Before the college entrance exam, my childhood friend fell for a delinquent athlete.

She spent all her time with him, skipped exams for him, and even gave away her most cherished possession.

Unable to bear her decline, I told her parents.

The situation escalated, and the athlete was severely beaten by his father, vanishing from our lives.

Years later, at our wedding, hearing news of his death, she set fire to our wedding house.

“It’s all your fault he’s dead!

The person standing here should have been him and me!

Go to hell and atone!” The raging flames illuminated her contorted face.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in high school.

01

“Please, my dear friend, just help me out. Tell a little white lie, say we went to the library together!”

The voice grew clearer.

I shouted and looked up. The pain from the burning flames disappeared.

Seeing that lovely face, I instinctively took a step back.

Anna immediately got annoyed.

“Gavin, if you’re not going to help, fine, but why the frightened look? I’m not going to eat you!”

I stood there, stunned, suddenly realizing I had been reborn! Seeing my odd state, Anna grabbed my wrist and shook it.

“Gavin, what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me.”

Her worried expression didn’t seem fake. But it was true that ten years later, she burned me alive for Scott.

02
Anna was like her name, gentle and pure as moonlight.

On the first day of high school, dressed in a white dress, she stood on stage, elegantly playing the violin, captivating the hearts of countless smitten boys.

Everyone called her the White Moonlight. Someone unattainable, illuminating everyone equally but forever out of reach.

And I was the envy of every boy in school.

Quiet and reserved, Anna was just acquaintances with everyone else.

Of course, except me.

Our families were neighbors, and we often visited each other.

When we were young, her parents, busy with work, would often leave Anna at my place.

Friends joked, “You’re so lucky, getting the girl next door! Don’t forget to invite me to your wedding!” I

thought I was different.

I believed it was fate that brought me and Anna together. Until Scott appeared.

03

Scott was a sports student in our school, aloof and troubled.

But he had a handsome face, one glance enough to captivate Anna.

She went crazy trying to get close to him. In my previous life, unable to withstand her pleading, I agreed to help deceive her parents, allowing her to go off and play with Scott.

From then on, “Scott” was often on her lips.

“I’ve never met someone so broken before.”

“He’s really pitiful, losing his mom at a young age, with a drunkard for a dad.”

“He’s insecure. He says I’m his only light, that I brighten his world.”

Hearing this, my heart ached, but I could do nothing.

Later, Anna drifted away from me, becoming inseparable from Scott.

She started skipping classes, even abandoned the mock exam for him.

Then, I saw the goddess adored by the entire school, holding Scott’s arm, looking satisfied, outside a seedy motel.

Finally, when her parents asked where she’d been, I chose to tell the truth.

Her parents were furious, causing a scene at school and threatening to call the police.

Scott’s father flew into a rage, beating him relentlessly.

No one could stop him.

After that, Scott vanished from our lives.

Everything seemed to return to normal.

Years later, I married Anna.

At the wedding, a high school classmate, drunk, said with a smile, “Remember Scott? After dropping out, he went wild at a club. Last month, he was killed by a rich woman’s husband. It made the news, check it out!”

Anna paled. That night, while I was drunk, she burned down our wedding house.

“You’re the reason he’s dead! I could have saved him! We could have had a great future!”

“I married you because I was tired of playing around, needed someone to take responsibility! Gavin, you’re a complete yes-man!”

“Every day with you was torture! Now, I’m finally free!”

“Go to hell and atone!”

The flames illuminated her twisted face.

I never expected her to hold a grudge against me for so many years because of Scott!

Losing consciousness in her crazed laughter, I screamed inwardly.

Perhaps Heaven heard my cry, giving me a second chance!

This time, I wouldn’t repeat my mistakes!

04

Anna touched my forehead.

“Are you okay? Did you freeze waiting for me?”

I shook my head and, meeting her hopeful gaze, slowly spoke, “Go play with Scott. From now on, I won’t wait for you after evening self-study.”

Anna frowned, surprised.

“Why are you being so petty, Gavin? I can’t only have you as a friend.

Scott’s a decent fellow; you’ll like him if you get acquainted with him.”

She thought I was sulking.

“I know you all see him as a troublemaker, but it’s because of his messed-up family. He’s just gone down the wrong path. I’ll save him!”

In her previous life, she approached Scott with this mindset.

But later, she told me, “Stop bothering me. Scott’s right, why not have fun while we’re young? Life’s short, enjoy it!”

When she stared into the abyss, the abyss stared back.

She failed to save anyone, instead becoming like Scott.

This time, I chose to bless her. “Good luck saving him.”

Just then, Scott emerged from a side alley, walking toward us.

His sinister gaze locked onto me, as if I’d stolen something from him.

He told Anna, “Let me send you home.” Ignoring him, she suspiciously stared at me.

