Friendly reminder: Before reading, please seal your brain.
"Jiang Xu, thank you for taking care of me all this while.
But I've always only seen you as a brother, you will bless us, won't you?"
On the evening of Qixi Festival.
Jiang Xu, with gifts and flowers meticulously prepared, arrived at the building below Zhou Qingyue's company, intending to confess his love to her.
This would be his ninety-ninth confession to Zhou Qingyue.
The previous ninety-eight had all failed.
But Jiang Xu was not discouraged.
He continued to treat her well as always.
However, what he received in return was...
On this day of Qixi Festival.
Witnessing the girl he had pursued for three years in high school, four years in university, and two more years into work.
Falling into the arms of another.
Jiang Xu felt cold all over, and found himself quite ridiculous.
In the second year of high school,
Upon laying eyes on Zhou Qingyue for the first time, Jiang Xu fell in love with this double ponytailed, sweet-smiling girl.
For her sake,
Jiang Xu had done a lot.
She liked to drink milk tea, so he would buy it for her with the money saved from breakfast.
She enjoyed little trinkets, so Jiang Xu would deceive his parents into giving money for textbooks.
Or he would take out his New Year's money that he had been saving.
Whenever Zhou Qingyue was on duty, he would clean up for her.
When she struggled with schoolwork, Jiang Xu burned the midnight oil to devise the best methods of study.
When she expressed her wish for the latest mobile phone,
Jiang Xu would spend his weekends in the internet cafe, using his skills to earn money by gaming.
After much effort, with the two-thousand-plus dollars he earned, he bought her a new phone.
Only to receive her lukewarm gratitude.
The first time he confessed, Zhou Qingyue said they should prioritize their studies now.
However, once she was ready to date, Jiang Xu would be the first she would consider.
Despite his disappointment, Jiang Xu was still full of zeal.
He believed that as long as he gave enough sincerity, he could touch her heart.
After university graduation, she wanted to start a business.
So, Jiang Xu secretly handed her the two million that his parents had given him to buy a house.
Jiang Xu came from a somewhat wealthy family, with tens of millions in assets.
The two million in cash was also something his parents had worked hard to earn.
Yet, Zhou Qingyue really was not suited for entrepreneurship.
The first business venture failed, and all the money was spent.
Thereafter, Jiang Xu had to borrow money in his own name from various sources.
All while meticulously planning schemes.
After countless days and nights, he was finally able to persuade investors to invest.
The company was practically managed by Jiang Xu alone.
Under his efforts, the company flourished.
It had already gone public and was preparing for listing.
Zhou Qingyue could be considered successful in business.
Jiang Xu believed that at this point, if he confessed again, Zhou Qingyue would definitely agree.
But who would have expected that what he received would be a heart-breaking piece of news.
Watching the person he loved most, nestled in the arms of another man.
Displaying a smile she had never shown to Jiang Xu.
Jiang Xu also laughed.
But this laugh was full of anger, helplessness, and insanity.
He recognized the other man.
The company's second-largest shareholder, from a very wealthy family.
The man, with his arm around Zhou Qingyue's waist,
Looked at Jiang Xu with a smile and said, "Thank you for taking care of Qingyue for me these years.
When we get married, be sure to come."
Zhou Qingyue also said, "Jiang Xu, the company's development over the years is also due in part to your contribution.
After the company goes public, I'll increase your salary by five hundred."
Jiang Xu laughed, "Wait a moment; I have a surprise for you."
He put down the flowers in his hands.
Jiang Xu ran to the fruit shop next door.
When he came out, he was holding a fruit knife.
A moment later,
Looking at the pair lying in a pool of blood, Jiang Xu emotionlessly ended his own life.
Just before his consciousness descended into darkness,
Jiang Xu's last thought was that if there were an afterlife, he would never spare Zhou Qingyue another glance!
...
No.1 High School, sophomore class 2.
Jiang Xu blankly looked at Zhou Qingyue, beaming beautifully before him, a pure girl with her hair tied in little ponytails.
He looked around again, at the familiar yet naive faces.
Jiang Xu realized that he had reincarnated back to his high school period!
Overwhelming joy surged in his heart.
In his last life, he had done far too many things he shouldn't have, and had far too many regrets.
He didn't expect that God would still give him another chance.
My life, from now on...
Forget it!
If another novel dares to talk about defying fate, Jiang Xu vowed to be the first to get mad!
"Jiang Xu, we're only sophomores now. We should focus on studying."
Jiang Xu was lost in thought when Zhou Qingyue's voice drifted into his ears.
In the past, his mood would improve whenever he heard this voice,
But now, every word made him feel sick.
As if a fresh piece of meat was left to rot and stink without any preservation.
Zhou Qingyue added, "But still, I appreciate that you want to give me a phone. I'll take this gift."
Saying this, she reached out to grab the phone in Jiang Xu's hand.
The year was 2008, and the domestics phone industry was still dominated by Nokia.
Jiang Xu had spent many weekends playing games in the internet cafe and skipping meals,
Just to afford this phone.
His recent grades had suffered a significant drop as a result.
His score was just twenty or so points shy from losing the title of top of the year.
What a damn shame!
Zhou Qingyue's hand was about to touch the phone box,
When Jiang Xu moved quickly to evade her.
"Huh?" Zhou Qingyue's eyes were full of question marks.
Jiang Xu chuckled coldly, "When did I say this phone was for you?"
Zhou Qingyue was stunned, "If you're not giving this phone to me, then who would you give it to?"
At that point, it was the second semester of sophomore year.
Jiang Xu had confessed his feelings to her more than ten times by then.
Always trying to please her.
Even when Zhou Qingyue responded harshly, Jiang Xu remained undeterred, becoming even more eager.
Zhou Qingyue, therefore, felt that Jiang Xu was so dependent on her that she could manipulate him at whim.
"Even if I were to give it to a dog, I wouldn't give it to you!"
Having said that, Jiang Xu sat back down in his seat.
His words stunned the entire class.
Everyone was left with their mouths agape, their faces displaying shock.
As the famous ultimate bootlicker of the school, Jiang Xu was changing his ways?
Zhou Qingyue's face turned pale, and then flushed.
She had never expected Jiang Xu to say such words.
She pointed at Jiang Xu angrily, "You better apologize to me now, or else I will ignore you forever."
What a splendid thing!
Jiang Xu: "Deal!"
Zhou Qingyue: "??!!"
The whole class: "Wow!"
Zhou Qingyue was so angry that she was about to explode. She felt unprecedentedly humiliated.
Being the school beauty, when had she ever been treated like this?
Just as she was about to demand an explanation for Jiang Xu's crazy behavior, the teacher arrived.
So, she had to sit down.
While after Jiang Xu sat back in his place, his gaze was quickly drawn to the unremarkable girl sitting at the last position in the first row.
"It's her…"