Chapter 1

While other classes have four beauties, our class has the four ugliest girls. My desk mate is one of them, with extra long bangs, very unfashionable clothes, and she doesn't talk much. The other students tend to bully her, and I don't really like talking to her either.

However, as a desk mate, she is quite dedicated. She often lends me her homework to copy and warns me when the teacher is outside the window, so I try to take care of her as much as possible.

I remember one time, I was half-asleep and noticed my desk mate's shoulders shaking as if she was crying.

I sat up in confusion and saw a piece of paper in her hand with seven crooked words written on it:

"You are so fucking ugly!"

Not only was I angry for my desk mate, but I was also furious. How could someone be so mean?

I stood up and shouted, "Wang Baocheng, are you fucking crazy?"

It was obvious that Wang Baocheng was the culprit; he was the only one in our class who would do something so despicable.

Sure enough, Wang Baocheng stood up and said, "Zuo Fei, what's it got to do with you? You just think you're safe because Binzi is protecting you, right?"

The teacher was also angry, "Both of you, sit down!"

So, Wang Baocheng and I both sat down. My desk mate was still crying, and I said, "Stop crying, I'll deal with him later."

Then I quickly sent a text to Binzi, asking him to come to our class after class, as I didn't think I could beat Wang Baocheng.

As soon as the class ended, the door to our classroom was kicked open.

"Zuo Fei, what's up?" Binzi asked, still as domineering as ever.

Before I could say anything, Wang Baocheng stood up and started babbling, "I was just joking with Lin Ke'er, I don't know why Zuo Fei got so angry and started cursing me."

I stood up and shouted, "Why the hell shouldn't I curse you? You fucking bully her for no reason?"

Binzi immediately said, "Wang Baocheng, come with me!"

Wang Baocheng immediately wilted and had to follow Binzi out.

I told my desk mate, "Don't cry, no one will bully you anymore," and then I also ran out.

Needless to say, Binzi helped me get even and beat Wang Baocheng up badly. Wang Baocheng came back and apologized to Lin Ke'er.

This was a pretty ordinary incident, and I thought it was over, but I didn't expect there to be more to it.

A few days later, Binzi and I were smoking in the restroom. He asked me, "Zuo Fei, I heard you and Lin Ke'er are dating?"

I was stunned, "How is that possible?"

"Everyone is saying you two are dating."

"Shit, I would never like that ugly girl."

"Be careful then, and make sure to clear things up with Lin Ke'er so people don't keep spreading rumors."

Back in the classroom, I felt guilty looking at Lin Ke'er, but she seemed to be her usual self.

However, I soon noticed something was off.

First, Lin Ke'er's gaze towards me had changed; she would look at me with a tender expression during class. Second, when she bought snacks, she would also get some for me, like instant noodles and sausages. Finally, wherever I went to play, she would follow me quietly, like cheering me on when I played basketball.

From all these signs, I realized that Lin Ke'er seemed to be attached to me!

I felt very awkward. No wonder people were saying we were dating; we had become so close without me realizing it!

I thought about it and decided to clear things up with her, but I was afraid of hurting her feelings, so I tried to hint at it. For example, I wouldn't look at her when she looked at me, I wouldn't accept the food she bought for me, and I would immediately avoid her when she was around.

However, I gradually realized that these tactics were ineffective. We were already seen as a couple by everyone, and we were often paired together for activities, blackboard duties, and cleaning shifts. Even the teacher seemed to have accepted it, and never separated us when changing seats. My life seemed to be tied to this ugly girl.

To put it mildly, I was very depressed during that period. I had been flirting with a girl from another class, but that also fell through because of this. I was extremely frustrated, feeling like I was about to explode.

The incident happened on my birthday. I invited Binzi and others to have dinner together. In the private room of the restaurant, everyone was singing and dancing, having a great time. Just as we were about to cut the cake, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Lin Ke'er walked in!

"Zuo Fei, happy birthday!"

Lin Ke'er shouted, opened her palm, and handed me a silver ring.

Everyone laughed, clapped, and cheered for us to kiss.

And Lin Ke'er really lowered her head, as if waiting for me to kiss her.

The anger that had been building up for days exploded in that moment. This was the last straw.

I did something very despicable, roaring and throwing the silver ring at Lin Ke'er's face.

"Get lost, I will never be with an ugly girl!"

Lin Ke'er was stunned for a moment, then picked up the ring and ran away in a flustered manner.

