I chased Ethan Cole shamelessly for four years. He was annoyed beyond endurance. He pressured my family, and they sent me abroad in fear. He said, “I don’t care what you do, just make sure she never bothers me again!” “Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Drugs, hypnosis, electroshock therapy… Those methods really worked. I forgot how it felt to love him. Even my memory of him became blurred. He finally relented and allowed me to return. Wherever he appeared, I actively avoided him. Because Mom told me, that breathtakingly handsome man is someone I cannot afford to offend. Seeing him kissing my sister, I secretly took out my phone to take a picture. His gaze was fierce and cold. I shrank into the corner, terrified, stammering: “I’m sorry, I just thought you two were a perfect match, so shippable…” I don’t know why. The man who always hid his emotions had eyes that trembled violently. 1 After returning from abroad, I always felt my brain wasn’t working well. I spent most of the day sleeping. I thought I was sick. Mom comforted me, saying not to worry. “You’ve been a lazy little pig since you were young, unlike your disciplined sister.” “It doesn’t matter, everyone’s constitution is different. Sleep if you’re sleepy.” I poured myself a cup of black coffee, wanting to wake myself up. But it didn’t work. I knocked on my temples, feeling troubled, when the doorbell rang. The butler said: “Miss Bella brought Mr. Cole back.” Joy immediately surged in Mom and Dad’s eyes. Dad eagerly went out to welcome him. Mom was about to follow, but suddenly remembered something. She looked at me with difficulty: “Mia, you…” I nodded sensibly: “I know, Mr. Cole doesn’t like me.” “Sister’s marriage is important. I’ll go upstairs first. Just right for me to catch up on sleep.” Mom looked at me yawning with relief. I took a few steps and suddenly remembered I hadn’t taken the coffee cup. I wanted to try drinking another cup later. The moment I turned my head, I inadvertently met a cold gaze. Almost instinctively. I forgot the coffee cup and ran. As if running late would cost me my life. Running into the room, I locked the door. I also propped a table against the door. Only then did my heart, hanging in my throat, settle down. I can’t say why, but seeing Ethan Cole triggers a strong emotion in me: Fear. Mom said it’s because Ethan is a natural superior, anyone with him would feel a lot of pressure. “Especially a natural weakling like you.” Mom said I shouldn’t appear in front of Mr. Cole. “Mr. Cole doesn’t like people who look cute but are actually stupid.” “His gaze will only stay on excellent girls like your sister.” “What level is the Cole family? If we can marry into the Cole family, we can struggle a few lifetimes less.” “Mia, be sensible.” I am very sensible. So, every time Ethan came home, I actively avoided him. Mom was very gratified by this, sometimes patting my head. This is the biggest reward for me, and I cherish it very much. So, I never dared to tell Mom. Even if she didn’t say it, I would actively avoid Ethan. His aura is too aggressive. I feel very uncomfortable. Very depressed. Like my heart is being pinched hard by someone. There is also an inexplicable sourness. Laughter downstairs. Amidst this laughter, I fell asleep. 2 When I woke up again, the sky was dim. It was already evening. The villa was very quiet. Ethan should have left. My stomach was very hungry. I opened the door, wearing a white princess nightgown, barefoot downstairs to find food. The floor was cold, and I felt my brain sober up a little. I was standing by the kitchen island heating toast. The study door suddenly opened. Ethan in a sharp suit walked out of the study. Under the warm yellow light, his contours were more three-dimensional, his figure straight. Features like sculptures. Like a god with the power of life and death descending. But he was too cold. His temperament was cold, his eyes were cold. Even the lead-gray cufflinks of his suit gleamed coldly. Separated by the long living room, his gaze fell lightly on me. Thin lips pressed into a straight line. Full of pressure. Almost instantly. I snapped back to reality. Holding my head, squatting under the dining table. Hiding clumsily. Sister flew downstairs with brisk steps. She ran into Ethan’s arms, hugging his arm and shaking it. “Leaving already? You haven’t seen my new stills yet. How about leaving after eating?” Sister’s temperament has always been distant and cold. At this moment, she showed the coquettishness of a little daughter, pinching her voice, very pleasant to hear. Like a beautiful bird. Feathers bright, singing melodiously. Ethan didn’t speak; he looked coldly at me shivering under the table. Sister’s smile fell. Biting her lip, she said: “If you’re busy, another day is fine. Let’s go, I’ll walk you out.” Ethan stood still. The pressure on him was so strong, as if he wasn’t listening to Sister at all. Sister opened her mouth but didn’t dare to speak. After a long time, he spoke, voice deep: “Okay, leave after eating.” On Dad and Sister’s faces, surprised and suspicious expressions flashed at the same time. Ethan hooked his lips slightly: “What are you afraid of? Didn’t she forget everything?” Ethan walked to the dining table with long legs and squatted down. Suit pants outlined strong leg lines. “Mia, do you still know me?” I timidly raised my eyes, then lowered them, daring not to meet his gaze. Slowly nodded. But my fingertips and toes seemed to suddenly transmit needle-pricking pain. Like a stress reaction. I screamed. Closed my eyes tightly. Desperately shook my head. “Don’t know! Don’t hit me! I don’t know!” 3 At the dinner table, the atmosphere was weird. Mom and Dad tried hard to liven up the atmosphere. But Ethan just ate quietly. Posture noble. No intention of speaking. Making Mom and Dad’s enthusiasm very awkward. Sister’s face was dark, saying nothing. I didn’t dare to pick up dishes, only dared to eat rice in small bites. Finally endured until the meal was finished, Mom and Dad seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Watching Ethan’s leaving figure, I suddenly remembered something and stopped him: “Mr. Cole, wait a moment.” Everyone looked at me in surprise. Including Ethan. His brows furrowed slightly, obviously impatient. “Just a little bit. Okay?” I gestured a one-centimeter distance with my fingers. Saying that, I ran upstairs and soon ran down holding an iron box. Everyone’s eyes locked on me. I opened the iron box lid and asked: “Mr. Cole, this is yours, right?” On top of the iron box were a dozen ID photos. One-inch, two-inch. Obviously not obtained through regular channels. Because on the ID photos, some had steel stamps, some had solidified glue on the back. Visibly picked off from various places. Ethan in the photo was younger than now, still showing a bit of youthfulness between his brows. But his features had already grown very superior. Besides ID photos, there were some messy things. Candy wrappers, cigarette boxes, used pen refills, crumpled test papers, etc. Ethan looked at me with a torch-like gaze. I gritted my teeth before daring to continue: “Found in a corner of my wardrobe. Don’t know who put it there. But I recognized your photo, should be yours, right?” Ethan’s eyes moved slightly, seemingly with a bit of scrutiny. I was looked at by him, shrinking a few inches. Shoulders drooped. He spoke: “Not mine, throw it away.” “Oh, okay.” I threw it into the trash can beside me and was about to go upstairs. Ethan’s eyes suddenly contained a bit of danger. “Mia, you did it on purpose, right?” He stopped me. I was puzzled: “What?” He seemed to see through everything, eyes mocking, sneered. “Nothing. Acted well. Don’t act next time. I’m not interested in watching.” After saying that, he lifted his leg and left. 4 Mom closed the door. Sister held back all night, crying on the table in anger. Dad looked distressed, ultimately couldn’t hold back his anger, and slapped me. I was unprepared and fell to the ground awkwardly. Head hit the corner of the table. Buzzing pain. Mom hugged Sister’s shoulders heartbrokenly and said to me: “Mia, don’t blame your father for being harsh. Tonight, you really disappointed us too much!” “Did you forget Mom’s repeated instructions?” “Why go downstairs without permission? Why talk to him? Are you that cheap?!” Blood seeped from the wound on my forehead, flowing into my eyes. A blood mist before my eyes, vision blurred. Covering the bleeding wound, trying to explain: “Sorry, I thought he left. I didn’t mean to…” Sister suddenly grabbed my collar, hysterically said: “Dressed like that running downstairs, deliberately dangling bare feet in front of him, and taking a broken box trying to attract his attention. Mia, who are you trying to seduce!” “Do you know Ethan’s status? Do you know your own status? How dare you have designs on him?” “Do you know, because of your indiscretion tonight, I might lose him?” “Can’t you live without men? Even trying to seduce your own sister’s boyfriend!” After saying that, Sister opened the door and walked out. Mom hurried to pull Sister: “Bella, where are you going so late?” Bella looked at me hatefully: “In this house, either her or me. I’m leaving!” Soon, the sound of a car starting rang in the garage. Mom sighed deeply. Dad slammed the door in anger. I whispered: “I’ll stay out tonight?” Mom hesitated for a moment: “Where can you go?” “Stay in a hotel. Abroad, always stayed in hotels, I’m very familiar.” At that time, I couldn’t stand the inhuman torture, just wanted a chance to escape from the hospital. Stayed in the cheapest motel. Avoiding the painful treatment they arranged for me. Only, Sister always found me quickly and took me back. Mom was silent, after a while, nodded: “Tonight was indeed wrong of you. You go stay out. Wait until your sister calms down, Mom will pick you up.”

