Chapter 1

When my parents called to inform me that they were going to meet my childhood sweetheart’s blind date,

He was sleeping soundly beside me.

I thought it was a joke, so I whispered, “Jacob Davies, they said they found you a blind date.”

He lazily mumbled an “Mm” and pulled me into his arms.

“Good girl, in a bit, help me pick some clothes and do my hair.”

Seeing me freeze in place, Jacob opened his eyes and chuckled.

“What’s wrong with you? We’re just bed buddies, don’t tell me you think I’m going to marry you?”

I was momentarily stunned.

I could only awkwardly busy myself.

I didn’t dare look at Jacob. After pushing him away, I picked up the clothes on the floor and threw them on haphazardly.

“Joanne Thomas, look at me.” Jacob propped his chin up with his arm, his gaze playful.

“You don’t really think we’re a couple, do you?”

My mind was filled with the words “bed buddies,” and my hands were shaking. I couldn’t even manage to fasten the clasp of my bra.

Jacob kicked the blanket off, revealing his lean, toned waist. He half-knelt beside the bed.

He extended his hand and expertly fastened my bra for me.

I lowered my head. “Who is the blind date?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Please don’t tell me it’s someone my uncle just grabbed from the matchmaking corner.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, noticing the red marks on my body, still feeling the soreness in my legs.

Jacob was only wearing gray sweatpants. As he walked closer, he buried his head in my neck.

“It’s Tracy Evans.”

He raised his beautiful peach blossom eyes and repeated,

“Tracy, the senior from the art department back in college.

“Don’t say, but I’m actually kind of nervous to see her.”

My hand froze as I was applying lipstick. Of course, I remembered.

Jacob had once secretly liked her, but before he confessed, he heard she had gone abroad.

I thought it was all in the past…

Jacob stared at me and pressed his lips together. “Joanne, don’t get any wrong ideas about me.

“We’ve been through everything together, bare-assed since childhood. Although… you are pretty, I still see you as a bro.

“You’re my perfect eating buddy, car buddy, and bed buddy...”

I felt like I’d been struck by a heavy blow, my body going cold. Looking at Jacob’s smile, I forced a smile of my own.

He continued, “And you know exactly what clothes to wear, even which set of underwear you’ll pair with it.

“It’s honestly pretty boring.

“Sometimes, when I wake up in the middle of the night and see you sleeping beside me, I actually get scared—

“Scared that if I joked with my family and said we’re married, my whole life would be over in a flash.”

After saying that, he shuddered.

Just thinking about it seemed to send a chill through him.

I gripped my palm tightly, struggling not to let the tears fall.

“I’ve got something to do.”

I said, wrapping myself in my coat and fleeing like a deserter.

I thought Jacob and I were in a relationship.

After all, we were like most couples.

We ate together, went on dates, had dinners with friends, and during truth or dare, we’d kiss each other and say, “I love you.”

Jacob would personally pick me up and drop me off on rainy days.

He’d secretly hold my hand under the table during family gatherings.

I never knew that what I thought was half a year of dating was actually just a game of make-believe.

“Joanne?” Mom knocked on the car window, peering in with concern.

I snapped out of it.

Seeing my tear-streaked face in the rearview mirror, I hurriedly responded and wiped my face before getting out of the car.

“Mom!” I feared she’d see how disheveled I looked, so I threw myself into her arms, smiling. “I missed you.”

Mom, carrying groceries, linked her arm with mine, seeming to relax.

“Why are you sitting in the car instead of at home? You scared me. Didn’t you see the news about someone suffocating in their car...”

I nodded.

Suddenly, Mom changed the subject. “By the way, Joanne, um… Jacob’s blind date is coming soon. This time, your uncle and aunt are really serious about it. I heard Jacob has been planning this for a long time. Jacob even mentioned that he’s worried the girl might feel awkward, so with you there, she won’t feel so out of place.

“I’ve been friends with Jacob’s aunt for so many years, and today if you go…”

Mom looked at me, hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

I gave a soft “hm” and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m just here to lighten the mood, say some nice things, you know.”

Mom looked at me with concern.

Yes, I had a photo of Jacob and me next to my bed.

Everything he gave me, I treasured and kept safe. Not to mention the pages of my notebook filled with love that couldn’t be hidden.

How could Mom not understand?

We quietly walked home, and when we opened the door, I suddenly brought it up.

“Next month, Dad is retiring. Let’s move to Hawaii and settle down there.”

I looked at Mom, who was stunned, and smiled, acting cute.

“You’ve always planned to retire there, right? I don’t have any big dreams. As long as I can be a dance teacher and stay with you both, that’s enough for me.”

Sitting at Jacob’s house with Mom and Dad felt different this time.

