"That makes sense," Tang's mother let out a sigh of relief, thankful things hadn't turned for the worst. But peering into Manman's demeanor, it was clear she harbored special feelings for the boy, which as a mother, caused her considerable worry.

She couldn't allow her daughter to become distracted from her critical senior year of high school studies by a relationship and, as a result, see her grades — and chances at a top university — slip away, as she herself had experienced hardship in life.

Moreover, Tang Xing pondered over how to approach Yu Kai, the boy who had grown up with Manman as childhood friends. He was sensible, well-mannered, and excelled in his studies. In high school, he had often helped at her barbecue stall in his spare time, refusing any compensation, his intentions for Manman clear as day.

She had always regarded him as a prospective son-in-law, but now Manman suddenly took a liking to someone else — what was she to say to him?

Tang's mother felt deeply conflicted. Suddenly, another question crossed her mind. She looked at Tang Manman, whose cheeks were flushed up to her ears, and asked with confusion:

"Manman, you mentioned you were bullied at school. Doesn't Yu Kai know about this?"

Yu Kai and Manman were classmates; logically, if Manman suffered bullying, he would be aware of it. If so, why would he let someone else play the role of her savior?

Hearing her mother mention Yu Kai, Manman's blush receded, replaced by a growing redness in her tearful eyes.

He didn't know?

How could he not have known?

He was merely spectating from the sidelines!

He had to have known!

The hurt that had been buried deep within surged up, and with tears gathering in her eyes, Manman managed to say through her sobs:

"He knew!"

"When I was bullied, he just stood there watching!"

"Ah?" Tang's mother gasped, utterly unprepared for such an answer.

"How could this be?"

"He just stood by while you were bullied?"

"And did nothing?"

Tang's mother pressed in disbelief.

Manman sniffled, trying to be truthful despite feeling an inexplicable sense of grievance:

"No, after I called for help, he stepped forward to assist me, but the bullies sent him back."

"That's settled then," Tang's mother exhaled, almost relieved, her gaze somewhat reproachful she said:

"Yu didn't help you not because he didn't want to. He just couldn't."

"At least he stood up for you, didn't he?"

Manman didn't respond, shaking her head as she looked down, unsure how to explain to her mother the full scope of the situation.

Yu Kai had always hidden within the crowd, silently watching everything unfold; he only made a move when she sought his help.

If she hadn't seen him, he would have continued hiding!

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And that feeling of being abandoned by the only hope while falling into despair was something Manman never wanted to experience again in her life!

Seeing Manman's almost obsessive insistence, Tang's mother sighed softly. She sat down beside her daughter, gently embracing her while soothingly saying:

"Manman, you can't blame Yu for this."

"Facing bad people, anyone would be afraid. It's a normal reaction."

"And Yu did finally step up, didn't he?"

"Try to put yourself in his shoes. If your loved one was surrounded by bad people, as a lone person, would you bravely step forward to help without hesitation?"

Before Tang's mother could finish, Manman suddenly interjected quite emphatically, contradicting her usual gentle mannerisms:

"Of course, I would!"

Manman's gaze was resolute as she remembered the events of that night.

Wasn't Lin Yu also tormented by bad people that night?

Hadn't she bravely rescued him all on her own?

As her memories deepened, Manman realized she too had hesitated from across the street for a long time before deciding to save Lin Yu.

Could it be...

She is the same as Yu Peng?

Or perhaps...

Is it that most people in this world would act similarly?

Manman's eyes, brimming with tears, dimmed as thoughts clouded her mind, tangled as entwined earphone cords, too muddled to unravel anything clearly.

Seeing her daughter's mood swing from agitation to despondency, Tang's mother didn't know what to do either.

The mind of a teenage girl is the hardest to read; she decided not to pry further, instead sternly stating her demand:

"Tang Manman, no matter what you think of Yu, or the student who helped you, I have only one request."

"That is, you absolutely must not engage in a relationship right now."

"Do you hear me?"

"You are in the crucial period of your last year of high school, and you must devote all your energy to studying."

"As for whom you fancy, mom won't interfere, but you must wait until after your exams!"

"If you dare to enter into a relationship before your exams, see how I'll deal with you!"

With that, Tang's mother feigned anger, tapping Manman's smooth forehead with her finger as a reminder.

Manman pouted slightly, somewhat dissatisfied with her mother's stance.

She really hadn't done anything wrong.

Why is she portrayed almost as a bad child about to skip classes, drop out of school, and elope at any minute in her mother's view?

"Are you listening?!"

Seeing no response, Tang's mother grew annoyed and tapped Manman's forehead a few more times with a bit more force this time.

"I heard you," said Manman, somewhat reluctantly.

Assured by her daughter's promise, Tang's mother finally relaxed. She stood up, deciding to tidy things up and prepare to head out to the stall, when she sensed something amiss.

Wait a second.

What was the initial topic with Manman?

Thinking back to the nickname, Tang's mother sat back down next to Manman, asking suspiciously:

"Manman, does the person who helped you… have feelings for you?"

"Not at all," Manman denied without a moment's hesitation.

A joke; who would treat someone they liked that way?

Lin Yu not only seemed indifferent but also somewhat dislike her.

To think of it, a strange sense of injustice began to well inside her.

If he dislikes her, why does he keep helping her?

"Not fond of you?"

"Then why doesn't he step in to stop or clarify when the other students call you that way?"

Tang's mother maintained her skepticism. With more life experience than those high school students, she wasn't so easily fooled. Could this be the legendary tactic of playing hard to get?

Designed just to deceive someone as naïve as Manman?

"Mom~"

Manman looked at her mother, her beautiful eyes filled with resignation and a hint of grievance.

"Alright, alright, mom will just ask this one last question,"

Tang's mother held up a finger, pleadingly saying:

"Just one last thing!"

Manman glanced helplessly at her mother, and replied:

"Because he got hurt the night he saved me, and he hadn't been at school until yesterday. How could he know about what was happening at school or stop them?"

"He got hurt that night?"

"How did it happen?"

"Was it serious?"

Tang's mother's surprise was palpable.

Listening to her mother's barrage of questions