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My online boyfriend loves playing “abstract.” When his mom called him home for dinner, he said, “Heading back to the old manor to dine with the matriarch.” I played along. When my friends called me over for poker and needed a fourth, I said, “It’s an old-money gathering. I can’t leave; no one dares to move.” My online boyfriend deeply agreed. I always thought we were a couple of abstract artists, spinning tales for fun. Until right before the holidays, when he pulled me into his group chat with his childhood friends. “They all grew up together. They want to meet you.” I clicked on the member list and froze. Why is the stoic, unsmiling CEO of my company in this group? His nickname: Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog. Oh right, my online boyfriend’s name is Ethan Vance. The CEO tagged me in the group. [Sister-in-law, say something!] [Cute Cat.jpg] I didn’t dare move. I literally didn’t dare move! I thought we were just playing pretend? How come you guys are actually real?! 1 Actually, the moment Ethan pulled me into the group, I sensed something was wrong. The four-person group chat was buzzing, and no one noticed my arrival yet. I watched their conversation and fell into deep thought— Sterling: [It’s winter. Let’s go skiing in Zermatt. I lost to Lucas last year; I have to win it back this year!] Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: [You couldn’t beat me last year, so you think you can this year?] Song: [I’m out. I have to accompany my fiancée to St. Barts for vacation (distressed emoji).] Sterling: [Oof, good luck. Your fiancée is no walk in the park.] … I stared at my phone, rubbing my chin. Something’s off. Something’s really off. Why do these names look so familiar? Especially the one nicknamed [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog], Lucas… The name Lucas is familiar, and his profile picture of him skiing looks even more familiar! While I was racking my brain, someone in the group finally noticed my existence. Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: [Eh? There’s an extra person in our group!!] Ethan: [Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend.] He tagged me. The group went silent for two seconds, then messages flooded in. Sterling: [Sister-in-law!] Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: [Sister-in-law!] Song: [Sister-in-law!] Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: [Finally! We’ve been pestering Ethan for so long, and he finally let us meet you!] [I’m so curious. Who is the goddess that managed to take down Ethan?!] I suddenly felt a bit shy. I’ve been online dating Ethan for over two years, and this was my first contact with his friends. Just as I was about to type something, I caught a glimpse of [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog]’s profile picture again, and my hands froze. I suddenly remembered where I had seen that face! My brain buzzed. I immediately switched out of the chat interface and clicked onto my company’s official website. After rummaging through the backend, I finally found a photo. It was taken three months ago when the company reached a business cooperation with a foreign firm. In the photo, a young man in a suit stood unsmiling. Standing next to the foreign partners, he didn’t lose an ounce of presence. I stared at the caption for a long time. The name Lucas Reed stood out. Lucas Reed, the CEO of our company. And the only son of our company’s founder. Ah… Ah? Messages flashed in the group. [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: @Tired Corporate Slave Sister-in-law, your WeChat name is hilarious hahahaha] [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: How did you and Ethan meet?] [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: Sister-in-law, say something.] [Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: Cute Cat.jpg] 2 The cute cat sticker spun before my eyes. I randomly sent a greeting sticker and exited. Then, with trembling hands, I clicked open the private chat with Ethan, pretending to be casual: “Babe, your ‘Loyal Lapdog’ looks a bit familiar to me.” Ethan replied instantly: “He’s got a jumpy personality. Did he scare you?” “His name is Lucas Reed, the CEO of SkyHigh Tech. Your family business is extensive; maybe you’ve met him before.” My brain was a mess. While replying to Ethan, I started searching for information on the other group members online. Then, my suspended heart finally died. Sterling, the youngest son of real estate tycoon Sterling Strong, currently studying in the US. Song, the second son of the founder of Nanyang Construction, a veritable rich second generation… My brain could no longer think independently. My fingers unconsciously typed Ethan’s name into the search box. Soon, the search results popped up. Ethan Vance, the eldest grandson of the founder of Dingyan Group, the youngest director of the group, driving corporate innovation and transformation, worth over… I counted the number of zeros. Then I sucked in a breath of cold air and almost fainted. In the group chat, “Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog” was still clamoring. “Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, how did you guys meet?” “I’m too curious. Tell us, tell us.” Ethan: [Online dating. How else? Met online.] Ethan’s Loyal Lapdog: [Can you be more specific…] 3 Online dating needs caution! For the first time, I truly realized the importance of this sentence. I met Ethan because I saw a help post. “Question: Why is one grilled sausage three dollars, but two are five dollars?” I thought the poster was kind of funny, so I commented casually: “Don’t you know the first thing to do after buying a $9.90 membership?” The other party replied quickly: “Right, right, right! I got that question wrong too!” He praised me for being smart and awesome. In my ordinary 24 years, this was the first time I received such straightforward praise. I suddenly got interested and started discussing with this netizen. Chatting and chatting, we added each other on WeChat. At first, we weren’t that familiar until he discovered I was playing a popular mobile game. So he took the initiative to ask: “Is it fun?” I was enthusiastic: “It’s fun! Do you want to play? I’ll carry you; I’m super good.” “Okay, I’ll go get an account… I’m familiar with this game, but I haven’t really played it. I might be bad, don’t be mad.” … We played games for three months. I found that although this guy’s gaming skills were average, his quality was high. He didn’t curse, his voice was nice, and he was emotionally stable! And he wasn’t illiterate! My favorability towards him multiplied, so I started to take the initiative… After confirming our relationship with Ethan, our chats gradually became more relaxed. I have to say, this guy really suits my taste! It’s just that sometimes, he talks weirdly abstractly. His mom called him home for dinner, he said: “Heading back to the old manor to dine with the matriarch.” He had a civil servant friend, he said: “My close friend is in politics; it’s not convenient to meet up.” Rejecting a blind date arranged by his family, he said: “I don’t like family alliances.” I got it. And quickly applied it. Friends called me over for poker, needing a fourth, I said: “It’s an old-money gathering. I can’t leave; no one dares to move.” Chasing stars and watching concerts, I said: “I’m going to visit a child I’ve been sponsoring for a long time.” Ordering a group meal, I said: “Investing in an online catering project with several partners; the risk is relatively high.” Ethan deeply agreed. “It seems our life status is very similar.” He sent a “Cheers” emoji. “We are truly a match made in heaven.” … I always thought Ethan and I were a couple of abstract artists. Never suspected a thing. Until today, my worldview collapsed. No, so I’m the only one playing abstract? You guys are actually real?! 4 I was dazed at my workstation holding my phone when my colleague, Little Yang, poked me. “Jenny, still on your phone?” She leaned in and whispered, “Rumor has it the CEO might drop by our department for inspection today, but no one knows the exact time. Don’t get caught.” Little Yang and I joined the company around the same time. Except for the two of us, most of the department were returnees or well-connected people. Naturally, we huddled together for warmth. She also knew my family background was average, and it took a lot of effort to get into SkyHigh Tech. If the leader caught me slacking off during work hours, at best my salary would be deducted, at worst I’d be kicked directly into next quarter’s layoff list! Little Yang reminded me out of kindness. I snapped back to reality. CEO? Isn’t that Lucas Reed? Buzz buzz buzz— My phone vibrated twice in the small group chat. It was a new message from Lucas. “Can’t chat anymore, I have something to do.” Song: [Where are you going? Coming back for dinner?] “Going to inspect various departments of the company today. Have to go, my dad ordered it.” [@Tired Corporate Slave Sister-in-law, let’s chat next time!] [I’ll treat you to dinner when I have time!] [Cute Cat.jpg] Song: [Aren’t you just near the company?] Lucas: [Yeah, five minutes away. Gotta go, bye.] … Ten minutes later, I saw him in the company. The lively and jumpy person online transformed into a noble young master surrounded by stars. Lucas was in a decent suit, his hair meticulously styled. Surrounded by several directors, he walked slowly through the corridor. His expression was indifferent. The usually high-and-mighty leaders seemed to become different people in front of him… Fawning, flattering. Lucas didn’t stay in our marketing department for too long. His gaze didn’t even fall on me for a second. For people like them, we live in two different worlds. Giving attention to us is a waste. He is like this. Let alone Ethan. At this moment, I understood the gap between me and them.

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I am the female lead’s best friend. In the original ending, the female lead paired me off with the wealthy second male lead, Ethan Cole. Ethan said, “If Chloe wants me to marry you, then I will grant her wish.” “But when Chloe changes her mind, we will divorce.” I swallowed the words on the tip of my tongue. I didn’t tell him that I had actually been secretly in love with him for many years. Nor did I tell him that the second male lead can ascend to the main role. We lived a lifetime of respectful distance. But unexpectedly. Long after the original ending, the female lead truly regretted her choice. She came back to Ethan: “I got divorced. Will you marry me?” 1 When I awakened, the story was nearing its end. Chloe Vance, the adopted daughter of the wealthy Vance family, overcame all odds to marry the auto mechanic, Liam Ryder. At the same time, the Vance family discovered Ethan Cole’s feelings for Chloe and urged him to find someone to marry immediately. So, Chloe introduced Ethan to me. She told me, “Don’t look at how fierce my brother seems; he’s actually very kind.” Chloe arranged for us to go to an amusement park, then found an excuse to run off. Before leaving, she mischievously pushed me forward. The moment I almost bumped into Ethan, he took a step back. I nearly fell. The moment Chloe disappeared. Ethan’s gentle smile vanished instantly. His rimless glasses reflected his cold expression. To be fair, he was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Refined, stoic, very “Daddy.” Unfortunately, Ethan and I were not a match. I was the plain female supporting character meant to highlight the female lead, while he was the wealthy, handsome second male lead with perfect specs. Everything about him was top-tier. Facing him, I didn’t even have the courage to confess. But I didn’t expect Ethan to nod. Without even looking at me, he said calmly, “Miss Summers, I can marry you.” I froze in place, my heart racing. I knew it was impossible. But people are always dazzled by meager hope. Fortunately, he quickly cleared up my confusion— “To me, if it’s not Chloe, it doesn’t matter who I marry.” “Since she wants me to marry you, then I will grant her wish.” Wow. So deeply affectionate. 2 When Ethan and I walked out of the amusement park, Chloe was still at the entrance. Seeing us finish so quickly, a trace of expected surprise flashed in her eyes. Ethan’s eyes lit up too. Chloe’s gaze went back and forth between Ethan and me several times. Then, she playfully punched Ethan’s chest with a bit of complaint. Her tone was complaining but coquettish. “Brother!” “Why didn’t you have fun with Sarah?” “She’s my best friend! Don’t tell me you don’t like her!” The light and shadow in Ethan’s eyes flickered, finally returning to dimness as he said: “I didn’t.” “I proposed to Sarah Summers, and she agreed.” Chloe was stunned. 3 Logically speaking, I shouldn’t have agreed. Anyone with eyes could see that Ethan only had eyes for Chloe. But I had just received a call from my parents urging me to marry last night. And this morning, I received a layoff notice. Average education, average job, average family background. If it weren’t for the Vance family urging marriage, and Chloe not wanting the “fertile water to flow into others’ fields,” I wouldn’t even be qualified to go on a blind date with Ethan. Let alone become Mrs. Cole. I am a vulgar person. Thinking that without love, marrying for money is also good. And, what if? Anyway, the female lead and the second male lead are destined not to be together. Just like that, life fast-forwarded to the day I married Ethan. From the moment the wedding invitations were sent out. My life welcomed its highlight moment. Relatives and friends came to visit, smiling fawningly. I suddenly became the proudest daughter in my parents’ mouths. My in-laws gave me a red envelope with a million dollars the first time they met me. Chloe looked at the pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring on my finger, bit her lip, and said: “Sarah, how could you pick such an expensive diamond ring?” “After all, it’s my brother’s money, not earned by yourself…” But her wedding ring was also bought by Liam. The difference was mine cost twenty million, hers two thousand. I didn’t mind her bossing me around. After all, if she was unhappy with me, Ethan might call off the wedding on the spot. I smiled bitterly and said, “Chloe, your brother married me just for show. The person he truly likes is still you.” “I envy you marrying for love, while I only have cold money.” The corner of Chloe’s eyes showed窃喜 (secret delight). “Sarah, you absolutely must not say that!” “I will absolutely never like my brother!” Ethan happened to hear that sentence when he arrived. The sorrow in his eyes was hard to dissolve. With a bit of spite, he took my hand: “Let’s go, Mom and Dad are waiting for us.” That day. Ethan drank a lot of alcohol. Cup after cup, he stared at Chloe. Stared until Liam’s face looked ugly, and my in-laws’ faces darkened. Soon it was late at night. We returned to the villa marital home. Ethan walked unsteadily. He fell onto the sofa, glasses falling off, collar open, his handsome face flushed. Handsome enough to make one blush. I understood Chloe’s intention in making him marry me even more. With me, there would be no other women. But Ethan didn’t look at me at all, which also allowed him to keep his chastity for her. Like now, he said: “Sarah Summers, I won’t do anything with you…” “Don’t hope for what you shouldn’t think about. Be your Mrs. Cole with peace of mind.” The disgust and disdain in his eyes were clearly visible. After speaking, his breathing soon steadied, and he fell asleep. I looked at his face with closed eyes, a bit dazed. If someone who really wanted to be his wife heard these words, she would be very sad. Of course, it’s not that I’m completely not sad. Because, I also once had a crush on him. 4 My friendship with Chloe began in the student era. Back then, I had met Ethan. Chloe and I were locked in a bathroom stall by a vicious female classmate. Liam climbed in through the window and rescued Chloe. They forgot about me. Ethan arrived a step late and only rescued me. I still remember, his eyes were full of me. He broke the mop blocking the door with his bare hands: “Don’t be afraid, I’m late!” No one had ever been so nervous about me. Only the moment his gaze touched me, he saw clearly who I was. Upon learning where Chloe went, the brokenness in the boy’s eyes made my heart ache. That night, I went back very late, and as soon as I entered the house, I got slapped. “Grown capable, huh? Coming back so late, whose bed did you crawl into?” My mom’s voice was very loud. Neighbors poked their heads out to watch the excitement. My explanation meant nothing to anyone. Later, Ethan made that female classmate apologize to our family. He did it for Chloe, and I benefited by association. My mom’s expression showed a moment of guilt. But she didn’t apologize for wronging me. Because of this incident. I started to have a crush on Ethan. I also secretly tested Chloe, asking what type Ethan liked. She tilted her head, smiling innocently: “Maybe someone like me?” I was stunned: “Aren’t you siblings?” After that time, Chloe seemed to deliberately get close to Ethan in front of me. Throwing herself into his arms, hugging his arm, or letting Ethan feed her. Ethan’s eyes were gentle as water, almost drowning people. What else didn’t I understand? To me, it was love at first sight. But his eyes never had me. The protagonist lives the protagonist’s life. The supporting character also lives her own life in the plot that doesn’t intersect with the protagonist. Graduating step by step, finding a job, going on blind dates. Not all crushes get a response. Not all likes have to be life and death. We ordinary people don’t have that much energy. That joy of youth. Long drowned in the boring daily rush.

