But if I'm not mistaken today, I seem to have been publicly confessed to by a girl I've only met once... excuse me!

In the principal's office.

Xia Tong stood quietly before the tea table. Gotta say, she truly lived up to being a well-bred young lady—even standing as punishment looked elegant.

"Nonsense! This is utter nonsense! Do you even know what you're doing?" The vice principal looked furious, grabbing his teacup and taking a sip.

"High school strictly forbids dating. Yet you not only dated but also confessed publicly at the freshman assembly. You're really something!"

Xia Tong didn't argue back. Scenes from yesterday replayed in her mind.

Her mom woke up in the middle of the night after surgery. Thanks to the airbag, it wasn't serious—just a fracture. She'd be fine after a few days of rest.

The next morning, she was peeling an apple for her mom. They chatted happily, the mood warm, when the hospital room door opened. A man in his forties, sharp and vigorous, walked in.

Her mother's face lit up with joy. But Xia Tong's expression went blank. She ignored him, finished peeling the apple, placed it on the bedside table, and said nothing.

"Go back. You're leaving for abroad in a few days. Nurses will take care of her from now on!"

The man's voice was tired, slightly hoarse, yet firm.

So... after all this, it's the same old story again?

She couldn't recall how she left, but she remembered her words to him.

"I don't want to study abroad."

Just as expected, the man acted as if he hadn't heard. He sat down, gently squeezing his wife's hand.

"How are you feeling?"

He looked at the cast on her foot and sighed silently.

"I'm fine, nothing serious. Little Tong took good care of me last night."

As he spoke, he picked up the peeled apple, sliced it into pieces, and placed them back on the plate.

"Why the sudden change of heart about studying abroad?"

Noticing the girl hadn't moved, he casually remarked.

"If I go abroad, who'll be here for her when things like this happen?"

If it hadn't been her yesterday, the room would have been empty again—just like before. Nothing ever changes.

"..."

"I'll do my best to come back."

He fell silent for seconds, his tone low. But his hands kept moving, feeding his wife fruit.

"Your best? You only know how to try your best! Now, before—every time, it's always the same!"

Her eyes misted over. But beneath that, deep resentment simmered.

Their relationship felt more like enemies than father and daughter.

Faced with this, the man fell silent again. The woman bit her lip, grasping his hand.

"Shu!"

She shook her head at him, as if pleading.

"Do as you wish. Decide your own path..."

"Xiao Liu, take Little Tong home..."

The man must have mustered great resolve. The toothpick in his hand snapped, pricking his palm painfully, yet his expression remained unchanged.

"I have no time for her issues. Help her sort it out."

"Then... shall we go?"

The man who had been standing outside finally moved. This family's conflicts weren't new—scenes like this were routine.

The girl looked at the woman on the bed, opened her mouth to speak, but said nothing.

...

...

"Uncle Liu, can you do me a favor?"

The girl sat in the car, her thoughts drifting far away.

"No problem. Since your dad asked me, I'll help with anything I can."

This wasn't a big deal. Even if he couldn't handle it, Shu would step in once he knew.

"Yesterday at the Baiyun Road intersection in the East Suburb, a boy helped me. If not for him, I might not have made it to the hospital. Can you help me find him? I want to thank him!"

"Just this? I thought it was serious. Watch this!"

He'd expected something complicated, but this was simple.

He pulled over, took out his phone, and dialed a number. For him, this was easier than eating or drinking.

"Chief Nie? It's Xiao Liu. We met last time..."

"..."

"This time, I need your help. Yesterday afternoon, my young mistress ran into trouble at Baiyun Road in the East Suburb. A passing boy helped her. The chairman wants to thank him properly, but we don't know his name or where he is. Could you help track him down?"

"..."

"Oh, alright, let me ask." Uncle Liu covered the receiver.

"Around what time?"

"About 2 PM."

"Yes, yes! Around two. Thanks! I'll treat you to a meal when I have time. I won't disturb your work. Goodbye."

"Thank you!"

"Don't worry. With the cameras, finding him will be quick. You might even be home by the time it's done."

"Hmm!" She responded, her gaze drifting out the window.

True to his word, before they reached home, Uncle Liu's phone rang.

"Hello, Chief Nie!"

"Xiao Liu! I found the boy you asked about!" Uncle Liu turned on the speakerphone.

"It wasn't easy. The cameras only showed him leaving a tutoring center. I had to use a police case as an excuse to get his info."

