Chapter 1

I won the lottery on the day before I was due to return from a business trip abroad.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend Emily's phone calls and messages went unanswered.

It wasn't until late at night that she finally returned, her makeup still immaculate but reeking of alcohol.

I got up to greet her.

She hooked her arm around me, resting her head on my shoulder, breathing slowly.

"Alex, let's break up. I have to leave you."

"Because of Jack?"

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1

Half a month ago, Emily's mom came to see me specifically.

She sternly made it clear that no matter how hard I tried, she would Emilyr approve of my relationship with Emily.

Her family had been in business for three generations, their financial situation was comfortable, and Emily had indeed Emilyr worried about food or drink since childhood.

As for me, my parents were divorced, my mother passed away early, and I grew up in the alley relying on welfare and the charity of neighbors, experiencing the hardships of survival from a young age.

Fortunately, I was driven. I was always a top student, and after graduating with a master's degree, I got a job at a foreign company. Everything was developing in a positive direction.

However, how much time would they give me if they weren't satisfied with me?

This business trip, if the project was successful, I could take another big step forward in my career. I Emilyr expected that waiting for me would be Emily's words: "Let's break up!"

That day after our conversation, Jack's car was parked by the roadside.

Auntie walked straight over, waving her hand impatiently, telling me to hurry back.

I didn't know if the person sitting in the passenger seat was the one I had loved for five years.

So I took out my phone and dialed.

Sure enough, Auntie's voice came through, "Why are you still answering his call?"

"Emily, I'm leaving for a business trip tomorrow. When I come back, let's talk properly."

She didn't respond and hung up the phone. I watched as Jack's car disappeared into the traffic.I stood frozen in place, unsure of how long I had been standing there.

Jack was back, now a rising star in the industry. He and Emily were childhood friends.

Emily was two years behind me in school. She was my graduate advisor's niece.

I met her through my advisor during my first year of grad school. It was love at first sight.

She was like sunlight piercing through the ocean, shining directly into my heart, dazzlingly bright.

At first, she paid no attention to me. The name that came up most often in her conversations was Jack's.

Jack was exceptional, brimming with the sharp wit of a young prodigy.

Back then, he had a girlfriend.

But that didn't stop him from being close to Emily. To outsiders, they always seemed more than friends, but not quite lovers.

Every time Emily met with him, she would become gloomy afterwards.

I gradually got closer to her, becoming a part of her life. I took her hiking, swimming in the ocean, watching sunrises and sunsets.

Finally, one day on the peak of East Mountain, as we watched the sun peek over the mountaintop, she cried and said, "I don't want to focus on him anymore. Brother Jack, I want to move on. Will you be my boyfriend, Alex?"

I knew I shouldn't agree, but I couldn't bear to refuse her, even if she didn't love me.

"That's something a man should ask, Emily. I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"Emily nodded tearfully and burrowed into my embrace.

"I saw him kiss that girl, but he's kissed me too. Yet I'm not his girlfriend."

Damn it, my heart ached. I wasn't sure if it was for her or for myself.

"Will you always like me, Alex?"

"I will."