After high school graduation, everyone in my class bet $\$10,000$ that I would fail to lose weight. Only my childhood best friend, Leo Blackwood, threw down the keys to a limited-edition supercar, betting that I would slim down: “Thirty cars. If you win, they’re your dowry.” Filled with joy, I lost 40 pounds in a month, ready to confess my feelings to him. But then I overheard him joking with the school's queen bee, Scarlett Holmes: “Marry a fat pig? Me? I’d marry you sooner.” “Lose weight? She’s lazy and greedy. She'll fail for sure.” I gripped my skirt tightly, finally understanding. The so-called bet was just a game he played to show off in front of Scarlett—he never believed in me. I didn't argue or make a scene. I just quietly changed the college I had originally planned to attend. Three days later, at the graduation party. As I walked past, my best friend suddenly grabbed my wrist: “Chloe Vance?” “Is that you, Chloe?” 1 A month ago. Leo tossed down the car keys, betting I would lose weight, embarrassing everyone else. But now, separated by a door. His voice was casual, teasing Scarlett: “Our big school queen is dressed up so beautifully. Going out on a date?” “With whom? Why not switch and go with me?” “How can I date you?” Scarlett laughed sweetly. “Aren’t you supposed to use thirty sports cars as a dowry for Chloe?” She giggled innocently: “She’d kill me.” “Only a little dummy like you would take that seriously.” Leo laughed lightly, his tone indulgent: “It was a joke. How could I seriously marry a fat pig?” “Forget my old man vetoing it.” “There’s no way I’d agree. Geez, she’d crush me just sitting on me.” He paused, sounding regretful: “Marry you? Now that’s another story.” Scarlett said something else. But I couldn't hear it anymore. The hand grasping the doorknob instinctively recoiled. My head buzzed. I was freezing, trembling all over. In my ears. Leo kept talking: “She’s lazy and greedy. She’ll fail to lose weight for sure.” “And no matter how much she slims down, she definitely won’t be one-tenth as good as you.” That one sentence. Made Scarlett ecstatic. She feigned modesty, chiding him helplessly: “Big shot, that’s going too far.” “Chloe is still my sister, don’t bully her like that.” Leo countered: “Am I wrong?” “You two sisters really are heaven and earth.” “If Chloe was one-tenth as good as you…” He sighed deeply, murmuring: “She wouldn’t have such a terrible reputation in class.” ________________________________________ 2 I stood frozen behind the door. The sadness in my heart was unbearable. Why did I have a bad reputation? I was even-tempered, gentle, and had always gotten along well with everyone. Until Scarlett transferred to our class. She was my dad’s illegitimate daughter from outside. And she was two years older than me. Seven days after my mother passed away, my father brought Scarlett and her mother home. That’s how fast it happened. For those two reasons alone, it was impossible for me not to dislike her. At the time, Leo stood with me, equally outraged, defending me: “Your dad must have lost his mind.” “Damn it, the mistress’s kid should be treated like a rat and shunned by everyone.” He was self-righteous and serious: “Don’t worry, leave it to me.” “I’ll teach her a harsh lesson for you.” I didn’t want to be a school bully. Leo promised he wouldn’t. But behind my back, he found people to rip up Scarlett’s homework. He encouraged other girls to group up and isolate her. He cornered her in the restroom and slapped her several times. I didn’t know that everyone was secretly saying I was bullying Scarlett. Saying I was excessive, disgusting, and deserved to go to hell. Leo knew. But he didn’t tell me. Instead, he continued to secretly pull Scarlett’s ponytail and snap her bra strap. Calling her a 'little green tea' constantly. He enjoyed every minute of it. Now, listening to their conversation. I finally knew the truth. But— It was too late. ________________________________________ 3 “She bullied you so badly back then.” Outside the door, Leo said with a cheeky grin: “This is just what she deserves.” Scarlett teased him: “You’re so naughty.” Leo was unconcerned: “What’s wrong with stringing her along, letting her live in her own world, and just stay fat?” In the room. I stared blankly at myself in the mirror. Slim limbs, flat stomach. A world of difference from a month ago. The memory of the bet flashed in my mind. Leo smiled, messed up my hair, his eyes warm: “Our little Chloe will definitely lose weight.” “You’ll slap everyone in the face when you do.” Losing 40 pounds in a month. Honestly, it was hard and exhausting. I woke up at 5 a.m. every day to run, strictly following 20+4 intermittent fasting. I was so hungry I felt dizzy, seeing stars. What I wanted wasn’t just a healthy, attractive body. Leo and I had been inseparable childhood friends for so many years. For a long time after my mom died. I was out of control, sinking into self-destruction, hating any interaction with people. Only Leo. He tolerated all my bad tempers. He gently coaxed me to take my medication on time. When I gained weight from the side effects of the meds, he patiently said: “I don’t need you to have a great figure.” “I just want you to be healthy and safe.” “Be good, take your meds. When you’re better, if you want to lose weight, I’ll join you, okay?” Over the years. My heart had been completely, unconsciously filled by Leo. So, after slimming down, I wanted to confess to him. I wanted to tell him: Thank you for believing in me. That was my biggest motivation this past month. Now