Chapter 5

As I looked up, I caught Yelena's barely concealed smirk.

"I went to the gym," I replied. "That's a $3,000 membership card. I don't want it to go to waste."

Not in the mood for an argument, I just gave a half-hearted excuse.

After all, Channing still didn't know that I worked out only to leave him.

My reply finally brought a hint of satisfaction back to Channing's face.

"You go do the dishes," he said to me. "I'm now tired from cooking, and Yelena doesn't feel so well."

Adjusting her new wig, Yelena played along and said, "Thanks, Shania."

Yet I just wanted to know if she had really shaved her head bald.

In my old timeline, I thought Yelena wore a wig to maintain her beauty. Now, I realized she did that only to cover up her long hair.

Yelena was a typical mirror-hog. Even when she was faking illness, she still couldn't help making herself look pretty.

So, no way she would bear to shave her head bald.

Besides, while I was taking a rest at the gym today, I did a quick search. It turned out that leukemia patients had to shave their heads bald.

It was before I could even reply that Channing and Yelena had already gone back to their respective rooms.

The old me would do as Channing said without a second thought.

After all, there was no reason for me to fight him over a dying person.

Yet now the leftovers on the table really disgusted me.

It suddenly occurred to me that Channing had never allowed me to do any chores at that time of the month before Yelena returned to Sinoria.

Back in my room, I grabbed a face mask and put it on.

Then I took two packs of tissues with me.

Returning to the dining table, I gathered the leftovers and dishes off it, took them into the kitchen, and shut the kitchen door behind me.

Then I pulled on a pair of gloves, soaked tissues with dish soap, and meticulously scrubbed every last bit of food off the dishes and bowls.

Then I placed them in the oven to dry.

Staring at the dishes and bowls, I stood there for a while.

Finally, I put them neatly back on the kitchen rack with satisfaction on my face.

They were just like Channing and Yelena—all neat and perfect on the surface.

Inside was disgusting.

Then Yelena's voice rang out from behind me again.

"Shania," she said, "thanks for helping me out. Due to my illness, I might have to rely on you in the future."

In my old timeline, she just loved provoking me using such words.

Her tricks always worked, making me hysterical.

Now, I just didn't give her a damn. "It's okay. I won't take a dying person seriously."

"You..." She was so pissed off.

Not the meltdown Yelena was hoping for—just me calling her a walking dead.

Her face twisted in a rage as she took a glance backward at Channing's door, only to find it shut tight.

Trying to redeem herself, Yelena said, "Shania, you really think Channing likes you? Tell you what? The grass is always greener on the other side. Girls like you, who throw themselves at men, are not worth a dime."

And I replied to her with a sneer.

She sounded as if she were not throwing herself at Channing.

Yelena just did a better job playing the hard-to-get.

However, making a shit load of excuses to stay at Channing's place had already sold her out.

The time finally came to Day 13.

Originally, I had some friends who also liked photography in town.

Earlier, to avoid making Channing angry, I gradually drifted away from them.

However, one of them just kept in touch with me. So, I intended to say goodbye to her before I set off.

I arranged to meet her at the mall so we could hang out.

Unfortunately, a big client called her today, inviting her over to his wedding as his photographer.

"Shania," Brianna said on the phone, "could you come and help me out? One of my staff members has diarrhea and keeps running to the toilet. I'm now desperate to find someone to replace him."

Brianna was a great photographer, but she still ended up going into the wedding business. Though it was never a well-paid job, she just loved the lively atmosphere. She explained that watching others get married really made her happy.

Unlike her, I was never a social person. So I chose to be a wildlife photographer.

From talking with her before, I'd learned that in the wedding business, most clients would book photographers in advance. The good ones would be booked up six months to a year ahead.

Especially on peak wedding dates like today.

"There is nothing I can do. Today is a great day for throwing a wedding ceremony, so all the good photographers are awfully busy today," Brianna tried to explain. "Shania, help me out, please. I will treat you to a big meal tonight."

I could tell that this so-called big meal would be worth more than what she earned today.