I stood frozen, suddenly realizing—the scene in front of me was the night before the college entrance exam.

I pinched myself. It hurt. Tears fell instantly.

I had really been reborn.

The laughter around me faded. The ones who had just mocked me now fell silent.

“Did we go too far? She’s only doing this for our own good…” someone murmured.

Sophie’s eyes turned red as she choked out, “Emma, I didn’t know you hated me so much that you’d curse everyone to fail. We’re in the Rocket Class. How could we mess up just for celebrating my birthday?”

Ethan stepped up, shielding her protectively, his eyes full of disdain.

“Don’t worry,” he sneered, “we’re not like you—so scared of an exam you run to the toilet a dozen times, and then still do badly because of it.”

“It’s just the college entrance exam. Geniuses like us can breeze through it.”

The class burst into laughter.

I clenched my fists. My chest tightened.

During the class placement exam in our second year, the pressure wrecked my stomach. I kept needing the bathroom, constantly interrupting my concentration. I didn’t make the Rocket Class cut-off.

After the test, I hid in the library, silently crying.

Back then, Ethan had found me. He gently wiped away my tears, concern written all over his face.

“I asked Auntie to make you some porridge. I know you’re upset. But if you didn’t do well this time, you’ll do better next time. I’ll help you catch up. We’ll go to the same university.”

I truly believed our quiet romance would lead to something beautiful.

Then Sophie transferred in. Everything changed.

I took a deep breath and relaxed my hands.

Ignoring their laughter, I calmly packed my bag.

“You’re right,” I said quietly. “In that case, I hope you all have fun.”

They were stunned. I didn’t yell or cry like they’d expected.

The laughter froze. The room was quiet.

Some students awkwardly shrugged and changed the subject, discussing drinks.

“Fruit wine’s only three percent. No way that’ll mess up the exam.”

I scoffed silently.

That bar’s “fruit wine” could knock out a grown man with one glass.

Dad’s hospital had seen more than a few teens come in with alcohol poisoning—most from that place.

In my last life, I’d tried to stop them because of that.

In this one, I wouldn’t waste my breath.

I slung my bag over my shoulder, ready to leave.

To my surprise, Ethan didn’t look pleased—he frowned.

As I turned to go, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“No. You’re coming with us.”

The room went still. Everyone stared.

“Why would she go?” someone asked in disbelief. “She’ll ruin the mood.”

Sophie chimed in softly, eyes wide and voice full of gentle concern.

“What if Emma comes tonight and bombs the exam tomorrow, then blames me? That would be so unfair…”

Her tone was sweet, but her eyes betrayed her fear.

She was afraid I’d actually go with Ethan.

If I were there, how could she get him drunk and pin her pregnancy on him?

Ethan scoffed.

“Don’t forget who she is. Remember the Dragon Boat Festival? The English teacher forgot to assign homework, and she just had to call and ask for test papers—then messaged everyone one by one and ruined the holiday.”

The room went completely silent.

Several students glanced at me with mixed expressions—disdain, irritation, discomfort.

I smiled bitterly at myself.

That had been a practice test from a top provincial school. Last year, many of its questions appeared in the real exam.

Our teacher had gone out of her way to bring it to us to help improve our scores.

I was afraid no one else would know, so I contacted them one by one.

What I thought was responsibility—they saw as meddling.

What I thought was helping—they viewed as a nuisance.

I realized then how little they understood, how easily they twisted intentions.

This time, I wouldn’t try to be the hero.

Let them drink.

Let them celebrate.

Let them face the consequences they so eagerly invited.

I would choose myself.

This life, I would not waste it on people who never truly saw me.

Ethan raised his eyebrows. “Maybe this time she’ll call your parents again and tattle.”

I finally snapped. “I’m not that idle.”

I forced down the fury rising in my chest. “I swear—I won’t interfere, I won’t call anyone. Okay? I just want to go home, rest, and take the exam properly tomorrow.”

I reached for my bag, but he yanked it from me.

“What are you doing?!” I shouted, panic crashing over me.

In the next second, he pulled out my admission ticket and held it up high.

My face went pale. I lunged at him. “You’re insane! Give it back!”

Ethan dangled the ticket just out of reach, like taunting a kitten. “I don’t trust you. Now that I’ve got this, you won’t try anything stupid. Don’t ruin Sophie’s birthday.”

My eyes burned with tears as my voice cracked. “Ethan, you bastard!”

The hatred in my eyes startled him. His expression faltered, and his voice softened:

“As long as you don’t rat us out, I’ll give it back. Didn’t we promise to go to the same university? Of course I’ll return it to you.”

“Just don’t mess up Sophie’s 18th birthday.”

I stared at him, heart sinking like a stone.

Eighteen years of childhood memories.

But my future meant less to him than Sophie’s birthday party.

I trembled, silently watching him.

He avoided my gaze, then gave a casual smile and turned to the others.

“Crisis averted. Everyone, enjoy the night.”

Sophie immediately wrapped herself around him, her voice sweet and delicate.

“Thank you, Ethan. This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever received.”

His ears turned red, but he didn’t push her away. Instead, he gently played with a strand of her hair.

“As long as you’re happy,” he said.

