So, I’ve always had a small dream.

I hope that one day, a wealthy and domineering CEO would approach me because I resemble his unrequited love. He would settle me into a grand villa, treat me coldly, never spend the night, and only visit when he misses the person I remind him of.

When that person eventually returns, he would swiftly transfer the villa to my name and heartlessly give me a breakup fee of several million, warning me not to tell them. Left with nothing but the villa and a few million to get by, I’d live out my days in lonely comfort—just imagining it makes my heart ache.

Every day, I pray that I might meet that generous CEO.

Until one day, a CEO really steps out of a car, staring at me with a frosty gaze.

“Name your price.”

Tags: Wealthy Families, Devoted Love, Serendipitous Encounter, Sweet Romance

Search Keywords:

Protagonists: Yan Suiyuan, Zhuo Yangbing

Supporting Characters: Others:

Brief Summary: Dreams are worth having—what if they come true?

Theme: No matter the hardships one faces in life, one should bravely persevere and realize their life’s worth!

I’ll be updating one chapter daily at 5 a.m. local time (GMT +8).

This work is not mine, and all rights belong to the original author. I am only the translator of this work.

The final cold spell after the New Year had finally faded, and the weather was truly warming up.

Yan Suiyuan had been busy until late last night, so he slept in for an extra hour this morning. By the time he leisurely finished breakfast, it was already 9:30.

His phone buzzed with a notification from the delivery app, and as he glanced at it, he noticed a message from Yan Zhiqiu’s homeroom teacher, sent at 6:30 AM. The message reminded him that a parent-teacher meeting was scheduled for next Wednesday, and he was required to attend.

After replying politely to the teacher, Yan Suiyuan stood up and changed into his work uniform.

Lately, the delivery platform, for some unknown reason, had suddenly decided to switch the uniforms for their delivery riders, as if they had lost their mind. Every day before heading out, he couldn’t help but complain about the change—forcing a grown man to wear a Barbie-pink jacket, ride a matching pink scooter, and even have fluffy bunny ears attached to his helmet. It was simply absurd.

Yet despite his complaints, Yan Suiyuan resigned himself to putting on the outfit, grabbing his keys, and heading downstairs. The pink bunny ears on his helmet flapped in the wind, making him look like a ridiculous rabbit.

“Heading out for deliveries again, Yuan Yuan?”

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he ran into a cheerful auntie returning from grocery shopping. She greeted him warmly, her eyes lingering on his helmet. “Looking sharp.”

Yan Suiyuan coughed lightly, unsure if she was complimenting him or the helmet. He gave her a small smile and said, “I’m off to work, auntie. See you later.”

He mounted his less-than-beloved scooter and slowly rode out of the old neighborhood. The order was from a nearby bubble tea shop, to be delivered two kilometers away to an office building. Time was tight, so he needed to hurry.

It was hard not to find it amusing that some people wanted bubble tea so early in the morning—cute, really.

When he stopped at a red light, Yan Suiyuan waited patiently on the side, watching as a traffic officer lectured two young people for not wearing helmets and attempting to run the light. Absorbed in the scene, he didn’t notice someone eyeing him with ill intentions.

He felt a tug on his helmet and turned his head.

It was a delivery rider from a rival platform, looking smug as he pulled on one of the pink bunny ears. “Hey, buddy, this is something else, huh?”

“Can I still switch jobs now?”

Expressionless, Yan Suiyuan pulled back the bunny ears and replied calmly, “Only if you’re the best performer of the season too.”

Not just anyone could wear the bunny ears—only the most diligent riders with the fewest complaints got the privilege.

The rival rider seemed genuinely fascinated with the bunny ears, unable to resist squeezing them. The soft silicone made a squeaky sound, and the grown man played with them happily on the side of the road, looking as if he might steal them.

Yan Suiyuan was usually mild-mannered, but he couldn’t help but be annoyed. However, a quick comparison of their sizes made him decide to swallow his frustration.

