30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 127: Unusual Kindness

"I heard from the maids that you’re not eating?" Aiko Nakamura placed a hand on Lily’s forehead, her big eyes filled with concern. "You can’t keep doing this. I know you’re upset with Ethan, but your body is yours. You can’t ruin yourself over a relationship."

Is Aiko Nakamura’s heart overflowing with kindness or something?

I don’t need her advice, okay?

This is especially not from a woman who’s kissed Ethan Blackwood, especially not from a woman who calls him "Ethan."

Lily stood up from the sofa, intending to find a quiet place to sit in solitude again.

But Aiko quickly stepped in her path, spreading her arms wide to block her way. With a righteous expression, she declared, "Lily, I like to compete with my rivals fairly. But using your poor health to gain Ethan’s sympathy isn’t work.

When did I say I was trying to gain Ethan’s sympathy with my health?

Does Aiko even understand what’s going on right now?!

Why am I still dealing with Aiko Nakamura?

If she was so eager to compete, why wasn’t she busy clinging to Ethan? How did staying at the Blackwood villa benefit her?

"Only you would want that trash," Lily said coldly, turning to leave once again.

"Wait, wait, wait." Aiko hurriedly stopped her again, pulling out a USB drive and waving it before Lily’s face. With a sweet smile, she said, "I wasn’t planning on giving this to you but seeing you so upset over this relationship that you can’t even eat makes me feel bad. So, here, watch this—it’ll cheer you up."

Lily allowed herself to be dragged back to the bed.

What is she up to now?

How does such a young girl end up doing so many baffling things?

She talks about wanting to be friends with her rival and competing fairly, yet she’s a rich girl who loves street snacks—incredibly stinky tofu...

Is she trying too hard to be "down-to-earth"?!

Aiko fiddled with the television, then turned around and flashed a cute "V" sign at Lily.

The TV screen lit up, and saxophone music filled the room as the video began to play.

It was the celebration at the Carter residence.

Lily sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze locking onto the screen.

Ethan Blackwood stood on a small outdoor stage, playing the saxophone with intense concentration. The lights illuminated his tall, handsome figure, and his perfectly tailored suit accented his physique. He looked so breathtaking that taking your eyes off him was impossible.

"She’s my girlfriend! Anyone who dares to call her a mistress is my enemy!"

"Lily Anderson! Come hug me!"

Ethan’s voice boomed arrogantly through the microphone.

The crowd fell silent.

Lily ran through the crowd on the screen, throwing herself into Ethan’s arms without hesitation. The two embraced tightly.

Whoever had recorded the video had done a professional job, capturing even the look of emotion on Lily’s face as she ran into Ethan’s embrace. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

At that moment, Lily truly believed that Ethan loved her.

For the first time, she had felt like staying by his side might not be so bad...

She had thought that things could work out.

Because not everyone would run back to save you after hearing the fire alarm...

On the screen, Ethan held Lily tightly, a satisfied smile on his face, as if he had gained the whole world.

So, back then, that hug... Ethan had been that happy.

It was such a stark contrast to the Ethan of now—the one who spent all his time figuring out new ways to torment her.

Tears streamed down Lily’s face as she sat on the edge of the bed, lowering her head to wipe them away.

"Wow... Ethan is a romantic man," Aiko sighed, her eyes glued to the screen, her face glowing with the admiration of a lovestruck girl. "One day, I’ll make him do the same for me."

Watching the man she liked play the saxophone for another woman, shouting those passionate words...

And Aiko’s reaction was... this?

"How old are you?" Lily asked flatly.

"Twenty," Aiko replied cheerfully. Then, noticing Lily’s tears, her expression dimmed. "You’re crying? I had to go through a lot to get this video from a guest at the party. Doesn’t it make you happy?"

Twenty years old.

Younger than me.

Is that why she’s so brave? So naive that she doesn’t even have any hidden motives? She even went out of her way to console her rival.

Is she just too kind?

If she keeps living this innocently, without cunning... she’ll get hurt one day.

"No, it doesn’t make me happy," Lily shook her head and said softly. "Don’t do something like this again."

I don’t need anyone to console me.

The video started playing again on the television. It showed Ethan standing on the small stage, playing the saxophone, looking incredibly handsome and charming...

Lily stood up and headed for the door, not wanting to watch anymore.

"Wait a second." Aiko unplugged the USB drive and placed it in Lily’s hand, blinking her clear, innocent eyes at her. "Here, it’s a gift for you, Lily."

Staring at the USB drive in her hand, Lily wasn’t sure what to say.

"In exchange for the gift, will you have a meal with me?" Aiko clasped her hands together, habitually making a pleading gesture, her eyes full of hope.

Who forces their rival to eat with them?!

Such a kind girl.

It’s been so long... since I’ve met someone of this kind.

How did such a good girl fall for a man like Ethan Blackwood?

"I’ll eat when I feel like it. Right now, I need some peace," Lily replied softly, her voice as calm as still water.

"Lily..."

Ignoring Aiko’s wide, pleading eyes, Lily turned and walked into the study, locking the door behind her.

Leaning against the door, Lily looked at the USB drive.

