The knight's duty is to protect the princess.

"Whew~~" Li Qingxue let out a long breath, slowing her pace before coming to a stop. She wiped the sweat from her cheeks and headed toward her dorm.

By now, Li Qingxue had grown accustomed to her daily workouts, and her physical condition had improved tremendously compared to before.

Back in her dorm, she wiped her face, changed clothes, and flopped onto her bed. Tossing and turning, she felt unbearably bored.

Ying had been picked up by Long Aotian, her other roommates were all out, and yesterday she’d at least had Wang Rui to chat with on the phone. Today, the loneliness was even more pronounced.

Li Qingxue had always been someone who couldn’t stand idleness—she thrived on excitement. It didn’t take long before she couldn’t take it anymore, springing up from bed and heading outside.

Even if it was just to buy some snacks, it was better than sitting alone in her dorm.

A university campus was never short on youthful energy.

Just being outside, surrounded by the lively buzz of students, was enough to lift her spirits.

Stretching contentedly, the once-drained girl now felt revitalized.

She had just stepped off campus, debating whether to grab bubble tea or snacks first, when a deep, impassioned voice called out from behind her.

"Qingxue!"

Hearing her name, Li Qingxue instinctively turned.

There, panting heavily and jogging toward her, was Ye Liangchen.

Ye Liangchen felt like his lungs were about to burst.

Earlier, when he’d seen Long Aotian picking up his "treasure girl," he had sworn to himself that he wouldn’t let Long Aotian get away with mistreating her again. Without hesitation, he had given chase.

But then Long Aotian had stopped to buy junk food for her, and Ye Liangchen hesitated—he hadn’t expected them to pause.

By the time Long Aotian handed the snacks to Hu Yuying and rode off again, Ye Liangchen could only watch in frustration, pretending to chase for a bit before stopping.

He suddenly remembered he had something important to do today. If not for that, Long Aotian would never have gotten away with taking Hu Yuying right under his nose!

Luckily, persistence paid off—he had finally caught sight of Li Qingxue.

It had been so long since he’d seen her. Now, gazing at her, his heart swirled with complicated emotions.

Her shoulder-length hair, delicate features, and ethereal grace—she was as radiant as ever. And that smile, still so infectious, lighting up everyone around her.

A bitter laugh rose in his chest. If not for that bastard Long Aotian, his "white moonlight" would have long since fallen for him, chasing him relentlessly until they were together.

Even now, Ye Liangchen had to admit—no matter how confident and composed he was, his heart still raced uncontrollably in her presence.

"Are you... doing okay?" He flicked his bangs lightly, his voice soft.

When Li Qingxue realized it was Ye Liangchen, her smile faded. She was also taken aback by how much he had changed.

He flicked his hair more often now, and he’d even gotten an ear piercing.

The person who had once been like an older brother to her, studying together in the library, was now almost unrecognizable.

Li Qingxue took a deep breath before nodding. "Thanks, I’m fine."

With that, she turned to leave. Deep down, she wanted nothing more to do with Ye Liangchen.

He really had been decent once. If he hadn’t made false accusations, if he hadn’t pressured her to skip exams and repeat a year with him, if he hadn’t obsessively stalked her and her friends, if he hadn’t done so many incomprehensible things—maybe they could’ve stayed friends.

But now? She wanted no part of it. Some of his actions had been downright terrifying.

Seeing her walk away, Ye Liangchen felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest.

He was supposed to be their knight, their protector. He had worked so hard to save them—so why couldn’t they understand? Didn’t they realize how much this hurt him? Had they ever once considered his feelings?

One day, when they finally saw how much he’d sacrificed for their sake, would they regret this?

With that thought, he pulled out his phone and hurried after her. "Wait, Qingxue! There’s something important I need to tell you."

Li Qingxue wasn’t angry when he blocked her path—just tired.

When you couldn’t even muster anger toward someone, it meant you truly didn’t care anymore.

Sighing, she asked, "What is it?" She just hoped he’d leave her alone after this.

A confident smirk curled Ye Liangchen’s lips. "I know you still think Long Aotian is a good person. But you’re wrong."

"Long Aotian isn’t who you think he is. Look at this!"

He thrust his phone in front of her.

The moment Li Qingxue saw the photo, her breath hitched—not just because of the image itself, but because of who was in it.

Wasn’t that the girl who had guided them around T University before?

And… was that Long Aotian with her?

Seeing the shock in Li Qingxue’s eyes, Ye Liangchen’s smirk widened, triumphant.

"See? This is Long Aotian’s true nature. He takes you all for granted while chasing after other girls. A man like this has no conscience—he doesn’t know how to cherish what he has."

"I know this is hard to accept, but it’s the truth. Even if you’ve always misunderstood me, I’m the only one in this world who truly wants what’s best for you."

His voice wavered slightly, as if moved by his own words—no, more accurately, as if he’d moved himself.

Li Qingxue’s thoughts were in turmoil.

She knew how well Long Aotian treated Hu Yuying.

A part of her refused to believe he would ever betray her.

Shaking her head, she ignored whatever else Ye Liangchen was saying.

Her appetite for snacks and bubble tea gone, she turned and walked back toward campus without another word.

Ye Liangchen followed. "Qingxue, forgive me for doing this. I just couldn’t bear to watch you all being fooled by that scumbag Long Aotian."

"I’m your knight—always will be. My duty is to protect you, to keep you from harm..."

Though Li Qingxue never responded, Ye Liangchen’s smile never faded.

Once a crack formed, it wouldn’t heal easily.

Now, he’d give her time to process. His goal had already been achieved.

After the sports meet, after Long Aotian walks into the trap she has woven for him, after she obtains even more explosive evidence that can crush him in one blow—

That’s when her moment as the guardian knight will arrive. For now, she’s just giving Li Qingxue an early warning.

Because she doesn’t just want Hu Yuying—she has no intention of letting go of Li Qingxue or Lin Wanning either...