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After hearing Shen Yi recount the whole story, Song Yang couldn’t stop laughing on the other end of the phone.

“This is hilarious... What on earth is this? Miss, aren’t you still at the age for fairy tales?”

Song Yang’s laughter was like pouring gasoline on a fire, making Shen Yi even angrier. She shouted loudly, “Song Yang, shut up!”

Angry tears welled up, and Shen Yi wiped them away.

Song Yang’s personality was never one to offer comfort. How could she keep forgetting that she always foolishly told him everything every time?

Noticing Shen Yi was genuinely upset, Song Yang finally toned down his laughter and said, “Actually, Jiang Yue is a pretty nice person. You shouldn’t always single her out.”

Waking up angry from such a dream was just not worth it—it was too ridiculous.

“Nice person?” Shen Yi sensed something and asked, “Are you two close?”

Song Yang, who had lately been sleeping through school hours with a driver chauffeuring him to and from classes and a face that looked unapproachable, had no friends in class. This was the first time she’d heard him compliment a classmate.

“Not really.” Song Yang thought for a moment, “There was that time when the homeroom teacher was absent, and during self-study, you insisted on dragging me into your conversations and got caught by the principal and scolded, but Jiang Yue didn’t even remember our names.”

“Song Yang.” Shen Yi’s anger shifted, “I’ve taken the fall for you countless times since we were little—have you ever said a good word about me? Now that she cut you some slack, you’re totally on her side?”

“No, what do you mean ‘on her side’?” Song Yang was baffled. “She didn’t do anything; you’re the one dreaming up imaginary enemies. If you dreamed Jiang Yue was a murderer, should I call the police?”

That was a very fair point.

Shen Yi was silenced.

She knew Song Yang was right. Realizing it was entirely her own problem made her feel even more devastated.

In the end, Shen Yi hung up and buried herself in her blanket.

She could no longer distinguish whether her feelings were jealousy toward Jiang Yue or self-loathing.

So petty by nature.

She felt sorry.

*

The next day.

Shen Yi sat at the breakfast table with dark circles under her eyes.

Shen Yu was startled, “I thought I saw a ghost early in the morning.”

Shen Yi said nothing, just noisily scraped her fried egg with a fork and knife to show her frustration.

After waking up and losing the initial intensity of the dream, recalling it and what happened afterward only left her feeling embarrassed.

Thinking about going to school and facing Song Yang’s teasing, life felt even darker.

Shen Yu frowned, muttering, “Come on, why that face again? Today’s at least my birthday—can’t you smile once?”

Shen Yi expressionlessly replied, “I’ll smile tonight.”

Shen Yu’s birthday party was in the evening.

He couldn’t stand it anymore, “Can you just tell me who pissed you off? How can you keep pulling this deadpan face every day and glare at me like that? What did I do to deserve this?”

Shen Yi firmly refused, “No.”

She knew Shen Yu too well.

If he found out the truth, not only would he mock her, but he would spread it to the whole world.

Absolutely not.

Just then, the butler entered, “Miss, Young Master Song is outside waiting for you. He said he wants to take you to school together.”

*

The Shen and Song families lived close by. Song Yang sometimes came to pick Shen Yi up for school, usually when he hadn’t done his homework.

“…Alright.”

Shen Yi, lacking appetite, grabbed her backpack and headed out.

Compared to Song Yang, she’d rather not be with Shen Yu.

Still irritated because of the dream.

In the dream, Shen Yu was the coldest toward her, the first to suggest kicking her out of the house.

Strangely enough.

Shen Yi paused and looked Shen Yu in the eye, asking, “If I weren’t your sister, what would you want to do?”

Shen Yu was stunned for a moment, not understanding why she asked such a question, but his mouth was quicker than his brain: “Of course, I’d kick you out and enjoy the wonderful life I’ve fantasized about as an only child for eighteen years!”

“Bang!!!”

Without hesitation, Shen Yi raised her backpack and slammed it hard on Shen Yu. Get lost!

*

Song Yang stood by the car waiting.

His short golden hair and bright, puppy-like eyes fixed on her, he strode forward and took Shen Yi’s backpack.

Shen Yi: “...I knew it.”

Sure enough.

As soon as they got in the car, Song Yang immediately started copying homework.

Shen Yi looked up at the driver in the front seat and said, “Uncle Cheng, aren’t you going to say anything?”

The middle-aged man wiped cold sweat from his forehead. “Miss Shen, you must be joking.”

