Chapter 1893

Bryson came in to bring her some food, and didn't react at all to the news flickering on the screen.

Taking the cup he offered her, Yasmine slipped the straw between her lips and took a sip of the warm oatmeal porridge. "It must be tough for the director," she mused, "lying in front of all those reporters can't be easy."

Bryson murmured in agreement, "It's not really lying, though."

Yasmine smiled, lifting her gaze back to the TV screen. In the chaos of the images, her eyes still found and held on the boy standing silently behind the orphanage gate, his expression unreadable.

A shadow passed through her eyes, and she frowned, looking away from the screen.

Bryson reached over and turned off the TV, "Miss, if there's anywhere you'd like to go, I can arrange something in the coming days."d2

"Arrange what?"

"Do you still want to stay in P City? I get the feeling you'd rather not see certain people here again."

"Didn’t you just spent a fortune on a house?"

Bryson exhaled a weary sigh, "We could sell it."

"No need for the hassle," Yasmine said flatly. "I don't want to see them, but there's no reason I should be the one to dodge and weave."

Why should she give up the house they'd just bought, or drop out of the school she'd just enrolled in, just because of them? Her life had just begun, so why should she give it all up for them?

Bryson was a bit puzzled, "But the news is out, and a lot of people think..."

"That's what they think. No one has explicitly said I'm dead. There's no need to leave, and you don't have to go through all this trouble."

After a moment of silence, Bryson finally nodded, "Alright."

Yasmine's injuries were severe, to say the least. Wrapped up like a mummy, it was a tough pill to swallow for a young girl just beginning to care about her looks. She cared about her appearance, yes, but her pride, which was still out of her control, mattered more. She felt embarrassed to be seen in such a sorry state. Luckily, aside from Bryson, no one else came to visit her.

The injury kept Yasmine in the hospital for over a month. In the end, under Yasmine's insistence, Bryson finally yielded and arranged for her discharge to recover at home.

With the resilience of youth, she was nearly back to normal after just over three months.

Bryson insisted she stay home for another half-month before Yasmine was finally allowed to return to school.

When she first arrived, the students were shocked. Some even mustered their courage to ask Yasmine why she was still alive.

Yasmine found the question slightly amusing, "Death himself said the world couldn't do without me, so he let me go."

This response wouldn't be believed by many. Although they hadn't known her for long, her actions and behavior made them believe that she was indeed the genuine Yasmine.

Three months passed, and the attention on Yasmine faded.

Life went on as usual—studying, eating, and playing. Whenever there seemed to be nothing else to do, she'd dive into the library and stay the whole day.

Bryson's business flourished, and their living conditions continuously improved.

During the holidays, Yasmine rarely pleaded with Bryson, and from then on, she owned a library.

There was coffee, pastries, plus her own cozy corner.

It wasn't about profit. It was all for her convenience. The design and style were all to her liking.

This attracted quite a crowd, a surprise to them both, but Bryson seized the opportunity and expanded their presence throughout P City.

Their days were tranquil and comfortable. The orphanage seemed like a distant memory, irrelevant to their lives now.

Sometimes Yasmine thought of Ava. After a while, Ava stopped showing up and didn't reach out, so Yasmine didn't seek her out either. After all, contacting Ava meant calling the orphanage, a place she'd prefer to forget.

P City was vast. They could live their separate lives without ever crossing paths again.

Bryson took great care of Yasmine, meeting her every need and ensuring she had everything anyone else had—and more.

So, years passed, and the wish bottle Boyd had given her remained empty, collecting dust on her bedroom windowsill.

--

Summit Ridge University in P City, renowned for its leading international finance program.

Yasmine strolled across the campus in simple jeans and a white blouse, her long hair tied up high, swaying with each step.

Her plain attire was common, yet she attracted more stares than most. Her features were beautiful, but there was an icy aloofness in her gaze that kept people at a distance. A single look could uncomfortably deflect the eyes of onlookers.

The simplicity of her clothes contrasted with her glowing skin, accentuated by the white blouse.

