“Sister, I’m begging you. There are so many people down there. You wouldn’t want me to become a laughingstock at school, would you?”

When Meng Ting regained consciousness, someone was pushing her forward.

Hearing this familiar voice, her heart trembled. She instinctively turned and gripped the girl’s hand tightly.

Shu Lan almost screamed, “Sister, it hurts! Let go of me!”

Only then did Meng Ting realize something was amiss.

Her vision was dim as if the world had been covered by a veil.

Meng Ting dazedly touched her face. She was wearing sunglasses on her nose bridge, and her eyes felt sore. The Shu Lan before her looked about sixteen or seventeen, with a more childish voice. Shu Lan glanced at her warily, “You promised me. You won’t go back on your word, right?”

Go back on her word?

Meng Ting looked around with her aching eyes. They were in a dark place, with faint music from the front desk reaching them as muffled rhythms. Meng Ting looked down at her hands. Her slender, fair hands appeared beautiful and delicate in the dim light, without any of the horrific burn scars from before. She was lost in thought.

Seeing her oddness, Shu Lan’s heart skipped a beat. Fearing Meng Ting had noticed something, she lowered her voice, “Sister, this is a crucial assessment. If we don’t pass it, and Dad finds out and has an episode…”

Meng Ting turned to look at her. She wanted to ask Shu Lan: why did you let go of that rope, leaving me to die in the landslide?

She knew she had died. Yet after that terrifying sensation of weightlessness, when she opened her eyes again, she had returned to five years ago. The Shu Lan before her was young, and the scene was familiar. Meng Ting remembered this incident. It was her sophomore year of high school, and Shu Lan had begged her to help with an arts assessment.

Shu Lan said if she didn’t pass, she’d be looked down upon at school. Shu Lan had only studied piano for two years and had little talent—she was mediocre at best. Meng Ting had been worn down after much pestering and, considering Shu Dad’s health finally agreed to help her sister this once.

Perhaps because it was her first time doing something wrong, her life took a terrible turn from that point on.

After being exposed to the deception, her classmates looked at her strangely.

Two months later, when her eyes healed, Meng Ting became the beauty of Qi Zhong High School. Her eyes hadn’t seen daylight for three years, and everyone had treated her as a blind person. But when such beauty suddenly blossomed that year, many boys at school couldn’t even walk straight when they saw her.

However, Meng Ting ended up disfigured by burns while saving Shu Lan. Then Shu’s Dad met with misfortune, she was ostracized by relatives and finally died tragically in a landslide.

At this moment, Shu Lan whispered, “Sister, I promise this is just a routine assessment, not a ranked scoring one. It won’t affect other students. You don’t want me to be looked down upon for three years of high school, right? Our family is already poor, and because of your eyes…” She abruptly stopped, looking anxiously at Meng Ting.

Meng Ting’s heart quivered, understanding Shu Lan’s implication in an instant—our family is so tight on money now because of treating your eyes.

But ironically, Shu Lan’s tuition at this school was exorbitantly high.

Moreover, living this life again, Meng Ting knew Shu Lan was deceiving her.

This was no arts assessment; it was all for Jiang Ren down below. That year, Jiang Ren had made a mistake and was sent by the Jiang family to study at Li Cai Vocational High School. All the girls in their grade were preparing to curry favor with him.

At the start-of-term talent show, Shu Lan had signed up out of vanity, only to realize at the last minute that her talents weren’t up to par. So she begged Meng Ting to take her place.

In H City, everyone knew of the Jiang family.

The Jiang family was a century-old clan that owned over half the real estate in this coastal city. The newly opened seaside villas were also a Jiang family development. No one knew what mistake Jiang Ren had made, but even if it were murder or arson, for such a wealthy person, one might only encounter someone like him once in a lifetime. As the sole heir to the Jiang family, everyone knew Jiang Ren wasn’t a good person, yet they still tried their hardest to get close to him.

Shu Lan was no exception.

Somehow, Shu Lan had learned about Old Mr. Jiang’s feelings for his late wife. Jiang Ren’s mother had been a true noble lady, talented and proud as snow. Even though she had been dead for many years, Old Mr. Jiang had never remarried.

So Shu Lan planned to use her talents to please Jiang Ren.

Meng Ting felt dazed and confused. Living again, she felt both grateful and bewildered. Setting everything else aside, faced with this ungrateful sister, Meng Ting didn’t know how to treat her.

And what about Jiang Ren?

She remembered the boy from her past life who had climbed over the wall to see her, who had chased a bus for three kilometers just to make her turn and look at him.

