Chapter 1

To avoid the relentless marriage pressure, I told my parents I lost my job and had racked up a huge debt, figuring no one would want me then. I didn't expect to be disowned and kicked out that same night.

"We don't have a daughter who brings such shame to our family!"

"Get out, get out, get out! If debt collectors come knocking during the holidays, how are we supposed to face anyone?"

"Angel, you're an adult now. You need to take responsibility for yourself. We're too old to bear this burden for you."

Should I tell them it's their son who's in debt, not me?

Chapter

As New Year approached, the marriage pressure calls became more frequent.

"Daughter, you're already in your late twenties. What are you going to do if you don't get married soon?"

"Your elementary school classmate, I forget his name, already has two kids!"

"How can your father and I hold our heads up? People think there's something wrong with our daughter! If you don't marry, your brother will struggle to find a wife too!"

"Listen to me, your aunt set you up on a blind date. The guy is honest and doesn't talk much! He's really good! You have to meet him when you come back for New Year, got it?"

"There are also other men introduced by relatives. I've lined them up for you. It doesn't matter if they're good or bad, as long as someone wants you! Otherwise, in a couple of years, even the guys at the village entrance won't want you!"

By the end of the year, it was almost like clockwork, four calls a day, perfectly timed with meals.

Colleagues who witnessed all this were secretly mocking me: "Is your family breeding livestock?"

"Even for breeding, you'd want a strong one to ensure the quality of offspring. Your family... not even the village guys?"

I was blushing from the ridicule. My manager's gaze was also becoming strange. With my limited work experience, I guessed they either wanted to make me more compliant or suspected I was about to get married and become unsuitable for work!

I was both restless and angry! I'm only 23, in the prime of my youth!

At the beginning of the year, I joined a big company. Every day, my parents would call me with workplace survival tips like "be diligent, serve tea and clean up, give gifts, sweet talk, and use connections." After being overheard, I was ridiculed and became a minor office joke.

At the end of the year, because of countless marriage pressure calls, I became the office laughingstock again.

I walked to a quiet corner, and another call came through.

"Stop pressuring me! I'm only 23!"

I ruffled my hair in frustration and pleaded into the phone with a tearful voice.

"I was just negotiating a business deal! Your calls ruined the cooperation, and I'm about to get fired and held accountable!"

"The deal was worth millions! Are you going to compensate for that?"

"Stop calling."

The marriage pressure call ended.

My mom didn't say anything. Before I realized it, she hung up with a "ding."

I was stunned for a couple of seconds, then exhaled a breath of relief, finally able to enjoy some peace.

Days passed without any marriage pressure calls, and I was in a great mood, even eating two extra bowls of rice.

"Finally got through it!" I packed up my things, ready to head home.

"Next year is a new year, with new gossip. Everyone will forget." I comforted myself.

Chapter