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On Ethan Sterling’s twenty-eighth birthday, someone gifted him a woman right in front of my face. Abandoning my usual gentleness, I smashed my wine glass, wrecked the banquet, and left home with my luggage alone. Everyone said the destitute Mrs. Sterling wouldn’t last three days and would come back begging. Ethan didn’t care at all: “An orphan girl, where can she go without the Sterling family?” But countless three days passed, and some even suspected I had died out there. Ethan called me for the first time, only to find the number was no longer in service. Later, at a famous painter’s exhibition, a portrait of a side profile made Ethan lose his composure. He offered an astronomical price to buy the painting. Lucas Miller smiled apologetically: “This is the portrait of my wife I’m most satisfied with. I can’t bear to part with it.” 1 It was Ethan Sterling’s twenty-eighth birthday party. I wore the most exquisite and beautiful gown, appearing on Ethan’s arm. As soon as we walked down the steps, Ethan let go of my hand and left me there. Everyone’s gaze followed Ethan. I was forgotten in the corner. People presented gifts to Ethan one after another. He signaled the butler to put them away with a faint expression. Until someone presented a beautiful woman. Everyone’s eyes turned back to me. Sympathy, amusement, mockery. Over the years, I had seen too many of these malicious gazes. Ethan’s originally expressionless face showed a moment of daze. That beauty looked too much like his dead first love. “Giving me a woman in front of Mrs. Sterling, you guys are bold.” Ethan smiled playfully. The gift giver flattered: “Mrs. Sterling is generous, I’m sure she won’t mind.” It wasn’t that I wouldn’t mind; they just counted on me not daring to mind. An orphan girl raised by the Sterling family. How dare she say “no” to the new head of the Sterling family? Ethan twirled the wedding ring on his finger, smiling: “Since Mrs. Sterling agrees, take her down…” Before Ethan finished speaking, I had already walked a few steps to his side. Looking at the beauty in front of me. The gift giver really put thought into it, knowing exactly what Ethan liked. I suddenly felt a little tired. I seemed unable to listen to Grandma’s words anymore to maintain the dignity of Mrs. Sterling. I gently pushed the champagne tower behind me. The beautiful crystals piled up collapsed with a light touch. Broken glass and wine splashed everywhere, and the banquet scene was chaotic. Someone exclaimed: “Mrs. Sterling has gone crazy!” 2 I ruined Ethan’s birthday party. But he didn’t seem to care much. The butler had already arranged for the guests to leave, and servants were cleaning up the mess. That beauty was kept, standing quietly beside Ethan. Even her personality seemed very much like Ethan’s first love. In comparison, I really seemed crazy. Ethan played with the beauty’s fingers in one hand, looking at me and speaking casually. “Why so angry? “If you don’t want to see her, I’ll let her live outside. “Don’t worry, I swore to Grandma that I would never touch your position as Mrs. Sterling.” The woman beside him also spoke to persuade me. “Mrs. Sterling, why be angry? A man like Mr. Sterling wouldn’t have just one woman. “I just admire Mr. Sterling and won’t affect your status.” I took off the ring on my hand. Placed it on the table in front of Ethan. He raised an eyebrow. “Returning the ring to you.” Ethan picked up the ring and tossed it into the air. The diamond ring flashed brilliantly and fell back into his hand. He threw it backward to the woman behind him: “For you. Mrs. Sterling throws away a ring worth millions just like that.” Ethan stood up and sneered, instructing the butler. “Find a few teachers to teach Mrs. Sterling etiquette. I don’t want to see such rude things again in the future.” He walked a few steps and turned back. Threw his own ring on the ground. The ring rolled on the ground and stopped at my feet. “Since you don’t want the ring, throw them all away.” 3 Ethan left with the people. The roar of the car engine leaving was particularly obvious in the night. The butler sighed beside me: “Madam, why provoke Mr. Sterling? You know he has resentment towards you.” I picked up the ring at my feet and threw it into the trash can. “Uncle Chen, go busy yourself, don’t worry about me.” The butler sighed and left. I went upstairs alone, took off the complicated and exquisite gown. Changed into a white T-shirt, found a suitcase, and took out all the clothes belonging to me from the closet. Other couples quarrel and can consider divorce agreements. But my connection with Ethan was so shallow that only a ring remained. No one would have thought that for the wedding of the century that caused a sensation in the city, the bride and groom didn’t even have a marriage certificate. I still remember what Ethan said at the wedding. “Only Sarah’s name can be on my household register. Ava, you shouldn’t have married me.” But what could I do? I still married him, married the person I liked for seven years in my girlhood. Thinking that one day I could move him. But in the end, I lived as Mrs. Sterling in name only in everyone’s eyes. When I dragged my luggage out, the whole villa was quiet. Just like the rainy night when Grandma just brought me back. Thirteen-year-old Ethan stood on the stairs, looking at me coldly. But turned to the kitchen. Brought me a cup of warm milk. 4 I booked a flight. Six hours of flight, then three hours of car ride, back to the remote small town in the south. They say people want to return to their roots when they get old. But actually, a homeless person will also miss their hometown very much. Even if there is no relative left in that hometown. I rented a small courtyard in the town. The dialect was familiar yet strange. I was young when I left and had been in North City ever since. I had long forgotten how to speak it. Fortunately, the person living in the courtyard next door was also an outsider, just arrived before me. That day when buying vegetables, I couldn’t understand the old lady’s dialect, and he helped me out. The next day I made corn fritters to thank him for his help the day before. Only then did I know he was a painter sketching here. He looked like he just graduated from college, radiating enthusiasm and youth. Away from the personnel matters of North City. In such a simple environment, I suddenly realized I was only 25 years old. But because I was in the Sterling family, always holding the airs of Mrs. Sterling. I actually felt like I was old and decrepit. I bought flowers from the street, and the small courtyard was filled with Chinese roses by me. A small rocking chair was placed next to the flower bed. Although a bit simple, everything was to my liking. The garden of the Sterling family was full of yellow roses that Sarah liked, and an expensive piano was placed in the glass flower house. That was specially designed by Ethan for her back then, and no one could touch it. Grandma wanted people to pull out those roses. It caused Ethan to lose his temper. “If the roses are gone, I don’t need to return to this home either.” No one mentioned this matter again, and Sarah and those roses became a restricted area of the Sterling family.

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My junior brother used my photos to catfish the school belle, but ended up hooking the fierce school bully instead. The bully was so furious he posted a warning thread online. [My roommate is a pervert, can I kill him?] [He still insists the goddess in the picture is his sister.] Netizens advised him to think twice: what if the pervert really has a fairy-like sister? The bully didn’t believe it, saying no one could be that beautiful. Until he saw me cheering for the opposing team on the basketball court. He hurriedly updated the thread. [My brother-in-law is doomed, but he sleeps like the dead, what do I do? Can I warm the bed instead?] 1 Since we were kids, I’ve known my twin brother was an idiot. When I was doing Math Olympiad, he was playing with poop. While I was winning awards left and right, his teachers hinted he should get his brain checked. I skipped three grades and got into college early; he was tormented by high school knowledge, not knowing which way was up. Finally, the year I was about to graduate, he barely scraped into the same university. Not long after school started, he fell in love. He shyly told me he was going to pursue the school belle. The school belle liked girls. But he said love could conquer all. He shared his simp diary with me every day. “Sis, I finally got her number!” “She actually said hi to me, so happy, so happy~” “The school belle’s emojis are cute, her words are cute, sweet girls really save the world!” “!!!” “Sis, help me, help me, she asked me out tomorrow, what do I do?” “…” “It’s over, I was so excited I smashed my phone, I have to use this laggy old one now, boohoo, so good sister, will you sponsor a new phone for your brother~” “Hehe, I finally succeeded, Sis, you must come tomorrow, you must!” “Sis, help your brother win this tough battle tomorrow, okay~” Followed by a few cheeky emojis. When I received Ben’s message, I was rushing a paper. Without thinking much, I agreed haphazardly. I revised until midnight before submitting the result I was most satisfied with to my advisor. After happily scrolling through my phone for a while. I remembered the school belle was known for being a cool, aloof queen. Where was the sweetness? Also, could an idiot like Ben really catch the school belle? Before I could figure it out, a friend forwarded me a campus forum post. Saying the content was quite explosive. I threw my brain aside and started reading. The OP was fierce. [My roommate is a pervert, can I kill him?] 2 The onlookers were excited. [How perverted? Please elaborate.] [Hahaha I get it, I get it, OP is a man, roommate is a man, men talking about men being perverted is just that, hehehe~] [Bestie, the BL you love to watch is real!] [Heh, OP is discriminating, reported.] The OP stated he didn’t discriminate against any group, but hated deception. [He photoshopped a stunning photo as his profile picture, I thought he was a woman!] Receiving the reply, the classmates who scolded the OP immediately apologized. [That really is perverted, using a woman’s photo to date a straight man, disgusting beyond measure, sorry for the friendly fire.] This comment got many likes. Occasionally there were replies advising him. [It’s late, don’t make a scene bro, just beat him up a couple of times to vent, being roommates it’s not worth it.] [How did you just find out your roommate is a pervert?] The OP replied to him. [I’m a freshman, mixed dorm, rarely stay in the dorm, don’t interact much with roommates, and usually he acts silly.] [Thinking about it now, maybe he was playing dumb.] [Can I really not kill him? I even bought a shovel.] [Oh, he confessed the profile picture isn’t photoshopped, it’s stolen from his sister, dying of laughter, how is that possible!] In just a few minutes, more people flooded under the post. Watching the drama with great pleasure. I also laughed out loud, twisting like a maggot on the bed. Until I scrolled to a blurry dorm photo at the bottom. Suddenly I couldn’t laugh anymore. In the bottom left corner of the photo was a gray backpack, hanging a familiar squirrel plushie. It looked exactly like the ugly one Ben won from a claw machine. Coincidentally, the post updated. [Can’t take a beating at all, started crying before I even got serious, he keeps saying the profile picture is his sister, his sister looks like that, something about catfishing the wrong person.] [He also said his sister is coming to help him tomorrow.] [Does that mean a fight? His sister is in the underworld.] [Fine, tomorrow I’ll just beat them both up and be done with it!] !!! F*ck, that dead pervert wouldn’t be my brother, right! 