Chapter 4-
+ 5 Points
Chapter 4
Jennifer’s birthday party was lively and vibrant.
Our parents rented a medium–sized banquet
hall for the celebration.
Most of the attendees were either wealthy or influential, and among them, I only recognized
Matt.
He was a classmate of Jennifer’s, having attended her birthday party at our home last
year.
“Sis, I want a seafood feast for my birthday.”
So, I prepared a lavish spread of seafood for her.
1/8
Chapter 4
5 Points
When I went shopping, she complained about the local market and insisted I go to the big supermarket instead.
This was all because our father had said, “After working all these years, can’t you spend a little money to make your sister’s birthday happy?”
That year, I covered all the expenses for Jennifer’s birthday.
As she cut the cake, she handed the second slice to Matt, who then offered it to me.
He said, “This second slice should go to the sister who has been busy all morning. Let’s all thank her for preparing such a lavish feast.”
He was one of the few who showed me kindness, always willing to lend a hand when I
2/8
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
was busy.
We exchanged contact information and chatted occasionally.
However, my phone was broken by Jennifer, and
our connection was lost.
“Sis, someone like you shouldn’t foolishly dream of being with Matt!”
Matt and I never crossed any lines; it was just
that Jennifer saw everything with a tainted
perspective.
“How dare you, a mere middle school graduate, think you can be friends with someone
from a prestigious university? Have a little self–respect!” After my parents learned about it, they began lecturing me.
3/8
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
“If you want to get married, I’ll make sure to find you a wealthy man, and then you can enjoy
life.”
Forced by my mother to go on blind dates, I found myself facing a man older than my father, prompting me to flee the city.
I never expected that my return to this city would lead to my demise in flames.
“Hello, this is about your daughter’s body-”
My father answered the call and immediately
hung up.
“What bad luck! Today is Jennifer’s birthday. Talking about my daughter’s body–what kind of curse is that for Jennifer?”
4/8
Chapter 4-
+ 5 Points
Soon after, the phone rang again. I hoped my dad would answer, but he hung up once more.
“Dear, why do I feel so cold?”
“It’s probably because you’re not dressed warmly enough.”
“Ding ding ding-”
After hesitating for a moment, my mother finally chose to answer the phone. I heard the voice on the other end say, “If your daughter’s body isn’t taken care of, we will handle it ourselves.”
“Just take care of Serena’s body; I have other things to attend to.”
My mother’s voice was cold, yet her loving gaze
5/8
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
remained fixed on her happily chatting little daughter.
I longed to grab the phone and speak to the person on the other end, pleading with them to help me find a place to be buried.
I didn’t want to be cremated; the thought of being scorched by flames was too painful for me -I couldn’t bear it.
As my hand passed through the phone, I stared blankly at my hands, then at my beaming
parents.
“Mom and Dad, this is my boyfriend, Matt!”
Jennifer leaned sweetly against Matt, her expression radiant.
6/8
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
An unfamiliar emotion surged within me; I didn’t know what it was. I only noticed my hands dissipating and then coalescing again.
The only person who had shown me kindness had drifted away, leaving me to wonder who would even notice my mysterious death.
My parents and Matt chatted animatedly, despite their earlier suspicions that I liked Matt. They scolded me for being shameless, unrealistically coveting what’s not mine.
In truth, I was not any less attractive than Jennifer, but my parents had always called me ugly.
Now that Jennifer was with Matt, everyone praised their union as a perfect match.
7/8
Chapter 4-
+ 5 Points
“Uncle, Auntie, I promise I will come to visit. formally when I have the chance,” Matt said, his smile warm as he glanced around the venue. “Today is Jennifer’s birthday party; why haven’t I seen her sister?”
