1 During the peak of my social anxiety, I played mute in the bed of New York’s crown prince. No matter how hard he worked, I grit my teeth and didn't make a sound. That is, until his "white moonlight"—the one who got away—returned to the States, and he wired me a $5 million severance package. In my excitement, I blurted out: "Thanks, boss! You're the man!" I covered my mouth in horror, but the man just laughed in disbelief. "My little mute... don't tell me I just performed a medical miracle?" Being a mute canary had its perks. No need for flattery outside the bedroom. No need to scream "Daddy, you're amazing" inside the bedroom. The only downside was— I couldn't curse when I was pissed off. Like right now. Ethan Sterling noticed my mind wandering. His hands gripped my waist. He flipped me over with brute force. Biting and gnawing. Fierce enough to tear the flesh off and swallow it whole. Ahhh, you dog! I screamed internally. On the outside, however, I was pathetic. Eyes red, tears falling plip-plop. Finding leverage in the rocking motion. Wrapping my arms around his neck. Rubbing my cheek against his, begging for mercy. Based on experience. As long as I made this face. Ethan would wrap things up quickly. But tonight, he was possessed. He went through one ultra-thin wrapper after another. From the bed to the bathroom to the sofa. Until midnight. Only then did he hold me, satisfied, and carry me back to bed. I was exhausted. But thinking about what was coming next. Sleep vanished instantly. This afternoon, one of Ethan's buddies came over. The study door wasn't closed tight. Bits of conversation drifted out. "Jenny is coming back tomorrow. Are you sending a car, or picking her up yourself?" "Is 'Jenny' something you're allowed to call her?" Ethan's voice was freezing. The friend quickly corrected himself. "Okay, okay, I'm not worthy. That's your exclusive pet name..." It was begging for mercy, but mostly teasing. Everyone in the circle knew Ethan Sterling had a "white moonlight" he couldn't forget. He protected her well. People knew she existed. But no one knew her full name or what she looked like. Why they weren't together remained a mystery. Once, bored, I helped Ethan organize his study. I saw a yellowing photo. The girl wore a hat, facing sideways. The only visible half of her face. Looked eighty percent like mine. My mind flashed back to the first time I met Ethan. I was standing by the curb, on my phone. A car pulled up in front of me. I didn't look closely, thought it was my Uber. Opened the door, sat right in. When you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity. As a socially anxious person, to avoid small talk with drivers. Every time I got in a car, I pulled out my prepared scrolling text. [I am mute. Please do not speak to me.] The moment I shoved my phone in his face. I realized the driver was a cold, noble, devastatingly handsome man. Handsome enough that a car used for Uber. Looked like a luxury ride I couldn't afford under his aura. He looked at my screen again and again. Stunned for a long time, before asking in a husky voice where I was going. 2 Seeing the photo, it all made sense. Ethan's loss of composure back then. Wasn't because I got in the wrong car. He didn't kick me out. Not because of my fake disability. But because I looked like his lost love. Silence filled the office for a second before the conversation resumed. "What about the one at home?" "She's timid, and a mute. Probably can't be seen in public..." I didn't listen to the rest. I turned and left. If I didn't leave, I wouldn't be able to control myself. I would have laughed out loud right there. Three years! Three whole years! I played mute for three years! Finally, the breakup is here! I was too excited to sleep. I turned my back to Ethan. Unlocked my phone, tapped into the "Canary Support Group." I got pulled in by an enthusiastic girl in a VIP lounge while accompanying Ethan to a dinner once. The ultimate goal of every member was to secure a sky-high breakup fee. Financial freedom, retire early. I couldn't resist sharing. [Ethan Sterling's white moonlight is coming back!] The message bombed the night owls awake. [Ahhh, congrats Shu!] [Take it, take it! My sugar daddy's white moonlight is supposedly studying in Germany...] [Envious of you sisters, mine doesn't have a white moonlight (lifeless version)] After a wave of envy, Chloe @ me curiously. [Mr. Sterling is so rich and generous to you, the breakup fee must be huge, right?] Ethan had always been generous. Fifty thousand a month in allowance. Bags and jewelry every other day. Occasionally, on a whim, luxury cars and houses. I didn't take the cars or houses. I'm poor! I can't afford the maintenance on a Ferrari! Or the property tax on a mansion! Hard to take with me, selling them requires dealing with agents... Just thinking about it made my social anxiety spike. So my only hope for wealth was Ethan's cash breakup fee. A few million? Or ten million? The more I thought, the more excited I got, twisting into a pretzel on the bed. The next second, the man dragged me back into his arms. "Not tired?" His burning body pressed against mine again. I pushed him away with hands and feet in panic. Clasped my hands under my cheek. Signaling sleep, immediately! "Tomorrow I'm going to the airport to pick up someone very important to me." I snapped my eyes open. Ethan asked, pretending to be casual: "Do you... want to come?" I was dumbfounded. Who? Me? Asking if I want to come? The substitute picking up the original? Are you trying to give her a heart attack on the spot? I shook my head violently. Ethan looked at me steadily. "Fine... you're timid. Wait until you want to meet her." Ethan always indulged me. When we first got together, he offered to get me a job. After I refused, he never brought it up again. As a shut-in with social anxiety. This life of not working. Food appearing when I opened my mouth, clothes handed to me. I was actually a little reluctant to leave. My mood dipped uncontrollably. Just then, my phone vibrated. A text notification from the bank. "I probably won't be back tomorrow night. Might not have time for you the next couple of days." "Take this money. Buy whatever you like..." I ignored Ethan. Staring at my phone screen with glowing eyes. Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions... 3 I rubbed my eyes. Counted again, back and forth. It was eight figures! Ethan gave me a thirty million dollar breakup fee! Thirty million! A poor person suddenly rich. Money rushed to my head. In my excitement, I blurted out: "Thanks, boss! You're the man!" "..." Eyes met. The atmosphere froze instantly. Fck!* Too happy, forgot I was a mute! I mean, how can a person be so polite? After realizing the stupid thing I did. I covered my mouth guiltily. My waist went soft, body sliding down. Burying myself entirely under the covers. The next instant, I was hoisted up by the scruff of my neck. "Little mute." The girl he pampered for three years suddenly wasn't mute. Ethan laughed in anger. "Don't tell me I just performed a medical miracle?" Haha. That dry joke wasn't funny at all. Nowhere to hide. To block his burning gaze scanning my body. I had to cover my face tightly with my hands. "Little mute, speak." I shook my head, voice muffled. "Mutes can't speak." "..." Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. Looking at the girl whose face was red. Wishing she could disappear. He was helpless. "Don't you have anything to say?" I bit my lip, confused. Yes, I played mute and tricked him. I offer no defense. And the money is already in my account. What else is there to say? I have nothing to say! But clearly, I had to say something right now. Change of strategy. Think about what Ethan wants to hear, loves to hear. Suddenly, a lightbulb went off. "Brother..." Ethan's breath hitched. As a woman of culture. I desperately recalled the literature I'd read. Those indescribable romance novels. Picking and choosing, finally finding a sentence I could say. "Brother is so big... so great, I like it so much..." I stammered the praise. Worried, I moved two fingers from my eyes. Peeked at Ethan's expression. Brows raised, mouth relaxed. Seemed not angry? Playing mute to escape worked for so long, but I couldn't hide forever. Luckily, tonight was my last night as a canary. I racked my brain, searching my inventory. "Brother was so amazing tonight, like you took pills or something." Ethan's face went black instantly. "What did you say? Say it again?" I swallowed. What was wrong with that? Maybe he doesn't like "Brother"? Right, Ethan is older. He doesn't get the "Oppa/Brother" kink. Heart pounding like a drum. I gathered my courage and repeated: "Daddy was so amazing tonight..." The rest of the words never made it out. Swallowed by a sticky, entangled kiss. The man grabbed my hands, which I didn't know where to place. Moving lower and lower. Ethan's dark eyes glowed green in the dim sconce light. "Little mute, say it again." 4 Dawn was breaking. The man was excited, like he'd opened the door to a new world. I buried my sweaty head in the pillow. Thinking dizzily. Good thing I was smart enough to play mute for three years. Otherwise, I definitely would have died in this bed! Woke up in the afternoon. Whole body aching. After screaming all night, my throat was so hoarse I couldn't speak. Now I really was mute. Dragging my legs like prosthetics downstairs. Auntie Wang saw me. Nodded a greeting, turned to the kitchen to bring warm porridge. After doing this, like a house elf. She vanished silently. Ethan knew I didn't like interacting with strangers. So he instructed everyone from the start. Anyone coming in or out had to lower their presence. Very friendly to the socially anxious. The more I thought about it, the more I felt Ethan was actually pretty good. Rich, handsome, gentle when needed. Rough when needed. The only flaw was. He had another woman in his heart. "Sigh..." I was melancholy for three seconds. My hand inadvertently tapped the transfer record of thirty million. Seemed like... maybe... I didn't love him that much. My heart is too small, it only fits money. As for Ethan? Fine, for the sake of him being a good guy. I'll help him out! Thinking this. I lay back on the bed with a clear conscience. Opened a novel on my shelf. Chapter One: The White Moonlight Returns. Perfect, just what I needed. Time to study. Half an hour later. I was enraged by the male and female leads who refused to communicate. Exited the novel expressionless. Opened WeChat, sent a "cat peeking" sticker to Ethan. Ethan replied instantly. "Awake? Auntie Wang kept the porridge warm. Eat something good tonight, don't just snack." "Still hurt? Feeling better?" Ahhhhhh! A capable man asks if you're tired. A super capable man asks if it hurts, if you're okay. I buried myself in the quilt, kicking my legs. Took a while before I replied coolly. "Mn." Ethan didn't reply instantly this time. Probably busy. I took the opportunity to share the articles I found. Don't Miss the Her Beside You. Words Are Cheap, Actions Are Gold. Thirty Tips for Wooing Girls: Give Her What She Likes. ... Sent about ten links, then happily opened my game. Played for two hours. Checked messages, realized Ethan had replied long ago. "Received." What does "Received" mean? Wrong chat? Thought it was work? Next second, I got a call from Ethan's assistant. went downstairs confused to open the door. He pulled out a black card and handed it to me. "Ms. Wen, this is the supplementary card Mr. Sterling asked me to bring you." My eyes widened like fried eggs. "For... for me?" Assistant He, usually tense as a robot, crumbled in that instant. "Ms. Wen, you... aren't you mute?" We stared at each other. I seemed to have... forgotten to tell him the truth. Awkward. Burned the elite's CPU. After listening to the explanation, Assistant He pushed up his glasses. Brain rebooting. "Apologies, I was ignorant." I pursed my lips, changing the subject in embarrassment. "Heard Mr. Sterling is picking up someone important this afternoon?" Assistant He nodded. "Yes, Ms. Wen. Are you going too?" The substitute picking up the white moonlight. Are you straight men crazy? I laughed dryly. "That's not appropriate, is it?" Assistant He thought of something. Corrected himself: "It is a bit sudden. Better to be mentally prepared before meeting." What is going on... Can I just not meet this white moonlight? I immediately steered away. "Ethan is so busy, did you help him prepare flowers, gifts, a welcome dinner for tonight?" "Ms. Wen need not worry. Mr. Sterling arranged that last month." Arranged last month...
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