Vol. 1 - Chapter 12 - Choice
HuMing hates when people plot against him, but unfortunately, he has to trouble himself by cleaning up the mess left behind by the original HuMing.
He detests this kind of trouble, but he's already involved in it and might end up like the original HuMing if he doesn't handle it.
As for Han ShuYi's attempts to confront him? There's no cause for concern, for HuMing possesses his own unique approach to handling such pretentious types.
As for LiYue, HuMing had repeatedly reminded her not to get close to Han ShuYi.
He's curious about how she will eventually choose, to walk down the same path or another.
All of these were unfolding in the watchful eyes of HuMing.
During the middle of the afternoon class, the class teacher asked Hu Ming to step outside.
It was clear to all the students that it was regarding the morning incident.
Regarding the emotional abuse inflicted on Hu Ming, the class teacher also criticized them seriously. But how many listened, no one could say.
Han ShuYi watched as HuMing's figure disappeared, lost in thought.
Following the class teacher, Hu Ming arrived at the principal's office, only to see the troublemakers standing at the door as punishment. Their heads hung low, with swollen palm prints on their cheeks, indicating that they had been reprimanded before he arrived.
However, to HuMing's surprise, Han LiTian was here alone.
Seeing Hu Ming enter, he explained,
"You know your mother isn't well. It might seriously affect her health if she finds out about this."
"Ok."
HuMing responded calmly, sounding uninterested. This made Han LiTian feel even guiltier.
After all, Hu Ming had lived with them for a long time. After Han ShuYi's return, they had indeed neglected HuMing's feelings. But they never expected that he would be treated like this at school. He couldn't accept this!
As these thoughts crossed his mind, his gaze turned icy as he confronted the principal,
"Mr. Principal, my child has suffered such grievances in your school. I believe you owe me an explanation, don't you?"
Being the school's primary sponsor, Han LiTian held substantial influence.
Upon hearing Han LiTian's words, the principal broke out in a cold sweat. He walked over to Han LiTian flatteringly and reassured him assertively,
"Mr. Han, I find this matter outrageous as well. Clearly, they are students from the same class. How could such bullying happen? These students should face expulsion! Our school does not tolerate such misconduct!"
His tone became increasingly severe as he turned his head towards the students, who had their heads lowered.
Upon hearing the principal's words, the parents of those students quickly apologized.
"Mr. Principal, our child is still young and immature. Please forgive him this once!"
"That's right, we will discipline them properly in the future. Please forgive him!"
Several parents kept on pleading, worried that Han LiTian would become angry.
Han LiTian remained silent, his face cold as he observed HuMing's unchanged expression. HuMing appeared disinterested, crossing his arms as though he was not involved in the matter.
Han LiTian found this puzzling. The previous HuMing had never allowed himself to be bullied to such an extent. Even if he were, he would definitely seek revenge. So why didn't he say anything now?
Unable to comprehend Hu Ming's actions, Han LiTian slowly rose to his feet. The surroundings immediately fell silent. Everyone followed his gaze and looked over. Suddenly, Hu Ming became the center of attention.
Feeling the gazes around him, Hu Ming sighed helplessly, showing his complete unwillingness to do something.
"I don't quite understand how you can say they are still young and immature when they have already reached the legal age."
Upon hearing HuMing's words, several parents grew nervous. Just as they were about to say something positive to HuMing, someone boldly interrupted.
He stared at HuMing, his tone full of defiance,
"Are you mature? Weren't you the one causing all those troubles in school? Openly harassing a girl, hanging out with thugs, and not studying despite being in the Honors Class at all. With all these problems, do you, Hu Ming, truly think that you are someone who takes studies seriously?"
Upon the boy finishing speaking, his parents promptly covered his mouth to silence him, wearing embarrassed smiles as if belittling his words as mere childish talk and not to take them seriously.
However, upon hearing the boy's words, the crowd's perception of Hu Ming subtly shifted.
The principal's face displayed awkwardness, but internally, he was seething.
"What does this have to do with you intentionally bullying Han HuMing? Even if you are looking for fault, be accurate about it!"
Han LiTian's eyes narrowed slightly as he remained silent, clearly aware of the ridiculous things HuMing had done at school before.
From the start, he disapproved of HuMing's behavior, but his busy schedule kept him from disciplining him effectively.
Now that he finally had some spare time, he discovered HuMing was not his child. He was momentarily at a loss on how to handle the situation.
He gazed at Hu Ming, wondering how he would respond to the boy's accusations.
The principal's office fell into silence instantly.
HuMing leaned quietly against the wall, his eyes fixed on the boy.
Despite feeling that he was in the right, the boy felt uneasy under HuMing's intense gaze.
"You claim I openly harassed a girl. If you're referring to SuLiu, feel free to ask her if it's true," HuMing said as he walked toward the boy, each step felt as though weighing heavily on him.
"You accused me of not studying in the Honors Class, but did you witness me not studying? Do I need to explain my study methods to you?"
Upon hearing this, the boy defiantly broke free from his parents' grasp, wearing a sneer on his face as he exclaimed.
"You don't even remember your last quiz score? You're performing even worse than the average student in the regular class. Where do you get the confidence to say this?"
"And what about you hanging out with those thugs outside? Don't think you can just dodge this!"
The boy's actions gave others courage; regarding this matter, they felt they might have a chance to stay at the school if the principal believed them!
HuMing shrugged his shoulders and smirked.
"Where's your evidence? Do you have any? As for my grades, why are you so concerned?"
His voice remained arrogant and overbearing, yet HuMing's words rendered them speechless.
Hu Ming turned to look at Han LiTian, and it was clear that he was asking:
[Do you believe them, or do you believe me?]