When I was two, I was abducted. My parents searched for me for eight years. When they came to pick me up, I was working in the fields, wearing tattered clothes, my body covered in bruises. I knew they were ashamed of me, that I wasn’t “presentable,” so I desperately worked to earn money. This year, at twenty, I found a decent boyfriend, and we were talking about marriage. Then I discovered they had secretly arranged an engagement party for my sister and my boyfriend. I stood at the doorway, carrying a tray of dishes, and heard my father tell my boyfriend: “Lily has a low education and won’t amount to much. Sarah is different; she’s young, pretty, elegant, and graduated from a prestigious university. She’s a better fit for you.” My mother beamed at this prospective son-in-law. “A perfect match, they look like they were made for each other!” My boyfriend looked uneasy. “Wouldn’t it be bad if Lily found out?” My mother immediately retorted with disdain: “Lily was away for eight years. Who knows what she went through? I heard girls who are abducted often end up with…” “You understand. Your auntie doesn’t want you to regret it later. You should listen to her.” “What, don’t you think our Sarah is good enough?” My boyfriend knelt on one knee in front of everyone, pulling out the engagement ring meant for me and putting it on Sarah’s hand. In that moment, I no longer wanted this family. 1 I stood at the doorway, as if plunged into an ice cave, the dense, pricking pain in my chest almost suffocating me. After the successful proposal, my parents inside clapped and celebrated joyfully. Immediately after, I received a breakup message from my boyfriend. Fearing that staying one second longer would make me crumble, I handed the tray to a colleague and fled the hotel as if escaping. My parents didn’t come home until ten o’clock that night. As they unlocked the door, they were still happily chattering outside. I took out my bank card, placed it on the table, and spoke directly: “For the past two years since I started working, I’ve sent you ten thousand a month for your retirement. Now that Sarah is here and you don’t need me anymore, please return my money.” My parents’ faces instantly darkened. “What kind of talk is that? Sarah is your sister. Besides, she hasn’t even finished her internship yet. How can she support us in our old age?” “What’s gotten into you, making a fuss in the middle of the night? We raised you for ten years; do you think that came free? We finally got a little back, and now you’re asking for it? How can you be so shameless? Did you learn that from your monstrous foster parents?” I took a deep breath. “Alright, in those ten years, I didn’t attend school for a single day. You only took me back to provide food and lodging. Subtract those expenses, and please return the rest to me.” My father was furious, rushing up to me and pointing, cursing. “Lily Reed, you think you’re so tough now, don’t you? Daring to ask me for money? I’m your father!” I suddenly laughed, and as I laughed, tears streamed down my face. I looked at the empty space behind them. “Where’s Sarah? Didn’t she come back with you?” “Let me guess where she went. Is she perhaps at the hotel, bonding with my boyfriend?” My words hit home, and my mother’s face instantly panicked. “How did you know? You’ve been following us!” “Mom, you forgot. I work three part-time jobs, and one of them is at the hotel you went to tonight.” My voice was utterly calm, but my swollen eyes betrayed all my fragility. Seeing that I knew, my mother no longer bothered to act, sitting casually on the sofa. “Since you know, we won’t hide it anymore. Jayden’s family is very well-off; his parents are retired executives. You’re not good enough for him.” “Even if you married him, you wouldn’t have the ability to keep a man. Rather than letting outsiders benefit, it’s better to give him to your sister.” “Sarah is smarter and prettier than you. In the future, we’ll all be family, and you can still benefit from the Harrison family. No need to give me attitude.” Sarah, Sarah, everything was about Sarah. Since returning home after being found, I had constantly lived under the nightmare of this twin sister. Even though we came from the same womb, just because she had never left home and received a good education, in my parents’ eyes, she was better than me in every way. At first, I thought it was because I grew up in the countryside and hadn’t studied. I wanted to go to school too, but as soon as I brought it up, they immediately vetoed it. They said because of what I had been through, they were afraid I would be ostracized by classmates if I went to school. They also said I was introverted and not suitable for interacting with outsiders. As long as Sarah studied well, and she tutored me, it would have the same effect. I believed their words and studied desperately. But later, I realized that wasn’t it at all. They felt having Sarah as a daughter was enough. And I was an extra presence in this family. Spending a single penny on me was a waste of resources. The neighbor, Mrs. Smith, said my parents gave up looking for me a year after reporting me missing. If the police hadn’t insisted on visiting, perhaps they would never have remembered they had another daughter. Years of grievances accumulated in my heart, completely erupting at this moment. I stood up abruptly. “Mom, you know Sarah and I are sisters. Is there a sister who steals her older sister’s fiancé? Are there parents who encourage their daughter to get into her sister’s fiancé’s bed?” “Since you think Sarah is better than me in everything, can’t I just leave?!” My tearful accusation was met with a heavy slap from my mother. “Who taught you to speak to your mother like that?” “You’ve learned from those monstrous foster parents, it’s utterly disgraceful! With your attitude right now, you’ll never be as good as your sister!” Sarah was interning at a big company, and her internship salary was as high as ten thousand. She never gave money to the family; instead, she occasionally needed help from my parents. My monthly fixed transfer of ten thousand was worthless in their eyes. Thinking of this, my tears completely broke free. I snatched the shopping bag from my mother’s hand and threw it to the ground. My mother’s eyes widened, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. “You… you… you’re absolutely rebellious!” My father picked up an ashtray, ready to smash it on my head. The next second, Sarah opened the door and walked in. Both their faces instantly changed. My mother’s heart no longer hurt, and my father was no longer eager to burst into anger. Doting smiles spilled from their lips, and they quickly stepped forward to take the bags from Sarah’s hands. “How was your time with Jayden? Everything alright?” “Mom always said you were a good match for him. I heard his salary is fifty thousand a month. You’ll definitely have a good life if you marry him!” Sarah blushed and lowered her head. “Mom, nothing’s set in stone yet, what are you talking about?” “Oh, by the way, these are things Jayden insisted on giving you. He said he was in a hurry to meet today and didn’t prepare any gifts, so he’s making up for it.” “You were right, Mom, Jayden even wants to give me two hundred eighty thousand dollars for the betrothal gift!” My parents were overjoyed. Sarah then noticed me in the room. Her expression was conflicted. “Sis… you know everything?” Tears welled in her eyes, still the same familiar fragile look from before. “I didn’t mean to. Actually, Jayden just said he didn’t really want to marry you, that’s why Mom and Dad thought of me…” “Please don’t be mad at me, okay?” I was momentarily stunned. “He said that himself?” “Yes, last time I accidentally went to his company to deliver a contract. He thought I was you, and when he found out I wasn’t, he said he wanted to treat me to dinner.” “He knows about your eight years away from home, and he also said…” “He said his parents didn’t want a daughter-in-law who hadn’t been to school, but he didn’t know how to break up with you.” I felt my heart being torn apart bit by bit, then rebuilt in shattered pieces. I smiled, a look uglier than crying. My mother rolled her eyes, her disdain undisguised. “What did I say? The man isn’t blind. He was just interested in you for a while for dating, but how could he choose you for marriage?” “If I hadn’t introduced Sarah to him, the duck in our mouth would have flown away!” “And you still have the nerve to be angry with me? You don’t even know who’s looking out for your best interests!” Sarah, her eyes red, came over and pulled at me. “Sis, if you really like Jayden, how about after we get married, you secretly pretend to be me and meet him? I don’t mind. We’re sisters.” From childhood to adulthood, I don’t know how many times I’d seen her like this. No matter what she coveted, as long as she said she wanted to buy it for me, as compensation for those eight years. The next day, my parents would buy it and give it to her. She got the benefits, and she got the reputation for being sweet. But I, crying and making a scene, became the malicious one in my parents’ eyes. I smiled, and said softly: “No need. Anyway, after tonight, this family will only have one daughter.” “You won’t have to act pitiful anymore.” I turned back to pack my bags. Sarah’s face instantly changed. “Mom, what’s going on? Is she leaving?” “What about my ten thousand allowance?” “Quick, think of something!” My father snorted coldly. “Not only is that ten thousand gone, but she also wants back what she gave us before!” “What kind of debtor did I give birth to! If I had known this day would come, I’d rather have left her in the countryside her whole life!” The three talked outside the door for a long time. When I finished packing, my parents seemed like different people. My mother carried a plate of sweet and sour ribs to me, coaxing, “Lily, you must be tired from work today, huh? Did something upset you at work that made you angry with us?” “Just now, Mom and Dad spoke too harshly. Don’t take it to heart.” “But you know, Mom, Dad, and your sister are the closest people to you in this world. We would never harm you!” I stared coldly at the plate of food. “Mom, actually, I really hate eating meat.” “Every time I eat it, I have to throw up in the bathroom for three hours.” “Do you know why?” My mother’s smile froze. “Why? You never told Mom about this.” “Because ten years ago, they didn’t give me food. I was starving to death, so I had to catch bugs in the dirt, and mice in the house.” My voice was calm, as if telling someone else’s story. My father’s face immediately darkened. “Eat it or don’t eat it, leave her alone!” Sarah glared at him fiercely, then turned and smiled at me. “Sis, if you don’t like it, we won’t make it at home anymore. Mom means well, you can’t make her sad, can you?” “What happened before is in the past. Bringing it up now, aren’t you just deliberately twisting the knife in Mom and Dad’s hearts?” I looked back at her. “Sarah, do you know how disgusting your acting is?” “Are you done? If so, please move aside. I’ll be working overtime tonight to sort out the bills. Then the money will be transferred to my card.” With that, I turned to leave. My mother suddenly squatted on the ground, crying inconsolably. “You’ve finally come home, and now that you’ve grown up, you’re leaving? What am I supposed to do!” “You’re my own flesh and blood. How could I not love you? It’s impossible to treat everyone perfectly equally, but I’ve tried my best, and you’re still not satisfied. If it comes to it, just take my life!” I paused, feeling an overwhelming weariness. “What would I do with your life? You don’t owe me, and I don’t owe you anymore.” “It’s fine this way, just our family.” My mother’s eyes darted, and she actually knelt down before me. “After all that, aren’t you just blaming me for introducing Jayden to Sarah?” “Alright, I was wrong, your mom was wrong! I’ll kowtow to you, beg you to forgive me this once. If you want to get married, tomorrow I’ll pay ten thousand to a matchmaking agency, put all my retirement savings into it. As long as a rich man is willing to take you, you two can get married immediately, I won’t say another word!” My mother kowtowed very forcefully, and blood immediately seeped from her forehead. My father stood up abruptly, pointing and accusing me. “Do you see? Are you trying to force your own mother to die?” “If that’s not enough, your mom and I will kowtow to you together. Giving birth to you was all our fault!” Saying this, he also knelt down. Sarah, sobbing pitifully from the side, choked out: “Sis, I know you don’t like me. After I get married, I’ll move out and never compete with you for Mom and Dad’s affection again, just please don’t leave.” “They really miss you. You don’t know how they lived during those eight years…” I numbly pulled out a photo album from the drawer. Before they came home, I had wanted to take my own photos. But opening it, I found only warm family photos of the three of them. Not a single picture of me. I pointed to their photo at the beach. “Are you talking about these eight years?” I then pointed to their photo of catching dolls. “Or this one?” “It was indeed very sad. I can see, extreme sorrow giving way to extreme joy.” Their faces were grim, they exchanged glances, but for a long moment couldn’t find an excuse to make me stay. Seeing through their expressions, I suddenly laughed, my face cold. Truly a family, even their malicious calculations were identical. My father’s phone suddenly rang. After he answered, a voice immediately congratulated him.