“Gavin, what’s up with you today? You’re acting weird.”

I remained silent, hurrying home.

Anna stomped behind me, fuming.

” If you don’t want to wait, fine, I don’t care! You’ll beg me to hang out with you someday, nerd!”

I genuinely wished her well.

This life, let her chase after what she wanted.

I respected her destiny.

05

I used to lavish attention on Anna.

College entrance exams were like crossing a single log bridge with thousands of soldiers.

How could I be distracted? In the end, I only managed to enter a mediocre top-tier university.

I could have done better. With less than four months until the exam, I was determined to give it my all.

Anna sought me out.

Her appearance attracted attention.

Despite the baggy blue uniform, her beauty couldn’t be concealed, making her look even more youthful.

My desk mate nudged me, winking. “She must be here for you.”

As expected, Anna came straight to me, handing me a bag.

“Mom asked me to bring this. It’s a local specialty she brought back on a business trip.”

Without looking up from my scratch paper, I replied, “Thanks, put it down. Tell Auntie thanks for me.”

Anna didn’t move.

I lifted my head, seeing her frown and complain, “Gavin, I carried it over! Why aren’t you thanking me?”

“Thanks,” I said tersely.

She glared at me, about to speak, then left.

My desk mate advised, “You two fought?

“Lately, I haven’t seen you walk together. “

“C’mon, the goddess came to make peace. Don’t be so stubborn, take the olive branch.”

I denied it. Soon, word reached Scott.

After physical education class, a basketball smashed into the back of my head.

I turned, seeing Scott’s darkened face.

“I’ll beat you up. If I win, you stay away from Anna.”

“Get your facts straight.”

I didn’t want to argue.

I still had homework to do.

He got angry.

“Could it be Anna’s chasing you? Think you’re something because you grew up with her? She doesn’t like wimps like you!”

For any man, being called a wimp was a huge insult, especially since I was mature inside.

He punched me, taunting, “Wimp! Come on!”

My glasses flew off, blurring my vision. Scott’s punches were fast and fierce, but I wasn’t defenseless.

As a child, my weak health prompted Mom to teach me taekwondo.

Scott fought without skill, relying on brute force. We exchanged blows, neither gaining the upper hand.

Until Anna screamed, rushing over and slapping me on the cheek.

Her hand stung.

It was the first time I’d been slapped.

She hit me with full force, her palm red, arms trembling.

She angrily questioned me, “Gavin, are you insane? Why are you bullying Scott?!”

Her resentful gaze very anxious to stab me a thousand times.

Scott received preferential treatment.

She gently helped him up, worry etched on her face.

She tiptoed, blowing air on his face.

I had to admit they looked good together, a match made in heaven.

Anna asked anxiously, “Does it hurt?”

Scott merely brushed it off, “I’m used to it.”

This made Anna even more upset.

To vent for Scott, she crushed my glasses underfoot right before me.

These glasses were a gift from Anna.

When she was sixteen, she’d won a violin competition and had specially used her prize money to buy them for me.

Her mother mentioned that she’d spent ages selecting them, guessing repeatedly which pair I’d like, which would suit me best.

“This young miss never put so much effort into picking gifts for me or her dad!”

Blushing, Anna teased, “Mom, stop it.”

Back then, I cherished everything she gave me.

In my previous life, I’d even preserved these glasses, planning to share our love story with our child one day.

Thinking about it now, it seems quite laughable.

Anna pointed at my nose and scolded, “Gavin, you’re nothing but a damn bastard! A monstrous creature without empathy!”

“Let me tell you, ‘It’s over between us. We’re no longer friends!'”

Oddly, hearing this didn’t hurt; I just found them irritating.

I got up, brushed off the dust, and said, “Since these glasses were your gift, it’s fine they’re broken. I took that slap, but if there’s a next time, I won’t be so lenient.”

“Tell your Scott to keep his distance. I’m too busy for this teenage drama, got no time for it.”

Scott was just a hopeless mess, and only Anna was naive enough to dream of rescuing him during her own hectic senior year.

If she wanted to be his savior, that was her choice—it no longer concerned me.

06

Anna unilaterally froze me out.

Whenever she saw me, she’d look away, treating me as if I didn’t exist.

That had always been the case.

Once I upset her, she’d refuse to speak to me until I apologized and sought peace.

I welcomed the tranquility, and my motivation to study intensified.

Soon, the first mock exam arrived, unannounced.

I studied diligently and felt pretty good about my performance.

Afterward, classmates gathered, eagerly debating answers.

Someone mentioned, “Did you hear? Anna skipped the exam! No sign of her all afternoon! Her teacher’s looking for her everywhere!”

Anna had always been a big deal in our school. Even though we weren’t in the same class, I’d often hear news about her from my peers.

Someone sparked the conversation, and everyone eagerly jumped in to discuss her.

Bored, I gathered my belongings and headed home for dinner.

On my way, I saw Scott with Anna.

She’d undergone a significant transformation—her waist-length hair was now a short cut, and she sported dramatic makeup with black lipstick.

Despite the changes, she was undeniably still beautiful.

Scott gloated triumphantly, “She was ready to give up exam for me.

Would she do the same for you, Gavin? You’re just a loder!”

I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. “It’s ‘loser,’ not ‘loder.'”

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Scott’s face.

“I’ll say what I want! It’s none of your damn business! Just keep being your nerdy self.

no girl will ever like you, anyway!”

Does he assume all girls are as superficial as he is?

Anna nestled into his embrace, pouring her heart out. “Scott, now you believe I love you the most, don’t you? I’d give up anything for you.”

“You’re not allowed to threaten me with a breakup anymore. I can’t survive without you!”

Scott appeared genuinely touched, taking her hand and kneeling on one knee.

“Anna, you’re the ray of light that heaven sent me. Thanks for shining your light on me.”

I was rendered speechless and started walking away.

Behind me, they embraced and kissed passionately as if the world didn’t exist, playing out a scene straight from a teen drama.

Later, to cover up the lie, Anna actually pretended to injure her right hand, claiming a wrist fracture as the reason for not taking the exam.

Anna’s Mother panicked. “What are we going to do? How will she study like this? The college entrance exam is just around the corner!”

Anna appeared nonchalant.

“I’ll just retake the year if I have to. It’s no big deal. Mom, I’m so smart; I’ll score even better next year!”

Anna’s Mother sighed repeatedly, imploring me, “Gavin, your grades are good. If you have time, please help Anna.”

When the first mock exam results were released, I ranked in the top ten of the grades.

In my previous life, my best result was hovering outside the top ten.

Our homeroom teacher took a liking to me, saying I might be the dark horse of this year.

Before I could respond, Anna exclaimed, “No way! I don’t want him teaching me!”

Anna’s mom looked embarrassed, defending Anna, “Well, it’s senior year, and Gavin needs to focus on himself too.”

My mother was heartbroken, her eyes rimmed red as she asked Anna if she was in pain. She had watched Anna grow up and treated her like a half-daughter.

Anna, however, smiled happily. “Aunt, I’m not in any pain at all.”

After the adults left, she scoffed at me.

“Don’t pity me. Love can ease pain.

This minor injury doesn’t matter.”

“You’re just a bookworm who knows how to study. Don’t think you can get arrogant because my mom praised you!”

“Stay away from me from now on. I’m afraid Scott will misunderstand!”

Saying this, she picked up the orange my mom peeled for her and threw it straight into the trash bin.

“I won’t eat anything of yours. They’re as disgusting as you are.”

I didn’t take her words to heart, still basking in the joy of ranking in the top ten.

If not for my mom pulling me, I wouldn’t have come to see her at all.

07

After ‘breaking’ her wrist, Anna became even more reckless, spending every day playing with Scott.

On Sunday, while my mom was busy in the kitchen, she suddenly said, “Gavin, go invite Anna over for dinner.”

I wasn’t willing, but my mom frowned and complained, “What are you two fighting about now? Anna’s wrist is injured, and your uncle and Aunt are both out of town. She’s alone at home, poor thing.”

“Listen, you’re a man. Be more generous and give her some leeway. Be a good boy and ask Anna to come over.”

In my mom’s eyes, Anna was still that obedient and sensible girl who loved to cuddle in her arms.

I thought about it and went out anyway.

I’d just circle back later and tell my mom that Anna wasn’t home.

Anna lived next door.

Coquettish laughter came from her house.

As an adult, I knew what was happening.

Just as I was about to turn back, the door suddenly opened.

Scott stood there shirtless, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

An indescribable scent filled the air.

“Four-eyed dork, enjoyed eavesdropping, did you? Should I charge you for it?”

Behind him, Anna was hastily buttoning her clothes, her hair disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and obvious hickeys on her neck.

More surprisingly, her right hand was perfectly fine.

So she had been faking it.

There was no fracture at all. I hadn’t expected them to be so bold, doing such things when no one was home.

Scott pushed against my shoulder, his gaze fierce.

“Keep staring, and I’ll gouge your eyeballs out. You virgin who’s never seen a woman before.” Anna walked over and threatened me.

“Gavin, you’re not allowed to tell my parents, or I can’t guarantee what Scott will do to you!”

Her swollen, tender lips had bite marks on them.

To avoid trouble, I said, “My mom invited you for dinner, but if you’re not home, then forget it.”

Scott laughed satisfactorily, kissed her, and passed her the smoke ring.

Before leaving, I threw out a final warning. “By the way, don’t provoke me anymore, or I might accidentally let something slip.”