As soon as Cecilia Gu and the other two arrived, the girl immediately stood up nervously, her cheeks flushing before she could even speak.
Cecilia Gu smiled at once. "Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
The girl looked nervously at the three of them and said, "I'm Lily Lee, the third-place winner in the contest."
"Let's sit down and talk," Cecilia Gu nodded.
The four of them sat down in different spots on the sofa.
This way, it wouldn't make the girl feel like she was being judged.
"Thank you," Lily Lee said nervously. "I'm here because I want to discuss a deal with you."
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo exchanged glances and then turned to look at Lily Lee.
"What kind of deal do you want to discuss with me?" Cecilia Gu smiled. "I remember saying this morning that you don't need to curry favor with me. I'm the final decision-maker, but I will respect their opinions and base my decision on their wishes."
"I know," Lily Lee nodded slightly, then lowered her head and said, "Actually, this wife-selection event is more like a talent show. Of course, the Yin Family doesn't need this kind of publicity, but looking at the whole thing, it's just a spectacle to attract attention. From the first day I signed up, I was mentally prepared. Prepared to enter high society."
"There were three Chinese, one British, one French, one Chinese-Korean mixed, and two Russians who made it to the finals this time. I know I'm not the most attractive, and my only strength is that I'm obedient. Others want to join the Yin Family or the King Family to use it as a stepping stone. But not me. I just want a place where I can be protected, so I don't have to struggle to put food on the table anymore."
Cecilia Gu couldn't help but make a pause gesture. "I remember you're a double PhD. How could you ever struggle to eat?"
"My situation is actually a bit complicated," Lily Lee said. "I earned my PhDs by working seven or eight jobs and taking out high-interest loans. I thought the more knowledge I had, the better my future would be. But I was wrong. How well someone lives has little to do with how much they've studied. My IQ is high, but my emotional intelligence is terrible."
"So after I graduated, things were rough. To pay off those loans, I scrimped and saved, gritted my teeth. But because my EQ is so low, I got into it with a petty coworker at my job. She had connections, I didn't. So the company found an excuse to fire me. To survive, I've done all kinds of work." Lily Lee continued, "A doctorate means nothing. If you don't have emotional skills or backing, you end up at the bottom."
"When I saw the Yin Family was publicly selecting a Mrs. Ethan Yin, I came without hesitation—just for a meal ticket. I know, it's kind of ridiculous. Others come for wealth, status, a stepping stone, but I'm just here to eat. That's honestly my goal." Lily Lee gave a bitter smile.
"I'm really curious—you're a double PhD, why not apply somewhere else?" Rona Muir asked.
"My doctorates are in botany and marine studies—pretty useless majors. Regular companies don't need them. I did try applying to normal jobs, but when they saw I had two PhDs and was asking for such a low salary, they didn't believe I was serious. Or they thought I was just passing through and would quit soon, so nobody hired me. I tried going back to my old field, but my former boss is influential; those companies won't hire me out of respect for her."
"So, I've sold things at a street stall, sold pork—even then, someone always came to mess things up so I couldn't keep going. Yeah, it was that same person I offended at my old job. You might ask why I don't just move to another city, but I can't—my sister is bedridden with cerebral palsy. She's never walked or spoken since birth. I've saved up to get her treatment, and she's finally making progress. If I change hospitals, she could lose all that progress."
"I've never told anyone my story. I don't want pity, and I don't need it. I know compared to the other contestants, I don't have much going for me. Aside from my knowledge, I've got nothing. I can't even afford decent clothes—just ten-yuan T-shirts and thirty-yuan jeans."
"I'm here to tell you that I'm willing to be your puppet. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it! If you want me to keep an eye on those two men, I'll get it done. As long as you let me eat and earn money to treat my sister, I have no other demands." Lily Lee looked at Cecilia Gu with determination. "My EQ may be low, but my IQ is really high. If it's technical, I learn fast."
"Why not find a normal boyfriend to help you through tough times?" Sophie Mo asked.
