"Alright, I promise you!" Ye Liangchen took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he solemnly vowed.

Xue Shaohua was her first man—no one else had the right to bully him except her.

"Hu Yuying, oh Hu Yuying, you shouldn’t have provoked Xue Shaohua. Since you’ve made this mistake, don’t blame me for being ruthless later!"

Hearing Ye Liangchen’s promise, Xue Shaohua sniffled, his grievances fading as he smiled and said, "Mhm, I knew you’d always be the best to me."

At those words!

Ye Liangchen’s stern expression gradually softened. Clearing his throat, he spoke in his smoothest, most velvety voice, "Who else would I be good to if not you, silly?"

"I won’t let anyone who hurts you get away with it!"

To Xue Shaohua, these words made Ye Liangchen seem like the perfect man in that moment.

Glancing at Hu Yuying, who had already taken her seat, a flash of smugness and something darker crossed his eyes.

The pain he felt now would one day be unleashed upon her tenfold.

Then she’d learn—rejecting his love came with a price!

The thought brought him a sliver of comfort, easing the sting of Hu Yuying’s earlier rejection.

"Alright, alright, I just needed to hear that I’m the most important to you. I was in a bad mood earlier, but I feel better now."

"You don’t understand me at all. In my heart, I’d never allow anyone I care about to be bullied by others!" Ye Liangchen said slowly. "Not even my ‘treasure girl’!"

Before, he would’ve unconditionally trusted and sided with his so-called treasure girl.

But after everything that had happened—her rejecting his salvation, spurning his affections again and again—she no longer held the same place in his heart.

This wasn’t his fault. She’d destroyed it all with her own hands!

If only she’d accepted his help back then, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

With a disappointed sigh, Ye Liangchen tilted his head skyward. But there were no "ifs." She hadn’t cherished him.

This wasn’t the outcome he’d wanted.

Then, Long Aotian’s figure flickered through his mind, and a slow smirk curled Ye Liangchen’s lips. "After the sports festival, you’ll learn what true cruelty means."

After hanging up, Ye Liangchen strode back into the classroom, flipping his hair with effortless confidence, just enough to show off his earring.

Noticing all eyes on him, he smirked and sauntered to his seat. As he passed Zhou Li, he casually tossed out, "Elegance never goes out of style."

Under Zhou Li’s adoring gaze, he took his seat.

Meanwhile!

Xue Shaohua, his mood somewhat soothed, also returned to the classroom. But as he walked past Hu Yuying, his triumphant grin was impossible to suppress.

Yet Hu Yuying didn’t spare him a single glance.

The realization made Xue Shaohua frown.

Why? Everything he’d done was for her sake. Was it too much to ask for a little gratitude? Why did she look down on him?

What had he done wrong?

Was loving someone truly a sin?

Did those who were loved always take it for granted?

Closing his eyes, Xue Shaohua resisted the urge to call Ye Liangchen again and pour out his grievances.

Instead, he let out a bitter chuckle. "It’s fine. One day, I’ll have both your body and your heart. Then you’ll know my love was real."

......

Outside the music academy.

Long Aotian’s phone buzzed with Lin Wanning’s voice. "Gege, don’t rush me. I want to look pretty for our date today."

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"Ten more minutes. Wait for me, just ten more."

Hearing Lin Wanning’s sweet, pleading tone, Long Aotian sighed. "Ten minutes, then. I’m right outside the academy."

Ever since they’d gotten together, her once cool, distant demeanor had melted away. She smiled more now, and her playful side had fully emerged.

Glancing at his phone, he noted—twenty minutes had already passed.

"Of course..." Just as he was about to call her again, a light tap landed on his shoulder.

Turning, Long Aotian froze for a second.

Seeing the awe in his eyes, Lin Wanning smiled, flipping her hair. "Do I look good?"

"Beautiful."

"So was it worth the wait?"

"Aren’t you cold, though?"

Lin Wanning rolled her eyes. Hadn’t he heard the saying "a woman dresses up for the one who appreciates her"?

Without another word, she slid onto the back of Long Aotian’s scooter, arms crossed.

Long Aotian stifled a laugh.

Today, Lin Wanning was stunning.

A white coat over a fitted dress accentuated her tall, graceful figure.

Her naturally fair skin, paired with light makeup and bold red lips, made for an effortlessly elegant look.

At a red light, he tapped the brakes.

Lin Wanning bumped into him, then immediately scooted back, pretending to sulk.

"You look especially beautiful today," Long Aotian murmured, catching her gaze in the rearview mirror.

Lin Wanning pursed her lips, then suddenly wrapped her arms around him. "Gege, you’re so annoying. I was mad at you, and now you’re sweet-talking me..."

"Couldn’t you have just said I looked pretty from the start?"

"Sorry, I got distracted. On my way here, I saw an island."

"Liar. Where? The music academy and T University are only a few hundred meters apart. If there was an island, I’d have seen it."

"You wouldn’t have. Because that island’s name is ‘Falling Head Over Heels for You.’"

Lin Wanning looked up, grinning. "That’s such a cheesy pickup line!"

But her bright smile and the way she clung to him betrayed her delight.

Long Aotian chuckled. "Let’s go!"

"Mhm." One arm around his waist, the other stretched out like a wing, she laughed as the wind rushed past.

Earlier, Lin Wanning had texted their group chat to coordinate.

When they arrived at A University, Li Qingxue was already waiting at the gates.

"Qingxue!" Lin Wanning hopped off the scooter and hurried over.

Seeing Lin Wanning’s stylish outfit and makeup, Li Qingxue suddenly felt underdressed. She resolved to run back to her dorm later to change and freshen up.

Long Aotian hesitated, then approached Li Qingxue awkwardly. "Qingxue."

Li Qingxue said nothing, only stared back at him.

Awkwardness—the air seemed to freeze, unbearably awkward...

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