Everyone knew Jiang Ren had an explosive temper that he couldn’t control. But Meng Ting also knew his feelings were almost pathologically obsessive. In this life, she mustn’t have any connection with him. In her memory, he had killed someone a few years later.

Such a person was not to be trifled with, but surely she could avoid him?

“Next up, from Class 8, Grade 2, Shu Lan.”

The host’s crisp voice came through. Shu Lan gritted her teeth and quickly put a white lace flower hat on Meng Ting. She then took away Meng Ting’s sunglasses.

In the dim light, Shu Lan met those bright, ethereal eyes and was momentarily stunned.

Who would have thought that behind those dark glasses for the blind was a pair of eyes more beautiful than the starry sky? Shu Lan felt both hatred and glee. For three years, everyone had thought Meng Ting was a blind, imperfect person.

A blind person—almost no one associated her with beauty. Her loveliness had been concealed, unseen by others.

Shu Lan snapped back to reality. Knowing her sister was gentle and good-natured, she said softly, “Sister, I told my friend in advance to use warm, dim lights. If your eyes hurt, just close them. You remember the piano keys, right? It should be fine. Please, I’m counting on you.”

Thinking of Shu’s Dad, whose health was deteriorating day by day.

Meng Ting hesitated, her thoughts sluggish. Before she knew it, Shu Lan had pushed her onto the stage. The lights suddenly shone on her.

Shu Lan hadn’t lied to her. The stage lights were dim and warm, considerate of her eyes that couldn’t handle strong light. That year, Meng Ting had just had corneal surgery, having worn sunglasses for over three years and always using a white cane to walk. She had the surgery a month ago, and originally wouldn’t have been able to remove the glasses for another two months.

The audience fell silent as soon as she appeared on stage.

The white lace flower hat covered half her face, vaguely revealing beautiful features and a small, fair chin. She wore a white silk long dress with a red sash at the waist, her waist-length hair cascading down. On her feet were a pair of black leather shoes.

She looked like a moon goddess who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

Meng Ting lowered her eyes, knowing Jiang Ren was at the very back of the auditorium.

She told herself not to panic. He didn’t even know her yet. Right now, she was taking Shu Lan’s place.

Not far away, under the lights, stood a grand piano. Its black and white keys gleamed with a unique elegance.

Meng Ting looked at it, feeling a moment of tenderness in her heart.

She sat down on the bench, placed her hands on the keys, and as the distant memory warmed her, the first notes made her body tremble slightly. She finally felt the reality of living this life again.

The audience below fell completely silent.

This was a vocational high school. Most people would perform spicy dances or play guitar, but very few chose to play the piano.

After a while, someone below whispered, “That’s someone from Class 8? She’s so beautiful.” Although her features were indistinct, there was an inexplicable loveliness about her.

“What’s she playing?”

Someone knowledgeable about piano said, “Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor.”

“Damn, what’s with that long-ass name?”

“…It’s also called the Moonlight Sonata.”

“What’s her name?”

“The host said Shu Lan from Class 8.”

Shu Lan peeked out from behind the curtain, feeling both happy and resentful. She knew how amazing Meng Ting was; she had known since childhood. If it weren’t for the eye injury that had tempered Meng Ting’s beauty, she would have been famous throughout the school years ago.

But she was happy because, after this performance, the famous one would be her.

No matter how amazing Meng Ting was, all the glory would belong to Shu Lan.

Moreover, Shu Lan glanced towards the back of the hall.

At the very back, a silver-haired boy tossed down his last pair of kings just as the piano began to play. He looked up towards the stage.

Her heart raced. Jiang Ren.

That year, Jiang Ren’s hair was a brilliant silver. He wore a black shirt and jacket, the jacket open, giving him an unruly air. Instead of sitting properly in a chair, he perched on the higher armrest, his leg bent casually, foot resting on the soft seat next to him where another student sat.

That student, whose seat was being dirtied, didn’t dare make a sound and could only sit stiffly.

He Junming stared at the stage, mouth agape. After a while, he came to his senses: “She’s from our school?” He muttered to himself, it doesn’t seem like it.

Li Cai Vocational High was a paradise for rich kids. A bunch of students with terrible grades but experts in eating, drinking, and having fun. There weren’t girls like this.

How to put it… She was so purely clean that it was unreal, making them all look like little hooligans in comparison.

Fang Tan also clicked his tongue in wonder, unable to resist glancing at Jiang Ren.

Jiang Ren lit a cigarette but didn’t smoke it, just holding it between his fingers. Noticing Fang Tan’s gaze, he put the cigarette to his lips: “What are you looking at me for? Don’t tell me you believe those rumors?”

Fang Tan, afraid of angering him, said, “Of course not.”

They knew that Jiang Ren hated this type of girl the most.

