The spacious, luxurious office was filled with soft, breathy moans that would make anyone blush.

Outside the door, someone witnessed the scene and let out a shocked scream. "You—"

Cui Lan had no time to spare for the intruder. Gasping for air, she lifted her gaze to the man before her.

Sunlight streamed across his chiseled, statue-like face, casting sharp shadows along the straight bridge of his nose—an angular feature that only accentuated the icy ruthlessness in his expression. His thin lips curved into a cruel smirk, the corners lifting slightly in a cold, mocking tilt.

"Ah—" A sudden, overwhelming force made her gasp, and she shot him a resentful glare.

"Distracted?" His deep voice rumbled, laced with dark amusement.

Cui Lan couldn't suppress a sharp cry, her excitement mounting as her fingers dug desperately into his flesh.

The more she reacted, the more it seemed to spur him on—his movements growing faster, more relentless, until finally, everything stilled into quiet exhaustion.

Panting heavily, her heart pounding wildly, Cui Lan took a moment to catch her breath before sliding out from under him. She smoothed down the hem of her dress, which had been pushed up in the heat of the moment.

"President Huo, I should get back to work," she said, her voice steadying as she flashed him a practiced smile.

Huo Xiao leaned back against the pillows, lighting a cigar. "The money will be transferred to your account as agreed."

Cui Lan paused at the door, her hand on the handle, and glanced back at him with a sweet, artificial grin. "Thank you, President."

With that, she stepped out, closing the door firmly behind her before walking away.

"Cui Lan, you shameless bitch!"

No sooner had she left than a dark blur flashed before her eyes—followed by a sharp *crack* as a stinging slap landed across her cheek. The pain burned instantly, searing into her skin.

When she looked up and saw the woman before her clearly, she suppressed the urge to strike back and sneered, "Do you really think slapping me will make the CEO sleep with you?"

"You—" Zhang Yu was instantly rendered speechless, at a loss for words.

"Miss Zhang, I suggest you know your place," she said, doing her best to play the role of the villainess. "Save yourself the trouble."

"You think a lowlife like you could ever step foot into the Huo family?"

"Hahaha."

Cui Lan couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Miss Zhang, you're hilarious. The CEO and I are only in it for the money. What difference does it make whether I marry into the Huo family or not?"

"You shameless bitch!" Zhang Yu cried in fury. "I won’t let you get away with this!"

After hurling her threat, Zhang Yu turned and ran out in tears.

Only after she left did Cui Lan finally exhale in relief, gingerly touching the stinging side of her face. That had hurt like hell.

This job really wasn’t easy.

Not only did she have to warm his bed, but she also had to help him fend off other women. Exhausting.

As she walked, she pulled a packet of birth control pills from her pocket, popped one into her mouth, and chewed it dry—she couldn’t even be bothered to find water.

——

On the thirteenth floor of Renhe Hospital’s inpatient ward, Cui Lan stepped out of the elevator carrying a thermal lunchbox and made her way to Room 1303 with practiced ease.

"Oh, Cui Lan’s here!" Sister Zhang, another patient in the room, greeted her warmly the moment she walked in.

"Yes."

Cui Lan responded softly as she walked to Grandma Cui's bedside. The elderly woman immediately grasped her hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Lan, you're the only one who comes to see me every day now," Grandma Cui said, her voice thick with sorrow, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The sight tugged at Cui Lan's heart. She pressed her lips together, fighting back her own tears, and gently wiped Grandma Cui's damp cheeks with her sleeve. "How are you feeling today? Any discomfort? I made some chicken soup for you—it'll help you regain some strength."

Turning to the caregiver, Zhang Jie, who sat nearby, she added warmly, "I brought some for you too, Zhang Jie. Please have some."

Zhang Jie had been keeping Grandma Cui company whenever Cui Lan was tied up with work, and Cui Lan was deeply grateful for her kindness.

"Well, I won’t say no then!" Zhang Jie chuckled, accepting the soup without hesitation.

Just then, a nurse passing by the doorway spotted Cui Lan and motioned for her to step outside. "Miss Cui, we still need you to settle this month's chemotherapy and hospitalization fees."

Cui Lan blinked in surprise. "Didn’t Grandma give it to you? I was exhausted when I came late the other night, so I handed the money directly to her. She hasn’t paid yet?"

"No," the nurse confirmed firmly.

"She must have forgotten. I’ll ask her right away."

Returning to the room, Cui Lan approached Grandma Cui with a frown. "Grandma, where’s the money I gave you the night before last? Why haven’t you paid the hospital?"

"Huh?" Grandma Cui’s face paled slightly, her gaze darting away nervously.

A cold knot tightened in Cui Lan’s stomach—something was wrong.

Zhang Jie, unable to stay silent any longer, cut in sharply, "Wasn’t it your daughter-in-law and granddaughter who visited yesterday? Don’t tell me they took your life-saving money?"

"Oh no, this isn't..."

Granny Cui grew flustered, clearly caught off guard that Sister Zhang had spilled everything. She looked at Cuilan with visible guilt. "Cuilan, I know this isn't right, but your sister really needs the money."

Cuilan felt her heart plummet, as if a bucket of icy water had been dumped over her from head to toe.

So no matter how much she did for this family, she could never compare to their own flesh and blood.

She let out a bitter laugh, her voice sharp with accusation. "Granny, is Cuiying so desperate that she has to take money from a hospital patient?"

"Well... we're just in a tight spot," Granny Cui stammered, shifting uncomfortably. "You're the only one in the family who's doing well. Cuiying is still in school. I know you've worked hard all these years..."

Cuilan's eyes reddened, her voice trembling with hurt. "Granny, do you think this money comes easily?"

It was money she earned by selling herself to men!

"Cuilan, please... just help your sister this once."

"Help? How much more can I possibly help?" Her voice cracked with suppressed emotion. "When you were sick, they didn’t lift a finger. Now they need money, and suddenly they remember me. Is this what you call a good granddaughter? A good daughter-in-law?"

In that moment, Cuilan felt nothing but crushing despair.

Over a year ago, she had lost her memory and was taken in by Granny Cui, who named her Cuilan.

She remembered nothing of her past, only that Granny had saved her life and treated her kindly. Out of gratitude, she had stayed—working tirelessly to support the entire family.

She had even offered herself in marriage to the Cui family's grandson, Cui Hanmin.

But without proper identification, she couldn't legally register their union—not that it mattered, since Cui Hanmin was gay. Their marriage existed in name only, devoid of any real meaning.

All this time, she had been working tirelessly to support the entire household. Whether it was the ailing grandmother, the younger sister's education, or even the money Cui Hanmin lavished on his boyfriend—every penny came from her.

And the money she earned? It was tainted, obtained by humoring Huo Xiao.

The irony of it all was unbearable.

"I'm taking that money back. If you refuse, consider yourself discharged today."

Cui Lan spat out the words with cold fury before storming out, deaf to the old woman's desperate cries behind her.