Asher, the billionaire CEO, had yet another heated argument with the woman who had always held a special place in his heart. On the most intense day of their quarrel, Asher made a bold declaration in front of everyone: he was determined to find someone more compliant and sweet than his cherished one. The very next day, Asher approached me: “Interested in dating? I’ll pay you a hundred thousand a month.” And so, I stayed by Asher’s side, playing the role of his sweet and agreeable girlfriend. Those around us were curious to see how long this emotional gamble would last. I was waiting too. Yet, three months, then six months passed, and Asher still hadn’t ended things with me. It was on our anniversary that his beloved professed her love with a grand city-wide display of roses. Asher suggested we part ways. I quietly accepted and immediately flew overseas to pursue my research. Three months later, having successfully completed my project, I returned home. That night, Asher confronted me at the airport: “Really? I let you go, and you just left, disappearing for three months without a word?” I smiled. I’ve always been the most compliant. Since I agreed to break up, I would never look back.
Adeline opened the private room door, and I wasn’t surprised. Ever since she returned to the country these past few months, we had met quite a few times. “Asher, haven’t you had enough fun yet?” Today, Adeline was clearly not in a friendly mood. She toyed with her big, wavy hair, sitting directly across from us, her gaze mocking as it landed on me: “Dating a girl without means, is it really that fresh and interesting?” The hand on my waist tightened slightly, and Asher’s casual voice drifted over: “Fun? Our Sage is gentle and understanding, very likable. Unlike some people, always making a scene and being a nuisance.” Adeline’s face turned sour. The atmosphere was tense. Eventually, their friends stepped in to ease the situation. “Okay, okay, it’s my birthday today, give me some face. Ash, have another drink.” Asher didn’t touch his glass, his slightly raised eyebrows glanced at me. I belatedly realized, clinging to his arm, softly and sweetly pleaded: “Ash, don’t drink too much, I don’t like it when you drink too much alcohol.” “Sage, Ash is the heaviest drinker among us, don’t mind him just drinking so much, this is just the beginning…” “Alright.” With that one word, Adeline’s expression became even more dramatic. Asher smirked, his voice low: “Sorry, my Sage doesn’t want me to drink too much. I’m done for today, you guys have fun.” Under everyone’s surprised and astonished gaze, Asher took me home. As soon as we got through the door, he kissed me, tasting of alcohol. His lips and tongue coaxed mine, Asher murmured indistinctly: “Sage, you really are something.”
I am the most compliant girlfriend Asher has ever had. Initially, Asher chose me for that reason alone. Back then, Asher and Adeline had their biggest argument. The childhood sweethearts had been bickering since high school. Occasionally passing by their classroom, I could hear many rumors. One day in college, I heard gossip that they finally broke the ice and got together. But the good times didn’t last long. Adeline was spoiled from a young age, with a bad temper. Small arguments every three days, big ones every five, were routine. Asher’s patience and gentleness at the beginning eventually ran out when he discovered Adeline planned to secretly meet a foreign male friend online. Later, his friends told me they almost trashed a bar that night. In his anger, Asher made a harsh statement. “Adeline, if you want to make a scene, go ahead, but we’re done. Without you, there are plenty of sweet and compliant girls waiting for me.” The next day, Asher stopped me on my way to the lab. “You’re Sage, right?” He looked at me, a hint of lingering animosity in his eyes: “Want to date? I’ll pay you a hundred thousand a month.” I stopped, a bit confused, looking at Asher. We didn’t know each other, despite being in the same high school and then college, our only contact before was just once. Plus, my reputation at school wasn’t great. Picking up trash in high school, working every spare moment in college to earn money. People called me impoverished, some even avoided sitting near me in class, covering their noses and gossiping. I was soft-spoken and had no temper. It sounded nice to say compliant and understanding, but at the core, it was just being poor for so long that I lost a lot of things. “What?” I asked Asher uncertainly. His brow furrowed slightly: “I said, date me, you can name your price.” Actually, I heard clearly. A hundred thousand a month to buy my practically worthless affection. I didn’t hesitate, even though I knew it might just be a prank by the rich kids to pass the time, I agreed without looking back. The fear of being poor far outweighed anything else.
I had prepared myself to be played by Asher. Even his friends thought the same. They were waiting, waiting for Asher’s passing whim to end, and for him to break up with me. But a month passed, three months passed, even half a year passed. I was still by Asher’s side. “Breathe, Sage.” His lazy voice came to my ear. His warm hand slid down my waist, Asher frowned slightly: “Is that another one of your nine-dollar free shipping purchases?” “…No.” My voice paused, unconsciously trembling: “This one is from you.” During my time with Asher, in the eyes of this rich kid, all my clothes boiled down to one word. Cheap. He couldn’t even comprehend how clothes could be nine dollars with free shipping in this world. A rich kid surrounded by wealth wouldn’t understand the struggles of ordinary people. ” Tsk.” Asher sighed, then kissed my ear: “This outfit doesn’t suit you, don’t wear it next time.” “Okay.” I understood what Asher meant. No matter how good the clothes were, on me, they seemed like cheap goods. I felt a bit exhausted. The money I intended to earn from Asher was about enough, I never planned to rely on him forever. Now that I had a formal job, with more research projects ahead, I couldn’t keep playing pretend with Asher like in college. So, I asked Asher if I could stay in the dorm. Asher looked slightly surprised, disapprovingly at me: “Reason?” I couldn’t very well say I didn’t want to be a part of his and Adeline’s play anymore. “Too much research, I can’t keep up.” Asher didn’t ask further, considering it tacit approval.
