For a moment, the noise in the hall swelled even louder.

“What does this mean? Could our club president have some bad skeletons in her closet?”

“Going by the senior’s words… is our president actually a manipulative girl?”

“Shh! Keep it down. Badmouthing her before we know the facts? She might get back at you later!”

Watching the scene spiral out of control, Chen Yuzhe’s heart sank.

Tch. This was ruined.

The worst-case scenario had come true.

Facing Huang Yanchen’s barrage of questions, Jiang Xiaoyao seemed dazed—no explanation, no words. Wasn’t that an admission?

Her expression… she couldn’t be relied on anytime soon.

Chen Yuzhe turned his head. While all eyes were on Jiang Xiaoyao, he quietly sized up Li Wanmei.

Li Wanmei stood just behind Huang Yanchen, eyes locked on Jiang Xiaoyao. A trace of hatred glimmered there.

So this path wouldn’t work. Chen Yuzhe frowned slightly.

Li Wanmei’s heart was still wholly fixed on Huang Yanchen. No slander would sway her. His bargaining chips felt lighter now.

If Li Wanmei wasn’t the breakthrough—

Huh? Chen Yuzhe’s gaze swept over her. He noticed something. His brow furrowed sharply.

…Possible? No. Quite likely, actually.

If so—Chen Yuzhe’s eyes snapped to Huang Yanchen.

After a moment, he looked away and closed his eyes.

…Enough.

But this all-or-nothing trump card—frankly, Chen Yuzhe hated using it. Drawing attention and making enemies? He preferred staying behind the scenes, avoiding trouble.

Yet not acting left no choice.

This was the only card that could reverse everything.

Chen Yuzhe hesitated.

Was it worth sacrificing for Jiang Xiaoyao?

Their bond was barely cooperation, not friendship. He wasn’t fond of her character anyway.

Maybe she deserved this. Why not just watch quietly like others?

Must he throw away a year of careful disguise for someone condemned by all?

—

“Teach me how to fall in love!” He recalled her eager face.

“…Could you… not rush off yet… stay with me a while…” Her dejected head bowed in the coffee shop.

“Love definitely still exists.” Her eyes gleaming with stubborn resolve.

“To live as you wish, ignoring others’ stares—that’d be wonderful.” Her bitter smile on the dorm path.

“Let me see if your words are true.” Her joyful grin after a prank in the square.

—

Perhaps. Just… perhaps.

Maybe their talks had closed the gap a little. Just a little.

More than partners, less than friends.

Or maybe… friends? Just maybe.

If they were barely friends… then… maybe he could handle her mess.

—

—

Jiang Xiaoyao’s eyes glazed over.

Other voices faded. Only heavy panting and a frantic heartbeat filled her ears.

Huff-huff. Thump-thump.

Vision blurred. Huang Yanchen rambled on, but he was just a fuzzy light.

Ha… ha…

Panting vanished. Only the heartbeat remained.

Thump-thump-thump-thump. Faster. Urgent. Like a drum.

Help. Help. Help. Help.

“…Honestly, I was bewitched myself,” Huang Yanchen lectured the freshmen. “Had I checked her high school reputation earlier, I wouldn’t have been so foolishly deceived.”

“But manipulative girls—they’re masters of deception. Who could guess their true nature before getting close?”

“Seducing men who have partners? Ruining relationships? Being a homewrecker?”

He grinned, taking Li Wanmei’s hand. “Luckily, I came to my senses and reunited with Wanmei. Or a good couple would’ve been shattered by her. Is that decent? Huh? Isn’t she shameless?”

He smirked down at Jiang Xiaoyao like she was trash.

His mouth opened. Each word dripped out.

—

“Despicable bitch.”

—

“I’m telling you, there’s much more you don’t know about her…”

As Huang Yanchen droned on, a gasp cut through the hall.

Behind him, a figure collapsed heavily to the ground.