I am the villainās canary. But there’s a catch: Iām incredibly lazy.
When the villain went bankrupt, the System told me to humiliate him, dump him, and reignite his fighting spirit so he could make a comeback.
I said no.
Too much effort to yell.
Roman Sterling gripped my chin, his voice fierce: “Everyone else left. Why didn’t you? Are you staying to watch me suffer?”
I yawned slowly.
“Too lazy to run.”
His eyes reddened, and he muttered self-deprecatingly:
“I’m a failure now, a broke nobody. I can’t give you the luxurious life you’re used to…”
I patted his head.
“Okay, okay. Doesn’t it tire you out to talk so much? Come here, let’s take a nap.”
So.
To keep me from starving, Roman pulled himself together. He worked three jobs a day, running himself ragged.
In the original story, this was the time he was supposed to be dating the heroine to deepen their bond.
Instead, Roman was at home, kneeling on one knee, meticulously tying the bow on my dress.
The System screamed:
“What is wrong with you people? You’re breaking the script!”
1
Iām Linnea, the “canary” of the powerful Roman Sterling.
And I am lazy.
People say Roman is great at keeping secrets because, despite being with him for so long, there isn’t a single photo of me online.
Well…
Actually, I just stay home all day.
Too lazy to go out.
Becoming his canary was an accident.
After college, I sent a resume to his company.
Desired Position: “Do little, earn much.”
Bio: “Good taste.”
Roman clutched that resume, thought about it, guessed, and still didn’t understand.
Driven by curiosity, he interviewed me personally.
I explained: “It means ‘good taste, lazy nature.’”
He frowned, confused. “Why didn’t you write the whole thing?”
I took a sip of water.
Speaking at 0.75x speed, I said three words:
“Too lazy to.”
Roman: “……”
Even though the interview was a disaster, I got the job.
Roman needed a professional canary to dodge a business marriage.
I weighed it in my mindā
High pay, low effort.
Work from home.
I have low energy and poor circulation.
Walk two steps, want to squat. Stand up too fast, black out.
But my sleep quality is top-tier.
Roman really appreciated that.
He’s sensitive and gloomy.
Childhood trauma, bullied in school, stabbed in the back by business partners…
He’s suspicious and tense.
Insomniac.
Every night, he uses me as a human body pillow.
Smells my shampoo.
Pinches my waist.
Then he relaxes and sleeps like a baby.
Besides sleeping, I do nothing. Every day I open my eyes to gifts and money transfers.
Truly…
The dream job.
2
But now, things are bad.
Roman was set up. He’s bankrupt.
He’s been MIA for days, dealing with the mess.
Dissolving the company, selling assets, paying severance.
As for me.
He didn’t even see me in person. Just a text.
“I can’t afford a breakup fee.”
“The gifts are yours. Keep them.”
“Leave.”
I was devastated. I slept for 15 hours straight.
When I woke up, a System was in my head.
It said:
This is a novel. Roman is the gloomy villain. I am a plot device canary.
“Just now, right now!” The System yelled passionately. “Pretend to be a gold digger! Slap him! Call him a loser! Dump him to ignite his fighting spirit!”
“Only then can he rise again, meet his childhood crushāthe heroineāand start a 200-chapter love triangle saga…”
I covered my ears.
“No.”
Slapping and yelling?
Sounds exhausting.
The System threatened:
“As a tool, your mission is to push the plot. If you fail, you get electrocuted.”
I used all my strength to roll over.
“Zap me then.”
“…”
It gave up.
Please.
I’m lazy, not stupid.
If I actually crushed Roman’s dignity…
With his personality?
Once he bounced back…
He’d turn me into mincemeat.
3
Three days later, I finally went to find Roman.
The fallen prince went from a penthouse in the CBD to a dark, cramped basement apartment.
He had stubble, slumped on the floor, surrounded by smoke and booze.
Seeing me, he laughed bitterly.
“Didn’t you leave? Why come back?”
“What, did I miss a valuable watch or something?”
I shook my head and handed him a bank card.
“While you were gone, I contacted a luxury reseller.”
“This money can help with your debts.”
Roman was a generous sugar daddy.
Back in his glory days, he made me a VIC at every luxury brand.
New collections were sent directly to me.
So, my clothes, bags, watches, jewelry… filled a whole room.
His voice trembled, disbelief in his eyes:
“Those things… you never even unboxed them. You sold them all?!”
Um…
Actually, I was just too lazy to unbox them.
And because they were mint condition, they sold for way more.
But if he wants to think I sacrificed for him, sure.
Too lazy to argue.
Speaking of which, my stomach growled.
To cover the awkwardness, I whispered:
“I eat very little. I won’t be a burden. Don’t kick me out…”
A boss/sugar daddy like him is hard to find.
He sniffled.
“Okay.”
We went downstairs to a hole-in-the-wall spot for a $5 bento box.
He pushed the box to me and ate a plain bun with pickles.
“See? I’m a loser now. If you stay, this cheap food is your future.”
I shrugged.
“What’s wrong with it?”
I pointed at the food:
“Look. Carbs, protein, fiber. Balanced diet. And for five bucks, there’s even ribs? The owner is a saint!”
I split my chopsticks and gave him most of the ribs.
I lay down all day, low calorie burn. I really don’t eat much.
His eyes got redder.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Before, you ate…”
Yeah, before, Michelin chefs cooked for me.
Lobster, wagyu, truffle… everything.
So what?
I was too lazy to chew.
I blended it all into a smoothie and drank it.
But not anymore.
The blender got repossessed by the bank.
I sucked on a sweet and sour rib.
Hmm, tastier than a smoothie.
Meeting my clear gaze, Roman sighed.
And started rambling:
“Forget it. You were spoiled. You don’t know real hardship. You’ll learn.”
“Your youth is precious. Don’t waste it on me. If you regret it, leave anytime. I won’t touch the money in the card. The bankruptcy is on me…”
He sounded like a nagging dad.
Old Roman: Cold, gloomy, silent.
New Roman: Worrywart.
I patted his head to interrupt the spell.
“Okay, stop. Aren’t you tired of talking?”
“Your eyes are red. Insomnia again? Come here, let’s nap.”
I opened my suitcase.
Before the bank sealed the house, they let me take a few personal items.
I took my pillow and duvet.
No matter how hard life gets, a good nap gives you strength.
The bed was soft. Warm.
Roman didn’t hug me for once.
He turned his back, shoulders shaking, crying silently.
Just as I was drifting off…
He kissed the top of my head.
“Linnea, I promise I’ll give you the good life back.”
4
After that day, Roman got his mojo back.
He worked three jobs.
Sales by day, writing business plans for college kids by evening, food delivery by night.
He said if he didn’t hustle, I’d starve.
Sigh, I was trying to figure out how to make money lying down.
Thinking about it made me sleepy.
…
Whatever, nap first.
Before crawling into bed, I had an idea.
Set up a tripod. Livestream myself sleeping.
I yawned.
Minutes later, deep sleep.
Passersby thought it was a bit. If they donated, I’d wake up and say thanks.
Someone sent a “Heart”.
Nothing happened.
I was dead to the world.
They sent “Sunglasses”.
Still nothing.
Their rebellious spirit kicked in. They started spamming gifts to see when I’d wake up.
Rainbows, paper planes, hot air balloons…
The higher the gift value, the more the algorithm pushed the stream.
More people flooded in to watch me sleep.
The chat scrolled fast.
“WTF, this streamer is a diva. How much to wake her up?”
“Why are we watching someone sleep? Boring.”
“But she sleeps so peacefully. Jealous.”
“Those sheets look comfy. Link?”
“Link for the pajamas?”
[+1]
…
When I woke up.
I had made $100 in gifts.
And a pajama brand sent a DM asking for a collab.
Surprise!
With this money, Roman doesn’t have to deliver food.
Just as I was about to call him…
A voice in my head.
The System was back.
Last time, it called Roman a loser and me a “Loser Pro Max”.
After realizing I didn’t care, it left in a huff.
But this time.
It sounded happy.
“Wow, you’re a genius!”
“I underestimated you. You’re playing 4D chess!”
I was confused. “???”
I didn’t do anything.
The System excitedly said:
“Exactly! Because you did nothing, the plot went off the rails in a weird way!”
“Roman has his fight back. AND while delivering food tonight to a luxury apartment, he met the White Moonlight heroine early!”
…Huh?
So it happened anyway?
Does that mean… I’m getting fired?
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I’m a professional scammer. I once posed as the “White Moonlight”āthe first loveāof a blind heir.
I played the role for three years, gave birth to a child, and left.
Five years later, I was running a fortune-telling stall.
A kid walked up and handed me a thousand dollars.
“I want to find out where my mom is.”
Just as I pocketed the cash, a woman rushed over.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
She looked familiar.
I thought for a moment. Ah, it’s the real White Moonlight of that blind heir.
After a few seconds of silence.
I took the money out and handed it back to the kid.
“Your mom is here. Here’s your money back.”
He didn’t take the money. He just stared at me unblinkingly.
“She’s not the mom I’m looking for.”
1
My hand froze in mid-air.
A moment later, I turned to Sofia.
“Kids will be kids. You should take the money.”
She took the cash and grabbed the boy’s arm to leave.