3 My brain crashed instantly. Numbly refreshing the post and flipping through replies for clues. Finally, I accepted my fate with tears. That idiot who used his sister’s photo to catfish the school belle but caught his roommate instead was my twin brother from the same parents. Ahhh, Ben, you’re dead! [Whoa, big talk, not afraid of the underworld, OP sounds tough, doesn’t seem like a freshman.] [Upstairs, don’t say not like a freshman, not even like a human! Could he be from the underworld too?] [So fierce, so crazy, so domineering, OP’s identity must be extraordinary.] [Hahaha that arrogant disdainful tone, I think I know who it is, let me reveal a bit, more badass than the underworld, the principal begged him to attend this school!] [Wow wow wow, that’s a true young master!] Reading the replies below, I got more and more alarmed. Years of life experience and novel reading told me, there are three types of “masters” you can’t mess with in this world. The old master crossing the street, the master you owe money to, and, the young master of a certain family! Which one isn’t trouble and hard to deal with? The urge to kill Ben reached its peak at this moment. Scrolling with my fingers, I subconsciously switched to the chat screen. When I calmed down, [Ben, you’re dead!] had already been sent successfully. After a long time, a voice message came from the other side. I hesitated and clicked it. The idiot’s scream pierced my eardrums “Sis, Sis, save me!” Luckily I was wearing headphones, my roommates couldn’t hear. Following that, was a clear, cold sneer. “Gutsy, which side are you from? How many people tomorrow?” 4 Realizing Ben’s phone had been commandeered. I typed and deleted. [Just me? Um, actually this is a misunderstanding…] He seemed angry. Without waiting for me to explain clearly, he unilaterally ended the conversation. “Look down on me? Fine, respect your decision, my principle is not hitting women, I’ll give you a two-hand handicap tomorrow.” Voice strong and powerful, sounds like he can really fight! I suddenly didn’t want to care about Ben anymore. Forget it, the battle of the century has always been like this, sleep! Before closing my eyes, the replies under the post suddenly became crooked. [OP have you ever thought, what if his sister really looks like the photo?] [So what? Does it affect beating people tomorrow?] [Upstairs forgot why OP was tricked, the photo must be stunning! Speaking of which how beautiful is she, show us.] [Hehe must be very beautiful, charmed OP so much he lost his north without sleeping with the pervert, photo probably saved.] […] The OP suddenly got anxious, replying one by one. [Impossible, absolutely impossible for anyone to be that beautiful!] [This is a premeditated scam, scammed people and still so arrogant, their chat history is evidence!] [Just a scammer’s trick, will I fall for it!] The alumni who got retorted posted a shrugging emoji. [See, anxious again.] [OP is mad confused, who exactly got into the OP’s thunder list, so hard to guess~] [So mad spinning in circles yet still won’t release the photo, don’t you have a clue in your heart?] The OP ignored everyone, making a bold statement. [First time I’ve been tricked since childhood, meet tomorrow, whoever begs for mercy first is the grandson!] [Those siblings just wait to get beaten!] I pulled a tired smile. Seemed like no way out, actually no way out indeed. 5 Woke up in the morning, phone popped up a message. [Something came up, I’ll tell you the time and place when I decide.] [Buy a helmet, I’ve never hit a woman.] Ha, he’s actually kinda nice. But I don’t want to send myself to death, Ben that idiot caused his own trouble, let him bear it himself! Rare weekend, I decided to vegetate in the dorm and binge dramas. My best friend Hannah came over grinning and hugged my arm. “JoJo, such nice sunshine, let’s go out and play~” Yes, the idiot brother and I took our parents’ surnames respectively. He took my dad’s surname, Ben Evans. I took my mom’s surname, JoJo Quinn. Plus I despised Ben for being too stupid and embarrassing, so people around thought I was an only child. And he didn’t dare say he had a twin sister. Afraid I’d get angry and cut his allowance. “JoJo, there’s a basketball game at the North Playground today, men, all men!” “Heard several freshmen are super handsome!” “Come with me, please~” Unable to withstand her coquetry, I had to go with her to watch the game. The playground was packed. Girls from several surrounding dorm buildings all came! Even from other schools. “Big scene right? Look, they’re all here for Liam.” “He’s the new campus heartthrob, rich second generation, the new teaching building of our school was donated by the King family.” “Also, he didn’t take shortcuts, got in by legitimate exam, handsome to a tragic degree, just a bit fierce.” Hannah pulled me to the front row, pointing at the center of the court. Liam King? I tried to open my eyes, blurringly, saw a big guy who could teleport. “JoJo, how is he?” “Mm, not bad, should be number one in fighting!” 6 Hannah asked if I was okay. Leaned in to look. “Where are your glasses? Take them out and put them on, Liam is so good looking!” “Speaking of which, JoJo you are a recognized beauty, just too low-key didn’t participate in the campus belle contest.” “Sometimes I really want to beg you not to study, isn’t it nice to find a handsome guy to date?” She stared at my face, suddenly changing the topic. I quickly interrupted: “So you support Liam?” She shook her head, looking shyly at the opposing team. Waved at the man in the very front: “No, I support my man.” !!! “What are you surprised about, you study all day, how would you know I found a new boyfriend.” She acted like a shy little wife. “Hehe, want to know the taste of a man?” I covered my face, indicating I didn’t want to. She had to pull me to cheer for her boyfriend. “Damn Liam is sick, why steal my man’s ball!” “Down with Liam, go go go!” “What a messy formation, JoJo, put on your glasses quickly and help me find my man.” Hannah’s voice was too loud, women around threw daggers with their eyes. Even the players on the court were startled. That big guy named Liam looked over. Front row position made it easy to see his face. Sword brows red lips, high nose bridge. Breathing slightly panting with the intense game, Adam’s apple rolling. Broad shoulders narrow waist, sweat wetting the translucent jersey, outlining tight waist and abs. He was very tall, visually over 1.8 meters. The ball landed in front of us, Liam glanced over casually. When sweeping over me. He widened his eyes, the ball he just picked up fell from his hand. Eyes filled with stars suddenly brightened, but then quietly dimmed. Like he discovered something terrible. The whole person was about to shatter.

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They were the golden couple, celebrated by everyone. And I? I was just the wife. The best friend. The shadow. Seventy years of my life, dedicated to their story. When they passed away on the same day, their wills were identical. They left everything to each other. Their final wish? To be buried side by side. Their notes to me were cruel in their kindness: “Harper, in the next life, I want to make it up to you.” “Harper, in the next life, please don’t fight me for Ethan, okay?” I blinked, and suddenly, the wrinkles were gone. I was eighteen again. Watching them stare into each other’s eyes, blushing like idiots. I wiped my answer sheet clean with a smile. Not this time. I’m done being the accessory to your love story. My name is Harper. And I have my own life to live. 01 I walked out of the SAT testing center and froze. There they were. Ethan and Chloe. Kissing in the hallway. “Are you insane? What if Harper sees us?” “I love you, Chloe. I don’t care anymore. After today, I have nothing to fear.” The wind caught his white button-down shirt. Her long hair danced in the breeze. The School King and the Queen. A match made in heaven. … I stood there for a long time. Only when they pulled apart did I walk over to grab my bag. Chloe greeted me as if nothing happened. “Harper! What took you so long? Didn’t I signal the answers to you?” Ethan wouldn’t look at me. His voice was cold. “Hurry up. We’re waiting for you.” Under the setting sun, our three shadows stretched out on the pavement. Two close together. One far apart. “Cheating isn’t my thing. I wanted to do it myself,” I said, looking up. “I solved every problem from scratch. Oh, and I’m meeting a friend. I won’t be walking home with you guys.” They both froze. I shouldered my backpack and turned the other way. Since you two have found your ‘forever,’ I’ll find my own path. 02 During the freshman health screening, three students were found with O-negative blood. Me. Ethan. Chloe. That rare biological quirk bound us together. We walked through seventy years of life, hand in hand. My first pair of real running shoes? A gift from Chloe. My first love letter? Written by Ethan. They were rich, brilliant, and beautiful. And as they soared, they never left me behind. We went to the Ivy Leagues together. We joined the same research institute. Right up until the end. Even in death, my grave was squeezed next to theirs. A tiny plot of land in the shadow of the mountains of flowers sent by their admirers. The name “Harper” on my headstone faded quickly. But the epitaphs next to me shone in fresh red paint: [Ethan, Beloved Husband of Chloe] [Chloe, Soulmate of Ethan] Passersby would nod in understanding. They thought I was lucky. A life of comfort, accompanied by geniuses. What regrets could I possibly have? But looking back from the finish line… I realized I had swallowed a lifetime of silence. 03 I was average in academics, but I had a gift for art. Even the Dean of RISD saw my potential. My family couldn’t afford the prep courses. So I taught myself, painting in secret, preparing for the portfolio review. But on the day of the exam, Ethan and Chloe got into a car accident. To save them, I gave blood. Pints of it. I missed my exam. In the hospital room, Chloe cried and apologized. “I’m so, so sorry, Harper! It was our fault… But honestly, were you really going to apply for art school? It costs a fortune. Can your family even afford it?” She wasn’t wrong. We couldn’t even afford a gap year. Art was a luxury I couldn’t buy. I felt a sting in my chest. But I had saved my two best friends. It had to be worth it. To repay me, they tutored me relentlessly through senior year. We all stayed in the city. They went to Columbia on scholarships. I went to a community college nearby. I told myself I was happy. Four years later, the Dean from RISD reached out again. He offered me an internship at The Met. It was my dream job. I ran to tell Ethan and Chloe, my heart bursting with joy. They cut me off. They had been recruited by a top lab in Los Alamos. They were moving to New Mexico. Chloe held my hand, looking sad. “Harper, I’m so happy for you. You finally made it! But… long-distance with Ethan will be so hard. And that Dean… is he for real? Why would someone that important invite you?” Ethan sat in the corner, silent. His eyes were cold with disapproval. We spent some time apart to plan our futures. But before the breakup could happen… I found out I was pregnant. 