Chapter 2

I stayed and started learning from the manager.

Compared with my coworkers, who joked and chatted as they worked, I was very quiet.

They teased me for being such a decent woman.

Any young man who ended up with me would be lucky.

I smiled shyly.

“I’m already twenty-eight. What boy would like me?”

They gasped even louder.

“An insecure older woman too? The hot young guys are going to love you!”

“Women stay young at heart until they die. Twenty-eight is still so young!”

I blushed.

I went to splash water on my face to cool down. Clear droplets clung to my chin, my hair casually swept back.

They started again.

“Su Mi, you’re beautiful and you don’t even know it!”

“How have you stayed single this long? Women like you are snapped up ages ago! Some hot boy should have claimed you in your teens!”

I felt a little embarrassed.

They were always teasing me. I didn’t really believe what they said. They must have been trying to cheer me up.

After a lesson with the manager, I came out for water and a break.

Two of the older women were chatting.

Zhang said,

“I got married last month.”

“I don’t smoke, drink, or hit my husband. I even help him wash the dishes when I get home.”

Li sounded amazed.

“You wash the dishes too?”

“A good woman like you must have married up! Is your husband worth nine figures?”

Zhang smiled and nodded.

“Of course.”

Wang, who was in her thirties, joined in.

“I hardly cheat anymore. I only chat with someone now and then.”

A coworker beside her sighed admiringly.

“A player who settles down. You must really love your husband.”

Wang smiled.

“Our second baby was another girl. He’s done a great service to the Wang family. His status has changed, so of course I have to indulge him a little.”

Listening beside them, I grew more and more confused.

Then I noticed the cartoon designs on their clothes.

That explained it.

“They must be talking about some anime thing.”

To save on rent, I lived at the shop.

One evening, just after my shower, the manager called.

“Su Mi, a customer’s car broke down. If you’re at the shop, open up and take a look for him.”

“He’s an important client. Take good care of him.”

I hung up.

I put on a black tank top, slipped into a pair of flip-flops, and came out chewing a steamed bun.

I would never have dressed like this before. But after spending some time at the shop, I’d grown used to wearing comfortable clothes.

I opened the door.

A very handsome man leaned against his car.

He was obviously rich, with the refined air money could cultivate.

What surprised me was that his neckline plunged all the way to his lower abdomen. The beautiful contours of his pecs were right there before my eyes.

None of his ornate accessories drew the eye as much as his chest.

I didn’t dare look for long and quickly averted my gaze.

He laughed.

“So innocent?”

“A woman who won’t even sneak another look at a man’s pecs? That’s rare these days.”

I answered honestly.

“That wouldn’t be right.”

“I shouldn’t take liberties with a customer.”

His gaze grew even hotter at that, roaming greedily over me as though I were prey.

He took in my casually worn black tank top, tan skin, slightly short, tousled hair, and somewhat rough hands…

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Damn.”

“What good boy could resist a rugged woman?”

“I’m done for!”

I looked up blankly.

Was this another anime reference?

My eyes landed on his pecs, and I quickly looked away again.

His outfit was so outrageous that I kept dodging around him. I went to the car and crouched to inspect it.

“Nothing major.”

“Wait over there a little. You can drive it away once it’s fixed.”

I stood with my tools, looking at the ground beside me. I still didn’t dare look at him.

He edged closer, his pecs swaying in front of my eyes.

Without looking at them once, I turned my head and said earnestly,

“Keep your distance.”

“I’ve got engine oil on me. I’m dirty.”

He chuckled twice, all flashy rich-boy charm.

“If it’s you, you can get me dirty.”