He bit her hand, snatched the thousand dollars back.
“This is my allowance! You can’t take it!”
Sofia hissed in pain, glaring down at him.
“Leo!”
Then she caught herself, squatting down and softening her voice.
“Be good, come home with Mommy. Daddy will be worried.”
“You guys ignore me anyway! Just go have another one!”
Leo pushed her away, sat back down on the stool properly, and handed me the money again.
Sofia sneered, giving me a meaningful look.
“Fine, read his fortune. See if his mom still wants him.”
From her tone, Leo definitely knew she wasn’t his biological mother.
Did that mean Julian knew too?
But when I left, I was still using Sofia’s identity.
My mind was a mess.
But I kept a straight face, took the money, and asked Leo:
“Do you know your birth date?”
Of course I knew the answer.
Ten months of pregnancy, a C-section, pain like I was being ripped apart.
Hard to forget.
“January 8th, 2020.”
He looked at me seriously. “Daddy said it was really cold that day.”
I remembered.
It snowed that day.
The hospital room and the world outside were all white.
I always had poor circulation; even with the heater blasting, my hands and feet were freezing in winter.
That night, Julian sat at the foot of the bed, warming my feet with his hands.
He sat there all night.
But he was warming Sofia, not Jane.
I looked at the real Sofia standing in front of me and buried those memories deep down again.
Then I pulled out some wooden sticks and pretended to calculate.
After a while, I said, “You and your mom have no destiny together. Stop looking.”
Leo’s lip quivered.
“Liar.”
“Daddy said Mommy is in the place with the most liars.”
2
I am indeed a good liar.
A professional one.
I’ve posed as parents, girlfriends, mistressesāalways five-star reviews.
I played online dating games, scammed guys out of a couple grand then broke up with them to teach them a lesson.
I tricked rich kids into opening bottles worth tens of thousands at clubs.
…
But the biggest con of my life…
Was pretending to be Sofia and deceiving Julian for three years.
Sofia went abroad, Julian chased after her, got into a car accident on the way, and went blind.
He became depressed and withdrawn.
Julian’s parents couldn’t stand it, so they found me to impersonate Sofia.
To play the role perfectly, I went all in.
Learned bass, adjusted my voice, learned to sing.
Yes, they were musicians.
The band was just getting famous when Sofia chose to study abroad.
So they fell apart.
The first time I saw Julian, he was sitting by a floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the shadows of trees outside.
His eyes were lifeless.
I imitated Sofia’s tone and told him I was back.
But I didn’t expect his first sentence to beā
“Why did you use an erhu in the intro of that demo?”
I had imagined countless scenarios where I’d need to act.
Crying together, fighting, a warm reconciliation.
But never this.
So, I stammered for a while and only managed to say:
“To promote traditional culture.”
Silence fell.
Julian tilted his head, confusion in his sightless eyes.
Finally.
He said, “I want to hear you sing. Our first song.”
I sighed in relief.
Luckily, I had practiced every one of their songs thousands of times. I knew them by heart.
Julian played the piano for me.
Even blind, he played beautifully.
He just couldn’t see the sheet music anymore.
When the song ended, he said:
“You sang well. Better than before.”
3
Whether Julian knew of my existence or not, I was a money-grubbing liar.
I played his first love for money.
I gave birth to a child for money.
And for money, I left without looking back.
I didn’t deserve him.
And I didn’t deserve to be Leo’s mom.
Snapping back to reality, I said expressionlessly:
“Then you should go to the police station. Lots of liars there.”
Leo’s round, almond eyes suddenly turned red.
He looked helpless.
Sofia smirked.
“Can we go now?”
Leo reluctantly followed her.
He kept looking back at me as he walked away.
Looking so aggrieved.
I lowered my head, packing up the wooden sticks and charts.
Then I adjusted my white wig, limped away without looking back.
After turning a corner, I hopped on my electric scooter.
Zoomed away.
They shouldn’t have recognized me.
I had never met Sofia.
And I suppressed the urge to peek at Leo for five years.
Plus, I was disguised as an old woman.
Fortune tellers need to look old to be credible.
So, I thought this was just a random encounter.
Until the next day.
Leo came back to my stall, pulled out a thousand bucks.
“Calculate my mom’s name.”
I hesitated and asked, “You come out alone every day? Doesn’t your family care?”
He shook his head.
“Daddy went shopping with that woman. I snuck out.”
That woman?
He didn’t call Sofia “Mom.” Was she bad to him?
I thought about it for a long time, then took the money.
Better with me than wasted.
I shook the sticks and gave him an answer.
“Your mom’s last name is Jane. But the first name is hard to calculate.”
“Buy a Heavenly Charm from me, $6480, and I’ll tell you right away.”
4
This time, Leo was crying as Sofia dragged him away.
Because I scammed all his toy money and didn’t tell him the first name.
He wailed as he left.
“Waaaah, Mom really is a big liar waaah, my Transformers and Ultraman waaaah.”
He was definitely looking for me on purpose.
But who told him I was his mom?
Julian? Or his parents?
But none of them had a reason to tell him.
The kid’s crying was loud.
Other vendors cast scornful looks at me.
I ignored them.
Got on my scooter and left without looking back.
I thought the little prince would give up.
But for the next few days, he kept coming to my stall.
Sending money.
I moved east, moved west, even set up in front of a temple, couldn’t shake him.
The last time.
He wore overalls and a little backpack, sat on my stool.
“Big Liar, I want to live at your house.”
“…”
I packed up quickly and pulled the stool out from under him.
Leo landed on his butt.
He stood up shakily, patted the dust off, and looked at me with puppy dog eyes.
He was really good at playing the victim.
Just like Julian sometimes.
I pushed down the feeling in my heart, ignored him, and walked away.
Rich kid out alone? Impossible without bodyguards.
It’s a trap.
But after turning the corner, I didn’t get on the scooter.
I took a different path and watched Leo from afar.
He stood there, hands clasped nervously, staring in the direction I left.
Like an exquisite little figurine.
His features looked like me, but his aura was more like Julian.
The first time I saw him, my heart tugged involuntarily.
Almost cried.
But my acting has always been top-notch.
Half an hour passed.
Leo didn’t leave, and no one from the Sterling family appeared.
…Is this how Julian treats his son?
Because he knows he’s not Sofia’s child, he doesn’t care?
An indescribable bitterness surged in my heart.
I stared at Leo for a long time, then finally walked back to him.
“Let’s go. Come home with me.”
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To help his struggling “apprentice” pass her exams, my boyfriend bombed his own SATs.
Then, he secretly changed my college application preferences.
He switched my top-choice Ivy League university to the same mid-tier state school he applied to.
“We promised never to do long distance,” he said, pleading. “I messed up this one time. Can’t you just compromise for me?”
Before I could speak, his “apprentice” started crying.
“It’s all my fault. I’m too stupid to get into a good school. But my mentor promised we’d go to the same college. I really can’t make it without him. You understand, right, Zoe?”
They thought the application deadline had passed and I had no choice but to accept it.
Little did they know, I had already changed it back.
1
The day before the college application deadline, I discovered my top choice had been changed from Stanford to Southern State University.
One is a top-tier institution; the other is an average state school thousands of miles away.
My grades had always been top three in my year. I crushed the SATs, scoring 1580. I worked myself to the bone for years, day and night, just for Stanford.
Staring at “Southern State University” on the screen, I broke into a cold sweat despite the summer heat.
My hands trembled so much I typed the wrong password twice before finally logging in and changing it back.
Our guidance counselor had stressed the importance of account security a million times. Every year, stories circulate about students sabotaging each other.
My password? Only one other person knew it.
My childhood sweetheart and boyfriend, Liam.
The next evening, I went to find him.
“Zoe! Why didn’t you call first?”
Liam had just showered. He walked towards me, towel-drying his wet hair, smiling.
“Today is the deadline,” I said.
He froze for a second, then looked up with an unnatural expression. “Yeah, finally over. We can relax. Our hiking trip is finally happening.”
“Where did you apply?”
“Huh?”
He played dumb for a second, then looked sheepish under my glare. “Well, I didn’t do great… so I applied to Southern State. It’s a decent school…”
“So you secretly changed my application?”
I didn’t have the patience to dance around it. My voice trembled as I shouted.
“How is it ‘secretly’? Zoe, that’s harsh.”
I had imagined a thousand reactionsāshame, apology, regret.
But I never expected this shamelessness.
“Didn’t we agree to go to the same college? No long distance? Could you really bear to be apart for four years?”
Liam stepped closer, looking into my eyes, trying to charm me.
“But you could have applied to other schools nearby! We could still be in the same city!”
He knew Stanford was my dream. Cornered, he got defensive. “Okay, okay, Zoe, don’t be mad. I didn’t think it through. But it’s done. Southern State isn’t bad, and your major is strong there. Better to be a big fish in a small pond. We can transfer later. You’re smart; you’ll be a top student anywhere.”
He reached out to hug me.
I slapped his hand away with all my strength.
“No!”
Even though I was disappointed the moment I saw the change, hearing him say these things to my face felt like a physical blow.
“Why? What about my three years of hard work? What gives you the right to decide my future? Changing someone’s application is illegal, you know that?”
I screamed, crying hysterically, ignoring the passersby.
