Wang Xiaoke spent the entire morning on edge, dreading the possibility that the person in the hospital might lose his temper and come after her for money again. However, her fears didn’t materialize. Finally, when the workday ended, she packed her things and decided to take all her savings to the hospital to deliver them to that “lord.”

Ring, ring, ring…

Her phone’s shrill ringtone suddenly broke the silence. Seeing that it was a call from Song Yi, Wang Xiaoke felt her head throb, though she couldn’t just ignore it.

“Where are you, my dear wife?” Song Yi’s voice came through lightly, but to Wang Xiaoke, it carried an oddly coquettish undertone.

She shivered slightly, goosebumps rising all over, before clearing her throat. “Um, Song Yi, can you change the way you address me?”

“Why? I think ‘my dear wife’ sounds pretty nice,” Song Yi insisted stubbornly.

“But we’re not married yet,” Wang Xiaoke replied firmly. She wasn’t about to be easily swayed by his sweet-talking. She had learned her lesson well from Lu Ming’s situation.

“Then just think of it as getting used to it in advance.” This time, his tone was domineering, leaving no room for argument. Song Yi continued, “Today is our first official day of dating. A relationship is something that both parties need to take seriously. Where are you? We should have lunch together.”

Hearing this, Wang Xiaoke nearly stumbled. Brother, what kind of logic is this? Don’t you know that pursuing a girl like this is a surefire way to end up single forever?

She checked the time and decided to be honest, declining politely. “I have something to take care of right now, so I probably don’t have time.”

“You signed the agreement this morning, and it clearly states that if I ask you out, you have to show up. Otherwise, it’s a breach of contract,” Song Yi countered immediately, invoking the terms of their agreement.

For Wang Xiaoke, the contract was originally just a stalling tactic—she hadn’t taken it seriously. But upon hearing Song Yi’s words, she realized she had dug a pit for herself and was already halfway buried in it.

“But dating should be something both parties willingly agree to, right? That’s what makes it meaningful,” Wang Xiaoke said, trying to make her voice sound as sweet as possible.

“Are you saying you’re unwilling to go on a date with me?” Song Yi’s tone remained light, but Wang Xiaoke could sense the storm brewing.

“No, no, not at all,” she quickly denied. “I’d be honored to go on a date with you. It’s just that these things need the right time and place, don’t they? I really have something important to take care of right now. How about rescheduling? I promise I’ll show up.”

“Fine, after work this afternoon, wait for me. We should celebrate—it is, after all, our first official day as a couple.”

After hanging up the phone, Wang Xiaoke took a deep breath, finally feeling like she could breathe again. She then rushed to the hospital in a hurry.

“Here’s all my savings. Do with it as you will,” she said, handing over a bag containing 60,000 yuan.

Chen Ze was lounging on the hospital bed, one leg crossed over the other. A giant flat-screen TV on the wall was playing the most popular show of the moment. On the right side of the bed, the nightstand was adorned with a vase filled with freshly ordered imported lilies, and next to the vase was an assortment of fruits, piled high and occupying every inch of space.

Chen Ze, completely absorbed in the TV show, was eating plump grapes one by one with an air of leisure. His expression couldn’t have been more relaxed, while Wang Xiaoke stood there, full of grievances. Her heart sank at the sight—this was all her money. Meanwhile, she hadn’t even had time to eat breakfast or lunch.