The Ten-Thousand-Dollar Wife

My account balance was down to two hundred and fifty bucks and forty-one cents. I screenshotted it and posted a joke on my Moments: "This girl's done hustling. Slightly imperfect, selling myself off for ten grand."

Not even a minute later, Julian's chat bubble popped up: "Please accept your payment of 100,000.00 yuan."

I stared blankly.

"Marriage." "One hundred thousand a month." "To deal with family. After the wedding, we live our own lives."

!!!

Hahahaha, Claire Xu, your day has finally come?!

Was this the kind of plot that only happened in dreams actually landing on my lap?

Was I the kind of person who could be bought with money?

I hit "accept payment" without a second thought.

Yeah, I am.

Heart pounding, fingers trembling, I replied instantly: "Okay, honey."

No choice.

There was no way I could say no.

Let someone else be the career woman.

I couldn't stand this crappy job for one more day.

If you don't have dreams, what's the difference from being carefree?

Nobody's stopping me from lying flat at home and being a useless money-collector.

2

Julian Yan, the new hotshot in the business world. Rich, handsome, smart. Worth billions.

And me? I was pure bottom-of-the-barrel working class. My entire net worth wasn't worth mentioning.

I was approachable; he was approachable with his billions.

The only reason I knew a big shot like him was because I followed my old boss to a business meeting.

To be precise, my old boss groveled and begged to suck up to him, and somehow succeeded.

There were only two possibilities for Julian wanting to marry me: either he'd lost his mind, or he was doing charity.

Whatever his reason, picking me out of the crowd didn't stop me from being moved to tears by his actions.

Me, Claire Xu, was about to become a little rich woman.

A hundred grand a month. Six hundred grand in half a year. One point two million in a year.

If I could just tough it out for one year, I could retire early.

Skip forty years of struggle.

Maybe one day Julian's mom or his first love would throw money at me to get lost, and I could cash in again.

Marry! Right now!

Forget just dealing with family—even if he asked me to polish his ancestors' tombstones to a mirror shine, I'd do it.

3

Julian and I rushed to get the marriage certificate that very afternoon.

Mostly because I was in a hurry. With a deal this good, the faster the better. Couldn't waste a second.

What if he suddenly came to his senses and backed out? I'd lose millions.

We had no feelings for each other. The moment we got the certificate, we walked straight out of the civil affairs bureau without even stepping into the photo area.

Holding that little red book, I felt so much more secure. I was glowing, full of energy.

A hundred grand a month—how could I not be?

"Mr. Yan, just tell me what to do. I'm at your service."

Julian looked annoyed. "What did you call me?"

"Honey?"

He nodded, satisfied. "Good. Keep calling me that from now on."

"Got it. Whatever makes you happy."

I admit I was being a bit of a bootlicker, but the man in front of me was my sugar daddy. I'd call him grandpa if he wanted.

"So, what now?"

"Moving."

Oh right. According to the script, we had to live together.

Too bad I'd just paid three months' rent that morning. No refunds.

Ouch.

I packed one suitcase and moved lightly into Julian's little villa.

I left most of my stuff in my rental.

First, I'd already paid for it, so it'd be a waste not to use it. Second, what if Julian suddenly brought his first love or his true love home for some fun? I'd need a place to hide.

I was such a thoughtful, obedient wife.

Mostly, I was afraid Julian might have a sudden brain fart and kick me out with nowhere to go.

4

Right after we got the certificate, Julian went on a business trip overnight. Except for a cleaning lady who came every day, I was alone in the huge villa.

For a whole week, I woke up every night.

From laughing in my sleep.

It was just too good.

Husband never home, money deposited on time every month, no kids, no mother-in-law drama.

Hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing.

I had nothing to do. I just scrolled videos, binge-watched shows, and dragged my bestie into card games.

During this time, the story of Wang Baochuan digging wild vegetables for eighteen years because of her love-struck brain suddenly went viral. I watched it, shook my head, and couldn't help posting on Moments to warn my bestie: "Love-struck brains mean eighteen years of digging wild veggies."

Julian liked my post.

That was the only contact we'd had since we got the certificate.

Looked like we were both clear-headed. Good.

Even though I seemed useless, I kept up my daily three self-reflections without fail.

"When will Julian's mom come at me with cash?" "How much cash will Julian's mom throw at me?" "How much should I ask for from Julian's mom?"

