Luna held the syringe, frowning slightly as she pushed the needle into her vein.

The classmates all praised her for being kind and selfless. In Julian’s eyes, there was nothing but concern.

Only I noticed it.

On her fair skin, there were several tiny puncture marks that had already scabbed over. They were traces left behind by long-term, improper injections and were ironclad proof that she was carrying a virus.

After half a bag of blood was drawn, Luna began to feel dizzy. Her body swayed, unable to stay steady.

Julian immediately pulled the needle out of her arm and gathered her into his embrace, carefully protecting her.

She stubbornly insisted on standing up. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she spoke, "No one is allowed to stop me. I must finish drawing the blood."

As soon as she finished speaking, her body swayed again.

Watching her clumsy performance, I could already guess what she was planning.

Sure enough, the next second, a girl spoke up, "How can we let Luna draw so much blood alone? Julian needs more. Let us all donate a little each. When everyone gives a bit, it adds up!"

The words were immediately met with agreement.

"Yes, keep using this syringe to draw! We are not as selfish as some people. Everyone, quickly take turns!"

"Exactly. Luna isn't afraid, so what are we afraid of? This bit of blood is nothing compared to our unity and friendship!"

Listening to their passionate, righteous speeches, I could not help but laugh inwardly.

What great classmates.

They even shared a syringe used by an HIV carrier, and in turn, the virus itself. In this life, they would finally fulfill their wish of "living and dying together".

When the team medic, Lauren Whitby, rushed in and saw a classmate picking up the used needle, about to stab it into their own vein, she immediately shouted to stop them.

"Are you all insane? Stop right now! So many people using the same needle… what if there is cross-infection?"

Instead of being frightened, the classmates frowned in displeasure.

"What kind of medic are you? Who are you cursing? All of us are perfectly clean. How could there be any infection?"

"I suggest you mind your own business. If Julian’s transfusion is delayed and the competition is affected, are you going to take responsibility?"

"I think you are working together with Quinn and trying to make Julian miss the competition!"

The classmates mocked Lauren relentlessly until her face turned pale. With teary eyes, she stomped her foot and ran out of the lounge.

After she left, the classmates continued drawing blood.

One person.

Then another.

Then another.

I stood outside the crowd, watching that deadly syringe pierce different people’s skin again and again amid cheers filled with so-called friendship.

Every single draw was a fatal cross-infection.

The blood bag was soon filled. Just then, Luna suddenly held the syringe out in front of me.

"Quinn, it's your turn."

Staring at the syringe stained with the blood of different people, a wave of nausea rose in my chest.

I rejected it coldly. "I'm not donating."

"Quinn, I know you don't like me," Luna said softly, "but Julian is still your boyfriend. At a time like this, if you don't donate even a little blood, does that really make sense?"

Her words instantly ignited our classmates’ anger.

"Yeah! Everyone else donated. Why do you get to refuse? A selfish woman like you doesn't even deserve to be Julian’s girlfriend!"

"Quinn, are you going to draw the blood yourself, or do you want us to help you?"

They held the syringe and advanced toward me step by step. Julian looked at me with a warning in his eyes.

"Quinn, you have disappointed me enough today. As long as you donate blood for me, I will give you a chance to stay together with me. If you keep being this selfish, you don't deserve my love!"

Listening to his domineering, CEO-like speech, I almost laughed in anger.

Had he forgotten? He was nothing more than a poor student living off my family’s financial support. If I had not paid for his education, he would still be herding cattle in some remote mountain village.

Back then, he had said he was grateful. He had promised to protect me for the rest of his life.

Then Luna appeared.

From that moment on, he became cold and sharp toward me, while showering her with care and devotion. Again and again, he wronged me for her sake, forcing me to lower my head. He had even strangled me to death for her with his own hands.

I truly did not know how I could have been blind enough to fall for such a man who was human on the outside but a beast within.

He wanted to break up?

Fine.

I looked at him coldly. "Julian, we are done."

The moment I said it, his face went pale.

He had never imagined that, as the one who loved him so desperately, I would be the one to initiate the breakup.

After speaking, I turned and pushed open the ward door.

Just as I was about to leave, he grabbed my wrist tightly and stared at me viciously.