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I finally got my table next to hers, the deep-hearted secondary female lead. As I was moving the desk, the main male character suddenly rushed up and hugged her. “It’s so good to see you again. This time, I’ll protect you!” Bullet comments flashed wildly across the screen: [Last life, the male lead chose the wrong girl. Luckily, he’s reborn and will fiercely pursue his wife!] [LOL, the male lead doesn’t even need to chase. A smile will make the deep-hearted secondary female lead willingly surrender.] [In contrast, Ethan is a joke. He took a hit for her just to sit at the same table.] Jessica’s face was grim, but she let Christopher embrace her tightly. “Tell me, what do you want me to do for you this time?” “Write love letters for her? Or give up my competition spot for her?” The boy shook his head hard, crying in a way that tugged at your heartstrings. “I just want to be with you!” Jessica froze. After a long moment, she turned to me and said, “Let’s not move the table for now.” I suddenly lost interest and summoned the System. “See? It was never me who could save her. So, can you let me go home now?” 1 I was moving my desk to the back row when Christopher was confessing. He stopped Fiona, who had just returned to the classroom, holding a large bouquet of roses. Bright and flamboyant, just like him. Before he could speak, Fiona said coolly, “Whatever you do, it’s useless. I don’t like you.” Christopher froze, his face pale. A few seconds later, he suddenly looked around as if startled. When he saw the date on the electronic clock on the wall, his eyes widened. The next second, he pushed through the crowd and rushed over. Carrying the scent of roses, he enveloped Jessica in a hug, filled with the joy of rediscovery, tears streaming down his face. “It’s good to see you again!” “This time, I won’t let you… I’ll protect you!” Jessica stared at Christopher in astonishment, her hands hovering in mid-air, unsure where to put them. Everyone was stunned. Bullet comments flashed wildly before my eyes: [Last life, Fiona married Christopher but then fell for someone else, breaking Christopher’s heart and leaving him to die of sorrow.] [It’s a shame Christopher never looked back at the shy, deeply devoted secondary female lead, Jessica. She rushed into a fire to save him without a second thought, but got her face disfigured. After being discharged, she avoided Christopher but secretly protected him.] [The most heartbreaking part was the car accident! Christopher, after arguing with Fiona, ran a red light in a fit of emotion. It was Jessica who rushed from across the street to push him away, getting hit by a truck herself. Christopher cried hysterically, begging her not to die.] [Thinking about that just breaks my heart! Jessica never once said she loved him, but she gave her all for Christopher, boo hoo hoo.] [Thank goodness Christopher is reborn. This life, he’s going to fiercely pursue her and suffer a karmic retribution! As for Fiona, get lost!] [But Fiona’s reaction to Christopher’s confession shouldn’t be like this. Could she also be reborn?] The students watching started to jeer. “Christopher, did you get the wrong person? Weren’t you supposed to confess to Fiona?” “Exactly! You just got rejected by Fiona and now you’re switching targets?” “Doesn’t Ethan like Jessica? Tch, a love square?” Sarcastic gazes rotated among us. Jessica’s face was grim. I knew she was heartbroken that Christopher was rejected and mocked, and jealous that Fiona could possess his passionate affection. Christopher and Fiona were a perfect match, socially speaking. As for Jessica, she was just the child of Christopher’s housekeeper and driver. Plus, with her parents deceased, the Sterling family gave her a monthly allowance out of pity. 2 Christopher had always treated Jessica with condescending commands. He’d command her to give her only umbrella to Fiona during a rainstorm, forcing her to walk home drenched. He’d command her to give her late-night study notes to Fiona, and if Fiona didn’t want them, he’d tear them up in a huff. He’d command her to skip a test, giving Fiona the top spot in their grade. So Jessica didn’t take Christopher’s words seriously. She just pursed her lips and asked with a hint of self-mockery: “What do you want me to do for you this time?” “Write love letters for her? Or give up my competition spot for her?” Christopher’s voice was tearful but exceptionally clear, sincere and firm: “I want you—to be with me!” “It’s okay if you don’t believe me now; we have plenty of time! I’ll make you believe!” With that, Christopher turned and glared at me. “Get lost!” He pushed me aside, grabbed the desk I had just moved, and shoved it hard to the side. The wooden desk scraped against the floor with a grating sound, ending up next to the trash can. Then he ran back to get his own desk and merged it with Jessica’s. “From today on, your only deskmate can be me!” He lifted his chin proudly, his eyes shining as he looked at her. Jessica remained frozen throughout. She turned her head helplessly, avoiding his scorching gaze, but her eyes met mine. After a long moment, Jessica spoke: “Let’s… not move the table for now.” I summoned the System. “See? It was never me who could save her. So, can you let me go home now?” I was living perfectly fine in my original world when I was suddenly bound to the System. It said I was the only one who could save the deep-hearted secondary female lead. Only by helping her avoid disfigurement and death could I return home. Jessica was a cold-hearted person, always sitting alone at the back of the classroom, a loner. The only warmth she showed was to the male lead, Christopher. She loathed my persistent approaches, always telling me to get lost in a cold voice. Until last week, she was cornered, and an iron rod was aimed straight for the back of her head. Without thinking, I took the hit for her. That was the first time I saw Jessica’s expression change. She knelt on the ground, trembling, her voice fragmented. “Who told you to meddle?!” The rod hit my back. Fortunately, with the System, the injury wasn’t too severe. While Jessica was taking care of me in the hospital, I seized the opportunity to ask to be her deskmate. She looked very reluctant, frowning but agreeing. Yet, the deskmate status I earned with my blood, Christopher achieved with just a few tears. I continued to negotiate with the System. “Now that Christopher is reborn, he won’t let Jessica get hurt. I’m completely unnecessary here.” The System’s cold, mechanical voice replied: [We apologize for this unexpected situation. You indeed no longer need to remain here. According to regulations, you may choose a death node to return to your original world.] I’ve been here for nearly three years, and I have teachers and classmates who are very kind to me. The college entrance exam is less than a week away. If I were to suddenly die, it might affect them. I didn’t want that to happen. “After the exam.” [Understood.] 3 Having been violently pushed by Christopher and slammed into the wall, a dull ache spread from the wound on my back. I couldn’t help but wince. Suddenly, a painkiller was offered to me. Fiona pointed to my back. “Your wound has opened up. Do you need to go to the infirmary now?” Even an irrelevant person noticed something was wrong, but Jessica seemed completely unaware. In just a few minutes. Jessica’s desk was already adorned with books and a thermos that weren’t hers. A cartoon couple’s bracelet adorned her pale wrist, a stark contrast to her cold demeanor. Christopher’s school jacket was draped over her shoulders. In Christopher’s hand was the lunch I had prepared for Jessica. Christopher took a bite, then gagged and spit it out, tossing the lunchbox away. “My dog wouldn’t even eat this! No wonder you’re so thin. From now on, you’ll eat with me!” Jessica stared blankly at the lunchbox in the trash can. She didn’t say a word. I left the classroom and went to the school infirmary to get my back re-bandaged. When I returned, school was already out, and only Fiona remained in the classroom. My desk had been moved next to hers. Fiona calmly explained, “My old deskmate was Christopher. He moved, so I moved your desk here.” Without having to pursue Jessica, it didn’t matter where I sat. Fiona said, “It’s getting dark. How about I walk you home?” I didn’t want to get entangled with the original female lead and was about to refuse when. Jessica’s cold voice echoed from the doorway. “No need. I’ll walk him home.” 4 Jessica lived in a distant shantytown. For the sake of the mission, I became her neighbor, forcibly trailing behind her to and from school, talking to her incessantly along the way. When she got too annoyed, she’d put on her earphones right in front of me. But I was relentless. I talked about everything: how the school’s white cat had six kittens, how the sweet and sour pork at the cafeteria was too salty, my dream university, wanting a teddy bear for my birthday, even how many times I went to the restroom that day. Each time, Jessica would turn to glare at me, her usually cold face flushed. “Why, why are you telling me all this?” I asked slowly, “Didn’t you put on your earphones? Can you still hear me talk?” Jessica walked on, head down, trying to widen the distance. I caught up and asked loudly, “Is it really annoying?” Without waiting for her answer, I sighed and murmured to myself: “Do you know? People only want to talk when they feel happy.” “I like you, I really like you, you know. I feel happy when I’m around you, that’s why I want to talk.” “I hope one day you can talk a lot to me too.” My shining eyes burned her, and she turned her head away, but she took off her earphones. Still, she wouldn’t wait for me, remaining silent. Back then, I thought it was a distant dream for her to actively wait for me to walk home and chatter incessantly. I never expected it to come true today. The cicadas buzzed in the summer air. But they couldn’t drown out Jessica’s incessant chatter: “I didn’t expect Christopher to be my deskmate. It’s probably just a whim of his; he’ll move back in a few days, and then I’ll be your deskmate.” “He’s not as arrogant as he seems. His hands were red from moving the desk, but he still insisted he was fine.” “He said a lot of strange things today, that he dreamed I would die saving him later. I find it funny; does he really think I’m that foolish?” … It was rare. This was the first time Jessica had spoken so much to me, and it was all because of another boy. She chattered on for a long time, every word, every sentence, about Christopher. Until we were almost at the alley entrance, she suddenly stopped and asked me, “Why aren’t you talking today?” I wanted to ask her: What can I say? What should I say? But what came out was: Jessica paused, caught off guard. Before she could speak, the sound of a car door opening echoed from a distance. Christopher bounced out of the car and put an arm around Jessica’s shoulder. “From now on, I’ll walk her home. No need to trouble you, outsider!” Before he could finish, Jessica suddenly interrupted, “He’s not an outsider.” Everyone froze. Jessica seemed surprised by her own words. She pursed her lips as if regretting them, then told me, “You should go home first.” The hot summer wind wrapped around my face, making me feel stifled. Behind me, a girl’s anxious voice called out: “It’s a shantytown here. It’s not safe at night. You should go home.” She carefully escorted Christopher back to his car, leaving me alone in the dark. Christopher was right, after all. The deep-hearted secondary female lead firmly loved the male lead, yet the System insisted I save her. In this relationship, in this world, I was always an outsider. 5 In the morning, I received a message from Jessica: [I have something to do today and took the day off. You don’t have to wait for me for school.] When I got to the classroom, I found both Jessica and Christopher’s seats empty. Fiona noticed my gaze and voluntarily explained, “Today is Christopher’s birthday. He said Jessica went with him to buy birthday presents.” So, what Jessica called ‘having something to do’ meant buying presents. She was a very studious person. She once caught a fever of 102 degrees from the rain, but still refused to take the day off, enduring through her classes. When I was hospitalized with injuries, she didn’t take time off either, only coming to accompany me after school. Now, this person who valued her studies above all else, would, less than a week before her final exams. Take a day off for something as trivial as a present. But then again, Christopher’s birthday, in Jessica’s eyes, how could it be a small matter? Jessica didn’t return to school all day. I walked home alone. As soon as I entered the door, I heard a knock. The moment I opened it, a half-human-sized teddy bear filled my vision. Its round belly blocked the person behind it. The next second, the teddy bear was gently moved aside. Jessica’s face peeked out from behind, her nose tip red from the cold. “Happy birthday.” I froze. It was only then that I remembered today was also my birthday. But how did Jessica know? Seeing my bewildered look, Jessica curved her eyes into a smile. “Did you forget? You told me your birthday was today.” “You also said you always wanted a teddy bear because when you were little, you were afraid of the dark and couldn’t sleep all night. You wanted a big teddy bear to keep you company, but the orphanage didn’t have spare money.” I had indeed told her that on the way home from school. But at the time, she was wearing earphones, and I thought she couldn’t hear me, let alone remember. Jessica extended her right hand. Her fingertips were swollen and red, with shallow scratches. “I worked washing dishes at a restaurant on the weekend to save up. At first, I was clumsy and broke several bowls, so some money was deducted. Otherwise, I could have bought you a bigger one…” I was a bit surprised. She actually used her study time to work a dirty and tiring kitchen job. Jessica, both nervous and expectant, pushed the soft teddy bear into my hands. [Folks, I’m dying of laughter. Is the male supporting character moved?] [If he knew that this bear was actually meant for Christopher, but the young master, being accustomed to luxury, found it distasteful, so Jessica gave it to him instead, what would his reaction be?] I took a step back, and the teddy bear fell to the ground, getting covered in dust. “I don’t want it.” Jessica’s hand froze in mid-air, her face turning pale. She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, just a soft “Hmm.” She paused, then asked, “Did anything happen at school today? Tell me about it…” I cut her off. “No.” Then I closed the door, leaving her and the bear outside. 6 The next day was Saturday, and I was preparing to move all my school books home. Just as I stepped out into the alley, Christopher blocked my path. He looked me up and down. “Why are you always clinging to Jessica? I’ve never seen you before.” I had no intention of getting entangled with him and turned to walk around. Christopher snapped his fingers. Several people emerged from the alley entrance, holding sticks, blocking the way completely. Christopher walked up to me, looking down. “Did Jessica give you a bear?” “She wanted to give it to me, but I found it a bit distasteful, so she gave it to you instead.” I looked at him calmly. “So?” Christopher’s lips curled into a disdainful smile. “So you should give the bear back to me. It’s the first gift she bought with her own money from working, and it rightfully belongs to me! An orphan like you, no one wants, you don’t deserve her affection!” The word “orphan” felt like a bucket of ice water, drenching me. I had only told Jessica about my background. About how dark the nights were at the orphanage, how much I envied other children who received toys from their parents. I had explicitly told her not to tell anyone. Christopher’s smile deepened. “What? Did I hit a nerve? Well, someone like you has probably never received a gift from anyone, right?” I clenched my fists, took a deep breath. “Move.” Christopher not only didn’t retreat but, with a triumphant air, stepped closer, almost pressing against my ear. “I’ve already messaged Jessica. Who do you think she’ll choose?” Before he finished speaking, hurried footsteps sounded, and Jessica’s figure suddenly appeared at the alley entrance. Christopher immediately cried out and lunged forward. At the same time, two boys simultaneously raised their iron rods. One whistled through the air, aimed at my back, the other pointed directly at Christopher’s cheek. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Jessica’s pupils contracted sharply, and she lunged towards Christopher. A tearing pain shot through my back, and cold sweat instantly drenched my school uniform. Jessica looked down to check on Christopher, her voice filled with an urgency I’d never heard before. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” Christopher held her hand and shook his head, looking wronged, but his eyes peeked over her shoulder at me, a triumphant smile on his lips. I stared at Jessica’s back, suddenly remembering what she had said in the hospital after I took a hit for her last time: “Don’t ever rush in front of me again. I should be the one protecting you.” Turns out, that protection came with priorities. The person she wanted to protect had always been Christopher. My vision began to blur. Darkness, like a tidal wave, surged and completely enveloped me. Before losing consciousness, I saw Jessica’s shocked and flustered expression, as if she wanted to run towards me. I summoned the System: “Get me out of this world.”