Luckily, the red light changed soon after, and Yan Suiyuan sped away on his pink scooter, the bunny ears flapping wildly in the wind. Though he wasn’t tall, he made quite the scene as he zipped through the city streets.

Even with the warmer weather, the wind still bit at his face, especially at high speeds, making it feel like being cut by tiny knives. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged from the bubble tea shop, carefully cradling two steaming cups of tea.

He wished he could enjoy a warm, sweet cup of bubble tea himself on chilly mornings like this.

But some people seemed destined for a life of toil, with little time for leisure.

Yan Suiyuan gently placed the tea into the insulated box, ensuring it wouldn’t spill, then rode off toward the office building.

The building was in the bustling heart of C City’s commercial district, surrounded by towering skyscrapers that formed a small world of their own. Walking along the crowded, busy streets, one could feel quite insignificant beneath the high-rises.

Although he’d been delivering food for a year, this was the first time Yan Suiyuan had come to this area. He stood at the base of the building, looking up in awe. The structure was impressively tall—rumored to be 68 floors high. It would probably take a long time just to reach the top floor, even by elevator.

The men and women bustling around him were all dressed in sleek, polished attire, entering and leaving the building in a hurry. In contrast, Yan Suiyuan, in his delivery uniform, stood out awkwardly among the seemingly elite professionals.

Still, everyone was busy with their own tasks, with no time to spare a thought for a delivery guy.

Yan Suiyuan didn’t let his thoughts wander for long. He carefully carried the two cups of tea through the revolving glass doors into the lobby, managing to make the delivery right on time. Not a drop had spilled, and the tea was still warm.

“Hello, here are your two cups of bubble tea.”

The receptionist wore a neat, black uniform, her hair impeccably styled, with light makeup that made her look as polished as a model. She was focused on some paperwork but looked up at the sound of his voice. The cold expression on her face instantly melted into a smile.

“Thank you\~” She accepted the drinks with a sweet, professional smile, her friendly demeanor making her even more likable.

Yan Suiyuan, not used to encountering such attractive people, blushed slightly at her gentle smile. After all, he had only just turned twenty earlier that year. He hurriedly said, “No need to thank me.”

With no one else around, the receptionist struck up a casual conversation, noticing his youthful appearance. “Are you working part-time while studying?”

“No,” Yan Suiyuan shook his head. “I left school after middle school.”

She seemed surprised and showed a hint of regret but didn’t press him further out of courtesy.

Just as Yan Suiyuan turned to leave, a group of people suddenly emerged from the elevator, moving in a large, intimidating pack. They strode quickly, their faces stern, as if they were headed to a showdown.

The receptionist’s expression changed, and she hurriedly stashed the bubble tea under the counter, pretending to be absorbed in her work.

Though Yan Suiyuan wasn’t an employee there, he instinctively moved aside to give the group space.

The scene was straight out of a TV drama—the men and women in their black suits whispered to each other as they moved, each carrying a stack of blue folders, looking every bit like corporate elites.

The most striking figure was the man at the center of the group.

With just a glance, Yan Suiyuan’s mind conjured up descriptions straight out of a clichéd novel.

“He had a perfectly chiseled face, with sharp eyebrows and a handsome, commanding presence. His aura was as cold as the Siberian winds, and a single displeased glance from him could send chills down your spine. He wore a custom-made Italian suit, tailored to fit, accentuating his graceful figure. A Patek Philippe watch adorned his wrist, and he exuded an effortless air of luxury and power, even while doing nothing.”

He finally encountered, for the first time in real life, a man who matched that description perfectly, as if he had stepped straight out of a novel.

Although Zhiqiu always advised him to stop reading those overly dramatic novels, Yan Suiyuan could never kick the habit. Despite the novels’ illogical and over-the-top narratives, they offered undeniable enjoyment.

