Hu Ming knew exactly what he needed to do—no one else mattered.

He didn’t care to learn the fate of those students; as long as he never saw them in class again, that was enough.

But ever since that incident, he’d noticed his classmates’ gazes shifting—still laced with their old disdain, now edged with something new: fear.

Only Han Shuyi seemed unchanged, as if nothing had happened.

Though after his little scheme was exposed, he’d grown quieter.

Hu Ming thought peace might finally be his.

He was wrong.

Annoying flies still buzzed at his back.

He napped at his desk when a girl’s voice cut through the door:

“Um… is Hu Ming here?”

Every head snapped toward her.

The moment Su Liu appeared, she became the center of attention.

Hands clasped behind her back, a bottle of strawberry milk hidden there, she peeked through the doorway, searching for Hu Ming.

Spotting him asleep, her mind flashed to her best friend’s warning:

*Hu Ming doesn’t care about you anymore. Just give up!*

She’d almost believed it. But Hu Ming had been the ultimate simp—a top-tier one.

Flawed as he was, he’d always soothed her moods. Being kept around as backup wasn’t so bad.

Then it struck her:

That day, when those students were punished… Hu Ming’s father had come. And they’d been expelled.

Did that mean the Khan Family still treated Hu Ming as their young master?

*Almost made a terrible mistake!*

Su Liu nearly cheered at her own cleverness. If she’d blindly followed Yin Xiaoxiao’s advice, she’d have lost this walking ATM!

Heart racing, she strode toward Hu Ming.

Passing Han Shuyi, she couldn’t help but admire his striking looks.

All eyes tracked her movement.

She leaned close, her delicate face hovering over Hu Ming’s desk. A scented breeze brushed his skin. He lifted his head—and met her beautiful face.

“Hu Ming, I brought you milk.”

Recognition flickered in his eyes, then hardened into impatience.

“You woke me up… for *this*? Don’t bother me unless it’s important. Annoying.”

Stunned silence.

Not just the class—even Su Liu froze.

The old Hu Ming would’ve jumped for joy at her gift.

Now he called her a nuisance.

The gap between then and now felt unbearable.

She bit her lip, eyes glistening, a picture of wounded fragility.

“Hu Ming, I didn’t ignore your messages on purpose! I was just… busy…”

“Stop.” He waved a hand. “I can’t be bothered to remember the past. And honestly? I’m not even mad at you.”

*Truth.* The original Hu Ming had been played for a fool—but *he* wasn’t that idiot. Why waste anger?

Relief washed over Su Liu.

*He’s still the same Hu Ming. A little weakness, and he’ll forgive me.*

A smile curved her lips. “So… can you take me off your blacklist now?”

*Spurt!* Someone choked on their water.

The classroom froze.

Only Han Shuyi watched Hu Ming coldly, searching for cracks in his mask.

“No.”

*The world’s gone mad!* How could Hu Ming sound so firm?

Inside, the class screamed: *This isn’t the Hu Ming we know!*

He’d chased Su Liu for over a year, making a spectacle of himself—even seniors knew his name.

He’d turned their class into a joke, yet never stopped pursuing her.

Now he rejected her advance?

*Has the ultimate simp finally quit the bone?*

“Why…?” Su Liu’s voice trembled. Why wasn’t her act working anymore?

She drew a sharp breath, chest rising. When a boy acted like this toward his crush, it meant only one thing:

*He’s giving up on me.*

Under her gaze, Hu Ming propped his chin on one hand and grinned.

“I just deleted you.”

His words echoed in the silent classroom like an empty hallway.

Every eye locked onto him. The air grew thick. Some students cringed so hard their toes could dig a three-bedroom apartment.

*The school beauty got rejected by Hu Ming?*

*Is this even the same guy? This is fucking surreal!*

Su Liu’s eyes instantly reddened.

“Hu Ming… don’t be like this. Aren’t we friends?”

“Enough.” His voice turned icy. “Stop sniveling. You shouldn’t even be in our class. If you cry here, the teacher will blame me—and I don’t need that trouble.”

His cold impatience shattered her composure. The confidence she’d worn like armor vanished.

Instinctively, she reached for his arm—but he jerked away.

“Fine. If you’re so bold, follow me to the bathroom!”

Hu Ming shot up. Su Liu flinched at his sudden movement.

Her tearful fragility drew sympathetic glances from boys—but many girls hid smirks.

*Finally.* Su Liu had made herself the girls’ public enemy often enough.

*Women understand women. Who doesn’t see through her act?*

…Except Yin Xiaoxiao, apparently.

Hu Ming shoved his hands in his pockets to leave. At the door, he glanced back.

“Su Liu. You know what I hate most? Strawberry milk.”

“…”

His words ripped open her memory:

*“I’ll drink anything you give me!”*

*“Strawberry milk? It’s my favorite!”*

Watching his retreating back, one thought consumed her:

*He’s dumped me.*