Ethan Ford barely lifted his eyes as Jade spoke, his expression calm, cold, and impossible to read.
"No need," he replied, voice low and dismissive.
Jade blinked. "But I need it. I have to match you openly. We can't walk outside and let people whisper that Young Master Ford brought along a… vase."
She didn't even finish before she sighed and flopped into the nearest chair. She had tried to persuade him gently, logically, sweetly… nothing worked. This man's stubbornness could rival a mountain.
When she realized persuasion wasn't getting anywhere, she stood up, marched toward him, and patted his shoulder like a motivational coach trying to encourage a stone statue.
Ethan set down his chopsticks with a faint clack, stood, and adjusted his sleeves. "I'm done. I'll tell Aunt Lin to prepare lunch. I'll come home at noon."
He left without looking back.
Jade's heart dropped like someone kicked it off a cliff.
He still didn't believe her.
Of course he didn't. After everything she did in her last life—the chaos, the obsession with Adrian Fang, the mistrust, the fights—Ethan had every right to doubt her. The fact that he even tolerated her now was already more than she deserved.
She watched the front door close, her fingers curling into her sleeves.
"This is my fault," she whispered.
She checked her phone. Today's date glared at her from the calendar screen—Monday. The day of Peng University's exam.
The day her downfall began.
On this exact day, in her past life, she had been suspended for scoring zero in every single subject. At the same time, she had been arguing violently with Ethan… while her relationship with her family crumbled. She had thrown everything away that day.
And then… she had snuck into Ethan's company, copied confidential files, and handed them to Adrian Fang.
That was the beginning of the end—her family's disappointment, Ethan's heartbreak, and Ethan eventually being wanted by the authorities.
Jade pressed her tongue against her cheek and sneered at her reflection in the glass window.
This time… she refused to be the same fool.
She wandered through the villa and eventually circled to a side window, half-open. No cameras. She had checked everything before; this was the only blind spot.
She paused, then snorted. "At least something from my past life is still useful."
She glanced down at herself—
Oh. Right.
She was still wearing Ethan's oversized shirt.
If she appeared like this on campus again, Peng University's gossip forums would explode. She was already infamous enough—known as the school's "playgirl," the "vase," the "beauty without brains."
"No way I'm going out looking like this again."
She rushed upstairs, tore through her wardrobe, and found a clean, simple outfit—quiet, elegant, fitting. Not flashy. Not gaudy. Not the clownish fashion Lila Quinn used to push onto her in her past life.
How had she ever thought those hideous outfits were stylish?
She owed Lila nothing.
With practiced ease she slipped through the window, landed lightly on her hands, and sprung up. Her slender figure moved like a shadow—quick, fluid, silent. The guards around the property didn't even notice her.
Freedom.
She grabbed a taxi and arrived at Peng University fifteen minutes later. Ten minutes to spare.
She exhaled.
She didn't know she had caused a commotion merely by stepping foot on campus.
"Is that… Jade Quinn?! The school flower vase? Why is she here?"
"She actually showed up to class?"
"She looks… different today though."
"No idea, but look at that profile. God… she's really pretty."
"Stay focused! The exam is in ten minutes!"
But the boys stealing glances didn't bother hiding their interest—Jade's long dark hair, tucked behind her ear, revealed her bright, clean side profile. Her nose was tall and defined, her jawline smooth, her skin fair. With natural light brushing her features, she looked effortlessly beautiful.
Jade ignored all of them.
She had no time for idiots.
"Aw man… Class 1 is doomed again. Jade's here."
Jade froze.
Class 1…?
She rubbed her temples. Right. She was enrolled in Class 1.
In high school she'd been a genius with the highest college entrance exam score in the entire city. Peng University's elite Class 1 practically fought over admitting her. Teachers were excited. Students were curious.
Then she submitted a blank exam paper her first semester.
Her reputation instantly collapsed.
Her grades stayed at zero. Every. Single. Time.
It was all because she hadn't cared.
And she hadn't needed the diploma.
She had completed two double degrees abroad already.
Learning came easily to her—it was boredom that made her reckless.
She stepped through the entrance of Peng University, drowning in déjà vu.
Students whispered nonstop as she walked down the hallway toward her building.
She stopped a passing girl.
"Excuse me, where is Class 1?"
The girl froze and pointed automatically.
"Class 5 is that way—"
"I said Class 1."
The girl blinked. "You… want Class 1? Adrian Fang is in Class 5, you know—"
"I said Class 1," Jade repeated, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Right, right—this way!" The girl quickly pointed and ran off.
Jade sighed. Her image was too deeply ingrained in everyone's minds, apparently.
She headed toward the classroom. Even before she opened the door, she heard loud recitation inside. Peng University was serious about their exams. Everyone studied hard.
Except the old Jade.
She pulled out a baseball cap, tucked her hair inside, and pushed open the front door quietly—
Only for the entire classroom to freeze.
"Damn! Jade Quinn is here!"
"Gu— I mean Jade vase is here!"
The nickname "vase" wasn't praise. It meant useless. Pretty but empty. In her last life, she wore heavy makeup, flashy clothes, and skipped classes. She didn't do their assignments. Her grades were trash.
The label stuck.
"What's she doing here before an exam?"
"Great. We're going to come in last place again…"
A girl threw her book onto the ground in frustration.
Jade's eyes lifted toward the voice.
Mia Lee.
Lila Quinn's loyal sidekick. Rude, arrogant, entitled. Last life, Jade tolerated her because of Lila.
This life?
Not a chance.
Jade crossed her arms casually. "Mia Lee… if I remember correctly, you're second to last, aren't you? Zero in major subjects, fifteen in calculus, twenty in linear algebra—"
Laughter filled the room.
Mia's face turned red. "At least I'm above you! You're the last place. Always."
Jade tilted her head, smiled coldly. "I'm lazy. You're genuinely stupid."
Gasps echoed.
Mia's eyes widened. "You—!"
But Jade was already walking past her.
No fear. No hesitation. She took her seat like she owned the classroom.
Students whispered behind her, stunned.
This wasn't the useless, clingy, lovesick Jade Quinn they knew.
This Jade… was confident. Sharp. Untouchable.
And for the first time in a long time…
Jade felt alive.