The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 270

Chapter 270: How could there still be that bet?
“Congratulations to our classmate Sam, who achieved the highest score in our class and the second highest in the grade on this exam!”

“Eh? Is that really Sam?”

“He’s not only handsome, but now his grades are suddenly this good too? How are we supposed to live!”

“Hmm? If he’s second in the grade, who’s first?”

“Do we even need to ask? Who else could it be but that person?”

Amid the scattered applause, there were whispers and murmurs.

Sitting by the window, Sam didn’t seem to care much. His face bore a shy smile, but his eyes were calm and indifferent, showing no sign of pride.

Rather than the envy in others’ eyes or the jealous remarks, he preferred to look at the scenery outside the window. There wasn’t much of a view, just a bird that happened to fly across the blue sky, not stopping on any branch.

A crow perched on a telephone pole seemed to catch a glimpse of Sam’s ethereal gaze. It turned its head, shifting its attention to another window.

There sat a calm girl. So serene she seemed almost aloof, as if she was detached from the world, as if nothing and no one mattered to her in this world. Her beautiful profile faced the bright sunshine.

“So impressive… first in the grade again… Does she always come first no matter how many tests there are?”

“It must be something like that, right? After all, who can shake Sophie’s status? She’s not like us; she probably spends all her time on her studies.”

“She’s so beautiful, yet only has eyes for her studies… never participates in any group activities, seems like she doesn’t even have friends… Is it really worth it?”

“Does a student’s life consist only of grades? Such a waste of beauty…”

Sophie had long grown accustomed to such comments.

It seemed that every time the class teacher announced the results, such voices would emerge. Initial admiration followed by sarcastic remarks had become the norm.

She understood these sentiments. People are good at comforting themselves, and even better at questioning the ‘significance’ of achievements they themselves cannot attain. Not to find a legitimate reason, but to make others’ efforts seem futile. To them, others’ talents were as worthless as scrap paper.

She didn’t care about these opinions. She knew the true value of her studies. What she understood even more was that, without selling her soul, the only way to change her fate and overcome past misfortunes was this path alone.

Yet, this first place in the grade…

It somehow always felt so unreal, always like this…

As Sophie pondered this, she suddenly heard a voice.

“Aren’t you guys done yet? Is it necessary to talk about her like that?”

The unexpected voice made Sophie look up. It was Thalia.

Not in her usual guise of not wanting to offend anyone. She even stood between the group of boys and girls who were talking, and spoke out directly.

The students who had been discussing Sophie paused, looking at Thalia strangely.

“We didn’t mean anything by it…”

But Thalia shook her head, her expression serious as she looked at them.

“Sophie is my friend. I know very well that her grades and being first in the grade are the results of her hard work. So please, don’t trample on her efforts like this, okay?”

“I… we understand.”

The group dispersed awkwardly, like ants scattering after a disturbance.

Sophie watched blankly until she saw Thalia walking towards her, smiling.

“Don’t mind them. They’re just used to saying such things, probably not even realizing how hurtful it can be to others.”

Sophie averted her gaze and shook her head.

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“Eh? Why get used to something like that? It must be a lot of pressure for you, right?” Thalia asked, not understanding.

Perhaps that was just Sophie’s way—always doing things others couldn’t comprehend, marching to the beat of her own drum, with thoughts that often diverged from the majority.

Maybe people are just animals craving different frequencies? Because so many live similar lives, perhaps there’s a need for some unique individuals to satisfy the craving for novelty.

Sophie didn’t hesitate in her response. “Because pressure is also motivation. These voices remind me what I need to keep fighting for.”

Thalia seemed unable to keep up with the girl’s train of thought. “Fighting for what?”

Sophie glanced at her, then said nonchalantly, “To one day stand so high that others can only look up to me.”

Thalia stood still, blinking. Then, suddenly excited, she leaned her hands on Sophie’s desk. “That’s so fiery!”

Sophie frowned. “Is that really necessary?”

