Chapter 3 Chapter 3
As soon as Serenity stepped through the school gate, she ran straight into Vince. She recognized him at once and immediately wanted to dodge in another direction, but it was too late.
Ever since accidentally picking up the letter, Vince had wanted to meet the girl named Serenity again. Not because he found her special or had been moved by her, but because he sensed that something entertaining was about to happen. So that morning, he deliberately arrived early and waited in front of the gate. Once he spotted her from afar, there was no way he would let her slip by.
A little more about Vince. He was the only son of the principal. With a powerful father, a wealthy background, good looks, and a luxury car, he always acted arrogantly. If he were not poor at his studies and held back a year, he would have been the perfect guy.
Even so, that did not diminish his fan base. The girls at school had even formed a fan club, spending all day talking about the boy named Vince. He was the same age as Tony but in the same academic year as Serenity.
Vince and Tony were two complete opposites. One was wild and fiery, the other calm and gentle.
“Don’t you remember losing something?” Vince blocked her path, casually waving the letter. The familiar piece of paper made Serenity freeze. To make matters worse, he read it aloud, clearly and deliberately. “Recipient: Tony. Sender: Serenity.”
She forced a stiff smile, though inside she wanted to punch the person in front of her. “That is my letter. Thank you for picking it up for me.”
She tried to snatch it back, but Vince was quicker. He raised it high, the corner of his lips curling in mockery. “Want it back. It’s not that simple. And what do you mean, thank you. I didn’t pick it up just to stand here early in the morning waiting to return it.”
Sensing trouble ahead, Serenity spoke in a calm tone. “Then what do you want in exchange for giving it back to me?”
“I want you to be my slave, to do anything I order,” Vince said, each word slowly, his face full of cunning.
“What?” Serenity’s mouth fell open, her body stiffening. “You really know how to joke. I’m not playing around. Give the letter back to me.” No matter how she tried, she could not reach it, as she was a head shorter than him.
“I’m not joking. And why should I return the letter when I get nothing in return? If I make five thousand copies of this letter and scatter them from the rooftop, what do you think will happen? Or if I post it on social media, on the school website. There are plenty of ways to make this letter famous.”
In Serenity’s mind appeared the scene of the corridor and schoolyard flooded with her letters, and the entire internet knew about her feelings for Tony. People would gossip endlessly. Tony’s fangirls would never let her off. And if Tony himself found out, what would he think of her? Someone who treated love as a joke. Love was sacred and precious, and if the whole world dissected it, what would remain of its romance?
Her face turned pale as she shook her head. No, she could not let this happen. But she also did not want to become a slave to this detestable guy.
“Don’t go too far. Are you going to give me back the letter or not?” Serenity put her hands on her hips, trying to sound firm.
“Then forget it.” Vince stuffed the letter into his bag and leisurely walked into the school grounds.
“Wait.” Serenity chased after him, darted ahead, and spread her arms to block his path. She took a deep breath and said, “Fine. As long as it doesn’t go against moral principles, I’ll agree to anything.”
Vince’s eyes lit up. “Your words, remember that. I want…” He paused, leaning closer to Serenity, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
Serenity swallowed, placed her hand on Vince’s chest to stop his movement, and said, “Let me add one more condition. Aside from anything that goes against moral principles, and as long as you do not behave in a despicable or indecent way toward me, I will agree to anything else.”
Vince stroked his chin. “That’s difficult. Because I’m inherently despicable.”
“You…” Serenity was left speechless, her teeth clenched.
Seeing her expression, he could not help but laugh. A few minutes passed.
“So, have you finished thinking. If you have, follow me. If not, then… You know the consequences.” With that, Vince walked off first. He deliberately slowed his pace to wait for her, because he already had her answer.
Fine, whatever. The letter is more important. I don’t believe he would dare to do anything outrageous right here at school. If he dares, I’ll grind him into powder and feed him to the pigs. Amused by that final thought, Serenity quickened her steps to catch up with Vince.
When Vince noticed a pair of feet faithfully following behind him, he could not stop smiling smugly. He had only made one threat, and that girl had been scared out of her wits. It seemed the days ahead would be quite interesting. Getting a free servant out of nowhere, why not exploit it to the fullest?
“Listen up. I’m Vince, a first-year student in the Applied Fine Arts Department. From now on, you must call me Young Master Phong or simply Master.”
Hearing his introduction, Serenity stared at him in disbelief. “What. A first-year. With that old-looking face. You were held back, weren’t you?”
“Call it being held back if you like, but more accurately, I’m a long-term student.” After saying that, Vince even laughed, as if being held back were something to be proud of.
Serenity did not respond, merely pursing her lips in disdain.
Vince led her to his classroom. She hid behind his back, trembling and on guard. Seeing a girl walking with Vince, his three close friends immediately started clamoring.
“Hey Phong, who is this girl. Where did you pick her up?”
“Why is she shaking so badly?”
“Hey, are you planning to let her join our group?”
Vince slumped into a chair, wearing his usual arrogant air. “Her name is Serenity, my servant. From now on, she’ll do anything I order.”
All three of them gaped in astonishment, then exclaimed.
“Anything at all. That’s awesome.”
“How did you manage to do that?”
One of the boys stepped forward, smiling brightly like the spring breeze, introducing himself and the two beside him. “I’m Leo, and these two are Henry and Kelvin.”
“We’re about to become a group. I won’t hurt you. I’m a decent guy, so let me kiss you as a greeting.”
Leo leaned toward Serenity, but before he could touch her, Vince landed a crushing punch on him.
“Stay back. Don’t you idiots understand? She’s mine. She only listens to me. Got it.” Then he leaned close to Serenity’s ear and whispered a threat. “What I said is not wrong, is it. Obey me, or I’ll expose the letter.”
Serenity clenched her fists, enduring it. “I’ll just listen to you. Is that enough?”
“Good. At least you know your place. Keep it that way, and the letter will remain a secret. For now, I haven’t thought of anything to order you to do. Go back to your class. I’ll call you when I need you.” Vince flicked his hand, shooing her away.
The three friends watched Serenity’s figure grow more and more distant, full of regret. It was rare to have a girl join their group, yet they could not enjoy it at all.