A sudden wave of sadness washed over her.

She plugged the USB drive into the computer and sat on the chair, hugging her knees as she watched the video repeatedly.

How strange.

I hate Ethan Blackwood so much, yet I am watching this video repeatedly...

Am I just torturing myself?

My life started to change the moment Ethan Blackwood took away my innocence. And to this day, I haven’t been able to break free from that curse.

To me, Ethan isn’t just a benefactor. He’s more like a demon.

This domineering man throws nine years of peaceful, uneventful life into chaos.

She had sold herself, walking down a path she could never turn back from.

Ethan Blackwood had changed her life... and he had ruined it. A man like him... she should feel nothing but disgust for him.

"Lily Anderson! Come hug me!"

On the screen, Ethan jumped off the stage and hugged her as she ran to him, smiling brightly and filled with arrogance.

That was probably the last time we were happy together.

Since then... nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The heart that had once skipped a beat when he called her "girlfriend" now felt emptiness.

I should never have let my heart race for Ethan Blackwood.

There’s no more significant mistake in the world than that.

"Click—"

The sound of an essential turning in the lock reached Lily’s ears, and the study door swung open.

Lily frowned from her seat, quickly pulling the USB drive out and slipping it into her pocket.

Aiko entered, her face beaming with a bright smile. "Lily, you shouldn’t just sit here by yourself. If you don’t eat, at least come have a drink with me, okay?"

What does Aiko Nakamura want from me?!

Before Lily could refuse, Aiko grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

Ultimately, Lily reluctantly followed Aiko to the garden’s outdoor dining area, where Aiko handed her a glass of juice. "Here, drink this. If you don’t, I’ll keep pestering you.

So she knows she’s annoying.

Lily sighed and sipped the juice, her gaze drifting off into the distance, still unfocused.

What’s left for me to see in this Blackwood villa anymore?

A gentle breeze swept through the garden, carrying a hint of warmth.

"I’m going back to Japan soon. It’ll be a while before I return to China," Aiko said suddenly, sipping on her lemonade, her tone laced with reluctance.

Going back to Japan?

Isn’t Aiko supposed to be staying here to fight for Ethan?

How is she going to compete if she leaves?

As if reading Lily’s thoughts, Aiko’s eyes lit up with determination. "I’m not giving up on Ethan! Don’t start celebrating too soon! I’m going back to Japan to transfer universities. After that, I’ll move here to China for good... then Ethan will definitely be mine."

Staying in China?

Lily gave a slight nod and finished the rest of her juice.

"Lily, what’s your phone number?" Aiko scooted closer, pulling out her phone, ready to save the number.

Lily’s expression darkened. "I don’t have a phone."

"Huh?" Aiko’s eyes widened in disbelief as if she were looking at an ancient relic. "How do you stay in touch with people without a phone? I can’t believe there are still people without phones these days.

Lily remained silent.

It wasn’t that she didn’t have one—Ethan had smashed them all.

Now she had nothing left—absolutely nothing.

"Here, take my phone, then," Aiko enthusiastically said, offering her diamond-studded pink phone to Lily.

"I don’t want it."

What’s the point? Ethan will just throw it away.

"My phone has a lot of cool features. Tons of storage space. I’ve downloaded lots of games.

Aiko leaned in closer, scrolling through her phone as she excitedly listed its features. "Look, I’ve got all my favorite songs on here. What kind of music do you like? And you can video call, browse the web, watch movies, check the news... "

As Aiko swiped through her phone, she opened a news app. A photo of Alex Carter appeared in the top left corner of the screen, with him raising his hand to block the camera.

Lily’s eyes darkened.

"And there’s more."

"Wait a minute."

Lily took the phone from Aiko’s hands. The news anchor on the screen animatedly said, "After the much-publicized breakup of the political-business engagement, Alex Carter, the only son of the Carter family, has reportedly been hospitalized with serious injuries."

After the introduction, the screen cut to footage of a private hospital—

Alex, surrounded by bodyguards, was leaving the hospital when reporters swarmed him.

"Mr. Carter, is there no chance of reconciliation between you and the mayor’s daughter?"

"Rumor has it that you were shot. Can you explain how this happened? Could you comment on the situation?"

"Is the injury related to the breakup? Is the mayor’s family seeking revenge?"

Shot?!

Could it have been from the bullet Ethan fired that day?

Didn’t the bullet just shatter the car window? How did Alex end up getting shot? How serious is it?

Alex took a few steps forward before stopping. He picked up a microphone and smiled warmly at the camera, his signature gentle expression in place. "Thank you all for your concern. My injury has healed; it was nothing serious. Please don’t believe the rumors."

"Tell us more!"

"Mr. Carter, how exactly did you get injured?"

"Is it related to the mayor’s family? Why did you and Miss Johnson break up? Was there a third party involved?"

The reporters fired question after question, each more pointed than the last.

"My breakup with Alice was mutual and peaceful. Please focus your reports on me and not on her. She deserves to live her life in peace without being disturbed." Alex’s explanation was patient and polite, his warm and gentle demeanor on full display for the cameras.