Chapter 16 - Driving off
"HuMing, I..."
For some reason, LiYue dare not to look Hu Ming in the eyes. Deep down, she disagreed with HuMing's words.
She couldn't understand why Han ShuYi would use someone who has no value like her. She also couldn't deny Han ShuYi's advice, which gave her confidence she never had before.
Furthermore, why did HuMing harbor such resentment toward Han ShuYi?
Han ShuYi had no intention of competing against him. On the contrary, that day, he asked about HuMing several times.
Compared to HuMing's hostility, Han ShuYi appeared genuinely concerned about him.
"HuMing, Han ShuYi had no intention of having friction with you. He told me so. He said being frustrated right now is normal because of your identity issues. He wanted to tell you personally but was afraid you'd be upset."
LiYue explained earnestly to HuMing. She believed Hu Ming and Han ShuYi could get along.
Looking into her eyes, HuMing realized why Han ShuYi hadn't recently crossed with him directly.
Like the original, HuMing also held no interest in LiYue.
Because of her birthmark, she felt inferior and had been bullied for a long time, which made her easily frightened. Unexpectedly, a few words from the original sparked her last hope, like a match struck in the darkness. That was why she had been following the original all this time.
And now, Han ShuYi was approaching her with a torch, rendering the original match meaningless. But what she didn't realize was that her existence would lose meaning once she emerged from the darkness.
HuMing looked at her quietly as she explained herself. And all of a sudden, he smiled.
His smile caught LiYue off guard. She did not understand why HuMing was smiling.
Was it because of something she had done wrong? But she didn't believe so.
HuMing had always warned her to be away from Han ShuYi, but Han ShuYi had shown no hostility toward her. Instead, he suggested ways for her to overcome her inferiority.
Was someone like that truly bad? For the first time, LiYue questioned HuMing's judgment.
"LiYue, do you think I'm jealous of Han ShuYi?"
"I don't, HuMing!"
"I've cautioned you several times that Han ShuYi is simply using you to oppose me. But it is up to you to decide what to do."
"HuMing, you could be friends with him! Why are you so stubbornly opposing Han ShuYi!?"
LiYue didn't understand and couldn't comprehend.
HuMing, however, had already decided after she said these things. He sighed lightly and nodded at her.
"Alright, since Han ShuYi said so, I'll believe him once."
At his words, a smile finally appeared on LiYue's face.
"That's right, you're both from the Han family. There shouldn't be any deep-seated grudge between family members!"
LiYue spoke to herself, her face free of the timidity she had once displayed.
[To change someone with just a few words. Han ShuYi, I really underestimated you. ]
...
Since that day, SuLiu has been disconnected. Even though everyone around her criticized HuMing, she couldn't understand why he could be so assertive.
Hasn't he been pursuing her for a long time? Why give up so quickly? Was there actually no bond between them?
Her expression was one of pain as she held her head.
The strawberry milk from that day remained in her drawer, symbolizing HuMing's rejection.
"SuLiu, where should we go on Sunday?"
Yin XiaoXiao wasn't conscious of SuLiu's state as she discussed weekend plans with others.
Regarding HuMing, she didn't find it a big deal. SuLiu has plenty of pursuers, and many people are willing to go above and beyond for her. There's no need to be worried at all.
But when SuLiu heard this, she suddenly stood up and made a bold decision.
The bell rang, signaling the end of school. Students rushed out of the classroom, heading home. As it was Friday, there were a large number of vehicles waiting to pick them up.
Finding a familiar figure among the crowd proved difficult.
After learning that HuMing had already left the classroom. SuLiu ignored the surprised looks behind her and dashed towards the exit.
However, just as she was about to greet him after spotting his figure on the sports ground, she saw him standing beside a girl---it was the well-known student council president!
Seeing this, SuLiu recalled the recent rumors: HuMing and Ye QiuXue have been quite close recently, and even the incident where HuMing was bullied had been personally handled by Ye QiuXue.
[Did HuMing fall for Ye QiuXue!?]
But didn't he say he disliked girls like Ye QiuXue, who acted aloof?
She stared incredulously as images from that day flashed through her mind.
That's right, in the past, HuMing said he liked strawberry milk, but now he dislikes it. It's not so strange after all.
Thinking this, she no longer hesitated and walked towards HuMing!
On the other end, HuMing and Ye QiuXue were discussing something.
"Ye QiuXue, I'm giving you a formal notice right now. I'm free to treat you to dinner this weekend!"
"Han HuMing, are you crazy? I'm busy this weekend!"
"It is rare for me to treat someone to dinner. Please do me the honor."
"Huh, but I heard you used to treat dinner quite frequently when you were pursuing SuLiu. It appears that your honor has taken a significant toll."
Ye QiuXue looked at HuMing with a cold smile, causing him to shiver.
It was all the original's fault. The current him wouldn't be so embarrassed now if the previous owner wasn't such a Simp!
While HuMing was still in distress, Ye QiuXue sighed helplessly and said,
"I'm really busy this weekend. The school is participating in practical activities, and I can't leave since I'm in charge."
"I'm free!"
Suddenly, someone behind interrupted their conversation. HuMing and Ye QiuXue turned to look, their movements strangely synchronized.
SuLiu's eyes dimmed as she saw this scene but quickly returned to normal.
HuMing thought that after the last incident, SuLiu would stop approaching him for her own dignity!
But now her beautiful eyes were radiant, fixedly staring at him with a tenderness he had never witnessed before.
"HuMing, I'm free, let's go out together!"
SuLiu happened to overhear their conversation and became somewhat excited. She could try to mend their relationship if she could go out with HuMing.
Ye QiuXue squinted, staring at the scene. She had not expected SuLiu to come to HuMing voluntarily. She'd seen HuMing bow and scrape at SuLiu while she played hard to get, which irritated her.
Although HuMing's affairs had nothing to do with her, SuLiu's actions didn't sit well with her. Now that SuLiu had taken the initiative to come over, she was most likely trying to mend their relationship herself.
Ye QiuXue looked at HuMing. HuMing claimed that he and SuLiu were already over that day, but had they truly ended?
Perhaps only HuMing could give her an answer.
"Why should I go out with you?"
HuMing's face showed impatience. He waved his hand as if to drive her away.