Chapter 77: My Only Flaw Is Being Too Handsome

Everyone stared at Tang Shen, eyes wide in disbelief—including the little girl, Xue Jiayi, who had been in utter despair. They could hardly believe what was unfolding before them.

Truth be told, Tang Shen had never expected such a scene when he came to school. To be confessed to, and by the school beauty no less, with a promise so weighty—he couldn’t fathom how much courage it must have taken Bai Xue to say those words, nor how heavy that promise was for her. It was far beyond anything he could have imagined.

He felt a sudden urge to accept right then and there; after all, she was so sincere. But impulse was one thing—reason was another. To step into the world of the powerful was to plunge into deep waters. Not to mention the storm of public opinion and pressure that would descend from all sides, disrupting his plans to keep a low profile. Whether he awakened or not, he would be thrust into the eye of the storm. And the girl before him would face unimaginable troubles as well.

Besides, they had no feelings for each other yet—it would have to be cultivated in time.

So Tang Shen pulled an exaggerated face and cried out in mock horror, “Class president, you’re not planning to keep me as your boy toy, are you?”

Bai Xue: “...”

Homeroom teacher: “...”

All classmates: “...”

It wasn’t that Tang Shen’s expression was too real—it was just too fake. Utterly over-the-top. Even a child could see how exaggerated his performance was. And Bai Xue’s words? Weren’t they clear enough? She was absolutely offering to support him. Everyone rolled their eyes internally, brimming with silent complaints.

Before anyone else could speak, Tang Shen stroked his chin and muttered to himself, “Hmm, class president, I don’t know which of my qualities attracted you, but someone as handsome as me, well, it’s only natural to be liked. Besides, I have so many virtues—too many to count. It’s only expected you’d fall for me. My only flaw is my excessive beauty! Many times, when I look in the mirror, I can’t help but fall in love with myself. But as for the idea of you keeping me, I really can’t agree. A man can be handsome, but he must have a bit of dignity, don’t you think?”

Bai Xue: “...”

Homeroom teacher: “...”

All classmates: “...”

At that moment, everyone felt their worldview had been upended, staring at Tang Shen in shock, jaws dropped in disbelief.

Even Bai Xue’s eyes widened, gazing at Tang Shen as if she were seeing him anew.

In everyone’s impression, Tang Shen was handsome and accomplished, but also cold, withdrawn, taciturn, with few friends—a personality absolutely devoid of this kind of playful absurdity.

And shameless, narcissistic absurdity, at that.

A man so handsome he had no friends? To be liked needed no reason? His only flaw was being too handsome? Looking in the mirror and falling for himself?

They all had the urge to shout “amazing” in unison. Some of it was true, but how could he say it aloud without feeling shame? Without blushing? Just hearing it made them feel embarrassed and flushed.

Bai Xue was thrown off as well. Was the Tang Shen she’d seen just a façade? Had she never truly understood this man?

The homeroom teacher nearly popped her eyes out; she’d never noticed this side of her student, though she’d led the class for three years and known Tang Shen all that time. In her eyes, he was sensible, hardworking, intelligent—full of virtues. But never had she seen this particular trait.

Could this be a false Tang Shen?

Beside him, little Xue Jiayi was stunned. This was nothing like the idol she usually saw.

Suddenly, someone realized what had happened, eyes widening in disbelief as they stared at Tang Shen.

The final words in Tang Shen’s speech amounted to a refusal!

Yes, a refusal! His performance may have been exaggerated, his words shamelessly narcissistic, but he had definitely said no.

Bai Xue caught on as well. Though his strange behavior had dispelled some of her embarrassment and disappointment, she couldn’t suppress a pang of loss—she had expected Tang Shen to accept without hesitation. At the same time, she felt a sense of relief.

Tang Shen hadn’t said yes, and that was what a man should do. After all, she didn’t want the man she admired to be someone who lived off others, who bowed to power without a second thought.

“Very well, then. I’ll wait for you to marry me,” Bai Xue said, her smile blooming like a lotus—pure, graceful, and dazzling. That smile washed away all other colors in the world, leaving only itself in everyone’s eyes.

With that, she turned and walked away, her smile lingering.

Tang Shen was stunned by her smile; by the time he came to himself, Bai Xue had vanished.

Wait—what did she mean by that last remark?

When had he ever said he’d marry her? Hadn’t he just gently refused her offer? How had it turned into talk of marriage? What kind of mind was that? What kind of leap of logic?

Tang Shen was completely baffled.

They didn’t even have a foundation of affection yet, did they? Was he being set up?

And then, the classroom erupted.

The boys stared at Tang Shen with wild jealousy, and even the girls were desperately envious.

Bai Xue’s words could not have been clearer. This was a promise!

The room was filled with noise and commotion; everyone’s gaze was complicated as they headed out toward the gymnasium.

Tang Shen’s handsome face twitched; he felt as if he’d fallen into a deep pit.

Soon, the classroom emptied, leaving only Tang Shen and little Xue Jiayi, whose world had grown ever darker.

She could only envy and wish him well. She was just an orphan, destined to be ordinary—what qualifications did she have?

“Come on, let’s go to the gym,” Tang Shen sighed, setting the matter aside for now.

“I... I’m not going,” Xue Jiayi said timidly.

She didn’t want to face it—the bleak future that awaited her, the scornful looks of others.

Others at least had a chance to try; she didn’t even have that.

No matter how hard life had been, she’d always faced it bravely. But this time, she chose to shrink into a shadowy corner, gently hugging herself.

Maybe, in the future, she would rise again, running for her life, endlessly running, until the very end.

“Come on! Little one, I’ve got enough on my mind,” Tang Shen said, paying no heed to her mood, grabbing her by the collar and striding out.