There are seven days in a week when I don’t want to work. To fulfill my wish, my boss ran the company into bankruptcy. Now I really don’t have to work anymore. Heartbroken at not being able to earn my workhorse wages, I chose to go crazy in the group chat. [Boss, will we ever meet again?] [Boss, please be happy when we do meet again, okay?] [Boss, how can I live without you!!] [Boss, take me with you boss~~] The group chat was silent for a few seconds, then exploded with laughing emojis. Everyone started joining in: [Boss~ don’t go~] I replied: [I’m not going~] Just as the atmosphere was getting lively, the boss replied with [Okay.] My phone suddenly felt hot in my hand. Before I could reply, the boss messaged me privately [Tomorrow at 10, wait for me downstairs at your place.] I stared at my phone, lost in thought. Why? Was the boss planning to elope with me? If I had known, I wouldn’t have talked nonsense! I don’t want to live a life of starvation with the boss for three days out of every nine! Thinking of this, I replied tactfully: [I have a blind date tomorrow to find a sugar daddy, we’ll meet again if fate allows, boss!] To show I was serious, I even sent a “sorry” kneeling emoji. After sending the message, I started a game. What was the point of being a diligent workhorse for three years? It was all so I could achieve financial independence and go out and have fun. Only an idiot would get married. But I have to say, Lucas was truly a godsend of a boss – no overtime, no team building activities, and the salary arrived more punctually than my period every month. Plus there were all kinds of bonuses from time to time. Most importantly, the boss was so handsome! Easy on the eyes. So after working for three years, I had saved up a bit of money. Take it one step at a time, worst case I’ll die halfway. But after finishing a round of the game, an image of Lucas looking sad popped into my mind. The company going bankrupt was already tragic enough, what if he did something stupid if I didn’t go meet him!? Then wouldn’t I become the final straw that broke Lucas’s back? After tossing and turning all night, I still decided to go see him. The moment I sat down in Lucas’s car, I stared at his fair, slender hands and thought with some regret that this might be the last time Lucas would be driving a Rolls-Royce one-handed. Lucas was silent the whole way. Sigh, the boss must be heartbroken. I opened my mouth to comfort him: “Boss, don’t be too sad. If we work hard, we can still make a comeback.” “When we make it big again, we’ll come work for you.” Lucas remained silent, not saying a word. He’s not thinking of crashing the car with me, is he!? The car stopped in front of another villa, and my heart slowly settled down. Lucas finally spoke: “Does what you said yesterday still stand?” My heart that had just settled down leapt up again. What I said yesterday? I couldn’t even remember what I ate yesterday. After pondering for a while, I tentatively said: “Boss, take me with you?” Seeing that I still remembered, Lucas rested one hand on the steering wheel, looked towards the villa, and said: “I promised my dad that if my startup failed, I’d go back home to inherit the family business.” Wow, so my boss was a hidden rich second generation. Wait, then what was all my heartfelt consoling just now? Was it all for nothing? Lucas continued: “But after I went home, my dad said I’m not stable enough to inherit the business unless I get married.” I silently swallowed my bitterness. I almost thought the boss was about to get rich, but it seems being a rich second generation isn’t so easy after all. Perhaps my sympathetic gaze hurt Lucas, as he cut straight to the point: “I thought about it, and I think your proposal isn’t bad, so let’s get married.” “That way I can inherit the family business.” What the hell!? Who taught you this, Lucas!? You think this is some kind of business collaboration with a good proposal! I covered my forehead, trying to reason with him: “Boss, that’s not how inheritance works. You just need to show your uncle your abilities.