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I became the villainess and the System gave me a mission: to make both twin male leads fall in love with me at the same time. They were pure, unadulterated psychos! Even if the System wasn’t wiped out, those two would happily send me straight to my grave. I decided to just give up, walked into a club, picked two male models, and decided to have some fun before I died. After a night of heavy drinking, I woke up stunned. When did the male models turn into the male leads? On my left, my brother leaned in close, “My dearest fiancée, did you enjoy playing with me?” On my right, my brother wrapped his arm around my waist, “Sister-in-law, were those paid men as good as me?” My breathing hitched. I tried hard to remember. Ugh, I think I blacked out. So… who exactly did I sleep with? 1 I woke up groggily, feeling warmth on both sides of me. My body stiffened, and I slowly turned my head to the right. A face of exquisite beauty was suddenly magnified before me. I gasped, then tremblingly looked to the other side, where an identical handsome face was nestled on my shoulder. My pupils dilated in shock, blood rushing to my head. Oh my god! These two… they’re the twin male leads the System told me to conquer! Why were they lying naked beside me? Their necks and abs were covered in hickeys, clearly indicating some intimate activity. And me, the villainess of this novel, how did I end up lying between them? Did I… sleep with both of them? “Finally decided to wake up.” A hoarse, cold laugh suddenly came from my left. My scalp tingled as I met Julian’s terrifying eyes. He gripped my neck, leaning closer. “My dearest fiancée, did you enjoy playing with me?” I smiled, looking worse than crying. “Should I… be enjoying myself?” My waist suddenly felt heavy, and I was pulled into an embrace, a scorching chest pressing against my back. “Sister-in-law, were those wild men you paid for as good as me?” Their words were so ambiguously intimate, I felt faint just listening to them. “If I said I blacked out, would you believe me?” 2 Last night, I transmigrated into an old-fashioned, dramatic romance novel. I was the villainess, obsessed with the elder twin brother. In a year, these two twisted brothers would gouge out my eyes and take my kidneys to save the female lead. And that damned transmigration system told me: My mission was to make both twin brothers’ affection for me reach 100% within a year, or else I’d be eliminated. I shivered, remembering their cruel methods. This was an impossible mission. Since I was going to die anyway, I might as well die comfortably. I grabbed the original owner’s platinum card and rushed to a top-tier nightclub, ordered two escorts, but got too drunk. My memory was fragmented. I vaguely remembered going to the restroom midway, coming back, and then dragging them to a hotel room. So, who exactly did I sleep with? Julian? Adrian? Or in turns… Or together… In the novel, their characters were described as two extremely twisted sociopaths who enjoyed sharing everything, including people. There seemed to be some hidden settings, which the System said I needed to discover myself. But I was already resigned to death and couldn’t be bothered with its nonsense. But now, whether it was one or both, I was completely screwed. The more I thought about it, the more I broke down, screaming internally. “System, what exactly did I do last night, and who did I sleep with? Tell me now!” System: [This system has built-in privacy protection. The footage here is pixelated and cannot be verified.] Heh, what good are you?! 3 “Blacking out is good.” Adrian narrowed his eyes, smiling as he leaned in to kiss me. “If you blacked out, sister-in-law, you’ll just have to accept me too. I’m willing to be your… companion.” Julian forcefully slapped Adrian’s face. “Show some respect. She’s your future sister-in-law.” Adrian looked utterly wronged. “Why be so stingy? We’re lying in the same bed now, aren’t we family? Can’t the three of us just live happily together?” He even deliberately showed off the bite marks I’d left on him. “Brother, look, sister-in-law left me a mark. You don’t have one.” “Oh, she’s my fiancée.” “…” Julian’s expression was cold as he threw back the covers and got out of bed. I unexpectedly saw the large claw marks on his back and covered my face. He calmly stepped over the scattered clothes on the floor, glancing at me. “Ten minutes. Clean yourself up and get out of bed.” With that, he walked into the bathroom without looking back. Through the frosted glass, his tall and imposing figure was faintly visible. The sound of water began, leaving only me and Adrian, half-reclining on the bed, in the room. I sat stiffly in place, not even daring to breathe too loudly. As expected of an old-fashioned novel, the male leads had no shame! Adrian rested his head on one hand, playing with my hair with amused interest. “Sister-in-law, is my brother more handsome, or am I?” I flinched back in fright. “Stay away from me.” Adrian’s smile didn’t fade. “You weren’t like this last night. You were very passionate with me, you really liked me.” I cautiously asked, “So yesterday, was it with you, or with… both of you?” “Last night…” He deliberately drew out his words, keeping me in suspense. Seeing how nervous I was, his smile widened. “You got drunk and insisted on taking me home to sleep, and you also forced my brother…” “And then that’s how it happened.” I felt he was making things up, but I had no proof. Just as I meekly tried to defend myself, the System’s prompt sounded in my mind again. [Beep! Detected strong emotional fluctuations from Julian…] [Beep! Detected strong emotional fluctuations from Adrian…] [Overall assessment in progress…] [Congratulations, Host! Both conquest targets’ affection values have simultaneously reached 100%! Mission complete!] [Mission rewards issued: Host’s elimination crisis removed, permanent residency in this world granted.] [This is a fictional world. As the villainess, please ensure your survival and keep yourself safe.] [System service concluded. Wishing you a pleasant life and a long one!] I was completely dumbfounded. How did the mission get completed? Did we really fall in love after sleeping together? Also, what did “keep yourself safe” mean? Would I have other dangers? 4 Julian came out wrapped in a bath towel, calmly putting on his suit right in front of me. He quickly reverted to his untouchable CEO persona from the novel. Noticing my dazed expression, he didn’t even glance at Adrian on the bed, walking directly to my side. “Still not out of bed.” His tone was intimidating. I scrambled up, but accidentally stumbled. Adrian instinctively tried to help me. I quickly grabbed Julian. “Fiancé, I… my legs are weak.” He looked at my chest with a cold face. “Flirting with me won’t work. The full reckoning must be settled.” I looked down to find myself completely naked, let out a scream, and rushed into the bathroom, enduring the discomfort. Seeing the woman in the mirror, my lips trembled in fright. My lips were swollen and red, and my neck downwards was covered in marks, a truly gruesome sight. Anyone with a bit of imagination would know how fierce the battle was last night. I tremblingly turned on the shower, and the warm water streamed down, but it couldn’t wash away my desire to die. I dawdled for an hour before coming out. Adrian was sitting on the bed playing with his phone, and Julian was standing at the foot of the bed talking on the phone. Hearing the movement, both of them looked up at me simultaneously, their gazes like knives. I huddled in my bathrobe, not daring to look up, inching towards where my torn dress lay. Julian, however, stepped on the hem of my dress. I gave a slight tug. “…I should go.” Adrian looked utterly shocked. “Sister-in-law, didn’t I satisfy you yet? Are you going to look for those other men? Are they really that good?” “No, I’m going home!” I explained. He grinned, a brilliant smile. “This is your home. Where else do you want to go?” I wished I could find a hole to crawl into. Julian stared at me with heavy eyes. “Let’s talk.” Adrian shyly interjected, “Indeed, we need to discuss how sister-in-law will be fair with her affections in the future.” I stumbled in shock, grabbing the wall for support. “Please, stop this! My small frame can’t handle such blessings!” Adrian was about to speak again, but Julian gave him a warning glare. He shrugged, saying nothing more, but his gaze made me extremely nervous. It was as if he was undressing me piece by piece with his eyes. Julian’s eyes were cold. “Celeste Song, whether yesterday was an accident or your deliberate plan…” “It was an accident!” I held up three fingers. “I swear, I just wanted to sleep with two male escorts, I absolutely never thought of looking for you two!” The air instantly froze. Both of them stared at me, their gazes terrifying, making me swallow hard. “Regardless, what happened has happened. Your engagement to me was also arranged by our elders, and it must continue.” Julian looked at Adrian. “As for him, just consider him a toy. You played with him, now keep your distance from now on.” Wait, is my fiancé really this generous? Adrian protested indignantly, “What do you mean, ‘played with’? Am I some cheap thing?” A vein throbbed on Julian’s temple. “If you hadn’t provoked her first, would she have made a mistake?” Adrian pouted. “Grandpa said we should compete fairly.” “He didn’t say compete in bed!” Julian almost couldn’t maintain his persona. After his emotions settled slightly, he looked at me. “From today on, we’ll live in your house. You’ll sleep in the master bedroom with me. He’ll stay in the guest room. Your curfew is 8 PM.” “Why?” Adrian and I asked in unison. He complained indignantly, “The master bedroom bed is so big, it can clearly fit all three of us!” “Because Celeste Song is my future wife.” 5 Julian was a man of his word, moving into my house with force. In the walk-in closet, as he organized the original owner’s sexy clothes, he picked up a lace bra strap, his face expressionless, and warned me. “These, you’re only allowed to wear for me from now on.” “I disagree!” Adrian, who had broken in at some point, his eyes gleaming, said, “Sister-in-law, I want to see too~” “Get out.” Julian slammed the closet door shut. “Your sister-in-law and I have things to discuss.” Adrian waved his hand reluctantly. “Alright, sister-in-law, see you later.” The room fell silent, the air growing thin. He broke the silence first. “I need to keep Adrian settled, let him stay for a while, but for the sake of both our families’ reputations, you need to stay away from him.” Seeing my silence, he nudged me. “Speak up!” “Ow.” Julian was clearly displeased. He pinched my chin, forcing me to look up. “So unwilling? Have you really fallen for him?” I angrily slapped his hand away. “Why would I like him!” The chill in Julian’s eyes receded slightly. “You’d better not.” “I don’t like you either.” He said calmly, “Celeste Song, I will be your husband in the future. Our relationship is set.” “You need to try to accept me, otherwise you’ll only make yourself miserable.” Then he asked very seriously, “What kind of man do you like? I can try to change for you.” “I like them ‘hot’.” The words almost slipped out. Julian stiffened. “‘Hot’? ‘Hot’ what?” The CEO’s brain seemed to have suddenly malfunctioned. I sized him up, imagining him naked, seducing me like a male vixen. I felt a strange thrill. Julian seemed to sense my mischievous gaze and looked away. “I’ve noted that. Come downstairs for dinner once you’re ready.” He abruptly pulled open the door and left, but stopped after two steps. “I’ll study up first. You can test me tonight.” Watching him leave, I stood there, stunned, and patted my flushed cheeks. “Discussing ‘hot’ with a CEO in all seriousness… who could handle that?” 6 That evening, the atmosphere at the dining table was bizarre. Julian dined elegantly, yet his eyes kept darting towards me. Each time I looked back, his face would flush a little more. My mind was full of his promises to me, and I ate somewhat distractedly. Adrian, who arrived a moment later, noticed my absentmindedness and curiously leaned in. “Why is your face so red? Did you secretly ‘eat’ my brother behind my back?” Julian’s face darkened. “Adrian, sit farther away. Mind your manners.” Unexpectedly, he ignored the warning and hugged me, rubbing his face against my shoulder. “No, I want to stay by sister-in-law’s side.” Julian’s gaze turned dangerous. “I won’t say it a second time.” Only then did he reluctantly sit up straight. “Sister-in-law doesn’t even dislike me, why are you so angry?” He was too close, his alluring scent directly assailing my nostrils. “What perfume are you wearing?” Adrian’s eyes lit up. “Do you like it?” “It’s alright,” I said, feeling a little weak in the knees from the scent, “but…” “Snap!” Julian abruptly put down his chopsticks, glaring at Adrian with a cold expression. “Get out!” Adrian stood up irritably. “Alright, fine, I’m leaving. You’re just relying on having a title, tch!” He took two steps back and blew me a kiss. “Sister-in-law, I’ll sneak into your room tonight.” 7 These two once-close brothers suddenly at odds, was it truly as the System said, their affection for me had reached 100%? It was late, and I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, my mind consumed by this. Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and I instantly tensed up. Who was it? Julian or Adrian? Footsteps gradually approached, and a pleasant scent filled the air. Such a flamboyant scent, it had to be Adrian. Feeling the mattress sink, I secretly peeked out from under the covers, wanting to see what he was up to. By the faint moonlight filtering through the window, I slowly widened my eyes. It wasn’t Adrian, it was Julian! He was wearing only an extremely thin bathrobe. It was so thin, it was practically transparent. The bathrobe accentuated his waistline, as well as his strong, broad chest and abs. You could even faintly see his long legs and… My face immediately burned, and my breathing became erratic. Julian sensed my gaze and shyly turned his head away. “I’m learning slowly. This is how it is for tonight, are you satisfied?” “Satisfied…” “Hmm, I’m a quick learner, and I’ve researched a lot.” His voice trembled slightly, and my heart fluttered along with it. “How’s the nightwear? If you don’t like it, you must tell me so I can correct it promptly.” He asked very seriously, “If you have a particularly preferred style, I can wear it for you.” Julian’s throat worked hard, and he carefully leaned in, kissing the back of my neck. “Just wait for me a little longer. I should soon be able to… get ‘hot’ for you effortlessly.” I was struck by lightning! That shameful phrase echoed repeatedly in my mind. How could he say he’d get “hot” with such an innocent expression? I burrowed deeper into the covers, practically a screaming chicken internally. This guy was a pro; I was no match for him at all! I absolutely fell for this act, and hard! After a while, he softly asked, “I’m being so good. Does my fiancée want to reward me?” “Huh? Reward what?” He flipped over me, pinning my hands above my head. “Tonight, just me, okay?” Hiss-gasp! “…Okay.”

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“You bastard…” I gasped out when I learned my first love was secretly entering an arranged marriage, I fled north that same night. But he found me, brought me back to his Hong Kong villa, and kept me there for three days. The pool, the balcony, the garage—everywhere bore traces of our obsession. I cried until my voice gave out, but he only grew more intense. Finally, gripping my waist with bloodshot eyes, he pleaded, “Isabelle, please don’t leave me.” I pushed him away, weak but firm. “If you’ve chosen an arranged marriage, I won’t be your hidden mistress.” Five relentless years later, Sebastian rose to power over North Harbor, divorced immediately, and knelt before me. “Isabelle, I had no choice back then. Now, I’ll never let you suffer again.” For three years of marriage, he doted on me endlessly—racing across districts at midnight for wontons I craved, canceling meetings to kneel with me at my parents’ memorial. Everyone said Boss Sterling treasured his wife above all. Then, one night, I overheard his confidant joke, “Heard Amy’s pregnant again? You’re even more efficient there than in business!” Sebastian took a drag of his cigarette and laughed softly. “Isabelle is too proper in bed. Amy… she knows how to play.” In the dim light, I stared blankly at the positive pregnancy test in my hand, then turned to schedule an abortion. … The laughter was like a sharp blade piercing through my heart. I stood frozen, like a hollow puppet, until the waiter carefully asked, “Mrs. Sterling, you look very pale. Shall I call Boss Sterling for you?” I snapped back to reality, my voice dry. “Don’t tell him I was here.” I left the club in a daze, and that very night, I drafted the divorce agreement. The next day, as I pushed open Sebastian’s study door with the documents, he was on the phone, his tone unusually gentle. Seeing me, he immediately put away his phone. “Isabelle?” He smiled and pulled me closer. “Why the sudden visit? Did you miss me?” Catching sight of the documents in my hand, his eyes held a hint of indulgence. “Do you want to buy jewelry again? Just take money from the account, no need to show it to me specifically.” I looked at his usual gentle demeanor, about to speak. “No, it’s for the divo…” The word “divorce” hadn’t even left my lips when a subordinate suddenly burst in. “Boss Sterling! Ms. Thorne is downstairs, says you’re not answering her calls, and wants you to come down immediately! Otherwise, she’ll go find other men!” Sebastian’s face changed drastically. He grabbed his jacket and headed out. “Isabelle, I have an urgent matter. You wait here for me!” He left in such a hurry that his shoulder bumped me, sending me stumbling. My side hit the corner of the mahogany desk hard. A sharp pain made my vision go black. I barely managed to stand, waiting in the study for three hours. Until my phone lit up with a post from his old friend: [Only Amy has the guts! Making Boss Sterling himself kneel to put on her shoes!] In the photo, Sebastian was indeed kneeling on one knee, carefully tying Amy’s high heel straps. Everything had an answer. I no longer needed to wait. I walked out and hailed a car directly to the private hospital. On the operating table, the doctor frowned at my medical record. “Mrs. Sterling, you’re expecting twins. Are you really not going to reconsider?” I shook my head, touching my lower abdomen for the last time with reluctance. “They… came at the wrong time.” The surgery quickly ended. When I opened my eyes again, the heavy tugging sensation in my lower abdomen was gone. I suppressed the sting in my nose and slowly walked out of the hospital. Just as I reached the entrance, I ran straight into Sebastian, who was rushing in. He grabbed my wrist. “Isabelle, why didn’t you wait for me last night?” “I signed the document you left in the study and put it in the bedroom. The bodyguard said you came to the hospital. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” His brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes full of concern. But I no longer had the strength to feign anything, calmly pulling my hand away. “It’s nothing, just treating a back injury.” Only then did he remember bumping into me last night, his face filled with regret. He reached out to touch my waist. “I’m sorry, I was in such a hurry then…” Before he could finish, a seductive female voice cut in. “Boss Sterling, quite the mood you’re in, pulling your wife around in broad daylight. Do you need me to sponsor something, send you two to get a room?” Amy, in a tight spaghetti-strap dress, showcased her graceful figure. Behind her followed a group of men in suits, exuding an extraordinary aura, surrounding her like a moon amongst stars. Sebastian’s hand, hanging by his side, suddenly clenched. He asked coldly, “Amy, what are you doing here?” “What am I doing?” She raised her red lips, her finger lifting the chin of a handsome man next to her. “I’m here for my prenatal check-up, since the baby’s father isn’t around, I have to find someone to accompany me, don’t I?” She glanced at me, her smile deepening. “Boss Sterling, you should worry less about me and spend more time with Mrs. Sterling, lest she blames me again.” A sharp cramp in my lower abdomen grew stronger. I pushed Sebastian’s hand away. “You two chat. I’m leaving.” Sebastian chased after me. “Isabelle, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t know she would be here today…” I interrupted him. “I’m tired. I want to go home.” Seeing my pale face, he helped me into his black SUV. On the way, he kept trying to soothe me until his phone vibrated. A message lit up the screen: [Sebastian, I’m registering the baby’s birth. If you’re not here in ten minutes, I’ll pick the most handsome of these men to be our son’s father!] Sebastian slammed on the brakes, his lips pressed into a tight line. After a long moment, he said hoarsely, “Isabelle, I have an urgent business matter. Get out of the car first, I’ll have the driver pick you up.” Before I could react, he had already pushed open the car door. The SUV roared and sped away, splashing me with mud. I stood in the cold drizzle, watching the taillights disappear at the end of the mountain road, my blood running cold. It was completely dark when I finally hitched a ride back to the hilltop villa in a delivery van. Soaking wet, I opened the door to a pitch-black living room. That night, Sebastian didn’t come home. He only reappeared early the next morning, his eyes bloodshot, yet his expression seemed lighter. “Isabelle, I was negotiating a big deal last night. It ended too late, so I just slept at the club, afraid of waking you.” I looked at the lipstick stain on his suit collar, lowered my head, and said nothing. Sebastian’s expression flickered with panic. He quickly pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a beautifully translucent jade bangle, with excellent clarity. “Don’t be angry anymore. Grandpa’s seventieth birthday is in a couple of days. He’s always doted on you the most. Come with me, okay?” I wanted to refuse, but the words caught in my throat. Back then, no one in the Sterling family thought much of me, the daughter of a small-town carpenter from the borderlands. Only Grandpa would smile warmly and call me “little Isabelle” every time he saw me. Consider it… a farewell to the old man. The birthday banquet was held at the Sterling family’s ancestral home. As soon as we arrived, we saw Amy in a vibrant red dress, standing in the center of the hall. Sebastian’s face instantly darkened. He stepped in front of me. “Who allowed you to come?” “I was once Grandpa’s granddaughter-in-law, after all. Can’t I come to offer birthday wishes?” Amy pouted, her gaze suddenly fixed on my wrist. She abruptly rolled up her own sleeve. On her wrist was a matching diamond-studded jade bracelet. Her face changed drastically. She fiercely tore off the bracelet and threw it at Sebastian. “Sebastian, you’re trying to fob me off with scraps that belong to your wife? You’re really something!” She turned to leave in her high heels. Sebastian instinctively moved to follow but stopped himself, turning to grab my hand. “Isabelle, that bracelet was an old item she used to offset her family’s debts. I just casually…” “Casually what?” I smiled. “Casually gave it back to her? Next time, will you even casually give yourself back?” A flicker of panic crossed Sebastian’s eyes. He was about to explain when a sudden scream erupted in the hall: “Watch out! Gunman!” The crowd instantly scattered! A person dressed like a waiter pulled out a handgun from under a tray, and the barrel was pointed directly at Amy! Sebastian, almost instinctively, shoved me backwards, then lunged towards Amy like a leopard! “Bang!” The moment the gunshot cracked, he wrapped his arms around Amy and rolled behind the curtains. The bullet struck where Amy had just been standing, sending sparks flying. I was pushed back, stumbling, and knocked over a champagne tower. Cold wine mixed with shattered glass splattered all over me, soaking my dress, which clung to my body, leaving me utterly disheveled. But Sebastian, from start to finish, never once looked back at me. He gripped Amy’s shoulders, his voice laced with suppressed anger. “Are you an idiot? Standing there like a target?!” Amy, her eyes red, pounded his chest. “I wish I’d died! …Anyway, you don’t care, so don’t pretend… Ah!” She suddenly cried out in pain, bending over and clutching her ankle. A flying bullet fragment had grazed her calf, and blood was seeping out. Sebastian’s brows furrowed tightly. He scooped her up in his arms and strode quickly towards a lounge. I was completely forgotten, left standing where I was. That ridiculous spark of hope in my heart shattered completely. I wiped the wine from my face, dragging my damp, cold dress, and walked towards the side room. A maid brought me clean clothes and a cup of hot tea. “Thank you,” I said hoarsely. “Please tell Grandpa that Isabelle isn’t feeling well and can’t join his birthday celebration… I’m sorry.” With that, I took off the jade bangle and tossed it into the trash can. Then I opened the door, ready to leave, but was suddenly blocked. Amy’s calf was bandaged, but her face showed no trace of panic, only blatant triumph. “Isabelle Lin, trying to leave already?” She blocked the doorway, lowering her voice. “Let me tell you something, that gunman, he was someone I arranged.” She leaned closer, satisfied to see my expression instantly freeze. “Sebastian acts like he cherishes you, but when it truly comes down to life and death, his body reacts faster than his brain. He only cares about me.” “Instinct can’t be faked. Being Mrs. Sterling, you’re quite boring, aren’t you?” She scoffed. “A wild chicken might fly onto a branch, but it won’t become a phoenix. There’s no room for you in his heart anymore.” “But then again, it’s no surprise. Three years of marriage, and in bed, you’re like a block of wood. Touch you once and you tremble and cry. What man could stand that?” I felt like I’d been stripped naked and thrown into the snow, cold from my fingertips to my core. I have a weak constitution, and Sebastian’s movements were rough. At night, the pain brought tears, completely beyond my control… did he even tell her that? When they were messing around in bed, did they also use me as a topic to spice things up? The extreme humiliation made me raise my hand and slap her hard! Amy’s face snapped to the side, and a red imprint immediately appeared. She shrieked, “You dare hit me?!” “You eagerly threw yourself into being a mistress. What’s wrong with hitting you?” The word “mistress” stung, and her eyes hardened. She suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Bitch, you…” Footsteps sounded from the stairs. Amy’s eyes changed. She suddenly grabbed my hand, pushed it against her own chest, and shrieked as she fell backward. “Amy!” The bottle of medicine in Sebastian’s hand clattered to the floor. He rushed down the stairs to help her up, then looked at me, his brows tightly furrowed. “Isabelle, why did you push her?” He paused, then seemed to understand. “Because I saved her? That was an emergency; I would have saved anyone. Don’t be unreasonable.” My eyes welled up, but I smiled. “Sebastian, I’ll only say this once: I didn’t push her. If you don’t believe me, then divorce.” His movements froze. He released Amy’s hand, his eyes showing disappointment. “You pushed her, you pushed her. I won’t do anything to you. Is it interesting to threaten me with divorce?” Just then, Amy moaned. Sebastian immediately turned. “Bodyguards! Send Mrs. Sterling back to the hilltop villa. She’s not allowed to leave the mountain without my orders!” I stared at him in disbelief. Before I could speak, two burly men grabbed my arms and dragged me away. I was virtually held captive in the hilltop villa. For seven whole days, apart from the maid who brought food, no one spoke to me. Until my phone vibrated. An unknown number sent several photos. A dim private room, two almost naked bodies in various positions, one clearly showing Amy’s slightly swollen abdomen. A live erotic painting. Below it was a message: [Isabelle Lin, learn a lesson. Your man can’t even resist me while I’m pregnant. He said you’re like a dead fish, and he wasn’t wrong.] [He ruined my family, then brought me back to sleep with me. Do you think he hates me, or loves me to madness?] The phone dropped to the floor. I rushed into the bathroom, throwing up until I was dizzy. With trembling hands, I blocked the number and stared at the calendar on the wall. Three more days. In three days, the divorce agreement would take effect, and I could finally leave this prison forever. The next day, as I was packing, Sebastian kicked open the door and slammed his phone on the table. “Isabelle! What have you done!” On the screen, those indecent photos were wildly circulating online, with a stinging headline: [Boss Sterling forcibly occupies bankrupt ex-wife, driven mad by hatred]. Sebastian’s eyes were bloodshot. “You took these photos? And posted them online? Do you know how much trouble this has caused me?!” “Several of my businesses have been investigated! Amy’s backer has already vowed to pursue this to the end!” “How could you be so foolish? I truly regret…” “Regret marrying me?” I finished his sentence for him, my voice hoarse from laughter. “‘Isabelle is too well-behaved, too restrained in bed. Amy, having been in the pleasure quarters, can handle any kind of play. She’s got spice.’ …How many times have you slept with her behind my back all these years?” “Keeping me in the dark, watching me foolishly love you, while you forcibly took advantage of your ex-wife. Were you particularly proud, Sebastian Sterling?!” His face stiffened. A subordinate urgently knocked on the door. “Boss Sterling! People from Amy’s side are here. They say they’ve traced the photo source to Mrs. Sterling’s phone!” Sebastian’s eyes instantly turned cold. He ordered outside the door, “Notify the security team! Take Mrs. Sterling to the basement for reflection!” As I was being led away by two subordinates, he lowered his voice. “Isabelle, this is your own doing. Don’t ever touch Amy again.” Three days in the basement felt like hell. The day I was released, I thought the nightmare was finally over. But as I stepped out of the villa gate, I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I found myself thrown onto a poker table in a casino lobby, completely naked. The sound of camera shutters and whistles around me was deafening. I screamed and rushed back to the villa, but the online trending topics had already exploded: [Mrs. Sterling suspected of mental breakdown, publicly seeking affection in casino]. I knew Amy did it. And I knew Sebastian had implicitly allowed it. I trembled as I booked a flight and asked my lawyer to retrieve the signed divorce agreement. As I was packing, a bodyguard came over with a phone. “Mrs. Sterling, Boss Sterling is looking for you.”

