Volume One

Chapter One: Welcome

"Hey, Grace, what's up?"

"Nothing, just missing you, my dear Lily."

"Why is it so noisy where you are?"

"I'm at a bar."

"Oh, I'm jealous, living the good life."

"Hey, don’t even mention it. By the way, why are you still up so late?"

"If I were asleep, how could I answer your call?"

"Heh, liar. What are you doing?"

"Working on reports, have to hand them in tomorrow."

"Tsk tsk, working this late, don’t you care about your skin?"

"Can good skin be eaten, or used to pay rent? Besides, I’m not as lucky as you, with family connections to get into a bank."

"Alright, alright, you know exactly what my family’s situation is—a standard working-class family, so stop with the sarcasm.

They thought they were doing me a favor by getting me into the bank, telling everyone their daughter now has a secure government job, thinking my life is wonderful.

But in reality, I’m just a teller, forced to smile all day, with a pile of tasks every month, lots of work and little benefit, anyone can bully you, I feel like I’m being squeezed into a dried longan."

"Isn’t that just how life goes?"

"I don’t want to live like this. We just graduated not long ago. If things keep going this way, I’ll end up marrying some guy, having a kid, and muddling through life. You know, a woman’s youth only lasts a few years, and I already feel like I’m wasting it."

"You broke up with Brian Cooper?"

"Yeah, broke up, a while ago, not long after graduation. His family wanted him to go back to his hometown, and he wanted me to go with him. Why would I go back with him?

If I could go back and be a rich housewife, fine, but his family is from the countryside. Am I, Grace Parker, supposed to travel all that way to struggle with him, have his kids, do housework, and help him pay off a house?"

"Actually, Brian Cooper is a pretty good guy."

"If you want him, go for it. We’re best friends, no need to split hairs."

"Ugh, shameless."

"Hahaha... Oh, my friend’s here, gotta go. Let’s meet up when we have time. Good night, Lily, sleep early."

"Good night, you too. Be careful, it’s late and you’re still at a bar."

"Alright, alright, I’m hanging up."

……

"Hey, Lily, what are you doing?"

"Having dinner."

"At this hour? Is it a late-night snack or dinner?"

"Dinner."

"Working overtime again?"

"Yeah, endless overtime."

"I need a favor."

"Go ahead."

"In two hours, call me and see if I answer. If I don’t, then... then... just call the police."

"Grace Parker, what are you doing?"

"I’m at the Four Seasons Hotel on Chunxi Road, remember that."

"Hey, Grace Parker, what exactly are you going to do!!!"

"Beep... beep... beep..."

……

"Hello..."

"Grace Parker, you finally answered! I was about to call the police!"

"No, it’s fine, Lily, it’s fine, I’m okay."

"What did you do?"

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

"Grace, why are you crying? What’s wrong?"

"Lily, I have no shame, I’m a shameless woman. For money, I really have no self-respect, I’m such a filthy XX..."

"Grace..."

"Lily, it’s not fair. Why can others have nice things, wear nice clothes, and I have to sit behind a counter all day getting pushed around? Why?

I’m not worse than them, I’m really not. I want that kind of life too, I really do..."

"Grace, calm down..."

"Lily, I’m home now, I’m going to shower. You should rest early. I’m sorry, as your friend, I’ve embarrassed you."

"No, it’s not like that, Grace..."

"Beep... beep... beep..."

……

"Hey, Lily."

"Grace, I’m here. Are you okay?"

"Impression Hotel at Hongpailou, same as last time."

"This..."

"Lily, I’ve thought it through, it doesn’t matter anymore."

"I don’t think you should keep doing this, Grace."

"Call me in two hours. After it’s over, I’ll come find you for a late-night snack."

"Grace, hey, Grace..."

"Beep... beep... beep..."

……

"Hey, Lily, what are you up to? On holiday now, right?"

"No, working overtime during the break. The company’s busy lately."