Because Ren’s mother despised his father’s vulgar ways and nouveau riche attitude. She always looked at Ren and his father as if they were dirty things.

This kind of woman always had her head in the clouds. As if they didn’t realize that without money, they couldn’t afford their carefree lifestyle and refined tastes.

Jiang Ren was too far away to see her features. But she did play the piano well. He took the cigarette from his lips with two fingers, his gaze still fixed on her.

Meng Ting lowered her long lashes. She was most sensitive to Jiang Ren’s gaze. This time, she wasn’t going to be foolish. Her fingers pressed down, deliberately moving one key to the right, playing a wrong note. Meng Ting missed several black keys, and the audience below finally lost that sense of amazement. They began to chatter and return to their amusements.

Shu Lan was stunned in disbelief.

How could Meng Ting have played it wrong?

Jiang Ren sneered. Someone like this dares to come out and embarrass herself? He shifted his gaze away, telling He Junming to shuffle the cards again.

Meng Ting didn’t want to disappoint Shu’s Dad, but she also wouldn’t help Shu Lan again. In her past life, it was because she had been too eye-catching today that Shu Lan became famous at school. When the truth about the substitution came out, the impact had been huge.

She finished playing and gave a bow, then retreated backstage, supporting herself with her sore eyes. Shu Lan quickly pulled her to the dressing room: “How did you play it wrong…”

Meng Ting fumbled to put on her sunglasses, the reduced light finally giving her some relief. She didn’t answer Shu Lan’s question. Shu Lan was more concerned about other matters and didn’t pursue it: “Let’s quickly change back into our clothes.”

The two sisters changed, with Shu Lan enduring the tight feeling around her waist. She instructed Meng Ting, “Remember to leave through the back door.”

Meng Ting suddenly grabbed her arm: “Shu Lan, do you hate me?”

Shu Lan’s expression froze for a moment before she smiled, “Sister, what are you thinking? You’re so good, how could I hate you? Shu Yang might not like you, but I’ve always loved you.”

Meng Ting released her hand, closing her eyes wearily. Lies.

Living again, she finally understood. The dragon-phoenix twin siblings, Shu Lan, and Shu Yang—one pretended to like her but wished her dead, while the other seemed cold but was willing to raise money to treat her burns. People’s hearts are unfathomable, and it takes too high a price to understand.

It’s only a pity that in her past life, she died before she could grow up.

But it won’t be like that this time.

Returning to her sophomore year, everything could start anew.

Meng Ting watched as Shu Lan hurriedly walked away, holding up her skirt. She knew Shu Lan was going to find Jiang Ren. In her past life, just because Jiang Ren had carelessly said “not bad,” Shu Lan had been overjoyed. What about this time? Would Jiang Ren still be interested in the fake Shu Lan?

She picked up her white cane and pushed open the back door. Suddenly, the golden autumn of October came into view, though everything appeared gray to her. Birds chirped crisply, with a hint of autumn’s chill in the air. Flowers bloomed along both sides of the path, giving off a faint, elegant fragrance after the rain.

The sun had come out. Meng Ting closed her eyes and slowly walked forward. The surgery had been very successful. In just two months, she would be able to see the sky and sunlight again. In this life, everything was still possible.

“Ren, look over there,” He Junming said, his face full of unspoken words.

Looking down from the window of the rest area, the sky was a clear, washed blue. A girl wearing the Qi Zhong High School uniform was walking towards the school gate, supported by a white cane.

Jiang Ren rested his hand on the windowsill, his gaze following He Junming’s pointing finger to land on Meng Ting’s slender figure.

He Junming asked with surprise, “A blind girl? And she’s wearing the No. 7 Middle School uniform.”

Jiang Ren chewed his gum as he watched the girl stumble along, trying to find her way. She looked quite pitiful and disheveled. It seemed this young lady from No. 7 Middle School wasn’t familiar with the layout of their vocational high school. She slowly disappeared from their sight.

After a while, He Junming forgot about it and remembered something else, smiling suggestively, “You remember that girl who was playing the piano earlier? She came over confidently and said she wanted to be friends.”

“You like her? Then go for it,” Jiang Ren replied.

He Junming shrugged, “Brother Ren, she was looking for you. Is it right for you to say that?”

Jiang Ren recalled the fleeting glimpse he had on stage, “Fine, let her come over.”

Shu Lan approached with bright eyes, blushing the moment she saw Jiang Ren, “Classmate Jiang Ren.”

She held her white ceremonial hat in her hands.

Her face was exquisitely made up, and she was quite pretty. Jiang Ren glanced at Shu Lan and lazily said, “You like me?”

