Monday was the most tedious day of the week—a feeling shared by everyone on Earth.

As the first workday after a weekend of wild freedom, few could muster any enthusiasm.

Cang Xiaoxi felt the same.

But for him, the reason for his boredom was slightly different.

"Yo, look who’s here—the Young Master actually showed up! Is it raining gold bars today? Better protect your head!"

The words dripped with malice and provocation.

The moment Cang Xiaoxi stepped through the school gate, the taunt echoed deliberately loud enough for the whole class to hear.

The speaker was Luo Shun, son of the city’s current richest family—a title held for years.

Calling himself a local tyrant, he carried himself as if the world revolved around him, in class and beyond.

He looked down on nearly everyone, teachers included.

Sure enough, sycophants flocked to his side.

"Hah! Young Master Luo, you flatter him! Who *is* our esteemed Young Master Cang? His showing up must mean the apocalypse is near—who else but *him*?"

"Exactly! Even 'raining gold bars' is Luo Shao being generous. Young Master Cang’s influence is *that* immense!"

"Hahahaha!!!"

...

Blatant bullying. Honestly, it was hard to see the humor.

"Tch. So boring."

Muttering just loud enough for himself, Cang Xiaoxi shot them a casual glance.

To him, these sycophants and the so-called "local tyrant" were just rabble chasing fleeting verbal victories—petty scum who preyed only on those they deemed beneath them.

Cang Xiaoxi never saw himself as inferior.

Wealth aside, in looks or grades—even while running errands to pay off family debts—his academics stayed top-tier.

This year’s prestigious scholarship had been within reach.

But...

Why did they all target him?

Why did the entire classroom look away, pretending not to see?

Reason one: Cang Xiaoxi’s demeanor.

He was neither warm nor condescending to anyone.

Reason two: He *had* once been the "Young Master" they mocked—the son of the city’s former richest family.

As Luo Shun’s family rose and became sworn rivals to Cang’s, fear silenced all but one person...

"Luo Shun, please stop slandering Xiao Xi! He’s nothing like what you describe!"

A clear voice cut through the classroom.

At her words, everyone—even the arrogant "local tyrant"—fell silent, turning to her.

Waist-length straight black hair, porcelain-white skin—a beauty universally acknowledged.

Yuan Huixue. The school’s "unattainable flower," adored by students of all genders.

When she spoke, no one dared ignore her. Not even Luo Shun and his lackeys.

"N-no! You misunderstood, Yuan Huixue!" Luo Shun stammered. "I wasn’t slandering him—just... a friendly reminder since he’s been absent."

"Yeah! Young Master Luo only meant well!"

"Exactly! You know Luo Shao’s character, right?"

...

Transparent excuses. Even a child would spot the lie.

Fury flared in Yuan Huixue. She prepared to defend Cang Xiaoxi—

"Yuan Huixue, don’t blame Luo Shun. They only spoke out of concern for Cang Xiaoxi."

A voice dripping with faux fairness cut in.

The entire class turned to the speaker with admiration—a stark contrast to their reaction to Yuan Huixue.

"Out of *concern*? Chi Yun, are you serious?" Yuan Huixue’s brows furrowed.

She wasn’t naive. She saw the provocation clearly.

"Isn’t it?" Chi Yun replied, utterly convinced. "If Cang Xiaoxi attended regularly, reminders wouldn’t be needed. Methods were a bit excessive, sure—but intentions were good."

He glanced at Luo Shun and others with a *What? Am I wrong?* look.

"Yes! We’ll phrase reminders more gently next time!" Luo Shun and his lackeys nodded obsequiously.

Even other students shot Chi Yun approving glances. No dissent. Not even from Luo Shun.

After all, Chi Yun was one Luo Shun feared.

Only son of the city mayor. Three-time national youth taekwondo champion. Top of every class since elementary school. Model-grade looks.

The undisputed idol of the school.

No one contradicted him—except Yuan Huixue.

"You... all of you... Xiao Xi isn’t like that..."

She fought to defend him, but her words were dismissed as mere kindness—met with amused smiles.

"How gentle of you, Huixue," Chi Yun nodded warmly. "But please rein it in. Overindulgence is poison. Even childhood friends shouldn’t be coddled endlessly."

*Childhood friends.*

Growing up together—the closest bond between two people.

Yuan Huixue’s reason to stand by him.

Here, twisted into proof of her "overstepping."

"No, it’s not like that! Xiao Xi is truly... Xiao Xi, please, say something..."

Alone, she couldn’t hold her ground. She desperately hoped he’d speak for himself.

She knew he had valid reasons for tardiness—he was no truant.

Her gaze fell on him.

He’d already returned to his seat during the commotion, utterly indifferent.

She begged him to refute it—but...

"Thank you, Yuan Huixue, for speaking up. I’ll do my best to be on time."

A formal bow. A flat, distant tone—fitting for a stranger, not a childhood friend.

Cang Xiaoxi’s face was completely expressionless.

"X-Xiao Xi, you..."

His stranger-like demeanor left her speechless.

What truly silenced her: Chi Yun sliding an arm around her shoulders, nodding in satisfaction.

"Since you understand, appreciate Huixue’s effort. Relying solely on her kindness is parasitic. I mention it only because you’re my fiancée’s childhood friend. Huixue can’t coddle you forever."

Chi Yun framed it as advice, but the subtext was clear to Cang Xiaoxi and others: *Your attention on my fiancée is a nuisance.*

Most students thought normally. Luo Shun’s group snickered quietly from the sidelines.

"Yes..."

Cang Xiaoxi replied curtly, teeth clenched in frustration.

He wouldn’t stay a second longer if not for the scholarship.

He especially didn’t want to see the childhood friend who broke their promise and walked away.

After the reply, he turned to review for the upcoming exam.

"Huixue, let’s go."

Chi Yun interpreted his silence as acceptance. Satisfied, he firmly led away the still-protesting Yuan Huixue.

Then he added, "Ah, right. Father asked you over tonight to discuss our engagement banquet. Just come with me after school."

The classroom erupted—genuine congratulations, jealous mutters from Luo Shun’s group, and... Cang Xiaoxi.

"So this is it... She never took our promise seriously at all."

A bitter smile tugged his lips. His fists clenched until they creaked.

How laughable—he’d only just let go, clinging until moments ago to a faint hope she remembered.

Watching Yuan Huixue surrounded by joyful classmates, immersed in bliss...

Remembering being turned away when he sought answers, layered with his parents’ ordeal—his conviction hardened: *Women are never to be trusted.*

"Might as well grab the scholarship and leave. Staying here is pointless..."

His eyes held no emotion.

No attachment to this class remained.

Only the scholarship—a final, fragile hope.

Shattered the moment the teacher entered.

"Due to excessive tardiness, the school committee has revoked Cang Xiaoxi’s scholarship for this term."