We'd always celebrated my birthday together. I didn't want this year to be an exception.

I thought it was a sign that we'd make up.

But when I got to school on Monday, I heard rumors that I'd apologized to Xia Yiran, and she'd forgiven me.

I went to find the teacher, but she interrupted me impatiently, saying that since we'd already resolved the issue, I shouldn't waste any more public resources.

I couldn't believe it. I hadn't done anything wrong—I didn't owe anyone an apology! Who gave someone the right to "forgive" on my behalf?

I ran to find Xia Yiran, half-crazy with anger.

And there I saw Xu Hanzhou, bending down to apply medicine to her leg.

When Xia Yiran saw me, she instinctively hid behind Xu Hanzhou.

"Xiao Shi? What are you doing here?"

My eyes were burning with tears. I finally understood.

Just yesterday, we'd been celebrating my birthday together.

Turns out—he'd never believed me, not for a second.

"Xu Hanzhou, who gave you the right to make decisions for me?" I shouted.

Maybe my expression was too intense, but Xu Hanzhou froze for a moment, looking uncomfortable.

"Xiao Shi, we're all classmates. There's no need to make things so tense."

Classmates? When I was being stared at like a criminal, when people were hurling vicious words at me—did Xia Yiran ever think we were classmates?

Tears poured out of me. In that moment, I couldn't bear the grievance any longer.

I pulled the beaded bracelet off my wrist and threw it fiercely on the ground.

The chain snapped, and beads rolled everywhere.

Xu Hanzhou stared at the scattered beads in shock, anger clouding his brows.

"Li Zhushi, what's wrong with you? Did I do something wrong? Ranran's family is poor—how do you think this makes her look?"

"What about me? Am I just supposed to be insulted? Is it so wrong for me to want the truth?"

Xu Hanzhou's anger faded a little. He looked away, as if he couldn't bear to meet my eyes.

Xia Yiran grabbed the corner of his shirt and whispered, "It hurts."

Xu Hanzhou's expression changed several times. When he finally looked at me, his feelings were unreadable.

"Xiao Shi, the truth doesn't matter. Ranran did get hurt because of you, didn't she?"

I suddenly found it hilarious. I'd wasted so much time trying to explain myself to him.

The Xu Hanzhou in front of me felt like a stranger.

I felt completely drained. Even looking at them made me tired. I turned around and walked away.

Someone called my name, but I didn't stop.

And I never would again.