Shu Lan hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Her face instantly turned red, her heart racing with excitement. She tried to control her reaction, maintaining her elegant persona, “Jiang Ren, I just think you’re very outstanding.”

Jiang Ren laughed, “Tell me, where the hell am I outstanding?”

Before Shu Lan could answer, Jiang Ren lit a cigarette, “Outstanding at smoking and fighting? Or at murder and arson? Or maybe outstanding for sending a teacher to the hospital the other day?”

Shu Lan’s face paled, “I believe there must be a misunderstanding. You’re not that kind of person.”

Jiang Ren crossed his legs, “Have you seen my medical report? Do you know what Intermittent Explosive Disorder is?”

Shu Lan knew nothing about these things. She only knew Jiang Ren had a bad temper, but she hadn’t realized he had a medical condition. Her expression changed several times before she finally said firmly, “I don’t care!”

Jiang Ren flicked his cigarette ash, his tone mocking, “Are you that desperate for money? But I care. You’re too ugly. At the very least, you should look like Shen Yuqing from No. 7 Middle School next door. Didn’t you realize I was just messing with you earlier? Get lost.”

Shen Yuqing was the beauty queen of the neighboring No. 7 Middle School, currently in her second year of high school.

Rumors said she was Jiang Ren’s current girlfriend, though many didn’t believe it. Besides, even if it were true, how rare was it for new loves to replace old ones in this world?

Shu Lan, humiliated and dismissed, knew better than to provoke the volatile Jiang Ren and didn’t dare to make a sound.

Unable to contain her anger, she blamed Meng Ting in her heart. If only she hadn’t played the piano wrong…

But then, remembering the comment about being prettier than Shen Yuqing, Shu Lan paused.

She knew who was more beautiful than Shen Yuqing – it was Meng Ting. That kind of pure, shocking beauty that had been quietly dimmed for several years due to her eye injury.

Meng Ting had always been the center of attention since childhood. Shu Lan still remembered the first time she saw ten-year-old Meng Ting, that unforgettable sense of stunning refinement. Beautiful and pure, born to make others feel inferior.

It was like the feeling of a crystal gift that everyone wanted to touch and admire.

She gritted her teeth, thinking on one hand that compared to Meng Ting, what was Shen Yuqing? On the other hand, she thought, it’s a good thing Jiang Ren doesn’t know the Meng Ting from before.

Meng Ting walked out of Licai Vocational High School as the neighboring No. 7 Middle School was letting out.

The two high schools were adjacent, with the public No. 7 Middle School on the left, full of high-achieving students, and the private Licai Vocational High School on the right, poorly managed but filled with wealthy students. It was a paradise for spoiled rich kids.

Ever since the schools were established, No. 7 students looked down on Licai’s academically poor students, while Licai students despised No. 7’s poor but arrogant students.

Meng Ting couldn’t help but look up at her school’s electronic screen.

Back then, the screen was always used to broadcast various promotional events, with red text scrolling across the black screen—

“Renowned Professor Zhang Hong from B University lecture, all students welcome to attend, location…”

Her eyes hurt, but she refused to blink.

The text continued to scroll: Today’s date — October 11, 20xx, 19:03, Thursday.

It wasn’t a dream; she had returned five years ago. The year that marked a turning point in her short life. Meng Ting almost felt the urge to burst into tears, but finally, looking at the empty school grounds after dismissal, she gripped her bag strap tightly and walked towards the bus stop.

There weren’t many buses on her route home, only one every half hour. Meng Ting dug out her student transit card from her bag and waited at the platform.

She waited for ten minutes, taking in every stop. This was the way home, a path she had longed to take countless times in her previous life, and now she finally had the chance in this life.

However, before the bus arrived, the harsh sound of mountain motorcycles racing pierced the air from afar. She gripped her cane tightly, her eyelashes trembling slightly. A sense of foreboding filled her heart.

The motorcycles sped by, cutting through the wind.

He Junming whistled and called out, “Brother Ren, it’s that blind girl we saw at school.”

Jiang Ren’s eyes swept over from under his helmet.

Then he swerved, stopping in front of Meng Ting. She couldn’t help but take a step back.

The wind blew her hair, which was tucked behind her ears, with her bangs slightly disheveled.

Jiang Ren steadied his bike and took off his helmet.

He Junming and Fang Tan stopped right behind him.

Meng Ting remembered this year’s Jiang Ren.

This year, he had pierced one ear, wearing a black diamond stud. His silver short hair was wild and unruly, a style that would look like a scene kid on anyone else, but he was good-looking. Jiang Ren’s features were quite heroic, not the kind of milky pretty boy look that would become popular a few years later, but with a wild and rugged charm. He was a genuine bad boy.

