18
Jack didn’t remember, but I did.
solunteered as teachers at a rural middle school during the break,
12:06 PM
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M
Before we went abroad for college, we volunteered as teachers at a rural middle school during the break.
There was a dark–skinned girl with a slightly flat nose in the class who was always hovering around Jack.
On cold days, she’d fetch hot water for him. On rainy days, she’d take his mud–splattered pants home to hand wash.
But there was no hot water for me, and my clothes were left for Jack to wash.
I would pinch Jack’s cheek and tease him:
“You’re such a heartbreaker, leaving a trail of admirers wherever you go.”
Jack was quick to deny it:
“How is she an admirer? She’d have to look at least as good as you to
Rose was too ordinary, even unattractive.
Ount.
as one.”
For a young, proud elite like Jack, being pursued by such a girl wasn’t something to brag about.
He quickly forgot about this small incident.
But I remembered her.
I remembered her secretly watching us from corners. I instinctively disliked her, feeling she wasn’t straightforward.
Later, Rose’s family home was demolished for redevelopment.
She used that money for plastic surgery, changed her name on someone’s advice, took training courses, and finally married the man she had
secretly loved, who was once far out of her reach.
Chloe sobbed:
“Jack, my feelings for you are real.”
“I really had no other way to get close to you, that’s why I took that course. I’m not as fake as you think…”
“Can you give me one more chance? We were so happy together…”
Jack’s tone was cold:
“But now when I see you, I just feel stupid”
‘I’ll say it again – name your price, and don’t come looking for me anymore.”
Like shooing away a beggar.
The hope in Chloe’s eyes was shattered by his cold words.
Tears streamed down her face, but Jack didn’t care. He just urged:
“You’re still not leaving?”
How could Chloe understand? People like us have had too many choices since childhood, too many people being nice to us,
We won’t fall for someone just because they’ve liked us for years.
We won’t feel grateful just because you made big changes for us.
We gray choose who we like
and move on to the next
<
Once we don’t like someone anymore, we just move on to the next.
Chloe was still sobbing and refusing to leave. Frank advised her:
“Know when to quit. Jack’s family not dealing with you is already being kind.”
“Name a price, Jack gets peace of mind, you get a windfall. Win–win.”
Chloe looked like she was about to fall apart. She thought her feelings were priceless.
