"It wouldn't be convenient for a bunch of guys like us to have a woman tagging along, right?" I reasoned.

In this life, I didn't want to have anything to do with Britney anymore. So, I figured I might as well leave her out entirely.

But the others, who had been single their entire lives, reacted strongly.

One of them argued, "Why not? Britney said she'd bring some girls. None of us dated anyone in high school. What if we hit it off with someone during the graduation trip? Maybe we'll meet the right one and settle down for real."

"When you get to college, there'll be plenty of chances to date. But high school graduation trips only happen once in a lifetime. What matters more, your bros or women?" I countered.

After some discussion, the group of young guys figured that bringing women along would actually lower their chances of running into other women on the road. In the end, they all agreed not to bring Britney.

All I could say was that they hadn't suffered the excruciating pain that love would bring yet. They were still too naive.

I merely smiled and said nothing.

Originally, I thought that with Britney's proud personality, she would definitely have no interest in contacting us again once she was rejected.

But to my surprise, she called me directly and said, "Let's make a bet. If you lose, you let me join the graduation trip."

I frowned. I really didn't want to have anything to do with her in this life.

When I didn't answer, she chuckled lightly and taunted me, "You're not scared of losing, are you?"

"You pick the competition. Just don't cry when you lose," I replied.

"You're the one who shouldn't cry," she shot back.

…

The next day, Britney asked me to meet at a shopping mall. She was already waiting for me there.

She looked just as beautiful as I remembered. In fact, she was a fine sight for sore eyes by just standing there gracefully. Passersby couldn't help but glance in her direction.

Meanwhile, I stared at the huge poster that read "Couples' Kissing Contest" and fell into deep thought.

The rules were simple enough—whoever could kiss their partner the longest would win. But then…

The contest was meant for couples. Britney and I were single. So, what couple?

Britney walked over calmly and said, "I've already signed the two of us up. As long as we get into the top three, you win."

"Shouldn't the two of us be competing against each other?" I asked with a frown.

She replied steadily, "We are competing against each other. I get to pick the competition."

So, she was playing word games with me. Well played, indeed.

She probably thought this would make me back out. But compared to a ten-day trip where we'd be eating and staying together the entire time, enduring a kiss for a few dozen minutes was nothing. So, joining the contest was practically a guaranteed win for me.

Besides, after being married to Britney for more than 30 years, I was long used to it.

We stood facing each other and locked eyes.

I had looked at that face for over 30 years. I couldn't deny that Britney was exceptionally beautiful. She was especially pretty now at 19 years old, when she was in the prime of her youth. Her features were delicate, and she had flawless skin. She was like a breath of fresh air, invigorating and mesmerizing.

But I had already seen through her. Contrary to her attractive appearance, she was a woman with a heart of stone. No matter how beautiful she was, my heart wouldn't stir again.

The contest began.

Before I even moved, Britney, who seemed very determined to win, grabbed my collar and kissed me.

The moment our lips touched, a sweet, almost cloying taste spread through me. My Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. Britney was shockingly proactive. She even took the chance to slip past my teeth with her tongue to tease mine.

The heat nearly made me want to flee. Her hand brushed my earlobe, sending a tingling sensation through me that made it hard to pull away.

As we paused to breathe, I saw the playful look in her eyes. Memories of the lessons from my previous life flashed through my mind again.

Britney was both the top student and the campus belle of our high school. Countless guys full of youthful vigor lined up to give her love letters. Whenever she passed by the basketball court, I would deliberately shoot a three-pointer just to catch her attention.

But Britney rejected every single boy. Instead, she tended to approach the ones who didn't show much enthusiasm toward her. In this life, at this moment, my indifference must have sparked her desire to conquer me.

Britney seemed a little carried away. The hand clutching my shirt tightened.

The slight pain helped cool my heart completely. This was nothing more than a trick to make me fall for her.

So, in the next second, I pushed her away.

Britney stared at me in shock with disbelief written all over her face. From the looks of it, she couldn't imagine anyone rejecting intimacy with her.

With a calm expression, I said, "I lost."

After only a moment, Britney composed herself and gave me a smile. "Then, I'm really looking forward to our first trip together."

I turned and left, not wanting to stay around her any longer.

But the sweet, cherry-like taste of Britney's lips and tongue still lingered in my mouth. It wouldn't go away.

On the day of the actual graduation trip, things were different from my previous life. This time, Britney brought another girl with her.

It was Ingrid Stone from the class next door. She had a quiet disposition and looked adorable. In fact, she seemed like the delicate type.

Several of the guys rushed forward, competing to help them carry their suitcases.

I stepped aside, not wanting to join the excitement. But to my surprise, Britney walked past everyone else and pushed her suitcase straight toward me.

"Channing, please help me with my suitcase," she said.

The others shot me looks of envy and jealousy so intense that they were almost tangible. It was like they wanted to stab me with their eyes.

