To finally win over my crush Julian Vance, I followed my yoga instructor’s advice. I got my braces off, had corrective eye surgery, and pushed myself to be better. My yoga instructor, Veronica, might have looked cool and aloof, but her love life was anything but. More than once, I’d had to make an emergency condom delivery for her. It wasn’t until I was ready to confess my feelings that I got a call from her. “Hey, sis, can you do me a favor and bring some morning-after pills?” Veronica’s voice was sultry and mesmerizing. “Oh my god, I hit the jackpot! He was a *virgin*? And so much raw *power*!” The call ended. I stared at the address she’d sent, a heavy dread settling in my chest. Because the location was none other than the house of my childhood best friend, Julian Vance, the one everyone swore was totally uninterested in girls. I stood outside Julian’s house. But I couldn’t bring myself to knock. For years, I’d waited here every morning for him to leave for school. I’d stood here every evening, bringing him dinner. But this time, clutching the newly bought morning-after pill, I just couldn’t make myself do it… As I hesitated, Veronica sent another message: 【Hang the morning-after pill on the door! Don’t you dare knock!】 Just as I was totally confused, she sent several voice messages in a row: 【I was so wrong about him before. Turns out this college guy, once he got a taste, is absolutely insatiable～】 Veronica was breathing heavily, a hint of excitement in her voice: 【While his technique isn’t as polished as those experienced guys, his raw, untamed power was almost more than I could handle…】 Her words were cut short. After a rustle of sounds, the chat screen went silent. At the same time, Veronica’s alluring pleas came from inside the house. I swallowed the bitterness. My finger hovered over the keypad. But in the end, I didn’t press a single number. I hung the morning-after pill on the doorknob. I sent Veronica a simple, 【Okay】. Then, like a deserter, I fled in disgrace.
I had imagined hundreds of ways Julian might react to my confession. The worst-case scenario was always a simple rejection. I never, ever, thought it would be this suffocating. I clutched the eight-hundred-word love letter I’d so carefully written. And, pathetically, I cried in a corner for what felt like forever. It wasn’t until night fell that I dragged myself home, my eyes puffy and red.
When I got home, Dad poked his head out of the kitchen. “Ashley, you’re back? Tired today?” I mumbled a noncommittal reply. Just as I was about to go to my room, Mom eagerly grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?” Before I could answer, Mom playfully smacked my arm. “Ashley, you’re so scatterbrained! How could you forget such an important day?” I stared at Mom blankly for a moment. Before I could remember, Julian familiar walked through the front door, carrying a fruit basket. Mom immediately let go of me and rushed to greet Julian with a smile. It hit me then. It was Julian’s birthday. That’s why I’d chosen today to confess. But now, I couldn’t face him with any composure… Julian acted as if nothing had happened, heading into the kitchen to help Dad. I used the time to splash some water on my face, trying to look less like a mess. When I came out, dinner and the cake were already on the table. In the flickering candlelight, I looked at Julian’s cool, noble profile and couldn’t help but remember the intimate scene with Veronica. Veronica was a total wild child. She often bragged to us about all the crazy things she’d done with the guys she’d slept with. … “Julian,” Dad suddenly said, his eyes a little red after a few drinks, “You and our Ashley are practically childhood sweethearts.” “Your parents have been gone for years now, and your mom and I, we really consider you like our own son…” “You know that, right?” I snapped out of my memories. I looked up sharply at Dad. Just as I was about to say something to interrupt him, Mom gently tapped my hand under the table and shook her head at me. I heard Dad, usually so steady, speak to Julian with a trembling, uncertain voice: “We’ve seen Ashley’s admiration and affection for you with our own eyes.” “You’re both adults now, and you’ll be going to college together. Your uncle here hopes…” Dad trailed off, then took another drink, as if to bolster his courage. “I watched you grow up. Others… we just wouldn’t trust them.” “You’ll take good care of Ashley, won’t you?” The atmosphere suddenly froze. Mom and Dad both looked at Julian with expectant eyes. I could feel Mom’s body trembling slightly. Julian’s expression, however, remained as calm and indifferent as ever. His long fingers tapped lightly on his glass, a rhythmic, almost absentminded motion. Just as I abruptly stood up, ready to diffuse the tension, I heard Julian murmur, “Mmm.” He lifted his eyes to meet Dad’s, his voice quiet. “I will.”
