August in Chenzhou was brutal—sun blazing like it had a personal grudge.

In a cramped 60-square-meter housing unit, four people sat around a dining table. John Hamilton was in his usual white tank top, Margaret Doyle wore a pink dress so faded it was practically white, David Hamilton rocked some fancy name-brand clothes, and Sophia Hamilton... well, her outfit looked like it came straight from a bargain bin.

A rickety fan squeaked in the corner, barely moving the thick, sticky air.

John reached out with his chopsticks, dropped a chicken leg into David's bowl, then glanced at Sophia with that familiar annoyed tone. "School said yes to dropping you out. Got you a job already—factory work. Fifteen hundred a month, food and board included. You start tomorrow."

Sophia's hand trembled just a bit.

Hard to believe, but yeah—she’d been reborn.

In her last life, she had stacks of awards as a straight-A student. But after hearing those exact same words from John, she dropped out at seventeen to help the fam with expenses.

Fast forward twenty years—she was still stuck in a factory, twisting screws day in, day out. Burned out, overworked, and eventually... gone.

Dead from exhaustion.

Nothing—no college, no partner, no house, no car, no savings. "Tragic" didn’t even begin to cover it.

But now? Life gave her a redo.

This time, she was gonna finish school, chase her dreams, and screw compromise.

"Okay, sure. I’ll do whatever you say, Dad," she said with a soft smile, her voice calm and smooth. Her big, expressive eyes sparkled like she was the model obedient daughter.

Inside though? A storm was brewing.

John nodded, satisfied, plopping the rest of the chicken into David’s bowl like it was business as usual.

Margaret looked like she had something to say. But then she glanced at John and stayed quiet.

David nudged one of his chicken legs toward Sophia. Before it landed in her bowl, John coolly picked it right back and dropped it back into David’s.

“You’re growing, need the protein. Your sister’s fine without it.”

David didn’t say a word. Just silently passed it to Sophia again, eyes flicking toward John.

Sophia looked down at the somewhat squashed chicken leg in her bowl, heart twinging with a dull ache.

Last time around, she’d been too naive. Thought John just wasn’t the warm-and-fuzzy type.

Not until he made her go hungry, all while demanding she cough up two hundred grand for David’s new car... did she finally get it.

He never loved his daughter. Not even a little.

—

Next morning.

Sophia stood outside the apartment building, suitcase by her side. She tilted her head to glance up at the fifth-floor window—not a hint of regret in her eyes.

School had given her a transfer to senior high in Shencheng. Grandma and Uncle Alexander had everything ready for her. Last time, she said no.

Not this time.

She could be bruised, she could bleed, but school? School was non-negotiable.

Up on the fifth floor, David stood by the tiny window, watching Sophia’s back disappearing into the distance. His eyes lowered. Under his breath, he whispered, “Should’ve left way sooner.”

—

On the high-speed train G8001 to Shencheng, the carriage buzzed with noise, the blasting AC making it almost too cold.

A news clip played on Sophia's phone:

"After watching their shot at the national high school championship slip through their fingers three years in a row, Shencheng No.1 High’s team captain, James Parker, just told reporters: 'I’m done. Quit the team. I’m never playing again.'"

Sitting by the window, Sophia leaned on her hand, staring at her phone. A short clip from Douyin showed James dunking in the finals for No.1 High.The boy in the black jersey dashed across the court like he owned it, swagger in every move. He stole the ball with ease and, without hesitation, nailed a three-pointer from beyond the arc, shrinking the score gap in seconds.

As the camera zoomed in, his smirk came into view. Blue-gray hair, sharp eyebrows, long eyes with a tiny mole just under the right one—it gave him this dangerously attractive vibe.

He scored again. Then he glanced up at the scoreboard, eyes half-lidded with a cocky gleam. Pulling up his jersey to wipe his sweaty face, the flash of toned abs sent the crowd into a frenzy—cheers erupting like a wave. The whole scene screamed adrenaline.

Sophia Hamilton had one thought watching James Parker in that moment—unstoppable.

But right after, the clip cut to him in front of a camera, calmly announcing, “I’m done playing.”

His teammates and coach? Stunned silence.

Even with twenty seconds left in the championship game, knowing they couldn’t win, he gave it everything—hustling, defending, never slacking. So why quit now?

"What a waste..." Sophia muttered, her soft voice stealing away with the train's breeze.

Across the aisle, the English book covering the boy’s face slid off. He slowly opened his eyes and lazily glanced at the girl next to him.

Those bright peach blossom eyes of hers were sharp and clear, black hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Her lips were slightly pursed; the look on her delicate face was quiet but strong.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pleated skirt, white knee socks and sneakers, she looked simple yet fresh. When she shifted slightly, a faint scent of herbal medicine drifted over—not bad at all, actually kind of unique.

James instinctively bit his lip. Something flickered in his eyes, breaking through the dull boredom.

Her skin was fair, side profile clean and striking, lashes curled just right. Right now, she had a little frown going, eyes locked on her phone, staring at his face from the video.

He was right next to her. Seriously?

James: "..."

If she just looked up, she'd see her phone's subject sitting right beside her.

No way.

Suddenly, Sophia smacked her thigh. No wonder that face seemed familiar!

Wasn't this the factory director’s son from her past life?

Word was, James was a rebel as a teen. Fights got him expelled, he didn’t even take the college entrance exam. After that, he just bummed around with his crew until his parents cut him off and sent him to ‘get reformed’ in the factory.

She still remembered their first meeting.

He was sitting across from her at lunch. She blurted out, “You here to screw in bolts too? Your folks send you?”

He gave her a side glance but stayed quiet.

Sophia, feeling a weird sort of camaraderie, said, “Sucks, huh? Let’s stick together. I’m already hitting sixty yuan a day on screws.”

Then, like a plot twist, the factory director strolled into the cafeteria, which she never did.

Sophia leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, “Watch out for her—petty and holds grudges. Steer clear.”

James looked up, shot the woman a freezing glare, and said flatly, “Mom.”

Sophia froze as James tilted his head and gave her the most pitying look ever.

Sophia: “...” Did I just talk smack about his mom right in front of him?

Soon, the whole factory knew who he was. Everyone treated him like royalty—except her. Somehow, she kept accidentally offending him. To keep her job, she basically became his reluctant sidekick.

And now he was here, again, in her new life?

Somebody help. Why was this guy back?!