When I went to a party with my girlfriend, Scarlett, I suddenly broke out in a full-body allergic reaction. Everyone started mocking me: “Leo, did you use some cheap shaving cream or something? You’re so swollen, you look like a pig’s head!” “You’re wearing a million-dollar custom suit! If you scratch it up, can you even afford to replace it?” Scarlett pulled out a pill, smiling at me. “It’s an April Fool’s party today, I hope you’re not mad about a little joke.” Only later did I realize. After three years together, I was nothing more than Scarlett’s plaything, an object of her cruel jokes. But Scarlett, I only fooled you once. How did you end up crying your eyes blind? 0″Here, take this anti-allergy medicine, quickly.” But even after taking the pill, my symptoms didn’t ease up at all. I had no choice but to go to a nearby clinic on my own. As I was heading back to return the suit, I heard a burst of laughter erupt from inside. “I’m dying! He was so swollen, like a pig’s head, and he just took it!” On the big screen inside, my swollen, allergic face was playing. Scarlett was right in the center of the crowd, holding a wine glass, a cold smirk playing on her red lips. Someone next to her was laughing, counting on their fingers: “How many times have we successfully pranked him now?” “First time, we tricked him into thinking Scarlett was waiting for him on the mountaintop. He stayed out in the cold wind all night, and the wolf howling we played almost scared him to death. The next day, he had a fever of 104 degrees.” “Second time, we fooled him into thinking Scarlett had a stomach hemorrhage and needed blood. He got 800CCs drawn, and I resold it all for profit.” “Third time, we accused him of stealing Julian’s limited-edition fountain pen. Not only was his scholarship revoked, but the way he frantically searched for evidence was absolutely hilarious.” “Add this time, tricking him into wearing a suit dusted with allergens, that makes it ninety-seven, right?” “Just three more times, and we can wrap things up perfectly. Three years of playing, and we even developed some feelings, it’s almost hard to let go. Poor Scarlett had to be his girlfriend for three whole years.” “Whose fault is it that he messed with Julian? If he hadn’t submitted his artwork right on the deadline, narrowly beating Julian, Professor Davies would have taken Julian on as his student instead. Scarlett had doted on Julian since they were kids, how could she stand to see him suffer like that? It’s April Fool’s, so we planned 100 pranks. What a shame, it’s only been three years, and it’s already coming to an end.” I staggered out of the banquet hall. Their words were like chains, tightly squeezing my heart, making it almost impossible to breathe. Five years ago, I fell in love with her at first sight. I quietly liked her for two years, but I was just a familiar face to her. Then, three years ago, at Professor Davies’ apprentice ceremony, Scarlett confessed to me. With my heart pounding like a drum, I couldn’t refuse her kiss. But it turned out there was no mutual journey of love. This was all her pre-meditated revenge. For another person, someone she truly cared about. My body was still terribly itchy. The doctor had warned me that there might be something wrong with the suit’s fabric. But I just thought I was simply too unlucky for such expensive clothes. When I got home and took a shower, I found my whole body was scratched raw. The water stung and itched as it washed over me. After my shower, Scarlett called. “Home? I drank too much, not coming back.” I hummed in response. On the other end, someone called out to her: “Scarlett, Julian’s looking for you, hurry up.” The call was abruptly disconnected. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Not even a single word of concern. I opened my contacts and called Professor Davies: “Professor, I’ve decided about the overseas study.” “I’m willing to go.” Not long ago, Professor Davies had specially reserved a study abroad spot for me, but I couldn’t bear to leave Scarlett, so I kept delaying. I even thought about giving up the opportunity. But now, I had to thank this “joke.” It made me see everything clearly. “Leo, have you thought it through? This study abroad trip will be for three years, and if you perform exceptionally, it might be extended.” “Professor, I’ve decided.” I said firmly, “I won’t regret it.” 0