I was also stunned, sitting down like an old dog, feeling guilty and uneasy.

"Bro, you went too far," Binzi patted my shoulder.

"Apologize to her tomorrow," Binzi added.

I nodded, knowing I had no choice.

The next morning, I came to school prepared to apologize, but Lin Ke'er's seat was empty. The same thing happened for the next few days, and even the teacher didn't know where she was.

I was very worried, thinking something might have happened to Lin Ke'er. If that were the case, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

A week later, the teacher said Lin Ke'er had transferred to another school, and I felt a bit relieved.

Throughout my middle school years, I never saw Lin Ke'er again, but I knew I owed her an apology. If I ever saw her again, I would stand in front of her and say sorry!

After middle school graduation, my father's job was transferred, and our family moved to another city.

There, I saw Lin Ke'er again, but she had changed dramatically.

...

Before moving, Binzi told me to be strong in the new school and not let anyone look down on me. I said I understood and wouldn't let him down, and maybe I could even become a leader. Of course, I was joking; I didn't like causing trouble.

However, after moving, I received an anonymous text: "Idiot, no more Binzi to protect you, see how you get played."

I didn't know who sent it, but I had beaten up many people in middle school, so I couldn't retaliate.

But I knew many people were waiting to see me fail, as the two cities were not far apart. I thought, "We'll see, I don't believe I can't make it in the new school. Even if I don't become a leader, I won't be beaten up every day."

I didn't expect to be proven wrong so soon.

On the first day of school, I was quite happy because the school was far from home, and I could finally live on campus. Kids who haven't lived on campus before are usually very excited.

We were assigned classes and dorms, and then had a welcome meeting for new students. It was very boring, just the school leaders droning on, making me drowsy. Just as I was about to fall asleep, a voice suddenly rang out.

The voice was the same volume as the previous droning, but to me, it sounded like a distant thunder, loud and clear, echoing in my mind!

"Please welcome the new student representative, Lin Ke'er, to speak!"

The moment I heard this, my mind went blank, and I immediately suppressed my emotions, looking up at the stage. A beautiful young girl walked up.

The crowd immediately buzzed, and someone crudely said, "This girl is so damn pretty!"

My heart was pounding. I recognized her; it was my former desk mate, Lin Ke'er! She had changed so much in two years, taller, with a better figure, and dressed fashionably. She exuded confidence, with straight hair and a pink hair clip, looking incredibly pure and cute.

They say girls change a lot after eighteen, and I saw it with my own eyes today!

I was in a daze, my mind buzzing, and I didn't hear what Lin Ke'er said. It wasn't until the meeting ended that I realized I still owed her an apology. Now, the opportunity was right in front of me!

I immediately rushed into the crowd to find her, but she was already gone. I consoled myself, thinking we were in the same school, so there would be many more chances to meet.

Next, we had a small meeting in the classroom, where the teacher asked everyone to introduce themselves. I didn't remember many people, just two: one was Ma Jie, who volunteered to be the class president; the other was Liu Yina, who was very pretty and talented in singing and dancing.

After the introductions, the teacher talked about the military training, which was to start in the afternoon and last for fifteen days. I hated it, but there was nothing I could do. During the break, a group of boys surrounded Liu Yina, asking for her WeChat, and I joined in, just for fun. I accidentally bumped her arm, and she stood up and said, "Are you crazy?"

I was stunned, not reacting at first, because no one had ever talked to me like that in middle school.

Liu Yina sat down and continued joking with the other boys, and no one paid attention to me. I felt very sad, the contrast with my middle school days was hard to bear.

I went out, hoping to run into Lin Ke'er and apologize, maybe catch up a bit. Since there were only about seven or eight classrooms in our grade, I checked each one. When I got to Class 6, a few people were coming out, three boys and one girl, who was Lin Ke'er. She looked even prettier up close. I smiled and called out, "Lin Ke'er!"

Lin Ke'er was clearly stunned, and a boy with long hair next to her said, "Who the hell are you? Get lost."

I was stunned again; this was the second time someone had talked to me like that in this school. I immediately remembered the anonymous text I received before moving, and a surge of defiance came over me.

Lin Ke'er and the others had already walked away, and I angrily chased after them. I saw them cornering Lin Ke'er, and the long-haired boy was touching her chin. I knew what was happening and shouted, "What the hell did you say just now?"

The three boys were stunned, and Lin Ke'er said, "What's it got to do with you? Get lost."

This was the third person to curse me today.