Chapter 3 Hurting One's Virtue

First, the girls were really craving this hotpot place; second, it was Richard who invited them. That alone carried a lot of weight-not just anyone in school could get Richard to open his mouth.

The girls giggled and pulled each other into their seats.

Adam took the lead with introductions. "I'm Adam, from Class 19. You all know Brother Richard already. This is Carlos, and... well, there are too many of us, you probably won't remember everyone."

The boys immediately raised an uproar. "What, we don't deserve names now?!"

Adam gave a faint smile. "Anyway, you can call us big brothers or little brothers-whatever you like."

"Seriously, Adam, hitting on the girls right away."

"Get lost!"

These boys carried a wild, unruly air, very different from the gentle and modest guys the girls were used to in their classes.

The girls stuck out their tongues playfully and introduced themselves-at least now everyone knew each other.

Since Richard was sitting at the outermost edge of the table, the girls pushed Snow to sit beside him.

He had a kind of dangerously seductive aura. Even Snow, who had been reborn, couldn't help but feel affected by him-her heart beat a little faster.

The waiter brought over the menu, and the boys, without hesitation, handed it straight to Richard.

Normally, Richard didn't interact much with girls. He picked up the pen to order, but Adam nudged his chair with his foot.

Richard looked up. "What?"

Adam gave him a look, "Dude, show some chivalry!"

Richard wasn't exactly known for being a gentleman, but after glancing at Snow-quiet as a mouse beside him-he still handed her the menu.

Snow took it without much thought and casually ticked off a few dishes according to her usual hotpot routine. She turned to ask the girls, "What do you want to eat?"

"We're dieting!"

"Yeah, nothing for us. You decide."

Snow, ......

Just a minute ago someone said they were so hungry they could drink the spicy soup base. Now they were all pretending to be delicate.

She passed the menu back to Richard, who was about to make his selections-

Pork belly, she ordered it. Sliced beef, also checked. Even his favorite chicken gizzards-on the list.

Richard scanned down the list and realized all his favorite dishes, whether meat or veggie, had been picked.

He frowned and looked at Snow, his dark eyes full of suspicion.

Snow tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly flushed. She seemed serene, focused on mixing her dipping sauce, completely unaware of his gaze.

There was something strange about her.

Richard had nothing left to add, so he handed the menu to Adam.

"Wow, Brother Richard didn't order anything today. That's rare."

Adam glanced at the menu and chuckled. "Hey, sis, were you Brother Richard's lover in a past life or something? You knew everything he likes!"

Snow froze mid-stir with her chopsticks, looking up to find Richard also staring at her with curious eyes.

Flustered, she muttered, "I... I just picked randomly. Don't most people eat the same hotpot dishes?"

"Still, that's way too accurate. Brother Richard's super picky-some things he won't touch, others he must have. You ticked off exactly all of his must-haves. That's no coincidence."

"Um..."

Well, it was precisely because Richard was so picky that Snow-who was used to eating everything-unconsciously chose all the dishes he loved.

She knew all his habits.

In their past life, during the time when he brought her home to recover, their intimacy surpassed that of most couples in love.

But they weren't lovers, because-

Richard had once had a racing accident. After that, he lost his sexual function as a man.

Snow never knew exactly when it happened. After all, she and Richard barely interacted during high school in her past life.

By the time they crossed paths again, he had already quit racing and fighting. His dreams had perished along with his body. The fierce light in his eyes was gone.

He'd become someone you'd never imagine him to be-an ordinary man with a nine-to-five job.

That snowy night, when Snow escaped from the hospital in her flimsy gown and collapsed by the road, it was Richard who found her, brought her home, and loved her fiercely-though he could do nothing more. He held back, to the point of madness.

Thinking back on those memories made Snow tremble.

She'd once believed she would spend her life with this broken man in quiet companionship-until she died unexpectedly...

Snow wouldn't let those things happen again.

After dinner, Richard took out his black wallet and handed it to Adam to pay the bill.

Snow said, "Let's split the bill."

The other girls quickly echoed, "Yeah, going Dutch is better."

Adam gave a relaxed smile. "When it's Brother Richard's treat, no girl ever pays."

Snow knew Richard didn't come from money. But he was a great earner-because he could fight, and fight well. He'd risk his life.

He could earn thousands in one night at underground fight clubs. And more when he helped rich young heirs race cars. If they won their bets, the pay was generous.

He was relentless. Snow believed there was nothing Richard couldn't do, if he set his mind to it.

He was like a wildfire-bold and untamed.

But that accident had snuffed out all his youthful arrogance...

Snow didn't take a car home-she strolled, letting the walk help with digestion.

She passed by the local flower shop, snack shop, dessert store... saw the uncles and aunties inside calling out as they worked, everything so familiar and dear.

It felt like she'd woken from a long dream-a whole lifetime lived in that dream.

Snow's home was in the city's most upscale garden-style townhouse community. They lived in a sleek rowhouse, elegant and quiet, surrounded by greenery and a trickling stream. Her own front yard was filled with flowers that bloomed in every season.

She loved nature. Loved life. She used to dream of a beautiful future-

A job she liked, marrying someone she loved, two kids, one cat, peaceful and happy days.

But even that simplest dream had become unreachable. Forget marriage and kids-her parents never even allowed her to date.

Because she was born with one purpose, to be her sister's blood donor.

To be used.

Why?

When Snow arrived home, the place was empty. Only the helper auntie was busy in the kitchen.

She lay down on her bed and pulled out her phone, seeing a tweet her sister had posted two minutes ago-a selfie of the whole family at dinner.

"With the love of Mom and Dad, I feel like the happiest girl in the world. I'll keep pushing forward. Love you all!"

