Grace's days at the grocery store were usually uneventful—stocking shelves, helping customers, and dealing with her own thoughts. But everything changed when Xu Kai walked in.
Xu Kai, the son of wealthy hotel owners in the estate, was tall, charming, and confident. The moment he saw Grace, he couldn't take his eyes off her. He found himself coming back to the store daily, buying small items just to see her.
One afternoon, as Grace rang up his purchase, she couldn't help but notice his constant visits.
"Do you really need all this gum every day, or is there something else you want?" Grace asked, raising an eyebrow with a small smirk.
Xu Kai leaned on the counter, smiling. "You caught me," he said smoothly. "Baby girl, I don't come here because I like this place—I come here because I like you."
Grace froze, her cheeks turning red. She wasn't used to such direct attention.
Over the next few weeks, Xu Kai continued his visits, charming his way into Grace's heart. Despite her initial hesitation, Grace couldn't resist his persistence and genuine interest. Soon, they were officially dating.
Grace's newfound relationship made her careless with her responsibilities. She started skipping work, spending most of her time texting or calling Xu Kai. Her baby, Huahua, was often left with Juan, who noticed Grace's growing distance.
One evening, Grace excitedly announced her relationship to her mother and Joseph.
"Mom, Joseph, I've found someone. His name is Xu Kai, and he's amazing," Grace said dreamily.
Juan looked up from feeding Huahua. "Are you serious about this, Grace? What about your work and your child?"
"Mom, don't worry about it. Xu Kai and I are in love," Grace said, brushing off her mother's concerns. "But don't tell Felix, okay? He won't understand."
Juan sighed. "Grace, you need to think about your priorities. Felix is doing so much for this family, and you're acting irresponsibly."
"I'm just living my life, Mom. Felix will be fine," Grace said, rolling her eyes as she left the room.
Joseph watched his sister leave, shaking his head. He admired Felix's dedication and couldn't believe Grace was being so selfish.
Meanwhile, Elsa gathered Erica and Linda for a meeting.
"Girls, we need to expand our brand," Elsa said confidently. "Let's start a YouTube channel. We'll show everyone our style, talent, and personalities. It'll make us even more popular."
Erica grinned. "I like the sound of that. What kind of content should we post?"
"Makeup tutorials, fashion hauls, and behind-the-scenes videos of our practices," Linda suggested.
The Barbies agreed and quickly got to work, determined to gain even more fame beyond the school.
As the days passed, Lisa couldn't ignore her growing feelings for Felix.
"He's harsh, cold, and distant, but there's something about him," Lisa confided to Chelsea during a break at school.
Chelsea raised an eyebrow. "Lisa, are you saying you like Felix?"
Lisa hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "I… I don't know. Maybe."
"Girl, you've got it bad," Chelsea teased, nudging her friend.
Lisa sighed, unsure of how to handle her emotions.
The long-awaited school singing competition finally arrived. The Barbies performed first, confidently showcasing their rendition of Blackpink's "Typa Girl." Their moves were sharp, and their vocals were strong, earning loud applause from the audience.
Then, Lisa and her friends took the stage, performing "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" with energy and precision. The crowd went wild, cheering as the girls gave their best.
When the time came for the judges to announce the winner, tension filled the room.
"The decision was incredibly difficult," one judge said, holding the microphone. "Both groups were outstanding. However, the winners of this year's competition are…"
The room went silent.
"…Lisa and her friends!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Lisa's group celebrated their victory. The Barbies, though disappointed, tried to hide their frustration behind forced smiles.
Back at home, Felix was oblivious to the competition and Grace's new relationship. He was focused on his work, determined to keep his family afloat despite the growing pressures.
Though Grace's behavior worried him, Felix couldn't bring himself to confront her. Instead, he silently carried the burden, keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself.
But deep down, he knew he couldn't continue this way forever.