Chapter 3

Ash and I haven't had much interaction lately.

I heard that for Lily's sake, he hasn't been fighting for a long time.

He's even turned over a new leaf and started studying hard.

Ash's friends called him to go to the internet cafe.

Lily whispered to him, "You haven't memorized your English vocabulary yet."

Ash sighed deeply and sat back down.

"My family's strict, I can't go."

I hear stories like this from my deskmate every day.

But whenever they see me approaching, they stop talking and go back to their own business.

"She's so pitiful."

"Yeah, she chased Ash for so long, only to be snatched away by a poor junior girl."

Pitiful? I don't think so.

My paperwork for studying abroad is all set. Once I pass the Japanese language test, I'll be off to study my favorite major, journalism.

My beautiful new life is about to begin.

That day, on my way home from school, Ash's mom stopped me: "Nova, Ash forgot his medicine again. Could you please take it to him for me?"

I really wanted to refuse.

But seeing the bruise on Ash's mom's wrist, I sighed and said, "Alright."

I asked Ash, "Where are you?"

He took a long time to reply, sending me a location.

Pool hall.

In my previous life, I had been there countless times.

When I arrived, I knew exactly where to go.

The pungent smell of smoke made me feel sick.

I spotted Ash immediately. He was at the central pool table, gambling with someone.

There was a thick stack of cash on the table.

I walked over and tossed him the medicine.

"Your mom asked me to bring this to you."

Seeing me, Ash frowned and said, "Who told you to come?"

I didn't bother responding to him. I dropped the medicine and turned to leave, but someone blocked my way.

"Ash, is this your girlfriend?"

Ash sneered, taking a cigarette offered to him and tucking it behind his ear: "Do you think that's possible?"

Just then, Lily came in with her backpack.

As soon as she entered, she started coughing.

Ash stood up, shielding her.

"Put out all the cigarettes."

The guy with yellow teeth who had stopped me earlier grinned.

"Looks like the real girlfriend is here."

Lily's face turned red.

"Ash, don't talk nonsense. The teacher said we can't..."

"I know."

Ash lightly tapped her nose.

"Be good, call me 'brother' and I'll let you go."

Lily exclaimed "Ah!" and pointed at the cigarette behind his ear: "Ash, didn't you promise me you'd quit smoking?"

I noticed Ash's gaze fall on me.

Suddenly, I remembered that I had also asked him to quit smoking before.

Because I had asthma since childhood and couldn't stand the smell of smoke.

At that time, he didn't even bother to pretend, deliberately blowing smoke rings in my face, saying, "Can't do it."

A cold smile crossed my lips as I tried to leave, but someone grabbed me again.

"Don't go, little sister."

"Ash, hurry up. It's two on two. My girlfriend's here, who's going to play on your side?"

0