Chapter 17
Medu
There’s still plenty of time; I’ll study hard.”
Jack’s gaze fell on me, then he looked down, his voice cold, “Don’t ask such simple questions in the future!”
I smiled. Did that mean I could still ask questions?
For several days, I lingered in the infirmary after school, only leaving once my homework was done. But Chloe, distracted by her gaming training, started to zone out in class and even sleep.
Of course, as the teacher’s favorite, she only said she wasn’t feeling well, and the teacher didn’t press further.
I saw Chloe flaunting her training camp photos on social media, along with videos of her gaming alongside her brothers, all with matching usernames. It was the same as in my past life, but I wasn’t part of it.
“Not focusing on homework but wanting to play games?” Jack approached me, saw the gaming videos on my phone.
I shook my head.“Just browsing. Studying is my top priority.”
Next week is the monthly exam. If you make it into the top 100, you can play games.”
I grinned.“Will you play with me, teacher?” I knew he played the game, too.
He lowered his eyes, his profile still handsome.“It’s been a while since I played; let’s talk after you make it into the top 100.”
“Deal.”
I looked at his back. I had to make it into the top 100. After all, he acted like he was really good. I was pretty good at gaming in my past life too. Maybe then I could impress Jack in the game and regain a bit of my self–esteem.
Suddenly, I felt a spark of excitement.
After finishing my homework and heading home, I walked into the living room and saw my second brother, Noah, sitting on the couch.
My heart dropped; why was he back so early? The brothers had been at the training camp and usually returned late.
Noah looked up, his tone serious. “Where have you been? Why are you back so late?”
My heart pounded. I couldn’t let him know about the infirmary. I didn’t want to lose my only sanctuary.
I looked down at the floor.“I went to a study hall. It was crowded, which is good for studying.”
“Give me your backpack.”
I handed it over and watched as my brother flipped through my homework, seeing the dense notes and error corrections.
After reading, Noah looked dubious. The housekeeper had told him I hadn’t returned on time. He hadn’t expected me to actually be studying.
He set the backpack down,“Alice, we need to talk.”
“Noah, what do you want to talk about?”
Noah noticed the quiet me in front of him and felt I had changed a lot, but he couldn’t pinpoint how. In the past, I would have cried and complained. But now, I said nothing. It felt like I was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
Noah said, “Chloe is improving rapidly. If you joined the training, you’d improve too. You’re talented. You could train part–time without interfering with your studies. Wouldn’t it be better for our family to be together? Ethan would be happy t to see us united,”
I looked down, my eyes filled with sarcasm.
I replied firmly, “I don’t want to join the team.”
“Alice, Chloe is part of our family, and so are you. We should support each other, not push her away like you do. After all, her dad saved your life!” Noah couldn’t understand; he had given me so many opportunities, yet I didn’t seem to appreciate them.
They were treating Chloe well to repay a debt of gratitude.
The living room fell silent, the heavy air making it hard for me to breathe,
I clenched my fists, barely holding it together.
Damn it!
My voice was tinged with mockery.“Noah, do you want me to give my life to Chloe for you to be satisfied?”