I even bookmarked a guide on how to successfully get the money when she came at me.

I waited and waited. Finally, a few days later, Julian called to say his mom was coming tonight.

I jumped off the couch. His mom was finally coming!

No offense meant.

Before I could even speak, Julian's voice came through the phone: "I'll come home tonight to meet her with you."

I quickly refused: "No need, no need. I can handle it myself. You're busy with work, don't bother coming back."

Seriously, why would he come back?

If he was there, how could I take his mom's money?

This golden opportunity—I couldn't let him ruin it.

He insisted: "It's better if I'm there for the first meeting."

I refused.

He kept insisting.

I kept refusing.

After a few rounds, Julian got suspicious and started being sarcastic: "What? Afraid I'll get in the way of you taking the money and running?"

Damn!

Was he a mind reader?

How did he know what I was thinking?

"My mom won't throw money at you to leave." "Claire, give up that dream."

I pounded the couch in frustration, but I had to put on a smile:

"What can I do? I just didn't want to bother you with work. Since you insist, I'll wait for you to come back."

5

He said evening, but Julian's mom showed up at three in the afternoon.

Caught me completely off guard. I was woken up from a daze, washed my face quickly, and went downstairs. Didn't even have time to text Julian.

She was sitting next to me in a qipao, looking kind: "I've heard about you from Julian. So you're my daughter-in-law I've never met."

I sat up straight, hands on my knees, looking very proper: "Yes, Auntie."

"What 'Auntie'? Since you've got the certificate, you should call me Mom."

I... So that's where Julian got his obsession with titles. It ran in the family.

When Julian's mom found out he hadn't been home since we got the certificate, a look of pity crossed her face: "You've been wronged."

"Heh," I laughed awkwardly, telling the truth, "No, I haven't."

Not at all, really.

I was getting paid for this. How could I say I was wronged?

But Julian's mom thought I was just afraid to speak up. She stubbornly believed I'd been terribly wronged and got angry instantly.

"I'll make him come home tonight to spend more time with you!"

I wanted to cry but had no tears: "Mom, really, no need."

But she didn't listen at all and kept defending me:

"What's the point of just making money all day? Leaving his new wife at home alone—how irresponsible!" "Come on! Let's go out with Mom!"

I was confused: "Go... where?"

"To conquer all."

6

I thought she was going to take me straight to Julian's company to confront him. But her "conquering all" turned out to be the mall.

"Buy!"

"Those two father and son are cut from the same cloth. Once they have work, they forget their wives. We'll just spend their money for them. Buy whatever you want."

Julian's mom was already having the latest models brought out.

So this was the joy of being rich?!

But I hesitated to step inside.

Even a basic T-shirt in this store cost over ten grand. I didn't have that kind of money to burn.

When Julian's mom saw I wasn't moving, she urged again: "Come on in! Don't try to save Julian's money!"

Auntie... no, Mom, let's just say... is it possible I'm not trying to save your son's money, but I don't have his card?

I used the bathroom as an excuse and secretly called Julian.

"Mr. Yan, Mr. Yan, emergency!"

"What's wrong?" His voice was low.

"Your mom dragged me to the mall."

I was panicking like an ant on a hot pan, but he just replied calmly: "Mm."

Mm?

Mm?!

Just one "mm"?

Just as I didn't know how to continue, Julian finally spoke slowly:

"Buy whatever you want. Call me when you're done shopping, and I'll pick you up for dinner."

"Um... can I get reimbursed?" I asked carefully, afraid he'd say no, and then explained, "It's not that I want to buy stuff. This is work-related, you know?"

There was a scoff on the other end: "Reimburse. I'll cover it all."

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't my money, I was fine.

After hanging up, Julian transferred me five hundred thousand.

Seeing that number, my hand shook so hard I almost dropped my phone.

"If that's not enough, let me know. I have a meeting now."

"Enough, enough."

So this is how rich people operate. Transferring five hundred grand is like transferring fifty bucks.

Sigh! The hatred for the rich welled up inside me.

7

Julian's mom had a great time shopping all the way. The rich world was just that simple and unadorned.

With the fortune Julian had sent me, I felt a bit guilty. So when I bought clothes for myself, I also picked out a few shirts for him.

Just when I thought Julian's mom was done with the shopping trip, she turned and walked straight into a men's underwear store.