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I was hooked up to an IV drip for acute gastroenteritis, and it took Tom nearly three hours to finally show up. He reeked of stale cigarette smoke, a chill following him like a persistent shadow. “What happened to you?” He frowned, glancing at the IV bag. “How much longer will this take? Kyle and I were in a crucial match online; your call forced me to abandon the game.” My left hand, with the needle still in, felt cold, but my heart was colder. “Could you go to the front desk and top up my deposit? I didn’t bring enough cash earlier,” my voice was weak. “…I rushed out and didn’t bring my wallet either. Don’t you have any funds on your phone?” “I used all the mobile payment for the initial fee.” He “tsk-ed,” sounding incredibly impatient. He pulled out his phone, eyes glued to the screen as his fingers flew across it, muttering, “Seriously, why now of all times…”. 1 I closed my eyes. The pungent, sickening smell of hotpot, mixed with the cheap tobacco clinging to him, instantly filled my nostrils. Just ten minutes earlier, the old man in the next bed, also suffering from acute gastroenteritis, had his wife fussing over him. She was scolding him playfully for being “greedy to death,” while fetching hot water, fluffing his pillow, and even draping her own down jacket over him. And my boyfriend, in the seventh year of our relationship, stood by my hospital bed, complaining about me interrupting his game. The liquid in the IV bag dripped, drip by drip, as if cooling my heart. The last flicker of warmth finally extinguished completely when he grumbled, “Why is the hospital WiFi so slow?” “Tom.” “Hm?” He didn’t even lift his head. “Let’s break up.” His fingers finally froze. He snapped his head up, looking at me with an utterly bewildered expression. “What did you say? Are you out of your mind, Evelyn, with that fever?” “I don’t have a fever,” I said calmly, looking at him. “I’m perfectly lucid. I just suddenly realized that these past seven years have been a long, drawn-out act of self-pity. And now, I don’t want to perform anymore.” “Just because I was late? Just because I didn’t bring money?” He looked as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “But I’m here now, aren’t I? Do you really have to be so dramatic?” “Yes,” I nodded. “I really do.” He seemed infuriated by my unyielding demeanor, his chest rising and falling. “Fine, fine, you’re sick, you’re amazing. I won’t argue with you. Let’s talk once you’re better and have calmed down.” He turned and left without hesitation. He didn’t top up the deposit, didn’t ask if I’d be able to get home that night, and didn’t even glance back at me. I knew then. He wasn’t here to “visit a patient”; he was here to “punch his timecard.” I showed up. I fulfilled my obligation. You can shut up now. I looked at the nearly empty IV bottle and pressed the call button myself. The nurse came in to remove the needle, saying softly, “Where’s your boyfriend? The deposit hasn’t been paid; you’ll have to go settle it yourself.” “He’s not my boyfriend,” I said softly, pressing the cotton swab to my arm. “Oh?” “He’s just… a stranger I barely know, who walked into the wrong room.” 2 That night, I paid the bill myself and took a cab home to the apartment we shared. It was two in the morning, and the living room light was still on. Tom wasn’t there, but his computer screen was lit, showing his active game. In the kitchen sink, a pile of his lunch delivery containers overflowed with greasy sauces. For the past seven years, the first thing I did after work was clean up his messes. I’d clean while reassuring myself that he was busy with work, stressed out, just a boy who hadn’t grown up. I was like a mother, a housekeeper, anything but a girlfriend. I was tired. I didn’t clean. Instead, I walked into the bedroom and pulled out a 24-inch suitcase. I packed only a few seasonal clothes, my skincare products, my laptop, and my DSLR camera. Halfway through packing, I heard the door. Tom was back, carrying an even heavier scent of alcohol and cigarettes, his steps unsteady. Seeing me in the living room and the open suitcase, he froze. His drunkenness dissipated almost instantly. “Evelyn, what kind of fit are you throwing in the middle of the night?” “I’m not throwing a fit,” I zipped up the suitcase and stood. “Tom, I told you. We’re breaking up.” “Because of that little thing at the hospital? I told you I wouldn’t argue, and now you’re pushing it, aren’t you?” He snatched my suitcase. “Seven years! Evelyn, are you going to throw away seven years over this trivial matter? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?” “Conscience? Then let’s talk about conscience.” I looked at him, unusually calm. “Three years ago, my dad had surgery, and I took time off to care for him. How many calls did you make to me? One. Asking when I’d be back because you had no clean clothes.” “Last year, I worked until one in the morning, told you I was scared, and asked you to pick me up. You said you were already asleep and told me to take a cab, be careful. But that night, you were pulling an all-nighter playing games with Kyle.” “And today, I went to the emergency room, you arrived two hours late, reeking of smoke.” “Tom, you weren’t just late; you chose your game over whether I lived or died.” “You just decided to drop by and see if I was still breathing after your game ended.” He was speechless, his face flushed scarlet. “I… I wasn’t…” “Wasn’t what? You just don’t have feelings for me anymore; you’re tired of this relationship.” “You’re too lazy to invest any more emotion, any more time.” “To you, I’m like the refrigerator and washing machine in this house – I keep things cold, I do laundry, but you don’t care if I break down.” “I didn’t!” He got agitated. “I’m just… I’ve just been so tired lately! We’ve been together so long; do you have to be all clingy like we just started dating? Aren’t relationships supposed to be steady and unremarkable?” “Unremarkable? Unremarkable and indifferent are two different things.” I didn’t want to argue anymore and reached for my suitcase. “Let go.” He held on tightly, his eyes suddenly red, his attitude softening. “Evelyn, don’t do this. We’ve been together for seven years. Can you really bear to let it go? Just give me another chance, I’ll change, I really will.” “It’s not necessary.” “Why isn’t it necessary?” He was practically yelling. “What do you want from me?” Looking at him like this, I suddenly felt completely fed up. I let go. “Fine. Then what do you think about us taking some time apart, cooling off?” He froze, seemingly surprised by my giving in. “…Apart? What do you mean?” “Exactly what it sounds like.” “I’m moving out. We won’t contact each other for a month.” “After a month, if you still feel like you’ve thought things through, we can talk. If you’re still like this, then that’s it.” This was the last shred of dignity I could offer. I knew this month was just a stay of execution. He needed this graceful exit. He needed time to prove it wasn’t “I got dumped,” but “we’re taking a break.” Tom hesitated for a long time, finally nodding. “Okay. One month.” He thought I was just acting stubborn. He didn’t know that the moment I decided to move out, this seven-year marathon had already crossed the finish line in my heart. I found an apartment surprisingly fast. Three days later, I moved into a one-bedroom apartment not far from my office. On moving day, Tom had a “change of heart” and offered to help. The result was him sitting on the sofa in my new living room, playing on his phone, while directing the movers: “Hey, that box is light, the stuff inside is expensive.” “That one, yeah, put it over there, don’t block the way.” The movers looked at me with sympathy. I paid them, saw them off, and closed the door. Tom stood up, surveying the small but cozy room. “This is it? It’s not even as big as our master bedroom. How much is the rent? Can you afford it alone?” “That’s none of your concern.” “Evelyn, do you really have to be like this?” He wore that familiar expression of being hurt and helpless.

