My online boyfriend loves playing "abstract." When his mom called him home for dinner, he said, "Heading back to the old manor to dine with the matriarch." I played along. When my friends called me over for poker and needed a fourth, I said, "It's an old-money gathering. I can't leave; no one dares to move." My online boyfriend deeply agreed. I always thought we were a couple of abstract artists, spinning tales for fun. Until right before the holidays, when he pulled me into his group chat with his childhood friends. "They all grew up together. They want to meet you." I clicked on the member list and froze. Why is the stoic, unsmiling CEO of my company in this group? His nickname: Ethan's Loyal Lapdog. Oh right, my online boyfriend's name is Ethan Vance. The CEO tagged me in the group. [Sister-in-law, say something!] [Cute Cat.jpg] I didn't dare move. I literally didn't dare move! I thought we were just playing pretend? How come you guys are actually real?! 1 Actually, the moment Ethan pulled me into the group, I sensed something was wrong. The four-person group chat was buzzing, and no one noticed my arrival yet. I watched their conversation and fell into deep thought— Sterling: [It's winter. Let's go skiing in Zermatt. I lost to Lucas last year; I have to win it back this year!] Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: [You couldn't beat me last year, so you think you can this year?] Song: [I'm out. I have to accompany my fiancée to St. Barts for vacation (distressed emoji).] Sterling: [Oof, good luck. Your fiancée is no walk in the park.] ... I stared at my phone, rubbing my chin. Something's off. Something's really off. Why do these names look so familiar? Especially the one nicknamed [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog], Lucas... The name Lucas is familiar, and his profile picture of him skiing looks even more familiar! While I was racking my brain, someone in the group finally noticed my existence. Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: [Eh? There's an extra person in our group!!] Ethan: [Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend.] He tagged me. The group went silent for two seconds, then messages flooded in. Sterling: [Sister-in-law!] Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: [Sister-in-law!] Song: [Sister-in-law!] Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: [Finally! We've been pestering Ethan for so long, and he finally let us meet you!] [I'm so curious. Who is the goddess that managed to take down Ethan?!] I suddenly felt a bit shy. I've been online dating Ethan for over two years, and this was my first contact with his friends. Just as I was about to type something, I caught a glimpse of [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog]'s profile picture again, and my hands froze. I suddenly remembered where I had seen that face! My brain buzzed. I immediately switched out of the chat interface and clicked onto my company's official website. After rummaging through the backend, I finally found a photo. It was taken three months ago when the company reached a business cooperation with a foreign firm. In the photo, a young man in a suit stood unsmiling. Standing next to the foreign partners, he didn't lose an ounce of presence. I stared at the caption for a long time. The name Lucas Reed stood out. Lucas Reed, the CEO of our company. And the only son of our company's founder. Ah... Ah? Messages flashed in the group. [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: @Tired Corporate Slave Sister-in-law, your WeChat name is hilarious hahahaha] [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: How did you and Ethan meet?] [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: Sister-in-law, say something.] [Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: Cute Cat.jpg] 2 The cute cat sticker spun before my eyes. I randomly sent a greeting sticker and exited. Then, with trembling hands, I clicked open the private chat with Ethan, pretending to be casual: "Babe, your 'Loyal Lapdog' looks a bit familiar to me." Ethan replied instantly: "He's got a jumpy personality. Did he scare you?" "His name is Lucas Reed, the CEO of SkyHigh Tech. Your family business is extensive; maybe you've met him before." My brain was a mess. While replying to Ethan, I started searching for information on the other group members online. Then, my suspended heart finally died. Sterling, the youngest son of real estate tycoon Sterling Strong, currently studying in the US. Song, the second son of the founder of Nanyang Construction, a veritable rich second generation... My brain could no longer think independently. My fingers unconsciously typed Ethan's name into the search box. Soon, the search results popped up. Ethan Vance, the eldest grandson of the founder of Dingyan Group, the youngest director of the group, driving corporate innovation and transformation, worth over... I counted the number of zeros. Then I sucked in a breath of cold air and almost fainted. In the group chat, "Ethan's Loyal Lapdog" was still clamoring. "Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, how did you guys meet?" "I'm too curious. Tell us, tell us." Ethan: [Online dating. How else? Met online.] Ethan's Loyal Lapdog: [Can you be more specific...] 