Chapter 3

Ryan's video call came through at that moment.

Taking advantage of the cleaning lady tidying up the table, I ran to the side and pressed the answer button.

The crystal chandelier behind the man hurt my eyes. Seeing my background, he hesitated for a moment and frowned.

"Come home early after your part-time job."

After briefly saying this, he swirled his wine glass and said with a smile:

"Thanks to Ms. Chen, I landed a new endorsement deal tonight. I'll take you to pick out wedding rings next week."

I stared at the Rolex Submariner on his wrist.

Suddenly remembering his reddened hands from our junior year.

The chilblains from handing out flyers in 19°F weather were exchanged for a bowl of beef noodles.

All just to celebrate my 22nd birthday.

Ryan was still showing off the logo on his steak knife in the video.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

His frown was identical to the one he wore during livestreams.

A coquettish female voice came from the background. I recognized it as the second-highest tipper who had sent thirty Diamond gifts last month.

Blood trickled from my knee into my high heels – the 4-inch stilettos were his anniversary gift.

At this moment, the manager called me over.

I hurriedly hung up the phone and downed the eighth shot of tequila the manager brought over.

As the alcohol burned through my stomach lining, the house singer was crooning, "Forever isn't necessary for love to be complete."

The neon sign shattered into stardust through my tear-filled eyes. The warmth of that bowl of porridge from when I was twenty had finally grown colder than tonight.