Liam clutched his red arm, stunned.
“Mentor, are you okay? Zoe, how could you hit him? It’s my fault! Hit me if you want, don’t take it out on him!”
Bella popped out of nowhere, throwing herself onto Liam, inspecting his arm with exaggerated concern.
“Mentor made a bet with me. He tutored me before the exams, promising he’d go to the same college if I didn’t get into a top-tier school.”
2
Bella’s eyes were red as she shielded Liam, looking at me with tear-filled eyes.
“Zoe, I’m sorry. I’m just too stupid. Mentor helped me so much, but I still dragged him down. I wish I was smart like you, getting high scores without even trying.”
She turned back to Liam, sobbing. “Mentor, I’m so dumb.”
Liam hated seeing people cry. In the past, if I cried, he would panic regardless of who was right.
But now, the person making him panic wasn’t me.
“Bella, don’t say that. You worked hard. You went from regular classes to honors and got into college. I won’t let you talk about yourself like that. My apprentice can’t be this weak.”
Liam rubbed Bella’s head, helpless but firm, like he was comforting a child.
I knew that expression well. He used to do that to me when I broke down over math problems.
But ever since Bella joined our class, that spot belonged to her.
“How do you know I didn’t work hard? What makes you think my scores came easily?”
I stared coldly at their intimacy.
Bella flinched like a frightened bird, then stammered an apology. “Sorry, Zoe, I didn’t mean that. I’m just clumsy with words. I meant to praise you. Unlike me… Mentor helped so much, and I still failed.”
Her voice faded into sobs again.
I seriously suspected Bella was a humidifier in a past life; she leaked water constantly.
I was used to her act and wanted to ignore it, but Liam snapped first.
He pulled Bella behind him, frowning at me. “Enough, Zoe. Bella is already sad about her scores. Can you stop rubbing salt in the wound?”
“So, you’re going to Southern State for her? And dragging me with you?”
Hit by the truth, Liam lost his fire and looked down.
“I don’t care about your teacher-student bond. I scored 1580. Why should I go to a mid-tier school?”
Something I said triggered him. He looked up, glaring. “Zoe, you’ve changed. We promised to go to college together. Just because I slipped up once, you’re abandoning me?”
They say you become who you hang out with. Hanging out with Bella turned Liam into a gaslighting victim-player.
“If I wanted to abandon you, I would have done it when you were skipping school in middle school. Instead, I dragged you back to class and sacrificed my sleep to tutor you. I lost ten pounds before the entrance exams.”
Thinking of the past, I choked up, tears finally falling.
Seeing me cry, Liam let go of Bella and reached for me.
Instinctively, I took a step back. His arm froze in mid-air.
He paused, then slowly clenched his fist.
“Zoe, how long are you going to keep this up? Are we really doing this?”
“Yes. We are.”
“Fine. Whatever. You’ve brought up breaking up so many times this year, and it always ends the same way. Calm down and think about it.”
With that, he turned, put his arm around Bella, and walked away.
3
The cicadas were deafening. The humid summer night air was suffocating. Watching them walk away, my heart sank.
Liam and I grew up together. True childhood sweethearts.
In middle school, Liam’s dad gambled away their money and divorced his mom, who left and never returned. He was left with his grandma, who ran a small dessert shop.
It was a rebellious age. Liam started cutting class, hanging out at internet cafes, smoking, drinking, riding motorcycles with thugs.
I couldn’t watch him ruin himself. I dragged him out of internet cafes and karaoke bars time after time. At first, he cursed me out. Until one day, some thugs harassed me while I was looking for him. Liam went berserk and fought them, getting pretty banged up.
After that, he stopped skipping. He let me tutor him, looking at me with shining eyes, blushing when our gazes met.
We were too young to understand love, but I remember him saying: “Zoe, I’ll listen to you from now on. High school, college, grad school… I want to be with you forever.”
His confession was sincere and passionate, a pebble dropped into the spring of my heart, creating ripples that lasted for years.
Liam was smart. Once he tried, his grades soared. We got into the same high school, the same honors class.
The honors class was the top 40 students, taught by the best teachers, moving fast, aiming for Ivy Leagues.
Anyone in the top 40 could get in, but in three years, only one person tested in from a regular class: Bella.
4
In the first semester of senior year, a pretty girl with pigtails transferred into our class and became Liam’s deskmate.
She was lively, beautiful, and completely out of place among the other 39 of us.
She snacked in class, listened to music, read novels, and did her makeup. She couldn’t keep up with the curriculum but didn’t care. She just pestered Liam whenever homework was due.
At first, Liam was annoyed and cold.
Bella didn’t give up. She announced to the class: “From now on, you’re my mentor, and I’m your apprentice. Mentor, please accept my bow!”
From then on, wherever Liam was, Bella was there.
Liam’s attitude shifted subtly.
Whenever I discussed problems with Liam, Bella would appear, shoving a cold Coke into his hand, asking innocently: “Mentor, what are you talking about? Are you tutoring Zoe behind my back? Waaah, I’m your apprentice! You’re biased!”
She’d playfully hit his chest, giggling. And Liam… he would smile slightly.
I felt a surge of annoyance, slamming my book shut. “Bella, wake up. I’m third in the grade. He’s tenth.”
She didn’t understand jealousy, she just weaponized her feelings. Liam’s eyes darkened. He shoved the Coke into my hand and took Bella back to her seat.
The cold bottle woke me up. I didn’t drink it. It spilled in my desk later, sticky and gross.
Liam fully embraced the “mentor” role, tutoring her day and night. Our study weekends became three-person events.
One evening, Bella gathered candles and sparklers. On our way home, she staged a romantic confession.
She stood in the candlelight, waving sparklers, shouting Liam’s name.
“Mentor, thank you for taking care of me. I know I’m trouble, but I really like you. I want to be with you forever. You don’t have to respond, just let me follow your footsteps.”
A crowd gathered. Liam, holding my hand, instinctively let go.
“What’s happening? Honors class drama?”
“Aren’t Liam and Zoe a couple? Is Bella a homewrecker?”
“Yeah, shameless. Heard she cheated to get into the honors class.”
…
The whispers grew louder. Bella looked like she was about to cry. Liam stepped forward, took her hand, and led her through the crowd, disappearing from view.
I was left standing there, the center of attention. Pointing fingers, whispers, looks of pity, curiosity, mockery… it felt like death by a thousand cuts.
The next day, Liam explained he didn’t want Bella to be embarrassed.
“What about me? What about my embarrassment?”
He laughed like I told a joke. “Zoe, stop it. What’s embarrassing? Someone confessing to your boyfriend makes you look good! Besides, I told her I like you. She agreed to just be my apprentice.”
He swore up and down, making me feel like the unreasonable one.
I felt something detach inside me. The anger and hurt faded into numbness. Just like now, watching them disappear, my heart was still.
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Five years into our marriage, I asked Caleb for a divorce.
“Just because it rained and I drove her home instead of picking you up?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t joke about divorce.”
His face darkened. “What if I took you seriously? What would you do then?”
We dated for eight years, married for five.
After the wedding, I became a housewife. He was convinced I couldn’t live without him.
Little did he know, I had already passed the entrance exams for grad school at my alma mater. I was ready to leave.
1
“I’m not joking,” I said, looking straight at him.
Caleb put down his sandwich and sighed.
“Chloe, I really don’t have time for your drama today. Can you just behave?”
He grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair and headed for the door.
“Work is exhausting. Sometimes I wish you’d consider my feelings.”
I froze. I didn’t consider his feelings?
Because of his words years agoā”Don’t go into archaeology, I can’t rest easy with you running off to remote places”āI turned down my professor’s offer for grad school.
I stayed where he could see me every day.
Because of that, my professor was so angry he stopped replying to my holiday greetings.
And now, I get accused of not considering his feelings!
Before he reached the door, the sound of the smart lock unlocking echoed.
Accompanied by a crisp female voice, Lily walked in.
“Mr. Xing, today’s meeting is crucial. We’re going to be late!”
Caleb instantly looked panicked.
“It’s not what you think! Once I was drunk and Secretary Lin drove me home, so she knows the passcode.”
Lily walked in, apologizing to me with an embarrassed look.
“Chloe, I’m sorry, I was just in a hurry…”
“In a hurry enough to barge in without knocking? Do you know that’s trespassing?”
I cut off the woman standing before meāa woman who looked about 30% like me.
Lily bit her lip in fear, looking at Caleb pitifully like a frightened bunny.
He looked at me disapprovingly.
“Chloe, don’t bully the girl.”
“Girl? Caleb, you used to call me that too! You hire a secretary who looks like me, and now you’re calling her ‘girl’? I’m not dead yet, and you’re already playing the replacement game?”
Caleb looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
“Chloe Tang, you’ve gone too far! I’m busy with work, I’m not dealing with your nonsense!” He turned and left.
Lily trotted after him like a little wife.
2
I was unhappy when Caleb first hired Lily.
Her resume didn’t meet the requirements at all.
Caleb said at the time:
“Chloe, I don’t know why, but seeing her reminds me of you back then. I don’t know how much you suffered before we met, so I wanted to give her a chance, for your sake.”
“If she doesn’t perform well during probation, I’ll let her go.”