I looked up, utterly disbelieving. Julian looked back at me, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ll take good care of Ashley.” “With me around, Mr. and Mrs. Miller don’t need to worry.” I was about to say something when Veronica sent a video of herself dancing with male models at a club. Along with it came a voice message. Feeling a little flustered, I quickly hit the “transcribe” button. 【Ashley Miller! Why are you still trying to confess to your stupid childhood friend?! Learn from me, use your body, not your heart!】 【Tonight, some rich dude asked me out, but that college guy totally wore me out, so I just came out to have some fun and feel some abs～】 【But thanks anyway for today, I’ll give you a free extra class tomorrow, good girl!】 I stared down at my phone. Like a student secretly playing with their phone in class. I typed: 【Are you and that college guy… a couple?】 Perhaps my question was too abrupt, too out of context. Veronica’s “typing…” bubble showed for a long time before she replied with a “?”. I glanced at Julian across the table. Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt. I was about to retract my message when Veronica’s reply came through: 【Are you kidding? Me, fall for him?】 【Letting him be my hookup buddy is already a huge favor. If he wants a title, he’ll have to ask the forty rich, handsome guys ahead of him in line if they’re okay with it!】 For some reason, I let out a long sigh of relief. After turning off my phone, I called out to a slightly tipsy Julian, smiling as I met his gaze. “Happy birthday.”
Maybe it was the alcohol, but Dad’s eyes were red, and he kept repeating “Good” several times. He stood up and clapped Julian on the shoulder. “Good kid, your uncle didn’t misjudge you.” Dad’s voice was thick with emotion. Realizing his lapse, he stood up and haphazardly wiped his face. “I’ll go make you some longevity noodles.” I felt a little tipsy too. Leaning against Mom, I started counting on my fingers. “This is our… seventh birthday together…” Time really flies. The shy, vulnerable boy he once was had grown into such a tall, handsome young man. That year, he lost both his parents overnight. Leaving Julian all alone. To raise him, buy him a house and car, get him married, and have children—just the thought of these enormous expenses made relatives steer clear of Julian. Afraid of getting entangled. Only my parents, seeing how pitiful he was, took on the responsibility. To spare him any feelings of inferiority, our whole family poured our efforts into every aspect of his life, from food and clothing to housing and daily care. Luckily, everything seemed to be turning out for the best. “Julian’s had too much to drink, why don’t you walk him home?” Mom nudged my elbow, whispering softly. “Go on now~” I gasped. And just as I looked up, my eyes met Julian’s dark, profound gaze. He smiled faintly, his voice husky. Like a mesmerizing siren: “Ashley.” “Then, thank you for your trouble.”
Julian’s place was just one building over. For years, except at night, he’d always been at our house. I never thought this path could feel so long – “Ashley Miller.” I was lost in thought when Julian casually called my name. “Ashley Miller.” I could feel the tenderness in his tone. Just as I was about to ask, he pulled me into his arms. I was pressed against the cold elevator door. I struggled twice. But then Julian suddenly leaned down, startling me. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips. Fueled by alcohol, he leaned in for a kiss— Nervously, I clenched my fists and closed my eyes. After what felt like an eternity, Julian chuckled. “You really do like me, don’t you?” His beautiful, almond-shaped eyes stared directly at me. “How could I have not realized? How could I have not seen it?” A wave of unease washed over me. Blushing, I asked, “What?” “Why did you close your eyes?” Julian asked. “Did you think I was going to kiss you?” Then, his voice reverted to its usual cold indifference. “What’s the point of this? What is this, trying to use your kindness to force me?” “Didn’t I say that when I made money, I’d repay your family twofold? Why are you trying to force me into a relationship?! “I don’t understand! Am I supposed to be your *reward*? Am I obligated to marry you, to be tied to your family forever, just because you helped me?” Julian’s voice grew louder with each word. I had never seen him so out of control. Startled, I forgot to say: “Actually, you could have just said no.”
Julian pulled a cigarette from his pocket. In my astonished gaze, he smirked. “What? Going to tell on me?” He blew a smoke ring directly towards my face, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Go ahead.” “Go tell them I secretly smoke, tell them I’m not the right guy to spend your life with, and then, set me free…” I stared at Julian. He was a complete stranger to me now. After a long silence, I spoke softly. “I’ll talk to Mom and Dad.” I kept my head down, fighting back tears. My voice choked. “You don’t have to do this.”
Julian was always distant with everyone. And he really hated people getting too close. Except me. Not only did he not push me away, but he’d also secretly laugh at me when I did something silly. He’d even carry me to the hospital when I had a cold or a fever. I always thought he liked me. But he was naturally aloof, not good at expressing himself. So, I thought, if I just became a little prettier, I would confess. To improve my figure, I signed up for a yoga class as soon as school let out. After I met Veronica, she taught me how to become beautiful. How to… capture a man’s heart. Looking back now, I was utterly foolish.
