Chapter 1On New Year's Eve, My Cousins Bragged About Their New Partners, But Their 'Partners' Were Actually Me and My Husband

During the New Year's dinner, my cousin Arlo started boasting about his girlfriend, claiming she was a billionaire CEO, all while subtly flashing his knockoff Rolex.

Then my other cousin, Hazel, jumped in to say her boyfriend was a Beijing big shot, waving her imitation Hermès bag at me and asking, "Ever seen one of these, cousin?"

Funny thing is, the billionaire CEO and the Beijing tycoon they're bragging about are listed on the same marriage certificate.

I took a sip of my drink and texted Ezra: "Since when did you get a girlfriend?"

He replied immediately: "Auntie, that's not true. I just transferred you 5 million as a note saying 'Spend freely!'"

...

On New Year's Eve, following family tradition, we held an ancestral ceremony.

My eldest uncle proudly announced he had booked a top-notch VIP suite at the city's fanciest restaurant, Fancy City Restaurant, for our family gathering.

He made sure to tell my parents:

"Fancy City Restaurant is so exclusive. I had to ask a friend and wait six months to book it! Ordinary folks can't just walk in."

"The food is exquisite, dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, sashimi, and Australian lobster. You probably haven't had anything like it!"

"Your family works hard all year round away from home, rarely experiencing such luxury. This is a chance to see and taste something new!"

My grandmother had three children. My dad is the youngest, with my eldest and second uncles above him.

My eldest uncle works as a subcontractor for a construction company, earning about a hundred thousand annually, and he's always looked down on us.

My second uncle is unemployed, spending his time idly around the village gambling, relying on his wife for financial support.

Our family moved to Beijing ten years ago.

My mom mentioned that every New Year, these relatives we rarely see can't resist flaunting and ridiculing us.

For the past few years, I've been too busy to visit. This year, I'm curious to see what they'll pull.

I smiled and said to my eldest uncle, "Sure, Uncle, we're looking forward to it."

He flicked his cigarette ash and, with a tilt of his chin, remarked:

"I checked, and it's over an hour by bus on route 19 to Fancy City Restaurant, so you should start early!"

Then he added, "Daphne, since you're back, I've prepared a surprise for you."

At 5 PM, I arrived at the restaurant suite with my parents.

My mom whispered to me discreetly:

"Daughter, this place is smaller than where we usually eat."

Just then, my second uncle entered, overhearing, and raised his voice:

"Sister-in-law! You can't just work all the time. We need to learn to enjoy life too!"

"People with no worldly experience get laughed at! No wonder Daphne is still single at her age!"

"Oh, by the way..." He gestured outside.

"That electric tricycle outside is yours, right? Better charge it up, or it’ll run out of power on your way back!"

Cousin Arlo chimed in:

"Hey, that's why we, as children, need to work hard."

"Daphne, I'm just saying, you should at least get a car. Otherwise, in this cold winter, your parents will freeze on that tricycle!"

He casually showed off his Audi car key, saying, "Learn from your brother. It's not about showing off, but having pride. Get a good car and a good partner!"

Then he flaunted his fake Rolex again, grinning with pride:

"Dear elders and siblings, I don't mean to brag, but my girlfriend is just too famous. Do you know who she is?"

The whole table stared at him with curiosity.

Cousin Arlo lowered his voice and whispered:

"The billionaire CEO of Harmony Group!"

"Check it out, this watch is just one of the many expensive ones she gifted me."

I almost choked on my soup but managed to keep my bowl steady.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin: "Cousin, if your girlfriend is so amazing, why not bring her over for us to meet?"

He glared at me, "What do you know? She's a big CEO, very busy! As her boyfriend, I must support her work!"

His words made all the relatives nod in agreement, their eyes filled with envy.

I almost burst out laughing, confirming with him word by word: "Cousin, are you sure? Your girlfriend is the CEO of Harmony Group?"

He lifted his head proudly: "Of course!"

I widened my eyes, feigning admiration as I looked at him:

"Cousin, I heard the CEO of Harmony Group is mysterious. There are no photos of her online, and she's rarely seen. How did you pursue her?"

He stood with his hands on his hips, looking even more smug: "Pursue her? She pursued me! It was love at first sight! I'm so handsome; it's only natural she'd like me. I couldn't shake her off!"

Not wanting to be left out, cousin Hazel stood up, holding her knockoff Hermès, and loudly announced:

"I wasn't going to say anything, but since we're family, it doesn't matter."

"My boyfriend is also a big shot, just like the CEO of Harmony Group!"

Everyone turned to her, and I poured myself another bowl of soup.

Seeing my indifferent reaction, she quickly called out to me:

"Hey, cousin, know Hermès? You might never see one in your life. My boyfriend gave it to me."

"Aren't you working in Beijing? You must've heard of his name. It'll shock you!"

"My boyfriend is known as the Beijing tycoon, Ezra Taylor!"

I gave her a surprised look.

She seemed pleased with my reaction and continued confidently:

"Cousin, why are you just drinking soup? Is it because you can't usually afford such good dishes?"

I took a sip of my drink and messaged Ezra: "Heard you got a girlfriend?"

He replied instantly: "Auntie, that's false."

Transferred me 5 million via mobile banking, noted as "Dear, spend freely!"