He Junming couldn’t help but taunt her, “Miss high-achiever from No. 7, are you blind?”

Meng Ting didn’t know why they had stopped there. Hearing this, she paused, then nodded slightly.

Jiang Ren looked down at her for a while, his gaze passing over her long hair, “No. 7 student, what are you doing at our vocational school?”

Meng Ting’s heart tightened, not knowing how she had encountered him here as well. She simply remained stiff and silent.

Fang Tan raised an eyebrow, “Is she mute too?”

Meng Ting pressed her lips together, staying quiet and still, and nodded again.

She had nodded twice without answering Jiang Ren’s question. He hung his helmet on the handlebars and curved his lips, “Little scholar, want a ride home? It’s free, caring for the disabled.”

He Junming almost burst out laughing. Damn, haha, caring for the disabled! What next, helping her cross the street?

Fang Tan also held back his laughter.

Meng Ting slowly shook her head, not bothering to argue with him.

She stood very straight. Being autumn, she wore a thin knit sweater inside and the loose No. 7 school uniform with its badge outside. Although her figure wasn’t visible, her exposed neck was slender and fair-skinned. She had a delicate air about her.

Jiang Ren took out a lighter from his pocket and played with it.

The flame danced before his eyes as he looked at her, sunglasses covering half of her face. She gripped her white cane tightly, showing some helpless frailty. She was nervous.

“What’s in your bag? Take it out,” Jiang Ren’s gaze fell on her jade-like hand, so white that the black cane seemed like a piece of ink jade in contrast.

Meng Ting didn’t want to provoke him, only hoping he would leave quickly. So she obediently opened her bag for him to see. She had forgotten what was inside.

As the zipper opened, there was a physics book, an English book.

A pencil case, along with an eyeglass case and a coin purse.

Finally, there was a small box of strawberries.

Strawberries were hard to come by this season. These were nutrient solution greenhouse strawberries that Mr. Shu had gone to great lengths to get from the laboratory. Just a small box, he had told Meng Ting to take them to school in case she got hungry.

However, the Meng Ting of that year couldn’t bear to eat them and had given them to her younger sister, Shu Lan.

“Give me the strawberries.”

Meng Ting’s fingers trembled slightly, not moving at first.

Never mind, it doesn’t matter, don’t make him angry. Her fair hand held out the strawberry box.

He Junming and the others were puzzled. Despite being insulted and having her things taken, she remained calm without any anger, her temperament unlike theirs. There was a completely different air about her.

“Why are you standing so far? Bring it here. Don’t tell me you want me to help you.”

Meng Ting raised her eyes, blinking uncomfortably. Seeing his direction, she held out the box.

Jiang Ren looked down at her.

The October breeze was cool, and most of her fair face was hidden behind the sunglasses, making it hard to see clearly. As she came closer, he thought he caught a faint floral scent.

She placed the box on his handlebars, then stepped back, distancing herself.

The next moment, the bus arrived.

Meng Ting adjusted her backpack, silently gripped her white cane, and boarded the bus. She walked unhurriedly, as if she had never encountered them, and didn’t report their “robbery” to anyone on the bus.

Fang Tan and the others watched in astonishment. He Junming couldn’t help but whisper, “Brother Ren, why bully her?”

Was there any sense of achievement in bullying a blind person? And a little mute at that.

Both deaf and blind, how pitiful.

After the bus had driven far away.

Jiang Ren flicked open the transparent strawberry box with his thumb, not caring if they were washed, and popped one into his mouth.

Unexpectedly sweet.

He Junming looked on enviously and couldn’t help saying, “Brother Ren, can I have one too?”

Without even turning his head, Jiang Ren tossed both the box and the remaining strawberries into a nearby trash can, scoring a perfect shot.

“Not ripe,” he said.

“…”

“…”

Well, if we’re not eating, we’re not eating.

Jiang Ren swung his long leg over the bike, not bothering with his helmet. Could she accurately place the strawberries on his bike if she was blind? Or was she pretending?

Meng Ting returned home. She fumbled for her keys in her coin purse and, with trembling fingers, opened the door. She really could come home again.

The young man on the living room sofa turned his head at the sound, saw Meng Ting, then coldly turned away to watch the game.

However, Mr. Shu, wearing an apron in the kitchen, quickly wiped his hands and came out, smiling warmly, “Ting Ting, you’re back. Wash your hands quickly, dinner’s almost ready. Didn’t Xiao Lan come back with you? Didn’t you say you were going to watch her performance today?”

Seeing her late stepfather again, Meng Ting couldn’t help but tear up.