Thalia laughed. “Don’t you feel like you’re like Luna from those novels? Enduring in silence, working hard in the shadows, just to make a name for yourself and rise above one day?”

Sophie sighed softly. “Anyway, whatever people do, they do it for themselves, right? It’s all the same, and success isn’t even guaranteed.”

Thalia smiled. “I believe you can definitely achieve what you want.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because I just believe you can, do I need a reason? If I must have one… it’s probably intuition.”

“Intuition, huh?”

Human intuition is mostly unreliable, Sophie thought to herself with a touch of self-mockery. Being first in the grade—what does that even mean? Every school has a top student, but too many places don’t produce someone who can change their fate.

First in the grade…

Hmm?

It felt like she had forgotten something.

…

“You’ve really betrayed our brotherhood, man. You’re actually… seriously focusing on your studies?!”

After school, on the way to the school gates, Louis was clearly displeased.

Of course, Sam had anticipated this boy’s dissatisfaction.

Who in the world would want to see their buddy, who used to crack jokes and slack off in class together, suddenly become the second highest scorer in the grade?

Sam just smiled. “It’s nothing, really. I just focused hard for a while and happened to get tested on the topics I reviewed.”

Louis looked at Sam skeptically. “Really? Why do I feel like you’ve been chasing girls every day?”

“That’s your misconception. Interacting with girls is just a small part of it; my focus is on studying.”

“Look, Sam…”

Suddenly, Louis stared intently at himself.

“What is it?”

Sam felt something was off, as if Louis was about to reveal something big.

“You wouldn’t happen to have gained some system where flirting with girls boosts your academic performance, would you?”

“You’ve got quite the imagination, but no cigar. I’ve actually got a system where continuously conquering girls boosts all my abilities until I become a god,” Sam said, deadpan.

Louis burst into laughter, clapping Sam on the shoulder. “Well, when you become a god, remember to take me with you! And find me a goddess, not too pretty, someone like Angel will do.”

“You’re dreaming too big. If I become a god, all the goddesses will be mine.”

“Whoa! Planning on starting a harem, are you?”

“If we’re dreaming, why be cautious, right?”

“True that, haha.”

Their laughter continued all the way to the school gates. Louis and Sam were headed in completely opposite directions.

So, Louis waved his hand. “I’m heading home then! See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Watching Louis walk away, Sam couldn’t help but feel that there was a unique charm to his friend’s simple and pure way of life.

At least he didn’t have to live under constant pressure like himself.

Come to think of it… wasn’t the time spent with Louis the most relaxing?

“Your relationship with him is pretty good, even though he’s a guy.”

The sudden comment snapped Sam out of his daydreams.

Turning around, Sam saw Angel, who had appeared beside him at some unknown time. She was as beautiful as ever, standing there with her dignified and elegant demeanor, her movements no different from anyone else’s, yet she exuded a special aura.

This time, Sam wasn’t nervous or fearful. Instead, he greeted her with a bright, genuine smile, not a facade but a heartfelt one.

“Look who’s here, the Heiress.”

Angel looked at Sam with disdain. “What’s with this thuggish look? When did you start hanging out with gangs behind my back?”

Sam shook his head, looking at the girl who still looked gorgeous even when showing disgust. “What gangs? This is what you call a small man getting cocky… no, this is called strutting one’s stuff!”

Angel scoffed. “And why exactly are you strutting your stuff? Grown wings, have you?”

Sam shook his head. “I’m second in our grade.”

That was all he said.

Angel’s expression soured instantly. She frowned. “Second isn’t first… what’s there to be proud of?”

Sam replied with a smile. “I don’t need to be first in the grade, because you’re not first either, right?”

Angel fell silent, ready to walk away.

Sam quickly grabbed her wrist. “Really? You’re going to run away after losing a bet? That’s quite the capitalist spirit.”

Angel glared at the smug-looking Sam. “What bet? I don’t remember.”

“No worries, just remember that from now on you should call me ‘big brother.'”

Angel really felt like slapping him at that moment. She bit her lip. “Let go first.”