I stood at the entrance, hesitant. She waved me in: "Come in and pick out a couple for Julian too."

Me: "?"

"No need, right?" I looked troubled, stammering, "We're... not that close."

"You're husband and wife. Don't be shy." Julian's mom came over and said earnestly, "We'll each pick our own. I won't look. Feel free to choose."

With that, she pushed me inside.

Help!

I wanted to cry but had no tears. First of all, ours was a purely transactional relationship. We weren't close enough to pick out underwear for each other. And more importantly... I didn't know...

What size Julian wore!

I couldn't just text him and ask now.

That would be insane.

But with Julian's mom watching, and her determined not to let me off until I picked something, I had to grit my teeth and pretend to browse.

Forget it. Whatever size. I'd buy it, hide it, and never let Julian see it.

When Julian's mom wasn't looking, I grabbed two boxes from the shelf and tossed them on the counter: "Checkout. Hurry."

8

By the time we left the mall, it was already six.

Julian's mom dropped me off at Julian's office building, said "I won't get in the way of your alone time," and left.

I stood in the lobby with my bags, not knowing whether to stay or go.

Because she'd thoughtfully arranged for someone to take me to Julian.

Before the person could arrive, an unwelcome visitor showed up.

"Claire."

That familiar voice.

I turned around. Oh, it was my ex-boyfriend, Derek.

What a nuisance.

We'd had an office romance. My old boss was a creep who tried to use his position to take advantage of me.

When I told Derek about it, his first reaction was to tell me to pretend nothing happened and swallow the loss.

"I'm up for a promotion this month. If this blows up, it'll be bad for both of us."

He didn't even look angry. His face was full of worry about his own future.

I just smiled, said nothing, and put the tripe I was going to share with him straight into my mouth.

Ha. Go eat sh*t.

On the way back, I broke up with him.

The next day, I quit my job.

He was probably here to discuss a partnership with Julian's company.

"What are you doing here?"

"None of your business?" I didn't want to talk to him. I picked up my bags and turned to leave.

But he reached out and stopped me: "I got promoted."

"So? You will..." Retail English slipped out, but I forgot the rest. "None of my business?"

"I know you were wronged back then. I'm a manager now. Even if you don't work, I can support you. Let's get back together."

He looked all sincere, but it just disgusted me.

"Derek, I'm expensive. That thousand-dollar raise of yours can't afford me."

"Claire, you weren't this materialistic before." He grabbed my wrist and demanded, "Where did you get the money for all these designer bags?"

Ugh. This was the epitome of "speechless to the point of being speechless."

A thousand bucks and he's talking about materialism.

"Stay away from me." I couldn't be bothered to argue with him. Just as I was wondering how to get away, my savior arrived.

9

"Claire. Come here."

Julian was standing nearby, his eyes fixed on Derek's hand. His expression wasn't exactly pleasant.

I shook off Derek's hand and ran straight to Julian, beaming: "Mr. Yan, you're here."

"Mm." Julian's reaction was bland, unreadable.

"Let's go."

Julian reached out to take my bags, but I refused: "No, I've got it."

I had enough self-awareness for that. No way was I making my sugar daddy carry my stuff.

But he seemed even more annoyed. He frowned and quickened his pace, leaving me to run after him with all my bags.

Only when we were in the car did Julian ask, "Who was that?"

"My ex-boyfriend." I explained while buckling my seatbelt. "We're completely done. I just ran into him today by accident."

Julian's expression softened a bit.

If I didn't know we had a contract marriage, I'd almost think he was jealous.

But I was cheeky. Seeing his reaction, I couldn't help teasing: "Mr. Yan, are you jealous? I thought we agreed not to interfere in each other's lives after marriage."

"You're overthinking it. I was just asking."

I knew it.

Julian started the car and changed the subject: "What do you want to eat?"

"Anything's fine."

Half an hour later, Julian parked in front of a restaurant.

"So, what are we eating?"

Without looking up, he said, "Dumplings."

Me: "..."

10

The car slowly stopped in front of the little villa. I huffed and puffed as I pulled the shopping bags from the back seat, ready to say goodbye.

"Thanks for the ride home."

The moment I finished speaking, Julian pushed open the door and got out.

"Claire, this is my home too."

I was a bit surprised: "You're staying tonight?"

