During the New Year's holiday, my parents once again left me alone at home to chase after their bonuses.

I felt sorry for them working overtime, so I took Christmas cookies to accompany them.

But my parents got out of the luxury car, hugged a boy of my age.

And went to a five-star hotel, talking and laughing.

"Mom, Dad, is it okay to leave Vivienne alone at home?"

My mom casually replied, "It's fine, she's used to it."

My dad added dismissively, "She can't compare to you. You're our precious one!"

I turned and left.

They've been deceiving me by pretending to be poor.

This time, I don't care for their company either!

1

I returned home and dumped all the food on the table into the trash.

In the past, I definitely wouldn't have wasted it.

Ever since I could remember, I knew my family's financial situation wasn't good. All my food and clothing came from my parents' frugal saving. Even my clothes were rarely new.

Every season, my mom would bring home a bag of secondhand clothes. She'd try to convince me: "These are all worn by the older sisters of Mommy's coworkers. They've been washed clean, so we don't need to buy new ones."

I didn't know where she got those used clothes from. Throughout my childhood, I hardly ever wore anything new. I was always in ill-fitting hand-me-downs. My classmates would make fun of me, saying I looked like a ragpicker.

I could only throw myself into studying, thinking that one day, I'd be able to buy new clothes with my own efforts.

During holidays, I'd hand over all the cash gifts from relatives to my parents, just to ease their burden.

But who knew, they never had any financial pressure at all.

I checked, and that luxury car belongs to the wealthy Harrington Estate in the city. The young master of Harrington Estate once drove that car, parading around town with a celebrity actress.

I saw that gossip news too. The face of that rich young man was unmistakably the same as the boy I saw tonight. Turns out, I'm actually a wealthy heiress!I laughed to myself and sniffled, then went back to rummage through my parents' room.

I don't know if they were just careless, but they actually dared to leave the contract at home.

When I saw my dad's signature on a contract worth hundreds of millions, with a Mont Blanc pen tucked inside the document, my anxious heart finally sank.

I put everything back the way it was, silently returned to my room, and buried myself under the covers to sleep.

I just hoped that when I woke up, it would all be a dream.

Early the next morning, my parents were already busy in the kitchen.

Looking at the breakfast laid out on the table, I suddenly realized - who eats seafood porridge first thing in the morning?

This porridge tasted exactly like the seafood feast the professor treated us to last time.

I glanced at the garbage bag by the door, and sure enough.

"Mom, Dad, did our family strike it rich?"

I sat at the table watching them. My mom looked puzzled, "Vivienne, what are you talking about?"

"Then how can we afford such expensive seafood porridge?"

I pointed at the garbage bag by the door, and my mom's face instantly changed.

My dad chuckled beside her, "Oh that? I was working late with the boss last night and he got it packed up for me. I couldn't bring myself to eat it, so I brought it home."

"With our measly salaries, how could we afford seafood porridge!"Originally, that was it. I nodded, sipping my porridge while inwardly smirking. Seafood porridge, $58 a serving. Last night's dinner must have cost thousands!

If they were truly poor, I would have found this porridge delicious.

Now, it tasted like cardboard.

I only took two bites before getting up.

"I'm full."

"Vivienne, why did you eat so little? Are you feeling unwell?"

My mom looked worried, her concern for me seeming genuine.

I shook my head and smiled, "No, aren't we going to Grandpa's today? I'm saving room to eat something nice for lunch!"

Hearing this, my mom sighed in relief. My dad looked guilty and was about to say something when his phone rang.

I glanced at the screen, the contact name read "Precious Son Kael".

Kael was his precious son, so what was I?

My dad hurried to the balcony, with my mom following. I vaguely heard him saying something about being sensible and not letting me find out.

My heart turned ice cold. So, they knew all along and were in cahoots to keep me in the dark.

I even began to wonder if the world I lived in was like Truman's world.

Yet they seemed so real.

"Vivienne, Dad's got an urgent matter at the company. I need to head over there!" My father approached me after hanging up the phone, pulling out a red envelope to hand to me.

Mom tried to console me, "Don't worry, I'll go with you."

I nodded, taking the red envelope and tucking it into my pocket. Then I got ready with Mom to head over to Grandpa's house.

When we arrived and went inside, Grandpa caught sight of me and immediately pulled me close. "Vivienne's here! Come on in, it's cold outside!"

His palm felt soft and smooth, not at all like the hands of an old factory worker.

This apartment complex belonged to the steel mill. Supposedly, Grandpa was a retired worker from the factory.

But looking at how pampered he seemed, you wouldn't think so at all.

Grandma spotted me and quickly handed me a red envelope. I accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Grandma."

I immediately stuffed it into my pocket. My mom looked a bit stunned beside me, because usually I would hand the money straight to her.

Back then, my mom would always say, "Vivienne is so thoughtful."

But today was different, even Grandma was taken aback for a moment before laughing, "Our Vivienne knows how to save her New Year's money now!"I raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, "I'm not hiding anything. Mom said the New Year should bring new changes, so I want to keep some pocket money for myself."

"That's right, Vivienne is so thoughtful. She earns her own tuition and living expenses!"