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it. I forgot Lucas had just run a company into bankruptcy. I changed the subject: “Besides, I can keep working for you. What’s the point of getting married?” Want me to work for free? Think you don’t have to pay me after we’re married? Luckily my mind was spinning quickly, otherwise I would’ve been tricked. Seeing through it all, I looked at Lucas with a hint of coldness in my eyes. Truly an evil capitalist. As if seeing through my thoughts, Lucas analyzed it for me: “Working for me, monthly salary $30,000. Being my wife, monthly salary $300,000.” “You choose. I’ll respect your decision.” One shouldn’t be too greedy. So I gave him a sweet smile: “Hubby!” Lucas took me to get our marriage certificate that same day. When taking the ID photos, just thinking about the $300,000 made the corners of my mouth curl up uncontrollably. $300,000! If I stick it out for a year, that’s $3.6 million. Three years, and it’s $10 million. By then, even if I become a discarded rich man’s wife, so what!? I can totally use that money to buy a car and house outright and reach the peak of life, hahahahaha. I looked at Lucas with starry eyes and coyly asked: “Hubby, why did you choose me?” Could it be that Lucas has secretly loved me for years? Lucas’s eyes were full of mirth: “Because you’re good at acting.” With those words, I who had been waiting for Lucas to say something touching froze in place. What did I act? Other than faking being sick a few times when I didn’t want to work, what else did I act? Besides, how can a workhorse’s affairs be called acting? Seeing my unconvinced face, Lucas helped me recall: “A month after joining the company, you said you had gastroenteritis and needed to be hospitalized. Later I found out you were drinking with the new employees, and when I caught you, you immediately performed a fainting act on the spot.” “Two years after joining the company, you said you had a bad breakup, and even found someone to perform a breakup scene outside the company. Later I found out it was an actor you hired, $20 an hour.” “And…” “Stop! Stop stop stop stop!” I reached out to cover his mouth. How does he know everything? Is he omniscient? Lucas spoke with difficulty with my hand over his mouth: “So I think you have great potential.” I was rendered speechless. To be able to find my strengths from these things, Lucas truly… has an eye for discovering beauty. Scrolling through social media, I saw that Lucas had posted our marriage certificate photo. Within seconds, I was bombarded with messages from former colleagues. [WTF Rachel, how did you become the ex-boss’s wife!?] [True love really does emerge in times of trouble. Wishing you a hundred years of happiness, and wishing the ex-boss a comeback!] [Ex-boss’s wife! Is that you? Don’t forget us little people when you get rich and famous.] Some closer friends earnestly advised me: [Are you really just after the ex-boss’s body?] [I only regret we never had team building activities before, otherwise I would’ve been the first to take you digging for wild vegetables!] Me: “…” Even a former colleague who was about to start at a new company told me that if I ever needed startup funding in the future, I could look for him for loans. Forget it friends, fend for yourselves. I’m already on my way to the peak of life! Lucas said he wanted to fulfill his husbandly duties, and started packing my luggage to move in as soon as we left the registry office. I politely declined: “It’s not appropriate, just call me when you need me.” No matter what, Lucas is still a tall handsome guy over 6 feet. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself. Lucas argued reasonably: “My dad is old and cunning, he could come to check on us at home anytime. If we’re exposed then, it’s all over.” Lucas brought up our collaboration, so I had no choice but to agree. Although his face showed no expression, I could still see a hint of success. Lucas moved all my things into the new house overnight. As he predicted, his dad came barging in as soon as we finished moving. A guy about Lucas’s age came along with him. He righteously accused Lucas: “Bro, how could you not tell us about such a big thing as getting married!?” “Am I no longer your most beloved little brother!?” Lucas rolled his eyes at him, lowered his head to fiddle with his phone, and gestured for me to check the message. I took out my phone and saw the message Lucas sent. I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter. [My brother Ethan, a nutcase.] [Wifey, what should we do.] Ethan, a 5’7″ guy, stood in front of 6’2″ Lucas, coquettishly complaining about Lucas. I quickly typed back: [Give him an eye roll, let him figure it out himself.] Lucas looked up at me, understanding dawning. He rolled his eyes expressionlessly, then looked at Ethan and said coldly: “Get lost.” Lucas’s brother didn’t expect this reaction from Lucas. He stood there stunned, looking pitifully