The man, who looked like a textbook “CEO,” was quite tall—probably over 185 cm—towering over those around him. He seemed irritated by something one of his companions said, rolling his eyes in a way that appeared both cold and dismissive.

Yan Suiyuan had never imagined that such a CEO type would roll his eyes like an ordinary person; he always thought they only smashed wine glasses when upset. Just as he was thinking this, the CEO happened to glance in his direction, and their eyes met from ten meters away.

For someone like the CEO, ten meters wasn’t much distance, and he could see clearly.

The CEO: “…”

Where did this giant silly rabbit come from?

Yan Suiyuan: “…”

The CEO’s gaze was truly exceptional—three parts mockery, five parts indifference, and with the remaining two parts, you could almost add an egg to the expression.

[The phrase “add an egg to the expression” seems to be slang. It likely means the CEO’s gaze was so indifferent that it seemed empty of emotion, almost as if you could add something as ordinary as an egg to it.]

After a brief exchange of looks, the CEO snapped out of it, but he had been so distracted by the sight of those ridiculous bunny ears that he nearly turned straight into the revolving door’s glass. Fortunately, a man who appeared to be his secretary quickly steadied him, saving him from embarrassment.

Zhuo Yangbing turned to look at Jian Li coolly. He didn’t say a word, but with years of professional experience, Assistant Jian could tell he wasn’t pleased. Pretending not to notice, he calmly remarked, “Vice President, we’re running late.”

Zhuo Yangbing remained silent, exiting through the revolving door, followed closely by his entourage, like a swift breeze sweeping through the lobby.

Only after they left did Yan Suiyuan feel comfortable enough to leave the lobby himself, but he couldn’t help thinking back on what he had witnessed. He held a deep admiration and longing for those career professionals, believing that anyone who worked in this building must be top graduates from prestigious universities.

University…

Yan Suiyuan climbed back onto his little scooter, filled with a sense of envy and admiration for university students.

However, this little interlude quickly slipped his mind by noon, along with thoughts of that CEO straight out of a dramatic novel.

By the end of the day, he had completed over fifty delivery orders—a decent result. But he didn’t get home until midnight again, riding his scooter alone through the quiet streets, charging it up before heading upstairs.

The apartment was cold and dark, with no one waiting for him, but Yan Suiyuan was used to it. After a quick wash, he burrowed into bed to read a novel—a habit he had maintained for years. Despite all the new forms of entertainment available today, from short videos to variety shows, he still preferred the old-school way of passing time—reading novels.

He had just bookmarked a new story by Lüjiang, who had started a fresh series. It was only 50,000 words in, but the potential for drama was already apparent, just the kind he enjoyed. The more melodramatic, the better—he relished them all, from forced love and captivity to tragic love triangles.

[“Lüjiang” or “Green River” (绿江, Lǜ Jiāng) is a term that can refer to a type of online fiction in China, particularly those involving romantic or dramatic themes. It often features characters that may not conform to traditional norms or may have unconventional relationships, commonly known as “green river novels” or “Lü Jiang novels.”]

Though only 50,000 words long, the protagonist was already displaying all the classic traits of a scoundrel lover—arrogant, sharp-tongued, and full of himself, spiraling deeper into his misdeeds without a care for the consequences.

After reading so many, Yan Suiyuan had learned to spot the typical story beats.

For example, if the protagonist is working at a karaoke bar, he will inevitably spill a drink on the other protagonist’s expensive outfit—worth more than his half-year salary.

Though Yan Suiyuan didn’t quite understand why the spilled drink scenario was so popular, he didn’t mind. It certainly made more sense than spilling hotpot, and red wine did have a certain elegance that suited the CEO vibe.

And if you’ve ever been inside a karaoke room, you’d know they’re usually dimly lit. Yet, the CEO protagonist always manages to see the other protagonist’s breathtaking, pure beauty, as if emerging from misty waters—almost like a dream.

Most importantly, this person would always resemble the unforgettably pure Bai Yueguang in the CEO’s life.

