His phone rang many times, nonstop. The caller was quite persistent.Nobody spoke, but everyone knew who the call was from.Dad set down the wine glass he had just filled and snorted in dissatisfaction.Mom sighed, set down her fork, and said helplessly, "You'd better head home, Colin."Colin sat still, tightly holding my hand under the table.I told him, "Just go back, Colin. The semester will start soon. We can be together every day then.""That's right. It's the New Year. You shouldn't make your family unhappy. Don't cause trouble for Lulu anymore." Mom patted his shoulder.Her final sentence had an effect. Colin set down his fork, reluctantly put on his coat, and left.I sent him to the car. He leaned against the car door and hugged me. Regardless of whether anyone would notice, he kissed my forehead gently.His breath was hot despite the cold outside."Lulu, I wish I could swallow you. Then I can bring you everywhere."The temperature in Southsville was very low in wint
"Can we talk?" Felix approached me, blocking the sunlight."I don't think we have anything to talk about. Get out of my way."He didn't seem to understand or care about my rejection. Instead, he grinned pleasantly. "You've become wary."In my impression, he had always been aloof and rarely smiled. Even if he did, he would only slightly raise his lips. Others wouldn't notice it was a smile if they didn't look closely.What happened to him? Why was he smiling so broadly?I was so irritated that I wanted to hit Felix to get him out of my sight. Of course, that was presuming I could fight him."Please go straight to the point. I don't have time to speak with you."I wasn't sure which word delighted him, but he smiled and wanted to pat my head, which I avoided."Are your hands clean? Don't touch me."I expressed my disgust, but he didn't care. He withdrew his hand, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "I won't delay you for long. I'd like to speak plainly with you."Jade suddenly t
Who gave him his courage? What made him so shameless?Did he say he wanted to be with me forever? Who did he think he was?What did he take me for? A love substitute? Or someone who would always please him without dignity?I had repeatedly stated that I liked Colin. I didn't want a relationship with Felix and would never be with him.However, he came over and claimed he liked me despite knowing I was in a relationship with Colin. He was brazenly attempting to grab his brother's girlfriend.It wasn't only about feeling shameful but also about character.I realized Felix and Aunt Mel were overly self-righteous and had lousy personalities."I know you are angry with me. It doesn't matter as I deserve it. Overall, I plan to compete fairly with Colin. You can retaliate against me. I fully accept it. But you must be ready to accept my pursuit."I'm leaving for now. From today on, I'll pursue you seriously. I won't quit."His words didn't sound like he was after me, but rather, it se
I admitted that I was a bit rude. However, I was facing a far worse person. That was why I dealt with her in the way she did.We weren't far apart from Lilac, just a road between us. With my good eyesight, I could see her expression well.When she saw my gesture, her expression turned terrible. She bit her lips and stood still, staring at me.She was waiting for me to take the initiative, but I didn't want to stay. I wanted to go shopping.Thus, I ignored her and walked away. Jade and Zara, at my left and right, were like two knights who followed me closely. I was like a princess whom they desperately protected.I couldn't help but giggle as I imagined that.They didn't know why I was giggling and kept asking me. I ran away instead of answering them. They chased after me while shouting with excitement.When we had stopped fooling around, Lilac caught up to us. She dashed over and came to a halt, clutching her knees and gasping for air."Yo, what a long tongue! Zara, I think thi
"No thanks. Just pay yours. Even if you treat us with fine wine, we won't dare to drink it. It would be horrible if we become infected with your hypocrisy and shamelessness."Zara's harsh words were like arrows, striking Lilac mercilessly. I felt so amused that I nearly fell off my chair."Let's talk briefly. My time is limited. Although I dislike Felix, he has been my neighbor for over 20 years. I'm not comfortable staying with the woman who betrayed him."I looked at my watch and urged her impatiently.Lilac lowered her head and sipped her milkshake. She concentrated on her drink as if she hadn't had a milkshake in hundreds of years.When my patience was running out, she spoke just in time—I would have left if she hadn't done it.Tears streamed down her cheeks before she spoke. However, it wasn't the same as before. She would attempt not to shed tears to win a man's affection.Her tears now seemed to be genuine."Crying is useless. I'm busy. I'll leave if you don't speak." I
"Did Shawn never look for you?""I don't know. I moved to Southsville during high school. My mom and I wouldn't go out unless we needed to. During that time, I had low self-esteem. I hid like a rat in the ditch and didn't dare go out."One day, it rained, and I didn't bring an umbrella. My classmates had all left, and the gatekeeper was closing the gate. I had no choice but to go home in the rain. Later, I fell into a puddle and broke my leg. I couldn't get up and cried in the mud."Felix was the one who carried me back. He was my savior. He even bought me medicine and bandaged my injury. He drew me out of my gloom. From that day on, I vowed to be with him."I've heard about his relationship with you. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted to hold on to him. Because apart from him, I couldn't find any other salvation. Luna, you've never been in a desperate situation like mine. You won't understand my feelings. I know you blame and hate me, but...""Stop, stop, stop." I became increasin
"Despite that, I pretended not to know anything. I told myself I was the only person he liked and stuck to him. I assumed I could turn him into mine as time went by, but I couldn't. He often stared at your WhatsApp profile photo without sending you a text."In those 18 years, you've lived in his heart. It would kill him if he took you out, and he never thought to do so. When you and Matthew decided to try dating, he behaved like a stalker. Despite my objections, he followed you whenever he had the chance. "I threatened him with my life when I asked him to introduce you to a boyfriend. He agreed and told his friends that he could give up after you had a boyfriend. But when he knew you became Colin's girlfriend, he rushed to you like crazy."I don't know what you said to him, but he became indifferent to me. He ignored me regardless of how many times I contacted him. And he stayed downstairs in your apartment all night."Perhaps you think I'm a terrible woman who betrayed Felix. I o
"I think Lilac wasn't lying this time. Felix might have always liked Lulu, but he discovered his feelings too late, and what he did was irreversible. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to find you."Zara looked so troubled that she patted her head. She was likewise confused. "What a mess."Jade wanted to retort. However, she couldn't find a suitable explanation after thinking for a while. Subconsciously, she seemed to agree with what Zara said."Lulu, you're already with Colin. But if Felix shows up again... You won't be moved, right?"I told them, "Hmm. Even if I can't be with Colin in this life, I'll never consider being with Felix again."I wouldn't waver. I had agreed with Colin that we would be together for the rest of our lives as long as he passed the probation period. Nobody could stop us.Jade looked out the window and sighed. "Oh, it was sunny when we came out, but now it's raining again. The weather is so changeable."Yes, even the weather was changeable. Others might c