One hand in his pocket, he stared at me: "You seem disappointed that I'm coming home."

Busted.

I laughed it off: "How could I be? Of course I want you to come home and keep me company."

"Good. Then let me tell you, starting today, I'll be coming home every night."

In other words, your good days are over.

I really was screwed.

Why did I have to open my big mouth?

I'd shot myself in the foot.

But whether as the owner of this house or as the man on my marriage certificate, Julian had every right to come home, and I had no grounds to refuse.

Dejectedly, I handed him the clothes I'd bought for him.

"For me?"

"Yeah. See if they fit."

Julian sat down on the couch and flipped through the bags. He picked up a box and examined it.

"Ahem." "Too small."

I was listless, my mind full of how to coexist with him under the same roof. Hearing his comment, I snapped back without thinking:

"How do you know they're too small if you haven't even tried them on?!"

I turned to look. What was in Julian's hands if not the underwear I'd randomly bought?!

Crap!

Since I never intended for Julian to wear them, I hadn't paid attention to the size when I grabbed them.

At checkout, I'd just tossed the two boxes of underwear into the bag with the shirts, planning to hide them first and then give Julian the clothes. But his "I'll be coming home every night starting today" had thrown me off, and I forgot all about it.

My face flushed. I snatched the box from his hands and hid it behind my back, trying to explain: "These aren't for you."

"Not for me? Then who are they for?" "Your ex-boyfriend?"

He glanced at the box behind my back, raised an eyebrow, and said mockingly, "That's small."

"You—you—" He had me so flustered I couldn't form a complete sentence. "Shameless."

He chuckled. "Size 2XL. Remember that. Buy this size next time."

He was challenging me!

Was I going to lose to that?

I could talk trash too.

"What's wrong? Does your little brother need a two-bedroom, one-living-room setup?"

Julian slowly leaned in, a slight smirk on his lips, his eyes full of teasing: "Not convinced? Want to try?"

11

I admit, at that moment, I chickened out. I grabbed my bag and fled to my room.

Who would've thought that Julian, who seemed so proper and indifferent to women, could be so shameless?

Compared to him, I was just a rookie.

To be honest, if he weren't so handsome, I'd have slapped him twice. If he were just average-looking, I'd have given him a good one.

But I forgot—the whole house was his. Where could I run?

Besides, I'd been sleeping in the master bedroom.

Now that the true owner was back, I naturally had to give it up. After showering, I dutifully went to the guest room.

But the guest room bed was bare—not even a sheet.

I started rummaging through cabinets. I searched the whole house and couldn't find a single set of bedding.

Julian watched me darting around the house and casually asked, "What are you looking for?"

"Bedding. I'm sure I remember there being a few spare sets in the house."

"Ahem," he said casually, actually explaining for once, "The cleaning lady probably threw them out. We replace the bedding every few months."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"What do you mean?"

I was frustrated and troubled: "How am I supposed to sleep in the guest room without bedding?"

Julian slowly unbuttoned his shirt. "Mrs. Yan, I don't plan on sleeping in separate rooms."

What? Sharing a bed?

That's extra.

"Didn't we say... no interference in each other's lives after marriage?"

I thought that by coming home, Julian would just take away my freedom in the house. I never thought he'd take away my freedom to have my own bed.

Julian said matter-of-factly, "You sleep on your side, I sleep on mine. How am I interfering with you?"

I felt his logic was completely unreasonable, but I didn't know how to argue.

"Or do you want me to do something to you?"

"No way!"

Had Julian taken some weird pill today? He wouldn't stop flirting.

Knowing I couldn't win an argument with him, I chose not to fight. "I'm thirsty. I'm going to get some water."

"Go ahead." Julian didn't press me. "I still have some work to do. Go to sleep if you're tired."

12

After quitting my job, my back didn't ache, my legs didn't hurt, and I stopped losing hair from anxiety. Half a month of slacking off had made me fall asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

Even though I'd been worried about sharing a bed with Julian just moments before, I couldn't fight off the drowsiness.

So before Julian finished his work, I was already asleep. I didn't know when he came to bed, and I didn't know when he left.

When I woke up, I looked at the space beside me. Perfect. On the two-meter-wide bed, Julian and I had both instinctively moved to the edges. There was enough room for two more people in the middle.

He'd proven with actions that he really wasn't interfering with me.

But I was a bit annoyed. Was he that disgusted by me?