Mr. Shu was Meng Ting’s stepfather, named Shu Zhitong. After Meng Ting and her mother were in a car accident, her mother passed away, and Meng Ting’s eyes were injured. Mr. Shu raised three children alone, never thinking of abandoning Meng Ting, but instead treating her as his own.

Shu Lan and Shu Yang were Mr. Shu’s biological fraternal twins.

In the past, Meng Ting felt awkward in this family, so she tried hard to be sensible and obedient, taking care of her brother and sister who were two months younger than her. But now she was incredibly grateful that heaven had given her a chance to start over, an opportunity to repay Mr. Shu.

She would not let anything happen to him this time, ensuring he could enjoy his twilight years peacefully.

She put down her backpack, remembering Shu Lan’s situation, and said softly, “Shu Lan said she’s eating out. She has a celebration dinner tonight.”

However, Meng Ting knew in her heart that having just encountered Jiang Ren meant that Shu Lan had failed again.

Whether in her past life or this one, Jiang Ren didn’t particularly like Shu Lan. It was one of life’s curious twists of fate.

Before going to bed that night, she felt in her backpack and found her comical student ID photo.

To protect her eyes, Mr. Shu had made Meng Ting’s bedroom very dim. This photo was taken when she entered high school. At that time, Meng Ting’s eyes were repeatedly infected and couldn’t tolerate any strong light, so the teacher had her pose with a white cloth over her face and then had someone Photoshop a pair of eyes onto it.

Anyone who’s been to school knows how terrible school photography can be.

That year, Photoshop was far from as sophisticated as it would become years later. These eyes looked lifeless, with mismatched colors, starkly out of place. It even startled Meng Ting herself.

So, after looking at it for a long time, from the first to the second year of high school, classmates all thought that even if Meng Ting’s eyes got better, she would still look like she did in her student ID.

Meng Ting carefully put it back in her backpack, not feeling any disgust. She just missed her teachers and classmates a little.

It was Friday morning.

After Meng Ting finished her milk, Shu Zhitong examined her eyes as usual. Then he said, “Dad can only come back on weekends to cook for you from now on. The research institute is very busy. Ting Ting and Shu Yang, can you eat at school in the future?”

Shu Yang grunted in agreement.

Meng Ting nodded as well.

Shu Zhitong continued, “Shu Yang, take good care of Ting Ting, alright? She’s your sister and her eyes are impaired. You’re in the same grade, so don’t let anyone bully her.”

Shu Yang replied, “She doesn’t need my care.”

“This child…” Shu Zhitong felt a bit awkward. He then pulled Meng Ting closer and said apologetically, “Ting Ting, don’t mind him.”

Meng Ting smiled and said, “It’s okay. Shu Yang has a hard exterior but a soft heart.”

Shu Zhitong looked a bit embarrassed, “Ting Ting, can I trouble you with something?”

“Xiao Lan didn’t come home last night. She said she was sleeping at a classmate’s house. She’s growing up, and there are many things I can’t control. I’m worried she might…” He paused, then sighed thinking about his daughter. “I’m afraid she might fall into early love and go astray. You’re so well-behaved and sensible. Could you teach her a bit?”

Meng Ting still resented Shu Lan for letting her die in her previous life.

If Shu Lan hadn’t untied that rope, she wouldn’t have died. Moreover, she had risked her life to search for her stepbrother who went missing in the landslide. She hadn’t figured out why Shu Lan untied the rope, but there was still a thorn in her heart.

However, looking at this man before her, his temples graying from the burden of debt for his children, Meng Ting couldn’t say anything. She finally nodded.

Meng Ting and Shu Yang walked to school one after the other.

They both attended No. 7 High School in their second year. Meng Ting was in Class 1, while Shu Yang was in Class 2.

Both were top students in their respective classes.

Meng Ting watched the slender silhouette of the young man ahead. After she was burned, it was Shu Yang and Shu Dad who insisted on her treatment. They had never given up on her.

Shu Yang’s figure grew more distant. After a long while, before crossing the street, he looked back at Meng Ting, stopped, and silently waited for her.

They arrived at school together at 7:45, and then quietly walked into their respective classrooms.

As soon as Meng Ting entered, many classmates greeted her.

“Good morning, Meng Ting.”

“Good morning.”

This year, Meng Ting was the English class representative.

Everyone knew about her unfortunate family circumstances – she had been in a car accident with her mother, which resulted in her mother’s death and her blindness. However, due to her excellent grades, she had been recommended to No. 7 High School by her former junior high school. She consistently ranked first in every exam, except for the one she missed due to surgery. She was considered an inspirational role model.

So when she came to school with her white cane and sunglasses, no one mocked her. They had been very friendly to her from the beginning.

