I sponsored a financially disadvantaged classmate, who became my only close friend during college.

Over four years, she used my supplementary credit card to build connections with school leaders and ultimately took my chance to study abroad.

In anger, I decided to fund my own overseas education, but on the way to the airport, I was tragically killed in a car accident caused by her father.

My parents were devastated and returned home, while she assumed my identity as a wealthy heiress.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn, back to the day when I was ostracized by the entire school.

——

"Why isn't Tina back yet? It feels like the dorm is full of germs without her!"

"Come on, she just went to the mall. Why are you so anxious?"

"You don't get it! I've been eyeing that brand's new limited-edition bag. It's launching today, and if I miss it, I'll be devastated."

A roommate covered her face, feigning a dreamy expression.

I was just coming to terms with the fact that I had been reborn.

In my previous life, I never joined their activities, and only before I died did I discover Tina had been using my supplementary card to pay for everything.

Everyone eagerly watched the door, glancing at me with disdain as I sat there, absorbed in my phone.

Just then, Tina walked in, wearing the latest trendy dress.

The moment she saw me, panic flickered in her eyes.

She stepped forward and tried to take my hand, but I subtly avoided her touch.

Unfazed, she asked, "Yuna, what are you doing here? Don't you have a business class this afternoon?"

I looked into her guilty eyes and realized how foolish I had been.

At the start of the semester, Tina had convinced me to rent an off-campus apartment, claiming the dorm was too complicated for me.

So I moved out, while she used my card to treat everyone and spread rumors that I was living off a sugar daddy.

When I returned to campus, I was ostracized by everyone.

She would say, "See, they're just hard to get along with."

I had often felt grateful to have her as a friend.

It wasn't until she used my money to bribe teachers for four years and stole my study abroad opportunity that I realized the truth.

When I protested, everyone accused me of being ungrateful.

Teachers claimed Tina had been covering for me every night I didn't return to the dorm.

Classmates said she did all my assignments.

Some even said they saw me dancing in nightclubs to earn money, with Tina deleting the evidence.

Only then did I understand what kind of ingrate I had supported.

Unable to see the truth, I chose to fund my own studies abroad, only to be killed by Tina's gambling-addicted father.

I had once saved her from her father, but she became the dagger that stabbed me.

She even offered to take care of my parents to spare them grief, smoothly taking over my identity.

Looking at her gentle yet deceitful face now, I wanted nothing more than to tear it apart.

This time, without me, let's see how she performs her act!

Seeing Tina's anxious and flustered expression, I smiled and said, "Tina, I was planning to ask you to go shopping. I overheard them talking about the mall. Are you going out? Let's go together; it's been a while since we last shopped."

As soon as I finished speaking, Tina's face turned pale, just like when I first met her.

Back then, I was in a rural area with my teacher for an event.

She wore oversized adult clothes that hung loosely on her, and her eyes were filled with envy.

When no one was around, she quietly stood beside me and said timidly, "You're so lucky. I wish I had a teacher like that... I wish I could go to school."

Without hesitation, I called my parents overseas and told them I wanted to sponsor a girl to go to school.

I still remember her expression when she heard those words—her lips trembled, and her dirt-streaked face was a mix of tears and smiles.

We became best friends after that, and everything I had, she shared.

But unlike her, I didn't have other friends.

It wasn't until later that I discovered she had been telling others that I was a child she brought out of the mountains—shy and introverted.

To appease her gambling-addicted father, I transferred him a hundred thousand every month to ensure he wouldn't bother Tina.

At that time, her eyes were full of gratitude.

To repay me, she would tell me about every classmate's behavior, claiming they bullied others.

After witnessing it once, I completely believed her.

So, when she suggested I move off-campus during college, I immediately bought a place.

Since I was preparing to take over the family business, I decided to take online courses from home.

Little did I know, she used this opportunity to spread rumors at school that I was living off wealthy men and that my money was dirty.

Yet she treated me well, saying everyone has their own choices and that being poor wasn't my fault.

Since we had both come from the same high school, everyone quickly believed her.

In front of me, however, she showed a different side, constantly badmouthing our roommates, just like she did in high school.

Now, she was trying to drag me out again, whispering in my ear, "You have no idea how awful these people are. If I don't go shopping with them and buy them things, they'll isolate me in the dorm!"

Our roommates overheard the word "shopping" and started pointing fingers at me.

"Shopping? She just wants Tina to buy her things again. So shameless!"

"Exactly! I saw online that some women wear clothes and return them before the refund period ends. It's disgusting!"

With every word they said, Tina's face grew paler.

In the eyes of the entire school, I was the one being sponsored by Tina.

Any nice thing I had was seen as having an improper source.

To them, I was dirtier than a sewer rat.

And the source of all these negative perceptions was this friend I considered my bestie.

Feigning ignorance, I smiled at Tina, whose expression was becoming increasingly unnatural.

When we got to the store, I was about to go in when she pulled me aside and whispered, "Yuna, the store clerk has already sent the new items to you. You don't need to go in. It'll be crowded and annoying later, and they're hard to please!"

I raised an eyebrow, smiling as I headed into the store.

"What's so difficult about it? That's all the more reason for me to help. No worries, I'm familiar with Hermès bags. Let me recommend some."

With that, I walked into the store, sat on the sofa, and enjoyed a cup of coffee before getting up.

As soon as I left, a few roommates wiped down the spot where I'd been sitting with alcohol wipes, sarcastically telling the sales associate, "Your brand should really pay attention to hygiene. It's summer, and clothes are thin. Don't spread any viruses."

I smirked inwardly but kept a friendly expression as I approached Tina to show her the bags.

One roommate rolled her eyes and used a tissue to pull me away.

"What do you know? You think you've seen more than Tina? If you can't afford it, don't touch it. They'll have to disinfect it after you."

Another whispered something to the sales associate, whose smile froze.

She looked at me cautiously, put on a mask, and said, "Miss, we have a sofa over there for resting. Please don't disturb other customers."

I nodded indifferently.

"That's fine. The new collection has already been delivered to my home, so I'll just go rest."

Normally, the flagship store's top sales associate contacts me directly with new releases, and I'm always the first to get them.

Hearing this, the roommates looked at me with even more disdain.

"An older man really knows how to spoil someone. He's old enough to be her dad, yet she still goes for it..."

They flocked to Tina, practically worshipping her.

"There aren't many like our Tina—beautiful and kind-hearted. Some people may look good, but they act like they've never seen money before."

Tina basked in the compliments, her smile stretching to her ears.

The next moment, she happily waved her hand, inviting everyone to pick whatever they liked, saying she'd cover all the expenses.

The roommates praised her even more, and Tina's false eyelashes nearly fluttered off from her laughter.

I sat on the sofa, leisurely enjoying some dessert, wondering if she'd still be smiling when it came time to pay.

The group quickly dispersed, finding the new items they had scouted online, and lined up at the register.

Tina, eyes smiling, pulled out the supplementary card I had given her five years ago.

The roommates were already outside, waiting with their bags.

But after entering the password, the payment didn't go through.

Each failed attempt filled her eyes with anxiety, and sweat beaded on her forehead.

The roommates, chatting outside, finally sensed something was wrong and came in to ask, "What's going on?"

Tina's eyes quickly darted to me, as I sat calmly sipping my milkshake.

She forced an awkward smile and said, "Could it be that your payment account is restricted by the bank? Maybe you should check with them."