Wendy was baffled: "What on earth is going on here?!"
Alex chuckled softly: "So, do you want to be my girlfriend or my boyfriend?"
Wendy immediately got annoyed and pinched Alex's waist: "What nonsense! I'm not a guy!"
At that moment, Frank Fang passed by, shaking his head and muttering, "Young people these days, even their relationships are so unique."
With that, he walked away without looking back.
Wendy reached out in panic: "Wait, please don’t go! You’ve got it all wrong!"
After Frank left, Alex wrapped his arms around Wendy’s waist and led her to the open space behind the house, whispering, "I need to talk to you."
"Just say it—why all the touching?" Wendy said, feeling uncomfortable. "Go ahead, I’m listening."
Alex explained quietly, "Mr. Kee used to work with Mr. Yin’s grandfather. He’s over eighty now. When our current CEO took over, Mr. Kee retired. You know, our CEO took charge during a crisis—everyone expected Yin Enterprises to collapse. Mr. Kee stepped in behind the scenes and helped Mr. Yin a lot. For example, we assistants all learned our jobs thanks to Mr. Kee. He’s been with the Yin family and the company for three generations. To me, he’s like a mentor."
Wendy’s expression suddenly turned serious.
"Three years ago, Mr. Kee had surgery for cancer. But his recent test results showed it’s spread to his lungs and stomach—there’s no point in another operation." Alex’s voice grew heavy. "He’s only got about half a month left."
Wendy’s phone slipped from her hand and hit the ground. "What?!"
"Mr. Kee always worried we’d end up old and alone, and kept pushing us to find girlfriends. But you know how busy we are—who has time for dating? I shouldn’t have lied and said you were my girlfriend without asking you first. I just want Mr. Kee to feel at peace in his final days." Alex’s voice grew even more somber. "If you’re mad, I accept it. Mr. Kee means the world to us. I just want him to be happy."
"Actually, I’m not that mad anymore." Wendy calmed down and realized she wasn’t really angry.
Alex’s eyes sparkled with a hint of joy, and he said earnestly, "Thank you for going along with it."
"So, for the next few days, I have to pretend to be your... girlfriend?" Wendy’s face turned bright red.
"That’s right." Alex’s serious expression eased Wendy’s nerves.
Since it’s just acting, she agreed.
For some reason, she felt a little happy inside.
Seeing Wendy agree, Alex coughed lightly and said, "Even though we’re pretending, our intentions are good. I’m not trying to take advantage of you. Of course, I’ll look out for you."
"Why would you look out for me?" Wendy asked instinctively.
"Because you’re a girl, of course I’ll look out for you." Alex’s gaze drifted before he continued seriously, "You can act spoiled, get mad, or even bully me—I’ll always let you have your way."
Wendy felt an unexpected sweetness in her heart. What was this?
It’s all fake.
Yet she still felt sweet!
It doesn’t make sense!
Wendy was about to speak when Frank Fang’s voice called out from ahead: "Alex, Wendy, could you come help me with something?"
"Coming!" Wendy replied quickly, a little uneasy but trying to act calm as she led the way out.
Seeing Wendy’s awkward walk, Alex nearly lost his composure.
Oh my, Wendy is just too cute!
No wonder Mrs. Yin likes her so much.
Who wouldn’t like such a cute girl?
When Wendy went to the front yard, she saw a woman in her thirties. Wendy guessed she was another staff member in charge of looking after Mr. Kee.
Wendy greeted her warmly, without any airs: "Hi, I’m Wendy Parker. You can just call me Wendy."
Hello, Chief Special Assistant Wendy. I’m Dr. Vivian Yuan, the physician who looks after Mr. Kee. But really, I just help out with everything around here, together with Frank Fang." Dr. Yuan introduced herself with a smile. "Every three days, someone comes by for a thorough cleaning and checkup for Mr. Kee. Day-to-day, it’s just the three of us. Since you’re a rare guest, don’t feel the need to be formal."
"Okay." Wendy smiled. "What can I help with?"
"Can you help shell some beans?" Dr. Yuan handed over a basket of fresh beans. "We grow them ourselves—living in town means we’re self-sufficient and life is comfortable."