This went on for days.

Julian came home every night, but it was like he wasn't there at all.

He worked overtime in his study every night.

I didn't get it. Was being a CEO just about not having time to sleep?

Sleeping later than a dog, waking up earlier than a chicken.

I'd rather be a bum.

After being cooped up at home for a few days, I took the weekend to meet my bestie for shopping. As usual, I reported on my luxurious life.

She was shocked and slammed the table:

"No way? You're a total babe—got the boobs, got the butt—and he didn't touch you all night?"

Everyone in the milk tea shop turned to look. I pulled her back to her seat and silently rubbed my forehead.

"Grandma, can you keep it down?"

"Sorry, sorry. Got a little carried away."

My bestie finally concluded: "Either he can't, or he's gay."

It hit me.

If it was the latter, everything made sense.

Not interested in women, and even his assistant was a guy.

He spent money to marry me in a flash marriage just to deal with his parents.

He insisted on sharing a bed but stayed a meter away, probably because he was afraid Julian's mom would catch on.

Someone like Julian was hard not to fantasize about. He fulfilled every girl's fantasy of the opposite sex.

But now it seemed he could also fulfill a guy's fantasy of the same sex.

Tsk, tsk. I shook my head and took a big gulp of my milk tea. Finding a partner was really hard these days. When you finally find a quality guy, he's already taken internally.

13

Halfway through our shopping trip, my bestie was called back to work by her boss. I lost interest and went to the supermarket to buy some ingredients before heading to my rental apartment.

I liked cooking and recording my life. I never expected to get lucky—a few of my videos went viral, and I gained eight hundred thousand followers in a year. I was a half-baked food blogger.

No one knew about this identity except my bestie.

Before, because I had a job, I didn't update often—maybe three or four videos a month. But ever since Julian bought me off...

Wait, no. Ever since I married Julian, I'd completely entered a state of rest and laziness.

Plus, all my filming equipment was in my little apartment, so I couldn't be bothered to make the effort.

I counted—I'd been on hiatus for twenty days. No wonder my fans were threatening to call the police if I didn't update.

Since I had nothing to do, I might as well pick up my food blogger identity and add to my retirement fund.

After being out of practice for so long, I even messed up the ingredient measurements. I ended up making too much.

Wasting food was a sin. Weighing my options, I packed up the leftovers and brought them back to Julian's villa, planning to have them as a late-night snack.

I spent an hour editing the video and posted it. A few of my long-time fans commented.

"Oh, look who's back from the dead." "Finally remembered your password today, huh?"

I replied to a few interesting comments, then went to take a shower.

At ten at night, I was heating up my leftovers in the kitchen when Julian came home.

I handed him a glass of water. "I'm heating up a late-night snack. Want some?"

There was still a lot left. I couldn't finish it all by myself.

"Mm." He didn't refuse. He pulled out a chair and sat down. "I'll have a little."

Turns out Julian's "a little" meant eating everything, including my share.

"You seem really hungry."

Was he starving? How could a CEO not even have time to eat?

"I had a business dinner tonight. Didn't eat much." After eating his fill, Julian wiped his mouth and generously complimented, "Tastes good."

An idea flashed through my mind.

I leaned in, all smiles. "Mr. Yan, how about a deal?"

"Go on."

"You seem to like my cooking. I'll cook for you, and you pay me. Deal? Worth it, right?"

I was sick of the takeout around here. The cleaning lady didn't cook. I was planning to start cooking for myself anyway, since I needed to gather material for my channel.

Cooking for one or two was the same effort. Might as well make some extra retirement money.

I must have some kind of talent for making money.

"Claire, are you that obsessed with money?"

"Come on. Who doesn't like money?"

He was worth billions and still worked from dawn to dusk for money.

"How much do you want?"

I held up five fingers. "Five hundred per meal."

Before I could even put my hand down, he high-fived me. "Deal."

Damn. I should've asked for more.

14

Julian set up a shared payment for me. The cost of ingredients would come from his account.

He knew me.

I asked him why he didn't just throw me a black card like the CEOs in novels.

He snorted. "I'm afraid of losing both the money and the person."

So he was afraid I'd take the money and run.

I was outraged. "Do you really think I'm that dishonorable?!"

He asked calmly, "Oh? Aren't you?"

