I was Julian’s ultimate "pick-me" girl. When he skipped class to sleep, I covered for him. When he chased the new transfer student, I delivered his love letters. After high school graduation. The transfer student went to an Ivy League school, and I accompanied Julian to study abroad. In a foreign country, I finally took the main stage and had my fill of him. Until the transfer student also came abroad for grad school. When Julian spent another night out because of her, I let out a sigh of relief. I prepared to return to the States to develop my career. The Vance family gave me money to accompany him abroad; I was just too embarrassed to bring up breaking up myself. 01 The Vance family was the most powerful and influential family in our gated community. And Julian was the king of the kids. I had been following Julian around since we were little. Because he had the best toys and was the best-looking. If it weren't for the Vance family's opposition, he would have been scouted and dragged into Hollywood ages ago. Just looking at Julian's face made me want to eat an extra bowl of rice. Moreover, the closer I was to Julian, the higher my status in my own family became. As we grew older, everyone became more aware of gender differences. The girls stopped hanging out with the boys all day. But not me. I continued to follow Julian around shamelessly. Julian, living up to everyone's expectations, grew into a handsome young man. With sharp features, a defined jawline, and a roguish, bad-boy vibe that hit you right in the face. And I gradually became known as the ultimate "pick-me" girl to everyone. They mocked me, despised me, and looked down on me. But they didn't know that I gained the most from it. Julian didn't like me, but the Vance family trusted me. My family got resources, and I got to follow Julian into classes filled with the children of the elite. 02 High school for the children of the elite wasn't boring. Their families had already planned their paths; all roads lead to Rome. Even if one road was blocked, they could just pave a new one out of thin air. But I was different; my family could only guarantee I wouldn't worry about food and clothes, and that I wouldn't lose points in situations requiring a family background. Therefore. I clung to Julian even tighter. When he skipped class, I covered for him. When he slept, I copied notes for him. Even when he set his sights on a transfer student, I was the one who gathered intel. A stubborn, innocent wallflower who got in on a full scholarship. Countless girls had chased Julian. There were the pure ones, the sexy ones, the daughters of celebrities, the daughters of politicians, but they all failed and retreated. I even suspected Julian didn't like women. Until the moment Chloe walked up to the podium and introduced herself. It finally clicked for him. He didn't know how to chase girls, but he clumsily pursued Chloe for three months. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I defeated the other male "pick-mes" and played my biggest role for Julian. Oh, by the way. These male "pick-mes" didn't call themselves "pick-mes"; they considered themselves Julian's "bros." It seemed that because of the difference in gender, my flattery and fawning over Julian made me a "pick-me," while theirs was just friendship. Hilarious. I bought Chloe breakfast and played tennis with her during P.E. It was the first time Chloe had met someone so nice to her at this private school. She looked at me with eyes full of gratitude and trust. And it was right at that moment. I handed her the love letter I had prepared long ago. Chloe froze in place. She looked at me in disbelief. I hurriedly added: "This is from Julian." Unsurprisingly, Chloe threw that love letter into the trash can. Julian went to find Chloe, and ended up being called a "spoiled rich kid" by her. Chloe never spoke another word to me. I didn't care. I was busy comforting a heartbroken Julian. He had always had smooth sailing; this was the first time he'd encountered such a setback. He pretended not to care and drank, getting himself drunk after just two glasses. After getting drunk, he cupped my face and asked me over and over: "Why? Why doesn't she like me?" I coaxed him softly: "That's because she has bad taste." "Julian, I like you." I saw a flash of clarity in his confused eyes. 03 After being rejected by Chloe. Julian suddenly started acting like some of his "bros," changing girlfriends very frequently. A new one every week. Sometimes they would last a month. But his eyes still never left Chloe. Soon, it was time for college applications. After graduation. Chloe was accepted into a prestigious Ivy League school. Julian chose to study abroad in the UK. When I went to drop off some desserts my mom made for the Vance family, Mrs. Vance asked me where I was planning to go. I feigned nonchalance and said: "It depends on my scores." "You know, Mrs. Vance, I'm not very good at studying." Actually, I was pretty good at it. But