Author:Xun Yin Zhe Bu Yu 1I had admired Finneas Wallace for seven whole years, starting from the moment I saw him standing on the podium as the top student for our grade in high school.After I graduated from university, I was pregnant and moved into his house with a look of happiness. None of my friends could believe that I actually managed to court him.Finneas was admitted to the Department of Medicine at Pillere University as the top achiever in natural science in the entire state. In the university, he became the favorite student of Professor Jarvis, who was the leading scholar in the field. Most importantly, he was also exceptionally handsome.Initially, I thought I would be able to spend the rest of my life with Finneas plainly yet blissfully. However, when I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy, I chanced upon an obscene situation between him and a young nurse in a treatment room.I dropped the food that I personally made to the ground. The heart teddy bear p
4At around six in the morning every day, I would grab two hard-boiled eggs from the cafeteria and then run to the empty classroom to study.Although I was bottom of the class in my previous life, I had seen the behavior of my hardworking classmates before. Moreover, I wasn't an extremely unintelligent person. After all, I was ranked one of the top few in middle school, which allowed me to meet the quota for qualified students to enter Strasson High School, the best high school in the whole city.Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought I would be crushed repeatedly by natural science subjects that were not my forte, as well as by intelligent classmates after attending Strasson High School. Eventually, it led to a huge gap between Finneas and me. The difference between us was like night and day.What was strange was that Joaquin, who normally preferred to arrive at school just in time, acted weirdly. Like me, he started coming to school very early every morning and even stol
6On the day the result was out, I squeezed into the crowd in front of the bulletin board and looked for my name, starting from the back to the front.I was ranked 46th in liberal arts. Among all, I was ranked in the top 20 for both literature and French, respectively. I even ranked 101st in maths, the subject that had previously dragged me down the most. I scored 116 marks.It was the best rank that I had during high school in this lifetime and my previous life. I managed to suppress my feeling of joy and wanting to scream in front of everyone, and I felt like I was walking on clouds as I walked back to the class."I—""Got it. You've improved so much, but it was expected." He seemed to know it quicker than I did as he sat in his seat, leisurely flipping through a book.Joaquin's annoying face, which usually made people grit their teeth, was particularly cute to me."Remember this." Then, he gently tapped me on the head before adding, "Your success in this exam only meant that
8"How long will it take to get to the top of the mountain?""I guess it's not that far anymore. What's the matter?""Nothing." I grasped my collar tightly. The more I climbed up, the stronger the wind became. My ankle became more and more painful. I could only grit my teeth and endure the pain, as I did not want to show weakness in front of him."There's a corner here that can block the wind. Let's take a break." Finneas took me to sit behind a large mountain rock, took off his coat, and threw it to me. "Here, put it on.""It's all right. Thank you." Stiffly, I waved my hand dismissively and threw it back to him."Oh, whatever." He sat down nonchalantly, but it so happened that he blocked most of the wind for me."I had gone too far with what I said last time. Don't take it to heart."There was silence."Why has your attitude changed suddenly to this?" Finneas did not look at me, and his voice reverberated vaguely in the wind.I turned my head slightly and looked at the moun
10I always suspected that the reason why our high school only ranked first in our city but repeatedly failed to score high marks for the university entrance exam when compared to the high school in the neighboring county over the years was that our school held various strange activities every now and then each year. In turn, it seriously affected the students' learning efficiency.Did the school leaders really think that most students were geniuses who could easily and casually enter top-tier universities?They always organized activities all year round. Thus, ordinary people like us, who had no talent, would not have the time to do practice questions.Of course, Joaquin and Finneas, whose brains were different from ordinary people, would not be included in the discussion.I sighed for the future of the school, and secretly raised my textbook in order to block Adam's view. Then, I lay on the desk and tried hard to answer the maths questions, which were my biggest weakness."Our
12How did the saying go?When there was a will, there would be a way. If one had confidence, one would become successful.Our vice principal would repeat the sayings in a thick accent every week at the grade-level assembly.At the beginning of Grade 12, as I bit the tip of my pen, I wrote the sayings on the cover of my notes for each subject. I even had Joaquin ridicule me unscrupulously."You look so foolish when you try hard." It was apparent from his tone that he was trying hard not to burst out laughing.Was I foolish? However, what did the kid know? Studying hard was the wisdom.In Grade 12 that year, I used all my strength from my current and previous life. In order not to leave any regret, I would keep an eye on the outstanding students in the class. If any of them did not leave their seat, I would be determined not to get any rest.Meanwhile, I kept mumbling around to memorize the terms for politics as I walked between the cafeteria, restroom, and classroom.After the
14"Stop teasing me, I mean it."I rolled my eyes at him guiltily."I'm not teasing you. Am I not giving you a solution right now? We have a good relationship. Can't I help you with this little favor?""I have very high requirements...""Say it.""I... My ideal man..." Somehow, Finneas' image suddenly appeared in my mind. I shook my head vigorously to drive him out. "First of all, you must be smarter than me. You have to look handsome as well. You can't be a player. You'd better have a slightly cold demeanor.""Do you like a cold demeanor?" Joaquin smiled brightly and said, "I can pretend.""There is one last small request...""Say it.""I like those with muscles and a well-defined body. You are too skinny."His face stiffened. "I'm too skinny?""Forget it, Joaquin. You really don't have to sacrifice so much for me. I can just grab any handsome guy in the university and practice with him. I won't delay you from finding a wife." Raising my head sincerely, I added, "It's real
16"Wait for a while..." I whispered to Joaquin, who wanted to go and open the door. Then, with much embarrassment, I pointed to the lipstick that was ruined slightly too much. "How am I going to see Queenie like this? At the very least, I need to sort it out first.""Just let her see it. Tell her that I kissed you. What's wrong with that?""Hey!""All right, my lady. Then, you can go to the room to freshen up. I'll take her to the supermarket later. You can have plenty of time to freshen up before you come out to see Queenie." Joaquin pointed to the second floor helplessly. I glared at him and hurriedly walked up the stairs as I took the agreement by its edge."Huh? Joaquin, why is there a woman's shoes at the door?" Queenie asked."Bella is too shy to come out to see you. Let's go to the supermarket first and give her some time to settle down...""Bella is around?""Ahem! What's wrong with your face?""I had an allergy this morning. I don't even dare to wear makeup, so I jus