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nTranslator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

nMia smiled. “Or you can also pray for the other party to be safe and sound forever.”

nClaire gave her a cold glance. “This joke is not funny.”

n“Um… alright.”

nAt this time, the door was knocked.

n“The food is ready.”

nMia looked at Claire. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

nFor some reason, Claire nodded.

nLiving room.

nThe woman set the table and said softly, “You eat first. I’ll go check on the soup.”

nClaire turned her head and stared at the busy figure of the woman in the kitchen, which gradually overlapped with the figure in her memory.

nPerceiving her gaze, Mia asked. “Why do you keep looking at my mother?”

nAs if being awakened from a dream, Claire looked a little sad. “Your mother… looks like a person I know.”

n“Who?”

n“My mother.” Claire’s eyes turned misty and her voice became bitter. “When she was alive, she always wore an apron, busy all day long as if she was never tired.”

n“Did she cook well?” Mia asked.

n“Yes.”

nMia smiled and beckoned Claire to taste the food. “Then try my mother’s cooking.”

nLate at night, Claire returned to the Smiths’ mansion.

nShe walked to the stairs, and Ada happened to come down from the second floor at the same time.

nPhoebe, who was sitting in the living room reading a book, glanced at her watch and purposely said, “Oh, it’s already ten o’clock.”

nUpon hearing this, Ada instantly scowled as she had expected.

nShe handed the envelope in her hand to Claire and said crossly, “This is an invitation from your principal. Next week he’ll hold a birthday banquet.”

nClaire took it carelessly, bypassing her and going upstairs without saying a word.

nBehind her, Ada said softly to Phoebe, “Your principal will hold a birthday banquet next week. Shall I prepare a new dress for you?”

nPhoebe said sweetly, “Mom, I’m not going. I’d like to go to the field to sketch next week.”

n“OK, it’s up to you.”

nAda looked up at Claire who was going upstairs and sighed.

nOne fooled around till late at night every day.

nThe other gave up playing and concentrated on studying.

nIt was obvious who her good daughter was.

nThe bedroom on the second floor.

nClaire had just thrown the envelope into the trash can when her phone rang.

nIt was from Adam.

n“What’s the matter?” Claire turned on the speakerphone and walked to the bathroom carrying her pajamas.

nAdam asked on the phone. “Have you got the invitation letter from your principal?”

n“Yes.”

n“Are you going to his birthday party?”

nClaire said casually, “I’m too lazy to go.”

n“Oh, please come!” Adam was like a kid when talking to her although he was already in his late fifties. “Let’s go together. You can be my companion. I’ll go abroad for academic research next week and won’t be able to see you for more than half a year…”

n“Alright, I’ll go then.”

nClaire got a headache from his nagging.

nAfter the shower, she took the envelope out of the trash can.

nThen she lay on the bed and turned off the lights.

nThe moonlight outside the window was cold and clear. Sleepless, Claire touched the mark on her chest.

nAt least she was still alive now, though her heart might stop beating at any time.

nThe next day, she came to school.

nThe classroom was in an uproar, and everyone was talking about Andrew Hall.

nHis body was found in a remote alley. The cause of his death couldn’t be found because the surveillance was maliciously damaged. There were no clues for the cause of his death.

nClaire propped her chin with a hand and looked towards the front row.

nMia sat in her seat, quietly working on math problems, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding discussion. She was wearing that baggy coat and had returned to her usual ordinary and dissocial appearance.

nBut no one bullied her anymore!

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