04 They say pregnancy hormones mess with your brain. Maybe I was terrified of being a single mom. Maybe I just couldn’t bear to terminate a life. I didn’t get the surgery. I turned down The Met. I married Ethan at the courthouse. We moved to New Mexico. Ethan and Chloe’s careers skyrocketed. They got me a generic administrative job at the lab. Low pay. Low stress. Stable. Our company apartments were right next door to each other. BBQs in the summer, hot pot in the winter. It felt cozy. It felt like family. Years later, a Director position opened up in my department. I had worked hard. My scientific illustrations were being used as national templates. I had a shot. But Ethan and Chloe were also up for promotion to a classified project. Chloe popped a bottle of champagne. “Cheers to us shining in our own fields! But Harper… if you get promoted, you’ll be traveling constantly. Who will take care of the house?” Ethan held our daughter, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Harper,” he whispered. “Someone has to be here for Lily.” Our daughter was starting school. Chloe’s son—born out of wedlock—was just a toddler. The old parents needed care. Someone had to sacrifice. So, I stepped back. Again. I traded my paintbrush for a spatula. I spent decades building a home. My children grew up successful. My family seemed perfect. I lived the life everyone envied. But on those sleepless nights, what was I thinking about? I thought about the day my mother died. I called Chloe, my direct supervisor, begging for emergency leave. I called from sunrise to sunset. Only after Mom took her last breath did I get a text from Ethan: [Chloe is chairing a classified review board. Phones are off. Your issues can wait.] I thought about my daughter’s wedding. I spent months painting a portrait as her gift. It wasn’t as good as a sketch from a first-year art student. I never gave it to her. I threw it in the trash. By the time I got to the reception, Chloe was already there. Holding my daughter’s hand. Walking her down the aisle. I thought about the night Ethan won the Lifetime Achievement Award. The kids and students swarmed him, fixing his tie. I thought the camera would pan to me. The loyal wife. But in his acceptance speech… He didn’t mention my name once. It was all Chloe. “My partner. My confidante. My soulmate.” They watched the stars together in the desert. They stood at the peak of science together. And me? I was just the maid who cooked their meals. 05 I arranged their funerals. They died on the same day. Their wills were identical. [Harper, I gave you all my love in this life. In the next, I want to make it up to her.] [Harper, I gave you all my love in this life. In the next, please don’t fight me for him.] What was I? An audience member in their magnificent play? I suddenly remembered a New Year’s Eve, decades ago. Ethan was going to confess. I brought lattes over to celebrate. I opened the door to see flowers and cake. Candlelight reflected in Ethan’s eyes. He was staring at Chloe. Unblinking. “Are you… confessing?” I blurted out. Chloe turned red and shoved me toward Ethan. “No way! I’d never date this loser! We’re rivals! I just want to beat his GPA!” The clock struck twelve. Fireworks exploded outside. Ethan looked at Chloe one last time. Then he pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to me. “Yeah. I don’t like her. Don’t be weird. I like you, Harper.” The Prince and the Princess were just playing a game. And the extra took it seriously. I lived a whole life based on a lie. Taking vinegar for ink, writing a bitter script. If I could just do it over. Just once. I would run far away. I would find my own light. 06 In the second semester of senior year, the school split classes by GPA. Without Chloe “helping” me, my grades dropped. I was moved to the regular class. It was the perfect excuse. I left the group chat. I deleted their numbers. I left one message: [Need to focus on studying. No phone for a while.] But on the first day of school, Ethan found me. He looked sharp in his uniform, drawing eyes from every girl in the hall. In my past life, he was handsome even as an old man. But looking at him now? I felt nothing. “Harper, I’m going to petition the principal to get you back in the Honors class. Just be ready.” Before I could speak, Chloe ran over. She linked arms with both of us. “Secrets? Without me? Just because you’re dating doesn’t mean you can forget your bestie!” “Harper, seriously, I gave you the answers. Why didn’t you copy them? How will you get into Honors now?” “And Ethan is so hot… if you don’t keep him on a leash, someone else will snatch him up.” I listened to the subtext in every word. And I smiled. I pulled my arm away from Chloe. “Actually, I’m breaking up with Ethan.” “Different classes, living apart… it’s too much work. The SATs are coming up. I want to focus on myself.” Ethan froze. His hands curled into fists at his sides. As I turned to leave, he grabbed my wrist. “Harper. Don’t regret this.” 07 Regret what? I loved you so much once. But I never got a single photo with you in our youth. I never got a solo trip with you in decades of marriage. I left no trace in your brilliant life. It ends here. “I said we’re done. Do you need a translator?” I looked him dead in the eye. While he was stunned, I pushed Chloe into his arms. And I walked away. Avoiding someone is easy. No eye contact. No texts. Walk a different path. I focused on myself for four months. Then came the exams. My score? Worse than my previous life. I had been away from high school textbooks for too long. Even my paintbrush felt heavy. I had lost my touch. But I wasn’t sad. If you could go back to being eighteen… With time on your side, and a beating heart… What is one failure? I made a plan for a gap year. I knew we were broke. I planned to get loans, work part-time. I braced myself to tell my mom. My strict, terrifying mother. She agreed instantly. “Great achievements start as dreams, Harper. If you love it, do it. Don’t worry about the money.” “I want my daughter to be brave. Beautiful. Free. Remember this: The light you create for yourself is the only light that never fades.” I misunderstood her when I was young. I blamed her for the divorce. For the poverty. Why couldn’t she just tolerate Dad? Why couldn’t we be a “normal” family? It took a lifetime to realize… She was braver than I ever was. To pay for my art classes, Mom sold the house. We moved closer to the city. On the last day of running our small breakfast shop, Ethan showed up. He bought all the leftover soy milk and buns. He scanned the QR code to pay, then placed a box of flowers and a gift on the counter. “For you. Happy Birthday.” “I never celebrated it properly before. Take it.” The scent of flowers made me dizzy. Today was my eighteenth birthday. My birthday was one day before Chloe’s. In the past, Ethan found it annoying. He’d just celebrate both on Chloe’s day. “It’s close enough,” he’d say. I swallowed that small injustice for years. I didn’t care anymore. “Wow! Gifts already? But my birthday is tomorrow!” “You dummy, you got the date wrong!” Chloe came skipping down the street, interrupting my thoughts. She pouted, pretending to punch Ethan. Ethan didn’t flinch. “I didn’t get it wrong. Today is Harper’s birthday. Not yours. This gift is for her. Just her.”

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Joe and I loved each other for fifteen years. We went from high school sweethearts to husband and wife. Then, he got cancer. Before he died, he told me he didn’t want any regrets. He said he had fallen in love with someone else. He wanted to spend his remaining time happily with that girl. But after he died, his soul was trapped beside me. And I could still see him. 01 Joe had cancer. Stage four. I was right there when the doctor dropped the hammer. I listened in disbelief, then immediately started asking about second opinions, experimental trials—anything. Joe just sat in the chair, expressionless. His head was tilted down. I couldn’t see his face. I couldn’t tell what he was feeling right then. 02 Joe lost a lot of weight. He was in the hospital for about a week, going through a battery of tests and treatments. I squeezed out time every day to be with him. Mostly, I just saw him staring blankly out the window. Or staring blankly at his phone. I didn’t know what he was thinking. But I knew that for someone facing their own mortality, their mood couldn’t be good. Swallowing the bitterness in my heart, I chattered about trivial daily stuff. All while opening the takeout I’d brought him. 03 Occasionally, Joe would look at me with guilt in his eyes. Like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. I didn’t know what was on his mind. But whenever I looked back, ready to ask him what was wrong, he would lower his head again. As if escaping. He was always expressionless. But the look on his face was way more complicated than before. 04 Later, I found out why. I don’t know how many times I’d visited the hospital ward by then. But that day, I saw her. That girl, Shelby. In front of her, Joe showed a smile I hadn’t seen in days. That relaxed, happy look. In a daze, I realized it seemed like ages since I’d seen it on Joe’s face. 05 Joe and I met when we were teenagers. We got to know each other. We fell in love. This year was our fifteenth year together. Our sixth year married. We long ago lost that initial passionate spark. We settled into a calm, gentle rhythm. Sometimes, I could feel that Joe didn’t like me as much anymore. Actually, it was mutual. I didn’t have that initial girlish crush on him either. But we still had years of friendship. I thought we would never end up in an ugly mess like other couples. Affairs. Mistresses. Illegitimate kids. Divorce. I never thought there would come a day when I realized I’d judged a person wrong. 06 Right in front of me, in his hospital bed, Joe took that girl’s hand. They interlocked fingers. My mind went blank. Those eyes I used to love so much stared at me with guilt. But also with an unusual firmness. Joe was thin, his face pale. He was good-looking, so even his sickly appearance didn’t make him look bad. Seeing no reaction from me, Joe spoke again. “Chloe, I’m dying. I don’t have much time left in this world. I don’t want to have regrets.” When he said he didn’t want regrets, he meant one thing. He wanted me to bless his affair with the girl beside him—Shelby. 07 The first time I knew of her existence was at Joe’s tech company. Shelby was the new marketing intern. When I arrived, Joe was still in a meeting, so I waited in his office. While I was waiting, Shelby barged in. We both froze. I felt something was off right away. The CEO’s office wasn’t exactly a place regular employees could just wander into. Let alone a lowly intern. But this Shelby girl was slick. Her ability to handle situations and adapt was way beyond your average intern. 08 Later, Joe explained to me that Shelby was a junior at our old university. When he went back to give a lecture at alumni weekend, she was there. She interacted with him the most during the Q&A. She asked for his autograph afterward. “The young girl was new to the corporate world,” he said. “Inevitably a bit brash, but her work skills were strong.” Listening to him, I vaguely recalled something. Joe and I went to a big state school. We were supposed to go to that alumni weekend together. But I had a last-minute business trip and couldn’t make it. Thinking back now… Maybe Joe’s change of heart started right then. 09 I was silent for a moment. Shelby gripped Joe’s hand. She tilted her head slightly so I could clearly see her tear-filled eyes. And the dried tear tracks on her face. She said, “Chloe, Joe and I have had feelings for each other for a long time. But out of respect for you, neither of us crossed the line. “If it weren’t for Joe… I wouldn’t be making such an excessive request. “I know being the other woman is shameful. “But I love Joe. I want to happily spend his remaining time with him. “You love him too, so you should want him to be happy, right? “Do you want to see Joe spend his last days depressed? Leaving this world with regrets? “You’ve already had half his life. “Why can’t you let us have this last little bit of time?” 10 I looked at Shelby’s contrived posturing. Then at Joe’s silent indulgence. A sense of unfamiliarity and absurdity rose in my heart. For a split second, I felt like our passionate youth was just my own over-romanticized fantasy. Maybe the Joe who loved me so deeply back then never even existed. 11 I clenched my hands tightly. The pain in my palms brought my reason back. I forced myself to calm down. “So what do you mean? You want me to divorce him so you two can be together?” Shelby was about to speak. But the hand interlocking fingers with hers squeezed hard. She let out a small cry of pain. She glared coquettishly at him. But Joe didn’t gently coax her or indulge her like usual. She instantly knew this wasn’t the time to make a scene. Shelby was smart. Especially at reading men. That’s how she captured Joe’s heart so quickly.

