“Xiao Nanye is still very handsome, but seeing him beaten up like this really makes my heart ache.”

Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but say as she looked at the injuries on Zhou Nanye’s face. However, she was merely stating the truth.

Even with the wounds on his face, his good looks remained unaffected. In fact, they added a rugged, battle-worn charm to his appearance.

“……”

Zhou Nanye felt a bit embarrassed by Mianmian’s compliment, and when he heard her say that she felt sorry for him, his heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

He hurriedly changed the subject.

“Just now… T-Thank you, Mianmian…”

“If it weren’t for you speaking up… for me… I—I might have been expelled…”

Thinking about it now, he still felt a lingering sense of fear.

He had come so close to being expelled… If that had happened, he wouldn’t be able to see Mianmian anymore…

“You silly thing, why are you being so formal with me?”

“Besides, it was clearly his fault for hitting you first. That teacher only wanted to flatter Ming Yao, so he was biased and tried to expel you without even understanding the situation.”

Jiang Mianmian was still furious when she thought about how Zhou Nanye had been beaten up.

Just because she refused to attend Ming Yao’s birthday party and instead chose to celebrate Xiao Nanye’s birthday, Ming Yao resorted to physical violence. He was truly spoiled beyond measure.

Jiang Mianmian carefully applied medicine to Zhou Nanye’s wounds, and he obediently let her do as she pleased.

Even though he was delighted that Mianmian was taking care of him, he couldn’t help but secretly think that perhaps… getting beaten up wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

At least… Mianmian felt sorry for him…

However, when he recalled how the teacher had been willing to expel him just to please Ming Yao, he couldn’t help but feel a little dejected.

“Mianmian… I—I’ve always believed that a person’s background… shouldn’t limit their future…”

“But… but now I think… if—if I had a better family background… w-wouldn’t that mean I could…”

…be worthy of Mianmian?

Although Zhou Nanye was working hard to build his own wealth, studying diligently to change his fate, and striving to better himself…

No matter how hard he tried, how could he possibly compare to Ming Yao, who came from generations of accumulated wealth and privilege?

This thought left him feeling frustrated…

Jiang Mianmian looked at his dejected expression and actually wanted to tell him the truth—he was also a child born into a wealthy family!

He had just been unfortunate enough to be abducted, causing this pearl to be buried in the dust.

According to the original plot, Zhou Nanye’s family background was no less prominent than that of the Ming and Jiang families—he was also the heir to a powerful and prestigious household.

But now wasn’t the right time. Until his family found him, she couldn’t reveal the truth.

All she could do was comfort him.

“Xiao Nanye, don’t compare family backgrounds. If you want to compare, then compare as individuals. In that case, you’re better than Ming Yao in every way!”

“So, stop looking down on yourself and don’t be discouraged!”

After saying that, Jiang Mianmian flashed him a sweet smile.

Seeing her smile, Zhou Nanye couldn’t help but lift the corners of his lips as well. In an instant, his mood brightened.

He would work hard. He would strive to become excellent.

He would work to be worthy of Mianmian…!

Zhou Nanye wanted to be with Mianmian forever—how could he give up on his lifelong pursuit just because of family background?

With renewed determination, Zhou Nanye made a silent vow in his heart.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ling’er had followed Ming Yao to a club that was popular among male students.

She watched as Ming Yao, looking agitated, opened a bottle of beer and quickly drank more than half of it.

He muttered bitterly, frustration and sadness evident in his voice.

“Jiang Mianmian only cares about that damn stutterer now!”

“I got beaten up so badly, yet she only has eyes for that damn stutterer…”

“She doesn’t feel sorry for me at all…”

Ming Yao sat on the couch, drinking furiously in anger and heartbreak.

Zhou Ling’er moved closer to him, speaking in a soft and gentle voice, “Ming Yao, stop drinking. If she doesn’t care about you, I do.”

Originally, after realizing his feelings for Jiang Mianmian, Ming Yao had completely lost interest in Zhou Ling’er.

But after constantly receiving cold treatment from Jiang Mianmian, he suddenly had a new idea.

He wanted revenge on Jiang Mianmian! He wanted to make her regret it!

He wanted her to know that he, Ming Yao, was not someone who couldn’t live without her!