Wendy took the basket right away and started shelling beans seriously.
After watching Wendy for a moment, Dr. Yuan went back to her own work.
On the other side, Frank Fang couldn’t help gossiping with Alex: "Alex, is Mr. Yin coming over too?"
He will. Once the CEO finishes his work, he’ll come by." Alex was back to his usual smooth self. "Mr. Kee is a company elder—of course the CEO will visit."
Frank Fang made a mental note to get all the other rooms ready tomorrow.
The CEO can’t stay outside.
Mr. Kee’s health is getting worse and worse." Frank Fang chatted with Alex, "Since the New Year, he’s been declining every day. Even with regular checkups, the illness was just too aggressive."
Routine checkups rarely catch anything serious." Alex understood. "Illnesses can hide until it’s too late. Mr. Kee held on for years—thank you both for your hard work."
It’s my pleasure, really." Frank Fang replied, both honored and surprised.
After shelling the beans, Wendy handed them to Dr. Yuan, then asked, "Why does Mr. Kee retire in town, instead of the city or countryside? The city has better medical care, and the countryside has fresher air!"
That’s not a secret." Dr. Yuan laughed. "Mr. Kee was born in a village here. In his twenties, he worked with Mr. Yin’s grandfather. When he retired, Mr. Yin offered him a villa, but Mr. Kee refused and returned to his hometown, building a retirement home. The house you see now isn’t the original—it was rebuilt three years ago during Mr. Kee’s surgery. For his taste, it’s not luxurious, just like a regular farmhouse."
Wendy couldn’t help but say, "Mr. Kee’s taste is really unique."
Dr. Yuan burst out laughing. "It really is!"
The two women exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words.
People are all different.
Some think success means eating well, living well, driving luxury cars, and enjoying life to the fullest.
But some, like Mr. Kee, are worth hundreds of millions but prefer plain food, a farmhouse, raising chickens and fish, and growing vegetables.
Maybe it’s because Mr. Kee grew up in the countryside. Now, in old age, he’s gone back to his roots.
So he doesn’t want luxury cars, mansions, or champagne—just a country home to retire in comfort.
That’s not a bad thing.
He just doesn’t look much like a retired Yin Group elder.
Fortunately, Frank Fang and Dr. Yuan, who were sent to look after Mr. Kee, are well-suited for the job.
Of course, that’s because the Yin Group’s benefits are so generous. As long as they look after Mr. Kee here, they earn hundreds of thousands—sometimes even a million—a year.
They had to fight hard to get this job.
There’s no workplace stress here. Every day, they just take care of Mr. Kee’s daily needs. Work for ten years or so, save up, and they can retire early or go back to the workforce.
All in all, it’s a pretty sweet gig.
So Frank Fang and Dr. Yuan have no complaints—they’ve done this for years.
Dr. Yuan sighed, "I hope Mr. Kee’s last days are comfortable."
Wendy didn’t say anything. She knew that when people get old and sick, it’s hard to be truly comfortable.
They just try to make his pain as bearable as possible.
After dinner, Frank Fang arranged their rooms. Wendy and Alex’s rooms were next to each other, right beside Mr. Kee’s on the second floor.
Frank Fang and Dr. Yuan’s rooms were across the hall, so they could help care for Mr. Kee at night.
Mr. Kee slept deeply. Dr. Yuan had added a sleep aid to his medication—at least when he was asleep, he was out of pain.
Seeing Mr. Kee in so much pain, Wendy understood why Alex had asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend.
No wonder he didn’t bring anyone else—just her.
Huh?
Yeah, why didn’t he bring another girl—just her?
Before Wendy could think further, Alex knocked on the door outside: "Want to go for a walk?"
Wendy thought about it and decided to go for a walk.
The town isn’t like the city—it has everything you need, but it’s not as lively.
Especially with Mr. Kee sleeping next door, they couldn’t make noise or play around. You can’t just play on your phone all the time.
So Wendy decided to go out for a walk with Alex.
Wendy didn’t expect that by doing this, she was making it look even more like she and Alex were a couple.
After all, if they weren’t a couple, who would go for a walk together?