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My mom transferred me to the worst high school in the city. All for a $10,000 bonus. On my first day, I was cornered. Jax, the school’s biggest delinquent, pinned me against a wall demanding protection money. I emptied my pockets. I only found half a stale bagel. “I don’t have money… but do you want half a bagel?” He stared at me for a second. Then he exploded. “Who the hell do you think you are, messing with me?!” The next second, my world went black. I fainted from hunger. Right in front of him. When I woke up, the bully tossed a breakfast burrito at me. He threatened me: “From today on, your meals are on us.” “We’re covering your food.” “But listen closely.” “If you dare fail your exams…” “Or if you breathe a word of this to anyone…” “I’ll beat you to a pulp.” The “Mean Girls” forced me to drink protein shakes. “Your skin is terrible. Don’t ruin the class aesthetic!” They even formed a patrol squad. Just to ensure I safely took the SATs. They were rotting in the mud themselves. Yet, they clumsily lifted me up to touch the stars. On the eve of the big test, Jax took his crew and beat up my harassing parents. “Heard you guys wanted to disturb our star student’s studying?” He looked back at me with a smirk. A wild, yet gentle smile. “Hey, brainiac.” “Go get into Harvard for us.” “Just for kicks.” 01 I got the highest score in the city on the junior year PSATs. My mom beat me for it. She said my little brother was upset. He felt I stole his nutrients in the womb, which is why his grades were so bad. To make it up to him, Mom made a decision. She transferred me from the city’s top magnet school to the worst public school in the district. That school promised her a $10,000 bonus. Just for enrolling a high-achieving student. With that ten grand, she immediately transferred my brother. He went to a private prep school. My brother was thrilled. He called me useless for just being book-smart. He said going to prep school to meet rich kids was the real path to success. He said maybe one day I could even work for him. I didn’t want to transfer. But a beating from my stepdad changed my mind. Being locked in my room without food changed my mind. When I was too hungry to think, I agreed. At that moment, I only had one thought: I didn’t want to die here. Even the worst school was better than starving. At least there were books to read. Before I left, my brother filled me in on my new reality. “That class is full of psychos,” he sneered. “They’d kill you without blinking.” “Don’t even think about fighting back. They’re monsters because they have money and power backing them.” “Just rot there.” “Let’s see who dares to compare you to me then.” I didn’t reply. But I secretly vowed one thing. I would live a better life than this piece of trash. 02 My new classroom was at the very end of the hallway. The door hung crookedly on its hinges. As I got closer, the noise inside sounded like it would blow the roof off. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The room instantly fell silent. Every gaze shot towards me. Like they were looking at a monster. I guess my washed-out magnet school uniform was pretty conspicuous here. I didn’t make a sound. I kept my head down, looking for an empty seat. Before I could sit, someone grabbed the back of my collar. It was Jax. I’d heard his name. The king of the school’s delinquents. He cornered me. His shadow loomed over me. “New kid?” A cigarette dangled from his mouth as he squinted at me. “Know the rules here?” “Gotta pay the protection fee.” I didn’t speak. I silently turned all my pockets inside out. Empty. Finally, in my pants pocket, I found something. Half a cold, hard bagel I’d swiped from the kitchen counter that morning. It was rock-hard. I placed it in his open palm. “This… this is it.” He stared at the pathetic thing in his hand. Stunned for several seconds. His expression went from shock to a furious rage at being mocked. “What the f*ck!” He violently threw his hand out. Bagel crumbs scattered everywhere. “Who the hell do you think you are?!” His roar was huge. It made my ears ring. But I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in two days. Since that sip of cold water in the morning, my stomach had been burning. His shout was the last straw. My vision went black. My legs turned to jelly. I fell straight forward. My last conscious thought was that my head hit something. It didn’t hurt much. I just had absolutely no strength left. 03 When I woke up, I found myself lying on a cot. I was in the nurse’s office. The smell of rubbing alcohol mixed with something else. The delicious scent of sausage and eggs. I turned my head. Jax was standing by the bed with a scowl on his face. He held a still-steaming breakfast burrito. He rudely shoved it into my hand. “Here. It tastes like crap. Lucky you.” His eyes darted elsewhere. His tone was hard. “Listen up.” “From today on, we’re covering your meals.” “Your food… tsk, guess it’s our bad luck, it’s on us!” He paused. He leaned in a bit, deliberately putting on a fierce expression. He lowered his voice. “But if you dare fail your exams…” “Or dare to breathe a word of this to anyone…” He shook his fist. “I’ll beat you to a pulp.” “Hear me?” After speaking, he grumpily slapped a stack of papers onto the table next to me. I picked it up. My heart skipped a beat. It was a mock SAT exam. From the city’s top tutoring center. Complete with detailed answer keys and explanations. I had been worrying about this. After transferring, I wouldn’t have access to these materials anymore. I wouldn’t know how to solve the problems I got wrong. I heard the teachers at this school didn’t really teach. “Thank you…” My eyes immediately reddened. Jax bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Thank my ass!” “Just write it well for me!” “If you don’t finish… you’re not allowed to go home and eat!” He ordered fiercely. But the tips of his ears seemed a bit red. Just then, a chubby guy ran in. He looked a bit goofy, panting, holding a huge stack of papers. His forehead was covered in sweat. “Jax! Jax!” “Look at these, are they okay?” “I just stole… no, borrowed them from the principal’s office!” His voice was loud. Full of excitement and a desire for praise. Jax was startled. He grumpily ruffled the guy’s hair. “Quiet down, Fatty! Want the whole school to know?” He took the pile. It looked like past exams and practice tests. He glanced at them, then disgustedly shoved the whole lot at me. His expression was totally unnatural. Forcing a tough-guy act. “Uh…” “Study these waste papers too!” “Hurry up, don’t dawdle!” 04 I returned to my new classroom holding the stack of papers. I smelled like breakfast burrito. The room was chaotic. Like a marketplace. By the window, a few girls were gathered around Serena. The school queen bee. They were applying glittery gems to her nails. Next to them, two guys were holding their phones, gaming and cursing. I found an empty seat in the corner and put the papers down. Someone shoved my shoulder hard. I looked up. It was two of Serena’s wannabe-gangster lackeys. “Yo,” one said. “Isn’t this the brainiac who got scared into fainting by Jax this morning?” A girl with green-streaked hair pinched her voice. She looked me up and down sarcastically. Another girl with short hair poked my arm with her exaggerated acrylic nails. She tsked in disgust. “OMG, why are you so skinny?” “Like a bean sprout.” “A gust of wind would blow you away, right?” “My teddy bear eats more meat than you.” I shrunk my neck in fear. Not daring to breathe loud. Trembling all over. Serena sat there, slowly blowing on her freshly done nails. She winked at the side. The green-haired girl immediately pulled a carton of milk from her desk. Expensive. Organic. She popped the straw in and practically shoved it into my mouth. “Drink it!” she said viciously. Someone next to them immediately raised their phone. Started recording. The camera was almost in my face. The class clown, Richy, leaned in grinning. He was decked out in designer logos. He made a peace sign at the camera, then called his dad on video chat right there. As soon as the call connected, he yelled. “Dad! Look!” “That organic milk you wanted to promote, I found someone to taste-test it!” “A bona fide Harvard prospect! Number one in the city!” “Look how much she’s enjoying it!” He jerked the camera toward me. Threatening me with his eyes. The straw was still in my mouth. I was forced to take a big gulp. I almost choked. I could only make a vague “Mmm” sound and let out a small milk burp. Richy was incredibly smug. “Hear that, Dad! She said it’s good!” “Hurry up and send me money. This was hard work, you know.” “Oh yeah, by the way, cover her milk for the whole year!” “When she gets into Harvard, this will be ‘Harvard Milk’!” Soon, his dad sent him ten grand. Someone quickly delivered a month’s supply of milk. Richy raised his eyebrows at me. “You must drink this milk every day.” “One carton a day.” “Otherwise… otherwise we’ll bully you!” Serena finally deigned to speak. She glanced at me. Faintly. “Yeah, you need to nourish yourself.” “Your face is sallow.” “It’s lowering the average attractiveness of our class.” 05 It didn’t take long for me to gain weight in Class 2. Richy was always bringing me all kinds of food to try. One day it was free-range chicken. The next it was a new gourmet protein bar. “Star,” he’d say. “If you say it’s good, I’ll have my dad start production immediately.” “The slogan will be ‘Highly Recommended by Harvard Bound Brainiac’!” He even gave names to the things I’d eaten. Harvard Chicken. Harvard Egg. Harvard Milk. He had a little notebook specially for recording what I ate and how I did on tests afterward. Then he would seriously analyze it with his dad. “Dad, look!” “After drinking this milk, she got a 1580 on the SAT practice!” “After eating that chocolate, she only missed one point on the English section!” “This investment is worth it!” In the following days, I slowly figured out the background of these people. Jax was raised by his grandmother. She collected recyclables. He was poked in the spine a lot as a kid for not having parents. His fists were forced to become hard. So he despised bullying the most. Especially seeing people like me who didn’t cause trouble being pushed to the brink. In his words: “My fists are hard.” “But I never hit anyone who’s already down.” A weakling like me who only knew how to study… Somehow became the one under his wing that no one was allowed to touch. Once, a few guys from the class next door cornered me outside the bathroom. Making sarcastic remarks. “Good students come to this kind of place to use the bathroom too?” “Heard you’re pretty arrogant, huh?” They even tried to grab the phone in my hand. It was Serena’s old one she’d just given me. Before I could react, a thunderous roar sounded from behind me. “F*ck!” “Touching someone from my class?!” Jax appeared out of nowhere. Eyes red. Without a word, he grabbed a spare wooden chair by the wall and charged. He looked like he was really going to smash it onto them. “Jealous, huh?” “Envious that our class has a Harvard prospect, right?” “I’ll open your eyes today!” Those guys were bullies who only picked on the weak. They’d never seen this kind of life-threatening battle array. They were so scared they pissed themselves and ran. Jax threw down the chair. Panting heavily. He turned his head to glare at me. “What are you standing there for?” “Go back and study!” “Stop wandering around here causing trouble!”

