Chapter 3: Bruises, Tears, and New Promises

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Obviously, Vanessa has a big misunderstanding about the word "skinny."

After nearly half a month of living with this brat, seeing each other every day but never really connecting,

their relationship hasn’t warmed up at all.

Vanessa’s motherly, loving gaze has nearly faded to dead fish eyes.

She’s angrily scrubbing the dishes.

Her so-called ancestor, Mason, acts like a food machine: open door, eat, close door, doesn’t even look at her. Like she’s not even there.

Even a maid gets paid, damn it!

Vanessa slows her dishwashing, letting out a long sigh.

She’s not actually worried about the main character’s attitude. She’s got time, she can take it slow. If the main character turned into her best buddy in a few days, that’d just be weird.

She’s more worried that Mason is about to start school.

Vanessa came to this world to change the story’s tone and direction, using the original owner’s identity.

The original owner barely existed in the story, almost no personality, didn’t even show up in the main plot.

So Vanessa can strategize however she wants, change her own character settings, and not be boxed in by the original plot.

But Mason is different—he’s the main character.

Everything he says and does is subtly influenced by the original plot.

Vanessa can change the story, but she has to make sure the plot logic doesn’t collapse and none of the major events get skipped.

Otherwise, the whole world line might collapse.

If the system weren’t asleep—if she still had her mental strength—maybe she wouldn’t be scared.

But right now, she can’t risk it.

In about three days, the main character should start school at Crestview Academy.

That’s where the main plot kicks off.

But that’s not important—Vanessa has a plan.

Mainly,

She can’t afford the tuition.

She must be the first world-hopper so broke she could cry.

Crestview’s tuition is terrifyingly expensive, but luckily, Mason’s late dad already paid for this semester. Otherwise, she’d have to sell a kidney...

Actually, even selling a kidney wouldn’t be enough!

Whatever. The diner downstairs pays well for dishwashing. She’s gotta go wash dishes to keep the brat fed.

After washing at home, there’s more to wash outside.

She’s really a dishwashing genius!

Vanessa gets an advance on her wages. On the day school starts, she sends Mason off, even pats his head as he leaves.

Though he dodges her like she’s radioactive.

"Little Mason, study hard. Sis will be waiting for you at home."

Vanessa smiles with motherly pride.

Mason wants to sneer.

Sis, my foot.

Vanessa can’t change Mason, but she can switch his class.

After bouncing through so many worlds, she’s learned how to work the loopholes.

She really is a clever little fox.

If nothing goes wrong, those two won’t get to sit together and flirt for three years.

Just thinking about it makes her secretly happy.

She watches the A class, where the heroine is supposed to be, for most of the day. All the kids show up, but the heroine never appears.

That’s weird, she thinks.

She wants to gather some intel too.

When the teacher shows up and asks, she finds out the heroine didn’t enroll—supposedly, she transferred to another school.

Vanessa realizes, that’s where the other lead is.

Her hand trembles.

Now she’s panicking. Like, really panicking.

The heroine’s main plotline has gone off the rails—what the heck is going on?

Was it something she did? Did one word set off a butterfly effect? The idea of the heroine listening to her is just wild!

It can’t be, right?

Who else but her, damn it!

Vanessa feels like fate is about to strike her down.

She waits nearly a month, and nothing happens.

During this time, she goes from one job to four, loses hair from stress, and even after offering Mason money (which he rejects, claiming he has savings), she insists on sending him money every month—doing all sorts of motherly, but honestly, kind of dumb, things.

The strategy is tough, but it’s working a little. At least now, Mason doesn’t always look at her like she’s a joke.

Sometimes he’ll reply, impatiently:

"Got it."

"Okay."

"Fine."

"Whatever you want."

"You talk too much."

Vanessa feels like an old mom nagging her rebellious son—sometimes so angry she wants to jump, but still kind of enjoying it.

She can’t stay mad at him—at most, she sulks for a bit.

Who told her she has no resistance to cute faces?

Looks-obsessed people really are shallow.

Crestview Academy, where Mason goes, is famous not just in the state but all over the country.

This isn’t some fluffy romance—there are no delicate little flowers like Chloe here. The students are all from real business or old-money families.

Mason’s situation is awkward—he’s the only exception.

There’s a fresh bloodstain on his cheek. He tilts his head and casually wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Not far away, a few boys are sprawled on the ground, groaning, watching him warily, not daring to come close.

Teenage boys don’t need much of a reason to hate someone. Maybe it’s because he studies too well and doesn’t fit in, or maybe he’s too good-looking and gets all the girls’ attention.

Mason, who’s got both, becomes everyone’s favorite target.

He licks his busted lip, tasting blood.

"I win."

"Don’t bother me again."

He doesn’t even like these childish fights, but life doesn’t give him a choice—violence works better than reason.

His shirt is stained with dirt and blood—Vanessa had ironed it perfectly, but now it’s a wreck.

Crestview’s uniform is made of some fancy material. Vanessa always hand-washes it for him.