The sound of the throttle buzzed to life. Even though Ava Kent was prepared, when the motorcycle shot forward, she lost control for a moment and leaned back in fright, instinctively wrapping her arms around Julius Goodman's waist.
Her nose slammed heavily against his hard back, causing her to gasp, her eyes watering.
"What's wrong?" The concerned voice of the boy came from the front.
Ava rubbed her nose and shook her head, mumbling, "Nothing, just didn't sit firmly."
She hadn't ridden on a motorcycle for many years, and still felt a bit unaccustomed.
Luckily, her nose was still in its natural state, otherwise it'd be ruined.
"If you're scared, hold me tighter."
Ava: "..." So embarrassing.
But looking down, one of her hands was still around his waist.
Although it was already spring and the weather had warmed considerably, Julius was only wearing a thin T-shirt and jacket, yet her hand was resting against his waist...
Ava's face reddened unconsciously.
Since she was already holding onto him, she might as well go all the way...
Putting both arms around Julius's waist, Ava pursed her lips, her eyes filled with an irrepressible smile.
Julius, ahead, lowered his gaze slightly; his smooth forehead was exposed as the wind blew his soft hair back, and a faint smile appeared on his handsome and delicate face.
Until Ava suddenly exclaimed, "Julius, you smell really nice, kind of like lemons, and kind of like flowers."
"Uh, really?" Julius's expression became somewhat awkward, "I didn't smell anything."
"Maybe you're used to it and just ignore the scent."
Ava's body leaned forward, getting closer, and she sniffed lightly, "The scent is faint, not very strong."
Feeling her lean against him, Julius's body stiffened, his speech starting to stutter slightly.
"Oh... maybe... maybe it's the scent of my bath lotion."
"I see."
Ava said playfully, "I knew you wouldn't use something like perfume."
"Mhm."
Julius swallowed nervously, quickly changing the topic, "By the way, how was the book I lent you yesterday?"
"Pretty good, quite interesting."
"Don't get too enthralled, getting into NUA wasn't easy, focus on your studies."
After she left yesterday, Mrs. Goodman asked about Ava, and he told her honestly.
As a result, Mrs. Goodman scolded him harshly, saying she'd worked hard to get into college, how could he distract her with extracurricular books?
If it affected her studies, it would ruin her future.
Julius thought carefully and found it rather inappropriate, so he could only advise Ava to pay more attention to her studies.
Ava continuously agreed, as obedient as can be.
The school wasn't far from his home, only a few bus stops away, Julius dropped her off at the gate, "Go on, study well, don't get distracted."
"I know, stop being so naggy like my mom."
Ava pouted helplessly, after all, she had lived two lives; it made her feel like a small child.
She raised her hand and waved at him, "Thanks for bringing me to school, see you."
"See you."
Julius watched her entering the school gates before riding away.
...
Ava had just entered the school when someone tapped her, startling her almost off the ground.
She turned to find a cute girl with shoulder-length bobbed hair giggling behind her hand.
"Ava, I just saw you on a handsome guy's motorcycle, come on—spill the beans, are you secretly dating?"
"Mia?"
Seeing her, Ava's eyes lit up with joy.
This girl, named Mia Burton, had known Ava since middle school, and their relationship had remained tight till now.
Only Baron Roan, a madman, always liked to threaten her using those around her, leaving her no choice but in her past life she cut off all connections with friends.
After taking a break from school, the next she heard of Mia was when she drowned and passed away.
"Are you that surprised?" Mia hugged her arm and rolled her eyes, "Stop trying to change the subject, quickly tell me, who was that handsome guy?"
Ava's lively eyes twinkled, answering without hesitation, "Someone I like."
Mia gasped, covering her mouth; she'd spoken casually earlier, not expecting Ava to admit it.
"Ava, you—you—you really are dating, aren't you?"
"Not yet, but he will be mine sooner or later."
Ava arrogantly lifted her chin; this life, she just wanted to stay away from Baron Roan the madman and be with Julius Goodman happily.
No choice, such a world of the book was set, the author endowed the protagonists with such strong auras, although she had been reborn, the shadow Baron cast in her last life was too overwhelming, she really didn't want to encounter him again.
Mia silently gave her a thumbs up, "Awesome! When he comes next time, I'll have to take a good look and see just who he is, enchanting our beautiful Ava like this."
"He is the most perfect jade in the world, someone I want to treasure forever." Ava cupped her hands in longing.
Mia: "..."
Once started, it was endless, huh?
The sweet words flowed quickly, ugh—
Although attending the same school, Ava was in the foreign languages department and Mia in the performance department, so they split ways shortly after walking, heading towards their respective academic buildings.
...
Ava adapted quickly at school, feeling no pressure from the current courses.
She planned to visit the Rawstone Market sometime and use her limited savings to earn her first bucket of gold.
It's best to start working early, or face trouble if reluctantly confronting the Rowe Family later.
After getting off the bus, she didn't head straight home.
Instead, she first wandered around Southhill Street; this street was just outside South Wind Alley's entrance, where their family supermarket was located, only a few hundred meters from home.
Julius was learning craftsmanship from a master jade carver on Quyang Long Street nearby. He was extraordinarily talented, and the master treated him as his successor, which inevitably caused envy from others.
While heading to Quyang Long Street, Ava recalled her past experiences, methodically organizing the steps of Julius's dark path.
Since she now preemptively knew many things, she planned to play a protective little strategist, ensuring he doesn't slip into darkness, driven mad by the protagonists, and end up dying alone in a mental hospital.
Quyang Long Street was a street steeped in nostalgia, surrounded by many antique shops, designed with a retro style, seeming quaint yet majestic.
Stepping onto blue stone pavement, Ava soon arrived at Palmer Jade Store. Judging by its time to close, the people inside were cleaning up, and a young guy near the door, noticing a non-regular customer entering, lazily said, "Little sister, we're closing up shop; come again tomorrow if you need something."
Ava recognized him; he was also a disciple of Basil Palmer, joining three years before Julius, but with insight lesser than Julius's.
Early on, he knew to work hard and improve, but later felt Elder Palmer favored Julius more, leading to crooked thoughts.
Later, instigated by Baron Roan, he teamed up with some thugs, crippling Julius's hands, making him unable to hold a carving knife for life.
Ava narrowed her eyes, holding little affection for this guy, she coldly stated, "I'm here to find someone."