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There is always a heroine who willingly plays the role of a doormat. She lowers herself into the dust for the male lead. She endures humiliation because of the man’s “one that got away.” People mock her. They call her a simp he can’t get rid of. And she takes it all in silence. Maya is exactly that kind of pathetic heroine in this “substitute” novel. And Asher is the male lead. Until the day Maya and his “true love” faced danger at the same time. Asher didn’t hesitate. He chose to save his true love. In the process, his face was injured. That was the moment Maya finally gave up on Asher. She stopped simping. Because Asher no longer looked like the man she actually loved… She brutally revealed the truth to him. Staring at the scar under his eye where a distinctive red beauty mark used to be, she said: “It’s a shame. You don’t look like him anymore.” “Actually, you were never anything more than a stand-in for the man I really loved.” She thought Asher would break down. She thought he would go crazy. Instead, Asher looked at her like she needed a psych ward. “If you really loved him that much,” he asked, “why would you ever go looking for a cheap copy?” The one who had a mental breakdown… Was her. 01 Inside the Penthouse suite of the city’s best hotel. Many familiar faces were there. Though three years apart had made things a little distant. The reckless friendships of our youth now carried a hint of calculation. I was whispering with Asher. Even sitting on the sofa, he was a head taller than me. To match my height, he lowered his head, smiling as he listened to my stories about grad school abroad. His face was still handsome. But the boyishness was gone, replaced by a mature, steady charm. Under his eyes, which shone like stars, was a small, distinctive red beauty mark. It added a layer of allure to his face. Our private conversation was interrupted by Chad. An old friend from our circle. “Alright, you two, give it a rest.” “Asher flies out to see you every chance he gets.” “And you’ve been back in the states for days but only just came out to see us.” “I thought you had important business, but you’ve just been glued to this guy?” Chad took a sip of his drink. “It’s good you’re back, Blair.” “If you stayed away any longer, that girl who looks a bit like you… she’s persistent.” “Like a stray dog that won’t leave Asher alone.” “If you were any later, Asher might have just used her as a rebound since she bears a passing resemblance to you.” Asher and I both frowned at his tone. “Don’t worry though,” Chad continued, oblivious. “Even if Asher did anything with her, it would just be for fun. A substitute.” “You’re abroad, he’s a man with needs. It’s normal to find someone to blow off steam with.” “The fact that he picked someone who looks like you just proves how much he loves you.” “You should be secretly flattered that a guy this rich and handsome is so obsessed with you.” The veins on Asher’s forehead popped. I felt nauseous. If Asher actually hooked up with a look-alike substitute while I was getting my degree… That’s not love. That’s trash. I went abroad to study, I didn’t pass away! He likes me, so he finds a duplicate to sleep with? And I should be flattered? Should I pop some champagne to celebrate his infidelity? Even if I had died, him finding a look-alike would still be disgusting. Just then, a row of text floated across my vision like a livestream chat. [Blair knows Maya is just a substitute. She must be so smug right now.] [Our Maya’s existence must make her feel threatened. Why else come back now?] [It’s the classic trope. The vicious ex goes abroad to party, and only comes back to mark her territory when the male lead finds a replacement.] Me: “…” Is it possible, just maybe, that I came back because I finished my Master’s degree? I will never understand the logic of these “evil female leads” in substitute novels. Knowing the guy got a stand-in… shouldn’t the first reaction be that he’s cheating? Not slapping him is already an act of mercy. Why fight another woman for a cheating piece of trash? I’m an heiress. I can have any man I want. Why would I fight over a cheater? And be happy that he found someone who looks like me? Garbage belongs in the dumpster. Only flies fight over trash. 02 Just as Asher was about to explode at Chad. The doorbell rang. Chad winked at us mysteriously. “Surprise.” He opened the door. A girl walked in. She looked about 50% like me, but her style was the complete opposite. I was wearing a red dress, voluminous curls, and four-inch heels—bold and sharp. She was dressed simply. A white cotton dress, canvas sneakers, face scrubbed clean without a drop of makeup. She looked introverted and shy. Chad crossed his arms, ready for a show. We watched Maya bite her lip. She walked up to Asher and me. She opened her palm. A small pink box. Strawberry-flavored condoms. Maya looked downcast and whispered to Asher: “Mr. Wei, I bought the things you asked for.” Asher frowned, rubbing his temples. “I didn’t ask you to buy anything.” Hearing this, a strange light flickered in Maya’s sad eyes. The corners of her mouth twitched upward. Chad laughed. He walked over to put a hand on Asher’s shoulder. “Haha, she really is a simp.” “I texted her saying you needed a box of condoms delivered to the hotel because you and Blair were in a hurry.” “She actually bought them.” He leaned in, his tone suggestive. “I bet if you told her to clean the sheets after you and Blair were done, she’d do that too.” “Never seen someone with so little self-respect.” He winked at us and shoved the condoms into Asher’s hand. “Since she bought them, you and Blair should use them tonight.” “Using condoms bought by the substitute… that’s gotta be extra spicy.” There was zero respect in his voice. Asher let out a cold laugh. Before Chad could react, Asher’s large hand clamped onto his jaw. He stuffed the box of condoms directly into Chad’s mouth. His expression was terrifying. “You like spicy?” “Is this spicy enough for you?!” A solid punch landed squarely on Chad’s cheekbone. “Your mouth is filthy!” “Did you forget to brush your teeth?” Punch after punch landed on flesh. It sounded painful. I didn’t say a word to stop Asher. Only when Chad started begging. “Bro… Bro, stop, it hurts…” “I was wrong… I won’t… run my mouth again!” Only then did Asher stop. “Get out.” Chad scrambled away like a frightened rat. Someone whispered, “Don’t get mad over a guy like that, it’s not worth it.” Others looked at Maya with thinly veiled mockery. “Chad was a jerk, but he wasn’t wrong. Before Blair came back, Maya was basically stalking Asher.” “On Valentine’s Day, she delivered flowers publicly.” “Chad humiliated her with the condom thing, and she still did it.” “Too bad. No matter how hard she tries, she’s a cheap copy.” They gossiped louder and louder. Maya heard every word. She didn’t dare fight back. Her eyelashes trembled, mist forming in her eyes. I interrupted them. “Enough. The mood is ruined. Let’s call it a night.” The floating comments, however, were not grateful. [I bet Blair told Chad to make Maya buy the condoms just to humiliate her!] [She’s pretending to be nice. She probably paid those people to mock our Maya. Disgusting!] I really want to know… did these commenters drink sewage for breakfast? Why is everything coming out of their mouths so foul? A perfectly good party, ruined. 03 The day I visited Asher’s company. Asher’s executive assistant was leaving the office. Maya blocked her path. She looked at the assistant with eager eyes. “Does Mr. Wei need something? Can I help?” The assistant hesitated. She had forgotten to organize some files and needed to catch up. “Well, yes, but…” She looked at Maya’s flushed face. “Why is your face so red? Are you okay?” Maya touched her burning cheek. She didn’t care about her health. “I’m fine.” She volunteered, “What does he need? I can go.” The assistant paused, then gave in. “Mr. Wei wanted some cake. Strawberry shortcake from that bakery.” Maya couldn’t wait to take the job. “I’m free right now. I’ll go.” The assistant sighed in relief. “Okay, thanks.” When Maya appeared in front of Asher and me, she was panting heavily. She was sweating profusely. Not just her face—all her exposed skin was an unhealthy shade of red. Her eyes were filled with hope. “I bought the cake.” Asher took the box from her hand. He opened it. He took out the sliced strawberry cake. And pushed it in front of me. Seeing this, the color drained from Maya’s fever-red face. “The cake… is for her?” Asher chuckled lightly. “Who else? For you?” The comments went crazy with heartbreak. [Male lead, stop! Our Maya has a 102-degree fever!] [She waited in line for over an hour!] [How can he just give the cake she suffered for to that evil woman!] [A substitute really can’t replace the original.] [If it were Xander, he would never treat Maya like this.] Maya looked devastated. Just as she turned to leave in despair. Asher called out: “Wait a second…” I instinctively looked at Maya. I realized something. Maya looked back at Asher with intense expectation. Specifically, she was staring at the red beauty mark under his eye. Her gaze was burning. As if she were looking at… someone else. The comments cheered up. [Did the male lead find his conscience?] [Is he going to give the cake to Maya?] [Omg, eating cake given by a man who looks like Xander… it’s like getting cake from Xander again!] [Look how happy Maya is.] But then, we heard Asher say: “If I recall correctly, that bakery is famous.” “The line is always at least an hour long.” Maya looked greedily at Asher’s face. “Even though I stood in the sun for an hour, I didn’t feel tired.” “It didn’t matter.” The comments echoed her. [Standing in the sun for an hour just to buy him cake. He has to be moved now.] [Maya’s love is finally being rewarded! Happy! Happy!] 04 Asher let out a cold laugh. “You didn’t think I was going to praise you, did you?” “Leaving your post during work hours without permission.” “Ignoring company policy.” “If everyone acted like you, this company would collapse.” “Do you want to be the CEO?” Asher’s voice was sharp. “Go to HR and report a half-day absence.” “If you pull a stunt like this again, pack your things and get out!” Maya’s pupils dilated. She looked at him in disbelief. Maybe it was the anger. Combined with the high fever. Thud! She fainted, hitting the floor hard. Asher frowned. We worked in sync. A simple exchange of glances was enough. He called 911. I picked Maya up and laid her on the sofa. Her body was terrifyingly hot. I didn’t understand. Why stand in the sun for an hour with a high fever just to buy cake for a man? Self-abuse isn’t love. While waiting for the ambulance, I fed her some warm water. I glanced up and saw the chat scrolling fast. [Did anyone else think Blair looked hot picking her up with one arm?] [Damn! I want to be held!] [Maybe the ‘villain’ isn’t so bad. She’s feeding Maya water.] [Don’t be fooled! She’s acting nice in front of the male lead!] [True! The evil female lead always pretends to be an angel to please the man.] [The male lead is disgusting too! Always hurting our heroine for the villain.] [It doesn’t matter. Maya only treats him as a stand-in for her true love anyway.] [I can’t wait for him to find out!] [Haha, when he finds out, he’ll hate her but beg her to use him as a substitute again.] They were gloating. [The villain is going to pay. The male lead will make her suffer a hundred times what Maya suffered.] I raised an eyebrow. From beginning to end, I haven’t done anything. If Asher hurts Maya for me… Shouldn’t Asher be the one punished? Why me? Also, my family is as powerful as the Wei family. If he wants to touch me, he needs to weigh the power of the Qin Corporation first.

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I have severe depression, but my mom doesn’t believe me. Even though she’s a renowned psychologist. Lately, the urge to end it all has become overwhelming. I constantly fantasize about a peaceful world waiting for me on the other side. A world that waves to me, saying: “Child, come here. Everyone here loves you.” When I stood on the edge of the rooftop, the last shred of survival instinct in my heart urged me to call her. “Mom, if I died, would you miss me?” If she had said just one sentence—”Honey, don’t scare Mommy”—or showed even a flicker of nervousness, I would have lost the courage to jump instantly. But the voice on the other end said: “If you want to die, hurry up and do it. Stop using this to…” My courage to live crumbled into dust. Before she could finish her sentence, I hung up. Then, I spread my arms. And I jumped. Mom, I listened to you. I hurried up and died. I didn’t waste a single second. Are you happy now? 01 It took four days for my body to be found. That was much sooner than I expected. I chose an abandoned construction site on the outskirts of the city. It hadn’t changed in five years; nobody ever went there. The ones who found me were a young couple, urban explorers. They told the police: “We heard this place was spooky, wanted to take some photos for Instagram.” “We come here every few months just to look around.” “When we walked past the main structure today… we saw the body.” The girl was pale, gagging into her hand. The guy looked terrified too, forcing himself to stay calm while gripping the girl’s hand tightly, trying to comfort her. I sighed and offered a silent apology. Four days in the summer heat. My body was decomposed. I definitely didn’t look pretty. “I’m really sorry I scared you,” I said sincerely, even though they couldn’t hear me. My mom always said I was a burden. Looks like she was right. Even in death, I’m scaring people and causing trouble. After I was found, the Grim Reaper didn’t come for me. Another wandering spirit told me my “attachment” to the living world was too strong. I couldn’t cross over yet. I asked him, “What about you? Why are you still here?” He nodded slowly. “I’m waiting for the love of my life.” He told me that after death, you start to forget your life. The longer you stay, the more you forget. He couldn’t remember anything now except his lover’s face. He just drifted through the city, hoping to catch one glimpse of her. I tried to recall my past. Sure enough, things were getting fuzzy. To get rid of my attachment and cross over, I had to go back to my mom. She was in her office, seeing patients. Sitting across from her was a mother and daughter. The teenage girl looked defeated, radiating gloom. Her mother, however, was impatient. Even in the therapy room, she couldn’t stop berating her child. “I really don’t get you. I put a roof over your head, I feed