at his dad. His dad couldn’t be bothered with him and looked at me saying: “So this is my daughter-in-law.” I nodded obediently, wanting to leave a good impression of being sweet and lovable with uncle. Lucas’s dad happily took out a red envelope and handed it to me: “This is a welcome gift for you.” I felt the red envelope, it was super thick. I happily opened the red envelope, ready to count how many bills were inside. Seeing me like this, Lucas’s dad smiled and said: “Don’t worry, I won’t shortchange you.” I looked up at him, grinning from ear to ear: “Thank you, Dad!” As I was feeling it, I suddenly sensed something was off. This texture, this size… I looked down and saw that the red envelope was stuffed with a stack of white paper! I looked pitifully at Lucas’s dad. The huge sum I thought I had just slipped through my fingers. Lucas’s dad looked at me, shock mixed with confusion on his face. Lucas had an expression of watching a good show. Lucas’s dad looked at Ethan and scolded angrily: “You did this?” “You put it in?” I asked Ethan incredulously. He looked wronged: “Yes, I put it in, but I don’t know why it turned into white paper.” “I clearly put in a stack of red bills!” As he spoke, he even wiped away fake tears. Me: “???” Watching Ethan pretend to be wronged in front of me, my fists gradually clenched. Trying to put me in my place, huh? Who can’t act? I turned to look at Lucas pitifully, my eyes glistening with unshed tears, ready to burst. Lucas quickly put his arm around my shoulders, playing along. I nestled in Lucas’s arms, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears, and choked out: “Little brother, if you don’t like your sister-in-law you don’t have to do this. I’ll leave.” Lucas’s dad hurriedly stopped me: “Daughter-in-law, don’t be angry. It’s all this kid’s fault.” “You little brat, I ought to teach you a good lesson!” Seeing that Lucas’s dad was really angry, Ethan had no choice but to compromise. He gritted his teeth and said: “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. I was wrong.” Lucas looked at him and asked: “Don’t you have any compensation?” Ethan: “??” He hesitated for a moment, then took out a card from his pocket and handed it to me: “Here, this is a welcome gift for you.” “There’s $660,000 in it. Wishing you good fortune.” I took the card, almost laughing out loud. This idiot was pretending to be wronged just now, and now he’s giving me money. I signaled to Lucas with my eyes: [Your brother doesn’t seem too bright.] Lucas looked at me, holding back laughter as he replied with his eyes: [He’s always been like this, don’t take him seriously.] I nodded, then smiled at Ethan: “Well then, I won’t be polite. Thank you, little brother.” Ethan looked at me, nodding resentfully. Lucas’s dad looked at me and smiled: “Rachel, don’t worry. If this kid dares to bully you, just tell Dad. I’ll teach him a lesson for you.” I quickly nodded in agreement. Lucas’s dad turned to look at Lucas and scolded: “And you, now that Rachel has married you, you better treat her well.” “I know,” Lucas replied. Lucas went into the study with his dad. Ethan and I were left in the living room. I was happily thinking about what to do with the $660,000. Buy a house? Buy a car? Or save it to earn interest? Ethan looked at me with disdain: “Is it really worth it? It’s just a bit of money. I really don’t know what my brother sees in you.” Looks like Ethan has a brother complex. I moved closer to Ethan and whispered: “Let me tell you a secret, your brother has actually had a crush on me for a long time.” Ethan’s face was full of disbelief: “How could my brother possibly have a crush on you?” I immediately sat up straight and looked at him seriously: “Why couldn’t your brother have a crush on me?” “I’m fair-skinned, beautiful and have long legs. Your brother is handsome and capable. Us being together is simply a match made in heaven!” “Don’t underestimate your sister-in-law. The line of men chasing me could stretch from our front door all the way to France!” Seeing my serious expression, the corners of Ethan’s mouth twitched a few times. “Bro!” Ethan suddenly called out. I immediately turned to look towards the study door. No one was there. I looked back at Ethan with a serious face: “Ethan, are you messing with me?!” Ethan burst out laughing: “You really were lying!” I gritted my teeth, unwilling to admit defeat: “Who says I’m lying?” “Go ask Lucas yourself if he hasn’t had a crush on me for a long time.