Zuko released Toph, and the two of them walked side by side in the garden. They both had lean and perfect figures—one walked calmly while the other rolled his shoulder, which felt as if it was twisted off, complaining softly.Zuko smiled triumphantly and hooked an arm around Toph's neck to pull him over.Toph was often unreliable, but what he had just said was deeply etched in Zuko's mind—"You haven't given your first kiss to anyone yet, right? Hurry back to Jangasas and kiss her!"'Hmm, I ought to… kiss her first.'Zuko could not help the upward turn of the corners of his mouth. He licked his lips as his heart began to flutter."Zuko? Zuko!" Toph yelled, snapping Zuko out of his thoughts."What's wrong with you?" Toph looked somewhat begrudging. "I was talking to you just now, and you weren't listening!"Yeah, although the older brother sometimes bullied the younger brother growing up, the two of them had an unbreakable bond. They could talk about anything, and no matter what T
"Well..." Toph scratched his head.He had only seen Pammy today. How could he have observed her closely? Besides, Pammy had been keeping her head down the whole time, and he had only caught a glimpse of her resemblance to Nicholas in those rare moments when she looked up.Seeing his brother unable to answer after a long pause, Zuko pursed his lips and gave him a disdainful look."But it's a direction," he muttered to himself in a low voice. "Perhaps I can start here and find out more!"This was the last resort he had come up with for himself. Any approach would do—just not the one involving holding hands and kissing!"It's getting late. Let's go back to the house and rest," said Zuko.Toph was also a bit tired, so he agreed and followed his brother with a yawn.However, Zuko walked unusually slowly and kept his head down, looking at his phone while walking."Bro, what are you looking at?" asked Toph."The latest schedules..." muttered Zuko.Toph was perplexed. "Flight schedul
Zuko nodded.One sentence was better than saying nothing at all. With just this sentence, it was enough for him to remember it for a lifetime."Let's go. Let's hurry back home!" Lina bounced ahead, leading the way.Zuko silently stared at her figure—slender and delicate, really resembling a little bunny when she hopped. When they arrived home, Jesse was running the shop, Melissa was busy in the kitchen, and Dave was diligently studying. No one paid attention to the two of them.Zuko and Lina glanced at each other and burst into laughter.Not long after, Lina seemed to suddenly remember something as she stood up abruptly and started rummaging through the cabinets in the living room."Are you looking for something?" Zuko asked as he got up from the couch."Yeah... I remember we had it at home. Where did I put it...""What are you looking for? Let me help you.""You can't help me with this." Lina turned and smiled warmly at him. "I'm looking for a painting. I bought it from a g
Lina admired the paintings on Zuko's phone, particularly captivated by the firefly painting's vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes. She expressed her fascination, wishing she could see the artwork in person.Zuko chuckled knowingly.Although Zuko's grandmother was not a renowned artist, she had made a name for herself within artistic circles. Her painting, The Fireflies' Light, had fetched a staggering $30,000,000 at an auction in Centrolis over two decades ago. Her reputation was well-known among industry insiders but less so to those outside the art world.Living in Southeast Aciatic and maintaining a low profile, Xyla, Zuko's grandmother, had a limited online presence, making it difficult for her work to gain widespread recognition unless accessed through exclusive platforms requiring VIP accounts. Hence, showcasing his grandmother's artwork proved to be the best choice in this situation.Zuko got Lina to turn on the computer and sent those paintings to her. "Pick one and try to
Lina dedicated the entire night to reproducing The Fireflies' Light.After it dried, she proudly carried it to the university and placed it in the studio with a sense of grandeur.The lecturer emphasized the importance of participating in the art exhibition during the lecture. "Joining the art exhibition is not just about showcasing your talent. It's an opportunity to refine your skills and push yourself beyond your limits. And let me tell you, prestigious universities abroad are always on the lookout for outstanding works. Your artwork could be handpicked, leading to scholarships and a life-changing milestone."…With a smirk on her face, Lina secretly followed Violet after class.As expected, Violet headed toward the studio. After cautiously surveying the surroundings, Violet entered and took out her phone to capture numerous pictures of The Fireflies' Light.Shortly after, Violet hurriedly departed.Meanwhile, Lina gathered evidence of Violet's actions, just in case.Suddenl
Gia's hands trembled as she dialed the number.As soon as the call connected, fear gripped her. "Hello?""Well, well, Ms. Gia." The man's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Seems like you've been quite the avid shopper lately!"Gia's face turned pale. She should have known that the credit cards they had given her came with strings attached. They had been monitoring her spending all along!"Yes, I may have bought a few limited edition bags, some Cece suits, and some quality cosmetics... So what? Don't I deserve them?""I don't think that's all you bought..." Gia heard the sound of paper flipping on the other end. "According to these receipts, you also splurged on a luxury car!""I don't want to commute, taking the train to university like everyone else. I prefer to travel in comfort. What's wrong with that?" retorted Gia.The man's smile remained silent."I-I deserve all of this!" Gia's voice quivered. "If I hadn't obtained Lina's test sample and convinced her to cooperate, do you thi
The gathered university students couldn't help but burst into laughter, whispering to each other at the scene.Lina smiled and motioned for Gia to sit down as they continued eating calmly.Violet's face turned flushed and pale, her eyes wide with disbelief. She wanted to retaliate but lacked experience, only able to point at Lina for a prolonged moment before uttering, "You..."Some wealthy students who disliked Violet's pretentious and arrogant behavior now sided with Lina, mocking Violet openly."Violet, what Lina said is true. Why are you getting so upset?""That's right. The princess never sets foot in the cafeteria. It's a rare sight to see her here. No wonder they're treating her like a pet!""Hahaha... Stop it, or they might start serving you dog food too!"Amidst their laughter, those individuals departed.Violet took a few deep breaths before approaching Lina and leaving with a final insult."Get over yourself. You have no idea what's coming your way... Watch out!"G
Gia's expression turned grim as she uttered those words.Lina was taken aback, sensing a hidden meaning behind Gia's statement. Reflecting on Gia's recent unusual behavior, Lina began to suspect that something more complex was troubling her friend. However, she couldn't quite grasp the full extent of the problem.After a moment of silence, Lina reached out and held Gia's hand, casually delivering a weighty message. "I don't believe you would do something like that to me."Gia was shocked by Lina's response.Lina smiled gently. "If you've truly done something terrible, I hope you hold yourself back until I find out. Please, spare me from experiencing the pain of such betrayal... Maybe then, we can still salvage our friendship."Gia licked her lips, her expression serious.Lina's pure and transparent smile shone like a crystal, exposing the darkness lurking within Gia's heart.Gia recalled her small and crowded home, where her parents treated her as a tool to care for her brother.