Snow scrolled through the comments. All praise and encouragement from fans.

But then she spotted a rare comment that stood out,

"Weird. Why isn't the younger sister at the family dinner?"

That one line was like a drop of water into the sea, quickly drowned out.

Still, it gave Snow a sliver of comfort. At least someone had noticed her-seen her on TV.

This was just the beginning. She wasn't in a rush.

After resting, Snow went to the practice room-usually her sister's dance studio. Her cello was also there.

The two sisters had been enrolled in extracurriculars since they were little. Rose liked dancing. Snow didn't know what she liked back then, but when Rose said she needed someone to play accompaniment, Snow dumbly picked up the cello.

Learning cello was a five-star difficulty, but she stuck with it. Every weekend, rain or shine, she carried the heavy instrument to class.

Compared to Rose's elegant dancing, cello practice was tedious and dull. But Snow believed that once you made a choice, you had to follow through-like it or not.

She played Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, keeping an eye on the time. Grandma should be arriving soon.

In her past life, today was the day Grandma came to the house after the interview. The whole family ganged up to criticize Snow, saying her words on the show were outrageous.

Her mother had even cried, accusing her of being heartless and betraying sisterly love.

Snow had cried too-believing her own "sins."

...

Suddenly, a knock on the door. The maid called, "Miss, the old madam is here."

"Oh, okay!" Snow quickly put down her cello and walked out.

In the living room, Mrs. Old Turner sat upright on the couch. Her hair wasn't fully gray yet, and she wore fashionable glasses-a bit trendier than the typical grandma.

The Turners had been in business for three generations, a solid upper-class family. Many branches. Though Grandpa and Grandma were elderly, they still controlled the core of the group. Snow's father, among his brothers, wasn't particularly capable-he only managed one company.

So at home, everyone always tried to please Mrs. Old Turner.

Snow used to be afraid of her. She seemed so stern and serious.

But at the end of Snow's past life, the only one who stayed with her till death was this very grandmother.

The old lady had lived through chaos and bloodshed-cool-headed and shrewd, but ultimately kind.

Right now, she was the only one in the Turner family Snow could rely on.

"I heard the cello from far away. Thought it might be you, but I wasn't sure. Your playing's improved a lot."

Snow's cello skills were at a 25-year-old's level now. She'd passed all the exams, won all the awards. Way ahead of a 17-year-old.

"Maybe I've just been practicing more lately."

"Hard work is good. I like hardworking kids. Come, sit with Grandma."

Snow obediently sat beside her and held her arm. She would've been reluctant before-but not anymore. She wasn't afraid.

"I watched your interview today. What you said was quite deep. I wanted to come hear more from you in person."

In her past life, this visit had been to scold her. Snow had lost Grandma's favor that day.

Now, things were completely different.

"You said, 'When fighting monsters, beware of becoming one yourself.' What did you mean by that?"

"Grandma, it wasn't anything specific. I just think people and situations all have two sides. Someone who seems kind might not be; something that looks bad might have some good. I hope my sister and I can both reflect on that."

Mrs. Old Turner looked at her with surprise. This girl, who'd always been quiet and unremarkable, actually had such depth? She'd underestimated her.

She had never expected much from either girl-Rose was too flamboyant, and Snow too timid, not very bright. She'd thought they were both destined for mediocrity.

But now, she sensed a glimmer of potential in Snow.

It was too early to say more-she would keep observing.

She took Snow's hand. "Very good. Practice more, read more, grow as a person, okay?"

"I will, Grandma."

Just then, the front door opened. The rest of the family came in, chatting and laughing, arms full of shopping bags.

All for Rose-new clothes, new shoes.

When they saw Mrs. Old Turner, their faces lit up in surprise.

"Mom, why didn't you call us? We would've come to get you. You shouldn't have waited..."

"It's fine," she said. "I came to see the kids."

Rose rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Grandma! I'm so happy you came to see me!"

"I came to see Snow." Mrs. Old Turner gently pulled her hand back and patted Snow's. "She did well on the show today. I wanted to talk to her."

Rose's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Then let us both chat with you!"

Mrs. Old Turner glanced at the bags in Sally's hands. "Out shopping? Didn't take Snow?"

Sally replied, "She was out eating with friends."

"So I assume you got her some new clothes too?"

Sally's expression shifted. "A lot of things need to be tried on. Since she wasn't with us, it was hard to pick."

"So all those bags are just for Rose?"

"Well..."

Sally was flustered-Mrs. Old Turner usually didn't care about Snow. Why now?

"I'll take Snow shopping next time," she added weakly.

"No need," said Grandma. "You're busy."

Mrs. Old Turner took a card from her purse and gave it to Snow. "Get whatever you want. Don't shortchange yourself. You've been through a lot."

That "you've been through a lot" had deeper meaning. She felt the family owed Snow.

Rose watched, jealousy flaring in her eyes.

"Grandma, I don't need it."

Bill spoke up. "Grandma gave it to you. Just take it."

With her father's permission, Snow accepted it and thanked her grandmother.

Later, as Sally and Bill walked Mrs. Old Turner to her car, Snow stood by her bedroom window and overheard,

"You have two daughters. Don't play favorites. If one feels wronged, your home will never be at peace."

"Mom, we haven't treated Snow badly-she gets everything Rose gets."

"You said you had another child just to be Rose's blood donor. I disagreed. It was unfair. But Rose's life was at stake... Still, you must remember-what you've done lacks virtue. It will cost you in the end."

"Mom, we had no choice. I love both my daughters. I just dote on Rose a little more because she's sick. I'm sure Snow understands."

...

Snow didn't listen further.

She pulled out the card, then locked it carefully in her drawer.

She wouldn't spend it carelessly.

She had to save it-for the future.