The next morning, I went to yoga class as usual. I planned to pretend nothing had happened, finish my classes, and then go on a trip with Mom and Dad. But I never expected, the moment I walked in, Veronica would slap me. She tilted her long neck, speaking with contempt. “You look so innocent, but turns out you’re a shameless slut behind everyone’s back!” I was stunned by the slap. When I looked up, I realized that Julian was there too, not just the other students. “Writing love letters to my boyfriend! You’re utterly disgusting!” Veronica’s face was flushed with anger, her slender, manicured nail poking my chest. “What? Using your youth to seduce someone else’s boyfriend, trying to be a homewrecker?” Then, she stomped her foot prettily, hooked her arm through Julian’s, and, with a catch in her voice: “Julian, say something~” “It’s this little bitch, isn’t it, interfering with our relationship, that made you break up with me?!”
I didn’t even register what Veronica meant by “break up.” Instinctively, I raised my hand to strike back. But Julian grabbed my wrist. He sounded annoyed as he reprimanded me. “Haven’t you made enough of a scene?” “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?” Julian pulled me, ready to leave. He turned to Veronica, his voice low and deep. “This is my fault, I owe you an apology.” “Just forget about me.” Julian’s grip on my wrist was extremely tight. His expression as he looked at Veronica was one of suppressed resentment and unwillingness. “Once school starts, Ashley and I will go to Northwood University. Then… when you don’t see me, you’ll be fine.” Veronica’s mouth hung open. Her face was a mask of disbelief. I knew. She was very proud and arrogant. She’d played the dating game for years and had never failed. Julian was probably the first man to ever make her feel defeated. But I didn’t expect her to turn crimson with rage and immediately post my love letter, along with intimate photos of her and Julian, in the yoga SnapChat group: 【This is my ‘good student’! It’s bad enough she takes my classes, but she shamelessly tries to steal my boyfriend!】 After posting, Veronica even tagged my parents: 【How did you raise your daughter?!】 I frantically rushed forward to grab her phone. But Julian blocked me, softly coaxing Veronica. “It’s okay to vent your anger. Now that it’s come to this, I didn’t…” I laughed, a bitter, sarcastic sound. I might as well pull out all the records of me delivering condoms for Veronica. “Julian Vance.” “You don’t actually think your so-called girlfriend is some innocent angel, do you?”
I’d known Veronica for a month. And I’d already delivered condoms for her fifteen times. She always said, “There are a million fish in the sea, and the newest catch is always the most exciting.” I asked, confused, if she wasn’t afraid of things going wrong. Veronica just smiled at me. “That’s why you’re still such a naive little thing!” “My dear, I’m always looking for a good time, not a ‘forever’ thing. And trust me, my ‘ex’ list is always *zero* online, you get me?” At the time, I just blinked at her, bewildered. I admitted Veronica was indeed beautiful. A truly striking beauty with a captivating, dramatic look. And she always favored form-fitting dresses that accentuated her figure, adding to her allure. Noticing my gaze, Veronica playfully tapped my forehead. “Listen to me. In one month, I can transform you into the kind of woman men fall for, guaranteed to snag your crush!” “The condition is, you have to run errands for me. Because you… you’re faster.” Dad’s call interrupted my thoughts. I snapped back to reality. I hung up. And immediately sent the chat and purchase records into the group. The students behind me stared at their phone screens, letting out sharp gasps. “Oh my god, that’s wild!” “I knew she played the field, but this is like… extreme sports! Seriously, how can someone like that be a teacher?” “So promiscuous, and then she has the nerve to blame someone else… Wait, so is Ashley Miller actually a homewrecker or not?” Everyone’s burning gazes felt like they were drilling holes through me. I forced myself to remain calm. I was about to send the screenshot from last night, where I asked Veronica if they were a couple. “Veronica is my girlfriend.” Julian’s face was incredibly dark. He stepped forward to comfort a bewildered Veronica, his voice low but firm. “No matter what she was like before.” “But now she’s my girlfriend, and I don’t want you all prying into someone else’s private life and making a big deal out of it.” Veronica suddenly looked up. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. I stood frozen. As if I had been utterly nailed to a pillar of shame. After such a scandal, the school administration rushed in. Right in front of everyone, they immediately fired Veronica. After the unpleasant dispersal, Julian grabbed me, his face devoid of expression, his voice cold.
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