[“Bai Yueguang” (白月光) literally means “white moonlight.” In Chinese slang, it refers to someone’s unattainable ideal love or the person they hold a special, irreplaceable place for in their heart, often seen as pure and perfect.]

Normally, when someone meets a person they like in an unexpected setting, they would try to woo them. But as everyone knows, these CEOs never express their feelings in a straightforward way—they just like to take what they want, whether the other party agrees or not.

Which naturally leads to the highly anticipated trope: the rich CEO’s attempt to keep a stand-in lover, leading to possessive and dramatic outbursts. Yan Suiyuan eagerly read on, as the protagonist domineeringly snatched the other protagonist from their job at a café, tossed them onto a lavish bed, and flashed a cold, wicked smile before revealing a chain thicker than his arm.

And then, the story abruptly stopped.

The novel, titled The Billionaire’s Stand-in Canary, ended right there for the day, with the author promising more the next day.

Yan Suiyuan felt utterly disappointed.

How could it end right at the crucial moment?

Author, are you even human?

Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already past one in the morning. He put his phone back on the nightstand and snuggled back into the blankets, planning to get some proper rest.

Just before drifting off, he thought sleepily about the protagonist’s fierce resistance and sighed softly.

The CEO is handsome, dashing, and ridiculously rich. He’d give a billion as pocket money without a second thought—why resist that?

He’d hold me, and I’d hold the money. What more could you ask for in life?

Being a simple person would be so much better.

Working as a delivery rider is tough, but it’s the most lucrative option Yan Suiyuan could think of. It’s definitely better than being an assistant at an auto repair shop or a waiter at a restaurant. Even though the platform often deducts money for various reasons, he still finds it pretty good overall.

As usual, he sent this week’s living expenses to his younger sister and asked about her recent exam results. Hearing that she was securely holding the top spot again, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

“Make sure to eat well and don’t skimp on food; your health matters,” he said, holding a discounted rice ball he’d bought the night before from a convenience store as his breakfast, drinking soy milk as he called Yan Zhiqiu. “Being at the top isn’t everything; it’s not something I care too much about.”

Although he said this, he couldn’t suppress a smile. His tone was filled with pride: “Even if you don’t come in first place, you’re still outstanding!”

On the other end, his younger sister’s voice was soft and gentle, with a touch of the shyness characteristic of teenage girls, making one imagine a sweet and beautiful young girl.

After reminding her a few more times to keep warm, he finally felt reassured enough to hang up. Although the school discouraged parents from giving students smartphones, he had always trusted his younger sister. Plus, it was more convenient to stay in touch this way since it was difficult to visit her at the boarding school regularly.

Putting the phone back in his pocket, Yan Suiyuan changed his clothes and headed out again. The weather was a bit gloomy today, but that didn’t stop him from working.

As he rode his scooter along the road, he absentmindedly started to daydream again, recalling the novel he stayed up reading last night.

If given a choice, no one would want to live a hard life. Who wouldn’t want to relax in an air-conditioned office, sipping coffee like an elite, staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer? But not everyone has such good opportunities.

Take Yan Suiyuan, for example. He had to start working right after middle school due to family circumstances, forced to take a different path from his peers. At a young age, he entered the workforce and faced many hardships. That’s why he was determined to let his younger sister continue her education, so she wouldn’t have to go through the same struggles.

Though it might be a little embarrassing to admit, Yan Suiyuan has always had a far-fetched dream.

He fantasized that one day, a CEO would seek him out. This CEO would be cold and distant but would take him in because he looked exactly like the CEO’s unattainable Bai Yueguang—someone who holds a special place in his heart. He would place him in a 500-square-meter mansion with a garden, being rude and domineering, and throwing money at him without a second thought. The CEO wouldn’t care to sleep with him, only coming over when missing his Bai Yueguang, staring at Yan Suiyuan’s face and silently mourning his lost love.