Her deskmate was a bespectacled boy. Shy and reserved, he rarely interacted with classmates and studied hard, but could never improve his grades.

The girl sitting in front turned around excitedly, “Ting Ting, you’re here!”

Meng Ting curved her lips into a smile, feeling a bit nostalgic. Her tone was as gentle as a March breeze, “Zhao Nuancheng.”

Zhao Nuancheng tidied Meng Ting’s hair which had been messed up by the morning wind, and lowered her voice, speaking to Meng Ting, “Ting Ting, remember to apply for the scholarship. The forms have been handed out.” She knew about Meng Ting’s difficult family situation and felt sorry for this unfortunate girl.

“Okay.”

The first class was with their homeroom teacher, Tang Xiaoli, who taught Chinese. She was intellectual and elegant.

Meng Ting listened carefully to the familiar knowledge, slowly taking notes.

Her hand holding the pen was unaccustomed but extremely focused.

Zhao Nuancheng rolled her eyes, unable to hide her sense of superiority as a good student, “How amazing can he be? Has he ascended to heaven?”

Liu Xiaoyi shrugged, “He’s close to it. Do you know Junyang Group? The largest real estate company in the country? It’s his family’s.”

Zhao Nuancheng: “…Holy shit.”

Liu Xiaoyi, always at the forefront of the news, couldn’t help but add, “Last week, he beat their homeroom teacher in class and sent him to the hospital. He’s still in school, no problem. It’s not surprising that Shen Yuqing would be interested in someone like that.”

In youth, being brazen enough was also a kind of capital.

Many classmates gathered around: “Why did he beat the teacher?”

“Wow, what guts, daring to hit a teacher.”

“Is being rich that great? So arrogant, someday society will teach him a lesson.”

“What’s the big deal? If you don’t work hard, just inherit the family business.”

The group laughed and told them to get lost.

Amidst the chatter, Meng Ting suddenly stood up.

Zhao Nuancheng quickly asked, “Ting Ting, where are you going?”

Meng Ting furrowed her brows. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with her, but she knew who the current school beauty Shen Yuqing was going to find – her stepsister, Shu Lan.

She didn’t want to get involved with Shu Lan anymore, but Shu Dad’s morning request was still in her ears.

Shu’s Dad had aged, and his health was deteriorating. Sometimes, when working in the lab, he would be unaware of radiation exposure, which could devastate him. All his life, he had worried about his children. It could be said that he died for Meng Ting’s sake.

Meng Ting turned back and said to Zhao Nuancheng, “I’m not feeling well. Can you help me ask the teacher for leave?”

Zhao Nuancheng nodded immediately.

Meng Ting walked to the school gate, but the security guard wouldn’t let her out. She rarely lied, but thinking about what would happen if she didn’t intervene, she pointed at her eyes and said, “Uncle, my eyes are uncomfortable.”

The security guard recognized her, the famous well-behaved, and inspirational girl of the school, and quickly let her go.

The neighboring vocational school was much easier to enter, with security almost non-existent. When Meng Ting reached the door of Class 8 in the second year, the classroom was filled with commotion.

Shen Yuqing hadn’t come alone; she had her group of girlfriends with her.

Shu Lan was also stubborn. As Meng Ting walked in, she heard Shu Lan say, “Even if you are Jiang Ren’s girlfriend, so what? Everyone knows that on your birthday two days ago, he didn’t even show up. He just threw you a wallet afterward.”

Shen Yuqing, though holding herself in high regard, was not weak in confrontation: “No matter how little he cares about me, I’m still his official girlfriend. How old are you to be learning how to steal someone’s boyfriend? Don’t you have any family education?”

The onlookers cheered.

The legitimate girlfriend publicly confronts the mistress, all for the notorious Jiang Ren. It was quite a show.

When Meng Ting entered, all eyes turned to her.

Her blind person’s attire was too eye-catching. She navigated through the crowd, grabbed Shu Lan, who was about to retort and walked out of the classroom. Shu Lan was furious: “What are you doing here? I can handle this myself. Go back to your studies.”

The scrutinizing gazes of others made Shu Lan feel ashamed as if they were saying, “Your sister is blind?”

Meng Ting remained calm: “Shu Dad told me this morning that he’s very worried about you. It’s not easy for him to raise us.”

Shu Lan frowned, about to argue back.

“Even if you win against Shen Yuqing, how will others treat you? Jiang Ren doesn’t even care about Shen Yuqing, why would he care about you?” Meng Ting said, “The piano playing you asked me to help with, your friend knows about it, right? Can you guarantee she won’t tell others?”

This finally shocked Shu Lan.

