The September wind swept through the camphor trees of St. Valorian Academy, casting dappled sunlight across the marble floors.
My name is Liu Mei, but everyone here calls me Rose.
I was born into an extraordinary family. My mother is a world-famous pianist, and my father is a top strategist respected throughout the business world. Raised between piano keys and tactical thinking, I mastered elegant music and a sharp, calm mind early on.
I never liked attention. All I wanted was a quiet, ordinary school life.
But all that changed because of my best friend—Li Ruoxi.
Ruoxi and I grew up together. Our mothers were lifelong best friends. Her family owns one of the most famous chocolate brands in the world, making her a true wealthy heiress. She was bold, passionate, and fearless when it came to love.
And this time, she fell hard for Qiao An.
Qiao An was the gentle, well-mannered heir to a global five-star hotel chain. Every girl in the academy admired him.
But he was only close to one person—Gao Yi.
Gao Yi was the most mysterious, cold, and unbelievably handsome boy in our school. He drove an extremely low-key luxury car to school every day, never walked with anyone, and never spoke to others unnecessarily. His entire presence screamed "stay away."
Only Qiao An could stand beside him.
I first met his cold gaze three days after Ruoxi began her wild pursuit.
That day, Ruoxi blocked Qiao An at the classroom door with limited-edition chocolates, confessing loudly and bravely. I stood beside her, just accompanying her.
Suddenly, a sharp, indifferent gaze fell on us.
Gao Yi leaned against the wall not far away, his eyes filled with obvious disdain and contempt.
"Stay away from Qiao An," he said in a cold, icy voice. "Don't act like gold diggers clinging to rich men. It's disgusting."
Gold digger?
I froze in disbelief.
With my family background, talent, and pride, I would never cling to anyone for money or status. Yet he judged me without knowing anything.
I lifted my chin and looked straight at him, calm and unyielding. "Don't judge people with your own prejudice, Gao Yi."
He just sneered, as if my words were ridiculous. Then he put his arm around Qiao An and left without a second glance.
After that, he targeted us everywhere.
He stopped Ruoxi's gifts. He ruined our encounters. He embarrassed us in school activities.
I endured it—not because I was afraid, but for Ruoxi's happiness.
Luckily, Qiao An had never been pursued so passionately before. He slowly fell for Ruoxi's sincerity and courage. One evening, under the sunset, he agreed to be her boyfriend.
I was truly happy for my best friend.
I thought my connection with Gao Yi would end here.
He hated me. I disliked him.
But I was wrong.
Without me noticing, Gao Yi's eyes had gradually changed. The contempt faded, replaced by a strange, unconscious attention and attraction.
Meanwhile, his cousin—who had always believed she would marry him—had set her eyes on me, ready to destroy me out of jealousy.
Little did I know that this arrogant, cold heir to America's largest financial group would one day abandon all his pride, beg for my forgiveness, and chase me desperately in what people called the chase for wife's redemption.
And eventually… he would marry me and love no one but me for the rest of his life.
Standing under the camphor tree, watching Ruoxi and Qiao An walk away happily, I sighed softly.
I had no idea—my story was just beginning.