Of course, when the Bai Yueguang eventually returned, it would be ideal if the CEO generously transferred the mansion to him, threw him a few million as a breakup fee, and dramatically warned him not to tell the Bai Yueguang about their arrangement. Yan Suiyuan would gladly keep this secret to the grave.

With only the mansion and a few million yuan left, he would lead a lonely but comfortable life. The thought of it was so amusing it kept him awake at night, worried he might smile too widely in his sleep.

But such good fortune only exists in novels.

Yan Suiyuan thought about the characters in the stories he read, who were taken in by CEOs and always resisted fiercely with unyielding pride. He admired their dignity and self-respect, but in his view, it wasn’t really necessary. After all, CEOs don’t appreciate defiance. Accepting the situation could mean a lot less suffering.

Besides, these CEOs are often very generous. For someone like Yan Suiyuan, who is rather easygoing, dignity isn’t such a priceless thing. It can be discarded or picked up as needed; after all, it can’t be used to pay the bills or support his younger sister.

If only one day, a wealthy CEO would really appear out of nowhere.

Yan Suiyuan sighed at the thought.

Sometimes, you shouldn’t make random wishes—because they might just come true.

The road he was on wasn’t very busy, as it led to an industrial area. Yan Suiyuan sometimes took this route while delivering orders. Tall, untrimmed greenery lined both sides of the road, creating a blind spot for drivers, and those on non-motorized lanes couldn’t easily see cars coming around the corner. It was a common spot for accidents.

When Yan Suiyuan and his scooter ended up on the ground, he seriously considered whether he should just stay down and make a fuss for compensation.

The sleek, luxurious black car that had been involved remained parked at the roadside, looking pristine even after the collision—there wasn’t a scratch on it.

Yan Suiyuan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he probably wouldn’t have to pay for any damages.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man who appeared to be the driver rushed over, helping him lift his scooter before assisting him up. The driver apologized repeatedly, “I’m so sorry! I wasn’t careful enough. Are you alright?”

Yan Suiyuan shook his head. Despite the real ache in his arm, the driver was so polite that he felt bad about causing a scene. “It’s fine, I share some of the responsibility too.”

It seemed that wealthy people’s drivers were quite well-mannered. He hadn’t really suffered any serious harm, but the driver still looked genuinely remorseful—not at all like the arrogant, scolding types he read about in novels.

The back window of the car rolled down, and the man in the back seat spoke.

“Take him away.”

Yan Suiyuan, who was still checking if his scooter was damaged, froze when he heard the command and looked up, meeting the gaze of the person inside the car.

Huh?

Isn’t that the CEO from yesterday?

Zhuo Yangbing was dressed in his usual black suit, arms crossed casually over his chest, leaning lazily against the car window. His well-defined brows were furrowed, clearly showing his irritation and impatience—a telltale sign of his impending anger, known to those familiar with him.

The driver hurriedly opened the back door for Yan Suiyuan, urging him to get in.

Yan Suiyuan was confused. From the CEO’s stance and intense gaze, it seemed he wasn’t exactly friendly.

He liked money, sure, but he also valued his life—after all, he still hoped to put his sister through college.

“Sir, I think… I’d rather walk on my own,” Yan Suiyuan said with a smile. He had a charming, doll-like face that made him appear trustworthy when he smiled. “My clothes are dirty, so it wouldn’t be right to get in your car.”

Zhuo Yangbing stared at his face for a while, his expression unreadable and eyes deep, making Yan Suiyuan feel uneasy.

“I said, get in the car,” he repeated, his eyes never leaving Yan Suiyuan’s face. “Don’t waste my time.”

Nobody would willingly get into a stranger’s car, not even a handsome CEO.

The driver then quietly explained, “Please don’t misunderstand, sir. My boss just wants to take you to the hospital for a full checkup. After all, you got hit by the car, and it’s better to be safe in case of any internal injuries.”

“My boss is a good person, you can rest assured.”

