Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Reality Or Dream

As a result, during the filming of a survival show, Lana once came across a boy from the countryside.

At that time, her world had been filled almost entirely with rich kids… polished smiles, branded clothes, and carefully trained manners.

Seeing someone so poor for the first time unsettled her more than she expected.

His clothes were worn, his shoes dusty.

Yet when Lana looked at him, she could not deny the truth.

’He’s pretty.’

That was the main reason.

The boy had dark hair that fell messily over his forehead, with deep black lashes framing striking blue eyes that seemed far too clear for someone who had grown up in hardship.

Drawn by impulse, Lana walked up to him and tilted her head slightly.

“Hi, I want to buy you.”

The boy pursed his lips and didn’t say much.

“As long as you agree to be mine, I will give you whatever you want,” she said.

The boy stared at her for a long moment, unblinking, before answering honestly, “Money.”

Lana’s brows knitted together. “That’s not something I have,” she replied, her voice hesitant.

The light in his eyes dimmed instantly. Without another word, he turned around, his small figure retreating into the background.

“Wait.”

Her voice stopped him.

Lana stood there for a long time, thoughts churning.

’One day’s salary,’ she calculated slowly. ’Just one day.’

In the end, she made her decision.

When they met again, she pressed the money into his hand. Nearly ten thousand dollars. An absurd amount for a boy who owned nothing.

He froze, staring at the bills as if they might disappear. Confusion flickered across his face.

Before he could speak, Lana leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. “With this ten thousand,” she declared lightly, “I’ve paid your dowry.”

His face flushed red in an instant.

“So from now on,” she added with a mischievous smile, “you’re mine.”

The boy’s ears turned scarlet, and Lana laughed softly. She grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.

“You’re my first boyfriend,” she said seriously. “Remember that.”

He nodded.

Standing before the photo frame now, Lana smiled faintly at those sweet, fleeting memories. ’Since I said he was my boyfriend,’ she mused, ’that made me his girlfriend.’

The boy never appeared again.

Maybe he took the money and ran. Maybe circumstances made it impossible for him to return.

Whatever the truth was, she did not regret it.

She had genuinely enjoyed those moments.

He listened to her and looked at her as if she mattered, as if she were someone important.

From that day on, Lana understood something clearly.

’Money is powerful.’

It could make even someone who did not care about you start to like you.

Suddenly, a thought struck her.

’If this is a memory,’ she wondered, ’why is it here as a photo frame?’

Her gaze shifted around the crystal castle. Slowly, she began noticing more small frames tucked into corners and shelves.

At first, she had dismissed them as mere decoration. Now, as she examined them closely, a quiet sigh rose from her chest.

Those days were different.

From Garrison to Ashton to Mr. and Mrs. Almond, the memories carried a cold undertone.

They were distant, and restrained.

Yet as she grew older, as she gained the favor of her three brothers, warmth slowly seeped into her life.

Lucian, standing beside her, noticed something peculiar.

All the memories seemed bathed in sunlight. Morning light, gentle and warm.

There were almost no memories taken at night.

’Why only daytime?’ he wondered.

Just then, Lana murmured softly, “Wow… I never imagined my memories could look so beautiful.”

After looking through the frames, she turned to him. “Is there any memory you like?”

At the same moment, an answer surfaced in Lana’s mind.

’The film shooting one.’

Lucian’s heart skipped, but he kept his expression steady. “That first one,” he replied evenly, “the one with you and that poor boy.”

Lana blinked, curiosity blooming. “You know who he was?”

Lucian shook his head.

She smiled, a touch smug. “He was my first boyfriend.”

Lucian almost laughed.

Before he could respond, Lana suddenly felt drowsy. Her eyelids drooped, and she murmured softly, “It’s time for me to go.”

A sharp ache bloomed in Lucian’s chest.

Without warning, Lana stepped forward and kissed him.

Her lips were soft and sweet like jelly, lingering just long enough to steal his breath.

He almost closed his eyes… until he heard her whisper, “We will consummate our wedding tomorrow night.”

With that, she closed her eyes and collapsed.

Lucian caught her instantly, lifting her into a princess carry.

If Lana had still been awake, she would have seen him carrying her out of a scene that was rapidly dissolving.

The crystal castle shattered into countless particles of light, drifting away like a fading mirage.

Lucian laid her gently onto something resembling a bed.

Once she settled, her breathing deepened, peaceful and steady.

He smiled softly and brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I’ve finally found you,” he whispered. “My good friend.”

Lana stirred slightly but did not wake.

When she opened her eyes again, she was back in her room.

She inhaled sharply, the familiar scent of the mansion grounding her. Turning her head, she looked at Mr. Crow.

“What time is it?”

“Almost seven,” he replied. “If you don’t get ready now, you’ll be late.”

Lana jumped up immediately. Just as she was about to leave, a sharp pinch struck her palm. She opened her hand and froze.

A faintly shimmering crystal lay there.

Her breath caught. ’The crystal castle…’

Her heart raced. ’Was that dream real?’

Otherwise, how could this exist?

She quickly showed it to Mr. Crow, recounting everything that had happened the previous night.

Mr. Crow fell silent for a moment; his face looked grim as if he was trying to recall something, and then he finally spoke.

“Maybe… somehow, you manifested your dream into reality.”

Lana waved her hand dismissively, her expression flat. “Don’t say something so stupid.” She turned away, already losing interest.

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