In the past, we’d always playfully banter. Last time, we even hid in his bedroom under the pretext of playing a game to steal kisses.

This time...

“Ah, my dear, you don’t know. This little brat Jacob went through so much trouble to pursue Tracy.

Chapter 2

“Why not just go after her directly? Why all this talk about relationships with marriage as a premise, and then getting Uncle Davies to use connections to get her to meet as a blind date?”

I looked around at the carefully decorated house, filled with roses.

There were fruits, sweets, and tea on the table, and even Jacob’s dog was dressed in a bright red outfit.

Meanwhile, Jacob kept checking himself in the mirror again and again, making sure he was perfect.

It was laughable. Last night, we had just been in each other’s arms, and he had kissed the red mole on my waist with so much passion.

And the underwear he was wearing right now was the one I bought for him.

“Ah, it’s just a shame...” Aunt Davies said, holding Mom’s hand with a sigh, “When we were kids, we talked about becoming in-laws. We even arranged a childhood betrothal for the two kids!”

Aunt Davies glanced at me. “I really like this girl, Joanne. She’s not only beautiful, but she’s also got a great personality. She’s lively and cheerful...”

I lowered my gaze, too afraid to respond.

I was terrified that if I said something wrong, tears would start falling uncontrollably.

“Mom!” Jacob frowned, looking displeased. “You said it yourself, that was something from the previous generation. You and Aunt Thomas are close, why don’t you marry her? What does it have to do with me?

“It’s a new era. Stop clinging to outdated ideas.”

He paid no attention to the elders’ faces.

Then, he turned to me with a stiff tone, as if I had asked Aunt Davies to say those words.

“Joanne, where’s the bracelet my mom gave you?”

When I didn’t react, Jacob stepped forward and pulled my wrist, lifting my sleeve.

“It’s the betrothal gift they talked about when we were kids. I’m worried Tracy might not like it if she knows...”

Just as he finished speaking,

Uncle Davies and Dad, who were drinking tea, froze.

Mom, who was busy arranging flowers for Jacob, stopped as well.

In an instant, the atmosphere became tense.

Mom stared at me, throwing the vase and scissors on the table with a loud crash.

She was about to get up when Aunt Lin grabbed her arm.

Aunt Lin stood up decisively, stepping in front of me and forcefully shoving Jacob.

“Jacob! What do you think you’re doing?!

“Let’s not even talk about you and Tracy not having anything serious yet... That bracelet? You were the one who cried and begged for Joanne to wear it when you were seventeen!”

Jacob seemed to finally come to his senses.

I remembered the year someone confessed to me.

He had secretly drunk some alcohol, snuck into my house in the middle of the night, crying and throwing a fit, even kneeling down, begging me to wear the jade bracelet passed down through his family.

He tugged at his tie, sighed deeply, and then smiled at me. “I was just too nervous. I... I believe once I give something, it should never be taken back... You keep it.”

“It’s fine. I’ll return it to you. I’ll go home and grab it,” I interrupted calmly. “I’ll be quick, it won’t take long.”

Before anyone could react, I grabbed my bag and left swiftly.

When I returned with the bracelet and was about to knock on the door, I was startled by loud cheers.

“Welcome...”

Jacob’s smile froze when he saw me. “Why is it you?”

It seemed like he hadn’t expected me to come back, or that I’d actually return the bracelet.

When I handed it to him, Jacob’s face was full of disbelief. Finally, he took it, leaned in close to my ear, and whispered.

“Joanne, since we’ve always been such a good team, don’t cause trouble today.

“Tracy is a girl, and her feelings are delicate. Be careful not to say anything to upset her.”

I didn’t want to respond.

Just because Tracy is a girl, does that mean I’m not?

I looked at the man I had loved all through my youth, the coldness creeping inside me almost consumed me.

Ten minutes later, Tracy, guided by a mediator, entered Davies’s house.

The elders were chatting and getting along very well.

That’s probably why my parents were also invited.

In the midst of the polite exchanges, they openly talked about their family background and future plans.

Jacob sat next to Tracy, his every move showing care.

He was almost thirty, but acted like a naive young man.

There was nothing to do with me, and I was happy to be at ease, planning to slip away when I got the chance.

Unexpectedly, Tracy suddenly looked at me gently.

“So, you must be Joanne? I’ve heard of you. The goddess from the art department, right?”

I was suddenly called out, and I quickly waved my hand. “Ah, no, I’m not. I was just messing around during school.”

I thought everyone would soon turn their attention elsewhere.

But Tracy didn’t let up.

“Not true. At that dance, you performed a classical dance, and the next day, the downstairs of the dorm was filled with flowers sent to you.”