all my time in high school was spent taking care of Julian. When he had a fever or a cold, I was the first to contact the Vance family secretary. When he was out partying, I was the one tagging along and reporting back constantly. Mrs. Vance looked thoughtful. That summer, for me, was an extremely long wait. Other people were waiting for their scores, waiting for college acceptance letters, waiting for the semester to start. And I was waiting to be graced by the goddess of fate. Finally. A quiet summer night. Mrs. Vance personally called and invited our family over for a get-together. I still remember how cool the breeze was that night, how crisp the sound of the cicadas was. No one knows how long I had been grounded before that night. I won the bet. My future would be tied to Julian for a very long time. How bright Julian's future would be, How much grace and favor my future would receive. A month later. I went abroad with Julian. To a world-renowned university. Those "bros" of Julian looked at me with eyes full of jealousy. "Avery, do you really like being a 'pick-me' that much?" "Aren't you afraid you won't be able to get married in the future acting like this? Oh right, you can just suck up to Julian for the rest of your life, dragging your kids along, like a parasite." Look, look. How ugly the jealousy of men is. 04 After going abroad. Julian's popularity only increased. His features matured. A mix of boyish charm and young manhood, sharp and sexy, making people itch with desire. I continued to bear the burden of being bossed around by him without complaint. During his first year abroad, Julian completely let loose. He could be in London in the morning and end up in Paris by night. His girlfriends were still changing weekly. During Christmas break. A woman Mr. Vance had been keeping, along with her thirteen-year-old illegitimate son, made a scene in front of Mrs. Vance. Mrs. Vance told Julian not to come home. I stayed with Julian in London for Christmas. While waiting for midnight, he suddenly asked me: "Avery, do people's feelings change?" I didn't hesitate much and said: "They do." Julian laughed and said: "But I realized, I don't think I like Chloe anymore." "I can't even remember what she looks like, even though back then, I felt like I had never liked someone so much..." I felt he was just attracted to someone completely different from himself. How could that be considered love? But if you asked me what love is, I wouldn't be able to answer either. No one had ever taught us. The fireworks outside the window illuminated Julian's overly handsome face. Like I was possessed, I pulled Julian's collar and kissed his perfect lips. Adults move fast. By the time Julian reacted, The arrow had already left the bow. A flash of annoyance crossed his face as he looked at me: "Are you sure about this?" The coursework at this top university was too difficult. I still had to act as Julian's nanny. I needed to release some energy. Julian, this is your task. This is also the reward I deserve. I traced his eight-pack abs and answered his question. I was eating incredibly well. Julian's eyes darkened, as if he wanted to swallow me whole. He was spoiled, arrogant, extravagant... full of flaws. But that body was truly a masterpiece. And I got it cheap. I vented the pressure built up over the years on him. That oppressive childhood, the dysfunctional family dynamics, it all felt like I hadn't had a moment of relief until now. I recklessly squandered it all on Julian's body. He responded to my passion, seemingly never tiring. "Avery, do you really like me that much?" I nodded wildly. "Avery, don't regret this." He stared at me stubbornly, as if trying to pierce through my soul. I had a moment of delusion. Does he actually like me? After that night. Julian and I were together. There was no formal confession, nor was it officially announced. But he stopped seeing other women. Once, an Asian girl clung to him for a long time. He finally said impatiently that he already had a girlfriend. This caused a massive stir. Many people started asking around about who Julian's girlfriend was. A few days later, I received a call from Mrs. Vance. She asked about my studies and then transferred a seven-figure living expense into my account. Right before she hung up, she said: "Thank you for working so hard to take care of Julian." Before I could react, the phone had already gone to a dial tone. She knew everything. My position with him was like a concubine serving a young master in ancient times. Julian happened to walk over: "Avery, what are you dawdling for?" I raised my eyes and replied with a smile: "Coming." 