He was just a driver—there was no way he’d meddle in the young master’s studies.

He’d worked so long at the Song family precisely because he always indulged the young master’s whims, doubling his salary. He wouldn’t risk his job by getting involved!

Song Yang muttered, “Come on, Miss. If you hadn’t called me crying in the middle of the night, would I have been unable to finish my homework? It’s all your fault.”

Middle of the night? Phone call? Crying?

Those words immediately pricked the driver’s ears.

Their master and mistress had complained many times over the years, indicating that Song Yang and Shen Yi were very close. If the Wen family hadn’t acted so quickly, Shen Yi would probably be the Song family’s future daughter-in-law.

The masters, having no daughters, loved Miss Shen so much that they often disliked their own mischievous son.

Shen Yi was even more annoyed and warned, “Song Yang, you better keep what happened last night to yourself.”

Song Yang made a funny face. “No way.”

Shen Yi took a deep breath and smiled, “Then I’ll tell the whole world what games you have on your computer.”

Bring it on! Mutual destruction!

Song Yang’s face instantly paled, losing all his bravado. “I’m joking. What kind of relationship do we have? I would never betray you.”

Only then was Shen Yi satisfied.

Thankfully, she was clever enough to remember she also had leverage over Song Yang; otherwise, she’d be totally at his mercy.

The two bickered and joked, completely oblivious to the driver’s barely suppressed smile.

Wow! The young master! Two people with exclusive secrets! And even arguing about betrayal? So intense!

Go for it, young master! Keep trying to steal her away! I’ll always support you!

*

On the way.

Song Yang finished copying the homework and to show gratitude, bought Shen Yi a bubble milk tea.

Although Shen Yi usually liked it too, she avoided drinking such high-calorie drinks early in the day to maintain her figure.

But her mood had been so bad lately, she didn’t care.

Chewing on the pearls, she flipped through her textbook, quickly previewing the day’s lessons.

Unfortunately, another misfortune occurred.

During the big break, both Shen Yi and Song Yang were summoned to the teacher’s office.

What for?

Song Yang had copied Shen Yi’s homework, even including her name—undeniable.

Shen Yi immediately looked at Song Yang in surprise. “Song Yang, what’s going on?”

Under the desk, Song Yang silently gave her the middle finger. With no choice, he bluffed, “Your mom brought you to my house for dinner yesterday, so I took a peek at your homework.”

The teacher obviously saw through their little trick.

Since Shen Yi was his star student and Song Yang had already confessed, the teacher was willing to be lenient.

He just scolded Shen Yi lightly for being careless and punished Song Yang with a written reflection and standing for the entire day, including breaks. That was the end of it.

The class bell rang.

Shen Yi smiled brightly and looked at Song Yang, holding up her bubble tea through the window and silently mouthing: “Serves you right.”

Song Yang gritted his teeth in frustration but was powerless.

Feeling much better, Shen Yi leisurely took another sip of milk tea but suddenly met a pair of slightly surprised eyes.

Jiang Yue smiled at her.

Shen Yi was momentarily stunned.

She didn’t respond, awkwardly putting down the milk tea.

Clearly, Jiang Yue had just witnessed everything.

Thinking back on that strange dream again.

Shen Yi didn’t know how to face Jiang Yue and decided to pretend she hadn’t seen her, sitting up straight obediently.

The class bell rang again.

After tidying her desk and swapping textbooks for the next class, Shen Yi picked up an English book from Song Yang’s drawer, intending to hand it to him.

But when she looked up, her feet felt glued to the floor—she couldn’t move.

Looking ahead.

The boy’s golden hair shimmered in the sunlight. His usual scowl was replaced by an expression of surprise and delight, so unlike the person Shen Yi remembered.

Then, something even more unbelievable happened.

Song Yang smiled brightly, gave a thumbs-up to the person in front of him, and nodded enthusiastically. The two seemed to be having a great conversation.

Shen Yi followed his gaze.

A gentle girl holding a notebook stood smiling in front of Song Yang, her cheeks flushed slightly, looking shy yet somewhat embarrassed.

That girl was none other than Jiang Yue.

What on earth were they so happily chatting about? They hardly knew each other—how could they have anything to talk about? Unless...

Shen Yi’s hand clenched into a fist.

There was only one possibility.

Song Yang had told Jiang Yue about her dream, and now they were laughing at her together.

Song Yang was doomed!!!

Traitor!!!