Before I could respond, Tracy mischievously tugged on Jacob’s arm.

“You two grew up together, didn’t you? How come you’re not together?

“I remember, back then, you were inseparable. Everyone thought you two would get married.”

Chapter 3

All eyes turned to me.

I didn’t know how to describe it, but Tracy, who appeared harmless, made me feel an inexplicable sense of hostility.

“She?” Jacob looked at Tracy and handed her the apple he had peeled. “To you guys, she’s a girl, or a goddess.

“But to me, she’s just a tomboy, a good buddy I grew up with.”

It seemed like he remembered something, and with a laugh, Jacob continued. “You wouldn’t know, when Joanne cried as a child, her snot and tears would mix together.

“If I hadn’t wiped her nose, it would’ve gone straight into her mouth.”

“And when Joanne was fifteen, she passed out during PE class because of running, then babbled nonsense, flailing around...”

“I have to go now.” I suppressed my anger, standing up. I forced a smile at the elders, “You guys carry on with your chat.”

Tracy looked at Jacob with a slightly embarrassed look. “Did I say something wrong? Did I upset her?”

Jacob glared at me, clearly annoyed, as if blaming me for ruining the atmosphere.

Before he could speak, I quickly said.

“I have a date with my boyfriend tonight. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”

“When did you get a boyfriend?” I had one foot out the door when Jacob suddenly grabbed my arm. “How come I didn’t know about this?”

With so many people around, including Tracy, my face turned red.

I struggled to free myself.

“What’s it to you if I have a boyfriend?”

I spoke angrily. “My parents haven’t asked, so why do you care?”

“Jacob!” Uncle Davies’s voice was low but stern. “Sit properly! What kind of manners are these?”

I bowed to the elders, “Goodbye, Uncle and Aunt.”

Behind me, Tracy’s obedient voice rang out. “Joanne is so beautiful and often performs on stage. She must have a lot of admirers...

“Dating is perfectly normal, right? Just now, I noticed a strawberry mark on her neck under her scarf.”

Realizing her mistake, she paused and apologized, “We art students are a bit different in personality. We painters are quiet, but dancers tend to be more open...”

“But I respect every girl’s choice.”

I didn’t listen to what they discussed about me afterward.

I usually dress in a bold style, simply to stand out and contrast with others.

And Jacob, don’t even get me started on how he would belittle me.

But they didn’t know that although I said I had a boyfriend, it was a lie.

But moving to Hawaii for real was my serious plan.

I started researching houses there, figuring out how to settle my work after I moved.

Throwing myself into these things kept me busy, and I had no time to think about Jacob.

We grew up together, and he always played the role of a caring big brother from next door.

He would step in when anyone bullied me.

When I was ten, I was too mischievous and begged Jacob to stay with me at the amusement park until 9 p.m. Both our parents were so worried that they called the police, and in the end, they found us playing house in the sandpit and brought us home.

He took the blame for everything and said it was all his fault. That night, Uncle Davies was so angry that he hit him with a feather duster over ten times.

I cried as I said it was actually my fault. But Jacob raised his eyebrows and insisted that it was his mistake.

Later, I grew more and more beautiful, and he became increasingly handsome. We became the golden couple everyone talked about. I thought I had the most perfect life script.

“When do you have time?” Jacob’s message popped up. I wiped away my tears.

I hadn’t even typed the question mark yet when Jacob replied. “Pack up your things at my place, I’m inviting Tracy over in a few days.”

I took a deep breath and calmed down.

Just twenty-four hours ago, we were watching a romantic movie together, snuggling up until midnight, and now…

I smiled bitterly and canceled Jacob’s pinned message. I replied with one word. “Okay.”

That day, I locked myself in my room. Soon after I returned, my parents came back.

“Hawaii is a thousand miles away, and once you go there, it’ll be hard to come back,” my mother said cautiously, watching me.

My father hid behind the newspaper, secretly observing me.

I put on my coat and said, “The climate there is great. Isn’t it your dream to retire and settle there?”

I smiled and put my arm around my mother’s shoulders. “The work there isn’t very suitable for me, though. I’m thinking about opening my own dance studio…”

“As for whether I’ll have opportunities to perform in the future, you both know I don’t really care.”

“But…” My mother furrowed her brows and opened her mouth. “Joanne, you…”

I glanced at the time and said, “Okay, I’m serious.

“I’m fine, really. You don’t have to worry about me.

“You two should start thinking about the money situation.”

I gave my mother a quick kiss on the cheek. “I have things to do, I’m leaving now.”

I thought maybe time and distance would dull the pain. I felt much calmer now.

The love I had for Jacob, sincere and passionate, never spoken, but it didn’t diminish my dignity.