At the age of twenty-five, I dedicated most of my time to studying and working diligently. I have never played games, never drank alcohol, and have rarely done anything wild that belongs to youth.
Alfred Jackson suddenly turned around, pinning me against the wall with a serious expression. "Jayne, I'm really going to do something serious now!"
In the dim light, with the faint sounds of commotion around us, the alcohol buzzed in my head. Looking at his vibrant, handsome face, I instinctively leaned in and kissed him.
"What are you doing, Jayne?"
I accidentally hiccupped, holding back the urge to throw up, and laughed, "Weren't you going to get serious? I'm just helping you out..."
"Jayne, I meant I want to focus on my studies again and retake my exams to get into college."
I couldn't hold it back and ended up vomiting on him...
Well, that's the consequence of teasing me...
The next morning, I woke up to find myself lying next to him. As I quickly sat up, he pulled me back down. "What, Jayne, you don't want to take responsibility?"
That day, I was shopping at the mall when I saw a message from my editor saying my writing style was outdated and didn't appeal to young readers. It was so true! I felt that not only was my writing style old, but I was too. This kind of oldness wasn't about age, it was about mindset and experience.
For the past 25 years, I had dedicated most of my time to studying and a proper job. I had never played video games, never drank alcohol, and hadn't done many of the crazy things young people did.
Outside the mall, a group of teenagers were doing tricks on skateboards, spinning, jumping, and flying through the air. It was quite impressive. I was so engrossed in watching them that I forgot to step aside, and one of the boys almost bumped into me, startling me into a shout, feeling a bit embarrassed.
The boy politely apologized, saying he forgot to avoid me, which made me feel even more embarrassed. In my fluster, I didn't even get a good look at him, but his youthful energy left a lasting impression on me, inexplicably stirring something inside me...
Suddenly, I understood what my editor meant by saying "appeal to young readers". So, I quickly headed to the roadside to catch a cab, planning to go home and revise my writing.
Just as I was about to get out of the cab, I realized with dismay that I had lost my phone and hadn't brought any cash. "Sir, I'll leave the clothes I bought with you and go home to get the money."
"Hurry up, hurry up..." The driver looked impatient.
At that moment, someone handed twenty dollars through the window. "No need for change."
"Thank you... Do you live in this neighborhood too?" I got out of the car and saw a young, handsome boy in front of me, guessing it was the one who almost bumped into me earlier, as I could still sense that familiar but indescribable aura.
"Looks like you owe me more than just the cab fare, Jayne."
Then something was placed in my hand. I looked down to see it was my phone.
"Earlier, the more I called at you the faster you walked, are you too good looking to be insecure?"
I could tell he was teasing, so I didn't respond.
Before I could say anything, he flashed his WhatsApp QR code, showing his nickname, and it read, "Wanna Try Something Fresh."
I blurted out, "Are you a foodie?"
He smiled mischievously, "I like beautiful women."
I felt his smile was a bit cheeky, and his words seemed suggestive. It must be my imagination running wild again, maybe this was my professional inertia...
"It's too hot to chase you so hard, so please buy me a drink." Before I could agree, he headed straight to the cafe at the community entrance.
Since he came over to return my phone, it was only fair. But his words sounded odd.
He took a sip of his Americano, looking disgusted. "What do you women drink all day?"
I found it amusing. "Didn't you order it yourself?"
"I've never had it before, just ordered randomly!"
So I got up and ordered a lemon juice for him.
He still looked displeased. "Too sweet..."
Then, I simply asked the owner for a cup of plain water and handed it to him. This time, he was finally satisfied.
I couldn't help but laugh. "If you don't like sweet things, why come to a beverage shop?"
"Didn't I tell you my preference?"
So he was coming to a cafe to see pretty girls? Alright, it seemed I was really out of touch with young people...
Then I inadvertently noticed on WhatsApp he had saved my nickname "Smiling All the Time" as "Flirty Smiling Lady," and I almost burst out laughing, "You wrote it wrong!"
"It's just a nickname, why so serious!" At that moment, his phone rang. He answered it, and the voice on the other end was loud. "You are really dating her! She's pretty, but don't you think she is so old..."
He quickly hung up without a hint of embarrassment, stood up to leave, and turned back at the door to say, "If you're into skateboarding, Jayne, you can come to the city center to watch the competition at 8 PM on Saturday."
Before I could respond, he had already disappeared from my sight.
Little did I know, this chance encounter would change the course of our lives...
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”