As time passed, the college entrance exam quietly approached.
Everyone was filled with excitement, eagerly anticipating this day.
Some had worked tirelessly, never slacking off, just waiting for this moment to prove themselves and take the first step toward their college journey.
Others, who had been lazy and unmotivated, simply wanted to leave school as soon as possible and step into society, craving the freedom it promised.
Only a very few seemed to be acting a little... unhinged.
In Class 1, Ye Liangchen stared intently at Li Qingxue's back, muttering to himself, "Why? Why hasn't she regretted anything after all the posts I made on my social media? Why hasn't she come to find me?"
Over the past month, he had been waiting for two things: for Hu Yuying to see through Long Aotian's evil nature and for Li Qingxue to regret her decisions and come running back to him, begging for forgiveness in some dramatic "chasing the husband to the crematorium" scenario.
But now, with the college entrance exam just around the corner, neither of them had come to him.
Were they still mad at him?
In his dreams, he had been bullied by Long Aotian, but he had never told his parents, and they had never come to the school to make a scene.
Could it be the butterfly effect?
Ye Liangchen had an epiphany—this was likely the result of the butterfly effect!
Just like how he had approached Hu Yuying earlier than he should have...
At this thought, Ye Liangchen clenched his fists tightly. "Damn it, Long Aotian! It's all your fault! Why didn't you bully Hu Yuying? Why didn't you show your true evil nature to Li Qingxue?"
To be honest, Ye Liangchen was truly starting to regret his actions.
If only he had resisted the urge to approach Hu Yuying earlier, Long Aotian wouldn't have felt threatened and forced himself on her.
If Long Aotian had just controlled himself, even with the butterfly effect, things wouldn't have turned out this way!
Now, Ye Liangchen was genuinely panicking.
With only a week left before the college entrance exam, he hadn't even been tutored by Hu Yuying!
How much could he possibly accomplish in just one week?
He regretted posting so many things on social media.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Liangchen stood up and slowly walked over to Li Qingxue.
"Qingxue," he called out.
Li Qingxue, who was focused on her final preparations for the exam, looked up at him in confusion. "What is it?"
Looking into her eyes, Ye Liangchen forced a bitter smile. "I know you must be feeling a little regretful now, right?"
Li Qingxue frowned slightly.
Seeing this, Ye Liangchen continued, "Qingxue, why don't you deliberately lower your score? I haven't been studying well, so I probably won't get into a good university. How about you stay back and repeat the year with me?"
"Are you out of your mind?" Before Li Qingxue could respond, her deskmate, Wang Rui, couldn't hold back.
"Qingxue's grades are guaranteed to get her into University A. Why should she waste another year repeating for you?"
Ye Liangchen ignored Wang Rui, his gaze fixed on Li Qingxue.
He admitted that he was taking a gamble here, betting that Li Qingxue secretly regretted her decisions but was too angry to admit it.
He hoped that by giving her an out, she would calm down and start feeling guilty again.
"Ye Liangchen, you're really strange. Why would I give up my chance at the college entrance exam and repeat a year just for you?" Li Qingxue asked bluntly and honestly.
After going through a series of bizarre events, Li Qingxue's emotions were remarkably stable.
Ye Liangchen let out a bitter laugh, then took a deep breath. "Qingxue, I know what I'm about to say might be hard for you to accept right now."
"But I have to say it. You're hesitating, aren't you?"
"We've been apart for so many days. I'm sure you've had time to think things over, and I know you regret not accepting my 98th confession, don't you?"
Ye Liangchen stared intently, not wanting to miss any change in Li Qingxue's expression.
"Ye Liangchen, do you even hear yourself?" Li Qingxue chuckled lightly.
When Ye Liangchen had tattled on her to her parents, saying she was dating someone at school, she had felt upset for a moment, but that feeling had quickly passed.
But now, hearing Ye Liangchen speak to her like this, it was as if he thought she was a fool—a complete and utter fool.
Since starting high school, she had never slacked off. Even if she seemed relaxed at school, no one knew how hard she worked at home.
Step by step, she had been moving closer to her dream university. But now, with just a few words, he wanted her to throw away three years of hard work.
Li Qingxue really wanted to laugh—laugh at herself for having such a friend all these years.
The so-called "evil" Long Aotian had told her to focus on her studies, to prepare for the college entrance exam, and to cheer for her dream university.
But her friend of nearly ten years was asking her to deliberately lower her score and repeat a year with him. How ridiculous was that?
How could he say such a thing so confidently, as if he were doing her a great favor?
"When I wanted to help you, you refused. I thought you would work hard on your own, but now you're saying something so laughable."
Li Qingxue shook her head slowly. "You have no right to say such things."
Ye Liangchen staggered back, clutching his chest, his face turning pale. "Qingxue, how can you say that to me? Am I not your best friend anymore? You'll regret treating me like this."
Seeing Li Qingxue's resolute expression, Ye Liangchen felt as if she had become a completely different person, someone he barely recognized.
"You're not the Li Qingxue I used to know. I told you not to get involved with Long Aotian, and look how he's corrupted you. I barely recognize you anymore."
Li Qingxue had no interest in continuing this conversation. She'd rather spend her time solving a few more practice problems. "At least right now, you're not even as good as Long Aotian."
Her words struck Ye Liangchen like a bolt of lightning.
"Hah! So the knight has become the villain in the princess's eyes. Fine, I admit defeat this time."
With that, Ye Liangchen forced a relieved smile. "Then allow me to call you 'princess' one last time. Your knight is truly stepping down now, and this time, it's for good."
After saying this, Ye Liangchen walked out of the classroom, tilting his head up to keep the tears from falling. "From this moment on, I, Ye Liangchen, officially strip Li Qingxue of her title as my 'white moonlight.'"
He glanced back at Li Qingxue one last time. "You brought this on yourself. If I weren't backed into a corner, I wouldn't have asked this of you."
"And it's just repeating a year—it's not a big deal for someone as talented as you. But you refused me."
"Heh, I laugh now. When you finally come to your senses, don't blame me for the 'abuse the wife, cremate her' scenario that follows!"
With a self-mocking laugh, Ye Liangchen lowered his head.
But when he raised it again, his eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tightly. "Damn it, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had to strip them of their titles!"
...