Chapter 3

But just when Samantha and I had finally saved enough money for studying abroad, fate played a cruel joke on us.

Samantha's mother took a sudden turn for the worse and was admitted to the ICU.

Every cent we had saved went straight into her treatment. We borrowed heavily from others, but it still wasn't enough. Her condition kept fluctuating. Samantha stayed by the ICU doors day and night, unable to leave.

I skipped all my classes and worked from morning till night, sleeping only three hours a day. Every dollar I earned went straight to her.

During that time, neither of us had the energy to talk about the future. Our text messages were filled with nothing but critical condition notices from the hospital and my daily transfer records.

The future felt too distant. The present alone was already exhausting.

Fortunately, the heavens did not push us too far. Before the final list was confirmed, her mother's condition stabilized.

Six months of unbearable tension suddenly loosened.

She rushed back from the hospital. I quit two of my part-time jobs. Like lunatics, we crammed together and threw ourselves into the long-awaited study-abroad exams.

The results were posted quickly. Once again, we had identical scores.

But after missing an entire semester of classes, both of our participation grades were zero.

Her appeal was based on caring for her mother.

I didn't even need to appeal—every teacher and administrator knew I had been working to make money.

Filial devotion defeated practical considerations. I lost.

My qualification was revoked, and the spot went to the third-ranked student.

Samantha stormed into the academic office, insisting on proving that all my jobs had been for her sake. But the decision was final. There was no turning it back.

Clenching her fists, she said that if I wasn't going, neither was she.

But this had been her dream since childhood—to study business in Abrerica, return home to start her own company, and give her mother and me a better life.

I forced myself not to cry, grabbed her hand, and said harshly, "If you don't go, I'll break up with you."

She sobbed uncontrollably, holding me tight and swearing through her tears, "Adam, wait for me. I will come back after I finish my studies and marry you. I'll give you a home. If I let you down, may I die without a whole body."

By the time I finished my story, Thomas was already crying so hard he could barely breathe.

"You've suffered too much… far too much," he said. "But then, why didn't you get married? Did something happen to her in Abrerica?"

I shook my head calmly. "She fell in love with another man."

His sobbing stopped abruptly. Thomas wiped his eyes and clenched his fist in fury.

"Then she might as well have died in Abrerica!"

I sometimes think heaven is simply unfair. Every time I believe I'm about to have a family, it throws another obstacle in my way.

On the day the exchange student list was posted, the boy ranked third shouted with joy in front of the notice board. When he turned around, our eyes met.

"Adam!"

"Zane?"

I was still dazed when he rushed over excitedly.

He accidentally knocked into the tea Samantha had made to comfort me.

And that was how the only two exchange students in the entire university became connected.

…

Zane and I both grew up in an orphanage.

I was a few months older, so I naturally became the one who looked after him.

When we fought for food, I let him eat first.

When there were new clothes, I let him choose first.

When there was a chance to study, I sent him to the better art school.

So when I found out he and Samantha would be studying abroad together, Zane patted his chest and promised me, "Adam, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Samantha. I won't let any other man get close to her."

At that moment, what I thought was—

At least Samantha wouldn't be alone and helpless overseas.

After they left the country, my life returned to the same relentless busyness as before the exams.