“Alright, alright!” Professor Davies sounded very pleased. “Then you should tell your girlfriend too, you’re so fond of her.” Girlfriend? Did Scarlett ever truly consider herself my girlfriend? “Professor, I don’t like her anymore.” In my mind’s eye, I saw Scarlett sitting among that group, enjoying my awkward reflection on the big screen, smiling with an air of indifference. Those taunts and jokes were like sharp knives piercing my heart. For three years, I was forced to play the clown. Now, the dream was over, and I endured the pain, saying: “I will never like her again.” It wasn’t until I started packing my things that I realized. Three years could accumulate so many memories. The most conspicuous Polaroid on the fridge was from the day we got together. Scarlett chose April Fool’s Eve to confess to me. She said she was afraid that if she waited any longer, I might take her sincerity as a joke. After I nodded, she pulled me into her arms, and it was just past midnight. So, all those vows of love and eternity. They were all planned lies from the very beginning, weren’t they? My phone pinged. Someone in the SnapChat group asked: “Are we letting him off the hook today? There are still a few hours until midnight, shouldn’t we have some more fun?” “We’d have to figure out how to trick him into coming out. We already used the ‘Scarlett’s stomach hemorrhage’ trick.” “You’ve all seen the ring Scarlett wears, right? Leo gave it to her. They say it’s his father’s keepsake.” My hand holding the phone trembled. “You sent it to the wrong group!” “Oh no, Leo’s in here too.” After a series of quick ‘undo sends,’ the group went silent. Ten minutes later, my phone rang. Mark’s panicked voice came through: “Leo, you need to get over here, quick! Scarlett’s been in the pool all night because of a ring and won’t come out.” “None of us can talk her out of it, only you can.” That ring had been passed down from my great-grandfather’s generation. My father, on his deathbed, placed it on my finger. “Leo, don’t be sad. From now on, it will be with you in my place.” I never intended to give the ring to Scarlett. It was Chloe who said in front of everyone, “Scarlett has given you so many luxury items, but you haven’t given her a single decent gift.” “Leo, are you just playing with Scarlett?” I rushed to explain, but I couldn’t overpower their cheering. Honestly, I had already given her plenty within my means. It was just that in Scarlett’s circle, even cufflinks cost tens of thousands. Scarlett’s face was dark then. It was Julian who spoke up, pointing at my finger and saying the ring was very meaningful to me. “Why not give it to Scarlett?” “A gift, after all, is about the thought, more than the price.” I mumbled, “This is from my dad…” Scarlett’s eyes, which had been somewhat bright, instantly dimmed. She threw her wine glass to the ground. Someone behind me pushed me. I fell to my knees in front of Scarlett, letting her take off my ring. … Getting out of the car and returning to the banquet hall, I felt as if my blood had turned to ice. I hated it so much. I hated how weak and foolish I had been. I regretted it so much. I regretted letting love cloud my judgment, lowering my bottom line again and again. Even though I knew it was another trick. But I had to come. 0
“Leo, you’re finally here!” “Scarlett’s already passed out, but the ring still hasn’t been found. Look…” I felt nothing. I reached out and touched the pool water. A high-end members-only club, with a year-round heated pool, but the water felt like ice. Mark explained that the club’s heating system had conveniently malfunctioned. There was undisguised malice in his eyes. I glanced at his phone, which he kept in his hand, and nodded impassively. I had put on my swim trunks before coming. After a few laps underwater, I found the ring at the drain. But just as I grabbed the ring and was about to climb ashore. Someone stepped on my hand. I cried out in pain and thrashed, sending a figure screaming into the water. Caught off guard, I was pushed underwater. Water rushed into my nose and mouth, choking me to the point of suffocation. Before losing consciousness, I vaguely saw someone jump into the water, swimming in the opposite direction from me. Perhaps the will to survive was too strong. At the last moment, I felt the pool wall. The moment I broke the surface, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me ashore. Scarlett, holding Julian in her arms, slapped me across the face: “Leo, do you know Julian almost died because of you?!” “It was my fault the ring was lost, why did you have to hurt Julian?!” I lay on the ground, coughing and retching. My ears were ringing, and even her shouts sounded distant. Scarlett handed Julian over to Mark. Her eyes bloodshot, she grabbed my throat: “Stop pretending! If anything happens to Julian today, I’ll make you pay with your life!” She saw me clutching the ring tightly in my hand. She snatched it away. I clung to her leg, tears streaming down my face, coughing and pleading with difficulty: “Please, no!” Her face was ice cold: “This is your lesson.” She exerted a sudden force, and the ring snapped into two pieces. “Scarlett, don’t blame Leo. He just lost face at the party, so he wanted to hurt me.” “We’re all men, I understand.” Scarlett furiously threw the ring to the ground. She carefully picked up Julian: “Don’t speak for him, you’re too soft-hearted.” The whole group quickly left. Mark seized the chance to snap several photos of me. He held up 98 fingers to someone next to him, and they both bent over laughing. I clutched the broken ring tightly to my chest, tears falling in huge drops onto the floor. All the suppressed grievances now burst like a dam that had held back a flood for too long. Let the pain be sharper, sharp enough to turn all my love into hatred. Scarlett, I will forget everything from the past. Never, never again will I like you! 0