Okay, I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't do it. I still held onto the fantasy of someone throwing money at me to step aside.

I could only blame him for knowing me too well.

No time like the present. The next day at noon, I packed a carefully prepared lunch and headed straight to Julian's company.

He was still in a meeting. Bored waiting in his office, I opened a card game to play 2v2.

But I lost one round, then another, and another. My seven hundred thousand chips went straight to bankruptcy.

There must be something cursed in this office.

When Julian came back, I was buried in the couch, wailing. My phone was playing a thirty-second ad.

"It's all gone! Everything is gone!"

Julian looked confused. "What's gone?"

"Seven hundred thousand! Seven hundred thousand!"

He said lightly, "That's not much money. Why are you making such a fuss? I'll make it up to you."

I was too deep in regret to react to his infuriating comment: "It's different! Those seven hundred thousand chips took me a whole week to save! And now they're all gone!"

He was confused. "What chips?"

"The chips for the card game."

Julian: "..."

He thought I'd lost seven hundred thousand dollars, but I'd actually lost seven hundred thousand game chips.

What hurt more was that when he thought I'd lost seven hundred thousand dollars, he'd said, "That's not much money."

Human joys and sorrows are not the same.

"How much is seven hundred thousand chips? I'll buy them for you."

I refused indignantly: "Vulgar! What's the point of buying them with money? Earning them with my own hands is what gives me satisfaction!"

I could watch a million ads, but I wouldn't spend a cent on games. That was my last shred of dignity.

Julian rubbed his forehead, speechless at my behavior, but finally said, "Give me your phone. I'll win them back for you."

So instead of Julian eating and me playing cards, the scene turned into him playing for me and me feeding him.

"Open up." "Run the planes." "One more bite." "Bomb them!" "..."

After a few rounds, I watched as Julian turned the four thousand chips he'd earned from watching ads into a hundred thousand, then two hundred thousand, then five hundred thousand.

I got so excited I lost control and threw my arms around Julian: "You're my god! My one and only god!"

Julian froze for a second, looking a bit uncomfortable.

Awkwardness hung in the air.

I quickly let go, realizing I'd crossed a line.

This gesture was too intimate for us.

More importantly, Julian's reaction suggested he really didn't like physical contact with women—maybe even found it repulsive.

I rubbed my nose and apologized: "Sorry. Got carried away."

To be honest, I was holding back. If it had been my bestie, I'd have kissed her cheeks.

He cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "Want me to keep playing for you?"

"No, no, that's enough for me to play with." I grabbed my phone and frantically cleared the lunch boxes from the table. "Um, finish eating. I'll head back first."

I didn't dare linger. I walked out of the company with a heavy heart.

Would Julian be angry about my unintentional gesture and kick me out?

Please, no.

I hadn't saved enough for retirement yet.

15

On Friday, my aunt called me home.

When I was nine, my parents died in a car accident. I grew up with my uncle's family.

At the funeral, the relatives shook their heads and discussed who I should live with. Whoever took me would be stuck with a burden.

My uncle lost his temper on the spot. He pulled me into his arms and announced:

"Claire is my daughter from now on. None of you need to support her. Don't let me hear that kind of talk again."

They fell silent, and at the same time, they breathed a sigh of relief.

My uncle was a very mild-mannered man. That was the only time I'd ever seen him so angry.

After losing my parents, I couldn't accept it for a long time. I took my anger out on everyone around me. I took a year off from school and transferred to another school.

But they never complained. They were incredibly good to me—even better than to my cousin.

Over the years, they'd spoiled me back into a carefree little princess.

After I started working, I rented an apartment outside and went back to see them once a week.

I had a bad feeling about this.

They usually thought I was busy with work and didn't want to bother me. Most of the time, they'd just text to check in. They rarely called me to come home, and the tone on the phone sounded a bit angry.

Sure enough, as soon as I got home, I saw their unhappy faces.

I ran over and hugged her, acting cute: "Auntie, what's wrong? Who made you mad? Tell me, I'll go beat them up!"

But this time, she didn't fall for it.

"Sit down."

I obediently sat up straight.

My aunt was a bit angry. "Let me ask you. Did you quit your job?"

My heart skipped a beat. "How did you know?"

I hadn't told them because I didn't want them to worry.

"Derek came by yesterday."

Derek. That nuisance again!

When we were together, he'd come to drop me off once and ran into my aunt.

