A frown formed on Eric’s forehead. He could hardly believe his own ears. The statement was absurd, irrational, far too subjective and one-sided.This was his first time meeting the Head of Department. They didn’t even know each other, yet the man spoke as if he knew everything about him. Eric hadn’t been asked a single question, hadn’t been given a clear explanation for why he was summoned, nor received any warning beforehand. It was Eric’s very first day at university, and already the Head wanted to send him packing. What a joke.Seeing the protest written clearly across Eric’s face, the Head quickly added, “Don’t worry, you’ll receive your money back—minus ten percent for administration fees, of course. After all, you’ve already used some of our facilities and taken a spot that could’ve gone to another applicant.” He shoved a paper across the desk. “Sign this, and I’ll process your refund today.”Eric lifted the document, scanning the words carefully. The deeper his eyes ran across

As Eric had predicted, he arrived late at Charles’s ice cream shop. But unlike usual, the owner did not scold or berate him. Charles casually told him to go change clothes.Eric paused in surprise before a faint smile crossed his face. Perhaps Charles was going easy on him because he had just faced the Head of Department on his very first day at university.After changing, Eric quickly wiped down the tables and rearranged items that had been shifted out of place. Clearly, there had been many customers earlier.“Have you eaten?”Eric turned his head to see who had asked. His eyes widened in disbelief. Yes, it was Charles, but that only made it stranger.Eric wondered if something had happened to Charles. Maybe he fell and hit his head, or someone had struck him with a stray ball, or perhaps a thief had cracked his skull with a baseball bat. One thing was certain: Charles was acting odd.Eric admitted Charles was not a cruel boss, but neither was he a kind one. He never paid attention t

When the students in the classroom turned toward the source of the voice, they froze. It was Chloe, flanked by her two gang members. The girls who had just been chatting with Eric fell silent instantly. They even lowered their heads in fear, completely intimidated by the trio’s sharp stares.Eric watched Chloe and her friends approach. He had no desire to deal with this self-proclaimed queen bee. Yet he had already expected this scene. After the Head of Department stepped down, Chloe would surely come for him, because in her script, Eric was the one who was supposed to disappear from campus.Chloe slammed her hand down on a desk, startling everyone. She barked loudly, “Pathetic fools! I knew you were stupid, but not this stupid.” She brushed her flowing hair back with her left hand.Curling her lip, she sneered, “Listen, he’s just a fraud, a poor man pretending to be rich. Don’t you dare see him as some campus idol. Tch! Break it up! Now!” Her words sent the girls who had been surroun

In reality, Chloe’s car wasn’t broken at all. It was perfectly fine, still parked in the special faculty parking lot. As the daughter of the university’s top donor, Chloe received several privileges, including her own exclusive parking space.Thinking Eric wouldn’t know about her car since it wasn’t parked in the same area as his, Lily’s lie went unchallenged. Chloe and Betty didn’t deny it either. If they refused to go along with the story, it would only make them look worse. The last thing they wanted was for Eric to think even less of them.Now the girls found themselves trapped in an incredibly awkward situation. They remembered clearly that everything Eric had just said was simply repeating Chloe’s own words back at her.Not wanting things to grow even more uncomfortable, Betty forced out a dry laugh, followed by her friends’ stiff grins.“Eric, forget whatever happened yesterday or today. It was just a joke. You know, life without a little humor would be boring, right?” Betty sa

Eric stood up, lifting the boy into his arms before sprinting toward the woman lying on the roadside.After setting the boy down, Eric checked the mother’s breathing and pulse. Her body was drenched in rain and blood.“A white car hit my mom and sent her flying,” the boy sobbed between gasps.Eric brushed the boy’s hair back and smiled reassuringly. “Your mom is still breathing. We need to get her to the hospital.”Eric carried the woman to his car, the boy trailing close behind. “Can you hold on to your mom?” Eric asked after securing the unconscious woman with a seatbelt.The boy nodded quickly. “I can.”“Good kid.”Eric darted to the driver’s seat, fired up the engine, and sped down the road.On the way to the hospital, Eric’s face was tense. Behind his calm expression, he carried a deep worry for the middle-aged woman.He knew her condition was critical. Blood was trickling from her ear, and Eric suspected a possible concussion.From time to time, Eric glanced at the boy and his m