Chapter 4I Made It

Thanks to Ace, I was able to buy my grandma’s medicine, and her vision improved a lot. I had it all planned out. When I got to college, I would work part-time while studying, so she wouldn’t have to work so hard.

The final year of high school was intense. It seemed like my interactions with Ace had come to an end.

Until the fifteenth of the next month, when he found me, looking mysterious. He pressed a stack of bills into my hand.

“My allowance for this month. It’s for you.”

I froze, vaguely remembering what he had said before. But we were practically strangers. I couldn’t just take his money because of something he said in a fit of anger.

I tried to give it back. “I’d forgotten all about that. You don’t have to give me your money.”

But Ace got agitated. “No way. I always keep my word.” He shoved the money back into my hand.

“But if you give it all to me, what will you do?”

He waved his hand grandly. “Don’t underestimate me. I’ve got a supplementary card from my dad that I can use anytime. You just take this.”

He probably said it to stop me from refusing again, because he turned and left right after.

“Ace…” I watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. A guy like him didn’t need to keep a promise like that to someone like me. Maybe he saw how poor I was and felt sorry for me.

Whatever the reason, I was grateful. Without him, I would probably still be drooling over pictures of food in textbooks.

I counted the money. It was a full five thousand dollars. More than my grandma and I lived on in a year. I didn't dare to spend it recklessly. I put it all aside, only using it for daily necessities.

After that, I was never hungry again. I ate in the cafeteria every day. With a full stomach, I had more energy, and even studying didn't seem so tiring.

But for the past few days, I hadn't seen Ace. He skipped class sometimes, but never for this many days in a row.

The pop-up screens appeared right on cue.

【See? Ace can’t get over the female lead. She just posted one selfie with the male lead, and Ace couldn’t take it. He’s been locked up in a hotel room ever since.】

【His family found out he’s been skipping school. To punish him, they’ve cut off his cards. He’s about to starve.】

【If he hadn’t given all his money to that Lily girl, he wouldn’t be penniless right now.】

How could this be happening?