Rebirth: Redefining My Fate

Chapter 1

In my previous life, I was framed for cheating in the college entrance examination and was banned from taking the exam for three years. My future was completely ruined. While my twin sister successfully entered the USC School of Cinematic Arts and became a top female star in the entertainment industry, I ended up working in a factory doing menial tasks. One evening, I was robbed and killed on my way home, left unclaimed in the outskirts.

Upon my rebirth, I kept my sister's admission ticket hidden. I reported my abusive parents to the police.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day of the English speech contest in my second year of high school. I sat backstage, waiting for the host to announce the results of the speech contest. Just like in my previous life, I won first place. The first-place winner would represent the school in the city-wide high school English speech contest.

"Phoebe, the principal wants to see the top three in his office."

In my previous life, the principal had used the excuse of a faint red birthmark on my forehead, claiming it affected the school's image, to let Elodie, who came in second, take my place in the contest. He even gave her my speech to memorize in full.

I borrowed Lena's phone and discreetly started recording, giving her a knowing look before slipping it into my pocket.

"How can someone with that appearance represent our school? I think Elodie would be a much better choice."

The principal patted Elodie on the shoulder, taking the speech from my hands and shoving it into hers. Elodie shot me a proud, sideways glance.

"Principal, I have a question. Does having a good appearance represent the school's image? Does that mean those who aren't good-looking can't be on stage?"

In the past, I would have endured it, handing over what was rightfully mine, even to the sister who bullied me, letting her bask in the limelight.

In this life, I wanted to see who could take anything from me.

"Phoebe, you're too young to be so calculating. This concerns the school's honor. Don't be overly concerned with gains and losses."

See, those in authority are always so evasive. They never answer your question directly, always finding a way to gaslight you.

"Oh, I just think the birthmark on my forehead is also my honor. But since it's for the good of the school, I'll withdraw."

The video of the principal talking to me was posted online, along with a clip of my speech.

On Facebook, the principal of Eahgow High School quickly became a trending topic on social media.

"When did schools start joining the appearance club?"

"Abandoning noble character and inner qualities to pursue a noble appearance-so this is the standard for selecting talent in schools."

"If our top universities selected students based on looks, I probably wouldn't even see the threshold."

"If scientific researchers all pursued beautiful appearances, Pheah's scientific research would regress by a million years."

"I can't imagine the University of Oxford without Andrew Wiles. How many years would the math department fall behind other countries?"

"Actually, the second-place winner is also excellent. The principal's actions are understandable if he's trying to secure first place for the school."

"To the commenter above, Andrew Wiles is first, a first by a landslide. No one can be second. First is just the limit of ranking, not his limit."

...

The internet went into an uproar, with discussions growing louder and louder. Some even began to discuss the current state of the entertainment industry, saying, "If you can't write a noble soul, you can only write about noble birth and appearance."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

The education bureau couldn't sit still and immediately issued a statement. The principal was removed from his position and reassigned to another school. Elodie was disqualified.

I represented the school in the city-wide English speech contest and ultimately returned victorious with second place.

"Phoebe, who do you think you are to compete with me?" As soon as I returned to school, Elodie and her clique cornered me in the girls' bathroom.

No one knew that Elodie and I were actually fraternal twins. She stood at 170 cm, nurtured by our parents' love since childhood, with a round, smooth face and large, captivating eyes that sparkled when she smiled.

Because a fortune teller had said my birthmark was unlucky and would bring misfortune to my parents' business, I was sent to live with my grandparents in the countryside. They also believed I brought bad luck and often neglected to feed me, leaving me skinny and frail, barely reaching 162 cm.

Our parents ran a ceramics business. Though not extremely wealthy, they didn't need to scrimp and save. We always lived in a villa.

I was brought back to attend high school because I had studied hard and gotten into the city's top high school on my own merit.

My parents were afraid people would discover their 'unlucky' child, so they insisted on leaving the parents' section blank on school forms. At school, I couldn't say I was their child. After school, Elodie always had a chauffeur to pick her up, while I had to walk home by myself for half an hour.