Chapter 1The Second Life of Miss Popular

After my mom married into the Vance family, I fell in love with my stepbrother, Ethan Vance, at first sight.

To marry him, I pestered him relentlessly, alienating everyone around me.

Finally, I got my wish.

But after the wedding, Ethan remained cold to me. Even in bed, it was just a passionless release.

That night at the bar, I heard his friend ask him: "Why give up the heiress of the Fang family to marry Hazel, that willful and ignorant stepsister?"

Ethan smiled helplessly, "Just responsibility. She can't live without me."

It turned out he didn't love me. He was just paying for our one night of drunken mistake.

I walked out of the bar in a daze and was hit by a speeding sports car, sending me back to when I was seventeen.

Reliving my life, I tried my best to make up for the regrets of my past life, except for chasing Ethan Vance.

But that night, Ethan pinned me against the door, his eyes red for the first time in two lifetimes.

"Hazel, look at me. I love you too..."

* * *

When I realized I was reborn, I was standing by the dining table holding a steaming clay pot.

"Hazel? Why are you zoning out? Put the pot down, it's hot."

My mom's anxious voice brought me back to my senses.

I quickly put down the clay pot, my fingers red from the heat.

The three people at the table were looking at me.

Mom, my stepfather, and Ethan Vance...

This was the day I found out Ethan had stomach problems and insisted on cooking porridge for him personally.

I almost blew up the kitchen, scaring the nanny, Mrs. Zhang, half to death.

I subconsciously looked at Ethan.

My brother in name.

His sharp brows were slightly furrowed, thin lips pressed tight, staring at me with a hint of irritation.

I smiled self-deprecatingly.

No matter how I expressed my feelings, it was just wishful thinking.

In my last life at this moment, I announced expectantly: "Ethan, I made this porridge especially for you. Taste it, if it's good, I'll make it for you every day!"

A young girl's full love was boiled into those soft grains of rice.

But Ethan just frowned and glanced at my hand.

"The Vance family has a nanny. Don't do unnecessary things in the future."

I was stunned on the spot.

I cried all night after returning to my room.

The next day, I wiped away my tears and continued to be Ethan's little shadow.

Thinking of this, I served the first bowl of porridge to my stepfather sitting at the head of the table.

I gave a naive smile.

"Dad, Mom said you've been working hard recently, so I made porridge especially to nourish your body."

Surprise flashed across Mr. Vance's face, followed by a hearty laugh.

"Daughters really are thoughtful. Dad won't drink your porridge for free, your allowance next month goes up by ten thousand!"

I thanked him in surprise, then served another bowl for Mom.

I acted spoiled: "It's my first time cooking, Mom has to praise me."

I placed the third bowl in front of myself, then sat down and started eating.

The atmosphere was slightly awkward.

Mrs. Zhang tried to smooth things over, moving to serve porridge for Ethan.

I said indifferently: "Mrs. Zhang, Ethan doesn't like porridge, don't bother."

Ethan's chopsticks paused. He didn't speak.

Taking it as a default, Mrs. Zhang stopped.

I slowly drank my porridge, swearing in my heart.

Ethan Vance, in this life, I, Hazel Hayes, will never do anything for you again, nor will I shed a single tear for you.