I was genuinely busy. Almost living in the lab. Until Asher’s call came, I belatedly realized. His birthday was coming up. “Did you forget?” Asher’s voice on the other end was a bit deep. I didn’t dare admit it, quickly covering: “No, just finishing up a bit, I’ll be there soon.” “I’m already outside your research institute.” With that, Asher hung up. I hurriedly wrapped up with my senior, and as I left the lab, I felt a bit of low blood sugar. Almost losing my balance, my senior steadied me: “Are you okay?” “I’m fine, thank you…” “Sage!” Asher’s angry voice interrupted my conversation with my senior. I was forcibly dragged into the car by Asher. The door locked, I was met with his cold, terrifyingly angry face: “No wonder you didn’t want to live with me, you found someone new.” “No.” I shook my head, softly explaining: “I haven’t been eating well lately, just a bit of low blood sugar, my senior was just being kind helping me.” “Really?” Asher’s face didn’t look any better. Honestly, I didn’t understand why Asher was angry. He didn’t like me, if I had someone new, wouldn’t he be happier to break up with me directly? Or perhaps, his and Adeline’s play wasn’t over, and he wouldn’t allow me to bow out early. Understanding his anger, I continued: “Really, Ash, don’t be mad, there’s nothing between my senior and me.” Asher’s expression slightly softened, but he still bit into my neck, leaving a mark. It was so visible, even covered with foundation, it wasn’t hidden. By the time we arrived at the party, Asher had already dressed me up. There were many people, including Adeline. “Wow, Ash, Sage looks really pretty today, you’re so lucky.” His friends generously praised me. Asher’s mood evidently improved, holding my waist, he hummed lightly. “Our Sage, naturally the best looking.” Not at all, earlier when picking an evening gown, his brow furrowed, carefully selecting one that matched my temperament. I stayed silent, obediently smiling, quietly staying by Asher’s side. Soon, Adeline couldn’t sit still. She approached us in her heels, arrogantly handing over a gift box: “Asher, this is your birthday gift from me, carefully chosen, much better than some people’s trash.”
Actually, Adeline got it wrong. I even forgot to prepare a gift. And clearly, Asher didn’t care whether I prepared one or not. “Just put it there.” Asher indifferently glanced up. Adeline got even angrier: “Do you even know what she used to do? In high school, there was a girl who picked up trash every day, like a beggar with a stench all over, do you know who that was?” Stepping confidently in her high heels, she haughtily presented a gift box: “Asher, here’s your birthday present. I carefully selected it, and it’s definitely better than some people’s worthless offerings.” Adeline was actually mistaken. I hadn’t even bothered to prepare any worthless offerings. Clearly, Asher didn’t care whether I brought a gift or not. “Just leave it there.” Asher glanced up indifferently. Adeline’s anger flared: “Do you even know what she used to do? Back in high school, there was this girl who collected junk every day, smelling like a beggar. Do you know who it was?” My body trembled slightly. It wasn’t my fault that my family was poor. My parents left when I was in middle school, leaving only my elderly grandmother. As a high school student without any means of earning, collecting scrap to sell was my only way to make money. I never thought it was shameful, yet they used it repeatedly to humiliate me. “She’s the Sage by your side, you know!” Adeline spat furiously. “To spite me, you’ve sunk so low as to be with a girl who collects junk?” I remained silent, looking at Asher. I didn’t even know what I was hoping for. Perhaps I hoped Asher would defend my dignity a little at this moment, just like that one encounter in high school. Back then, with bloodstained pants, I was awkwardly pressed against a wall, surrounded by people pointing and laughing at me. “Poor thing, can’t even afford sanitary pads?” “Ha, a junk collector. What, never found unused ones in the trash?” I was frozen, wanting to escape but blocked at every turn. Until a young man holding a basketball approached. His large jacket covered my head, his voice lazy yet warning: “Get lost, haven’t seen a girl before, or does your family not have a mom?” The crowd dispersed. Asher didn’t look at me, just left with: “Hurry and clean up, no need to return the jacket.” The incident was small, and Asher probably forgot. But I always remembered. Now the same embarrassment reappeared, and I tightened my grip on Asher’s shirt. But Asher just coldly faced the woman: “Adeline, I’d rather be with someone who collects junk than get back with you. Don’t you think you’re pathetic?” Junk collector. Asher said I was a junk collector. No rebuttal, no defense. He silently accepted it, blatantly showing the huge gap between us to everyone. The privileged guy and the poor girl. Once upon a time, Asher was no longer the light in my memory. Or maybe, from the beginning, it was just a filter of old feelings for Asher. I couldn’t keep up the act anymore. The crowd jeered, but Adeline’s face was ghostly pale. Right. I vaguely remembered. At Asher’s last birthday party, Adeline brought eight male models to the private room out of spite, making Asher furious. Now, a year later, Asher wanted revenge. After driving Adeline away, Asher leaned over, casually lowering his voice: “Sage, where’s my birthday gift? Hmm?”
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