"You really went out of your way. How about tonight? I'll treat you at Tongque Terrace. You can't miss it." Uncle Liu understood the implication.

"So, what's this kid's name?"

"Ye Xi. Ye as in leaf, Xi as in Kangxi." Chief Nie said.

"Ye Xi...?" She snapped back to attention. "His school! His school!"

"Which school does this Ye Xi attend?" Uncle Liu gestured.

"That requires checking school records. Wait a moment. I'll send the details directly to your phone. Is that okay?"

"Sure, sure! Thank you so much. You must come tonight."

"Of course, of course."

Chief Nie was efficient. Within two minutes, a text arrived. He handed the phone to her.

She took the phone and read the message.

Ye Xi, first-year high school student, school... Yinghua High School...

"Uncle Liu, I want to enroll at Yinghua High School."

"Alright. Your family has donated plenty to Yinghua anyway. Getting an exchange student spot through connections won't be hard."

"Then report directly to Yinghua tomorrow. I'll handle all the paperwork today!"

Uncle Liu didn't ask further, replying firmly.

...

...

At this moment, Principal Wang, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke.

"Xia Tong, right? Your father donated a lot to our school, which is why we made an exception for you. But what you did today is outrageous. That boy, what's his name..."

Principal Wang looked at the girl, a hint of anger in his brow.

"Ye Xi!"

She'd heard this name only once, but she'd never forget it.

"Yes, which class is this Ye Xi in? Bring him here. We must address this early romance issue."

As principal of Yinghua for many years, the rules strictly forbid dating. Xia Tong was clearly walking into the line of fire.

"I don't know which class he's in. I only know he's a freshman."

Xia Tong helplessly shrugged. It was the truth. Otherwise, she wouldn't have acted that way. If possible, she'd only wanted to say it to him alone.

"Lying again? You confessed without even knowing his class?"

The vice principal didn't believe her. After all his years in education, he'd seen all kinds of students. Was she really too cowardly to admit her mistake?

"But I really don't know!"

The girl shrugged. She was telling the truth—why wouldn't anyone believe her?

"Then, since that's the case, please go find that boy."

Since he couldn't get answers from Xia Tong, he could get them from Ye Xi.

"Fine! Once I bring him here, let's see what you have to say!"

The vice principal wasted no time. After this final "threat," he strode out of the room.

"Is there really nothing you want to say to me?"

Principal Wang seemed to want to give Xia Tong another chance. After all, she was the Xia family's heiress. If possible, he didn't want to make a big scene—it wouldn't be good for Yinghua's reputation.

"No!"

She'd said it so many times—why wouldn't they believe her!

"Then, let's not waste time. We'll talk again after that boy arrives."

Principal Wang took a sip of tea, head down. Both had their own thoughts, neither willing to say more.

...

...

Back in the classroom, some who hadn't remembered my name glanced at the seating chart on the blackboard. They started pointing and whispering about me.

Only when Teacher Wang entered did the classroom finally quiet down.

"Fang Yiyi!"

"Here..."

The girl stood up, looking every bit the class monitor.

"Take a few boys to the administration office to fetch the textbooks."

Another routine book-moving session. Fang Yiyi simply picked a few strong-looking boys, including Zhou Qi.

"Oh, by the way! Is there anyone named Ye Xi in our class?"

Mr. Wang seemed to recall something, but no one answered. In this unfamiliar crowd, nobody wanted to stick their neck out.

Until someone pointed at the name on the blackboard. Mr. Wang turned, scanned the room, and finally spotted mine.

I was completely unaware of the danger closing in. Still slumped over my desk, lost in daydreams, I just wanted to hurry home and escape those damn stares drilling into me.

Knock knock knock—

“What?” I snapped, irritation flaring. Zhou Qi, stop banging on my desk! Weren’t you off carrying books? Why are you back?

I looked up—and froze. Mr. Wang stood right before me, his gaze unreadable.

“You. Come with me.”

Those words shattered every hope I’d clung to. I’d braced myself, but now it felt real: my suspicion was true.

“Are you the Ye Xi Xia Tong mentioned?” The man outside the door looked like the vice principal—I’d seen him at the opening ceremony!

“Probably…” In this mess, I was likely the only Ye Xi Xia Tong meant. What had gotten into that guy? He’d seemed so serious lately.

“Nonsense! You’re the only Ye Xi in the entire freshman year. Who else could it be?” “Come with me.” The vice principal wasted no time. He roughly grabbed my wrist and yanked me away, rushing like he was late. I had no clue where he was dragging me.