She hadn’t returned home last night, and many people had seen her looking for Jiang Ren. Out of vanity, when rumors spread the next day saying Jiang Ren liked her and took her out all night, she didn’t deny it. As a result, Shen Yuqing came looking for her.

Shu Lan hesitated, “They wouldn’t tell others, would they?” But she was still cautious. After going back, she backed down and told Shen Yuqing, “That was just a rumor. I slept at Lin Meng’s house last night. She can testify.”

Lin Meng nodded.

“Right, just look at yourself,” Shen Yuqing sneered before leaving.

As she left, Shen Yuqing specifically glanced at Meng Ting outside the classroom. She knew this girl. Their grade’s top student. Meng Ting from Class 1, with poor eyesight.

Did Meng Ting know Shu Lan?

At least Shu Lan didn’t stubbornly confront Shen Yuqing out of vanity like in her previous life.

Shu Lan’s face didn’t look good: “You should go back quickly, sis. Don’t let anyone find out about the piano playing.”

Meng Ting turned to go downstairs: “I know.” She and Shu Lan had different goals, but they both didn’t want Jiang Ren to know it was her playing the piano.

The October campus was cool.

Licai’s environment was more than twice as good as No. 7 High School, with new teaching buildings and facilities. The landscaping was better, and the school was larger. In comparison, No. 7 High School seemed truly miserable.

She went downstairs, and crossed the small path, intending to hurry back to class.

A basketball brushed past the camphor tree and flew by, barely missing her ear.

Fang Tan frowned from over there: “Did it hit someone?”

Jiang Ren stood still like a young master. He Junming ran over, saw Meng Ting, and turned back to shout, “Ren bro, it’s that blind classmate from yesterday.”

Jiang Ren’s gaze turned towards her.

Meng Ting hesitated for a moment, then walked towards the school gate.

Jiang Ren took the ball from Fang Tan’s hand and made a shooting motion, and the ball hit the ground in front of Meng Ting, bouncing far away. Her steps halted.

Jiang Ren put his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a number 5 jersey, tall with long legs. It took him only two minutes to walk over.

He stepped on the ball with one foot, his smile cold: “Classmate, you can see, can’t you?”

Otherwise, why stop? A blind person wouldn’t know the danger.

He stood very close. Despite it being autumn, due to exercise, there was a thin layer of sweat on his silver hair. Upstairs, people were arguing heatedly about him, but he didn’t care at all.

Meng Ting furrowed her brows. This year, he was 187cm tall, 27cm taller than her. Looking down at her was quite intimidating.

When he moved to take off her sunglasses, she hurriedly used her white cane to block his hand.

The solid wood cane was heavy and hard. The sound of it hitting bone was chilling.

Everyone present was stunned.

The smile disappeared from Jiang Ren’s face. He said, “I don’t have a policy of not hitting girls.”

He Junming quickly pulled Jiang Ren back: “Ren bro, let it go. She’s blind, right? Maybe it was just a coincidence she hit you.”

Jiang Ren had an irritable personality disorder, a condition difficult to control.

No one dared to provoke him much. Seeing no smile on his face, He Junming didn’t dare to pull him anymore.

Meng Ting knew this too.

The air was still for a long time.

Meng Ting was a bit scared. She lowered her head and said softly, “I’m sorry, my eyes can’t be exposed to light.” Her voice was gentle, like the most lingering wind in Jiangnan, with a hint of sweetness.

Jiang Ren was momentarily stunned.

By the time he came to his senses, she had already walked away in a panic.

This time her steps were unsteady, clearly believing his words about hitting people.

In the October autumn scenery, her blue and white school uniform silhouette was slender and graceful.

He Junming said dumbly, “She’s not mute after all.” Her voice was quite pleasant, sweet to the bone. Not overly coquettish, but unexpectedly sweet.

Jiang Ren looked down at the back of his hand, which was red over a large area.

That damn white cane hurt when it hit.

Fang Tan came over after a while and asked, “Ren bro, why did you try to touch her sunglasses?”

He hadn’t heard Jiang Ren say Meng Ting wasn’t blind, so based on his understanding, he said, “She’s blind, right? What if you take them off and two empty, eyeball-less sockets stare at you?” As he spoke, he made a gesture of poking both eyes, which was too scary and eye-searing to imagine.

Jiang Ren didn’t say anything.

He watched her walk away, and for some reason, memories of the small strawberries he had taken flashed through his mind. If she wasn’t mute, why had she refused to speak to him earlier? Did she look down on people like him from vocational high school?

He harshly wiped his hand across his face, cursing under his breath. What was she so proud of? Unlike his mother, who at least had something to back her up, what did she have? Just a blind girl with eye problems, acting all high and mighty for no good reason.