“If I let go, you’ll run away. Call me ‘big brother’ first, let’s hear it.”

Sam was looking forward to it. Hearing the always proud Angel call him ‘big brother’ would be incredibly sweet.

Pretending to be angry, Angel said, “Let go first, I won’t run. I have something for you.”

“Really?” Sam skeptically released his grip.

He watched as she rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a red string… no, it wasn’t just a simple red string, because it also had a shiny, gold-like object threaded onto it… it seemed to be a carving of some ancient mythical beast.

In simple terms, it appeared to be a protective charm, a red string bracelet.

“What’s this?” Sam asked curiously.

“Just give me your hand,” Angel replied.

“Okay.” Sam obediently stretched out his hand.

The girl tied the red string bracelet around Sam’s left wrist. Sam watched her, slightly dazed by the gentle sway of her hair and her serious side profile. Her face, earnest and beautiful, seemed to gather all the wonderful light in the world, making it impossible to look away.

What was even more overwhelming, irresistibly so, was the fact that she was putting a bracelet on him.

Would the Heiress really do something like this?

Was this still Angel?

After she finished, Angel looked up with a cool expression and said, “This is a charm that my mother got blessed by a high monk at a temple in Selena’s hometown. You need to wear it all the time.”

“For me?” Sam blinked.

Angel lifted her wrist, showing off another identical bracelet on her pale wrist. “It’s for both of us. So you have to keep wearing it. If one day I don’t see this bracelet on you, your whole arm might just disappear.”

“Isn’t this too valuable?” Sam wondered. Perhaps the gold and the red string weren’t much, but the so-called monk’s blessing… he didn’t know if it was effective, but it must have been very expensive, incredibly so!

These wealthy families, he knew, were often more superstitious than one might imagine.

Angel scoffed dismissively. “It is indeed very valuable, so consider it settling our bet.”

“Ah? Then I’ll give it back to you.”

“Try it,” she challenged.

Sam didn’t even begin to try taking it off, already deterred by her casually intimidating gaze.

At that moment, a black sedan pulled up to the curb, clearly there for the girl. Sam could see Elowen’s profile in the driver’s seat.

Sam thought for a moment.

“That’s just your godmother’s favoritism, it has nothing to do with our bet. You still have to call me ‘big brother.'”

“What bet? I only have my dear Sam, I don’t have a brother.”

Seizing the moment Sam relaxed slightly, Angel quickly pulled open the car door and jumped in.

With a bang, she shut the door, displaying a rare behavior akin to fleeing.

Sam watched her, both amused and annoyed.

“Was that necessary?”

Angel squinted her eyes mischievously.

“Very necessary, for me.”

“What about your claim that you always do what you say?”

“Ah… well, Elowen, drive.”

“Vroom!”

The sedan shot off like a rocket, leaving a trail of dust behind in front of Sam. It was a clean getaway.

This time, Sam didn’t need any excuse to leave; she had run off.

Incredible…

…

“Ah, finally home.”

Sophie threw her backpack on the sofa.

This seemed to be her happiest moment.

Just coming home, changing shoes, taking off socks, slipping into slippers, and tossing the backpack aside. It felt like the ultimate relaxation, as if the world could crumble the next second and it wouldn’t matter to her.

But before Sophie could even think about what to do next in her relaxed time, the doorbell suddenly rang.

What the heck?

Someone ringing her doorbell right after school?

Sophie got up somewhat annoyed, with a bad feeling.

The moment she opened the door, she saw Sam, with his backpack slung over one shoulder and carrying several plastic bags of various sizes.

Sophie stared at him, puzzled.

“Sam… what are you doing?”

Sam smiled.

“Sorry to disturb, could you let me in?”

“Let in… what?”

“Let me in.”

“Why would you come in?”

Sam sighed, looking quite distressed, then lifted the plastic bags filled with vegetables and meat.

“No choice, lost the bet, now I have to be your nanny.”

Sophie’s eyes widened as she suddenly remembered what she thought she had forgotten.

How could there still be that bet?!