The girl fixed her cold gaze on Sun Zhe lying on the ground. An astonishing aura burst from her.

Her actions silenced the surrounding classmates.

Hu Ming could never have imagined it. That utterly unremarkable little maid from before was actually a combat mecha!

It was hard to picture how the original owner had picked her up back then.

The commotion quickly caught the teachers' and deans' attention.

Naturally, Hu Ming and the others were summoned for another "chat."

This time, thanks to Ye Qiuxue's testimony, the matter resolved swiftly. To avoid hassle, Hu Ming didn't call Han Litian again.

Everything was blamed on Sun Zhe.

For initiating provocation and attacking classmates, he faced compensation, parent meetings, and a public apology to Hu Ming before the whole school.

The punishment wasn't severe, but enough to shatter a student's confidence.

Hu Ming had no complaints.

As he left, he was surprised by the person before him.

Han Yunxi stood at the door, looking slightly nervous.

"Hu... ge, are you okay?"

"Nothing serious. No need to worry." Han Yunxi had actually called him that—acknowledging his identity.

But she truly seemed worried.

Hu Ming covered his cheek, looking like someone fresh from a tooth extraction.

The maid followed quietly behind him, like his shadow.

Han Yunxi spotted her instantly. Her eyes lit up as she walked over.

"Kangxin! What are you doing here!?"

[Kangxin. So this little maid's name is Kangxin?]

Busy dealing with Han Shuyi's mess, Hu Ming hadn't investigated her identity.

Kangxin slowly lifted her head. Thick, dark hair covered her face.

"Young mistress, I came to take the young master home."

"...Why so sudden?"

"The young master has walked home these past days." She stated it like a simple fact.

Such a statement cut deeper than slander.

Seeing Hu Ming's current treatment versus his past—since his identity surfaced, he seemed abandoned by the world.

Hu Ming was surprised by her words.

He had indeed walked home lately.

Last time he tried to ride, the driver picked up Han Shuyi and drove off.

From that day, Hu Ming never rode again.

Laughably, no one noticed.

Everyone assumed he walked due to a bad mood.

Hearing this, Han Yunxi's expression darkened.

The driver was hired recently. The old, trusted one retired for health reasons.

Who knew that cheerful driver was such a flatterer of power?

She was angry—at the driver, and at herself. She'd missed this; a servant noticed first.

No wonder Hu Ming distrusted them.

"Brother, let's tell Mom and Dad at home!"

"No need. Walking's good exercise." Hu Ming waved his free hand, unconcerned. It only hurt Han Yunxi more.

He wasn't accepting this quickly.

As Han Yunxi fell silent, Hu Ming suddenly spoke.

"By the way, where's Han Shuyi?"

"Ah... he..." She hesitated, fearing it'd wound his pride.

Seeing her face, Hu Ming felt helpless.

He waved off further questions. But Han Yunxi caught the disappointment in his eyes.

She opened her mouth to explain—interrupted by a new voice.

"Han Huming, are you okay?"

Ye Qiuxue emerged from the principal's office. Seeing Hu Ming's covered cheek, her expression tightened.

Hu Ming stayed relaxed despite her seriousness.

"President, don't worry. It's minor. Just payment for my past foolishness."

"What nonsense!" Ye Qiuxue snapped, unhappy.

She hated hearing him sound like he'd given up.

"By the way, I'm free this weekend. I agree to what we discussed."

Su Liu overheard this from the doorway. She clenched her fists, eyes burning with resentment.

No one cared about her feelings.

Ye Qiuxue turned and left without another word.

Hu Ming ignored the stares, pulling Kangxin away.

...

Behind the campus, the sky blazed with sunset's afterglow.

Golden light reflected off apartment windows opposite the gate, pooling at their feet.

Hu Ming and Kangxin walked quietly. Passersby paused, staring at her maid attire.

The riverside shimmered like gold foil, their shadows dancing on the water.

Suddenly, Hu Ming stopped.

He turned to the little maid behind him.

Her frame was frail. Yet such immense strength hid within that small body.

Hard to imagine what she'd been before the original owner found her.

"Kangxin, why come pick me up?"

He asked the same question again.

This time, her answer differed completely.

"I feared you'd face danger."

"Danger?" Hu Ming paused, then narrowed his eyes. "So you've been following me after school all this time?!"

"Yes."

"That day I was cornered in the alley—you were there too?!"

"Yes."

No wonder she'd appeared with soup that day, knowing he'd fought.

The girl's face stayed blank. She watched him quietly, waiting.

Hu Ming felt a pang.

That wretched original owner had such loyalty. Yet he didn't know her fate.

Who didn't want a perfect ending?

Pity he was the villain. Villains rarely got good ones.

Hu Ming planted his hands on his hips, gaze drifting to the river's center.

Kangxin spoke suddenly.

"I saw Han Shuyi and Li Yue together."

"Hmm."

"Aren't you angry?"

"Angry? I stopped caring about such things long ago."

In Kangxin's eyes, Hu Ming's silhouette merged with a lonely figure from her memories.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long across the ground—reaching all the way to the girl's feet.