Later, Lily made a mistake on a quote that cost the company a huge sum.
Caleb hid it.
He used his personal savings to cover the loss.
When I questioned him, he brushed it off lightly:
“That was my fault too, I signed it without checking carefully.”
Later, Lily passed her probation and became General Manager Xing’s Secretary Lin.
That afternoon, while I was packing my things, my phone rang.
“Chloe, check Little Blue Book (Xiaohongshu) right now,” my best friend Sarah said.
I logged in while listening to Sarah rant:
“I just saw a post from someone called ‘Nth Day of Crushing on My Boss.’ The blogger posted a photo, and it looks exactly like your Caleb!”
I searched the ID Sarah gave me.
A photo of a man drinking in profile popped up. It was Caleb!
And the half-face next to him was undeniably Lily!
The caption read:
The post was viral, comments filled with people asking for updates, liking, and shipping them.
Scrolling through her profile, it was all about her and “Boss.” To an outsider, it looked sweetly romantic.
“Chloe, who is this bitch? I’m gonna roast her!” Sarah was typing furiously.
I said, “Forget it, it’s not worth it.”
Sarah was confused.
“Sarah, I’m tired. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
Night fell deep. At 11 PM, Caleb finally came home.
He placed a thermos on the dining table.
“Chloe, I brought you some chicken soup. You look thin lately, drink some.”
My heart soured.
I saw the watch on his wrist.
A cheap brand, the one I gave him in college.
His closet was full of expensive watches now, but he always wore this one.
3
“Chloe, it’s only been two weeks, how did you lose so much weight?” Sarah asked in shock as soon as she saw me.
I brushed it off and asked her:
“How’s your auction house doing?”
At this, Sarah smiled with satisfaction.
“Your advice last time really worked. The last few auctions I planned were huge successes. Chloe, thanks to you, my auction house is actually running!”
Sarah was exaggerating. She was a trust fund baby, loaded.
Opening an auction house was pocket change for her.
But she lacked expertise.
I had been interested in history since childhood and got into the best archaeology program in the country.
Outside of school, I appraised artifacts for free on social media.
I saved her from being scammed a few times, so she gave me a position as a technical consultant.
And 10% of the shares.
Now the auction house was doing well.
If I divorced Caleb, these shares were my safety net.
“Sarah, I plan to divorce.”
Sarah laughed.
“Chloe, do you believe that yourself? Since you started dating in sophomore year, you’ve broken up every ten days or so, always initiated by you.”
“And the result? As soon as Caleb apologizes and coaxes you, you two are sweet as honey again. After all these years, do you think you can leave him?”
I was silent, telling myself, this time is different.
Sarah grabbed her purse.
“I know, it’s about that post, right? Come on, I’ll go with you to clear things up.”
I hadn’t been to his company in a while, so I didn’t refuse. We arrived downstairs at Caleb’s office.
In the elevator, two female employees were chatting.
“Hey, when do you think that little vixen Lily will bag Mr. Xing?”
“I think she already has. Mr. Xing eats the ‘love lunch’ she brings every day. Would he do that if she hadn’t?”
“I can’t stand it. A graduate from a diploma mill bossing us around just because the boss likes her? I hope Mrs. Xing finds out and beats that bitch!”
“Unlikely. I heard his wife is a housewife. Even if she knew, she’d probably swallow it. Pathetic!”
Ding! The elevator doors opened, and they walked out.
Sarah couldn’t hold back anymore. “Chloe, why didn’t you tell me Caleb cheated?”
I said objectively, “Maybe he hasn’t, maybe it’s just flirting.”
Sarah looked at me like I was hopeless. “You don’t even care?”
How could I not care? “Then guess why I want a divorce?”
4
Sarah stopped talking.
When we reached the GM’s floor, she dragged me angrily toward the office.
Just as she pulled open Caleb’s door.
A figure holding lunch boxes darted out and crashed right into me.
Lunch boxes clattered to the floor, splashing grease all over my clothes.
It was Lily!
“Watch where you’re going! Don’t you look before opening a door?”
Sarah angrily took out tissues to wipe me down, but how do you wipe off grease stains?
I stared blankly at the lunch boxes on the floor. One pink, one blue. Identical styles, just different colors. Like a couple’s set.
“Chloe? Why are you here? Are you hurt? Your clothes are dirty, I’ll take you to buy a new one later.”
Caleb finished and looked at Lily.
“You’re a grown girl, why so flustered?” It was a scolding, but I heard the affection in it.
Sarah noticed Lily’s looks, her eyes darting between us.
I looked up at Caleb. “What were you doing?”
Caleb was visibly panicked.
Lily spoke up:
“Chloe, don’t blame me for talking too much. Mr. Xing is so busy every day, and no one cares if he eats. I couldn’t stand it, and to thank him for taking care of me, I brought him lunch. Don’t be mad. Oh, and I’ll wash your clothes for you!”
I turned to look at her. Before I could speak, Sarah sneered:
“You sure care a lot about someone else’s husband.”
“And the oil is soaked in. Even if you wash it, it’ll smell. If you want it, take it. You’re buying a new one.”
Lily bit her lip and looked at Caleb.
Caleb tried to mediate. “Chloe, Lily is young and doesn’t know how to talk. But she can’t afford your dress with a month’s salary. She just graduated, don’t make it hard for her. I’ll buy you a new one, okay?”
Sarah was fuming. “Caleb Xing, if you can’t speak, shut up! You’ll pay for her? What’s your relationship? Are you her dad or her grandpa?”
I turned to Lily. “What do you say?”
She actually glared at me. “Chloe, Mr. Xing works so hard to earn money, and you just sit at home enjoying the fruits of his labor. Why bully people? You bought the dress with his money anyway, and he said it’s fine.”
I raised an eyebrow. Caleb spoke up: “Lily! You’ve said too much. Chloe and I are one. My money is her money. There’s no ‘enjoying the fruits’!”
Lily looked shocked, tears streaming down her face, and ran out.
Caleb started to chase her, then realized it was inappropriate.
He handed me a card ingratiatingly:
“Alright wifey, don’t be mad anymore. I really have nothing going on with her. I have to work. Let Sarah take you to buy a clean outfit.”
I didn’t take it. I turned and walked away.
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š search for “387226”, and watch the full series āØ!
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1
A month ago, I started dating a guy online.
He said he wanted to send me a birthday gift.
Right after my noon class let out, I got a call from a delivery driver.
He insisted I sign for it in person.
When I saw what it was, my roommates and I just stared at each other.
Even after carrying the package back to our dorm, we were still in shock.
“Wait, he actually sent it?”
Snapping out of it, my roommates immediately got suspicious.
“It’s gotta be fake, right? Who just sends a bag worth thousands like it’s nothing?”
“Is he trying to bait you with a fake bag? Like one of those scams where they lure you overseas?”
Real or fake?
There’s only one way to find out.
My roommates and I started scouring the internet for authentication guides and videos.
After an hour of intense research, we finally confirmed it.
This creamy white lambskin flap bag.
It’s real.
It’s the latest Chanel summer collection.
Current official price: $8,700.
!!!
Oh my god.
I snagged a real-life rich heir.
2
I met Gavin playing a mobile MOBA game.
I was playing as a mage, a squishy little character. He was the assassin on the enemy team.
Within the first five minutes, he killed me three times.
But I thrive on adversity.
Remembering the shiny “VIP 10” badge on his loading screenāmeaning he’d spent a fortune on the gameāI decided to shoot my shot.
Me: “Big brother keeps targeting me, do you have a crush on me?”
Gavin: “With skills like yours, you really have no self-awareness, do you?”
Me: “Wow, big brother is so good! A Pentakill!”
Gavin: “You don’t need to tell me.”
Me: “Big brother, I just passed my English exam today, and right now I really want to say something to you.”
Gavin: “?”
Me: “Be my CP (Couple Partner)~”
Gavin: “…What kind of delusional toad are you?”
Under my barrage of flattery, the assassin only hunted me harder.
I ended the game with a score of 0-17-2.
My teammates didn’t say a word. They just reported me.
I was fuming.
I clicked on the assassin’s profile.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
Seven national ranking badges. Five state ranking badges.
I was blinded by the brilliance.
VIP 10, all skins unlocked, cool profile pic, zero intimate relationships listed, insane win rate.
Could I let a carry like this get away?
Me: “Hi big brother, wanna roleplay? Pretend to be my boyfriend and carry me to the top rank~”
I sent a friend request immediately.
Rejected, as expected.
I invited him to a lobby.
Rejected.
Rejected.
Rejected again.
Finally, after a dozen tries, he must have slipped and clicked accept.
I didn’t waste a second. I started the game instantly.
“Big brother, can I play as the support fairy?”
I used my most sugary, cutesy voice.
Gavin: “Whatever.”
“Yay, thank you big brother!”
Gavin: “Don’t mention it. Just my karma catching up to me.”
“……..”
That game, Gavin played the dashing swordsman. With his limited-edition skin, my default-skin fairy looked pathetic next to him.
From the start, I shamelessly stuck to him.
My mouth was sweeter than honey; I even made myself blush with the compliments.
Gavin, who usually never used voice chat, couldn’t take it anymore.
“Shut up. You’re distracting my hands.”
