While I was absent-minded, my phone buzzed.

I looked down and saw a message from my boyfriend, Cyril Parsons. [Chelsea, I'm downstairs at your company, and I brought some snacks.]

I was excited at once. I turned off my computer, picked up my bag, and headed straight for the elevator.

Cyril smiled and handed me the food box, "Are you hungry? Have some."

Sitting on the bench outside the office building, I opened the food box and said, "I thought you brought me barbecue..."

"It's too greasy and unhealthy, and it's too late. It'll affect your digestion," he smiled and hugged me.

I pouted. "Alright, Dr. Parsons."

Cyril was my first boyfriend, and I was his first girlfriend. We met and fell in love in college, and we had been together for seven years in the blink of an eye.

I had been trying to get a foothold in the big city, and he had been working hard, too. He was already an attending doctor at a young age and was beginning to make his mark in the medical world.

Cyril wiped the corner of my lips with a tissue and asked, "When do I get to meet your parents?"

I paused for a moment.

He ruffled my hair. "My mom really likes you and keeps urging me to marry you."

His family conditions were much better than mine. His father was in business, and his mother was a doctor. They were both influential figures.

In terms of social status, I was not a match for Cyril. So, I was smart enough not to talk about marriage.

Recently, Mom wanted to set me up with someone. I thought for a bit and said, "Wanna meet them on Christmas Day?"

"Sure," Cyril smiled, "It's settled then!"

I nodded. "Sure."

I worked overtime a few days to get my work done in order to make sure I was available on Christmas Day. And I took a day off in advance.

Cyril also took a day off and took me to the supermarket to buy a whole trunk of gifts. Then he drove three hundred kilometers to go back home with me.

When we entered the house, there was no one there. My parents were not at home.

Jane walked out of the bedroom in a tank top and short pants, yawning lazily, and glanced at me.

I asked, "Where are Mom and Dad?"

"They have something to do, of course. Do you think everyone is as idle as you?"

Cyril carried some expensive wine into the house and carefully placed the bottles on the floor. "Your parents aren't home?"

"Yes..." I was a bit apologetic.

After all, I had told my parents in advance that I would arrive at this time, but they didn't wait for me at home. Obviously, they didn't take this matter seriously.

Cyril smiled and said, "It's fine. We'll wait."

Jane looked over impatiently, and when she saw Cyril, her eyes clearly lit up. "You are?"

Cyril politely smiled, "Hi. I'm Cyril, Chelsea's boyfriend."

"So, you are Cyril." Jane sized him up and walked over. Then she said straightforwardly, "You're so handsome!"

Cyril was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Thanks."

I looked at Jane. The neckline of her tank top was so low that I could see her cleavage. Her thighs were exposed in the air, and she looked hot and seductive.

No wonder Cyril was so uneasy.

I frowned, pulled Jane back to the bedroom, took out a T-shirt and pants from the wardrobe, and handed them to her. "Change your clothes. We've got a guest here."

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Jane rolled her eyes. "Chelsea, are you afraid that Cyril will be attracted to me?"

I handed the clothes to her again. "You aren't dressed enough. It's not appropriate."

"Appropriate? How? It's the 21st century already, Chelsea," Jane sneered, wrapped her arms around her breasts, and looked at me, showing no intention of taking the clothes in my hands at all.

Her voice was quite loud, and I wondered whether Cyril sitting in the living room could hear her.

I was a bit annoyed. I didn't want Cyril to know about my situation at home, but it seemed impossible to hide it from him anymore.

"Come on. Are you mad?" Jane leaned over, her tone provocative. "That's right. After all, you must have gone through a lot before finding yourself a boyfriend. If he likes me, you'll be devastated. Guys always pursue me and ignore you!"

I looked at her coldly. Since we were young, Jane had always looked down on me, her older sister. She used to think I was unfashionable, and even after I earned more money than her, she still looked down on me. She still tried to provoke me now that I was seeing someone.

Glancing at the Chanel classic bag by the bedside, I frowned, walked up to it, and felt its texture.

Cyril gave me this bag not long ago, so I could tell it wasn't fake.

But how could she afford it?

"Don't touch it!" Jane rushed up, patted my hand away, and carefully stuffed the bag into the cabinet. "Didn't anyone tell you not to touch other people's things?"

"Where did you get the money to buy that bag?" I frowned and asked.

She rolled her eyes and said, "What does it have to do with you?"

I was so mad that I actually laughed and said, "You spent all the money I gave you on bags?"

"None of your business!"

My gaze shifted to the lipsticks and foundation on the dressing table. They were all from luxury brands!

But the money I gave her wasn't enough to buy all these!

"Jane, you..."

"You're so annoying!" Jane interrupted me and snatched the clothes from my hands. "Get out! I need to change clothes!"

She walked out of her bedroom again.

She had changed into an off-shoulder blouse, paired with a black mini skirt.

I glanced at her and decided not to bother with her.

Cyril pulled my hand and said, "I will cook my specialty for you later."

"No way. You're our guest," I said hurriedly. "Later, I..."

"He wants to cook. Why are you stopping him?" Dad, with a big belly, came in from the door and glanced at us. "You're back so early."

I stood up and felt a bit embarrassed hearing his words.

Cyril stood up as well and politely greeted, "Hi. My name is Cyril Parsons, and I am Chelsea's boyfriend."

Dad walked in and casually replied, "I know. Chelsea has already told us."

Mom came in with the vegetables and said, "Cyril, there wasn't much food left at the market today, so we didn't buy anything fancy. Just make do with it, OK?"

As I saw the few vegetable leaves and a piece of pork in the basket, my smile froze.

A few days ago, I had already told them that I would bring Cyril home and even transferred 150 dollars to my mom, asking her to buy some good vegetables.

And now, she was telling us there wasn't much food left at the market? How was that possible?

Dad casually took off his shoes and lay slanted on the sofa, Mom had a fake smile on her face, and Jane's eyes were mocking.

My gut told me that they were behaving like this on purpose.

I clenched my fists and was about to speak, but Cyril smiled, "It's fine. As long as the whole family gathers."

Cyril's expression didn't change. He was as gentle as always.

He took the basket from my mother's hand and went straight to the kitchen.

I quickly caught up with him and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't know they..."

"It's fine." Cyril lowered his gaze and washed the vegetables. "No need to be mad."