Chapter 1

I bought a refrigerator out of kindness for a sick student so she could store her medication.

Half a month later, her medication became ineffective.

She collapsed in the classroom and was left permanently disabled.

Her parents cried at the school gates: "This heartless teacher ruined our daughter!"

I was forced to care for her for ten years. Then her parents demanded I marry her and support her for life.

My girlfriend couldn't handle the pressure and broke up with me.

On my way to her wedding, I died of a heart attack.

When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn ten years earlier.

Standing before me was Lily Mitchell, looking pitiful. "Mr. Reed, my medication needs refrigeration, but there's no fridge in the classroom..."

I said, "You should ask the facilities department about that."

I had been reborn.

Reborn to the moment when Lily Mitchell first said she needed a refrigerator to store her medication.

Behind her stood three roommates, all my students.

Four pairs of eyes stared at me expectantly.

I was twenty-four years old, with a master's degree in philosophy. My advisor had recommended me for this position as a teaching assistant at this community college to gain experience.

In my previous life, I'd been full of enthusiasm.

When I learned a student had diabetes and needed a fridge to store insulin, I'd proactively bought her a small refrigerator.

Half a month later, she suddenly collapsed during class break.

At the hospital, I discovered she didn't have diabetes at all, and what she'd been refrigerating wasn't insulin. She had osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease. It was incurable and required lifelong medication.

The investigation revealed her medication had become ineffective. The refrigerator plug had come loose and stopped cooling.

Her parents sued the school for neglecting students.

The school deflected responsibility, saying the fridge wasn't theirs---I had bought it, so I should be responsible.

Public opinion crushed me. My family was cyberbullied and couldn't live in peace. I had no choice but to compromise and take responsibility for caring for her.

That responsibility lasted ten years.

But her family still wasn't satisfied. They wanted me to marry her and support her parents too.

I had a girlfriend I loved deeply. She'd waited for me for ten years.

Knowing I'd never be free, I cruelly forced her to leave.

She went home for matchmaking dates.

The day before her wedding, Lily had an episode. I cared for her all night.

The next day, driving to the hotel, I had a heart attack on the road.

My life-saving medication was right beside me, but I didn't use it. I didn't call 911 either. My heart was strangely calm. I only felt sorry for my girlfriend---today was supposed to be her happy day.

Now I'd been reborn.

Facing these four expectant faces, my heart filled with hatred and disgust.

"Is Lily Mitchell the applicant? If you need a refrigerator, you can download a form first, explain your condition and the medication's requirements, then fill it out and submit it to facilities. They'll apply to the school for procurement."

Her roommate Emma Carter was a warm-hearted girl. She frowned. "That sounds complicated. Won't it take forever? Lily has diabetes and needs insulin injections before every meal. Right, Lily?"

That's right. Lily had never explicitly said what disease she had.

The diabetes story had spread after everyone saw her injecting herself. She'd never denied or clarified it.

Just like she'd never asked me to buy a refrigerator. Everything had been decided by her roommates and me.

In my previous life, her parents had hung banners at the school gates and made the news.

My whole family was cyberbullied. My parents were teachers about to retire honorably, but because of me, they had to take early retirement.

No salary, and they had to support me financially.

They got sick but didn't tell me. Within a few years, they both passed away.

I could imagine that even after my death, I'd still be reviled.

In my previous life, these girls had posted online and testified, cementing the story that I'd tried to impress Lily and voluntarily bought the fridge.

In this life, I'd watch carefully to see who would die.

"That's the procedure. If you have questions, ask another teacher."

I picked up my teaching materials and left lightly.

Before I'd gone far, I heard Lily say pitifully, "What's wrong with Mr. Reed today? He's so cold."

Emma consoled her. "He's dodging responsibility. Can't make any decisions himself. Don't worry, I'll handle this."