His voice was deep and husky.
It made my heart flutter.
So I complimented him even harder.
“Big brother, your voice is so nice…”
“Wow, big brother’s predictions are spot on! So cool!”
“Big brother… Big brother…”
The game ended amidst a chorus of “big brothers.”
It was the first time I truly enjoyed playing support.
3
“A girl chasing a guy is only separated by a layer of yarn,” as the saying goes.
After the game, I successfully added Gavin as a friend.
Every night, my mission was to camp online and wait for him.
After a few nights, I got his number.
But Gavin was ice cold. My messages often went unanswered.
But I didn’t care.
It only took a few taps of my finger. I got to use his shared skins and get carried by his skills. Gaining a few extra stars every night.
Why not?
I even looked up flirting techniques online. My pickup lines never repeated.
Maybe he was moved by my sincerity. One time, I used my sickeningly sweet voice in-game again:
“Big brother, we’ve known each other for 392 hours, 45 minutes, and 17 seconds. Has your heart not fluttered for your little sweetie yet?”
“You know, in this world, besides the scammers in Southeast Asia, no one else would pour their heart out to you like this.”
“So, would you be willing to…”
“What’s the benefit of being your CP?” Gavin cut me off over voice chat.
His voice was calm and collected, but I saw a glimmer of hope.
“If big brother becomes my CP, I’ll only play with you from now on, and I’ll only protect you~”
“You? Protect me?”
Gavin chuckled, full of mockery for my gaming skills.
It was rare to hear him laugh.
I knew I had a chance, so I doubled down: “Yeah! Big brother is my precious little baby. If anyone touches you, I’ll chase them down and bite them!”
Gavin laughed again. Low and deep, incredibly seductive.
“Fine. Remember what you said.”
See. What did I tell you?
No one can resist sweet talk.
If they do? You just aren’t being sweet enough.
4
And just like that, Gavin and I were “dating.”
Compared to before, he was noticeably gentler.
Before, if I accidentally stole his blue buff, he’d be passive-aggressive the whole game.
Now…
“Oops, sorry big brother, I accidentally took your blue.”
“I saw. Do you want a cookie?”
“Ah, big brother, I didn’t mean to steal your Pentakill, please don’t be mad, okay?”
“I’m not mad. At you?”
“……..”
Now he could only be passive-aggressive for half the game. Because for the second half, I’d get mad.
Gavin probably noticed. Neither of us spoke for the rest of the match.
When the game ended, I sulked and said I was done playing.
Gavin was silent for a moment. Then suddenly said, “Sorry.”
I instinctively retorted: “If sorry was useful, why would Chanel make so many bags?”
I realized what I said as soon as the words left my mouth. Embarrassed, I quickly exited the lobby.
A few minutes later.
Gavin sent me pictures of several Chanel bags.
Gavin: “Which one do you want?”
I laughed.
Trying to buy me off with a bag? Does he think I’m that shallow?
Me: “How did big brother know my birthday is coming up? This is too expensive, isn’t it?”
Me: “I want the creamy white one! Big brother is the best, thank you big brother, love you forever~ (heart)”
Heh.
Turns out, I am exactly that shallow.
5
Gavin didn’t mention the bag for the next two days.
He just invited me to play games as usual.
I realized later that he was probably just joking that day. Those bags in the pictures cost as much as my family makes in a year.
I didn’t want to call him out and embarrass him. After all, he was a great carry in-game.
But I never expected him to actually send the bag!
6
Me: “Big brother, does it look good?”
I put on a new dress I bought. Slung the bag over my shoulder.
Asked my roommates to take dozens of photos. Selected the best one. Spent half an hour editing it before sending.
I didn’t show my face in the photo, leaving everything to Gavin’s imagination.
After a while.
Gavin: “Photoshopped?”
I was about to deny it.
Gavin: “The bed frame is bent like a snake.”
Me: “……..”
Okay, fine. First time using Photoshop, lack of experience.
Gavin didn’t seem to care much and just told me to hop online.
I had no classes that afternoon. I logged on, full of fighting spirit.
This time, I was really treating Gavin like the God of Wealth.
“Big brother is so thoughtful, did you give bags to your ex-girlfriends too?”
“No.”
“Then I’m so luc…”
“She wasn’t materialistic.”
“And she wasn’t as thick-skinned as you, asking for things outright.”
“……..”
It’s fine, it’s fine.
$8,700.
$8,700.
I spent a minute calming myself down.
I feigned anger: “Since big brother thinks of me that way, I’ll return the bag to you.”
A normal guy wouldn’t ask for a gift back.
“Okay.”
But… Gavin isn’t a normal person!!
“Kidding. Keep it.”
My puffed-up cheeks deflated instantly.
I grinned through gritted teeth: “Big brother, I love you so much~”
“Mm. I love myself too.”
7
I felt like I suddenly figured out Gavin’s personality.
On the surface, he scoffed at my flattery. But deep down, he was grinning ear to ear.
It had only been a month. And he’d already gifted me 43 skins.
Turning my account, which originally only had a $1 starter pack, into a whale account.
At lunch in the cafeteria, I wanted to nurture feelings with my online boyfriend.
So I snapped a photo of my tray and sent it.
Me: “It’s noon! Big brother, eat well, don’t be picky with your food.”
Gavin immediately transferred me $520.
Gavin: “Please go eat something decent. I don’t want people saying I abuse my girlfriend.”
My eyes lit up. I accepted it instantly.
Me: “Thanks, Young Master.”
Me: “Young Master is generous.”
Gavin: “?”
I quickly recalled the messages and retyped.
Me: “Thanks big brother, big brother is the best.”
Me: “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to eat until I’m chubby.”
I felt like I found a business opportunity.
Drinking boba, send a pic to Gavin.
Me: “Today’s lemonade is sweet, but not as sweet as my lips. Does big brother want a taste?”
Him: [Transferred $1,314]
Shopping for clothes, send a pic to Gavin.
Me: “Big brother, which dress looks better? I can’t decide, help me pick one?”
Him: [Transferred $9,999]
Him: “Why hesitate over a cheap dress? Buy them all.”
Walking past a real estate office, send a pic to Gavin.
Me: “Big brother, look, these houses are so nice. Wonder if I’ll ever get to live in one.”
Him: “……..”
Him: “Too far.”
I clutched my phone and giggled like an idiot.
I thought Gavin was kinda cute lately.
8
Gaming at night.
Gavin and I were about to start when someone joined the lobby.
“Young Master, carry m…”
Before he could finish, Gavin kicked him.
A second later, he joined again.
“Bro, Bro, I was wrong, please don’t kick!” The guy pleaded.
Gavin was impatient: “Spit it out.”
The guy laughed creepily. “Hehe, playing duos is boring. Let’s 5-stack, Bro. Let us meet Sister-in-law.”
“Sister-in-law, I’m Zach. Can we play together?”
Being called “Sister-in-law” made me shy; I couldn’t even speak.
But Gavin… something in that sentence must have pleased him, because he agreed.
Soon, two more people joined.
One had an anime boy avatar, ID “Loves Only One.”
The other had an atmospheric, aesthetic girl avatar, ID “Zoey.”
“Long time no see, Gavin.”
The beauty greeted Gavin immediately.
My heart sank. I sensed trouble.
Gavin gave a faint “Mm” and started the game.
Hero selection screen.
I was about to pick the support fairy as usual.
The beauty spoke up: “I’ll play support. I want to protect the new little sister.”
And she pre-selected the fairy.
I didn’t think much of it. I picked my best mage, Luna.
Then the enemy team picked the invisible assassin.
At the start, the fairy followed me.
Level 2, the assassin ganked me. I panicked, flashed in the wrong direction, and gave up First Blood.
“Sorry, I…”
“It’s okay, you did great,” the fairy comforted me.
Zach chimed in too. “Don’t worry Sister-in-law, if that assassin touches you again, I’ll run him over with my boat.”
Maybe because I’d been playing support lately, my mage skills were rusty.
Plus, with the fairy riding on my head, I felt even more nervous.
The more nervous I got, the more mistakes I made.
Within seven minutes, I died four times.
And the fairy died with me three times.
“Can’t read the map?”
Gavin spoke his first words since the game started.
My fingers tightened around my phone.
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I grew up in a household with just me and my younger brother, but my mom always claimed she wasnāt the type to favor boys over girls.
Then, she needed surgery. She pulled me aside and whispered, “Don’t tell your brother. Heās never been close to me since he was little. If he knows I need surgery, heāll just complain.”
I was about to tear up at her thoughtfulness when suddenly, a stream of floating textālike live comments on a video streamāscrolled across my vision.
[Poor heroine. She still thinks her mom actually cares about her. The old lady just doesnāt want her precious son to worry.]
[Ugh, Iām so sick of this saintly pushover MC. Sheās just sacrificing herself for nothing. Itās making my blood boil.]
My hand, holding out my debit card, froze in mid-air. Suddenly, I didn’t want to pay anymore.
1
After reading those floating comments, my grip on the card tightened instinctively.
My mom looked at me, confused. Seeing me refusing to let go of the card, her expression soured immediately. “Maya, whatās wrong?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want to pay for your mother’s hospital bills?”
“I don’t want to spend your money either, honey, but you know I don’t have any cash on hand.”
