
Sighing inwardly, Hu Ming clearly wanted no part in this.
"I fail to see how legally adults can be excused as ‘just kids who don’t know better’."
The parents tensed. Before they could smooth things over, one bold boy glared at Hu Ming.
"And you? Are *you* so mature? Who caused every scandal in this school? Harassing girls openly! Running with thugs! Slacking off in the honors class! Han Huming—were you ever here to study?!"
His parent immediately clamped a hand over his mouth.
An awkward smile spread across the man’s face, as if to say: *Kids talk nonsense—ignore it.*
But the damage was done. The room’s atmosphere shifted subtly against Hu Ming.
The principal’s smile froze. *This has nothing to do with bullying him! At least slander properly!*
Han Litian’s eyes darkened, but he stayed silent.
He knew all about Hu Ming’s past misdeeds.
He’d disliked that behavior, but work had kept him distant.
Then came the revelation: Hu Ming wasn’t his biological son.
Now he didn’t know how to treat him.
He watched Hu Ming, waiting for his rebuttal.
Silence thickened in the office.
Hu Ming leaned against the wall, locking eyes with the boy.
Despite his confidence, the boy felt unnerved under that steady gaze.
"You claim I harassed girls," Hu Ming said, stepping closer. Each footfall pressed down on the boy’s nerves. "If you mean Su Liu, ask her yourself if it’s true."
"You say I don’t study in honors class. Which eye saw that? Must I report my study methods to you?"
The boy wrenched free from his parents, sneering.
"What about your last quiz score? Worse than average-class slackers! How dare you talk?"
"And what about you running with thugs?! Don’t think you can dodge that!"
His defiance sparked courage in the others. Maybe this could save them from expulsion.
Hu Ming shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Got proof? And my grades—what’s it to you? Do you live by the seaside?"
Still arrogant, yet his words left them speechless.
Hu Ming turned to Han Litian. His silent question hung in the air:
*Do you believe them? Or me?*