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For months, I chased the frosty, struggling senior, Matthew, from my university, and finally, he was mine. But a simple hand-hold cost twenty thousand, a smile thirty thousand, with no upper limit. He also insisted we keep our relationship private, threatening an immediate breakup if I disclosed it. I readily agreed, happily diving into the romance. That was until the real heiress arrived to claim her family, and my parents urgently called me back to Stonehaven. Worried about Matthew, I took a private jet back to school that very night. But then I overheard his friends’ teasing. “Matthew, Evelyn, the fake heiress, is about to be shown the door. When are you going to break it to her?” “Awesome, man! The rich girl hangs on your every word. Teach us, bro, how’d you reel her in?” Matthew’s face darkened, a look of pure disgust on his face: “That Evelyn, she sees my family struggling and, with her parents’ money, just has to cling to me.” “If she behaves, I can keep playing along with her, but marrying her? Impossible. Her current status isn’t good enough for me.” I almost burst out laughing. Oh? So, him getting a hundred thousand every month from me was such a sacrifice? I turned to leave, but a flippant voice sounded behind me. “A kept man, darling, who cares who pays the bills?” “Evelyn, take a look, how do I stack up?” … My gaze fell on the newcomer. Just as I was about to speak, Matthew scooped up Willow and rushed out. Willow was cradled in his arms, looking as if she were about to burst into tears. The moment he saw me, he paused. His first words, though, were, “Give me the car keys!” I was startled. He immediately growled impatiently, “Willow hurt her foot, and her blood clotting isn’t good. We need to get to the hospital right away. Let me borrow your car.” I looked down at Willow’s ankle, where the injury was barely a scratch. I stifled a laugh. In the six months Matthew and I had been together, he had never shown me such a concerned look. Even when I fainted from period pain, he had only said coldly, “It’s just period pain, it’s not like you’re dying.” I thought he was naturally cold. Turns out, I just couldn’t melt this ancient iceberg. I nodded, wisely stepping aside. “Go on, hurry. If you’re late, her wound will already be healed.” Matthew’s face stiffened. He rushed off with Willow in his arms. The light rain veiled them as they leaned against each other, a truly touching sight. And I? I was just an outsider watching the spectacle. Drenched, I returned home. The moment I pushed open my bedroom door, I saw Willow wearing my pajamas, sitting on my bed. The scent of hawthorn still lingered in the air. Matthew was kneeling at her feet, gently massaging her ankle, his movements so tender you could wring water from them. My face instantly darkened. The moment Willow saw me, she bit her lip, a look of panic on her face as she hid behind Matthew. “Evelyn, my clothes got wet in the rain…” “Matthew was worried I’d catch a cold, so he lent me your pajamas. If you don’t like it, I’ll take them off and give them back to you right away.” With that, she began to undress, a humiliated expression on her face, super casually revealing the lace trim of her bra. I instantly recognized it as my brand-new lingerie. “No thanks, I find used things dirty.” I turned, sneering at her. “Willow, are you one of those girls who just loves to wear other people’s clothes?” Willow’s face flushed. Just as she was about to speak, Matthew forcefully pushed her back onto the bed. “Evelyn! It’s just a piece of clothing! Do you have to be so rude?” Before I could say anything, Willow was already apologizing profusely, tears welling up in her eyes. Then, she turned and rushed out of the house, claiming she was going to buy me a new pair of pajamas. Matthew’s face turned as black as charcoal on the spot. “Evelyn, why are you so petty? Don’t you know how to treat a guest?” I chuckled lightly. “My apologies, I was unaware that entertaining guests involved bringing them to your bed.” Matthew’s face flushed crimson, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. He averted his gaze, rushing out after Willow, completely oblivious to my drenched appearance. The bedroom instantly fell silent. Only the messy bedsheets remained, and that nauseating smell in the air. I suppressed a rising wave of nausea and called for the housekeeper. “Throw everything in this room out!” Later that night, sleeping in the guest bedroom, I felt a sudden weight on my waist. Matthew embraced me from behind, sighing softly. “Evelyn, I’ve told you before, Willow and I grew up together, she’s like a sister to me. Why are you even jealous of her?” I remained silent. But he suddenly changed the subject. “Have you settled everything with your family?” “Your adoptive parents… did they give you a hard time? Are they still willing to accept you?” With that, he gently squeezed my hand. But Matthew’s words from the private room at the bar flashed through my mind. My heart grew cold, inch by inch. I couldn’t help but say coldly, “They kicked me out. I’m a pauper now!” The hand on my waist instantly retracted as if it had touched a live wire. The movement was so swift it made me wonder if he thought he was touching a plague. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke in a muffled tone, “Hmm, it’s nothing.” Is that all? I thought with a bitter smile. The next second, he abruptly got up, coldly stating, “I snore when I sleep, and you don’t sleep well. I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Then he slammed the door shut and went straight to the living room. I couldn’t help but let out a cynical laugh. Now that he’s confirmed I have no money, he can’t even be bothered to pretend? But it doesn’t matter. A dog is a dog; you can always get another one. The next day, I was in the library, reading and waiting for someone. Matthew suddenly pushed a chair back and sat across from me. “Something happened with Willow’s family. Her brother borrowed five hundred thousand from loan sharks and needs money urgently. Transfer it to me right now.” I turned my head to look at him, closing my book. “I don’t think I’m obligated to pay her debts, am I?” Matthew’s brows furrowed, and he slapped the table. “Willow is my sister, and you’re my girlfriend. If you don’t help her, where is she going to find that much money?” Oh, so he knows I’m his girlfriend? Using my money to bail out Willow? Is that what a girlfriend is for? I was about to suggest we break up when my phone rang; the person I was waiting for had arrived. I curved my lips into a faint smile and spoke calmly, “I have an appointment. I can’t help you with this.” Matthew paused. “You won’t agree?” I had always been compliant with Matthew, rarely crossing him. If he didn’t want to make our relationship public, I wouldn’t. If he didn’t like living in a dorm, I’d immediately rent an apartment off-campus. If he didn’t like working at fast-food restaurants, I’d arrange a job for him with a thirty-thousand monthly salary. Now, seeing me unmoved, he was furious, practically fuming. He bumped my shoulder angrily and walked away without looking back. That day, Willow’s brother’s high-interest loan was paid off. Matthew reportedly emptied all his savings. When I returned home, I found he had sold my bag. I immediately called him, but he just became enraged. “Evelyn, why are you so petty? It was a matter of life and death! How can you not tell the difference between what’s important and still be so jealous?” Then he mumbled impatiently. “Fine, since you want a title so badly, I’ll make it official at the variety show in a couple of days.” He hung up after that. On the day of the variety show, the auditorium was packed. The lights came on, and Matthew stood on stage, passionately kissing Willow. The audience erupted in applause. He held Willow, his gaze focused and tender. Matthew had always said he was a germaphobe. He found holding my hand dirty. As for kissing, he said it disgusted him. In the months we had been together, he had never kissed me. Yet, now he was kissing Willow with such intensity, as if he couldn’t bear to let go. I gave a sarcastic smile, rising to leave. But Willow rushed after me, looking as if she was about to cry. “Evelyn, I’m so sorry!” “Matthew and I just got too deep into character, and we couldn’t help ourselves…” With that, she licked her lips, still savoring the moment, her eyes full of provocation. I stared at her coldly. Just as I took a step forward, Willow suddenly stumbled to the ground in terror, letting out a piercing scream. “Evelyn, I already apologized, why did you still push me?” Matthew rushed over and pushed me to the ground. My leg scraped against the metal of a chair, and I gasped in pain. Matthew’s eyes held only fury. “Evelyn, how old are you? How can you still be so unthinking?” “Does tormenting Willow make you feel good?” “How many times have I told you, Willow is just my sister! If there was anything going on between us, how could I possibly be with you!” I found it utterly ridiculous. So, in his eyes, I was that unsophisticated? He turned to Willow, his eyes wet, and reverted to his usual tenderness. Someone came to help me up, but he coldly snarled, “Leave her! It’s all my fault for spoiling her! Does she really think she’s my only one just because we’re dating?” Willow frowned, feigning sincerity. “Matthew, Evelyn seems hurt. Maybe you should take her to see a doctor. Otherwise, she might get angry and actually break up with you!” “Break up? She’s been kicked out of the Stewart family, a useless fake heiress. Besides me, who else would want her?” Willow immediately leaned on his shoulder, agreeing. “Mmm, alright, alright, don’t be angry anymore. The show’s over, let’s go celebrate!” With that, they left without looking back. In the infirmary, the doctor frowned at the deep gash on my leg. “Where did you hit it? How did the wound get so deep?” I said nothing. After the medication, I limped out, intending to pay. My phone popped up with a video. It was from Willow. In a bar, Willow was straddling Matthew, kissing him passionately. “Evelyn, don’t be angry, I’ve already taught him a lesson with my tongue; he’ll definitely never do it again!” If it had been before, I would have stormed to her house and torn into her right then and there. I would have told her that Matthew was mine, and if she dared to flirt with him again, I would end her. Now, though, I just smiled. Back home, Matthew was slumped on the sofa, reeking of alcohol, and as if it were his right, he told me to brew him some hangover soup. In the past, I would have eagerly complied. But this time, I just calmly said, “Matthew, let’s break up!” Matthew’s eyes snapped open, a hidden anger in his gaze. “Evelyn, what do you mean? Are you still being unreasonably jealous?” “How many times do I have to tell you, Willow is my sister!” “I understand. A sister who can French kiss. A sister who can roll around in bed!” I laughed, a mocking look on my face. Matthew, however, suddenly pinned me against the sofa. “Does one kiss bother you that much? I’ll make it up to you!” As he spoke, his lips were about to descend, but I disgustedly kicked him off onto the floor. So, Willow awakened something in him, huh? Kisses are now available in bulk. “Don’t touch me!” He seemed annoyed, holding me even tighter. “Evelyn, what are you so angry about? Just because Willow wore your pajamas and kissed me during the performance?” “If you don’t like it, then I’ll…” I cut him off directly. “No, I just simply don’t want to continue…” My sentence was interrupted by an urgent knock at the door. “Matthew, those loan sharks found their way to the school, I’m so scared. Can you let me stay for the night?” Matthew glanced at me. “Of course, it’s so cold, come in quickly!” He walked past me, leading Willow directly into the bedroom, his voice filled with concern. “Look at you, running out dressed so lightly, aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” I heard Willow ask, “Evelyn seems unhappy. Aren’t you going to comfort her?” “Comfort her for what? She’s head over heels for me; a few sweet words will do the trick.” The next day, Matthew dragged me out of bed. “I promised I’d make our relationship public, and I won’t break my word.” With that, he took out his phone, ready to post on social media. I instinctively pressed down on his hand. A flicker of surprise crossed Matthew’s eyes. I smiled. “I understand your intentions, but I don’t need these anymore.” His brows furrowed slightly, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. He seemed not to understand why I had suddenly changed my mind. After all, in the past, my greatest wish was for him to publicly acknowledge our relationship. Now, none of that mattered to me. Matthew was about to say something else when Willow eagerly knocked on the bedroom door. “Matthew, time for school!” She tossed her hair, but I immediately spotted the diamond hair clip on her head. My eyes instantly narrowed, and I lunged, grabbing her hair. “Give it back!” Willow screamed in pain. Matthew stepped forward, roaring angrily, “Enough, Evelyn! Is one hair clip worth this much fuss?” I glared at Matthew. “My possessions are mine. Who does she think she is to touch them!” That diamond hair clip held special meaning for me. I absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to taint it. Matthew instantly erupted in a furious rage, shouting vexedly, “Evelyn, do you think you’re still the rich young lady you used to be, ordering everyone around? Why are you so overbearing?” “So what if I’m overbearing! What if I’m not the real heiress of the Stewart family? That’s still no reason for her to touch my things!” No sooner had I spoken than Willow angrily threw the hair clip at me. “Take it! It’s nothing special!” I ignored them, frantically picked up the hair clip, and tucked it into my pocket. Back in my room, I quickly packed my suitcase and left without looking back. Matthew was about to step forward, but Willow stopped him. “Matthew, Evelyn is still angry. If you try to argue with her now, she’ll just get angrier.”