I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up again, Scarlett had returned. She touched my forehead, frowning. “You have a fever. Why didn’t you take medicine?” I was still a bit dazed. She had already put the pill into my mouth. “Drink water.” Seeing me swallow the medicine, she said impatiently: “Don’t think these little tricks will make me pity you.” “Julian has always been weak since childhood and has a gentle nature. Don’t bully him in the future just because you’re my boyfriend.” I opened my mouth, my throat aching as if I’d swallowed razor blades: “I didn’t.” “He stepped on my hand first.” Scarlett stood up abruptly: “Don’t lie, Julian isn’t that kind of person.” “Leo, you really disappoint me.” She left the room without hesitation. I gave a bitter smile. From beginning to end, she only had Julian in her heart. Why should I bother to explain? But soon, not only did my fever not subside, but my body started itching again. Blood had already soaked through my pajamas. I rolled up my sleeve and saw deep scratch marks all over my arm. I knew something was wrong and quickly forced myself to take a taxi to the hospital. As soon as I entered the emergency room, my vision went black, and I completely lost consciousness. When I woke up again, I was in a hospital room. The doctor checked my medical records and asked me why I hadn’t taken medicine despite such a high fever. He also said that I was lucky to have come in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable. I pulled out a pill from my bag—the one Scarlett had left on the table. The doctor examined it, frowning. “We’ll need to test it to know what’s in here.” “But I’m sure this is definitely not fever medicine.” He continued, “I suspect your allergic symptoms got worse, not better, quite possibly because of this pill.” My heart sank sharply. Was Scarlett trying to kill me? For Julian, she could really go to such lengths. In the hallway, Mark’s loud, boisterous voice drifted in: “99 times, Scarlett, my plan was solid, right?” When Scarlett entered the room, she clearly motioned for him to shut up. The doctor had already left with the pill. At my request, he promised to keep this a secret. I pretended to be just waking up from sleep. Scarlett looked a bit guilty, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand. “Why didn’t you call me when you came to the hospital? Are you feeling better now?” I turned my head away and said coldly, “I’m fine.” Scarlett looked a bit awkward. After a moment, she asked again, “Why is the house so messy?” “Too much stuff, I was thinking of cleaning up.” Mark cleared his throat, subtly gesturing towards my phone. Scarlett asked again, “Did you see the messages in the group chat earlier?” I immediately realized she was asking about the messages sent to the wrong group. I tiredly shook my head, turning away. “No, I didn’t have time to look.” “It’s not allergies; it’s just a fever from falling into the water. If there’s any group activity, you can go yourself.” “I want to rest for a few days.” In the reflection of the glass, I clearly saw Mark let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. Scarlett kicked him, then stood up and said, “Alright, nothing much. You get some good rest.” “I’ll just make a quick appearance and come back to be with you. Don’t be afraid.” Afraid? Scarlett, right now, you’re what I’m most afraid of. Your bottomless scheming, your superb acting. Tears soaked the pillow. Scarlett suddenly returned. She reached out to touch my face, running her hand through my hair. “Crying? Don’t want me to leave?” Her voice softened: “I’m just going to return the suit, I’ll be back soon.” “Don’t worry, I won’t ever leave you.” So that’s it. She came back just to ask where the suit was. She wanted to quickly destroy the evidence, burying those deadly jokes in the dark. Watching her hurried departure after getting her answer. I sat up and wiped away my tears. Scarlett, but I don’t want you anymore. There’s one last time. I’ll play a “joke” on you. How about it?
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