Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 18

Back then, Elliot was a real shrimp; he probably only reached up to her chin.

Elliot only shared a class with her for a semester, during which he didn't do much more than call her ‘Tallie Julie.’ It wasn't until the day before he was leaving for abroad that Elliot suddenly asked Julie, "Tallie Julie, how about I treat you to ice cream tonight and tell you how to win Kieran's heart? Are you in?"

Julie didn't give two shits about the ice cream, but winning Kieran’s heart was her master plan! Without thinking twice, she agreed and arranged to meet Elliot at the food street near their school gate.

At that time, Julie, a junior high school student, was only about fifteen or sixteen. She hadn't expected Elliot to be a genuine scammer, the kind who tricked girls.

She still remembered that night; it was drizzling and they were sitting at a roadside kebab stall.

Julie eagerly asked Elliot, "Quick, tell me, how can I win over someone as aloof as Kerry?"

Elliot found Julie’s worried and anxious look kind of cute. After quietly observing her for a whole semester, Elliot knew that if he didn’t say certain things now, he might never get another chance. So, somehow, he ended up leaning in and gently kissing her lips. Then he seriously bullshitted her, “Boys never forget the girl who stole their first kiss.”

Julie, naive and innocent, was stunned for a moment. Before she could react, she saw Kieran, who just happened to be passing by on his bike.

Upon realizing what happened, Julie slapped her forehead and looked at Kieran with an innocent and cute expression, "Kerry, it's not what you think; let me explain..."

Before Julie could even finish her explanation, Kieran had already coolly walked away with his bike.

Julie turned back and glared at Elliot, pointing at his nose, "You're done for, you're done! Don't you dare walk away from school tomorrow!" After saying this, she chased after Kieran with her short legs and stubbornly sat on the back of his bike, insisting on explaining to him. In the end, Kieran just ditched his bike altogether. So Julie hopped on Kieran's bike and chased after him.