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After being assigned a pair of beast-kin brothers as partners by the Federation, I prepared two glasses of milk every evening. The older brother, Blaine, was reserved but would politely accept it, offering a gentle “Thank you.” His younger brother, Chase, was hot-headed, often shattering the glass and snapping at me. I believed I was being perfectly impartial, treating them both equally. Then, my best friend, Elara, accidentally witnessed this. She hesitated before saying, “Don’t you think that kind of impartiality is actually unfair to the one who’s better behaved?” I thought about it all day and realized she was right. That evening, I walked out of the kitchen with only one glass of milk in my hand. 1. Blaine was the first to notice the change. But he said nothing, accepted the milk as usual, and thanked me. Chase, sitting on the sofa nearby, was bored, playing a video game. It wasn’t until I stood up, said goodnight, and started walking towards the bedroom that he finally realized the subtle difference: “Hey, did we run out of milk, or are you so broke you can only afford one glass?” Compared to Blaine’s quiet aloofness, Chase was like a prehistoric Tyrannosaurus Rex – volatile, defiant, and sharp. He put down his game console, his eyes unfriendly, and his words as cutting as ever: “If you don’t need your eyes, donate them. Can’t you see I’m still here?” He would never speak to me kindly. The urge to explain dissipated. My smile faded slightly, and I answered simply, “No.” “No? Then who are you trying to annoy by only bringing out one glass of milk?” Annoy? I recalled a few nights ago. Blaine and Chase had been called out on an emergency mission. They didn’t return until nearly one in the morning. I had waited so long that I’d fallen asleep on the sofa without realizing it. I was woken by the sound of the door opening. I quickly got up, heated the dinner I had saved for them, and brought it out. As before, I had still prepared two glasses of milk. Chase’s eyes held deep fatigue. I glimpsed a wound on his shoulder and stepped forward to ask about it. But he impatiently pushed me away. Beast-kin strength was always considerable. Along with the glass of milk, I fell hard to the floor. Chase froze for a moment, but quickly reverted to his usual impatience: “Damn it, are you blind? Can’t you see I’m texting? Always trying to cling to me, serves you right. It was annoying enough when you used to act all clingy and pathetic, but today I’m practically dead from exhaustion, and I come home to this subservient behavior again.” In his eyes, my waiting and concern were just clingy, pathetic acts. I was stung by the disgust in Chase’s voice. A wave of shame washed over me. My face flushed, and without lifting my head, I stumbled back to my room. A muffled grunt came from the living room – Blaine had punched Chase. A moment later, Blaine came in with a first-aid kit and knelt before me. It was then I realized that my calf had been cut by a piece of the broken glass, and blood was already flowing down to my ankle. 2. I had always known the Blackwood brothers had a grudge against me. To anyone looking in, I was the one who had “married up.” They were the pride of the Beast-Kin Academy, top in looks and ability – arrogant, brilliant, and highly sought after. I was gentle, ordinary, a weed among the common folk. If not for the astonishingly high compatibility score, the Federation wouldn’t have assigned us, and our paths would never have crossed. At first, I was overjoyed. I grew up in an orphanage; all I longed for was a home. I naively believed Blaine and Chase were the family heaven had given me. So, no matter how bad their attitude towards me was, or how disdainful their words, I acted as if I didn’t notice, still approaching them with enthusiasm and joy. Every time I saw them eat the food I prepared, I felt immense satisfaction. As if I was needed… People need connections in this world, and Blaine and Chase were my link to it. The first six months were tough. Both resented the assignment. Their former rivals finally seized the opportunity to mock them for being matched with an “unpresentable wife.” This was a huge humiliation for them, who had always been so arrogant. So, they vented their frustration on me. Blaine was more composed, mostly ignoring me, cold and distant. Chase, however, was hot-tempered, often scoffing at me, criticizing everything from my appearance to my work. In his words, I was utterly worthless, a complete failure, good for nothing from head to toe. Then, at some point… their attitudes towards me improved slightly. Especially Blaine; he no longer treated me as invisible. Every time I offered him milk, he would accept it, even thanking me. Occasionally, he would look at me and suddenly ruffle my hair, just like other beast-kin partners show affection. I had never received such treatment before; I was almost overwhelmed. And Chase’s taunts gradually lessened; sometimes he would even pull me into playing games. Although he would always curse me for holding him back, he’d still take out anyone who attacked me. I thought I had finally won them over, that my hardships were about to end. Persistence worked; as I tried hard to please them, they were also trying to accept me. Until that broken glass of milk… It was like a dream, torn apart without warning. All those years of effort, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and devotion had finally condensed into three words. Subservient dog. The most common, most ordinary, most shameless, most self-respecting subservient dog. 3. After that day, I couldn’t sleep well for several nights. Shame and embarrassment overwhelmed me; I practically avoided both of them. My best friend, Elara, was furious when she found out. I looked down, fidgeting with my sleeve, and slowly said, “It’s all in the past. I’ve thought about it; I’ll just maintain my distance from now on, no more getting close.” The worst outcome would simply be a polite, distant relationship. The extremely high compatibility score meant that only I could soothe them during their sensitive periods. And their hard-earned status in the military provided me with good material conditions. It was just… an exchange. “So, will you still bring them milk?” I thought for a moment: “I probably will.” Maintaining a semblance of politeness was necessary for me too. Elara looked as if she wanted to say more, but eventually spoke: “But don’t you think that if you still send two glasses of milk impartially, it’s a little unfair?” Unfair? Because Blaine and Chase were twins, and their compatibility with me was exceptionally high, the staff repeatedly emphasized that after marriage, the most important thing for me was to be impartial: “You rarely see multi-beast-kin families, but they do exist. The most important thing for maintaining such a family is fairness; you can’t favor one over the other. You need to be the adhesive for the family. You must understand that your every action will affect the beast-kins’ moods and disrupt the balance between them.” I took this to heart, so I always prepared everything in pairs. Two glasses of milk, two sets of gifts, and even when delivering meals, I counted the shrimp in each container. I had gone to such lengths; was it still unfair? Elara saw my confusion and subtly prompted: “That day, only Chase was mean to you, right? Blaine didn’t say anything.” I nodded. Not only did he not say anything, he even punched Chase, almost as if defending me. And… I lowered my head, looking at the wound on my calf. Blaine had knelt there, more serious than I had ever seen him, and treated my wound. Before leaving, he even handed me a chocolate bar from his pocket. He wiped away my tears, coaxed me to sleep, and finally apologized to me on his brother’s behalf. But actually, it had nothing to do with him; that night, only Chase had hurt me. “That’s right then. Think about it, their attitudes towards you are completely different, but in the end, they get the same milk and the same gifts. For Blaine, who’s better behaved and treats you better, isn’t that unfair?” I opened my mouth, wanting to argue, but didn’t know what to say. Later, back home, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. I remembered helping the volunteer sister who visited us at the orphanage. Everyone else was playing, but only I was helping move things. My palms were red and chafed after an afternoon of work. In the end, I received a backpack as a reward. But everyone else got one too, even the child who had been lazy all afternoon, catching butterflies. It was identical to mine. When the volunteer left, that sister pulled me aside. She pulled out two hair clips as if by magic, smiling as she placed them in my hand: “Everyone gets a backpack, but these hair clips are an extra gift from me.” She said: “Well-behaved children should get extra rewards. That’s fair.” The words of the staff and the volunteer sister clashed in my mind. Eventually, the scales slowly tipped towards the latter. I thought, the volunteer sister was more right. The better-behaved party receiving more rewards – that’s fair. 4. The milk was just the beginning. In the evenings, when we sat watching TV, I no longer sat perfectly in the middle. Instead, I leaned closer to Blaine, creating a noticeable distance from Chase. I stopped saying good morning to Chase; I only smiled softly at Blaine when I saw him. When I had questions I didn’t understand, I would only ask Blaine. When going out to gatherings, I would only link arms with Blaine. Even at meal times, my favoritism was obvious; of ten shrimp, eight went to Blaine. At first, I felt a little flustered. Abandoning my long-standing impartiality made me uneasy. But soon, I discovered that the changes from giving it up weren’t as bad as I’d thought. Blaine, though reserved, never made me feel uncomfortable. When I sat beside him, he would naturally take my wrist, asking if I wanted snacks. When I said good morning, he would quickly reply and ask about my sleep the night before. He would always taste my cooking, earnestly praising it. And after no longer clinging to Chase, I would never again be impatiently pushed off the sofa, ignored when saying good morning. I wouldn’t walk down the street only to be harshly pulled away because he was embarrassed to be seen with me. Nor would I spend hours cooking a meal, only for it to be deemed too salty and called disgusting. I practically hid behind Blaine like a turtle, enjoying this rare warmth. The atmosphere in the house, however, had inexplicably grown subtle. Several times, I felt a direct gaze on my back. But when I turned, I only saw Chase staring expressionlessly at the television. He noticed my gaze, turned his head, and said in a harsh tone, “What are you looking at? What, you want to play games with me again?” If it were before, my foolish self would have taken it as an invitation, eagerly joining him. But now, I shook my head, no longer seeking humiliation. Blaine happened to walk over. I followed him, holding my badminton racket, and headed out the door. This was my latest hobby; I often played with Blaine for hours. As soon as we stepped outside, a loud crash came from the living room. I turned my head to see Chase had thrown his game console. Shards flew everywhere, and Chase’s gaze was chilling. It fell on my hand, clasped tightly with Blaine’s. He gave a forced smile: “Brother, this is getting ridiculous.” “You’re getting too good at playing the nice guy, acting like you actually like this ugly duckling.” 5. How long had it been since I last heard those three words? When we were first assigned, Chase’s disgust for me was unconcealed. He even had a huge argument with the staff at the assignment hall because of it. “Ugly duckling,” “toad,” were the terms he most frequently used. It seemed it stopped after the first time I helped soothe the brothers during their sensitive period. The usually cold and arrogant military prodigies became exceptionally clingy during their sensitive periods. That was the only chance I had to touch their beast forms. The fierce and violent snow leopards, at that time, were like large cats, only rubbing against me. They called me their “wife,” eagerly burying themselves in my embrace, purring contentedly. As if they couldn’t leave me, their heads constantly burrowing into my shoulder, they even fought over who could be closer to me. I blushed furiously from their rubbing, my face flushed crimson at the repeated calls of “wife.” Although after they sobered up, Chase would always look humiliated, pointing at me and unable to speak for a long time. But after that, he indeed rarely attacked my appearance. My friends told me that after intimate physical contact, even the coldest beast-kin would soften. That was one of the few sweet memories I had. Actually, I wasn’t ugly; I was rather pretty. It was just that the Blackwood brothers were exceptionally handsome. In comparison, I indeed paled considerably. I consoled myself that Chase’s personality was just like that; he was young and adored by everyone, always sharp-tongued. It was normal for him to call me an ugly duckling again in a fit of anger after I refused to play games with him and slighted him. But even with that comfort, I still tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Perhaps, deep down, I still felt wronged. I got out of bed, intending to go to the living room for a glass of water. A faint light glowed on the balcony – Blaine and Chase. One stood by the railing, the other leaned against the wall. A small flicker of fire between their fingertips, they were in mid-conversation. I quietly hid around the corner, making no sound. 6. “Brother, this is the second time you’ve hit me.” Chase exhaled a plume of smoke. His lip was bruised, and though his lips curved, there was no smile in his eyes. “Just because I called her an ugly duckling?” Blaine’s expression, standing opposite him, was cold. I looked at him and felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. He had been gentle with me lately; I had almost forgotten. The inherent nature of a snow leopard beast-kin was cold and brutal. He and his brother were ruthless deep down. “If you don’t like her, you don’t have to see her.” Blaine extinguished the cigarette in his hand, his voice calm. “If I see you bullying her again, I’ll hit you every time.” Chase laughed as if he’d heard a funny joke, and indeed he did laugh: “No way, brother. Who was it who filed a joint appeal with me, refusing the assignment? Now you’ve become a protector, getting addicted to acting?” After laughing for a long time, Chase stopped, his posture relaxing a bit. “Alright, I know, the trial marriage period is almost over. You’re playing hard to get, wanting to treat that ugly duckling better so she’ll obediently divorce you, right? If we hadn’t already reached an agreement, I’d actually be fooled by you.” Trial marriage? My heart suddenly contracted. I had been living too comfortably lately, so much so that I had almost forgotten about the trial marriage. The assignment system wasn’t entirely unforgiving; even with high compatibility, there could still be resentful partners. So, after the assignment, there was a one-year trial marriage period. If suitable, they would formally marry; if not, both parties could negotiate a divorce. My fingers unconsciously tightened around my sleeve. So, Blaine being kind to me lately was just to coax me into an easy divorce. Turns out, he was no different from his brother, Chase. My heart ached, making it hard to breathe. Amidst my confusion, I suddenly heard a short, sharp: “No.” It was Blaine’s answer. Chase was clearly stunned too; his tone was surprised. “Are you really going to marry her for life? Didn’t we agree that after the divorce, we’d find other matches? She’s useless, ugly, and good for nothing; marrying her would be so embarrassing, we’d become the laughingstock of our circle, wouldn’t we?” Blaine corrected him. “Not ‘we.’ Just you. I never said I’d look for anyone else.” He thought of something, and his expression softened. “Lily is very good, very clever and lovely. I had a prejudice against her before, so I missed too much.” Lily, my name. I never expected Blaine to think of me that way. He even called me Lily; no one had ever called me that. Blaine then turned to Chase, warning, “Stay away from my wife from now on.” Chase’s chest visibly heaved; he seemed furious, stamping his foot in agitation. “Damn it, I’m not divorced yet! How is she your wife?” “Weren’t you planning to get divorced? If you’ve made up your mind, stop clinging to other people’s wives.” “You’re sick, who’s clinging to that ugly duckling? Do you think everyone’s as blind as you, mistaking a pebble for a pearl?” Chase irritably ran his hands through his hair, his voice dropping. “Sensitive periods don’t count; that was… that was a physiological reaction. I wasn’t thinking clearly then.” Blaine gave a knowing scoff. “Idiot.” Chase ignored him, taking another deep drag from his cigarette, his voice muffled, his gaze a little distant. “Anyway, if you’re not getting divorced, then I’m not either. Beast-kin actively abandoning humans doesn’t look good. And Lily always looks at me with such longing, always acting like she can’t live without me, so clingy… I’m not that heartless either.” “I guess we’ll just make do. Even an ugly face gets used to after a while, and if she’s useless, she’s useless, it’s not like I’m relying on her. If I file for divorce, I’ll get a reputation as a jerk, and I won’t find anyone better either.” “Being a wife is being a wife, it’s not impossible… damn it, I’m definitely not initiating the divorce.”