you. What is there to be unhappy about?” “All day long you cause drama. Now you’re using suicide to threaten me?” “You cut your wrist? Really?” “If you really wanted to die, why didn’t you just jump off a building? That would be quick!” “You’re just embarrassing me!” The girl closed her eyes. The despair on her face deepened. “Ma’am!” My mom shouted, slamming her hand on the desk. “If you still want a daughter, shut your mouth right now!” “What, will you only be happy when you’ve pushed her to the grave?” “If she actually jumps because of your words, there is no medicine in this world that can cure your regret!” The woman was intimidated by my mom’s fury. She pouted, dismissive. “Impossible. Don’t I know my own kid?” “She’s a coward. She wouldn’t dare jump.” My mom got angrier, pointing at the door. “Either be quiet or get out!” The woman looked embarrassed but finally shut up. Mom turned to the girl, her voice shifting to a gentle, warm tone. “Sweetheart, do you feel like living is just too hard right now?” “Sweetheart, do you feel like no one understands you?” “Sweetheart…” My mom kept calling her “sweetheart.” The girl’s expression finally cracked, and she burst into tears. My mom opened her arms and hugged her, gently patting her back. Watching this scene, my eyes stung, but no tears came out. I was just a ghost. Ghosts don’t cry. I was so jealous. How long has it been since Mom hugged me like that? Not since Dad died, right? After all, I was the culprit who caused his death. The patient’s mother scoffed in the background. “The moment things don’t go her way, she acts like she’s dying.” “Who knows if she’s just faking it?” Mom glared at her. “Her ‘acting like she’s dying’ is a cry for help! How is that faking it?” “It’s because of parents like you, who always think their kids are faking, that we have these statistics. Do you know how many kids die from depression every year?” That mother didn’t know. But I answered silently in my heart. In the US, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. Tens of thousands a year. I used to memorize these stats from Mom’s books. Finally, I became a statistic too. But Mom… My “acting like I was dying” was a cry for help too. Didn’t you also think I was just faking it? Oh, I can’t blame her. When it comes to faking illness, I have a criminal record. 02 When I was five, I didn’t want to go to Kindergarten. So, I lied and said my stomach hurt. To make my parents believe me, I cried snot and tears, rolling around on the bed clutching my belly. They believed me. Dad rushed me to the hospital. But after a full checkup, the doctors found nothing wrong. The doctor saw me jumping around full of energy and winked at my dad. “She’s very sick. I think she needs a shot every day for a week.” Hearing “shot,” I panicked. I was terrified of needles. I grabbed Dad’s shirt and hid behind him. “I don’t want a shot! My tummy doesn’t hurt anymore!” “I was faking it! I just didn’t want to go to school!” Dad was relieved. He tapped my nose, helpless but loving. “You little rascal.” On the way home, Dad stopped to buy me snacks. It was just a childish prank. But on the drive back, a drunk driver T-boned us. Dad was critically injured. He threw his body over mine. I only got a few scratches. Dad was bleeding out. I was terrified. I crawled over to him. I put my hands on his chest, trying to stop the blood, but it wouldn’t stop. I wailed. Dad opened his eyes slightly, looking at me with so much love. “Emily, Daddy’s okay. Emily needs to be happy.” “Emily, take care of Mommy. You two have to live well.” “Don’t be scared. Daddy is tired. Daddy’s going to sleep. Don’t cry… smile. Daddy loves seeing Emily smile.” Then, he turned his head, his eyes searching for something. Moments later, he stopped breathing. I realized later he was looking for Mom. He wanted to see her one last time. But he couldn’t wait. When Mom arrived at the ER, the doctor pronounced him dead. I knew what death meant. It meant Dad would never wake up. I would never see him again. I threw myself on his body, sobbing. “Daddy wake up! Daddy don’t die! I’ll never fake a stomach ache again!” “I’ll go to school! I promise!” Mom, in her shock, heard my words. She ripped me away from his body. Her eyes were red, staring at me like a stranger. “Your stomach ache… was fake?” “You faked being sick… and you killed your father!” I finally realized the connection. My lie. His death. I stumbled back and fell to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. I whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t mean to.” Mom rushed at me, gripping my shoulders, screaming into my face. “Your dad is dead because of you! Are you satisfied?” “Emily Feng! I’m asking you! Are you happy now?” “Your dad is dead! Are you satisfied?!” My grandparents had to pry me out of her grip. My shoulders were bruised black and blue. But I didn’t dare make a sound. From that day on, Mom never gave me a warm look. Never gave me a hug. Once, I had a fever of 102. I was delirious. The school nurse called Mom. Mom said on the phone: “Are you sure she’s sick?” “She’s an expert at faking it. She’s a good actress. She can trick anyone.” The nurse scolded her for being irresponsible and kept me in the infirmary. When school ended, Mom finally showed up. I usually walked home alone. Today, Mom came! I had taken meds and the fever was down. Seeing her car, I ran toward her, thrilled. I was so happy. She must have heard I was sick and got worried, right? Mom still cares about me. I ran to her, looking up. Before I could speak, she slapped her hand onto my forehead. Then, her face went dark. “Emily, sure enough, you’re faking it again.” “You faked a sickness and killed your dad. Did you forget?” “Who do you want to kill this time? Me?” “Why didn’t you die back then instead? You liar. You curse.” She got back in the car and drove off, leaving me standing there. My joy turned to ice. When I walked home, the door was double-locked from the inside. I knocked and knocked. “Mom, open the door! I’m sorry! I won’t lie anymore!” But the door stayed shut. It was winter. The hallway was freezing. Two hours later, the fever came back with a vengeance. I was burning up but shivering from the cold. I finally passed out on the doormat. The next morning, Nana came to drop off milk and found me unconscious. When I woke up, Nana was yelling at Mom. “Sarah! How could you lock the child out?” “It’s freezing! Emily has pneumonia! Don’t you have a heart?” Mom’s voice was cold. “Emily loves being sick. If she’s sick, she doesn’t have to go to school. Isn’t this what she wanted?” “Besides, who told her to take her coat off? She did it on purpose, Mom. Don’t fall for her tricks.” I wanted to say I didn’t take my coat off on purpose. I wanted to say I didn’t like being sick. But meeting Mom’s eyes, my throat felt stuffed with cotton. I couldn’t speak. Mom sneered. “Emily, you’re awake and not speaking? Eavesdropping now?” “Are you happy that Nana is worried about you?” “You really work hard to maintain your lies. Taking off your coat in winter… why didn’t you just freeze to death?” She stormed out. Nana wiped my tears with her rough hands. “Emily, don’t blame your mother. Since your dad passed, her heart is bitter.” Years later, I learned that people freezing to death sometimes feel a paradox of extreme heat right before the end. They strip their clothes off. That winter, I had almost died on our doorstep. After that, I never dared to be sick. If I was sick, I hid it. I endured it. Because in Mom’s eyes, I was always faking. 03 My thoughts snapped back to the present. The girl in the office had finished the questionnaire. Mom started lecturing the mother again. “Feeding them isn’t enough!” “Mental illness is a real illness. How is being sick embarrassing?” “You’re the parent. Why do you care more about your face than your child?” “When a child has issues, every word you say could push them over the edge.” “If your daughter does something drastic because of what you said, will you regret it?” Every word she said was correct. But Mom… why couldn’t you do it yourself? I did something drastic. You thought I was an embarrassment too. Did you forget? Actually, this wasn’t my first attempt. Last time, I stood on the roof of our apartment building. I looked down at the traffic, losing track of time. Someone saw me. The police came. The firefighters put up an air cushion. One firefighter approached me slowly. “Hey kiddo, I came a long way up here. Don’t jump yet. Talk to me.” “I’m Mike. I know this great burger place down the street.” “Their milkshakes are famous. Have you tried them?” “You haven’t eaten lunch, right?” “Look, if you’re gonna leave this world, at least have a good meal first, right? Don’t treat your body badly at the very end.” “I’ll buy you a burger and a shake. Then you can jump.” He distracted me. For a second, I thought he made sense. A burger wouldn’t hurt. In that split second of distraction, another firefighter grabbed me. That’s when Mom arrived. She pushed through the crowd and slapped me across the face. “If you want to die, do it somewhere quiet! You’re embarrassing me!” I immediately stood up and tried to throw myself over the edge again. The firefighters grabbed me tight. “Kid, your mom is just angry, she’s worried!” “Don’t do it!” Mike pulled Mom aside and scolded her. “Is this how a mother acts?” “Are you trying to force your daughter to jump?” Mom looked at me sideways and sneered. “With all these people watching, she’s just putting on a show.” “Let her go. I want to see if she actually has the guts to jump!” At that moment, I felt nothing but ash inside. Mike, afraid I would try again, dragged me away and bought me that burger. He saw me clutching a keychain and asked if it was important. I nodded. “My dad gave it to me.” He said, “Your dad must love you very much. If you jump, imagine how sad he’d be.” I didn’t look up. “He won’t. He’s dead.” Mike went silent. After a while, he said, “Emily, your dad wouldn’t want you to do this, right?” My mind went back to the car crash. Dad in a pool of blood, holding my hand. Emily, take care of Mommy. Live well. I froze. How could I forget? Dad told me to take care of Mom. I couldn’t die. Suddenly, I had the courage to live again. Before we parted, Mike said, “Here’s my number. If you feel sad, text me.” I smiled and refused. He was such a good person. My darkness shouldn’t infect his bright life. When I got home, Mom was sitting on the sofa, face like iron. “Emily, what game is this?” “Trying to tell everyone I treat you bad? That I’m forcing you to die?” I shook my head. She continued, “I don’t know who you learned this from. Threatening suicide.” “If you have the guts, just die. If you actually died, I might even respect you.” I shook my head again and said: “Mom, I won’t try again.” “I promised Dad I’d take care of you. I’ll live.” Mom slapped me again. “You dare use your father as an excuse!” “Where do you get the nerve to mention him?” Remembering it now, my cheek still throbs. She hit really hard that day. When I came back to reality, the patients had left. Mom was alone in the office. I really wanted to ask her: Mom, I haven’t been home in four days. Are you worried? Her colleagues walked in to chat. “Sarah, did you see the news? A girl jumped off that abandoned building downtown.” 04 I made the news? Mom probably didn’t see it. She’s too busy. But Mom nodded. “I saw it. They’re looking for ID. Don’t know if they found the parents yet.” “I heard she was young. Didn’t have a single ID on her.” “Even smashed her phone before she jumped.” “Poor kid. Must have been hopeless about her family. If her family had given her even a tiny bit of love, she wouldn’t have walked that path.” My heart ached. Mom, do you think I’m pitiful too? If you had given me just a tiny bit of love, I would have struggled to stay alive! Her colleague said, “The news posted photos of her clothes and belongings. The family should recognize them, right?” Mom nodded in agreement. “Unless they are cold-blooded or don’t care about her at all, they’d recognize them.” But Mom… you didn’t recognize me. I guess you really don’t care about me at all. Just then, a receptionist said a firefighter was looking for her. A firefighter? Mom walked out confused. I floated after her. It was Mike. The moment he saw Mom, he asked urgently: “Dr. Miller, where is Emily?” Mom looked surprised. “It’s summer break. She should be at home.” Mike looked frantic. “I just went to your house and knocked. No one answered!” “Have you seen Emily in the last few days?” Mom asked what was wrong. Mike pulled out his phone. The local news report: Jane Doe found at construction site. Missing persons report requested. Mike pointed to the picture of the keychain. “I saw this keychain in Emily’s hand. She told me her dad gave it to her.” Mentioning my dad, Mom’s face instantly frosted over. “She still has the face to mention her father?” “If not for her, he wouldn’t be dead.” Mike snapped. He yelled at my mother. “Dr. Miller! Look at the situation! Why are you bringing that up now?” “In the last three or four days, have you physically seen Emily?” Mom frowned, thought for a moment, and then let out a mocking laugh. “You don’t think Emily killed herself, do you?” “Someone like her? Impossible.” “That keychain? You can buy them at any dollar store. There are thousands of them.” “Emily has been sleeping at home every night this week.” I didn’t understand. Why was Mom lying? I died four days ago. How could I be sleeping at home? Maybe… Mom recognized me, but she didn’t want to claim my body. Mike let out a long breath. “Thank god. You scared me.” “Sorry, Dr. Miller. My mistake.” Mom shook her head, unbothered. Mike hesitated, then added: “Dr. Miller, you’re a psychologist. You should be able to tell Emily is struggling, right?” “Please pay more attention to her.” Mom’s face went ugly again. “Emily is an expert at faking illness. What problems could she have?” Mike wanted to argue, but Mom cut him off. “Like you said, I’m the psychologist. Do you think I wouldn’t know if she had mental issues?” Mike paused, said “Excuse me,” and left. I looked at his retreating back and whispered, “Thank you.” Back in the office, Mom took out her phone. She found the news article. She zoomed in on the keychain. She muttered to herself: “What a coincidence. Looks just like hers.” “If only the dead person was Emily. That would be nice.” Mom, wish granted. It is me. I thought, if she knew for sure, she’d be happy. Then, Dr. Evans, Mom’s colleague, came in. She looked hesitant. “Sarah, I can’t reach your daughter, Emily. Can you get a hold of her?”

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