Chapter 2

I wouldn’t have remembered if Lu Chengyu hadn’t brought it up.

Something like that had happened in my previous life.

Lin Yinuan and I had been competing for a place on the school team for the national debate qualifiers.

Lu Chengyu’s place on the team was already settled, and the deciding vote in the final selection had fallen to him.

I’d assumed he would choose me.

After all, we’d been friends since we were children.

Instead, he’d chosen Lin Yinuan without hesitation.

Naturally, I’d confronted him in anger. He’d been perfectly rational.

“Lin Yinuan is the principal’s daughter. She was always going to represent the school.

“This was just a formality. Did you honestly think my vote mattered that much?”

“Even if I’d chosen you, they’d have found another reason to replace you afterward.

“So why offend the principal? I might as well do him a favor.”

He was always like that.

Rational and clever, instantly weighing up the pros and cons and choosing whichever option would produce the most advantageous result.

That was how he’d handled the debate team’s selection.

That was how he’d persuaded me to give up my chance at a doctorate after graduation and join his company.

And that was how, after we married and he wanted a child, he’d suggested I quit work to prepare for pregnancy full-time.

I hadn’t understood then. I’d mistaken selfishness for intelligence.

Every time, I’d resented it. Every time, I’d given in.

But not anymore.

I was about to speak when a lazy voice sounded beside us.

“Our illustrious class monitor. What are you talking to my girlfriend about?”

I looked up. Shen Xiyan was sauntering over from the back row.

He must have just woken up. His hair stuck up like a bird’s nest, and his sleeve had left creases on his cheek.

Lu Chengyu had always looked down on rich kids like him. His mouth immediately tightened.

He gave Shen Xiyan a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Girlfriend? You’re taking a joke between classes seriously?”

“Of course. I’m a very serious person.”

The two stood facing each other, the atmosphere suddenly tense.

I didn’t want Lu Chengyu’s moods controlling me anymore.

I went over and slipped my arm through Shen Xiyan’s.

“What took you so long?” I complained sweetly. “I’m starving.”

“If there’s nothing else, Class Monitor, we’re going to lunch.”

His pride wounded, Lu Chengyu tossed out a “Suit yourself” and walked away.

Only after he was gone did I notice that Shen Xiyan still hadn’t reacted.

I gave him a puzzled look.

“Aren’t we going?”

He seemed to wake from a dream, his grin practically stretching from ear to ear.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s go.”

I couldn’t help pointing it out. “You’re swinging the same arm and leg together.”