Chapter 1 - I'M NOT A LEFTOVER WOMAN!

"Seriously, you think this is a good idea?" my sister, Shi Qiang, asked on the phone.

"Yes, even if I have to rent the cheapest of them all! Your JieJie will be 27 in a month. I need a new strategy than just telling mom and dad that I'm busy working! At this point, they will think that I'm a lesbian!" I yelled on the phone while typing my boss' new schedule for the week.

"Aren't you, though?" Shi Qiang asked nonchalantly.

"… Anyway, I will find a way to convince mom and dad, so they will stop their matchmaking!" I insisted.

Shi Qiang sighed across the phone and replied, "It is really up to you, Ying Jie. Just remember that we have BL convention tomorrow if you want to join."

I stopped typing the moment I heard 'BL', my blood rushed up, and I got a burst of excitement and gasped. "YAS! YASSS! I will join! Let's go!"

"… At least, mom and dad don't suspect me as a lesbian," Shi Qiang snipped and hang up the phone..

Beeeeeep.

"You bit—" I stopped my cursing when my boss suddenly opened the door and cleared his throat. I put down the phone immediately and stood up. "S—Sir, I'm currently working on your schedule next week!"

My boss, Mr. Yang Zhuhuo, acted as if nothing happened. He put something on the desk. "This is Belgian Chocolate that my wife bought for you. She said that you may need this."

I frowned when I saw an expensive-looking chocolate pack on the table. "Thank you, sir. But I wonder why Madam would say that I need this…"

"Ah, that…" Mr. Yang looked awkward. "My wife remembers that your birthday is soon, 14 February, right? You will be 27 at that time, so she said this is your early birthday gift."

'Ah, so it's for that…' I thought. I accepted the Chocolate and bowed my head slightly. "Please say my gratitude for Madam. This is a thoughtful gift."

Mr. Yang Zhuhuo nodded awkwardly. He dodged my gaze when I followed him to his private lift. When he finally pressed the lift button, Mr. Yang final said the real reason why Madam Yang gave me the Chocolate.

"Actually, my wife said that you will be a leftover woman soon. So, she doesn't want you to feel lonely on your leftover celebration. I'm sorry Secretary Ying, goodbye—"

I gawked when Mr. Yang said that, and the lift door was closed. He didn't let me react first. I looked at the Belgian Chocolate and threw it on the ground.

"I'M NOT A LEFTOVER WOMAN, GODDAMN IT!"

I yelled alone in the office. I glared at the Belgian Chocolate on the ground and raised my heel.

But when I saw the price tag, I held the urge stomp it and picked it up silently. I cleaned it and ate the Belgian Chocolate slowly while writing my boss' schedule for next week.

What? Do you think I would waste an 800 dollars chocolate bar?

***

After checking next week's schedule and rearranging it for a while, I stretched my body and checked on the clock. My eyes widened instantly when I saw 09.00 pm.

"Oh god! I will be late for the Friday Grocery sale!" I picked up all my belongings and headed straight to the supermarket near the office. This supermarket always had Friday Grocery Sale because they will throw away the food on Saturday and restock it with a new batch of fresh goods on Sunday.

"Hm… chicken, fish, cabbage, more carrots and radish…" I checked the list of grocery that I needed. I walked around the supermarket for a while and collected everything. I took what I needed and put it on the shopping trolley.

"Ah, Shi Ying! I really thought you would not come today!" the cashier said to me excitedly.

"How could I? I need to restock my fridge," I replied with a small laugh.

While scanning my grocery, the cashier said to me. "Ah, have you got any date plan for the weekend? I can recommend Mr. Hu."

"Mr. Hu? He is your manager, right? I thought he has a child already."

"Yeah, he is recently divorced. Don't worry, he is only 47 years old this year."

"ONLY?!" I took a deep breath before I smacked this man's head. "We literally have a 20 years age difference!"

"But you are 27 already. I mean, I'm just giving you an option. Since being a career woman pays so little," the cashier said passive-aggressively. "The total is 480 yuan."

I glared at him and took out 1000 yuan from my wallet. I took my grocery and left immediately.

"Hey! You forgot your return!" the cashier yelled at me.

I turned my head towards him and arrogantly raised my chin. "Sorry, a thousand yuan is nothing for me. You can take the rest of the money."

The cashier's mouth gaped wide after I said that. I walked like a boss after many people stared at me with awe. This would tell them that I was not a cheap woman only marrying for money!

....

Little did they know, I checked my wallet after leaving the supermarket. "Ah, my extra 500 yuan, all gone, thanks to my pride."

I mourned in my heart, but not for long. I shook my head when I remembered what that cashier guy said.

I didn't want to be labelled as a leftover woman just because I didn't need to marry! I didn't need a lousy husband! Never!

"If I want to get married, that man should be at least a CEO or son of an ultra-successful CEO! A rich second generation!" I yelled in the parking lot.

Then I started thinking about it again…

'Wait, does that mean I want to marry for money?'