My brain was still buzzing, but my hand moved on its own. I yanked the card back.
Because as she spoke, another wave of comments rolled past my eyes.
[This mom lies as easily as she breathes. ‘No money’? Sheās hoarding every cent to buy a house for her son.]
[Her calculations are elite. She keeps her own savings untouched and plays the victim so her daughter pays for everything.]
[Masterclass in gaslighting. She keeps saying sheās not traditional, says sheās not close to the son, just to trick the daughter into being a willing cash cow.]
I shoved the card back into my purse. I looked at my mom and asked, “Mom, you take home $3,000 a month. I pay the water, electricity, and HOA fees. I buy the groceries, the rice, even the toilet paper. Where has your salary gone all these years?”
My mom froze.
In her memory, I had always been the obedient, sensible one.
She often told me stories about how her own parents favored her brother and mistreated her, swearing she would never be like them.
Since I could remember, she acted closer to me than to my brother, Caleb.
When we went out, sheād introduce me as, “This is my baby girl, my little emotional support jacket.”
For years, I was grateful. I thought I was lucky not to be the neglected daughter.
So, I worked harder to be good.
Because she “wasn’t close” to Caleb, I took care of her when she was sick. I handled the household chores. Even after I graduated and got a job, Caleb moved out, while my paycheck naturally went into the household expenses.
Thinking of this, a realization hit me.
My mom grabbed my hand, explaining frantically, “The money for your college tuition, I borrowed it! And the debts our family had before, I paid them all off! Maya, what do you mean by this? Are you abandoning your mother?”
I didn’t want to argue about the past. I just wanted to know one thing.
“Mom, are you saving up to buy a house for Caleb?”
Her face went pale instantly. But she denied it immediately. “What nonsense is that? Where would I get the money for a house? Besides, even if I had money, I wouldn’t buy it for him. We aren’t close. I don’t expect him to take care of me in my old age.”
The floating comments scrolled faster.
[This woman is incredible. Lying through her teeth. She saves every dime for the son and even skimps on the daughterās food budget to subsidize him.]
[Exactly. The MC got gastroenteritis last week because she drank expired milk. Her mom bought a clearance box for $5 but charged the daughter $20 for it.]
[Sheās too manipulative. She loves the son to death but pretends to favor the daughter just to suck her blood dry openly and legally.]
Watching the text float by, a chill ran down my spine. I took a step back.
Seeing me pull away, Mom immediately put on a heartbroken face. “Maya, whatās gotten into you? Why are you comparing yourself to your brother? Have I ever favored him over you? Don’t you know better?”
I shook my head. “Mom, you didn’t favor him. You favored me. Thatās why I had to help with chores while Caleb watched TV. Thatās why I couldn’t apply to colleges out of state because I had to stay close to take care of you, while Caleb could go wherever he wanted.”
Hearing this, Momās face turned ugly. “Maya, you know I can’t live without you. I wanted to keep you close.”
I shook my head again. “That’s not it.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed Calebās number.
“Caleb, Mom is hospitalized and needs surgery. The doctors need to discuss the procedure. Iām just a woman, I can’t make these big decisions alone. Youāre the only man in the family. Get down here, or I wonāt dare sign the consent forms.”
I didn’t wait for his answer. I hung up.
Mom lost it. She jumped up and got in my face. “Why did you call him?! Youāre distracting him!”
“Heās busy with a new project at work! He barely sleeps! Why would you worry him?!”
I stared at her coldly. “How do you know heās working on a new project? Mom, didn’t you say you aren’t close? Didn’t you say that because he went corporate instead of working for the government like you wanted, you weren’t going to get involved in his life?”
Mom choked.
She awkwardly explained, “I didn’t mean to pry, I just… heard it from a relative. I don’t get along with him, why would I care?”
“Maya, you know we fight. Don’t make him come here, we’ll just argue.”
Looking at the desperation in her eyes, my heart turned to ice.
I used to pride myself on having a mother who wasn’t misogynistic. Now I knew the truth.
Her misogyny was just advanced.
She had fooled me for twenty-something years.
I pressed my lips together. “Mom, don’t worry. When he gets here, I won’t let you see each other. No fighting. I just need him to discuss the surgery and the cost allocation with the doctor.”
Mom immediately spoke up. “Cost? Your brother has no money!”
I glared at her. “And I do? If he has no money, do I have a money printing machine?”
Actually, I did have money. I had a side hustle that was doing well. I had planned to surprise her with a lump sum once I saved enough.
Thank God I never got the chance.
Mom sighed. “Even if you don’t have it, go borrow it. When I get better, you can pay it back slowly.”
“Borrow it?” I laughed out loud. “Mom, we are both your children. Why am I the only one responsible when you’re sick?”
I turned and walked out of the ward.
The comments were flying.
[The Heroine finally awakened! About time!]
[She woke up, but all the money she gave her mom is gone. What a waste.]
[Especially since that money is all going to the brother’s down payment. That was her hard-earned cash. So frustrating.]
Reading the comments, an idea formed in my mind.
I took a taxi straight home.
I went into my mom’s bedroom and started searching.
I found all the gold bracelets, necklaces, and rings I had bought her over the years.
Then I found her bank book. Balance: $50,000.
I took a photo immediately.
Then, I took all the gold jewelry to a friend who buys gold and cashed it all out.
Next, I opened the extended family Group Chat and started my performance.
“Aunts, Uncles, please talk some sense into my mom. She needs surgery, but she thinks $20,000 is too expensive. She wants to come home and give up treatment. I can’t convince her. What should I do?”
The first to reply was my nosy Aunt Karen. She hated my mom.
“Maya, is your mom broke? Let me tell you, we are all broke too. Don’t ask us for money.”
I immediately posted the photo of the bank book.
“I wasn’t going to ask to borrow money! Mom has money. All my salary has gone to her for years, plus her pension. She has $50,000 sitting there. I just want you guys to tell her that saving money isn’t worth dying for. $50,000 is just a down payment for Caleb, but if she doesn’t get treated, she won’t be around to see the house!”
The group chat exploded.
Aunt Karen: “Wow. Your mom is two-faced. She always talks about how sons are useless and daughters are reliable, but sheās hoarding the daughter’s money to buy the son a house?”
Cousin Jen: “Honestly, Aunt Linda is too much. Hoarding that much cash but always crying poor? I saw her buying expired milk last week. Maya, did she feed that to you?”
Cousin Beth: “Maya, you’re in a tough spot. Is she trying to make you pay for the whole hospital bill?”
I typed quickly: “I called Caleb, but Mom won’t let him come. I can’t decide on the surgery alone. I’m just a girl, what do I know?”
“Please, go talk to her. She’s at City General, Room 302…”
Seconds after I hit send, my phone rang. It was Mom.
I picked up, and her scream nearly shattered my eardrum. “Maya! What nonsense are you spouting in the group chat?! Why did you go through my stuff? You’re eyeing my money? Have you no shame?!”
2
Listening to her roar, I could imagine the vein popping on her forehead.
I smiled, but kept my voice sincere and panicked. “Mom, I’m sorry! I misunderstood you at the hospital. I thought you spent all the money, but you saved it! That’s great! Now we can pay for the surgery!”
Mom yelled immediately, “No!”
“That money is for… other uses. It cannot be touched.”
I laughed lightly. “Mom, do you want to die?”
She choked. “You unfilial brat! How dare you talk to me like that? Of course I don’t want to die!”
“Then figure out the surgery fee yourself.”
“Hehā”
I scoffed. “Mom, I don’t have money. I gave you my paycheck every month.”
Mom countered, “If you don’t have it, borrow it! Anyway, my savings cannot be touched. Maya, if you dare touch my money, I will fight you to the death.”
I was too lazy to argue. I hung up.
I recorded the entire conversation.
Immediately after, I called my brother, Caleb.
He answered impatiently. “Maya, you know I’m not close with Mom. She treats you like a princess. This isn’t my problem.”
I laughed. “Caleb, close or not, you are her son. She never abused you, never made you do chores, and gave you the best of everything. Now you’re saying you won’t help when she’s dying? Do you have a conscience?”
“Also, Mom said you’re busy with a project. If you don’t show up, I’m coming to your office. If you can’t get time off, I’ll go ask your boss for you.”
That scared him. “Fine! You’re crazy. I’m coming.”
I hung up, my face void of expression.
I looked at the contact name: Caleb. A strong, solid name.
My birth name? Tiny.
I changed it to Maya myself when I got older because Tiny was humiliating.
Even our names showed her bias.
From the moment I was born, everything was different.
The so-called “favoritism” toward me was just a lie to keep me compliant.
But it didn’t matter. I didn’t care anymore.
3
I sold the gold. Since gold prices were up, I got $8,000 backāmore than I paid.
I transferred all the money to a secure account.
Looking up, the comments were scrolling again.
[I like the MC so much better now that she stopped being a doormat. Well done!]
[She finally stopped begging for imaginary motherly love. It hurts, but seeing the truth is better.]
[Exactly. She was just a blood bag before. It was infuriating.]
[Now the mom is screwed. She built that ‘feminist mom’ persona, and now the relatives are going to the hospital to roast her.]
I checked my social media feed. Sure enough, several relatives had posted.
