Chapter 2

Only when we went inside did I understand what luxury meant.

Crystal chandeliers. Marble floors. Even the cutlery sparkled.

Australian wagyu, French foie gras, king crab, Boston lobster, caviar, truffles…

All those fancy ingredients I’d only ever seen online were right in front of me. Mine for the taking.

Tears began to trickle from the corners of my mouth.

I took out my phone, secretly snapped a picture, and sent it to our dorm group chat. “Have you peasants ever beheld such a feast?”

The chat exploded.

I put away my phone and rubbed my hands together.

Next came some serious eating.

Plate in hand, I shuttled back and forth along the buffet, taking a little of everything.

The king crab legs were so tender they practically oozed juice.

The wagyu melted in my mouth, so delicious I nearly swallowed my tongue.

The foie gras on bread was rich without being greasy.

I ate with grease on my lips and not a care in the world.

Whatever the high-flyers around me were discussing, I paid no attention.

Until—

Someone beside me nudged me.

“Stop eating for a moment. We’re about to toast the boss. Wipe your mouth.”

I froze with a piece of lobster still in my mouth.

What?

A toast? Nobody had told me family members had to do that too!

I hastily wiped my mouth with a napkin.

The boss happened to be nearby.

My turn.

Wait. What was his surname again?

I’d heard them call him something like… Mr. Shih?

The boss smiled at me and raised his glass.

God, he was handsome.

I hurried to raise mine. “M-Mr. Shih, a toast to you.”

Silence fell instantly.

The high-flyers around us froze. Someone’s face turned red, his shoulders shaking. He was clearly holding back laughter.

The boss’s handsome face darkened. Through gritted teeth, he said, “It’s Shi.”

I was done for.

How could anyone make a mistake that bad?

If they exposed me as fake family, would they throw me out in front of everyone?

My mind raced.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Shi. I’m from the countryside. I speak dialect so much that I get my tones mixed up sometimes. Ha-ha…”

Mr. Shi raised an eyebrow. “The countryside?”

He summoned Glasses Guy.

“I thought you were from City C. Is she really your sister?”

Glasses Guy was flustered too. “Y-yes. She grew up in our family’s home village.”

He gave me a nervous look.

No. This man had gotten me into a luxury buffet. I couldn’t drag him down with me.

I had to distract Mr. Shi, fast.

I gritted my teeth and switched my expression to pure adoration.

“Actually, Mr. Shi, I’ve admired you for ages. I begged my brother to bring me. I just wanted to meet you!”

Glasses Guy gaped, a flicker of respect passing through his eyes.

Mr. Shi frowned.

“Have you met me before? Why don’t I remember you?”

“Ha-ha, no, but my brother’s told me about you!” The words came pouring out at top speed.

“He says you’re so young and accomplished, you’ve built such a big company, and you’re handsome and capable too. You’re a role model for all of us young people! To me, you’re the perfect man, a business genius, the elite of our age, sex appeal on legs…”

I used every flattering phrase I’d ever learned.

Mr. Shi cleared his throat and cut me off.

“That’s enough. Go back to your food.”

The tips of his ears looked a little red.

I quit while I was ahead and nodded obediently. “Yes, Mr. Shi!”

Only after he left did I breathe easy.

Glasses Guy gave me a thumbs-up. “Little sis, with a silver tongue like that, it’s a waste not to go into sales.”

I waved modestly. “You’re too kind.”