that I’m thin, can I love you? I wanted to tell him: Thank you for walking through those long, formative years with me. Let’s keep walking forward together in the future. But at this very moment, I could only clutch my skirt, utterly helpless. The person in the mirror looked like she was crying. Over a month of effort. Carefully applied makeup. A beautiful dress I had never worn before. All felt like a bad joke. Hurt, miserable, wronged. Tears fell like broken strings of pearls. They soaked my eye corners, blurring the slightly winged eyeliner. My makeup was ruined. I thought I would storm out and slap Leo hard. Savoring his shock and surprise. But I didn’t. I simply straightened my back, staring at myself in the mirror for a moment. Telling myself not to cry. It wasn't pretty. ________________________________________ 4 In the evening, I went to the living room to pour water, still wearing loose, oversized long sleeves and pants. With a cap and a mask on. My whole body was completely covered. For the past month, I had dressed this way to surprise Leo. “Oh, do you think you’re a big celebrity? Dressed like that at home, hiding from the paparazzi?” Behind me, Scarlett stood on the stairs. Arms crossed, she looked down at me, sneering: “Hiding your fat means you think you succeeded in losing weight? You’ve got some serious 'Ah Q Spirit.'” “But what’s the point?” She suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice: “Sister sees you trying your hardest but still not losing much weight.” “Why not give up early?” “It’s a shame you weren’t home this afternoon.” “You missed your little best friend saying you wouldn’t be one-tenth as good-looking as me, even if you did lose weight.” “Some people are so pathetic, easily manipulated by a man’s sweet talk.” “It’s hilarious, heh.” Yes. Scarlett had long figured out my feelings for Leo. She was doing this on purpose. For her, taking my family and my dad wasn't enough to settle the score for the one time I called her mom a mistress when she first moved in. Plus, I had 'bullied' her. “Who’s the one being manipulated by a man’s sweet talk?” I smiled: “I didn’t rip up your homework.” “I didn’t find people to corner you.” “I didn’t slap you.” “Who was it? So hard to guess, right?” But I didn’t expect Scarlett’s face to only pale for a moment. It quickly returned to normal. “Does it matter who did it?” “You should worry about yourself. You don’t have a place in this house, and you won’t have Leo to back you up anymore.” She gloated: “Watch your step.” “Or maybe be a good girl and call me ‘Sister.’ I’ll spoil you then.” I unconsciously gripped the cup tighter. I couldn’t help turning back and fighting back: “You're seeking shelter in a collapsed building.” “Is Leo plated with diamonds? Does everyone have to like him?” “You two idiots fighting each other's battles are made for each other.” “Wish you two 99 years of happiness. Don’t ever mention me, okay?” Scarlett was stunned for a moment. Her expression grew uglier. Until my dad came out to support her: “Is that how you talk to your sister? What kind of attitude is that?” “Is she wrong? After all this dieting, what results do you have?” “You’re still dressed like a pig, too ashamed to show your face?” “Get back to your own room.” ________________________________________ 5 My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. They weren't like this in the beginning. When I gained weight uncontrollably because of the medication. My father stroked my head, comforting me: “It’s better for a young girl to put on some meat to look better.” Leo pinched my cheek and said: “What’s wrong? You’re cute like this.” But now, they had all changed. They all favored Scarlett. I stopped crying, removed my makeup. Hugging my mother’s photo, I fell into a heavy sleep. Until my phone rang. “My dear, fighting with the little green tea again?” On the other end. Leo chuckled hoarsely: “You know she’s like that. Why bother getting upset with her?” “You two are sisters, after all. No need to make such a fuss.” A fuss? I gripped the phone, laughing at myself. Leo clearly knew her mother stole my father. He clearly knew she was two years older. He clearly knew I was gentle. And never the one to start trouble. “If you argue with her, you’ll only lose face.” He softly coaxed me: “Don’t be angry. The takeout I ordered for you just arrived.” “How is it? Doesn’t it smell good?” Inside the package, the pan-fried chicken skin was golden and fragrant. It was my favorite thing to eat. “Losing weight is tough. Let’s just stop. No need to suffer.” “The little green tea was the one who said you haven’t eaten much lately and are starving yourself skinny. See? She cares about you.” “Let’s be the bigger person and apologize to her, and call it even?” “I’ll drive to pick up both of you for the graduation party tomorrow night.” “Leo.” My temples throbbed. I closed my eyes to steady myself. When I opened them, I interrupted him, saying word by word: “Scarlett is disgusting.” “And you are ten thousand times worse than she is.” On the other end, Leo’s breathing hitched, noticeably heavy. He asked in a low voice: “Chloe, what do you mean by that?” “I’m trying to console you after you argued with the little green tea. Why are you randomly taking it out on me?” “What is wrong with you?” He wasn’t tired of acting, but I was tired of watching. It was pointless. Truly pointless. I hung up, leaving him with one word: “Idiot.”
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "387038", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel