As the final piano note faded, the bell rang. Lila rose to leave, but Vanessa grabbed her arm.
"Lila, how do you play like that?" Vanessa's eyes narrowed, disbelief dripping from her voice. "Jo An barely gives you pocket change. What, did you hook up with some sugar daddy? Shameless—"
Slap!
Lila's hand cracked across Vanessa's face, swift and unyielding.
Vanessa froze, clutching her cheek, eyes wide with shock. "You hit me? I struck a nerve, didn't I? You're nothing but a two-timing—"
Lila's sneer was icy, her gaze dripping with contempt. "My piano skills are none of your business. Stop projecting your filthy thoughts onto me."
"Exactly!" Wendy jumped in, fists clenched. "You framed her at the engagement banquet, and now you're slandering her again? Have you no shame?"
With that, Wendy grabbed Lila and stormed out, leaving Vanessa stomping in rage, her face dark as a storm cloud.
Not one to quit, Vanessa chased them outside, shrieking, "Lila!"
Lila spun around, her smile cold as steel. "Vanessa, I used to let you slide because you weren't worth my time. Now? You cross me once, I'll hit back threefold."
Her words landed like a blade, freezing Vanessa in place. Recovering, Vanessa whipped out her phone, dialing with a fake sob. "Lu Zhe, you've got to rein in your fiancée! She slapped me at school and threatened to ruin me…"
Her voice was syrupy, laced with crocodile tears. Hanging up, her red-rimmed eyes glinted with a venomous smirk. "Lila, Lu Zhe will never love you. You're doomed to lose."
After class, Lila and Wendy headed to their restaurant shifts. At the campus gate, a gaggle of girls swarmed a silver-gray Rolls-Royce Phantom—Lu Zhe's car.
Lila's lips twitched into a wry smile. She had no intention of approaching and moved to slip past.
But Vanessa's sugary voice cut through. "Lu Zhe, you came for me? Oh, look, it's Lila! Give her a ride, won't you?"
Lila's smile was polite but razor-thin. "No thanks."
She glanced at Lu Zhe, catching the moment his warm expression iced over, as if she'd betrayed him somehow.
Vanessa pounced, reaching for his arm, but Lu Zhe sidestepped her effortlessly.
"Lu Zhe, I'm so upset…" she whined, batting her lashes.
Wendy muttered to Lila, "What an Oscar-worthy act."
Lila rolled her eyes, tugging Wendy along. "Let's go. This circus isn't my scene."
Wendy blinked. "But you're his fiancée!"
"Sure," Lila said dryly. "But with his 'queen' by his side, I'm just a nobody."
Noticing Lu Zhe's subtle distance from Vanessa, Lila's heart sparked with hope. The seed of doubt is sprouting.
Before they got far, Lu Zhe's voice boomed, "Lila, stop."
She froze, barely turning before he strode up—
Slap!
A stinging blow landed on her cheek, sharp and merciless.
Lila clutched her face, fury blazing. "Lu Zhe, have you lost your mind?!"
His face was a mask of frost, his voice clipped. "Apologize."
"For what?" she snapped. "Vanessa's lies? You believe her, but not a word I say?"
Her laugh was bitter, her heart crumbling. "I thought you were starting to see me. But Vanessa's still the one in your heart."
She grabbed Wendy and walked away, pain flickering in her eyes.
No more chasing Lu Zhe. Let him trust whoever he wants.
Lila's mood was sour as she worked her restaurant shift, but her mind was already plotting. The upcoming campus entrepreneurship contest was her next move.
Last life, Vanessa won with a stolen project, "Global Member Pass," bought from a desperate senior. This time, Lila would beat her to it. With the contest weeks away, she needed funds—and fast.
After work, she told Wendy, "We're entering the contest. I've got a killer project. Recruit some solid teammates, and let's make sure Vanessa knows."
Wendy grinned, flashing an OK sign. "I know what you're up to!"
The next day, Lila donned a blue-and-white floral dress, vibrant and youthful. She met the senior at a campus café to discuss the project.
Their talk was electric. Lila pitched, "This idea isn't just contest-worthy—it could land a national patent."
"Deal," he said. "I'll have a draft in three days."
The meeting was a success, and Lila buzzed with energy. She met Wendy for their evening shift, brimming with purpose.
Wendy leaned in, sly. "How do you know Vanessa will take the bait?"
Lila smirked. "She can't resist crushing me. The second she sees me winning, she'll lose it."
Wendy nodded, then softened. "Lila, you've changed so much."
Lila met her friend's gaze, her voice firm. "My old 'kindness' was weakness. Now, I'm fighting for you, for me, for my future."
Wendy's eyes sparkled with warmth. "I love the new you." They finished cleaning tables, grabbed late-night snacks, and headed home.
Lila pushed open her door—and froze.
Lu Zhe was sprawled on her couch, casually watching TV.
He glanced up, unfazed. "Don't look so shocked. This is my place too. I'm staying here for a bit."
Lila's brow creased. "Didn't you say you can't stand me? Why bother stirring up trouble?"
His eyes narrowed, irritation flaring. "You're my fiancée. Do I need a reason?"
Truth was, Vanessa's gossip about Lila cozying up to some guy had gotten under his skin. He'd had her followed, and sure enough, she'd spent hours with a man at a café. The thought left a sour taste.
Lila met his scowl with a saccharine smile. "Should I roll out the welcome mat? Fine, stay—just don't act like I'm in your way."
That night, Lila changed into pajamas and headed for the bathroom. She swung open the door—
And found Lu Zhe half-undressed.
She yelped, slamming the door shut. "You don't lock the door when you shower?!"
"You don't knock?" he shot back, infuriatingly smug.
Lila groaned, retreating to heat her snack. When Lu Zhe emerged, he eyed the empty takeout containers on the table, his brow furrowing. "I haven't eaten. Make me something."
Lila, halfway to the bathroom, tossed back, "Sorry, busy."
Her phone buzzed on the table—a call from the senior. Lu Zhe picked it up.
"Lila, let's meet at the café tomorrow. I've got a surprise—"
Lu Zhe hung up, his face darkening. She's really meeting guys behind my back?
The phone rang again. He ignored it.
Lila, fresh from her shower, noticed three missed calls. Glancing around—no Lu Zhe in sight—she dialed back, oblivious to him lurking behind the door, his gaze cold as ice.
"Sorry, I missed your call," she said, chatting with the senior for nearly an hour, her voice light and engaged.
Lu Zhe's fists clenched. Who is this guy she's so cozy with?
The next morning, Lila woke to find Lu Zhe sipping tea in the living room, his expression unreadable.
She breezed past, ready to leave.
"Where are you going?" He stood, grabbing her collar. "I'll drive you."
"No need," she said, pulling away. "I've got this."
He smirked, his tone dripping with suspicion. "Oh, I'm curious to see which guy you're sneaking off to meet."
Before she could protest, he dragged her to his car, Lila's mind reeling. What the hell is he playing at?