One even posted a TikTok video from the hospital room.
I remembered how my mom used to brag to relatives about being “different.”
While others desperately wanted sons, she claimed she loved her daughter and that sons were “debt collectors.”
By establishing this persona, she felt superior.
She loved stirring up drama between my aunts and their daughters, then turning to me and saying, “See how lucky you are? I’d never treat you like that.”
Back then, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.
Now, I wanted to go back in time and slap myself awake.
Thanks to the floating comments, I knew the relatives stayed in her room all afternoon, creating chaos until evening.
Once they left, Mom called me.
I was at the market buying groceries. I ignored the call.
After I got home, I finally answered her twentieth attempt.
Her weak, trembling voice came through. “Maya… where are you? Why aren’t you here? I’m so lonely… I haven’t even eaten…”
I sneered internally but put on a voice even weaker than hers.
“Mom… I don’t know what happened. I think I have a fever. I took some medicine and passed out. I didn’t hear the phone.”
“Mom, I need to rest. I can’t come to the hospital. If you’re hungry, ask the nurse or order DoorDash…”
Hearing this, Mom dropped the act instantly. “Maya! What kind of bullsh*t is that? You dare not come? It’s just a fever, take a Tylenol! Your own mother is in the hospital and you’re sleeping?!”
Listening to her roar, I remained calm. “Mom, I can’t talk… the medicine is making me dizzy… bye…”
I hung up and put the phone on Airplane Mode.
I remembered when I was hospitalized for gastroenteritis. I was in so much pain I couldn’t stand.
Mom said she didn’t know the way to the hospital, so she couldn’t come.
But she called me every hour to “check on me,” forcing me to comfort her while I was vomiting.
That night, I cooked myself a feast.
Fresh shrimp, $10 a pound. Boiled simply, a massive plateful.
Beef stir-fry with celery.
Fresh cherries. Crisp and sweet.
I even splurged on a $6 boba tea.
My salary was $6,000 a month. I kept a few hundred and gave the rest to her.
She said inflation was bad. Everything was expensive.
So we ate like monks. One meat, one veg.
The vegetable was always cabbage or potatoes.
The meat was always frozen chicken scraps, and even that was rationed.
Later, I saw what my assistant at work ate for lunchābeef, fish, fresh fruit. I asked if she was rich.
She said, “No, I bring lunch because I’m broke. This costs like $400 a month tops.”
I was shocked. I gave my mom $5,000+ a month, and she fed me frozen scraps and withered apples.
I got suspicious and offered to do the grocery shopping.
She refused, saying, “You work too hard. I’m retired, I have nothing to do. I’ll cook, you just eat.”
Recalling this, my heart ached for my past self.
Eating my shrimp and drinking my boba, I finally realized how badly Iād been played.
The floating text appeared again.
This time, no one was scolding me.
They were all cheering for me.
4
The next morning, I got up early but didn’t go to the hospital. I knew Caleb wouldn’t arrive early.
I went to the mall. Bought new clothes, new shoes.
Then to the salon.
Looking in the mirror, I realized I hadn’t had a professional haircut in years.
To save money, Mom always cut it. Obviously, it looked terrible.
With a proper cut, I realized I was actually pretty.
I bought a coffee and a pastry and waited.
A young guy approached me, blushing, asking for my number.
I was flustered but gave it to him.
Chatting with him, I remembered Mom’s advice.
She told me marriage was a trap. That men, like my dad, cheat and are useless.
She told me to never marry, never date, or Iād be drained dry.
“Staying with Mommy is best.”
Compared to my friends being pressured to marry, I thought I was lucky.
Now I see she didn’t want me to get married because she wanted to be the one draining me dry.
I chatted with the guy for a while, then headed to the hospital.
My timing was perfect. Caleb had just arrived.
Standing outside the door, I heard him yelling. “You said you didn’t expect anything from me! You told me to get lost! Now you’re sick and want me to play the dutiful son? You’re so selfish!”
Mom, usually a tyrant with me, was meek as a lamb with him. “Caleb, I didn’t call you! I didn’t!”
Caleb scoffed. “That’s your trick! You made Maya call me! Threatening to call my boss? You forced me here!”
Mom stammered, “No, I didn’t…”
I pushed the door open. “Mom, if you didn’t tell me, how would I know? I didn’t even know where Caleb worked.”
Mom was about to curse me out, but when she saw me, she froze.
Shock, jealousy, and hatred flashed in her eyes.
“What are you wearing?! Your mother is in the hospital and you’re dressed up like a whore? God, what an unfilial daughter!”
“And let me tell you, don’t think about the savings account! That money doesn’t move!”
I pinched my thigh hard, tears welling up instantly.
“Mom, don’t be like this. The doctor said you can be cured! You can’t give up!”
“We can buy a house for Caleb later, but your health can’t wait!”
I wailed, playing the desperate daughter.
Hearing this, Caleb exploded. He glared at Mom. “You promised me $50,000 for the down payment!”
I looked at Mom immediately. “Mom, you promised him?”
Mom looked mortified, head down.
The lady in the next bed chimed in. “You have money but won’t treat yourself? Saving it for your son’s house? So you’re forcing your daughter to pay?”
“The girl just wore a dress and you called her a whore? What kind of life did she live before this? Did you take all her money for the son?”
Mom snapped, “So what if I buy my son a house? I heard you buying your son a house last night!”
The neighbor lady huffed. “I’m buying one for my son, and one for my daughter! I treat them equally! And even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t lie to my daughter and say I hated my son just to trick her into serving me!”
Mom was silenced.
Just then, a girl walked in. “Your family isn’t buying the house? Then the wedding is off.”
It was Caleb’s girlfriend.
Caleb panicked. “No, no, we’re buying it!”
Mom nodded frantically.
I feigned distress. “Mom, don’t do this! You can’t die just so Caleb can marry! If this gets out and his boss hears about it, he’ll lose his job!”
Caleb looked terrified. He looked at Mom for a solution.
The girlfriend sneered. “No money, no marriage.”
Caleb grabbed her hand. “My project bonus will be $10,000, I’ll give it all to you.”
She laughed. “Stop it. The house and dowry must come from your parents. Your money is already my money. Why would I use my own money to marry myself? Am I sick?”
I was stunned.
Selfish, yes. But better than being a doormat like the old me.
She ran out, and Caleb chased her.
Mom grabbed my hand, weeping. “Maya, your brother is useless. I only have you. I don’t want to die…”
I sighed. “Mom, you have money. You’ll live.”
“Maya, your brother needs a house! Go borrow money for the surgery, okay?”
I shook my head. “To borrow that much, I need collateral. Will you let me leverage the house?”
Mom shook her head instantly.
“If we sell the house, where will we live?”
“Rent.”
“I’m old, I can’t rent… Maya, how can you be so cruel? Think of something else!”
“There is no other way. You have money, spend it.”
“Your brother can’t get married without a house!”
I laughed. “Why didn’t you buy me one?”
“You’re a girl. Girls don’t need houses.”
I shrugged. “Exactly. Mom, you’re a girl too. What do you need a house for? Sell it. Pay for surgery, and give the rest to Caleb.”
I knew she wouldn’t sell. She just wanted to bleed me dry.
š Continue the story here
šš» š² Download the “MotoNovel” app
š search for “387224”, and watch the full series āØ!
#MotoNovel
I was born an actress. I crave wealth and luxury, not sincerity.
I went from orphan to the daughter of the richest family in town, but before I could even warm the seat, the Sterling family went bankrupt.
Just as I was packing my bags to run, I overheard the family doctor whispering to my “dad”: “Aren’t you afraid of breaking the child’s heart?”
Without hesitation, I spun around, rushed into the room, and hugged my “mom.” “Mom, a daughter doesn’t leave because her family is poor. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you both in your old age.”
Poor for a moment versus poor for a lifetimeāI, Chloe Sterling, can do the math.
I caught a glimpse of the luxury watch on my dad’s wrist, hidden under his cheap shirtāworth enough to buy half a street. I smiled silently.
1
I dragged my legs, heavy as lead, back to the dilapidated rental apartment.
Clutched in my hand was the hundred bucks Iād earned sweating it out as an extra on set. I went straight to the pharmacy to buy Dad’s imported medication, then detoured to that overpriced French bakery to buy Mom her favorite raspberry tart.
It was tiny, but it cost me hours of work.
I pushed the door open. Dad was slumped on the sofa, looking ashen, the collar of his cheap cotton T-shirt stretched loose.
Mom sat beside him, her eyes vacant.
I handed over the medicine and the exquisite little box, forcing my gentlest smile. “Dad, your meds. Mom, your favorite.”
“Chloe, you…” Mom looked at my sweaty, disheveled state, then at the glaring scratch on my arm. Her eyes instantly reddened.
“I’m fine, Mom,” I waved it off, pitching my voice to sound exhausted and hoarse. “I rushed back because I was worried about you guys.”
I moved quickly to pour water and get Dad his pills. As I moved, I “accidentally” brushed my wound against the table corner and hissed in pain.
“Oh my god! You child! Why didn’t you say you were hurt like that?!” Mom stood up in a panic.
Dad struggled to sit up. “Quick, let me see!”
