3

That night, I toss and turn, unable to sleep.

I pull out the wallet he returned.

Tucked inside is a photo of Lin Shen from high school, singing in his school uniform.

Thank God he didn't open it.

How would I even explain that?

My thoughts drift.

I've always been a step behind others.

The doctor said my twin sister, Qiao Lan, absorbed more nutrients in the womb.

By the time Qiao Lan was running, I was still stumbling.

Even after supplements, I was so frail I had to take a year off school.

In my freshman year of high school, the Qiao family sponsored ten underprivileged students to attend school in North City.

Lin Shen was one of them.

He was in Qiao Lan's class, a star student, and occasionally visited our home.

My dad adored him, praising him in front of everyone:

"Lin Shen's going places. Who knows, maybe he'll be our son-in-law someday."

Qiao Lan blushed and looked down.

I glanced at Lin Shen, then at Qiao Lan.

We were opposites.

I was shy, slow to speak, hesitating even in class.

Qiao Lan was bold, beautiful, and already helping with the family business in high school.

I thought only someone like Lin Shen could match her.

At the school festival, they were the golden couple.

Qiao Lan played the piano elegantly.

Lin Shen sang center stage.

I curled up in the audience, hidden in the dim light, my envy masked.