Chapter 1

Everyone thought I was just Clifford Emerson's total simp.

I'd trek six miles just to grab him his favorite coffee.

I'd also wait three freezing hours under the guys' dorm just to hand him his jacket.

Everyone thought I was head over heels, completely obsessed with him.

But only I knew the truth.

Clifford, who told me to get lost all day, blew up my phone at night. [I really like you. Can we meet?]

Clifford: [I'll fix whatever I did wrong. Please, don't ignore me.]

*****

After morning class, I placed a bottle of warm milk on Clifford Emerson's desk and gently tapped his arm. "I saw you didn't have breakfast. Why not drink the milk? It will protect your stomach."

Clifford was lying face down asleep, but upon hearing the sound, he impatiently lifted his head, frowning. "I don't want it. Take it away."

I pressed my lips and stood by his desk, still softly persuading him, "Drinking a bottle of milk doesn't take much time. You—"

Before I finished speaking, Clifford suddenly pushed the chair and desk forcefully, stood up abruptly, and splashed the milk toward me. "I said I don't want it. Can't you understand it? If you like milk so much, I'll buy it for you."

I dodged quickly and avoided getting splashed.

But the commotion was loud, already drawing the attention of other students in the classroom.

They gathered around, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at me and jeered.

"Emily, why are you so shameless? Clifford clearly rejected you, but you still shamelessly get closer."

"Look at yourself, ugly and poor. What do you have to chase Clifford with? You're really clueless."

"If I were Clifford, I'd already have hit you."

"Get lost quickly. Having a simping loser like you in our class is bad luck for me."

They spoke as they stepped forward, trying to pull me away.

During the scuffle, my hands and feet inevitably got bumped and bruised.

Clifford watched everything coldly.

After a moment, he threw the empty milk bottle into the trash and carefully wiped his fingers with a tissue.

He frowned with disgust, as if I were a plague.

Only when I was pushed to the classroom door did Clifford finally give me a disdainful look.

His tone was icy and full of warning. "Don't come to our class again. I would never like you."

Malicious laughter immediately echoed throughout the classroom.

I walked out of Class Three expressionlessly.

Cheers came from behind. "Girl, stop coming here."

Everyone at school knew I was Clifford's total simp.

I'd also wait three freezing hours under the guys' dorm just to hand him his jacket and also wait three freezing hours under the guys' dorm just to hand him his jacket. Whenever he got hurt playing sports, I would take care of him, even if he told me to go away again and again.

Everyone thought I was head over heels, completely obsessed with him.

But only I knew all this was because his mother had given too much.

Back in the classroom, I took out my phone and called Vivian Emerson. "I already delivered the milk, but he refuses to drink it."

Vivian sighed with helplessness, "He's had a strange temper since he was young. It's not your fault. I've transferred the money to you."

"Okay," I obediently replied, stroking my phone case and hesitating.

Vivian noticed my hesitation and asked, "Did Clifford give you a hard time again?"

I didn't say it clearly, just said, "Mrs. Emerson, let's not renew the contract after this month ends. I'm graduating soon. You can't have me follow Clifford forever."

Vivian was silent for a long time, then finally agreed, "Okay, thank you for your help."

My family was very poor; my parents were both migrant workers.

Since I was admitted to Morvane two years ago, the heavy financial burden had almost overwhelmed my parents.

At that moment, Vivian suddenly appeared and said she could support me financially.

However, Vivian asked me to replace her as the missing mother figure, taking care of Clifford's daily life at school, without telling him the reason.

I desperately needed money then, so I made this deal. The agreement was set to end this month.

After hanging up, I checked the date.

There were only six days left until the end of this month.