I dodged them. “It’s really nothing, just a scratch. As long as you guys are okay, I’m relieved.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught itāthe flash of an expensive watch under Dad’s cheap sleeve.
I lowered my eyes to hide the smirk that almost escaped.
Bankruptcy?
What a setup.
2
I, Chloe Sterling, am a born actress. I want the high life, not true love.
After getting lost at age five, the first old lady who picked me up fed me scraps and tried to make me a child bride for her idiot grandson.
At her worst, she grabbed a stick, threatening to break my arm so I could beg on the streets. I used my acting skills to make her lower her guard, then called the police. I pointed her out as a trafficker and watched her get handcuffed without feeling a thing.
Later, I ended up in an orphanage.
Director Chen looked like a saint but was a sadist behind closed doors.
When the whip came down, I didn’t cry or scream. Instead, I became her most “loyal” little shadow.
I knew in a place like that, you had to cling to the one with power just to breathe.
When the bigwigs came to inspect, the troublemakers who usually got beaten the worst were locked in the dark storage room.
I stuck to the Director like glue, serving tea, smiling sweetly and timidly.
While pouring water, I “accidentally” pulled up my faded sleeve, revealing a web of old scars.
The leaders spotted it and asked what happened.
I quickly pulled my sleeve down, shaking my head like a rattle drum, my voice trembling perfectly. “N-nothing, I fell. Director Mom… Director Mom is so good to us!”
The leaders exchanged glances, their eyes full of pity for the “terrified child.”
I timed my nervous glances perfectly, guiding their eyes to the locked storage room…
The day Director Chen was taken away by the police, the whole orphanage celebrated like it was Christmas.
Tiger, the biggest bully, apologized to me with a red face, saying he had misjudged me. I rubbed the arm he used to shove, smiling brightly. “What apology? I’m not a good person.”
They laughed, surrounding me. “Chloe is joking again!”
See? My acting was so good that no one believed the truth. I became their beacon of hope.
Later, because that “whistleblowing” incident made the news, a talent scout spotted my terrified, makeup-free face, and I stepped into show business.
The money wasn’t great, but I didn’t have to worry about my next meal.
Until the billionaire Sterling family found me and took me home.
The touching family reunion had barely lasted a few days when Dad cried and announced bankruptcy, then promptly “fainted.”
Heh, I guess the acting talent runs in the family.
3
In the luxurious walk-in closet, I stuffed the last diamond necklace into my bag with practiced efficiency.
I never enjoyed the wealth, so why should I suffer the poverty with them?
Not happening.
I tiptoed past the study. Through the crack in the door, Dad’s voice sounded weak but with an odd undertone. The family doctor was there too.
The doctor sighed. “Aren’t you afraid of breaking the child’s heart?”
The rest was muffled, but that sentence was crystal clear.
I froze.
Dad’s overly dramatic chest-clutching before he “fainted” flashed in my mind. In a split second, it clickedāa test!
They were testing me!
Human nature can’t stand up to testing, but my acting can.
Sterling Method Acting, showtime!
I kicked the full bag into a corner and sprinted for the master bedroom.
Mom was staring out the window, her back looking desolate.
“Mom!”
I threw myself at her, my voice hoarse with suppressed tears, hugging her tight. “I’m not leaving! I’m not going anywhere. No matter how hard it gets, I’ll stay with you. A daughter doesn’t leave her family because they’re poor. I’ll take care of you and Dad!”
The tears came on cue, hot and heavy, soaking her silk robe.
I looked up, my eyes full of desperate determination.
Mom stiffened, then trembled violently. She hugged me back, sobbing, a flash of guilt in her eyes. “Chloe… my Chloe…”
I felt her warmth, buried my face in her shoulder, and allowed the corner of my mouth to twitch up just a fraction where no one could see.
Poor for a moment versus poor for a lifetimeāI, Chloe Sterling, know how to count.
4
Back in the rental, Mom was still sniffing, touched by the fact that I bought her dessert despite being broke.
I walked casually to the floor-to-ceiling window and peeked through the heavy curtains.
Downstairs, a group of men in black T-shirts had gathered. They looked like thugs, except for the one in front.
Lean but muscular, wearing a dark casual suit that screamed quality. His eyes were calm as a deep pool, no menace, just silent control. That air of certainty made the tension even worse.
A test within a test? Impressive. Even hired debt collectors?
“Mom,” I whispered, “Someone’s outside… doesn’t look good. You and Dad stay quiet.”
Mom paled and nodded frantically.
The knocking soon turned into violent banging!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The cheap door groaned under the assault.
“Who is it?!” Mom couldn’t help but scream.
Too late!
The moment the door cracked open, I “happened” to be behind it, “panicking” and trying to hold it shut with my body! A massive force slammed into the door!
Thud!
A dull sound.
The door slammed into me. A sharp, exploding pain radiated from my nose!
Warm liquid gushed out. The taste of rust filled my mouth.
The door burst open.
The tall, cold man stepped in first. He didn’t even look at me clutching my bleeding nose. His gaze cut toward Mom like a knife. “Mom, are you okay?”
“Julian!” Mom rushed over to shield me.
My nose hurt so bad I was seeing stars. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
Worth it. The bitter meat trick.
5
Warm blood dripped through my fingers, staining the white floor a shocking red.
It really hurt. Stars were dancing in my vision.
I ignored myself and immediately struggled to shield my trembling Mom behind me. My voice was nasal and blocked, full of anxiety. “Mom! Mom, are you okay? Are you scared?”
Blood smeared all over Mom’s clothes, but she didn’t care.
Mom looked at my state, gasping in pain, then turned and exploded at Julian. “Julian! Are you crazy?! Smashing the door down without looking? Look what you did to Chloe!”
Julian stood backlit in the entryway, tall and imposing. His face was colder than his custom black shirt.
He twitched his lips, eyes sharp. “Who knew someone was hiding behind the door? Didn’t make a sound, whose fault is that?”
Liar. I bet he checked someone was behind the door before ordering the hit.
I endured the pain, looking at furious Mom and frowning Dad with teary eyes. “Dad, Mom, don’t blame him… he was just worried about you…”
Not time to call him “Brother” yet.
Julian scoffed. He walked over slowly, looking down at me like inspecting a suspicious object. “A kid lost for over ten years, found just a few days ago.”
He emphasized “few days.” “Deep feelings for parents you never knew? Knowing the family is in debt and you don’t run?”
He paused, tone dripping with sarcasm. “These days, soft-hearted and filial girls like ‘Sister’ here are rare.”
Sounded like praise, but every word was a thorn.
I sniffled, more blood gushing out. My voice was thick with tears. “How can you say that? I always envied kids with parents. Even though it’s been short, Mom and Dad treat me so well… I have some savings from acting. Not much, but if we’re frugal, it can support Mom and Dad for a while…”
I looked at Mom, eyes full of adoration and fragility.
Mom broke down. She couldn’t act anymore. She hugged my bloody face into her chest and yelled at Julian. “Enough, Julian! Baby, don’t worry. The family is fine. The money issue is solved!”
Avoiding the main point. Solved? Not “we didn’t go bankrupt”?
Still testing me?
I buried my face in Mom’s perfumed chest, almost laughing out loud.
Good. Very good.
Look at us. A whole family of gifted actors. A perfect match.
Back at the villa, Mom was emotional, asking carefully, “Chloe, tell Mom, did you suffer a lot these years you were lost?”
“Mom sees you hurt, your nose hit by Julian, and you don’t complain. You seem used to it… Mom’s heart hurts…”
I stayed in her arms, not detailing the misery, just nuzzling her like a spoiled child. “Mom, it’s all in the past. My only regret is not finishing college. I always feel like something is missing…”
As soon as I said it, I felt a heavy gaze on me.
I looked up, straight into Julian’s bottomless eyes.
He stared at me like a hunter watching a fox in a trap. Unblinking.
6
The swelling in my nose went down, leaving a faint bruise.
The way Dad and Mom treated me changed visibly.
The awkwardness of time apart was washed away by “shared hardship” and “guilt.”
Limited edition bags, couture clothes, jewelryāthey flowed into my room like water.
I thought my turn for wealth and glory had finally come.
Until tea time that afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the exquisite bone china.
Mom put down her cup elegantly. “Chloe, your brother has been thinking about what you said regarding college. He… found you a top-tier tutor to help you catch up. Think of it as… learning a bit more.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Him? Being “kind”?
While I was suspicious, the butler led someone in.
Heels clicking on the floor, crisp and rhythmic.
A woman in a sharp beige suit, gold-rimmed glasses, calm and sharp eyes. Elegant but distant.
“Mrs. Sterling, Miss Sterling.” She nodded slightly, voice clear.
My smile widened instantly. I jumped up in surprise, rushing to take her hand. “Mia? Mia Qin! Is it really you? Oh my god, it’s been so long since the orphanage!”
Mia smiled too, a perfect, extremely “friendly” smile. “Yes, Chloe. Long time no see.”
But the moment I touched her, her fingers brushed mine away. Lightly, but firmly.
A flash of coldness.
When the butler and Mom looked away, she leaned in close to my ear. In a whisper only we could hear, she spat out coldly:
“Chloe Sterling, you’re still the same as when you were a kid!”
š Continue the story here
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š search for “387223”, and watch the full series āØ!
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