He Li looked in the direction Liu Yuyan had run, listening as the sound of her sobs grew fainter in the stairwell until it disappeared… He shook his head, feeling no regret at all. In his past life, the damage Liu Yuyan had done to him was no small matter. The fact that he didn’t hit her was already an act of mercy.
Mother He, who had seen everything, let out a sigh. She said a few words to He Li but didn’t press further, because she also felt that cutting ties with Liu Yuyan was for the best. Liu Yuyan was just too strange. She really worried He Li might get back together with her and ruin his own future.
But judging from what had just happened… it was probably impossible for them to reconcile. With that thought, Mother He finally felt relieved. Then she muttered to herself, “That Xiaoyu girl is still the better one—so sensible and well-behaved!”
Hearing his mother’s comment, He Li couldn’t help but laugh.
“What are you laughing at? Eat your breakfast!” Mother He came out of the kitchen and gave him a glare.
He Li scratched his head and grinned, “By the way, Mom, I won’t be home for lunch today. I’m going out to eat with some friends.”
Mother He didn’t think much of it. Her son was grown now and had his own thoughts, so she didn’t interfere too much. But before he left, she couldn’t help reminding him to take Miao Xiaoyu with him if he was going out.
He Li readily agreed and left in a hurry after finishing breakfast.
There was still time before his appointment with Shennong Pharmaceuticals, so he went to check out nearby rental listings. He wanted to find a place to set up a temporary studio. There were plenty of vacant rentals in the area, and after a bit of browsing, He Li had already targeted a few options. Then he went straight to the nearby computer mall to look at various computer components.
By the time he finished everything, it was almost noon. Someone from Shennong Pharmaceuticals called ahead to remind him. He Li then called Miao Xiaoyu and Wu Gang and headed to the Guanghui Hotel.
On the way, when Wu Gang heard they were meeting at Guanghui Hotel, he couldn’t hide the surprise on his face. “Li‑zi, did you pick this place?”
Looking at the luxurious hotel up ahead, Wu Gang couldn’t help asking.
He Li shook his head, “They picked it.”
Wu Gang spread his hands and sighed, “Someone in the class group said Liu Yuyan’s birthday party is also being held here. If we run into them, you better think about how to handle it.”
“What’s there to handle…” He Li shook his head, not intending to mention what happened that morning. He figured they wouldn’t run into Liu Yuyan’s group. After all, the Guanghui Hotel was huge—what were the chances?
But fate had other plans.
The moment the three of them stepped into the hotel… familiar voices reached their ears.
“Our class monitor is awesome. He actually managed to book a private room here!”
“Yeah, private rooms at Guanghui Hotel are hard to get.”
“Even the standard ones require a minimum spending threshold and a platinum membership worth at least 100,000 yuan!”
“That’s nothing! Don’t forget, the monitor’s family is loaded—multi-millionaires!”
“Gosh, I’m starting to think the monitor’s kinda handsome too!”
“Tch, so jealous of Liu the campus belle having her birthday party here!”
“Compared to the monitor, He Li’s past birthday party plans for Liu the campus belle were nothing!”
“Obviously. What kind of assets does He Li have? What kind of assets does the monitor have?”
…
Listening to the admiration in their voices, Li Lingjie soaked in the envy and worship from everyone around. His vanity was greatly satisfied. With a confident smile, he glanced at Liu Yuyan beside him, her eyes still red.
“Yuyan, how’s the place I booked for you?” he asked, a little smug. “You like it, right?”
He thought he had clearly outshined He Li. After all, He Li never had much money and definitely couldn’t afford to spend at a place like this.
However, Liu Yuyan merely nodded absentmindedly. She wasn’t interested, because He Li wasn’t here. And because of what He Li said that morning.
When He Li used to be around, she didn’t think much of it. But over the past few days, his growing distance had made her feel uneasy—like she was falling into chaos. In the past, He Li took care of everything for her. All she had to do was enjoy life. But now, the moment he left, her once perfect life collapsed.