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My best friend’s son’s eyes are identical to my husband’s. I was holding little Alex, who is three, and watching him laugh. The curve of his smile, the shape of his eyes, even the way they crinkled— I froze. “Godmother, what’s wrong?” I heard my own voice tremble. “Nothing,” I said, putting the child down. I watched him run towards Sarah. Sarah. My best friend of twenty years. She picked up Alex and smiled at me. “Look how much he loves his godmother.” I smiled back. But my palms were drenched in sweat. 1. Sarah and I have been classmates since middle school. Twenty whole years, from the age of thirteen until now. She was my bridesmaid when I got married. When she suffered a postpartum hemorrhage, I was the first to rush to the hospital. Three years ago, she suddenly told me she was pregnant. “Whose?” She just smiled, saying nothing. “You’re not going to tell me?” “It doesn’t matter,” she said, touching her belly. “I can raise him myself.” At the time, I thought she was so cool. A single mother, an independent woman. I helped her find the best obstetrician. I accompanied her to every prenatal check-up. When she had morning sickness, I made her porridge. On the day she went into labor, I was with her in the delivery room. “I’ll definitely pay you back when I have money,” she said from her hospital bed, gripping my hand. “Don’t be silly,” I laughed. “What kind of relationship do we have?” She cried. “You’re the best friend I’ll ever have.” I cried too. I believed her. During her month of postpartum confinement, I was at her house almost every day. Cooking soup, cleaning the room, washing the baby’s diapers. My husband, Harold, said I was too devoted. “She has family, doesn’t she?” “Her parents aren’t local, and she’s all alone. If I don’t help her, who will?” Harold didn’t say anything more. On the day of Alex’s full-month celebration, I gave a set of gold locks and bracelets, worth over thirty thousand. Sarah held the baby, prompting him to call me. “Say ‘Godmother.’” Little Alex babbled, drool running down his chin. I took him, my heart melting completely. “Godmother will buy you delicious food, toys, and send you to school.” Sarah stood by, her eyes curved in a smile. “You’re better to him than his own mother.” At the time, I thought this was the most genuine friendship in the world. When Alex was one, Sarah moved. The new apartment complex was very close to my house, a ten-minute walk. “This way, it’s easier for you to see Alex,” she said. I didn’t think much of it. Sometimes, when Sarah worked late, she’d drop Alex off at my house. Harold initially found it annoying. “Again?” “Just a few hours, can you watch him for me?” Later, he stopped complaining. He even started asking, “Alex isn’t coming today?” I said, “Sarah isn’t working late today.” He “oh-ed” and looked down at his phone. Now that I think about it, was he chatting with her then? For Alex’s second birthday, I gave him a big red envelope. At two and a half, I enrolled him in an early childhood education class, eighteen thousand. Sarah said she felt bad, but I said it was fine. “It’s not easy raising a child alone; I’ll help you.” She looked at me, her eyes red. “I don’t know how to thank you.” “Don’t say such things.” I was sincere. I didn’t have children. Five years of marriage, and I still couldn’t conceive. Harold said not to rush, let nature take its course. My mother-in-law’s expression grew worse and worse, but she didn’t say anything to my face. Alex, in a way, filled that void for me. I loved him as if he were my own son. But I didn’t know he might actually be my husband’s “own son.” The change started when he turned three. One day, I went to Sarah’s house to pick up Alex. He was eating watermelon. Red juice ran down his chin. He looked up and smiled at me. I froze. That smile. Those crinkling eyes. That unconscious head tilt. Exactly like Harold. I told myself then: You’re overthinking it. All kids look somewhat alike. But from that day on, I couldn’t help but observe. Alex’s ears. Harold’s ears had that same shape, with a little point at the top. Alex’s fingers. Slender and long, just like Harold’s. Alex would purse his lips when he was angry. Harold did too. Once was a coincidence. Twice was a coincidence. What about three, four, five times? I started losing sleep. That night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning. Harold was already asleep. I looked at his profile, suddenly feeling like he was a stranger. I quietly picked up his phone. His phone was never password-protected; we had agreed on mutual trust. I opened WeChat and found Sarah’s chat. The most recent messages were from three days ago. “Alex has a cold, do you have time to come see him?” “Okay, tomorrow.” That was it. Ordinary. I scrolled back further. All everyday conversations. No flirtation, nothing suspicious. I breathed a sigh of relief. I must be overthinking. It had to be. The next day, Sarah called. “Lily, Alex misses you. Coming over for dinner today?” “Okay.” I hung up and saw Harold standing at the door. “Going to Sarah’s?” “Yes.” “I’ll come too,” he said. “I can bring Alex a toy.” He used to find it annoying, and now he’s volunteering? I looked at him, saying nothing. He smiled. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” I averted my gaze. Telling myself: Don’t be paranoid. During dinner, Alex sat next to Harold. Harold served him food, wiped his mouth. “Uncle Harold is so nice,” Alex said. Sarah laughed. “Harold cares more about Alex than you, his godmother.” Harold said, “Kids are always likable.” I ate silently, my head down. But my eyes were constantly watching. Watching Harold serve food. Watching Alex eat. Watching their profiles side by side. Similar. They were so similar. Sarah suddenly spoke, “Lily, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.” “Nothing, just a little tired.” She looked at me with concern. “Maybe you should go home and rest?” “No, I’m fine.” I smiled. But inside, a storm was brewing. On the way home, I asked Harold, “How long have you known Sarah?” He paused. “Through you, about six years now.” “Do you two contact each other often?” “Not much, just when she asks me to help fix her computer or something.” “You’re really good to Alex.” He smiled. “That kid is charming.” I didn’t say anything else. After getting home, he went to shower. I sat on the sofa, staring at the wall, lost in thought. Fix computer. Did Sarah ever ask him to fix her computer? Why don’t I know about that? That night, I couldn’t sleep. At three in the morning, I got up and took Harold’s phone again. This time, I searched more thoroughly. No WeChat messages. No texts. Call history… I froze. The call history with Sarah. More than I expected. At least three or four times a week. Sometimes ten minutes, sometimes half an hour. But it didn’t show up on WeChat because they only sent voice messages, never typed. I put the phone back, lay back in bed, and stared at the ceiling until dawn. 2. I started paying attention to more details. That photo of Alex at 100 days old at Sarah’s house. I leaned in, looking at his eyebrows. Thick brows, connected in the middle. Harold had them too. And that dimple. On his left cheek, appearing only when he smiled. Harold had one too. I asked Sarah, “Whose dimple does Alex have?” She paused, then smiled. “I don’t know, maybe his dad’s.” “His dad has a dimple?” “I don’t remember,” she said. “It’s been too long since we broke up.” I stared at her face for a few seconds. Her smile froze for a moment. Then quickly returned to normal. “Oh, by the way, can you check Alex’s foot? Is it a bit flat-footed?” The topic was changed. But I remembered that frozen moment. After that, I started “accidentally” looking through Harold’s things. His computer. His drawers. His bank statements. Then I found a transfer. Five thousand every month, on a fixed date, transferred to an unfamiliar account. “What’s this?” I asked him. He glanced at it, his expression unchanged. “Helping a friend out. He said he’d pay me back in installments.” “Which friend?” “You don’t know him.” I didn’t ask any more questions. But I noted down the account. That night, I used my own channels to check. Account holder: Sarah. My hands were trembling. Five thousand every month. Transferred for three years. Three years, thirty-six months, one hundred and eighty thousand. I never knew. He was transferring money to her, behind my back. Why? Helping a friend out? Was she his friend? Or my friend? I took a deep breath. Told myself to calm down. I couldn’t be sure yet. Maybe it really was just a loan. Maybe Sarah was having difficulties and was too embarrassed to ask me. Maybe… But why hide it from me? The next day, I asked Sarah out for coffee. “Are you tight on money lately?” “I’m okay,” she smiled. “Why?” “If you need money, you can tell me.” “No, no,” she waved her hand. “I have enough.” “Really?” “Really.” She looked at me. “Lily, what’s wrong with you today?” “Nothing,” I smiled. “Just worried about you.” “Silly girl.” She squeezed my hand. “With you as my best friend, what do I have to fear?” Her hand was warm. Her eyes were sincere. I almost believed her. But one hundred and eighty thousand. She said she had enough. Then where did Harold’s money go? I started checking more things. Harold’s schedule. He said he had a business trip this weekend, and I said okay. But I didn’t tell him I had put a tracker on his car. That weekend, the tracker showed him in the city center. Not the city of his business trip. But a hotel. A five-star one, very close to Sarah’s house. I sat at home, watching the little dot on my phone. He stayed there for three hours. Then he came home. “How was the business trip?” I asked him. “It was alright, a bit tiring,” he yawned. “I’m going to shower first.” I watched his back. Business trip. A bit tiring. What made you so tired? That night, after he fell asleep, I took his phone again. This time, I found a hidden album. It required a password. I tried his birthday, incorrect. Our wedding anniversary, incorrect. His mother’s birthday, incorrect. Finally, I tried Alex’s birthday. It opened. Inside were just a few photos. Sarah’s. Selfies, candid shots. And one photo of the two of them together. The background was a hotel room. Sarah leaned on his shoulder, smiling sweetly. The date was in the bottom right corner. Two years ago. I put the phone back. Walked out onto the balcony. It was dark outside; I couldn’t see any stars. I stood there for a long time. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t cry. I just felt cold. Cold from the inside out. My best friend of twenty years. My husband of five years. The two people I trusted most. Had been betraying me all along. I remembered what Sarah had said. “You’re the best friend I’ll ever have.” I remembered what Harold had said. “We agreed to trust each other.” So laughable. 3. The next day, I didn’t say a word. I made breakfast as usual, and saw Harold off as usual. “What do you want for dinner tonight?” I asked him. “Whatever, you decide,” he kissed my forehead. “My hardworking wife.” I smiled. Watched him drive away. Then I closed the door, leaning against the wall. Every breath hurt. But I told myself: It’s not enough yet. Photos can be faked. I needed more definite proof. I made a decision. A DNA test. Sarah had called saying Alex had a cold, so I offered to visit. I brought toys, fruit, and a cotton swab. “Let me see Alex’s throat.” Sarah didn’t think much of it and brought the child over. I took the opportunity when she turned to get water to swab inside Alex’s mouth with the cotton swab. “What’s Godmother doing?” “Checking if you have any inflammation,” I said, smiling. “Nothing, you’re very healthy.” Alex grinned. I put the cotton swab in a bag and tucked it into my pocket. Harold’s sample was easier to get. His razor. His toothbrush. His hair on the pillow. I collected enough samples and sent them to a testing agency. “It should take about a week,” the staff said. “Okay, I’ll wait.” A week. Seven days. For these seven days, I had to pretend I knew nothing. These seven days passed slowly. Every day, I cooked, went to work, and talked to Harold as usual. He didn’t notice anything unusual. Because I was acting very well. Or rather, he simply didn’t care. That Thursday, he said he had another business trip this weekend. “Where are you going this time?” “Shanghai, to meet a client.” “How many days will you be gone?” “Two days, I think.” I nodded, saying nothing. But I knew he wouldn’t be going to Shanghai. He would be going to that hotel. Friday evening, Sarah called. “Lily, come over for dinner this weekend, I’m making dumplings.” “Okay.” “What about Harold? Tell him to come too.” “He’s on a business trip.” Silence on the other end of the phone for a second. “Oh, then just come by yourself.” I hung up. Business trip. They think I don’t know. They think I’m still that fool. Saturday, I didn’t go to Sarah’s house. I went to that hotel. I wanted to see it with my own eyes. I sat in the lobby for two hours, then I saw them walk in together. Harold had his arm around Sarah’s waist. Sarah leaned on his shoulder. Both were laughing and chatting. Like an ordinary couple. No, like an ordinary married couple. My phone captured the scene. Then I left. I didn’t rush up to them. I didn’t make a scene. Because it wasn’t time yet. Sunday evening, Harold returned from his “business trip.” “Are you tired?” I asked him. “Not really,” he put down his luggage. “The client was difficult; it took two days to finalize.” “That sounds tough.” “My wife is so thoughtful.” He smiled and kissed me. I smiled too. I let him kiss me. Then I said, “Promise me something.” “What?” “You and Sarah…” His body noticeably stiffened. “You and Sarah should limit your contact from now on,” I said. “I don’t really like you two being too close.” He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “You’re overthinking it. What could possibly be going on between us? She’s your best friend, and I’m just helping out.” “Really?” “Really.” He looked into my eyes. “Wife, have you been too tired lately? You’re being paranoid.” I looked into his eyes. Those eyes that once made me feel so secure. Now I just found them disgusting. “Maybe,” I said. “I’m just overthinking.” He hugged me. “Silly girl, how could I ever do anything to betray you?” I leaned on his shoulder. Closed my eyes. Okay. I’ll give you one more chance. If the DNA results are negative, I’ll pretend nothing happened. If they’re positive… 4. A week later, the results were out. I went to pick up the report alone. The staff handed me an envelope. “Read it yourself or shall I read it to you?” “I’ll read it myself.” I opened the envelope. My hand was trembling. My eyes found the line of text. “Probability of paternity: 99.9999%.” “Conclusion: Supports Harold as the biological father of Alex.” I stared at those words for a long time. Then I folded the report and put it in my bag. Walking out of the testing center, the sunlight was blinding. I stood by the roadside, and suddenly I laughed. 99.9999%. Biological father. I helped her during her confinement. I bought gold locks for the child. I spent twenty thousand to enroll the child in early education. I loved him as if he were my own son. It turns out, he really was my husband’s “own son.” I didn’t go home. I found a coffee shop and sat there all afternoon, sorting through everything. Alex is three. They’ve been together for at least three years. Maybe longer. Harold and I have been married for five years. Which means… from the very beginning of our marriage, he was betraying me? I remembered what he said when he proposed. “I will only love you in this life.” I remembered what Sarah said when she was my bridesmaid. “Lily, you must be happy.” Happy. She slept with my husband and wanted me to be happy. What a huge joke. When I got home that evening, Harold was already there. “Where were you? You didn’t answer your phone.” “Shopping with colleagues; my phone died.” “Oh.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought something happened.” Something happened? Something big happened. I looked at him and smiled. “Nothing, just shopped for too long.” “Are you hungry? I ordered takeout.” “Yes, I’m hungry.” I sat down to eat, chatted with him, and watched TV. As usual. Nothing changed. Only my heart had grown cold. Over the next few days, I continued to gather evidence. I found their chat history. Harold had replaced his phone once, but he had a habit of backing things up. I found all their chat records in his cloud drive. Starting from four years ago. “Miss you.” “Me too.” “When can we be openly together?” “When the time is right.” “Alex called me ‘Daddy’ today.” “Really? Send me the video.” I read them one by one. My hands were shaking. So they had planned it all along. Waiting for the “time to be right.” What time? For me to die? Or for them to save enough money to run away? There were also transfer records. Besides the five thousand a month, there were others. Money for the child’s formula, toys, early education fees. Some I paid, some he paid. The two of us, together, raising his illegitimate child. I remembered one time, Sarah said she was short on cash and wanted to borrow money from me. I transferred twenty thousand to her. She said she’d pay it back when she got paid. And she did. But that month, Harold also transferred twenty thousand to her. She used Harold’s money to pay off her debt to me. What a well-played game. I compiled all the evidence. The DNA report. Screenshots of chat records. Transfer records. Hotel photos. Hotel stay records—which I had someone pull. Three years, they booked rooms 87 times. 87 times. An average of two to three times a month. I calculated, it was probably when I was on business trips, when I was working overtime, when I thought he was also working overtime. I printed all these out, bound them. Two copies. One for Harold. One for Sarah.

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When Samuel asked me to deliver ultra-thin condoms again, my mom saw it. She paused and said, “I’ll deliver it for you.” “I had you when I was forty. No amount of love is too much. I can’t bear to see you wronged, so I’ll deliver it for you.” At that moment, I decided to give up on Samuel. Later, everyone was surprised I no longer revolved around Samuel. Some asked me why. I stayed silent for a long time, only pressing my lips together. “My mom would be heartbroken.” Samuel forgot to bring ultra-thins to his hotel room again. By the time the message reached me, it was already eleven at night. And I happened to be in the shower, so my mom saw the message. When I came out, the air felt particularly stagnant. The message on the phone on the coffee table was glaring. [Mia likes strawberry-flavored ones. Get them to me within half an hour.] My mom didn’t know many words. But he had sent a voice message. Probably still resentful that I had stolen Mia’s client last time, his message now was particularly explicit. The air grew heavy. Mom hung her head, lost in thought. After a long silence, she said to me: “If this is the boy you like, then I’ll deliver it for you.” “I had you when I was forty. No amount of love is too much. I can’t bear to see you wronged, so I’ll deliver it for you.” The light in the room was dim, but the white hair on her head was particularly conspicuous. I started liking Samuel in high school. I followed him to a university in Northbridge. Later, I joined his family’s company and got a high-paying job. He treated me well—gave me birthday gifts, paid me a high salary. When I first started and got bullied during business negotiations, the person came to apologize to me the next day. Some people were jealous and made snide remarks to my face: “Connections sure make a difference. Someone’s going to be Mrs. Samuel.” I half believed it myself. Many people came and went around him. When he needed something, I’d deliver things to him. When he didn’t, I’d take money and handle everything for him one by one. Only Mia lasted the longest. Samuel liked her so much he wanted to marry her. Following him all these years, I’d suffered plenty. But at this moment, I suddenly felt it was all rather pointless. “I’ve decided to give up on him,” I told my mom. As I said this, I blocked Samuel. His call came through the next second. His tone was particularly casual: “What’s this about? If you’re going to throw a tantrum, now’s not the time. I need these right now.” “Oh, and when you come, apologize to Mia in person.” The apology was because I had closed a big deal, but Mia claimed that was her client. The girl cried, and Samuel lost all reason. He docked two months of my salary, fired my entire department, and transferred me to a different position. Six months of hard work on my project went down the drain. When I confronted him about it, he laughed lightly. “You got your job through connections anyway. What’s there to regret?” “As for those people, what good projects could they do following you? If they had real talent, they wouldn’t be working on your projects.” It had been several days, but thinking about it still left me breathless, my heart twisting in pain. Humiliating and mortifying. I lowered my eyes and replied: “I won’t apologize to her. If she’s really that upset, just fire me.” He was silent for a moment on the other end, then laughed casually, displeasure evident in his tone. “Fine, as long as you can let it go.” I didn’t know if he meant the job or him. I’d been chasing after Samuel for ten years. Anyone with eyes could see I liked him desperately. He was a transfer student who came back from Northbridge in our senior year of high school. Northbridge didn’t allow day students to take the college entrance exam, so he returned. Elegant, distinguished. That was everyone’s first impression of him. That year was also when I was at my most pathetic. My face was covered in acne. I was withdrawn and unlikeable. My family was poor, and we rented a dark apartment where the laundry never saw sunlight. My clothes always had a fishy smell, and no one in class liked me. But he volunteered to be my deskmate. Perhaps out of pity or sympathy, he would always help me with problems I couldn’t figure out no matter how hard I tried, then say: “I think you’re really smart.” When people gossiped about me, he would hand me an earbud. It wasn’t music playing—it was a niche radio program where a comedy performer was saying in a shocking voice: “People like that deserve to be struck by lightning! Don’t you all just die!” He would also load two thousand dollars onto my meal card when I was chugging cold water to save five dollars on food. Then he’d say casually: “It’s just the price of one outfit for me. Pay me back when you’re earning money.” At first, I was anxious and uneasy. I felt I didn’t deserve this kindness. Later, I comforted myself that perhaps my luck had been so terrible, so bad, that fate arranged for Samuel to save me. After that, we talked about everything.

The year I graduated from college, I was looking for work. At the time, a saying circulated online: good jobs only flow through connections and bloodlines. Unable to suppress my frustration, I mentioned it to him once. He just stayed silent for a while, then raised his eyebrows slightly and adjusted his collar. “I’m your connection. You can work with me.” He was my best friend. Naturally, I liked him. I was too ashamed to say it out loud. But perhaps I was too obvious, or perhaps he was naturally perceptive and could see through people’s hearts. One night, he called me. “Emergency. I just fell for a girl at first sight, but I don’t have what I need. Can you bring it to me?” My mind went blank with a buzzing sound. My throat went dry, and I couldn’t speak. After a long silence, I asked him: “Why me?” He laughed lightly: “You’re my best friend. If you don’t help me, who will?” Finally, he asked seriously: “You’ll come, right?” In the adult world, some things only need to be hinted at. By saying this, he was telling me to put away my feelings. If I had cursed him out and hung up then, we would never have crossed that line. We would have remained just friends forever. But for some reason, I still went. It was pouring rain that day. The drainage system was overwhelmed, and water rose almost to my calves. Perhaps it was my body’s self-defense mechanism—I forgot how I awkwardly handed him the item under Samuel’s ambiguous gaze. I also forgot how I left that hotel. I only remember the woman in the room asking curiously: “Who’s that?” Samuel scoffed lightly: “Just an ordinary employee.” “Ah, working people really have it rough.” The subway had stopped running, and the rain was too heavy to catch a cab. I didn’t have my ID, so I couldn’t get a hotel room. I could only stumble through the flooded streets toward home. The wind in Northbridge cut across my face like a dull knife. My whole body was numb. From the hotel to home, I walked for three hours. After I got back, I developed a high fever. Later, I got otitis media. That same day, my mom called me. She said she wanted to come keep me company. On the other end of the phone, I also heard Samuel’s voice. As frivolous and certain as always. “You’ll come, right?” I didn’t respond. I just hung up. I wouldn’t go. I would never go again. Outside, rain was pouring down. My ear started hurting again. The pain spread quickly, even my scalp throbbed viciously. I instinctively pressed my temples. Mom stood there, looking somewhat at a loss. These past few years, she hadn’t been happy in Northbridge. She always did things cautiously. She always felt guilty for not being able to help my career, so while I was supporting her, she somehow learned to read my moods and act accordingly. It was completely backwards. I forced myself to sit up and act unconcerned: “Don’t worry about me. He’s not someone I like—he’s purely a capitalist boss.” “You know how it is in the city—it’s cutthroat. Some of my friends even have to babysit their boss’s kids after work.” She didn’t respond, and her expression didn’t relax. I knew she didn’t believe me. After all, I’d climbed so high in this city over the years. Even the leadership had to give me some respect and wouldn’t give me attitude. But I really didn’t have the energy to explain anything more. When I was in school, I used to tell her everything—what I ate, what I drank, what happened at school. But during these years of single-mindedly chasing Samuel, she and I gradually grew distant, like there was a wall between us. Separated by an invisible distance, I couldn’t open my heart to her. I didn’t know what to say to her. I just said softly: “Mom, really don’t worry about me. I’ve wanted to quit for a while now.” “It’s late. Let’s both go to bed.” I turned around, but behind me came a nearly choked voice. “But I can’t help but worry.” “I went to your company to find you. That time, I saw him bullying you.” My head hurt more and more. I couldn’t spare the mental energy to think about which time it was. “I went to him. I wanted him to treat you better. But he told me that you got into the company through connections anyway, that you’d already achieved more than most people could reach, that suffering a little was a privilege, and that at least you were smart.” “But having me as a mother—it’s really unlucky.”