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I suddenly heard a cool voice from the doorway: “Who do I have a crush on?” I quickly turned to look. Lucas had appeared at the door at some point and was looking at me with an amused expression. I froze. Ethan took the opportunity to escape. Lucas walked towards me step by step, a smile playing on his lips. He stopped in front of me, slowly bent down to my eye level. “I have a crush on you?” I laughed awkwardly, trying to cover up my panic: “I was just joking with your brother, don’t take it seriously.” But Lucas didn’t let me off. He leaned in slightly, his shadow looming over me. I could smell the faint sandalwood scent on him, mixed with an indescribable masculine aura. Lucas looked at me, the corners of his mouth curling into a barely perceptible smile: “I do have a crush on you.” I thought he was joking and was about to say “Stop messing around”. But he suddenly spoke: “Do you remember that year in freshman year?” [Truncation point] I was stunned. Freshman year? What? I have no memory of it at all. Lucas looked at me and slowly said: “In freshman year, you participated in the campus singing competition and sang ‘Sunny Day’.” “But you went so off-key it was like you were singing to your grandma’s house. The whole school laughed at you.” “Only I sat in the audience, silently applauding for you.” Me: “…?” I looked at him in disbelief: “Are you sure that was me? Not Flora from the next class?” Lucas paused, then burst out laughing: “You’re right, I got it mixed up. It was Flora from the next class.” Me: “…” Seeing Lucas’s shoulders shaking as he tried to hold back laughter, I suddenly understood. This bastard was just messing with me! I took a deep breath. For the money! I’ll endure it! I asked: “So is your uncle willing to give you the company now?” Lucas looked at me, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile as he nodded. My eyes lit up and I immediately hugged his arm, jumping up and down excitedly: “That’s great boss, my sugar mama lifestyle is about to begin!” Lucas looked at me, raising an eyebrow: “What did you call me?” I grinned and let go of his arm. “Boss?” Lucas frowned in displeasure: “$10,000 per word.” Of course I knew what he wanted, but am I the kind of person who only cares about money? I am. “Hubby, hubby, hubby…” My phone notification sounded. [PayPal received $100,000.] This morning, I was woken up by the alarm clock before dawn. I sat up groggily, looked at the clock on the bedside table, and sighed. Last night before bed, Lucas said I needed to iron his clothes in the morning. Of course I didn’t want to do it, but he offered way too much. Money makes the world go round, let alone a workhorse like me. I got out of bed reluctantly and walked to Lucas’s closet. When I opened it, I was dumbfounded. A whole closet full of clothes – shirts, suits, jackets… all kinds of colors and styles. One? More like a million! I stared wide-eyed at the closet full of clothes, unable to hold back a wail: “Lucas you slave driver!” I resignedly picked up the iron and started ironing the clothes one by one. By the fifth piece, I was already drenched in sweat, my arms too sore to lift. I paused, looked at the iron in my hand, and couldn’t help complaining: “Lucas has so many clothes, why doesn’t he just open a clothing store!” As soon as the words left my mouth, a cool voice suddenly came from the doorway. “Good idea, we’ll open one tomorrow.” I was startled and looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway, looking at me with an amused expression. I immediately laughed awkwardly: “Boss, I mean, hubby, I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.” Distracted by talking, I didn’t notice the iron in my hand slip and burn my arm directly. “Ah!” I cried out in pain, quickly throwing down the iron and clutching my arm. Seeing this, Lucas hurriedly came over and grabbed my arm to check the injury. I grimaced in pain, looking at the red patch on my arm, and whined: “It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!” Lucas frowned slightly, turned and went to the bathroom, came out with a towel, wet it and pressed it on my arm. “Cool it down first, I’ll go get some burn ointment.” Who knew Lucas was so good at taking care of people. I couldn’t help teasing: “This is a work injury, boss. You have to compensate me.” Lucas came back with the burn ointment, heard what I said and looked up at me with an amused expression: “Alright, how much do you want?”
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