From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

I didn't reply to her, put away my phone, and shook my head at my cousin to indicate that everything was fine.

I took off my sweat-smelling T-shirt, lit a cigarette, leaned back on the sofa, and remained unusually calm.

My cousin was frantic, pacing back and forth: "You're still smoking! Pack your things and let's go! They could crush us with a flick of their fingers!"

I exhaled a puff of smoke, feeling no impulse whatsoever.

Over the years, the skill I've mastered most in my life is endurance.

When I first entered the workforce in the county town, I was cheated out of my wages and taken advantage of by my seniors, but I endured it.

I endured the hard labor of carrying bricks on construction sites, being exploited by the foreman and bullied by the senior employees.

I came to Longjiang City to deliver food, and I endured being harassed by customers and having money arbitrarily deducted from my paycheck by the platform.

I'm working hard all by myself in a foreign land, I can't afford to get into trouble, and I dare not let anything happen to me.

If I fall, the sky will fall on my family.

But countless concessions and forbearance have never brought them a peaceful life; instead, they have only intensified their bullying and suppression.

I still vividly remember the conflict that just happened.

Even if I had bowed my head, admitted defeat, and knelt down to apologize, that arrogant and domineering rich kid would never have let me off easily.

Some grudges, once formed, have no chance of being resolved.

Giving in is useless, and running away is even more useless.

I looked up at my agitated cousin and said in a low voice:

"Brother, don't be afraid. This is my fault. If it really involves you, I'll move out tomorrow and I definitely won't implicate you in the slightest."

Upon hearing this, my cousin slapped me hard on the shoulder, his voice rising several decibels:

"What nonsense are you spouting! I'm not afraid of being dragged down by you, I'm afraid your stubborn nature will lead to you being ruined! Sooner or later you'll suffer a terrible fall from which you can't get back up!"

He sighed heavily, his anxiety finding no outlet.

In the end, he didn't try to persuade me to run away anymore. He just waved his hand and told me to wash up and rest quickly, and not to overthink things.

The bedroom door closed, and I was left alone in the living room.

I lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the dark ceiling above me. The grievances that had been building up in my heart for years finally came to a complete understanding at that moment.

The next morning, I went to the food delivery station on time as usual.

But as soon as I stepped into the station, the snobbish station manager waved at me:

"Lin Ye, come here and come into my office."

My heart skipped a beat, thinking it was another order dispute.

As I walked into the office, the station manager looked at me and said, "Xiao Lin, the misunderstanding about that negative review has been cleared up. The fine has been fully revoked, and the platform has even given you a bonus."

what's going on?

I've been working here for so long, and this is the first time I've encountered such an understanding station manager.

Before I could ask any more questions, he asked again, full of curiosity, "But I'd really like to ask you, do you know anyone in higher-ups?"

I was still a little confused, so I shook my head.

The station manager gasped: "That's strange! Headquarters called me first thing this morning to withdraw your complaint and even give you a bonus."

I paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered that it might have been Su Qing who arranged it.

I didn't have a good impression of her originally, but I didn't expect her to do me a favor.

But I didn't explain much, and simply said, "Then I'll go out and deliver orders if there's nothing else?"

The station manager was still completely confused and waved at me.

After leaving the office, I continued delivering orders, trying not to think about those messy things anymore.

It wasn't until after 2 p.m., when I had finished my lunch break and was heading back to the station with a colleague, that I finally got back to work.

A red Mercedes sports car suddenly caught up with me and blocked my way.

Immediately afterwards, the car door opened, and Su Qing, dressed in an elegant outfit, stepped out of the car.

Her dazzling blonde hair fell loosely, her features were delicate and sharp, and her demeanor was noble and otherworldly.

She walked straight towards me and asked forcefully:

"Why aren't you replying to my messages!"

My colleague, who was still next to me, looked at Su Qing with disbelief.

I took off my helmet and said somewhat helplessly, "Didn't you tell me to think about it? I haven't made up my mind yet!"

My colleague next to me glanced at me, then at Su Qing, and immediately gave me a thumbs up, saying:

"Brother Lin, I'm heading back to the station now. You and your girlfriend have a good talk."

I:"……"

Su Qing ignored me, staring straight at me, and continued to press:

"Have you made up your mind yet?"

Actually, I've already thought it through; it's not about hooking up with Su Qing, this rich heiress.

To put it bluntly, it's all for that 100,000 yuan.

In the past, I was stubborn and would rather die than back down; I would simply refuse without thinking.

But I know that I offended Fang Heng, that rich second-generation, last night.

There's no way to escape him; constantly trying to avoid him will only provoke him to escalate his actions.

I'm all alone, with no connections or resources. I can't hold on for long with just my ruthlessness.

If we go head-to-head, I will be completely crushed.

But Su Qing is different.

She and Fang Heng were old acquaintances, from equal family backgrounds, and she was the only one who could keep Fang Heng in check.

Rather than being passively attacked and driven to the brink of destruction, it is better to go with the flow and use the opponent's strength against them.

Using her resources to break the deadlock and regain my way out is currently the only way out.

I looked directly at Su Qing and said crisply, "You just want me to be your fake boyfriend, right?"

Su Qing smiled and cut to the chase without beating around the bush:

"Yes, just one month."

"For the next month, you must follow my instructions and cooperate with my act."

The price I have to pay is just a month of acting along, temporarily putting aside my pointless stubbornness and pride.

But what I can gain is a chance to turn the tide in a desperate situation, plus a reward of 200,000.

It can completely stabilize my mother's medical expenses and eliminate all my worries.

This deal is a sure thing, you can't lose money.

After a long silence, I calmly said, "I can agree."

"But I have three conditions, and you must agree to them all."

Without even thinking, she nodded and said, "Go ahead."

I looked into her eyes and said, word by word:

"First, it's just acting, limited to blocking Fang Heng. No intimacy, no crossing boundaries, and nothing that insults my dignity."

"Secondly, I will only cooperate with Fang Heng and will not get involved in any of the Su family's private affairs, grudges, or messy relationships."

"Third, the period is one month. Once the time is up, both parties will sever all ties and never interfere with each other again."

Su Qing nodded decisively without the slightest hesitation: "Okay, whatever you say."

She quickly composed herself and said seriously, "There's a private high-end cocktail party tonight, and Fang Heng will be there. You'll be attending with me."

I frowned slightly and admitted, "I don't understand social etiquette in this circle, and I don't know how to handle these situations."

"You don't need to offer toasts or engage in social niceties, nor do you need to say anything deliberately. Tonight, you just need to stand quietly by my side and fulfill your role."

I knew in my heart that things were definitely not as simple as she made them out to be.

This party was destined to be fraught with trouble.