Resigning required following proper procedures. When I got to the company, I discovered my workstation had already been taken by Mia. When she saw me, she smiled with a sense of entitlement: “I only shed two tears, and Samuel gave me your position. He said I’m his favorite canary.” I wasn’t angry. I asked calmly, “Doesn’t Samuel only want you? Aren’t you two getting married? Why are you still calling yourself a canary?” “What? Are you so used to being a mistress?” “Don’t you dare look down on me!” Hearing this, she seemed to have hit a sore spot. Her young face contorted strangely. “You don’t even know what Samuel says about you, do you? He said your motives are impure, your abilities are lacking, and he’s wanted to get rid of you for ages!” “You don’t need to feel it’s unfair. After all, the capable rise to the top.” “Whether in the office or in bed.” Originally, she was keeping her voice down, but her anger got the better of her, and her voice grew louder and louder. That “in bed” came out in an almost shrill voice. The Samuel Corporation was intensely competitive. Most people were so busy they couldn’t even drink water all day. But at this moment, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to us. Sticky, suffocating. She sensed everyone’s gaze and her whole face flushed red. It reminded me of when Samuel first took a liking to her—she was just as startled and flustered then. Her schemes were shallow, her methods of provocation brainless. I often wondered when Samuel would have me give her the breakup money. Samuel wasn’t patient. He liked novelty and never lacked girlfriends. Every visible part of his body was covered in women’s kiss marks. Maybe this time was true love. Even now, I still didn’t understand why Samuel liked her so much. Mia gritted her teeth but didn’t dare say anything more. She grabbed the thermos from the desk, intending to throw it at my face. But she forgot she was wearing high heels and a pencil skirt. In earlier years, when Samuel hadn’t yet secured his position in the company, I often attended business dinners for him. I wore either high-slit dresses or pencil skirts, always in stiletto heels. I hated it, so when I gained some authority, I immediately changed the dress code—formal occasions required pantsuits, and casual wear was fine for daily work. So her movements were slow. The skirt prevented her from taking big steps. I almost effortlessly snatched the thermos from her. Then I swung it forcefully toward her face. When it was five centimeters from her face, I stopped. Looking at her terrified eyes, I smiled. “Sorry, this is my thermos.” “Jennifer, I didn’t know you had it in you.” Behind me came a scoff. I turned around to meet Samuel’s slightly mocking gaze. Mia seemed to snap out of it. Tears fell quickly. “She’s too arrogant. She was going to hit me.” “Why are you crying? Want me to let you hit her back?” Mia’s tears turned to smiles. She walked up to me aggressively, ready to slap me. But I remained perfectly calm. I didn’t know what I represented to Samuel. I figured he must be so pickled in love that he shamelessly used me as a tool to please Mia. So this time, the thermos didn’t hit Mia. It hit Samuel’s face. Mia urgently covered Samuel’s face and said sharply: “Are you crazy?” Chaos erupted around us. Looking at Samuel’s disbelieving eyes, I said: “If you want to call the police, I’ll cooperate. Injury assessment—I’ll pay the medical bills.” “This job—I quit.”

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After getting roasted by my advisor at our group meeting, I sent my online boyfriend a photo of my legs. 【Show it to your master right now!】 I looked up. My usually cold and aloof sharp-tongued advisor suddenly had his Adam’s apple bobbing, his ears flushed red. Curious, I sneaked a peek at his phone screen. There was the message I had just sent. Ah!!! I was instantly dumbfounded. But my hand had already initiated a video call with him… 0 The buzzing of Ethan Ford’s phone vibrating was particularly jarring in the oppressively tense atmosphere of the group meeting. I never would have dreamed in my wildest imagination. That my cold-blooded, ruthless advisor was the online boyfriend who would cry while calling me master! Ethan Ford’s fingertip moved toward his phone screen. My heart leapt into my throat. Was he about to answer the video call? Yes, answer it! Hurry up and answer! Ten minutes ago, he had just publicly berated me, calling my fifth-draft thesis a pile of garbage. Once he realizes I’m his master, he definitely won’t hold up my thesis anymore! Oh heavens! How exciting! Brother, I finally have hope of graduating! I immediately sat up straight and proper. The next moment. The video call was rejected. 185 Dumb Rich Guy With Abs (the nickname I’d given him) sent messages in quick succession: 【Baby, I’m in a group meeting right now, it’s not convenient to show you.】 【I’ll contact you later, okay~】 【Transfer $52,000】 【Puppy loves you·jpg】 I paused. The smile hadn’t even left my face yet. When my advisor Ethan Ford’s stern reprimand suddenly rang in my ears. “Vincent Scott! What are you grinning about?” I jumped in fright. Hastily looked up. Right into Ethan Ford’s cold, sharp gaze. Ethan Ford seemed furious to the extreme, staring at me without giving me any face: “During your undergraduate years, you neither participated in any major research projects nor had any relevant academic background. I didn’t even want to recruit you into the group back then. It was your academic counselor who strongly recommended you to me, saying you were a promising candidate worth cultivating.” “And the result?” “Your experiments are a complete mess, your thesis writing is utter nonsense, you don’t say a word during group meetings, and now you dare to play with your phone!” “Do you even want to graduate?” This is bad, this is bad. I think I’ve really messed up big time. My heart trembled with fear. The other students were also too scared to breathe, but they all unanimously looked at me. Their gazes were sympathetic, confused, relieved it wasn’t them getting chewed out… Since childhood, I’d excelled academically, making it all the way through university graduation on a steady diet of teacher praise and classmate admiration. But after starting graduate school, from my proposal defense to my thesis, I’d lost count of how many times Ethan Ford had berated me. My face burned with embarrassment. Hot tears welled up in my eyes. But Ethan Ford is so gentle with me online. He even acts coquettish with me, saying things like “baby give me kisses” and “love master the most”… I tried to explain to him. But my voice shook like a sieve from grievance and nervousness. “I was just… messaging my boyfriend. My boyfriend is actually…” “Zero people present care, zero people want to know about your relationship drama!” Ethan Ford coldly interrupted me: “Next time you can’t distinguish time and place like this, go apply for a new advisor. I won’t supervise you anymore.” Ethan Ford wasn’t just the youngest master’s degree advisor at the school—his father was also the CEO of a publicly listed company and even had shares in the university. If he refused to supervise me, the other advisors would be afraid of offending him and definitely wouldn’t take me on either. Then I’d be completely finished. My blood ran cold. After a long while, I stiffly squeezed eight words from my throat. “Understood. It won’t happen again.” 0

As soon as we left the academic building, my senior Ryan Jenkins asked me with a worried expression. “Vincent, how did you dare to make a video call during the group meeting today?” Because I discovered Ethan Ford is my online boyfriend. I was so happy I nearly lost my mind in that moment. But thinking about it now, it’s very strange. I looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered my voice and asked, “Do you think Professor Ford could possibly be dating a guy online?” Ryan froze for a moment, then laughed: “Professor Ford is famously an aloof ice prince. He doesn’t even get close to women, let alone date guys online.” His expression changed, and he asked me seriously: “You’re not believing those online posts about confessing to your advisor about online dating when your thesis won’t pass, are you?” “Those are all clickbait. Don’t believe them.” “Professor Ford is already dissatisfied with you. If you go and offend him with pranks, you really won’t be able to graduate.” My heart sank with a thud. I thought I’d hit the jackpot being in an online relationship with Ethan Ford. But from Ethan Ford’s perspective, it really does look like I’m deliberately retaliating against him. After all, I made him call me master and wear a chest chain while showing off his abs. Just now, I even asked him to show it to me! Oh god, how humiliating, how terrifying. I absolutely cannot let Ethan Ford know it was me he’s been dating online! I feigned composure: “I’m just curious. I wouldn’t do something like that.” Only then did Ryan relax. Shortly after I returned to my apartment, Ethan Ford sent me a message. 【Baby, I’m free now. Should I show you now?】 Ah! Just thinking about how Ethan Ford is cold and cutting in person, with his shirt buttons always fastened to the very top. But privately he’s gay and shameless enough to want to pull down his pants for me to see. The contrast is just too huge. And he’s my advisor! How could I still dare to mess around? Me: 【No need.】 Ethan Ford panicked: 【Why not?】 【Am I not attractive to you anymore?】 【Or are you angry I didn’t agree immediately?】 【No wonder you haven’t accepted the money.】 【Baby, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I’m begging you, give me a chance to show you.】 Then a video call came through. My heart trembled along with the ringtone. Perhaps because Ethan Ford had been so harsh with me, seeing him so humble now stirred a huge sense of satisfaction in me. I even wanted to make him more miserable. I wanted to humiliate him, then dump him. But looking at the $52,000 he’d transferred… …forget it. I’ll keep being the dominant one and continue this relationship for now. However, the humiliation cannot be skipped. I answered the video call. We tacitly didn’t show our faces as usual. “Baby, are you angry?” His clear, deep voice drilled into my ears. Before, I hadn’t thought about connecting it to Ethan Ford. Now hearing this voice, it really was the same as Ethan Ford’s. I was afraid he’d recognize my voice. I typed back to him: 【Not angry. You do your thing, I’ll watch.】 Ethan Ford breathed a sigh of relief. His tone became cheerful. “Okay, then I’ll start.” 0

I stared intently at the screen. Ethan Ford unbuckled his belt… “Ah!” I couldn’t control my outcry and even dropped my phone on the bed in fright. Though I talk dirty all the time, am attracted to men, and love reading erotic fiction to decompress. This was the first time in my 24 years of life seeing another man’s… and it was Ethan Ford’s, no less. It was simply too shocking. Ethan Ford’s voice carried a trace of anxiety. “Baby, what’s wrong?” “Did I… scare you?” I patted my burning cheeks. Ended the video call. Deliberately asked: 【Did you not develop properly?】 Ethan Ford: 【?】 Me: 【In novels, the male leads are all 30.】 Ethan Ford didn’t understand: 【30 what?】 Me: 【Centimeters.】 Ethan Ford: 【…】 Ethan Ford: 【Novels are all made up. My 21 is already very impressive.】 【In fact, I’m even worried you won’t be able to handle it (awkward.jpg)】 This horny dog… My cheeks burned even hotter. 【Indeed can’t handle it.】 【You’re too old.】 【I like pink.】 【Maybe I should find a younger boyfriend.】 Ethan Ford was already 30 years old—this was enough to devastate him. Sure enough. Ethan Ford immediately called via video. Seeing that I rejected it, he sent a voice message, saying anxiously: “Baby, you can’t find another man.” “Whatever color and shape you want, I can get surgery to achieve it.” “Please.” “You can’t abandon me.” “Master.” By the end, his voice was trembling. Hahaha. I was extremely satisfied. Thinking I still needed to revise my thesis later, I deliberately tormented him, saying: 【Depends on your performance.】 【I need to get busy now.】 Ethan Ford was very nervous: 【What are you busy with? Can I help you with anything?】 Of course he could help. But I didn’t dare tell him. 【Something I wrote got called shit. Now I have to rewrite it.】 Ethan Ford felt so sorry for me: 【Then that person really has no taste. Sounds like trash.】 Huh? Cursing himself. I burst out laughing. 【Baby, send me your address. I’ll come back you up and make sure he apologizes to you.】 As if. He clearly just wants to trick me into meeting in person. 0

Ethan Ford and I met in a livestream room. I’m a faceless sleep-aid streamer. He’s my fan. My parents both know I’m only interested in men. They wanted me to start working early and earn more money while I’m young. In case no one takes care of me when I’m old, at least I’ll have money to support myself. But high-paying jobs also have high educational requirements. So I lied to my parents about having a job when I’m actually secretly pursuing my master’s degree. Besides needing to earn my own tuition and living expenses, worried that living in the dorms would expose me, I even rented an apartment off-campus. I really desperately needed money. After discovering that Ethan Ford was very dependent on me and very wealthy, I started reeling him in. For example: deliberately not replying to his private messages, or not streaming for several days in a row. When asked, I’d say I took on private clients. That’s when Ethan Ford would transfer money to buy my time. I smiled and played hard to get: 【There are people bidding higher than you. Why should I agree to you?】 Ethan Ford’s tone was pitiful: 【Then what do you want?】 Me: 【I want an obedient puppy that belongs only to me, the kind that calls me master.】 Ethan Ford coldly replied with 【Oh】. I thought I’d overplayed my hand. Then he asked: 【Do you need me to sell my body?】 【Would you want to see my eight-pack abs?】 Eight-pack? I thought he’d fool me with stock photos from the internet. I didn’t mind stock photos either. 【Yes.】 Ethan Ford sent a voice message. His voice was low and seductive. “I only show my boyfriend.” “Be my boyfriend, and I’ll agree to anything you want.” And so, we established our romantic relationship. But I only held the mindset of working to earn money. To protect my privacy, we agreed not to send face photos or reveal our names. But who could have imagined he was Ethan Ford? 0

I pretended to complain: 【Afraid you’ll show me something ugly.】 【Don’t come.】 【Don’t bother me today, or I’ll block you.】 Ethan Ford indeed quieted down. I took the money and put down my phone. But as soon as it passed midnight. Ethan Ford, as if he’d been watching the clock, sent me crying voice messages. “Baby, it’s a new day now.” “Are you asleep?” “I can change whatever you don’t like about me.” “I need only you. I want you to be my wife.” “Please don’t abandon me.” “Masters can’t abandon their puppies.” “Master, please, just reply to one message.” … I was still up late revising my thesis since I had to submit it to him tomorrow. Originally full of resentment. But hearing Ethan Ford crying that he needed only me and wanted me to be his wife. It was like being hit by a sugar-coated bullet. My heart sweetened. My resentment immediately dissipated by more than half. I asked him: 【Am I really that important to you?】 Ethan Ford’s voice was hoarse yet exceptionally firm: “Extremely important.” “You’re like the ray of light that illuminates my life.” “These two years with you, every single day I’ve been so happy.” “You’re more important to me than my own life.” “Let’s meet. I want to see you every day, take care of you, and spend my whole life with you.” My ears burned hot hearing this. My heart melted completely. Although Ethan Ford was usually cold, cutting, and harsh—making one regret that such a handsome guy had to open his mouth. But thinking about his face, money, abilities… and his current obedient clinginess. I really hit the jackpot. I happily replied: 【I understand. Let’s talk about meeting in June.】 I need to get my diploma first before meeting. Ethan Ford was very happy. The next morning, I went to the academic building to find Ethan Ford on time. Ethan Ford frowned at his computer screen. “Are you sure you revised this according to my comments?” My heart panicked. I leaned toward the computer screen. “Yes. Is it wrong again?” Ethan Ford’s face was cold, the pressure around him frighteningly low. I anxiously wrung the hem of my clothes. “…Then should I revise and send it again?” “But I think… I can’t revise it anymore.” Ethan Ford glanced at me. “Believe in yourself. Consider it fate’s way of testing you with obstacles.” Ah, I was stunned for a moment, not expecting Ethan Ford to change from his venomous style and comfort me. Could it be that thinking about meeting me, he’s being nice to the whole world? The little bit of joy in my heart hadn’t even had time to spread. When Ethan Ford poured cold water right over my head. “But fate seems to think you’re a donkey that needs constant grinding.” Me: “…” Ethan Ford pointed at a section of the document with his mouse. “What is this paragraph? Did AI write it?” “No, I wrote it myself.” “You wrote it yourself?” Ethan Ford scoffed lightly, his tone bone-chillingly cold: “Next time you show me this, I won’t let you enter the review and defense stage. Just apply for delayed graduation then.” A long ringing filled my head. I was already under tremendous pressure, secretly pursuing my master’s degree behind my parents’ backs. If I can’t get my diploma, haven’t these three years been completely wasted? How would I explain this to myself and my parents? And Ethan Ford said last night he’d back me up, but now he’s the one driving me crazy! I felt like Ethan Ford had stabbed me right in the armpit. It really hurt so much, yet was so absurd. In truth. I had completely broken down. I slammed his desk hard, saying: “Ethan Ford! Are you really going to prevent your wife from graduating?” Ethan Ford paused and looked up at me sharply.

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