In the end, Ye Qiuxue didn’t kick Hu Ming out.

He sat beside her, stretching out lazily. Ye Qiuxue quietly enjoyed her lunch.

They stayed silent, as if by unspoken agreement.

Yet Ye Qiuxue couldn’t help doubting Hu Ming’s current state.

His face remained calm—but who knew what churned beneath?

After finishing her meal, Ye Qiuxue slowly closed the lunchbox.

She glanced at Hu Ming, worry flickering in her eyes. Had that scene at school shaken him too deeply?

"Han Huming, are you okay?"

At her voice, Hu Ming turned, stuck out his tongue, and rolled his eyes dramatically.

Annoyed yet amused, Ye Qiuxue swatted his arm.

Seeing her smile, Hu Ming grinned back.

They bickered like children.

"President, don’t worry about me. Would *you* get upset over strangers’ words?"

Hu Ming propped his chin on his hand, gaze fixed on the iron fence ahead.

Their shadows stretched side by side on the ground, unusually close.

"Besides, I saw this coming. *You* surprised me—stepping in to defend me. You could’ve just watched. No need to wade into this mess."

Hu Ming turned to the girl beside him.

A breeze stirred, making the wind chime hanging on the fence tinkle softly.

Ye Qiuxue tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes met his, holding a trace of tenderness.

"Han Huming, I told you—if what you’re doing is right, I’ll stand with you. It doesn’t matter how small the thing is. As long as you walk the right path, that’s enough for me."

The warm wind brushed her dark hair. Hu Ming watched her silently, emotions swirling within.

Her sincerity was overwhelming—she truly cared for him.

Countless experiences had taught him: kindness only leads to pain.

Yet Ye Qiuxue walked this path with unwavering light.

Hu Ming didn’t know her future—but he felt she’d become someone’s sun.

A faint, visible smile touched his lips.

"By the way, I heard your grades aren’t great. Need tutoring?"

"Tutoring? Nah." Hu Ming waved dismissively.

He knew this material inside out—possibly better than Ye Qiuxue.

But to her, it sounded like defeat.

Hands on her slender waist, cheeks puffed in frustration, she glared. "Han Huming! Didn’t you promise to change? How can you be so lazy? Don’t you want to ace exams and shut up those doubters?"

Her words sounded straight out of a web novel.

Hu Ming chuckled. "President, you’re talking like a revenge fantasy. ‘Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—never scorn the poor youth’?"

"Too bad this youth isn’t poor. He’s rich." Ye Qiuxue shot him a look.

She grabbed her lunchbox and stood.

Before leaving, she shot him one last glare.

"Bring your report card tomorrow. I’m tutoring you every noon from now on!"

"Huh? No way! I need my nap!"

"How can you sleep at your age?" Her tone was pure exasperation.

*He’s changed... but this laziness must end!*

She steeled herself.

"Fine. Hit my target in the next exam, and I’ll reward you."

"Reward? Don’t think cheap pencils will work on me."

"Don’t worry about the reward. Just study!"

Her voice left no room for argument.

She turned toward the stairs.

Hu Ming sighed, shaking his head.

These lessons bored him to tears—but he *did* need an excuse to raise his grades.

*Guess I owe Ye Qiuxue one this time.*

Stretching, he realized lunch break was nearly over.

As Hu Ming reached the door, a figure crashed into him, sending them both tumbling.

Instinctively, he wrapped an arm around their waist, pulling them close.

The body in his arms went rigid.

A sweet scent filled the air. Their waist felt soft as water—and the way they nestled against him? Like a girlfriend in her boyfriend’s embrace.

Ye Qiuxue’s ears flushed crimson. Her mind short-circuited.

*She’d only come back to say something important—why did she have to crash into him?!*

Like a lamb rushing into a wolf’s den!

"Uh... President?" Hu Ming’s voice came from above.

Ye Qiuxue shoved him away, fumbling a key from her pocket.

It slipped from her trembling fingers, clattering to the floor.

*【Ye Qiuxue, get a grip!】*

Her heart pounded like a pile driver. Outwardly calm, she bent to retrieve the key—

Only to find Hu Ming’s hand reaching for it too.

Their fingers brushed.

She jolted her hand back as if electrocuted.

Hu Ming picked up the key.

*【This isn’t some cringe-worthy rom-com moment. Snap out of it!】*

She forced her racing pulse to settle, though a faint blush still lingered on her fair skin.

Hand on her hip, expression composed:

"Stop picking the lock next time. This spare key’s yours now. Don’t lend it to anyone!" She stressed the last words sharply.

Hu Ming examined the key, murmuring without thinking:

"Sounded like a token of affection just now."

"Then give it back!"

"Not a chance!"

Ye Qiuxue lunged to snatch it, but Hu Ming stuffed it into his jacket pocket.

"Tch!" She spat in frustration and stormed off.

Watching her retreating back, Hu Ming thought she looked like a soldier fleeing battle.

He pulled out the shiny new key, studied it carefully, then tucked it into his student ID holder.

Humming softly, he left the rooftop.

The wind chime on the fence tinkled in the breeze....