"He said you found a sugar daddy and broke up with him. He couldn't find you at your rental, so he came to us. We don't believe him. We only believe you. Tell us the truth. What's going on?"

I gave them a rough summary of what happened.

My uncle was so angry he paced around the living room: "Good riddance! You did the right thing breaking up with him! We don't need that job!"

"Then why didn't you tell us you quit?" My aunt looked displeased. "You're such a child. If you quit, why are you still sending us money? I'm sending it back to you right now."

She pulled out her phone.

I stopped her. "Come on. I've been working for a while. Of course I have some savings. Don't worry, I have money. Your retirement is on me!"

"We have our own pensions. We don't need yours. Claire, your uncle and I just want you to be happy. We're not pressuring you to get married, but if you could find someone caring to look after you, we'd feel better."

Seeing my aunt's worried face, I thought about it and decided to tell her part of the truth:

"Actually, I already have a boyfriend. He's better-looking than Derek, taller, richer, and he treats me well." "And I have a source of income now. I make videos and have hundreds of thousands of followers. I can make money from ads. Don't worry."

They perked up immediately and insisted I bring my new boyfriend home to meet them.

I couldn't refuse, so I agreed.

16

Back at the villa, my mind was full of how to ask Julian to meet my aunt and uncle.

Since I needed a favor from him, I went all out for a few days, coming up with all kinds of lunches for him.

Julian's meal treatment went from "eat whatever I make" to "eat whatever he wants."

I always believed that a well-fed person is easier to deal with.

And I'd gotten addicted to bringing Julian lunch because he could win back all the chips I lost.

With him, it was like I had a cheat code.

Julian paid me weekly for my cooking.

At noon, I brought him lunch as usual. He pulled out his phone to transfer the money.

Seeing that the time was right, I seized the opportunity:

"Mr. Yan, you don't have to transfer the money for this week. Can I ask you for a favor instead?"

"What favor?"

"It's just... my family wants to meet you. Can you come home with me to put their minds at ease?"

Julian didn't say a word. He still transferred the money.

My heart sank. Did he have to refuse so bluntly?!

All those good meals I made for him, wasted!

Heartless jerk!

I cursed his ancestors in my mind, and then I heard him speak slowly:

"Meeting your family is only right. You don't need to trade it for payment."

Huh?

Sorry. I admit I was a bit too loud with my cursing just now.

17

I set a time and brought Julian home.

Afraid he wouldn't be mentally prepared, I told him about my situation beforehand.

He listened quietly, said nothing, but reached out and patted the back of my head.

I don't know if it was my imagination, but I thought I saw pity in his eyes.

Yes, pity.

Not condescension.

My aunt and uncle were satisfied with everything. Julian was smart and socially adept. He'd been dominating the business world for years and had seen it all. This kind of small occasion was a piece of cake.

To be fair, who could be dissatisfied with Julian?

If he weren't gay, I might have fallen for him already.

What a shame. A man like that—you can only look, not touch.

On the way back, I sat in Julian's passenger seat and chatted about my school days.

Julian was driving when he suddenly asked, "Which elementary school did you go to?"

I blurted out, "City No. 3 Elementary. Did you go there too?"

"No."

We didn't continue that topic.

He had a business dinner, and I didn't want to get involved in his work. I decided to wander around nearby and wait for him to finish so we could go home together.

18

Shopping alone was boring. After half an hour of aimless wandering, I went straight to the restaurant where Julian was having his dinner.

But I ran into the person I least wanted to see.

Derek came out of a private room.

"Claire. Did you come here looking for me? You still like me, don't you?" he asked shamelessly.

I rolled my eyes internally. How had I been so blind as to fall for someone like him? "Who do you think you are?"

"I know. You're working as a nanny for Mr. Yan." "Claire, Julian might look glamorous on the surface, but who knows what kind of snake he is behind the scenes? People like that are ruthless. You shouldn't be around him." "Come back to me. You won't have to work so hard. I'll forget everything that happened before."

Me: "..."

To avoid becoming the center of gossip at Julian's company, I'd been bringing him lunch under the guise of being his nanny.

"Derek, we're never getting back together. Stop spreading rumors to my family and stay away from me. I recorded this. You care about your reputation, don't you? If I hear you talking nonsense again, I'll send this recording to your company."

Derek's face turned pale. He