The class erupted in cheers, the noise nearly shaking the roof.

“Best gift isn’t the party, it’s clearly our class monitor, right?”

“Hey, we’re all officially adults tonight. A kiss wouldn’t hurt!”

Ethan chuckled. “Cut it out.”

But the flicker in his eyes was unmistakable.

I stood in the corner, watching it all unfold, my nails digging so hard into my palms I nearly drew blood.

Laugh all you want.

Let’s see if you’re still laughing tomorrow during the exam.

I didn’t even bother to grab my schoolbag. I turned and walked out.

But they weren’t done with me.

Ethan’s voice rang out coldly: “Lock her in the gym.”

“Let her out after the party.”

I froze, eyes wide. “You’re insane! Let me go!”

Several boys grabbed me, twisted my arms behind my back, and dragged me toward the old gymnasium.

They flung me onto the ground—pain shot through my arm as blood scraped across the concrete.

Ethan hesitated for a second, but then his face hardened with resolve.

He picked up my phone and stomped on it until the screen went black.

“Don’t be petty,” he said flatly. “Just stay put. I’m the class monitor—I’m just helping the class enjoy the night. If it were your birthday, I’d do the same.”

“Just wait here. I’ll come get you later.”

Then he closed the door.

The heavy iron slammed shut. Darkness swallowed me whole.

I lay there, calling for help until my throat went raw.

Time passed—minutes, maybe hours—before footsteps echoed outside.

I scrambled up, desperate. “Help me—!”

The door creaked open.

It was Dad.

He rushed inside, eyes frantic, and pulled me into his arms.

“Sweetheart? What happened? I couldn’t reach you. I called Ethan, and he said you were at a party...”

"How could you go out and party right before the college entrance exam? I knew something must’ve happened!" Dad’s voice trembled. "I ran out looking for you, but I never imagined you’d be locked inside the school!"

“Was it Ethan? I won’t let him get away with this!”

After two lifetimes, seeing my father alive and well in front of me again broke me. I threw myself into his arms and burst into tears.

Dad was startled, unsure how to comfort me. “It’s okay now. Don’t be scared. Tell Dad what happened.”

“I’m fine,” I whispered, wiping away tears and forcing myself to stay calm.

It would be far too easy to expose Ethan and ruin their celebration.

But that wouldn’t be enough.

I wanted them to regret it for the rest of their lives.

When Mom arrived and saw my bruises and scrapes, her expression changed instantly.

But I simply said, “I’m fine, Mom. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to go abroad to study—and settle down with you.”

In my past life, I gave up an offer from a prestigious foreign university, all for Ethan’s stupid promise: “Let’s go to college together.”

And what did I get in return? Humiliation, betrayal, and heartbreak.

This time, I wasn’t about to bet on him keeping my admission ticket.

I gave up the college entrance exam.

When we got home, I collapsed into bed and drifted in and out of sleep, haunted by the memories of my previous life.

When I woke again, my pillow was soaked with tears.

I took a deep breath, slid a SIM card into my old phone, and powered it on.

My feed was flooded with posts—classmates, Ethan, and Sophie all sharing their night.

In one photo, Sophie leaned against Ethan’s chest, face flushed, eyes twinkling with a coy smile. He looked gentle, indulgent.

But my eyes were drawn to the empty fruit wine cans stacked behind them.

They’d drunk that much? Forget exam performance—some might not even wake up in the morning.

Someone even uploaded a video.

“Give me a kiss!” a voice shouted, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Ethan wrapped his arms around Sophie, kissing her deeply like he couldn’t get enough of her.

I felt nothing but disgust and quickly shut the video off.

Then, I saw a new notification—Sophie had posted a story, set to visible only to me.

The moment I opened it, I was greeted by a series of breathy, suggestive gasps.

My stomach turned.

Even without looking closely, I knew the man entangled with her was Ethan.

Sophie’s voice came next, mocking and breathless:

“Emma, Ethan said he loves me and that he’s going to marry me when we get into college. Why would someone like you even try to compete with me?”

Then she posted a photo.

Shreds of paper—my admission ticket, torn into pieces.

“I told him to choose,” she continued. “He ripped your ticket up without hesitation. Said it was the perfect excuse to dump you and avoid going to the same college.”

“I can’t wait to see your face tomorrow. Enjoy your extra year in school. Happy senior year in advance~”

Even though I’d expected it—half expected it—it still hit like a punch to the gut. My chest tightened.

Three years of relentless studying… reduced to a pile of trash on the floor.

Just then, I heard the phone ring in the living room.

I stepped out to see Dad answering with a stunned expression. His voice rose with urgency.

“What? A student? A senior high schooler? Alcohol poisoning? Okay, I’ll head there now.”

His face had gone pale, and his forehead was glistening with sweat.

When he looked up and saw me, he must’ve thought I was worried about my classmates.

He tried to reassure me: “Don’t worry—it might not be someone from your class. I’ll go check. And even if it is, I’ll make sure they recover in time. They won’t miss the exam tomorrow.”

I looked at his concerned face and remembered how, in my past life, I had the same worry.

That night, I even dragged Dad to wait near the school bus stop—just in case any classmates were too hungover to show up, and he could help them recover quickly.