Carrying books in one arm, her other hand clutching the latest smartphone, she seemed engrossed in a lengthy call. She responded with short, detached syllables until, finally, losing her patience, she spoke in a light but firm tone. "I can handle everything myself. You don't need to worry about me."

After a brief "hm," she pocketed the phone.

Yasmine was a solitary figure, her demeanor suggesting she wasn't the easiest to get along with, and nobody approached her for casual conversation.

Most freshmen rushed to the dorms to claim the best spots, leaving the classrooms largely empty. She relished the peace, aiming for the premium seat at the back.

So far, not many things had brought her joy. The thrill of starting college didn't excite her much. To her, snagging the ideal spot in the classroom was a genuine source of happiness.

A slight smile softened the frostiness on her face, melting away the icy exterior that seemed a natural part of her. However, her smile gradually disappeared in the instant she turned her gaze.

Standing five meters apart, the man staring at her seemed so familiar.

It had been nearly nine years, and one would expect a complete transformation. Yet how could she recognize him at a glance?

A slight furrow creased her brow as she withdrew her gaze, proceeding with an indifferent air straight towards the other side.

As if he were invisible, she passed right by him without a second look.

The man had handsome features, with eyebrows tinged with a deep and tranquil aura. He had a straight and sculpted nose, thin lips pressed together, and a distant expression. When Yasmine walked past him with an indifferent expression, her completely unfamiliar attitude towards him finally caused cracks in his indifferent demeanor.

His tense body turned on the spot, gazing at Yasmine’s retreating figure. He opened his mouth as if to speak but uttered no sound.

Upon finding the classroom, she successfully secured a seat in the back row by the window. Placing her books down, Yasmine sat and watched the bustling students and parents outside, eventually resting her chin in her hand with a soft sigh.

"Goddamned fate."

Boyd's image was fixed in her mind.

So much had changed, yet why was she so certain it was Boyd? She would have welcomed being wrong, but she didn't harbor an ounce of hope for that. It was only fooling herself. She had a distaste for pointless endeavors, even in her own thoughts, not wishing to squander a shred of energy on purpose. Why should she even bother?

Her slender finger tapped her skin, “All grown up.”

Staring out of the window for a while, she let out a soft snort, then turned and took out a book. She opened it directly to a dog-eared page and continued reading.

Students gradually filled the classroom, selecting their desks. She kept her eyes downcast, focused on her book, emanating an indifference that suggested she was not easily approachable. Amidst

the comings and goings, not once did she lift her eyes, let alone acknowledge anyone with a glance.

No one dared to compete for her spot, and even the surrounding seats remained vacant.

These students were all looking forward to college life and didn't want to waste time on someone who might take too much effort to get to know. There were plenty of wonderful experiences out there waiting for them to savor.

However, when someone took the seat next to Yasmine, the other girls in the class felt a pang of regret. The main reason was that the man was simply too attractive. Glancing again at the girl who had yet to raise her head, they could only shake their heads in resignation, filled with remorse.

The sunlight shifted on Yasmine, bringing a slight chill. She marked her place in the book, closed it, and stretched out to ease her stiff neck. As she looked up, it was the boys’ turn to lament, their disappointed groans filling the air.

She overheard their murmurs, her brows twitching slightly. As she lifted her eyes, the barrage of stares made her frown.

"What?"

The gazes swiftly withdrew. Holy cow. Her presence was undeniably regal.

As no one had a response, Yasmine looked away. She glanced nonchalantly at the person beside her, feeling the lingering gaze.

Their second encounter.

Yasmine gave him a brief, indifferent glance before her attention returned to massaging her neck, exuding an effortless naturalness.

Boyd felt a twinge of disappointment. Even a slight discomfort from her upon seeing him would have pleased him. At least that would mean he mattered to her, and he wasn't just another stranger.

How could she be so unaffected?

True to form, Yasmine, heartless and...

He pursed his lips, his gaze falling.

True to form indeed.

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