Chapter 3I Made It

After the meal, I looked at the plate of steamed ribs with taro, which was mostly untouched. I asked hesitantly, “Can… can I get this to go?”

Ace blinked, then nodded. “Of course.”

He probably sensed my awkwardness because he called the waiter over himself to pack it up for me.

Outside the restaurant, I held the takeout box and said goodbye. “Thanks for the meal. It was delicious. If you ever have another opportunity like this, please think of me.”

The corner of Ace’s mouth twitched. “Be careful on your way home,” he said.

As I turned to leave, I couldn’t help but smile. My world now had another good person in it. Besides my grandma, there was Ace. They were the only two people who had ever been willing to feed me.

It felt so good to have a full stomach.

But the pop-up screens were full of mockery.

【Does Lily really think Ace is interested in her?】

【Please, he’s the devoted second male lead. As soon as he graduates, he’s going to follow the female lead to the same university in the same city.】

【He wouldn’t have even noticed a cannon fodder character like Lily if he wasn’t trying to get the female lead’s attention.】

For a moment, I felt a pang of envy for Alice. She was from a good family, she was beautiful, and so many people liked her. Unlike me. I had nothing to offer. I wasn't particularly smart or worldly, and no matter how hard I studied, I was always just stuck in the middle. Like most people, I was just ordinary, as common as dust.

It fit the role of a cannon fodder character perfectly.

But I wasn't going to give up. Everyone has their own path to walk. I believed that one day, I would have a good life too. Just look at today. This morning, I was worried about how I would get through the day on an empty stomach, and now I was full.

As for Ace, I had known from the start that he came from a powerful family. Whenever he got into trouble at school, a call from home would make it all go away. That’s why he could do whatever he wanted. He was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in. In three years of high school, almost no one dared to cross him.

His only failure was Alice.

How could I ever dare to have any other ideas about someone like him?