This wasn't a multiple-choice question—it was a freebie.

He’d already eaten breakfast before school. More importantly, he’d cut all ties with Su Liu, even blocking her number.

How thick-skinned did she have to be to keep clinging to him?

He glanced at Su Liu, a flicker of disgust in his eyes, his tone impatient.

"Su Liu, didn’t I tell you last time to stop bothering me? Let bygones be bygones. You leave me alone, I’ll leave you alone. Isn’t that fine?"

"But I don’t want to!"

Su Liu instinctively stepped forward—only for Hu Ming to retreat a step simultaneously.

Her pupils shrank sharply. She desperately wanted to ask him: *Are you serious?*

She’d dressed up like this. She’d softened her tone. Why hadn’t he changed his mind?

He used to adore her. Now he wouldn’t even spare her a proper glance!

Biting her lip, Su Liu looked on the verge of tears.

Hu Ming scratched his head, genuinely frustrated. Normally, he’d just eliminate problems like this—but he couldn’t exactly kill Su Liu.

Plus, with her sniffling like this, anyone seeing them would think he was bullying her.

"Hu Ming, you weren’t like this before! You promised you’d always love me. Why did you change so suddenly?"

Her eyes darted to Ye Qiuxue, burning with resentment.

Ever since Hu Ming broke things off, she’d constantly seen Ye Qiuxue with him.

The rumored untouchable Student Council President was now cozying up to Hu Ming. Worse, she’d just heard him say, "President is the best!"

*He used to say that to me!*

Clenching her fists, Su Liu glared at Ye Qiuxue.

"Ye Qiuxue—it’s you, isn’t it?"

"What are you talking about? I don’t understand." Ye Qiuxue frowned. This girl’s sudden hatred confused her—until she grasped the implication.

*She thinks I stole Hu Ming?*

Ye Qiuxue almost laughed. *She* was the one who’d rejected Hu Ming repeatedly, treating him like a cash cow. Now that it backfired, she blamed *her*?

Did she really see no fault in herself?

Sometimes Ye Qiuxue wondered if Su Liu’s brain worked at all. Honestly, she was just a pretty face—Hu Ming probably only dated her for her looks.

Annoyed, Ye Qiuxue turned to Hu Ming. "Double the worksheets at noon," she said flatly before walking away.

Hu Ming stood frozen. Su Liu seethed.

*How dare Ye Qiuxue act like that? Hu Ming would never like someone who treats him poorly!*

Heart fluttering, Su Liu faced Hu Ming again. Now it was just them—perfect for discussing weekend plans.

"Hu Ming—"

Her voice was sweet, but Hu Ming snapped at her.

"Stop calling me! You’re infuriating. Get lost. I can’t stand the sight of you!"

He stormed off.

*Double worksheets? Killing me!*

Su Liu watched him pass, stunned. His disgust was unmistakable.

She’d thought this much effort would earn his forgiveness.

Instead, she’d only humiliated herself.

The past was truly gone…

Slumping against the wall, she looked utterly lost. The breakfast in her hand trembled, nearly slipping.

*No. There’s still a way to fix this…* Su Liu’s head jerked up, her eyes sharp with resolve.

***

"Hu Ming! Did Su Liu bother you again?!"

The moment morning reading ended, Han Yunxi rushed over.

Rumors about Hu Ming and Su Liu were spreading again—and it pissed her off.

He’d already dumped that woman! Why was she still shamelessly chasing him?

Fuming, Han Yunxi almost wanted to confront Su Liu herself.

But Hu Ming lay sprawled on his desk like a beached crab, waving a lazy hand.

"Just some nobody. Ignore her."

Seeing his disinterest, Han Yunxi bit her lip and dropped the subject.

Still, anxiety gnawed at her about the upcoming banquet.

Hu Ming’s status was precarious now. Before, the Khan Family name shielded him—but everyone knew he wasn’t blood-related. How would those social climbers treat him?

"Brother… aren’t you worried about the banquet?"

"Worried? About what? Oh—you mean my status?" Hu Ming sat up, surprised by her concern. He stretched, yawning.

"Don’t think I’m that fragile. You should help Han Shuyi instead. It’s his first banquet. Remind him what not to do."

His mature tone earned a tongue-out from Han Yunxi. "You? Giving advice? The biggest troublemaker in school?"

Hu Ming pinched her soft cheek, feigning anger. "Mocking me now?"

"Na-na-na~~~"

Their playful sibling moment didn’t escape Han Shuyi’s notice.

Outwardly calm, his hand clenched under the desk—as if crushing the scene before him.

Han Yunxi had sided with him when he first arrived. When did she grow so close to Hu Ming?

He’d seen no real interaction between them!

Hu Ming’s presence was becoming dangerous.

At home, only his mother truly supported him.

Han Yunxi and Han Litian didn’t just tolerate Hu Ming—they seemed to *want* him there.

Bad news.

Han Shuyi stood, walking smoothly to their desk. He forced a smile at Hu Ming.

"Hu Ming, I’ll trouble you at the banquet too."

His voice was earnest, without a trace of arrogance—comforting to any listener.

Hu Ming raised an eyebrow, grinning back.

"No trouble at all. I’ll be *delighted* to help."