Chapter 627: Don’t Be So Cruel

Bella Prescott took one look at the campus heartthrob, Sean Grant, on the rooftop and then cupped her cheeks in a dreamy manner.

"Getting accepted into Stellerton University used up all my luck for eight lifetimes. You don’t know, Cecilia, I was tailing the line for admissions, and if it weren’t for you tutoring me and going over the key points, I was worried I’d fail my exams at the end of the term."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Cecilia Vaughn broke into a smile and poked Bella Prescott’s smooth forehead.

"You won’t fail, but as for going to Caelus Academy of Fine Arts as an exchange student..."

The girl’s eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and she finally shook her head.

"I guess it’s impossible."

Although it was a sacred place for many art students to aspire to, Cecilia Vaughn understood that Vessaria was too far. Adrian Law might be willing to let her soar freely for her own good, as in Adrian’s eyes, regardless of the person or timing, he is always willing to give her a space to spread her wings.

But after getting married, Cecilia Vaughn realizes she can’t bring herself to leave Adrian Law for several months.

Even if Adrian could fly over to see her every week, she still wouldn’t be happy.

It turns out that after getting married, making compromises for someone doesn’t feel like a grievance, nor does it feel sad. Instead, it brings a sense of happiness.

Just because you and he are each other’s halves in the world, only with him does it feel complete. Maybe the world doesn’t stop turning when someone’s gone, but meeting the right person makes anywhere in this lifetime a world of its own.

...

"Hey, why do I feel like you’re staying for someone?"

Bella Prescott detected the soft lingering affection in Cecilia Vaughn’s tone and sneakily rolled her eyes, resting her head on Cecilia’s shoulder.

"Could it be you’re inseparable from your CEO? No wonder I said your grades are so good, yet you don’t apply for the school’s exchange program. If you went, you’d definitely get a spot."

"..."

Having her secret exposed, Cecilia Vaughn didn’t feel shy. Instead, she openly nodded with natural ease in Bella Prescott’s gaze.

"It’s indeed because of him."

Getting married has added to her concerns, but she willingly stayed for Adrian Law.

"Tsk tsk, why do I just want to knock over this bowl of royal dog food!"

Bella Prescott giggled with a bright toss of her hair while holding Cecilia Vaughn’s arm.

"Alright then, singles have to eat too. You’re not full just by hearing about dog food. Cecilia, shall we go to the Rosewood Pavilion on the east side of campus for a meal? They just opened a new Vessar cuisine place with spicy stew, and I’ve heard the portions are huge and affordable, plus the sour plum soup is free and tastes divine."

"All you think about is eating."

Cecilia Vaughn chuckled and shook her head, thinking for a while. Even though Adrian Law said she was getting too thin, the thought of eating spicy stew, which is not too healthy, put her off.

"Well... you can have spicy stew if you’d like. I’ll go next door for a clay pot soup with winter melon, taro, and ribs. I feel guilty eating too much spicy food lately."

"???

Bella Prescott looked bewildered at Cecilia Vaughn.

"No way, you’re the one who got me into eating spicy, and now you’re going straight?"

Straight?!

Cecilia Vaughn rolled her eyes speechlessly at Bella Prescott.

"Please, choose your words carefully. I’ve just been lacking inspiration lately. Sometimes I want to stay up late to revise my artwork, but my husband shot down the idea."

"In the words of the current catchphrase, I have to maintain a healthy lifestyle, or I’ll go bald."

Hearing the word "bald," Bella Prescott felt like crying without tears.

She loves gaming, and her hair was falling out in clumps. She didn’t think much of it in high school since it grew back quickly.

But for some reason, as soon as she got to university, her hair’s growth rate couldn’t keep up with the speed it was falling out.

All because of staying up late too often?

Bella Prescott clutched her liver in agony, hastily following Cecilia Vaughn’s lead with a look of sorrowful compliance.

"Alright, I won’t choose spicy stew either. I’ll join you for some clay pot soup to soothe the stomach."

"Absolutely."

Cecilia Vaughn thought about Bella Prescott, whose lifestyle was unhealthy, and hesitated before speaking up to her.

"Belle, I’ve noticed your dark circles are really pronounced these days. You aren’t just staying up late, skipping breakfast since you don’t have early classes lately, are you?"

"..."

Having her secret fully exposed, Bella Prescott felt guilty, not daring to meet Cecilia Vaughn’s eyes.

——She didn’t just skip breakfast!

With no morning classes lately and living alone in an apartment off-campus, no one was around to manage her. She had the freedom to indulge herself, sometimes staying in bed until eleven or twelve and combining breakfast and lunch into one meal around one or two in the afternoon.

Bella Prescott knew it wasn’t right, but she couldn’t change. She also suffered from a severe case of procrastination. She’d planned to study hard at the library but ended up achieving nothing.

Seeing Bella Prescott torn over wanting to speak, Cecilia Vaughn immediately guessed she was wasting away valuable youth.

If it had been someone else, Cecilia Vaughn wouldn’t have bothered, but Bella Prescott was her true friend, so Cecilia did her best as a caring sister.

She sternly knocked Bella Prescott on the head.

"Honestly, if it weren’t for today’s final exam, wouldn’t you skip lunch too?"

"..."

Kudos on hitting the mark.

Bella Prescott gave an awkward laugh but couldn’t resist admitting the truth in the face of Cecilia Vaughn’s sharp gaze.

"Yes... yes."

"And you dare to laugh!"

Cecilia Vaughn was exasperated.

"This kind of lifestyle will wear you out sooner or later. Look at you, if I hadn’t highlighted the exam’s potential key points for you, you’d probably worry about failing."

"Bella, there’s no need to work as hard as in high school at university, but skipping meals and staying up late will harm your body’s functions. Do you know what your body breaks down for nutrients when you skip breakfast every day?"

Since Bella Prescott had studied biology, just the thought made her feel like gagging, and she quickly stopped Cecilia Vaughn from further advice.

"Okay, okay, I was wrong, I’ll definitely change."

"If you don’t change..."

Cecilia Vaughn frowned.

"Then I’ll punish you by having you do double assignments and notes every week, including mine. And uninstall all your mobile games and dismantle your gear."

"..."

Whoa, that’s harsh.

Bella Prescott wanted to plead but understood Cecilia Vaughn’s true intentions, so she finally nodded with a look of resignation.

"Alright."

...

Having reached an agreement, the two joyfully headed to the Rosewood Pavilion for a meal at the campus.

They hadn’t even sat down when Cecilia Vaughn noticed more eyes turning toward her.

Just as she wondered why, Bella Prescott let out a world-shattering scream.

"Cecilia, look at the canteen screen!"