Song Zhugong kicked the guy lightly, "Stop dreaming! Xia Miao already has a boyfriend!"
Xia Miao spoke up, "You know I have a boyfriend?"
"No way, Miss Xia, you’ve made it so obvious. Who wouldn’t know?"
Song Zhugong pulled out his phone and deliberately scrolled through Xia Miao’s social media feed.
Every time her boyfriend gave her something, she’d treat it like a treasure and flaunt it online.
This young lady used to post only about luxury goods and high-end indulgences, but suddenly, one day, she started sharing selfies captioned "My boyfriend braided my hair," or photos of lavish home-cooked meals with notes like "My boyfriend made this for me." Sometimes, she’d even post close-ups of tiny embroidered flowers on her clothes, proudly calling them her boyfriend’s handiwork.
Her boyfriend seemed practically omnipotent!
Anyone could tell how deeply in love Xia Miao was.
For people like them, once material wealth no longer excites, those who provide emotional fulfillment become rare and precious.
Xia Miao felt a little dazed. Only after Song Zhugong pointed it out did she recall how often she’d gushed about her relationship online.
Song Zhugong asked eagerly, "Xia Miao, when are you going to introduce your boyfriend to us?"
Since she’d never brought him around before, curiosity was inevitable.
Just which lucky young master had won the heart of the Xia family’s heiress?
Xia Miao brushed it off, "Maybe another time."
Song Zhugong, sensing her disinterest, dropped the subject. As the host, he rallied the group to keep playing before heading out for karaoke later.
Xia Miao wasn’t into the games and found the arcade too noisy. She stepped outside for some quiet.
Song Zhugong followed her. "Xia Miao, not a fan of this stuff?"
"Not really," she replied.
He frowned. "Then why’d you agree to come?"
"Just felt like getting out." She changed the subject casually, "By the way, where’s that annual dividend you promised me?"
"Relax, I’d never shortchange you. The major shareholder’s cut is guaranteed!" Song Zhugong eyed her up and down, then ventured, "Hey, Xia Miao, have you seriously considered my suggestion? These days, successful influencers make a killing. Someone as stunning as you could be a superstar! If you started streaming, you’d rake it in!"
Ignoring his chatter, Xia Miao let her gaze wander.
They were in a large mall—the arcade on the third floor faced a plush toy store.
A person in an oversized, adorable bear costume stood at the entrance clutching a bunch of balloons, drawing customers’ attention.
"So like I was saying, Xia Miao, it’s a waste you’re not a celebrity, but nowadays, you don’t even need to be one to get famous. There are so many other ways to—"
"Enough. Let me have some peace."
Song Zhugong’s speech was cut short. He pouted but knew better than to upset his biggest investor. "Fine, I’ll leave you alone."
He returned to the arcade while Xia Miao sat on a bench outside, scrolling through her contacts hesitantly.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her. She looked up.
A tall brown bear stood before her, extending a paw to offer a red balloon.
Xia Miao stared at it. The vibrant color reflected in her eyes like flickering embers. Driven by some inexplicable instinct, she whispered, "Shen Chi."
He seemed startled, pausing in silence.
Her eyes curved into crescents. "It’s you, isn’t it?"
After a long moment, the bear head came off, revealing a young man glistening with sweat. His damp black hair clung to his pale face, making his complexion appear even ghostlier.
Yet when his gaze landed on Xia Miao, his eyes softened. "Miao Miao."
She pulled out tissues and stood to wipe his face, overwhelmed by an indescribable heaviness in her chest.
"You said you’d found work... this is it?"
Shen Chi nodded. "They pay daily. It’s convenient."
The stifling costume weighed on him, yet he often stood for hours without complaint.
He’d done all sorts of jobs for money—waiting tables, repairs, even homework for others. Nothing was beneath him if it paid.
Xia Miao wanted to beg him to quit, but the words would only highlight her naivety.
"Miao Miao, don’t worry. I know my limits."
She lowered her head, mood sour. "Mm."
He longed to hold her hand but couldn’t. After a pause, he said, "Earlier... I saw a guy talking to you."
"Just an old childhood friend. We hadn’t met in years." Worried he’d misunderstand, she added, "He brought a whole group—guys and girls."
Shen Chi smiled. "Got it."
Spotting Song Zhugong’s approaching group, he pressed the balloon into her hand and slipped the bear head back on. "Have fun, Miao Miao. Back to work."
She didn’t understand his haste until she noticed Song Zhugong nearing—then it clicked.
Song Zhugong eyed the retreating bear. "What was that about? Trying to hit on you?"
Someone laughed. "As if someone like that could dare approach Miss Xia."
Xia Miao tightened her grip on the balloon string and shot the speaker a glare. Then she strode forward and seized the bear’s paw.
Even through the thick padding, she felt him tense.
Turning back, she announced, "You guys go ahead. I’m staying with my boyfriend while he works."
Song Zhugong and the others froze.
She gave the paw a gentle shake. "Let’s go, boyfriend."
Two seconds later, the clumsy brown bear took a step forward, his captured paw making no effort to pull away.
"Did I hear right? The heiress’s boyfriend is some minimum-wage worker!"
Song Zhugong snapped out of his daze and barked at the grumbling underlings, "What's wrong with being a wage worker? Every bite you eat, every thread you wear, every thing you use—wasn’t it all made by wage workers? And besides, this isn’t just any wage worker we’re talking about! This is the wage worker our investor handpicked! How come the angel investor saw potential in them and not in you? That just proves you’re not even half as good as a wage worker!"
The lackeys were left utterly speechless.
