Chapter 2

"I'll go pull her back."

I stopped the classmate who wanted to chase after them and smiled. "Forget it."

There's a saying—people who don't love you can't see your existence.

If that's the case, why should I care?

"Let's go. Today's on me!"

At the bar, the atmosphere was lively. Because Ulysses wasn't there.

During previous class group activities, no one had looked down on him for being a scholarship student. They'd taken him everywhere, but he always said inappropriate things.

"A plate of fruit costs a hundred dollars? So expensive. You're all so rich."

"I'm not rich like you guys to buy gifts, so I can only give verbal blessings. Happy birthday."

"My family is poor. I really envy how you throw away clothes when they get a hole in them."

He always disguised himself as the victim, as if we were flaunting our wealth in front of him. Whenever this happened, Rachel would always stand up to defend him.

"What are you thinking about? Sing a song and vent all the frustration you've been holding inside."

A classmate shoved a microphone into my hand, got up, and ran to select "Endless Love."

This used to be my favorite song, but not anymore.

"Change it. 'Lonely Boy.'"

The classmate paused, then silently changed the song.

As soon as the intro started, the private room door was flung open. Rachel walked in with Ulysses.

Instantly, the lively atmosphere in the room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Rachel acted as if she hadn't noticed, speaking to herself. "Ulysses persuaded me. I thought about it and realized he was right—I really should come. Plus, I think it's necessary to let you all see him completely transformed."

Rachel smiled broadly. "So, how is it? Isn't he handsome?"

The room remained silent.

I looked at Ulysses, dressed in a full suit, wearing a tie, dress pants, and leather shoes, and was the first to applaud. "He really is handsome!"

"At least you have good taste!" Rachel was very satisfied with my perceptiveness. "Actually, Ulysses is very handsome. He just didn't have money to dress up before. Now looking at him, he's no worse than any of you."

I smiled. Handsome?

Although dressed in designer brands, he looked awkward no matter how you looked at him!

People with dark hearts can't project refinement no matter how they dress.

Rachel calling him handsome was just beauty in the eye of the beholder.

Rachel scanned Ulysses up and down, touching her chin. "Seems like something's still missing."

She turned to look at me. "Emmanuel, take off your watch and give it to Ulysses. I won't ask you to give him clothes—just give him a watch. You can't object to that, right?"

I paused and looked down at my wrist.

The watch was old, but I'd always worn it and carefully maintained it.

Because it was a gift from Rachel's father.

When Rachel's father had put it on my wrist, he'd said, "This is the Wilson family's heirloom token. Now I'm entrusting it to you. From now on, Rachel and the Wilson family are in your hands."

After a long silence, I spoke in a hoarse voice. "Are you sure?"

"What's there to be unsure about? It's just a watch. Or are you saying you can't even bear to part with a watch?"

Rachel's tone was dissatisfied. She walked over and forcefully removed the watch. The process was rough. I wanted to stop her several times but held back.

"Uncle Peter, don't blame me. This is Rachel's decision. She thinks Ulysses deserves this watch more than I do."

Looking at Rachel's face, I thought silently to myself.

Rachel hadn't expected me to remain silent the entire time. She successfully removed the watch and nodded with satisfaction.

"Emmanuel, you've finally grown up."

With that, she turned and walked back to Ulysses, gently putting the watch on him with a tender expression, being extremely careful as if afraid of hurting Ulysses even slightly.