Chapter 14: Chapter 14: His Prank
The sports committee member ran "thud thud thud" down from the rooftop in shock.
Only when the footsteps became completely unintelligible did Warren Prescott slowly flip open the classmate record book.
Everyone wrote on it not in page order, and it took him over half a minute to find Ashley Shaw’s page.
"Best wishes."
Signed, Ashley Shaw.
Only five characters in total, three of them being her name.
So...perfunctory.
Warren’s expression changed a bit, and he once again lifted his eyes to look downstairs.
In the next moment, his gaze froze.
Downstairs.
Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant were having a hard time moving books.
Watching a stack of books in her hand becoming increasingly unsteady, Ashley adjusted her posture, using her chin to prop up the books, but she was a step too late.
The top two books slid off.
"Books..."
She cried out in surprise, and the next second, a hand appeared suddenly, catching those two books steadily and simultaneously holding onto the stack of books in her hands.
The weight lessened considerably.
"Thank you."
Ashley Shaw exhaled a sigh of relief and looked up along that hand.
The boy with the refined face smiled at her.
"Let me help you."
Ashley Shaw paused.
Cillian Xavier.
She suddenly remembered her past life, the last time she went to Warren Prescott’s company to see him, crying uncontrollably at the company entrance, it was indeed him who handed her a handkerchief.
At that time, she forgot who he was, but now she remembers.
"Thank you." Ashley Shaw expressed her gratitude again, for his kindness in her previous life.
Cillian Xavier’s smile deepened.
"We’re classmates, no need to be so polite. How will you go back later?"
"Take a taxi."
"Alright, I’ll help you carry these to the car."
After taking the books from Ashley’s arms, Cillian Xavier didn’t forget to call to Ariana Grant: "Put yours here too."
Ariana Grant was flattered.
This is a high-profile figure like Warren Prescott, yet he’s voluntarily helping them move books!
Truly handsome and kind-hearted.
Ariana Grant hurriedly said, "I’ll go get a taxi, you guys wait!"
After saying that, she sprinted towards the school gate, trying to let Cillian carry the books for as little time as possible.
Ashley Shaw hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Um... give me a few books, they’re quite heavy."
"It’s okay, it’s nothing."
He appeared genuinely relaxed, so Ashley Shaw didn’t insist, and they walked toward the school gate together.
"By the way."
"Huh?"
"Do you still like those snacks?"
Ashley Shaw looked at Cillian Xavier in shock.
"Did you send those?"
She thought it was someone’s prank and threw them all away.
"Yeah." Cillian Xavier tugged at his lips, "Warren said they’re all snacks you like. I don’t think I bought the wrong ones?"
Warren Prescott...
Ashley Shaw tightened her hands at her sides, clenching into fists.
Those were all snacks she hated.
Due to her high internal heat constitution, she disliked all snacks that trigger it.
Warren Prescott is even messing with her on this.
Ashley Shaw worked hard to put on a natural smile.
"I quite liked them, thanks."
"Glad you liked them."
"..." Ashley Shaw wasn’t stupid; someone who got to relive their life wouldn’t misunderstand what boys of this age meant by giving her snacks.
But she couldn’t understand what Cillian liked about her?
Or maybe, was this also Warren messing with her?
Ashley Shaw felt this possibility was high; after all, they previously had little interaction.
So, she stopped in her tracks and looked solemnly at Cillian Xavier.
"Cillian Xavier, how much did those snacks cost in total?"
Cillian’s smile faded.
"Why are you asking this?"
"Just tell me, I don’t have much cash now, I’ll transfer it to you later via mobile."
"They’re not very expensive... If you don’t like my gift, I won’t send them in the future."
"I’ll transfer the money to you, I don’t like owing others."
The smile on Cillian Xavier’s face completely vanished.
"Let’s go, your friend seems to have called a taxi."
Ashley Shaw looked toward the school gate, where Ariana Grant was waving at her.
She could only first help Cillian carry the books to the taxi trunk.
"Thanks, Handsome Xavier!" Ariana Grant was still unaware of what had happened, smiling gratefully.
"It was nothing."
Cillian Xavier replied, digging out his phone from his pocket.
"Add me as a friend, so transferring is easier."
Ashley Shaw understood.
It was indeed Warren’s ploy.
She expressionlessly took out her phone and added Cillian Xavier as a friend.
This year, WeChat gradually replaced QQ; after Ashley was reborn, she registered one account.
Besides Ariana Grant, Cillian Xavier was her second WeChat friend.
After the friend verification was approved, Ashley Shaw said in a calm voice, "You can calculate the cost and send it to me, I’ll transfer it to you immediately."
Having said that, she did not look at Cillian’s expression, indifferently pulling the clueless Ariana Grant into the car.
Since it was a prank, she didn’t need to treat the other party nicely.
Such a pity for that bag of snacks... and the money.
Imported ones, likely quite expensive.
Currently, she has little money left, still needing to pay college tuition, so every penny must be counted.
She has to find a part-time job.
Ashley Shaw sighed, regretting not memorizing the lottery numbers in her past life.
"What’s wrong, Ashley? Did you fight?"
"Nothing, he’s Warren’s friend, stay away."
"Oh..." Ariana Grant nodded in half-understanding and soon started searching for the best hot pot restaurant on her phone.
At the school gate, Cillian Xavier watched the gradually departing taxi, feeling a bit down.
What should he do? It seemed like he was hated by association.
Suddenly, there were hurried footsteps behind him.
"Hey? Archie, have you seen Ashley Shaw? She’s Warren’s little sister."
"She’s gone, what’s the matter?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Archie chuckled, an overwhelming smile: "Speak."
"Just... Warren saw them struggling with the books, so he asked me to come down and help."
Cillian Xavier remained silent for a moment, pushing up the glasses on his nose.
"Got it, you go about your business."
"It’s alright."
The sports committee member returned and walked back into the school, not noticing the complex change in Cillian’s expression.
Warren, oh Warren, what are you thinking?
...
In the blink of an eye, the next day came, and Ashley Shaw, after much persuasion, finally got a chance for a re-interview.
It’s a 24-hour convenience store.
The day shift was already taken yesterday; she could only work the night shift.
"The night shift is tiring, but the hourly wage is slightly higher, and the salary is paid daily, working two days and getting two days off. If you can accept this, you can start tomorrow night."
Before this, Ashley Shaw had already asked around.
It’s graduation season, and many students choose part-time jobs, so they are hard to find, especially those with daily pay.
Thus, she didn’t hesitate, nodding directly: "Okay, what time tomorrow?"
"Come at 7 p.m., and work until 7 a.m. the next day."
"Alright."
Ashley Shaw thanked the manager, feeling relieved.
Just after leaving the store, Ashley Shaw received a call from Elder Prescott.
"Ashley, have you finished the college entrance exams? Come home for dinner tonight? Grandpa misses you."
"I..."
Ashley Shaw instinctively wanted to refuse.
But thinking she might not go back anymore in the future, she couldn’t quite bear to refuse and agreed.
"Okay."
"Great! Dinner at six, remember to come early. Grandpa has prepared a graduation gift for you."
"Thank you, Grandpa Prescott."
Ashley Shaw hung up and glanced at the phone screen.
It was two in the afternoon.