3

Shu Ran couldn't care less about the stares around her—she felt like she was dying. Every step was heavy, yet her body felt weightless, swaying unsteadily as she walked. Just as she turned a corner near the nurse's office, someone suddenly darted in front of her. Off balance and already weak, she was knocked to the ground.

"Are you hurt?" the boy asked.

"Why don't you try getting slammed to the floor and see how it feels?" Shu Ran muttered, wincing in pain. She tried to push herself up, but her limbs had no strength. She failed twice.

"I'll help you." The boy reached out and lifted her by the arm. The moment his hand touched hers, he froze. "You're burning up. You have a fever?"

"No shit!" Shu Ran shot him a glare. "Hurry up and get me to the nurse's office."

The boy blinked, then let out a soft chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Shu Ran's vision was already fading. All she could see was a dark blur in front of her. She frowned in frustration.

"Okay, okay. No more laughing. Getting worked up's bad for your health."

With that, he helped her quickly into the nurse's office and laid her gently on the bed. The school nurse wasn't in, so they had to wait.

As soon as Shu Ran touched the mattress, her body relaxed completely. Her eyelids were fighting to stay open, but sleep kept pulling her under.

"Rest. Close your eyes for a bit," the boy said gently, his voice oddly calming. She slowly drifted off, her breathing evening out. He sighed, placing a hand on her forehead—it was scorching. His brows furrowed as he spotted a basin on a shelf, grabbed it, and stepped out.

When he returned with a wet towel, Shu Ran's whole body was burning up. He quickly placed the cool cloth on her forehead, hoping it would bring some relief.

In her fevered dreams, chaos reigned.

"You really stooped this low, Shu Ran?!" a man yelled, throwing a stack of photos in her face. They fluttered to the ground, landing in a cruel display of betrayal.

Shu Ran stared at the photos—her and some man in compromising poses—and her face went ghost-white. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she grabbed the man in front of her. "No! Junlin, please, let me explain! I was framed. You have to believe me!"

"Believe you? And how am I supposed to ignore what I see in these pictures?"

His voice was cold, sharp like a knife. Then another figure emerged—tall, proud, beautiful. Gao Yuanyuan.

"It was you, wasn't it? Gao Yuanyuan!" Shu Ran screamed.

"Don't lash out at me just because you're desperate," Yuanyuan replied coolly, arms crossed. "We may not be blood-related, but we lived under the same roof for years. Why would I do this to you?" She smirked. "This scandal has seriously embarrassed the Gao family."

"You…" Shu Ran trembled, finger pointing at her, but the words caught in her throat. Who would believe this graceful, gentle girl had been her lifelong tormentor?

She turned back to the man—her last hope. Grabbing his hand, she pleaded, "Junlin, we've been together for three years. Don't you know who I am by now? I would never do something like this!"

"Three years," Yuanyuan cut in mockingly. "And you think people don't change in that time?" She stepped forward, smug. "Even if you haven't, Junlin would never be with someone as plain and sloppy as you. How's a CEO supposed to bring you out in public?"

"…What did you just call him?" Shu Ran's voice faltered. Something didn't feel right.

"Junlin, of course," Yuanyuan replied sweetly, proudly linking her arm with his and resting her head on his shoulder like they were already a couple.

Shu Ran's eyes filled with tears. She slowly looked up at Junlin's handsome face. He avoided her gaze, clearly uncomfortable, but stayed silent.

"You two…"

"I'm the real Gao daughter. You're just the unwanted tagalong," Yuanyuan sneered. "Any man with half a brain would choose me."

"What's wrong?" Junlin asked, leaning down as if Yuanyuan wanted to whisper something. But she kissed his cheek instead.

"Seriously? There are people watching," he muttered, frowning.

"So what? You just told her everything—why care now?" Yuanyuan snapped, then turned all her venom on Shu Ran. "Listen up. Junlin is my fiancé now. Do yourself a favor and stay away!"

"Junlin…" Shu Ran stood frozen. Her vision blurred, her heart twisted in agony. She had truly believed she'd found happiness, a home. And just like that, Gao Yuanyuan shattered it all. She reached out, trying to grab Junlin's hand, only for Yuanyuan to swat her away.

Shu Ran stumbled backward. All she saw was the picture-perfect couple before her—handsome, beautiful, flawless on the surface. But all she could think was: two heartless monsters.

Her eyes blurred, tears falling freely. Just as their shocked expressions registered, a sharp pain shot through her back and head as she hit the ground.

"Please… believe me… I really didn't do it…"

Her hoarse, pleading voice echoed through the nurse's office, growing louder, laced with sobs.

The boy frowned and rushed to her bedside, gently patting her flushed cheeks. Still hot.

"Hey—wake up!"

Shu Ran's arms flailed in the air, then suddenly clung tightly to something solid. She wouldn't let go, like letting go meant vanishing forever.

That solid warmth—so steady, so real—brought her back. She opened her eyes to see she was clutching the boy tightly. He looked annoyed, clearly trying to pry her off, but with no success.

"S-Sorry." Shu Ran quickly let go and sat upright, eyes darting around the room. So it hadn't been a dream. She'd really come back.

"Wow. You're tiny, but you've got some grip," the boy joked, raising an eyebrow. He studied her curiously. Just moments ago she was fierce—now she looked like a timid little lamb.

"Sorry. Just… had a nightmare," Shu Ran said with a sheepish smile.