This time, Ye QiuXue had taken leave to return to school, and not many people were aware of her return. However, she was eagerly anticipating HuMing’s reaction upon seeing her again.
Would he, like others, look at her with unfamiliar eyes?
Ye QiuXue couldn’t be certain.
If HuMing truly gave her that kind of look, it would mean there was nothing more to say between them. In that case, she could simply return to JingDu without lingering thoughts about him.
In truth, her return this time was to give herself some closure.
Carrying her backpack, Ye QiuXue walked in the direction of her home.
When she reached the base of her apartment building, the scene before her had barely changed. The same elderly men and women were still exercising and chatting in the nearby square.
From the residential buildings came the frustrated voices of parents tutoring their children.
Seeing these familiar sights, Ye QiuXue couldn’t help but smile.
But her smile soon faded.
The sudden appearance of someone wiped away all the scenarios she had imagined.
HuMing stood right in front of her, wearing a faint smile.
There were no accusations, no emotional outbursts. The two simply stood face to face as if nothing had ever happened.
Seeing the look in HuMing’s eyes, Ye QiuXue finally felt the unease she had carried for so long dissipate.
Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder how he knew she had returned. She hadn’t informed anyone.
She opened her mouth to speak, but HuMing raised his hand to stop her.
"Shall we talk upstairs?"
"This classmate, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for a boy to be alone with a girl in her house so late?"
"It’s not like it’s the first time, right, President?"
HuMing’s lips curved into a smirk, the same expression Ye QiuXue remembered vividly.
She knew it—this guy wasn’t someone who’d go down so easily!
Back in her apartment, which she had emptied of most things before leaving, Ye QiuXue found the fridge barren. She had eaten out after her return.
Thus, the two sat in the living room, eating instant noodles.
Aware of Ye QiuXue’s curiosity about how he had survived, HuMing calmly explained.
Ye QiuXue listened without much surprise.
Her fork tapped against the cup of noodles as she propped her chin with her hand, a contemplative expression on her face.
"I always felt there was tension between you and Han ShuYi, but I didn’t expect there to be such a connection. Still, isn’t what you’re doing incredibly dangerous?" she asked, her face full of concern.
She understood HuMing’s intentions but hoped he’d proceed cautiously, as she didn’t want him to risk his life.
"The other side has been after me for years, even using Han ShuYi against me. But they haven’t acted directly until now. I suspect they’ve been tied up with other matters. Otherwise, I would’ve disappeared long ago. If they move against me, it’s unlikely they’ll do it personally."
"So you think Han ShuYi will be the one to make a move?"
"Exactly. They want to kill me without getting their hands dirty. But the more Han ShuYi resists being used, the more I need to make him uneasy."
HuMing placed his hand over Ye QiuXue’s, his gaze steady.
"President, I’ll need your help this time!"
Ye QiuXue glanced at HuMing’s hand on hers, momentarily startled. Her cheeks flushed as she turned her head away.
"Help? Sure. But do you have to take advantage of the situation?"
"Uh…" HuMing quickly withdrew his hand, an awkward smile on his face.
But his curiosity soon got the better of him.
"President, how has life in JingDu been?"
"It’s alright. The cost of living is high, and rent is expensive, but the school provides subsidies. Plus, the faculty there is excellent—far better than what we have here."
The difference in educational resources was stark. After just a week in JingDu, Ye QiuXue could feel it.
The competitive atmosphere there was intense. Everyone, whether in clubs or academics, strove to excel, which added pressure.
As she spoke about JingDu, Ye QiuXue squinted at HuMing and casually remarked,
"By the way, there are plenty of handsome guys and beautiful girls in JingDu. Our school alone has lots of them."
"Of course. Some even pursued me." Ye QiuXue raised an eyebrow, her tone light.
HuMing frowned slightly and offered a serious piece of advice.
"President, the world is full of temptations. Be careful of sweet words and traps. Stay grounded."
"Are you saying I’m not good enough for them?" Ye QiuXue leaned closer, her gaze sharp and dangerous.
Straightening his back, HuMing instantly looked serious.
"Absolutely not. You’re amazing, President. They should be the ones wondering if they’re good enough for you!"
Ye QiuXue burst into laughter at his words.
Seeing her laugh, HuMing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The conversation shifted to recent events. Ye QiuXue was surprised to learn about the connection between HuMing and Xia XiaoXi.
Xia XiaoXi had never mentioned it to her.
Not that it mattered much; their acquaintance was superficial at best.
The clock, with its new battery, ticked steadily. Ye QiuXue hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long time.
With HuMing, she could let down her guard and speak freely.
However, there was one thing she didn’t share—about her mother.
Given HuMing’s preoccupation with Han ShuYi, she didn’t want to burden him with her troubles.
Outside, the sky had long turned dark. When HuMing noticed the late hour, he stood up and said,
"I’ll leave the rest to you tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, Ye QiuXue instinctively grabbed his wrist, locking eyes with him.
"You have to be careful, okay?"
Her eyes brimmed with concern, a look HuMing hadn’t seen directed at him in a long time.
He smiled warmly, his hand gently holding hers in return.