Chapter 2

Three months ago, I was still a wealthy girl, returning home with a prestigious degree from abroad to the villa that is now long gone. I thought taking over my father's business empire and making it bigger and better would be my goal. But upon returning, I learned my father's company had gone bankrupt.

To pay off debts, my father sold all our properties, including the villa I used to live in. Our family went from wealthy to penniless overnight, still owing lots of debt. Because my father's reputation plummeted in the industry, it was hard for either of us to find respectable jobs.

I, who was always proud, couldn't accept being trampled on by the rich kids who had always been beneath me. The disparity in status hit me hard until I saw my parents doing odd jobs to repay the debt. I finally put my worthless pride aside. After all, staying alive was more important than being respected.

But I didn’t completely give up. Even though I had a degree in finance from abroad, I refused to enter the business world where my father once fought, unwilling to work for those who wouldn’t lend a hand when he struggled. Out of options, I started delivering food.

The once pampered young lady who never did manual work now climbed stairs and carried heavy loads for extra delivery fees. I went from a well-maintained, fair-skinned girl to someone who couldn’t stop getting tanned, even with a mask on.

Many things had changed, including my old life. Finn's order was the biggest I had received since starting food delivery. I thought it was fortune smiling on a fallen phoenix like me, but the order was left unclaimed because, to experienced couriers, it wasn’t worth as much as delivering five closer orders.

I only figured this out later. When I returned to the familiar wealthy neighborhood, my status no longer matched. The security guards who had once nodded and bowed to me now waved me off in disgust, demanding I register before entering. Worse, I needed the owner's permission to deliver.

That’s how I ended up calling Finn. We never got along, and since childhood, we never spoke kindly to each other. When he saw my name on the caller ID, he instinctively answered with sarcasm. “Adeline, are you finally coming to beg me?”

In the past, I would’ve snapped back and started a fight. But now, he was my VIP customer. One bad review from him, and I’d lose the hefty delivery fee for traveling so far. “Hello, ExtremeSwagMaster, I’m your delivery person. Could you let the security know to let me in?”

When I called, I realized that ExtremeSwagMaster was Finn, who grew up with me. I thought my ties with him ended when my family fell from grace. Little did I know I'd return to this villa area within days of delivering food.

And the order was Finn’s. I tried to keep my voice calm, waiting for his permission. It wasn’t that I felt ashamed. But wearing a delivery uniform, helmet, and being as tanned as I was, facing my childhood rival gave me a sense of unease.

Moreover, Finn’s chosen name was more ridiculous than mine. This reunion was surprising for both of us. He took a while to let me deliver the order, even coming out to meet me, allowing me to earn 1 million yuan.

He thought his joke would humiliate me, but for me now, only a fool wouldn’t take the money. This 1 million yuan is just a drop in the bucket for my family’s debts. I didn’t plan to accept this fortune comfortably. Owing Finn money is better than owing strangers.

I thought of writing Finn an IOU if I had the chance. Even if I delivered food forever, I’d find a way to repay him. I didn’t expect our next meeting to come so soon.