3 Online dating needs caution! For the first time, I truly realized the importance of this sentence. I met Ethan because I saw a help post. "Question: Why is one grilled sausage three dollars, but two are five dollars?" I thought the poster was kind of funny, so I commented casually: "Don't you know the first thing to do after buying a $9.90 membership?" The other party replied quickly: "Right, right, right! I got that question wrong too!" He praised me for being smart and awesome. In my ordinary 24 years, this was the first time I received such straightforward praise. I suddenly got interested and started discussing with this netizen. Chatting and chatting, we added each other on WeChat. At first, we weren't that familiar until he discovered I was playing a popular mobile game. So he took the initiative to ask: "Is it fun?" I was enthusiastic: "It's fun! Do you want to play? I'll carry you; I'm super good." "Okay, I'll go get an account... I'm familiar with this game, but I haven't really played it. I might be bad, don't be mad." ... We played games for three months. I found that although this guy's gaming skills were average, his quality was high. He didn't curse, his voice was nice, and he was emotionally stable! And he wasn't illiterate! My favorability towards him multiplied, so I started to take the initiative... After confirming our relationship with Ethan, our chats gradually became more relaxed. I have to say, this guy really suits my taste! It's just that sometimes, he talks weirdly abstractly. His mom called him home for dinner, he said: "Heading back to the old manor to dine with the matriarch." He had a civil servant friend, he said: "My close friend is in politics; it's not convenient to meet up." Rejecting a blind date arranged by his family, he said: "I don't like family alliances." I got it. And quickly applied it. Friends called me over for poker, needing a fourth, I said: "It's an old-money gathering. I can't leave; no one dares to move." Chasing stars and watching concerts, I said: "I'm going to visit a child I've been sponsoring for a long time." Ordering a group meal, I said: "Investing in an online catering project with several partners; the risk is relatively high." Ethan deeply agreed. "It seems our life status is very similar." He sent a "Cheers" emoji. "We are truly a match made in heaven." ... I always thought Ethan and I were a couple of abstract artists. Never suspected a thing. Until today, my worldview collapsed. No, so I'm the only one playing abstract? You guys are actually real?! 4 I was dazed at my workstation holding my phone when my colleague, Little Yang, poked me. "Jenny, still on your phone?" She leaned in and whispered, "Rumor has it the CEO might drop by our department for inspection today, but no one knows the exact time. Don't get caught." Little Yang and I joined the company around the same time. Except for the two of us, most of the department were returnees or well-connected people. Naturally, we huddled together for warmth. She also knew my family background was average, and it took a lot of effort to get into SkyHigh Tech. If the leader caught me slacking off during work hours, at best my salary would be deducted, at worst I'd be kicked directly into next quarter's layoff list! Little Yang reminded me out of kindness. I snapped back to reality. CEO? Isn't that Lucas Reed? Buzz buzz buzz— My phone vibrated twice in the small group chat. It was a new message from Lucas. "Can't chat anymore, I have something to do." Song: [Where are you going? Coming back for dinner?] "Going to inspect various departments of the company today. Have to go, my dad ordered it." [@Tired Corporate Slave Sister-in-law, let's chat next time!] [I'll treat you to dinner when I have time!] [Cute Cat.jpg] Song: [Aren't you just near the company?] Lucas: [Yeah, five minutes away. Gotta go, bye.] ... Ten minutes later, I saw him in the company. The lively and jumpy person online transformed into a noble young master surrounded by stars. Lucas was in a decent suit, his hair meticulously styled. Surrounded by several directors, he walked slowly through the corridor. His expression was indifferent. The usually high-and-mighty leaders seemed to become different people in front of him... Fawning, flattering. Lucas didn't stay in our marketing department for too long. His gaze didn't even fall on me for a second. For people like them, we live in two different worlds. Giving attention to us is a waste. He is like this. Let alone Ethan. At this moment, I understood the gap between me and them.
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