I knew without being told that Grandma would give me at most $50. Compared to tuition, that fifty bucks was nothing!

They're clearly so wealthy, yet they still try to squeeze every penny out of me. I don't understand. This tough love approach is only aimed at me. What exactly are they thinking?

Grandma didn't say anything. After entering the kitchen, she got busy and brought out the food. I took two bites and completely lost my appetite.

This food was identical to what I saw last night at the five-star restaurant.

Now I can finally be certain. The whole family is rich, but my parents are pretending to be poor.

Even Grandpa and Grandma are playing along with the act.

After dinner, my mom got a phone call and hurriedly left, using work as an excuse.

Grandpa and Grandma yawned, looking sleepy. I didn't feel comfortable staying any longer, so I had to leave.

But I didn't go far. I hid around the corner, quietly watching.Sure enough, not even 20 minutes after I left, a stretched Lincoln pulled up. My grandparents, surrounded by a group of people, got in without so much as a backward glance and drove off.

Taking a deep breath, I put on my mask and walked up, only to see a few cleaning ladies tidying up.

One of them sighed, saying, "I don't know what this family's thinking. They come stay for just one day a year, cook one meal, and then they're gone!"

"At least they pay well for the cleanup each time!"

"You don't know the half of it. This family's been doing this for over 20 years now. They've got a mansion in the Upper East Side. This is just rich folks playing at experiencing life!"

Hearing them talk like this, my heart sank completely.

The Harrington Estate, the wealthiest family on the Upper East Side - their mansion was in Hillside Gardens. I rode my bike over to check it out.

Seeing that glittering, opulent mansion perched halfway up the hill, with security guards outside, I couldn't even begin to imagine living in a place like that.

As I approached, a guard immediately barked, "Who are you? Get lost!"

I took a deep breath and was about to turn and leave when a motorcycle roared past from outside.I saw online that this motorcycle costs about $2 million. The person riding it was none other than Kael.

He noticed me too, clearly surprised. He paused to look me up and down, a sneer on his face. "Not so dumb after all, knowing to show up here!"

I was stunned. So, he knew about my existence too!

"Why? Why is it like this?"

"Kael, am I their adopted daughter? Or are you all working on some project, and I'm just a subject for your observation and experiments?"

Kael seemed to perceive my confusion. He raised an eyebrow and wagged a finger. "No, you're also a Harrington Estate, a biological daughter."

"As for why you were raised poor, there's only one reason. It's because I am the sole heir to Harrington Estate!"

"Vivienne, you were born just one minute before me. What right do you have to compete with me?"

"This isn't a place for you. Get lost, quick!"

"Poor thing, don't look at me like that. Mom and Dad put a lot of effort into raising you!"

"Oh, and don't go visit Grandpa and Grandma for holidays anymore. They're old and don't have the energy to play pretend with you!"

Harrington Estate rushed inside. I stood outside for a long while, finally understanding.My birth and Kael's seem to be tied to the inheritance of the family fortune.

But what did I do wrong? I just wanted to receive the most sincere love from Mom and Dad.

They've lied to me for so many years, but their kindness towards me was also real.

Only now, as I look at the mansion and that motorcycle, I'm starting to doubt how much of their kindness towards me was genuine.

I turn to leave.

Before I go, I call Dad: "Dad, are you coming home for dinner tonight?"

"Not tonight, Vivienne. I'm working overtime. These three days over the holiday are all bonus pay!"

"Oh, and it's the same for your mom!"

But I can clearly hear the roar of a motorcycle in the background of his call.

I softly respond with a "Mm-hmm," having already made a decision deep in my heart.

Back home, I start packing my things while signing up for a special research project announced by the hospital.

This project is taking place out west. It's a three-year commitment, isolated from the world. No one will disturb me there.

After I finish packing, I develop the photo I took earlier of Kael's back and place it on the bedside table at home.

That day, they didn't come home. I was the only one in the house.

I try calling Dad again, but no one answers.Simultaneously, Harrington Estate's subsidiary Kael Corporation began distributing bonuses, with employees expressing gratitude to their boss on Twitter.

She was just an ordinary employee, yet her bonus envelope contained three thousand dollars!

Many employees were also showcasing the company's benefits.

My parents were conspicuously on stage, one in a suit and the other holding a glass of wine. My mom wore exquisite makeup, exuding an air of elegance.

Below the stage, Kael was surrounded by people like a celebrity, along with their family portrait.

My parents seemed certain that I was too busy making money to pay attention to online gossip.

They forgot that I'm just an ordinary girl, raised in humble circumstances. How could I not be interested?

A reporter interviewed them, asking about their New Year's plans.

My dad faced the camera, "This year, my son Kael turns twenty-two. We arrange a trip every year, and we're leaving today!"

My heart suddenly sank. I'm also twenty-two, but the farthest I've been was a school field trip to the local zoo in elementary school.

I snorted, picking up my ID, caressing it.

Ironically, after I started college, my parents transferred my household registration to the school.

They said I was an adult now and had to be responsible for myself.Now is the perfect time to leave.

I pick up my luggage and walk away without hesitation.

Goodbye forever, Dad and Mom!