"Don't think I don't know what you are doing. You're just playing hard to get. Everyone donated blood. You must donate today!"

As soon as his words fell, the classmates rushed forward, pressing me down and forcing the needle, which had been used by countless others, toward my vein.

He stood to the side, his expression cold.

"If you keep being this disobedient, don't blame me for never forgiving you."

Watching the needle draw closer and closer, I struggled wildly, resisting with everything I had. Cold sweat soaked through me.

Could it be that even after being reborn, I still could not escape a tragic death?

In a moment of desperation, I kicked the emergency alarm.

Just as the needle was about to pierce my vein, security finally rushed in.

In front of so many people, my classmates could no longer force me. They could only glare at me, their eyes filled with disgust.

Only then did I finally breathe out in relief.

So close. I had almost been killed by this group of idiots.

A flash of fury passed through Luna’s eyes. Then she lifted the blood bag and handed it to Julian.

His eyes were full of emotion. The two of them exchanged lingering looks, so cloying it was almost sickening.

Once the virus-tainted blood was transfused into his body, he excitedly pulled her into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

The surrounding classmates immediately began to cheer.

"Julian and Luna really are a perfect match."

"Exactly. Luna is so much better than that selfish Quinn. Their mindset alone cannot even be compared!"

"Good thing you dumped that poisonous girl. Now that you have Luna, you really struck gold!"

Surrounded by everyone, Luna smiled sweetly. Julian raised his brows and spoke smugly, "Good thing I got rid of that ungrateful woman. Otherwise, how would I have a girlfriend as wonderful as Luna? I am going to win today’s championship and dedicate it to my darling Luna!"

Watching their harmonious little scene, I curled my lips into a cold smile and looked away.

'Laugh while you can. The more excited you are now, the more miserable you will be later.'

After the national competition ended, our entire class was given a seven-day break.

Upon returning to school after the vacation's end, I quickly realized something was off. It was as if everyone was deliberately avoiding me. The looks they gave me carried thinly veiled contempt.

Whispers followed me wherever I went.

"That's her. Quinn from Senior Year Class One. Her boyfriend had anemia, and she wouldn't even donate blood herself. Worse, she tried to stop others. Good thing Julian dumped her in time."

"Exactly. The entire class donated blood except her. How can someone be that selfish?"

"You can tell just by looking at her. She doesn't look like a decent woman. Total homewrecker vibes. Who knows how wild she is outside?"

"A tramp like that deserved to be dumped."

Their mocking voices reached my ears clearly.

I forced down my anger and tried to ignore it, but several girls walked straight toward me and shoved my shoulder.

"You are Quinn, right? Just one look, and you scream seductress. You even dared to spread rumors that Luna had HIV. I think you are the filthy one. A shameless tramp."

Others joined in, pointing and whispering.

Only after everyone had finished venting did Luna step out from behind them, looking pitiful.

"Quinn, they couldn't stand seeing me bullied. They didn't mean to scold you on purpose. Don't take it to heart. It is just that… what you did that day was… not very appropriate."

She deliberately dragged out the last few words, stirring even more murmurs from the crowd.

I had no intention of causing trouble. Unfortunately, trouble insisted on finding me.

I lifted my gaze and met the provocation in her eyes. Then I spoke slowly and clearly, "First, I was the one who dumped Julian. He didn't dump me.

"Second, spreading rumors is a crime. If any of you would like to meet in court, I will gladly accompany you."

As soon as I finished speaking, the mockery vanished from their faces. The area fell into complete silence.

Seeing that no one was stepping in to support her, Luna panicked. She hurried forward and grabbed my hand.

"Quinn, we are all classmates. Why do you have to be like this—"

Smack.

A sharp slap cut her off mid-sentence.

I pulled my arm back and spoke coldly, "Who are you calling your classmate? Don't act like we are close."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Furious and flustered, she stood there, tears pooling in her eyes as she stomped her feet. When she looked at me again, her gaze was filled with hatred.

The classmates passing by continued to curse me from behind. Each insult was more vicious than the last.

I curled my lips into a cold smile and did not look back. They still had the energy to pity others. Very soon, it would be their turn.