05 For the remaining two years of college, Julian and I lived a shameless life. Mainly, I was the shameless one. Julian had a bunch of ex-girlfriends, but when it came to this sort of thing, he was surprisingly conservative. When I clung to him and threw myself at him, he would still blush. Maybe I had just been under too much pressure these past few years. Julian was completely devoured by me, and sometimes he would tremble when he saw me. Right before graduation and returning to the States. I overheard Julian having an argument with Mrs. Vance on the phone. It seemed to be about an arranged marriage. He finally responded impatiently with an "okay." That night, he was unexpectedly gentle. I thought that must be our last night. He should be the one to bring up breaking up. I waited for a few days, but everything was the same as usual. I tentatively brought up breaking up with him. He glared at me angrily, his cheeks puffed out like an angry toad. "I don't agree!" He threw a tantrum, then hugged me and said: "Avery, let's stay abroad, okay?" "Just the two of us." In that moment. I almost believed it. Until. Chloe appeared in front of him again. 06 Chloe was still as radiant as ever. Like a little white flower blooming on a cliff face. She got into the university on her own merit, was fought over by professors, and won scholarships. I saw Julian's eyes glaze over. His gaze never left her. Just like back then, when Chloe first transferred and stood on the podium introducing herself. But unlike back then. This time, Chloe stepped down from her pedestal and walked over. She said gracefully: "Julian, long time no see." They re-added each other's contact information. The unpleasantness of the past seemed to have vanished into thin air. Having sailed past a thousand sails, they met again. They had both matured a lot. That day. Happened to be our two-year anniversary. I had prepared for a long time, cooked a whole table of food, and even made a PowerPoint and a short video. Showing the bits and pieces of our time together over the years. Julian said he would be back soon. I waited for three hours. I waited until Chloe called me using his phone, saying: "Avery, Julian is unhappy and drank too much. Can you come pick him up?" I hesitated for a moment, but still went. That night, he passed out drunk through our anniversary. And then, on my birthday, he was called away by a single phone call from Chloe. The streets of London weren't that safe. Chloe said there was a man following her. Julian went without hesitation. He was so anxious that he even forgot to tell me where he was going. He strode away, and the front door slammed shut in front of me. I was the only one left in the villa. At the same time, I received a text from Chloe. [Avery, did you purposely make me reject Julian back then?] [No matter how much you try to interfere, people who are meant to be together will eventually be together.] Looking at these provocative texts, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. She didn't know I had wanted to break up for a long time. Julian didn't want to go back to the States. But I did. He's a rich kid; what can he do if he doesn't go back? Mrs. Vance had already arranged a position for me. As long as nothing went wrong, I would rise quickly. My future would far surpass my father's. I would become the person bringing the most honor to my family. And now you're telling me you're not going back? If I were still Julian's girlfriend, how could I go back to the States alone? 07 Chloe sent me her location. I originally didn't want to bother Julian and Chloe. But I suddenly remembered Mrs. Vance's warning. Julian could play around outside, but he absolutely couldn't "create life." I couldn't take the Vance family's money for nothing; I had to act as the gatekeeper for Mrs. Vance. I sent a message to Julian, but he didn't reply. I grabbed the remaining half box of 0.01s from the house and took an Uber over. Downstairs at the apartment. I saw Chloe hugging Julian and crying. "I was so scared. Good thing you were here, Jul... can I call you that?" Julian was nervous and awkward, not knowing where to put his hands. The independent, strong wallflower showing such a vulnerable side for the first time—Julian couldn't bear to refuse. His voice was deep as he said: "Whatever you want." Chloe saw me. She smiled at me, then "whimpered" playfully as they went upstairs, seeming to have sprained her ankle. Julian scooped her up without hesitation. His gaze was on Chloe the entire time; he didn't look at me once. They quickly went upstairs. I stood downstairs for a while, waiting for the rising and falling emotions to slowly calm down. A few minutes later. I knocked on Chloe's door. Julian opened the door. Like he was the man of the house. Chloe sat on the sofa, one delicate foot raised, a small first-aid kit by her feet. One of her socks was in Julian's hand. The moment he saw me, Julian was a bit surprised. "Avery, what are you doing here?" He seemed a bit unhappy that I came to bother him. But I still dutifully stuffed the item into his hand. "Don't forget this." As I said that, I even winked at him. Julian looked at the small box in his hand and completely froze in place. "I won't bother you guys anymore, I'm heading out."
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