A tingling itch tickled the tip of her nose.
Ye Qiuxue’s brows furrowed. Her eyes shifted beneath her eyelids. She blinked awake, vision hazy as if veiled in soft light. Hu Ming was smiling at her, lips curved deeply, gaze fixed unwaveringly.
She jolted, pulling her head off his shoulder.
Her fingers kept smoothing her hair, cheeks flushed crimson.
She’d actually fallen asleep studying test papers!
Worse, Hu Ming hadn’t woken her—was he waiting to laugh at her?
Anger flared. He’d seen her sleeping face. Who knew what embarrassing things she’d done?
Ye Qiuxue shot him an angry glare. Hu Ming just raised his hands helplessly, innocent.
“President, I swear I didn’t take photos while you slept. No blackmail like ‘you wouldn’t want others seeing this’.”
“Why talk like a Japanese netizen!”
She snatched the papers from him, stuffing them into her bag. Class started in ten minutes—she had to leave.
She stood abruptly, legs wobbling. She nearly collapsed onto Hu Ming.
He reacted fast, hands bracing her slender waist. Fingertips brushed bare skin under her shirt.
Her mind went blank. Gritting her teeth, she steadied herself.
Why did she always embarrass herself in front of him? Her cool, composed image was utterly shattered.
“Back to class—now!”
Bag slung over her shoulder, she dashed off like lightning.
Hu Ming watched her go, mood lifting. This president was kinda cute.
...
At noon, something baffled the students. Li Yue—once Hu Ming’s constant shadow—now walked beside Han Shuyi.
They chatted warmly, closer than she’d ever been with Hu Ming.
No one knew why. Some blamed Hu Ming.
Li Yue used to hide her face, ashamed of her birthmark. But after leaving him, she’d grown confident.
Only then did others notice: aside from the mark, she was pretty, with a striking figure. Boys’ eyes followed her in hallways.
“Shuyi, same PE class next. Walk together?”
“Sure.”
Han Shuyi stood, deliberately glancing at Hu Ming.
Disappointment flickered. He’d expected anger, confrontation. Instead, Hu Ming leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, resting calmly.
Students prepped for PE but kept stealing glances at Hu Ming.
He used to barge into games, clueless yet showy—ruining the fun. Now he sat still, no sign of joining.
Curiosity mixed with relief. He finally knew his place.
Five minutes till class. The last stragglers headed to the field.
Hu Ming followed, bumping into Ye Qiuxue en route.
She wore shorts and a tee, fair skin exposed. Her long legs drew stares. A spirited ponytail bounced behind her—almost perfect if she’d smiled.
Ye Qiuxue knew his schedule well after half a year. But Hu Ming yawned, lethargic.
“Han Huming, PE next. How can you look so dead?”
“President, you used me as a human pillow at noon. Let me nap on your lap—I’ll be energetic till midnight.”
Lately, his teasing didn’t spark anger—just speechlessness. She rolled her eyes.
“I checked your test. If you tried, your basics aren’t terrible.”
She’d skipped multiple-choice questions to test him properly. Fill-in-the-blanks couldn’t be guessed.
His foundation was shaky but not hopeless. Teaching him wouldn’t be too hard.
She wouldn’t make him top the grade—just mid-rank in the elite class. That was her confidence. Her resolve.
Hu Ming planted hands on hips, smug.
“Hey, I’ve got talent! Work harder, and I’ll surpass you.”
“Sure, sure. Maybe someday.”
She felt like humoring a child. Her grades were city-top; she was a prized student. If he overtook her easily, she’d open a tutoring center and retire rich.
“Buy water before class.”
They headed to the store—only to meet Li Yue and Han Shuyi exiting, laughing like old friends.
Their smiles died seeing Hu Ming. Ye Qiuxue noticed the shift.
Li Yue—Hu Ming’s ex-fiancée—now cozy with Han Shuyi? Did she really crave the Khan Family status, as Hu Ming claimed?
Han Shuyi broke the silence.
“Hu Ming, for last time—I apologize for my mother. She’s heartbroken, feeling she owes you. Please don’t be angry.”
Sincere. Genuine.
Hu Ming arched a brow, smiling.
“Angry? Why care about what I don’t care about?”
He shrugged, utterly indifferent.
Han Shuyi froze, words stuck in his throat.
