WBLNOFY Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Prologue (Part 2)

Prologue, Part 2

Novel Title: We Best Love: 永遠の１位 (We Best Love: No. 1 for You)

Original Script Writer：林珮瑜 (Lin Peiyu)

Author：羽宸寰 (Yu Chenhuan)

Japanese Translator 1：李佳歆 (Li Jiaxin)

Japanese Translator 2：夏海 (Natsumi)

English Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 周書逸 (Zhou Shuyi -MC) & 高仕德 (Gao Shide -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Twelve Years Later―

In front of the mirror in the locker room, Zhou Shuyi adjusted his swim cap and swimsuit. Removing his necklace, he pressed a kiss to the pendant hanging from the chain before carefully tucking it into his locker. Then, he looked at his own reflection with overflowing confidence.

His father often used to say: “Failing is normal. Succeeding makes you a real man.”

When his father came from Japan to Taiwan, it was with that same spirit that he won over his mother.

Zhengwen, forgive me for getting ahead of you. If I take first place at the freshmen welcome tournament, I’m going to make the biggest gamble of my life. I’ll turn my friendship with Yuxin into love.

“Today is my day! If I win first place, I’ll—”

The words he had been about to shout were replaced instead by a confident smile.

I’ll definitely win today’s match!

Jiang Yuxin, please accept my confession!

Before graduation, I’ll make us the couple everyone envies!

At the entrance of the indoor pool, a banner hung above the crowd, white letters on a blue background spelling out: ‘Freshmen Welcome Tournament’.

“Senior! Senior! Senior!”

“Zhou Shuyi! Zhou Shuyi! Zhou Shuyi!”

When the man with the blue towel draped over his shoulders stepped into the competition hall, the stands erupted with cheers and shrieks. Like a superstar taking center stage, he strode straight to the middle starting block—it was only natural. Being adored was something he was long used to.

He swept his gaze across the audience seated by the edge of the pool. When his eyes landed on a familiar, beautiful figure, his cool expression softened into one filled with joy. Smiling, he looked at the childhood friend who had also been the girl he had secretly loved for years.

At poolside, acting as host of the event, was Liu Bingwei, a fourth-year law student. Even he couldn’t help but grin as he raised the microphone, watching the popularity of his best friend—the campus ‘Mr. Perfect’.

“The Freshmen Welcome Tournament will begin shortly. Seniors, give it your all!”

“Go, go! You can do it!”

In the stands, Jiang Yuxin cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted out her cheers. Zhou Shuyi, who was in love with her and had resolved to confess his feelings after the tournament, naturally believed she was cheering for him. He responded with a wink and his most dazzling smile.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhengwen—also Jiang Yuxin’s childhood friend as well as Zhou Shuyi’s—stood on the starting block, giving Yuxin a shy smile and a small nod.

Liu Bingwei, raising the starter pistol, shouted into the microphone: “On your mark!”

The competitors all took their positions to prepare for the start. But suddenly—

“Gao Shide! I love you!” A shrill, excited voice rang out from the crowd.

At the sudden confession, the audience burst into laughter. Even Zhou Shuyi, standing on his starting block, couldn’t hide his shock. He turned to glare at the swimmer three lanes away.

“Gao Shide!? Why is he here…! Whoa!”

The moment he realized that person really was on a starting block, Zhou Shuyi jerked upright in surprise. But flustered, his foot slipped, and he tumbled straight into the pool.

Splash!

The cool, confident aura he had worn just seconds before was gone as Zhou Shuyi plunged into the water. When he tried to push off the bottom to resurface, his right calf suddenly cramped, shooting pain through his leg. Hunching over, he grabbed at the muscle with his fingers, trying desperately to ease the pain.

The spectators, waiting for their star competitor to resurface, thought it was all some kind of comedy stunt. They craned their necks in anticipation of what would happen next. Even Liu Bingwei, acting as host, aimed a quip toward the bottom of the pool.

“Zhou Shuyi, if this is your way of grabbing attention, it’s way too lame!”

“Could it be that he’s too embarrassed to come up?” Sitting in the stands, Jiang Yuxin muttered with a doubtful look on her face.

Only Fang Zhengwen, still standing on the starting block, frowned as he stared at his friend curled up in the water and said: “Something’s not right.”

Splash!

The sound of water echoed again. Gao Shide, also a competitor, dove into the pool and swam toward Zhou Shuyi, who was writhing in pain.

Realizing that his rival had come to rescue him, Zhou Shuyi shoved his arm away, but Gao Shide forcibly wrapped an arm around his waist. With a powerful kick, Gao Shide pushed through the water and carried him toward the surface.

“Cough, cough!”

Breaking above the water, Zhou Shuyi hacked and wheezed, staring at the man carrying him toward the ladder. Memories surged up, and he clenched his teeth. Along with the words someone had once told him: “Setbacks are a lifelong enemy, and failures are the stones on the path of life.”

That ever-present stone blocking his way, shattering his pride— it was none other than GAO SHIDE!

***

~Elementary School Auditorium

“Congratulations to Zhou Shuyi for taking first place in the whole school! Everyone, give him a big hand!”

On stage, sixth-grader Zhou Shuyi received the certificate from the principal with a bright smile. At that moment, the vice-principal, who had been standing at the far right, hurried over and whispered something to the principal.

The principal’s expression stiffened. He snatched the certificate from Zhou Shuyi’s hands, checked the name, and then nodded at the vice-principal. The vice-principal asked another student to switch places with Zhou Shuyi and moved that student to the front of the line.

Once again, the principal stood before the microphone and addressed the teachers, students, and the parents attending the ceremony.

“My apologies, I read the name incorrectly. The true first place in the entire school goes to Gao Shide. Congratulations!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Thunderous applause filled the hall. Forced to step aside, Zhou Shuyi glared at the boy who had replaced him. That boy—hated, despised, loathed—had always been… ‘Forever Number One

Through elementary school, middle school, and high school—whether in academic rankings, art contests, speech competitions, or national science fairs—Zhou Shuyi was always ‘second place’. Forever stuck beneath the name of Gao Shide, and never able to overturn it.

One day, he swore he would break free from the shameful title of ‘Forever Number Two’ and crush Gao Shide’s pride. He would snatch first place in a dramatic reversal. Because…

“I absolutely hate being crushed from above!”

***

The twenty-two-year-old Zhou Shuyi, who had just been rescued, shoved Gao Shide aside as he massaged his right leg. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the man who looked exactly like the boy from his memories, then dragged his injured leg as he fled from the venue.

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*Translator’s Note: I remember this part from the series. Damn funny! Hahaha. -K

Next update: 2026.09.03

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