Chapter 2

I quickly put on a smile and hooked my arms around his neck, pouting. "You're so naughty - I recognized you from the start!"

Professor Ryan seemed to believe what I said and loosened his grip. But his fingers traced my lips, as if wanting to vent his anger.

"Nonsense. If you really recognized me, you would have exposed me on the spot."

Damn, being understood so well by Professor Ryan can be such a painful thing!

If I were a girl, I'd definitely try to charm my way out of this with some coquettish act. But as a guy, that would be too affected.

There's no choice but to go on the offensive!

I pushed him away and deliberately turned my head, refusing to look at him. "That's normally true, but I'm angry right now!"

Professor Ryan crossed his arms and stared at me intently, like he was watching a student try to weasel out of trouble. He let out a skeptical "Hmm."

Now I was genuinely angry. My voice unconsciously took on a whining tone. "Don't you love me anymore? I'm always the one initiating contact, sending you messages, but you never reply. Am I not even worthy of a good morning or good night text?"

This relationship has always been maintained by my efforts alone. From first falling for him to successfully seducing him, he's always been so indifferent. I'm always the one creating surprises, while he just passively enjoys them.

Sometimes I get tired too, you know!

If I hadn't confirmed that Professor Ryan frequented gay bars, I never would have dared to boldly pursue him.

But Professor Ryan just silently stared at me, not saying a word.

How about that - feeling guilty now, aren't you? Just need to push a little more!

I tugged at Professor Ryan's collar in feigned anger and huffed, "You should reflect on your behavior. How can you blame me for this?"

Professor Ryan finally moved his lips. Just as I thought I had everything under control, he gave me an inscrutable look and suddenly started showing me screenshots of my past flirtatious conversations, one by one. His tone was ice cold:

"I know you yearn for freedom and love. I thought I was the harbor where you'd finally drop anchor, but now I realize I'm just another fish in your pond."

"They're all just friends! Even though I like men, I can still be friends with guys."

"Oh, is that so? The kind of friends you sleep with?" As he spoke, Professor Ryan calmly opened his SnapChat.

Damn, Professor Ryan actually went to the trouble of adding them as contacts!

My heart instantly plummeted. I opened my mouth to say something but realized any explanation would be futile.

Professor Ryan had long ago discovered I was a player, but he still chose to trust me. This time I really let him down.

"Didn't you ask me to get to know you better? Which part of what you told me didn't I listen to carefully? But what about you?" Professor Ryan stared at me, his gaze dark.

It's true - even when I was just joking around, Professor Ryan always took me seriously, gradually becoming more and more of what I liked. He became so good to me that I couldn't bear to leave him.

But I've always approached relationships with a playful attitude, treating love like a game to be conquered.

"I'm sorry, I lost control of my emotions." With that, Professor Ryan hurriedly left.

"How do you know I'm not sincere this time?" I shouted after him. To my surprise, my voice carried a hint of tears. But he, who had always been the best at comforting me, walked away without looking back this time.

Fine then, just leave!

I kicked a pebble on the side of the road and stomped home angrily, immersing myself in my artistic world.

But this time I couldn't focus on my art. My mind was filled with images of Professor Ryan.

I texted him, but he didn't reply. I crashed his class like usual, winking at him, but he ignored me completely.

I tried to corner him after class, but he maintained a strictly professional attitude.

Just as I was at my wit's end, a heavy rainstorm came to my rescue.