"A normal boyfriend? How could I possibly have one?" Lily Lee gave a self-deprecating laugh. "No looks, no figure, just a head full of obscure knowledge—and a sister with cerebral palsy. My parents died young, so there's no help there. People these days are so realistic! No man would accept a woman like me. Plus, I'm not young anymore—I'm twenty-eight. There aren't that many good men willing to wait for someone my age, and honestly, there's a bias against female PhDs in this world."
Cecilia Gu, Rona Muir, and Sophie Mo all nodded at the same time.
This girl spoke sincerely, her eyes clear—she truly was independent and strong.
Cecilia Gu shifted slightly, and a maid quickly came over. Cecilia whispered a few words in her ear, and the maid left right away.
This chapter isn't finished yet~.~ Click next page to continue reading!
Cecilia Gu said to Lily Lee, "Go on."
"People say a college graduate is like Xiaolongnu—everyone chases after her. A master's graduate is like Li Mochou—people want to get close but are scared of her fighting power. And a female PhD is like Abbess Miejue—nobody even thinks about it. It's biased, but it reflects reality. When I was studying for my master's and PhD, most of my female classmates had boyfriends and got married right after graduation. If you're pretty, even with a high degree, there are still brave men willing to pursue you."
Cecilia Gu couldn't help but laugh, then said, "Go on."
Lily Lee gave a helpless smile. "Actually, classmates and friends have tried to introduce me to boyfriends. But once they hear about my family situation, they politely say we're better off as friends. I have enough friends—I don't need more. After a while, I just gave up on that idea. Now I just want to work hard, take care of my sister, and find a job where I can eat and not get bullied. That's enough for me."
"So do you want to choose Ethan Yin or James Jing?" Cecilia Gu asked with a smile.
"Ethan Yin is the best," Lily Lee said right away. "Of course, James Jing is also someone I could never reach. I don't have any demands—if they're willing to choose me, that's enough."
"Why is Ethan Yin the best?" Rona Muir asked.
"Because I said I want to be a puppet! Ethan Yin is from the Yin Family, so being a puppet works best with him. James Jing may be from the King Family, but since he doesn't go to England and stays in China, there's not much value for intelligence gathering." Lily Lee analyzed seriously.
Sophie Mo burst out laughing. "You really do have IQ but no EQ!"
Lily Lee nodded seriously. "Yes, I admit, that's my weakness!"
Cecilia Gu smiled. "Actually, you don't have to force yourself to get married. Like I said, if you're willing, I can invite you to teach at Saint Diana Academy as the Chairwoman. With your talent, you'd make a great teacher."
Lily Lee shook her head. "I don't want to get something for nothing. I could be a teacher, but I still want to be a qualified puppet."
"Why are you so eager to be a puppet?" Sophie Mo asked. "Do you really think you can handle being a business spy?"
"I can," Lily Lee answered firmly. "As long as I have time to learn, I know I can do it!"
Cecilia Gu smiled and said, "I understand what you mean."
Lily Lee stood up and said, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove myself! If you're willing to give me a chance, I won't let you down! Thank you for today!"
After saying this, Lily Lee bowed to Cecilia Gu, then thanked Rona Muir and Sophie Mo, and left.
Watching Lily Lee leave, Cecilia Gu asked the other two, "What do you think?"
"She's got a lot of character," Rona Muir said with a cheerful laugh. "Honestly, I really admire her."
Sophie Mo nodded. "Me too. 'Neither power nor poverty can sway you.' People have said that for years, but few can do it. She may not be stunning, but she's not unattractive—just the kind of person you grow to appreciate. Her determination is truly impressive."
Cecilia Gu said, "Yeah, raising a sister with cerebral palsy on her own, working jobs and taking out high-interest loans to finish her doctorate—that's enough material for a bestselling inspirational book."
"What about you? Are you planning to give her a chance?" Sophie Mo and Rona Muir asked.
Cecilia Gu smiled and said, "Why don't we hear what Ethan Yin thinks?"
At that moment, Ethan Yin walked in from the door and said, "Anyone chosen by my sister-in-law is surely a good choice. I trust her judgment."
Rona Muir smiled. "So you were eavesdropping just now. Tell us, what do you think of her?"
Ethan Yin glanced at Cecilia Gu before answering, "She has good character, a strong will, and her own principles. In that way, she's a lot like my sister-in-law."