The situation with Han ShuYi began to escalate the very next day. No one could have imagined that the long-missing student council president would be involved in something as shocking as murder.
News spread quickly among the students. They speculated endlessly about what exactly Han ShuYi had done. Some criticized his tenure, claiming he had accomplished nothing meaningful, with the student council plagued by freeloaders who did nothing but annoy their peers.
Many wanted to confront the people involved, but how could they when Han ShuYi was already behind bars?
The Han family, fully aware of the scandal's repercussions, had Han YunXi skip school the following day. Even those who wished to question her had no opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Han family faced internal upheaval. Fortunately, Han LiTian had prepared for such a crisis long ago. Though they suffered some losses, the family's core assets remained intact. Surprisingly, the Xia family also provided covert support during this time of trouble. Perhaps it was due to the close ties between the two families or because the Han family was seen as a trustworthy ally—regardless, their help was undeniable.
As for Han YunXi, she hadn't left the house since the incident. What surprised her even more was Xia XiaoXi taking time off just to stay with her and offer comfort. YunXi felt both touched and overwhelmed by this unexpected gesture.
Yet deep down, she still hoped for someone else to come and console her.
But that person had something important to do today.
"By the way, YunXi, where's your brother?"
"Oh, him... He's gone to see someone off—someone very important."
Xia XiaoXi glanced around Han YunXi's room, curiosity in her eyes. However, upon hearing YunXi's reply, a fleeting disappointment crossed her face. She had hoped to see HuMing.
No matter, though. Comforting YunXi was more important now. After all, dealing with such a family scandal must be hard on her.
Meanwhile, the person they spoke of was accompanying Ye QiuXue to the high-speed rail station.
Having taken time off, it was finally time for Ye QiuXue to return. Her studies were demanding, with fierce competition, leaving her no chance even to visit her hometown.
What surprised her was that HuMing had come to see her off in person. She had assumed he would still be preoccupied with the Han ShuYi case.
"HuMing, are you sure you don’t need to deal with Han ShuYi? You went through all that trouble to catch him. Shouldn't you at least try to get some information out of him?"
"Han ShuYi was just a pawn. He knows nothing about the people behind him. But it’s fine—I already have a lead," HuMing replied, more to reassure Ye QiuXue than anything else.
Otherwise, she'd just keep worrying that she was delaying his investigation.
Ye QiuXue nodded, adjusting her backpack as her gaze dropped slightly.
HuMing noticed her sudden shift in demeanor. She’d been fine a moment ago—why the change?
He didn’t quite understand what was going through her mind.
Abruptly, Ye QiuXue stopped walking. Her cheeks flushed red, and she avoided his gaze.
"Um... Remember when I said I’d take you to my hometown for a trip? Well, I can’t do that this time... but next time I come back, I promise I’ll take you!" She blurted the words out after struggling internally for a while.
HuMing stared at her, his only thought: That’s it?
Still, looking at her flustered face, he didn’t voice that thought. Instead, he smoothly picked up the conversation.
"Next time? I might not be around then."
"Huh?" Ye QiuXue froze, caught off guard.
"Once I follow this lead, I won’t be staying here. I want to find the people behind everything. I want to know who my real parents are. Maybe once I finish that, I’ll come back here."
His tone carried an air of uncertainty. Ye QiuXue pressed her lips together, the smile fading from her face.
Of course. HuMing had returned for this very reason—to find his biological parents. This was his wish. She had no right to say anything against it.
But when would they meet again after parting ways today?
She didn’t know. She just knew the chances were slim.
By then, would HuMing even remember her?
The two walked in silence toward the station entrance. Despite it not being peak hours, the station was bustling with people.
Their shoulders brushed as they navigated the crowd, occasionally leaning closer to each other.
Ye QiuXue’s mind was a whirlwind. She couldn’t deny that she didn’t want to lose this connection. But what about HuMing? What did he think?
"HuMing!" she suddenly called out, halting in her tracks and turning to face him.
HuMing stopped as well, looking back at her.
Ye QiuXue stared at his familiar face. She remembered how she once found him insufferable, only to see him gradually change. As they spent more time together, she discovered who he truly was.
Through it all, they had shared so much.
She had to admit—in a life with few friends, HuMing had become an important part of it.
She didn’t want to lose him as a ‘friend’.
"HuMing, will we always be friends?"
HuMing blinked, momentarily stunned. Then it clicked—this was why she’d been so quiet all along.
He wouldn’t deny everything he’d done for her, nor was he oblivious to her feelings.
She probably liked him.
"President, aren’t you overthinking? I’m just leaving the city, not disappearing from the face of the earth. Even if we can’t meet, we can still chat on our phones. There’s always video calls, too," HuMing said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
Ye QiuXue blinked at him, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Of course, she was overthinking. HuMing was still the same HuMing.
She adjusted her backpack and resumed walking toward the ticket gate, with HuMing following closely behind.
"HuMing, your grades are so good now. Were you lying when you said you didn’t know anything before?"
"How could I lie? My grades are all thanks to your excellent guidance, President. If I had a drink, I’d toast to you right now."
"You’re so annoying! You sound like a middle-aged man."
"I’m not even an adult yet!"
"My hometown is beautiful. If you ever see it, you won’t regret it."
"Then I’ll wait for you to take me there, President~"