In my previous life, I had also been one of the guys scrambling to carry her suitcase. But now, I only wanted to keep my distance from her. I didn't even want to see her during the trip, let alone carry her suitcase.

I said coldly, "The trip's barely started, and you're already asking someone else for help. If you're this fragile, you should just go home."

Britney refused to admit defeat. "Lionel is helping Ingrid with hers."

I strode over to Lionel and took Ingrid's suitcase while shoving him to the side. "You heard her. She wants you to carry it."

Lionel pointed at himself in confusion. "Me?"

I didn't explain. I simply took Ingrid along with me and headed into the station.

In my previous life, I had never realized that Lionel had a crush on Britney. Unfortunately, until the day he died, he never knew that Britney reciprocated his feelings, too. In that lifetime, they missed each other. Only the love letter locked in the safe bore witness to their hidden love.

In this life, I might as well help fulfill it.

"Channing, slow down."

I had been walking too fast. Ingrid was short and couldn't keep up. She looked like she was about to cry.

Only then did I realize what I'd done and apologize to her.

When she noticed that no familiar faces had caught up with us yet, Ingrid blinked and asked quietly, "Do you know what kind of girl Lionel likes?"

I hadn't expected that Ingrid had a crush on Lionel, too. Unfortunately, her feelings for him were doomed from the get-go, because the person Lionel liked was Britney.

I sighed regretfully and patted her shoulder.

Seeing the tragic expression on my face, Ingrid immediately understood she had no chance. Her lips trembled, and she burst into tears.

I panicked instantly and hurried to comfort her, only to be shoved aside by a strong hand.

Lionel had rushed over and got all protective over her. He scolded, "Channing, you dragged her away just to bully her? Have you no shame?"

But he forgot that Britney was there, too. How could a guy show concern for another woman right in front of the woman who he had feelings for? That was preposterous.

I noticed that Britney looked very hurt. But it wasn't in my place, nor did I have the ability to comfort her.

Boarding for the train began, and the crowd instantly thickened. I was heading over to join the line when Britney grabbed the corner of my shirt.

Instinctively, I pulled free.

Britney, who had been rejected again and again, froze in place. She stared at her empty hand in a loss. Her slender figure looked especially lonely amid the crowd.

For a brief moment, my heart wavered. I was too familiar with that look of isolation on her.

In my previous life, she always looked at me with a sorrowful expression, and her brows were forever tightly knitted.

She was never happy being with me.

On the anniversary of Lionel's death, Britney would always be even more heartbroken than I was. She would prepare a table full of dishes and a bottle of wine. She would drink with me until we were completely drunk. When she was half-asleep, I would hear her suppressed sobs.

It was as if she was mourning the lover she could never be with—through me. Britney never needed me at all. From the beginning to the end, I had only been her substitute.

So, why should I keep fooling myself?

I turned away and walked through the gate without hesitation.

"Can I sit with you?"

I had just settled into my seat when I looked up and saw Britney again.

I thought I had made it clear that I didn't want to have anything to do with her with my flippant attitude. Why did she keep trying to stick to me? It was seriously getting annoying.

Then, I turned and saw Lionel and Ingrid sitting together. I understood immediately. Without a word, I stood up and went to switch seats with Lionel.

Lionel looked at me suspiciously and asked, "What do you want? Are you trying to bully Ingrid again?"

Ingrid also put on a pitiful expression.

And so, I was driven back to my seat. Luckily, several others raised their hands, offering eagerly to switch seats with me. I chose to switch with Hugh Lowery, who was the farthest away, thinking that way, I wouldn't have to see Britney.

But just a few minutes later, Hugh came back and insisted on switching back with me. Shouldn't everyone be dying to sit with the campus belle? Why was it becoming such a problem?

Still unwilling to give up, I decided to ask a stranger if they'd be willing to switch seats with me. Before I could even speak, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

Britney radiated an icy air. She seemed to be genuinely angry.

In my previous life, she had climbed all the way to upper management. At work, she was decisive and commanding. I had heard about how strict she was. Her subordinates were terrified of making mistakes and getting scolded.

People often said I was an exception, for she never lost her temper with me.

But it was precisely because we weren't close. She always remained polite and distant.

Who would want their wife to hold them at arm's length?

But in this life, we wouldn't need to tolerate each other's existence like that. After the graduation trip, we would just be strangers.

I tried to shake off her hand, but she shoved me straight into the restroom.

The door slammed shut behind us. The narrow space could barely fit the two of us. Yet, there was nothing romantic about the atmosphere.

I wanted to leave, but I was caught off guard by the sight before me. Britney, who had been angry just moments ago, suddenly went quiet. When I looked down, I saw her eyes reddening as she stubbornly held back her tears.

Her voice trembled with grievance as she spoke, "What's the deal with you, Channing? I've already taken so much initiative and gone out of my way to get close to you in this life. How can you shun me like this? I'm your wife!

"Did I do something that made you hate me? Why are you avoiding me? Can't you just tell me?"