When she was sick at night, no one cared for her… she had to endure the pain alone until morning.
When she was hungry, no one cooked her favorite meals… she had to wait for her parents to finish work and return home to cook a bowl of bland noodles or order some tasteless delivery.
When she was upset and couldn’t sleep, no one coaxed her anymore.
She thought that after a few days of cold war, things would return to the way they were. But reality kept slapping her in the face… She didn’t dare imagine how she would survive if He Li left her for good.
That was why, even though He Li had been so harsh that morning… even though she had also thrown out cruel words saying he would regret it… deep down, she was the one who regretted it. She really hoped He Li had been lying.
She hoped he would suddenly show up and surprise her.
Even though she knew the chances were slim… she still held onto hope.
She had never, until now, so desperately wanted the He Li she once took for granted to be by her side—to spend her birthday with her, to chat with her, to make her laugh.
As she thought about it, she randomly looked up and caught a glimpse of a familiar face—He Li’s handsome face!
Was it an illusion? Liu Yuyan rubbed her eyes.
But that familiar face didn’t vanish.
Instead, He Li came closer, more clearly into view!
Once she confirmed it really was He Li, tears streamed down Liu Yuyan’s face. Her lips parted, voice trembling, “He… He Li!”
Her voice was barely a whisper, but her face was filled with overwhelming joy.
Because He Li really came!
She automatically assumed her guess had come true—that He Li still couldn’t let go of her and had come back.
But beside her, Li Lingjie’s face twisted in anger the moment he heard Liu Yuyan’s voice. He turned and looked toward the entrance—sure enough, He Li was walking in with Miao Xiaoyu and Wu Gang.
He didn’t believe for a second that He Li was here to eat. In his eyes, a boy from an ordinary working-class family couldn’t afford this place.
So the moment he saw He Li, he immediately came up with his own interpretation.
“He Li? What are you doing here?” he sneered. “Today is Liu Yuyan’s birthday party, but I didn’t invite any of you.”
“No one invited you, and yet you still came running?”
“Tch tch, what’s the deal? Heard I booked a private room here and just couldn’t resist the free food? Man, you really are shameless!”
The other classmates followed his lead, their faces full of disdain.
“Class monitor, it’s actually kinda normal for someone like He the top student to show up!”
“Yeah, considering how expensive this place is, he might never get another chance to eat here.”
“He’s smart—of course he wouldn’t miss out on a free meal!”
“True, but that face is seriously thick-skinned!”
“No one invited him, and yet he still barges in without shame.”
“Exactly! If it were me, I’d be dying of embarrassment!”
…
Seeing that most of the classmates were on his side, Li Lingjie’s expression became even more smug. He lifted his chin arrogantly and looked at He Li with utter contempt.
He Li couldn’t even be bothered to respond to this clown, but Liu Yuyan unexpectedly stepped up to defend him.
“Li Lingjie, no one’s stopping you from shutting up!”
“And all of you—this is my birthday party.”
“I decide who’s welcome and who’s not.”
“If you all like making decisions for me so much, why don’t you throw your own birthday party and I’ll just leave?”
As she spoke, Liu Yuyan swept a cold gaze over her classmates.
They all fell silent, glancing at one another. Even Li Lingjie panicked a little and quickly stepped forward to beg, “Yuyan, don’t be mad. This party is for you—how can you just leave?”
“If I said something wrong, I’ll apologize. Please don’t get upset!”
“Apologize to He Li!” Liu Yuyan demanded firmly.
Li Lingjie’s expression froze.
Seeing this, Liu Yuyan frowned, “If you don’t apologize, I’m leaving!”
“No no no, I’ll apologize. I’ll apologize…”
In the face of love, Li Lingjie was completely spineless.
Even more so than He Li had been in his previous life. Now, despite the searing rage and jealousy burning inside him, his fists clenched tight, he forced himself to step forward, face contorted as he squeezed out a stiff, reluctant smile.
“He Li, I’m sorry.”
“I was just speaking a bit too loudly earlier…”