Chapter 23

Claire explained with a smile, “Before, only Sean and I were active students on the team, so we didn’t qualify to enter. But now we have you. If you want to participate, we can register. Got any ideas? Sean and I will help you develop them.”

“I do want to enter,” Josie said, pursing her lips slightly. “But I haven’t nailed down an innovative idea yet. I need to think some more.”

Claire pulled out her phone. “Don’t overthink it. Sign up first. Let Sean worry about the idea—he’s full of them.”

Even as Claire spoke, her fingers flew across the screen. Registration was done in seconds, and a new group chat popped up.

It was a four-person group: Sean, Claire, Josie, and Delilah. Claire immediately posted the competition registration confirmation.

Josie was stunned by Claire’s decisiveness, and a surge of gratitude washed over her. She’d merely expressed interest, and Claire had acted without hesitation. Regardless of the outcome, this level of support was deeply moving. “Thank you, Claire. I will come up with a good idea. I won’t let you down.”

Claire grinned. “Great. Sean and I are counting on you to lead us to success.” With a final wave, she left.

Josie’s heart, however, remained unsettled. She knew Claire was joking—she was barely starting over in a new field, far from capable of leading anyone to success. That Claire not only tolerated her but actively encouraged her was incredibly touching.

Just spending one morning with Claire wrapped Josie in warmth. The kindness Claire showed her was something she hadn’t felt from Aiden and the others in the past few years. It felt indulgent, and a wave of relief washed over Josie—relief at escaping David’s team, relief at choosing the obscure major of acupuncture.

Turning towards the cafeteria, Josie felt her phone buzz with a message from the new group. It was Sean.

Whose idea?

Biting her lip, Josie replied: Mine. I want to enter the competition. Is that okay?

Sean replied instantly: Got a concept?

Josie narrowed her eyes. An idea flickered through her mind—something crucial she remembered from the advancements in traditional medicine research years later in her previous life. It had surfaced during a consultation. But she wasn’t sure if their current team had the resources or expertise to explore it yet. That’s why she hadn’t mentioned it to Claire.

The situation felt different now, though. After a brief hesitation, Josie sent her idea to the group: Application of acupuncture techniques in clinical surgery.

Silence descended on the chat. The quiet stretched, making Josie anxious. She didn’t know if her idea would be supported.

Just as Josie debated adding more, someone bumped her shoulder, and her phone was snatched from her hand. “What’s got you so glued to that screen?” Vincent peered down at it.

Josie yanked her phone back. “Nothing. What are you doing here?”

“This is the cafeteria. Lunch, of course.” Vincent shrugged. “Come on, join us. They ordered your favorites.”

Josie stopped walking. “How did you know I was coming?”

“Natalie saw you heading this way and messaged the group,” Vincent explained, reaching out to take her arm. He added, “She said you didn’t reply to her message last night. She’s worried about you, afraid the online stuff got to you. Told us to cheer you up.”

A cold smile touched Josie’s lips. “If she meant the message, I replied. And I don’t need her worry or your cheering up.” She pulled her arm free, making no move to follow him.

Vincent’s brow furrowed. “You know everyone’s worried, right? We can’t control what people say online. We were worried that you’d be hurt and spent the morning figuring out how to make you feel better. And this is how you act? Are you blaming us now? Treating us like enemies?”

Of course, you’re my enemies, Josie thought. She met his gaze. “Vincent, based on our time together, what kind of person do you think I am?”

The question caught Vincent off guard. The old Josie seems back. Is she regretting her choice? he mused. Vincent felt a flicker of hope. “You’re a wonderful girl. Everyone knows that—Aiden, all of us. You’re sweet, responsible, and dedicated to your studies. We all like you.”

“Really?” Josie’s voice was flat. “I didn’t realize you knew me so well.”

Vincent reached for her arm again. “Of course, I do. That’s why we ordered all your favorite dishes. Come on, Aiden and the others are waiting.”

“Got an extra carbonara. Want it?” A new voice cut in, and a figure stepped between them, blocking Vincent’s hand. Sean looked down at Josie.

Josie’s response was instinctive. “Sure.” She turned and walked towards the table Sean gestured to.

Vincent shoved Sean aside. “Hey, buddy. What’s your problem?”

“Offering pasta to a junior. Got a hearing problem?” Sean retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Josie turned back to Vincent. “Vincent, I don’t like greens. I prefer pork chops. And for pasta, I like the regular kind, not noodle soup. As for soup, onion soup isn’t my thing. I’d rather have cream soup.”

Jaden, with his intense basketball training, always ordered meat. Josie used to give him all her meat and take his vegetables. Kyle, due to his hometown’s culinary preferences, always chose noodle soup. Over time, everyone assumed Josie liked it too.

And onion soup was always Aiden’s choice. It had a strong smell, and he’d always blame her for ordering it, saying he only got it to indulge her, making everyone else smell like it. Josie never understood why he couldn’t just admit he liked pungent soup and had to blame it on her. He wasn’t some untouchable angel. It was just ridiculous.

Vincent could only watch as Josie picked up a large bowl of carbonara and dug in, seemingly oblivious to his presence. He realized that she had no regrets at all, let alone being sad.

Vincent desperately wanted to step forward and demand answers. Does she just not care about online hate? Is she really that dead set on staying with Ms. Wilcount?

Why couldn’t she just sit down and have a peaceful meal with us, chatting and laughing like before? Why this coldness, this…? Vincent was a bit angry.

As he took a step forward, Sean blocked him. “Know what respect means?”

“Stay out of this. What we have with Josie, you can’t touch. Get out of the way,” Vincent glared at Sean.

Sean crossed his arms, unmoving. “She ate my pasta. Now she owes me her car. You want to talk to her? Get in line.”

Vincent choked back his frustration. It was a ridiculous reason, but he knew Josie wouldn’t budge today. Josie wasn’t the same obedient person who came when called. She belonged to another team now and was someone else’s friend. A sudden pang of panic hit him. Vincent turned and hurried off to find Aiden.

Sean walked over and sat down opposite Josie. “You ate my carbonara.”