“He was even listed in our city’s ‘Top Ten Outstanding Good Deeds’ last year, a very helpful young man.”

Yan Suiyuan glanced doubtfully at the CEO in the car, who looked far from friendly.

Your boss looks like he’s about to eat someone alive, and you’re calling him a good person?

The driver was very polite, maintaining a respectful posture as he invited Yan Suiyuan to get in, his demeanor genuine and sincere. Yan Suiyuan glanced down at his little scooter, which seemed beyond repair, and realized it wouldn’t make sense to argue further. After some quick deliberation, he decided to get into the car.

After all, stories about domineering CEOs are just that—stories. It couldn’t possibly be a trap.

Once Yan Suiyuan was settled in the car, the driver made a call to arrange for someone to take care of the scooter, then began driving back. Yan Suiyuan discreetly opened his phone’s navigation app, keeping an eye on their route, ready to call the police if anything seemed off.

Since Yan Suiyuan got in, Zhuo Yangbing hadn’t said a word or even shifted his posture. Leaning back against the window, arms casually crossed, he looked like a cold, distant statue, perfectly posed. A true fan of good looks could easily spend ages admiring him from every angle.

Unfortunately, Yan Suiyuan wasn’t particularly impressed by appearances. He was too busy marveling at how comfortable luxury cars were—miles better than his little scooter.

The driver hadn’t lied. They arrived at the nearest hospital, and after dropping Yan Suiyuan off, the driver instructed him to proceed with the check-up. He took down Yan Suiyuan’s phone number, handed him another contact number, and assured him that any expenses would be covered. If there were any complications with his health, his boss would take full responsibility. As for the scooter, someone would reach out to him about it later.

With the note containing the phone number in hand, Yan Suiyuan stood at the hospital entrance, watching as the car disappeared from sight.

It turned out that this so-called CEO really had a sense of responsibility. The situation wasn’t even that serious—if the police were called, both sides would likely share the blame. Yet, without any argument, he had brought Yan Suiyuan to the hospital. Even though he never offered a friendly expression, he had fulfilled his duties without question—far better than those who might have just thrown some money and driven away.

Yan Suiyuan glanced back at the hospital and, after a moment of hesitation, decided to head inside. His arm had taken a hard knock and felt uncomfortably sore; it seemed best to get it checked out.

As luck would have it, he ended up leaving with his arm in a cast—it was fractured.

Back at home, Yan Suiyuan pondered for a long time but couldn’t bring himself to call the number. He felt awkward directly asking for money.

However, later that night, someone reached out to him first. The person identified himself as Jian Li, the personal assistant to Vice President Zhuo. He mentioned that the hospital had already sent the bill, and he would transfer the full amount to Yan Suiyuan’s account shortly.

Jian Li’s voice over the phone was clear and professional, speaking in a calm, measured tone. “In addition, since your scooter’s battery was damaged, we will reimburse you for it at full value. We hope this is acceptable to you.”

“Thank you…” Yan Suiyuan replied earnestly, clutching his phone. “Your boss is truly a good person.”

No wonder he made the list of “Top Ten Outstanding Good Deeds of the Year.” He’s not like other wealthy people.

Jian Li seemed to chuckle softly, his low and magnetic voice coming through the phone, making Yan Suiyuan’s ears tingle.

“We’ll transfer the funds to your account shortly. Please take care of yourself.”

Yan Suiyuan nodded eagerly, momentarily forgetting that the other person couldn’t see him. After hanging up, he quickly received a bank notification and leaned in to count the four zeros at the end of the amount.

Could this CEO actually be running some kind of charity project?

It was just a fracture, not a life-threatening injury. And even with the scooter costs, it would only amount to a little over two thousand. A new battery could have it up and running again. Was it really necessary to transfer ten thousand???

What kind of out-of-touch fairy-tale character was this?

Vice President Zhuo was truly the pride of all domineering CEOs!