Free baby-making machine.

Claire hung up the phone.

A moment later, it rang again and this time it was her father.

Claire glanced at Ethan, hung up again, and simply turned off her phone.

Ethan saw everything she did.

“Why didn't you answer?"

“My parents were calling. It's nothing important. I'll be back soon.”

Just then, their noodles arrived.

Ethan poured a large amount of vinegar into his bowl and began eating.

Claire blinked in surprise before frowning.

“Isn't that too sour?”

Ethan didn't respond.

Claire suddenly nodded in realization.

“Oh. so you're this jealous.”

Ethan: “...”

Claire didn't notice the odd look on his face. 

She casually picked up a few slices of beef from her bowl and placed them into his.

Then she added a drop of vinegar and a spoonful of chili to her own noodles and started eating.

Ethan stared at the thin slices of beef for a moment before

lifting his gaze to Claire.

She had gone on blind dates behind his back, clearly preparing to find someone else.

And now she was acting sweet toward him again.

Was she trying to coax him and stall things like this?

Why?

She could simply say it outright.

He wouldn't cling to her.

After finishing their noodles, they left the shop.

The two walked silently toward the apartment building.

Claire reached out to take Ethan's arm, but he avoided her.

She froze for a moment.

Ethan's long legs carried him several steps ahead before she quickly caught up.

When they were almost downstairs, she stubbornly reached for him again.

Once again, he avoided her.

So her instincts were right.

Ethan was angry.

But she still wasn't sure whether he knew about the blind dates.

She couldn't just admit it outright.

After walking her to the entrance, Ethan turned to leave.

Claire hurried after him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Honey, are you angry?”

She hesitated before adding, “Then... how about we go upstairs right now and confront my parents together?”

Ethan gently pulled her arms away.

“I still have things to do. We'll talk about it next time."

Then he strode away without looking back.

Claire stood there in a daze for a long moment before finally heading upstairs.

—

The moment she stepped inside, her Mom grabbed her and dragged her to the sofa.

“Why didn't you answer the phone?", she demanded angrily.

“I was busy.”

“What could possibly make it inconvenient?”

“I was in the bathroom."

Roseline and Fernando fell silent.

After a long pause, Roseline finally spoke again.

“How were the two blind dates today?”

“Not good.”

“What do you mean not good?”

“The first one was short and ugly, completely different from his photos. Worst of all, he looked down on me like he was doing me a favor just by meeting me.”

“And the second?”

“The second one was old and ugly. He wanted me to give birth to three children, and if I couldn't produce a son, we'd keep trying.”

“He also said that after marriage I’d have to quit my job, that I wouldn't get a share of the property, and my and his salary would be managed by his mother. That I was an outsider.”

She shrugged.

“So basically, I'd be a free baby-making machine and a free nanny.”

Roseline fell silent.

Fernando, however, exploded with anger.

“What?! Why?! I'm furious! What kind of people are

these matchmaking agencies recommending? No way-I'm getting our money back tomorrow!”

Claire immediately seized the opportunity.

“Dad, that agency is really unreliable. Hurry up and get your money back. It was more than ten thousand dollars! You could’ve bought three pigs with that money!”

“Claire, when did you become so familiar with pork prices?”

“Dad, I cook for myself now. Of course I know the price of pork.”

She might not know the prices of other meat, but she knew pork very well because she bought it all the time.

Meanwhile, Roseline had already taken her phone to the

kitchen and started arguing with the matchmaking agency.

Claire took her clothes to the bathroom to shower.

When she came out, she went to the balcony to hang her clothes.

At the same time, she brought in Ethan's clothes, neatly folded them, and placed them in a bag beside the door.

Ethan only had two sets of clothes with him.

She planned to bring them to him tomorrow.

—

That night, Iying in bed, Claire stared at the ceiling, troubled.

Sigh…Ethan is angry again.

What should I do?

I’ll just appease him tomorrow when I deliver the clothes.

After all, becoming a rich woman required effort.

If she treated Ethan well now, he might be more generous during the divorce and give her a larger settlement.

Unfortunately, Fernando's snoring was thunderously loud, 

making it impossible for her to sleep.

The next morning, she went to work with huge dark circles under her eyes.

At the entrance of the industrial park, she ran into Sandra who also had dark circles.

The two exchanged glances, Sandra spoke first.

“Didn't sleep well last night?”

Claire yawned.

“My parents came to visit. My dad snores like thunder."

Sandra nodded sympathetically.

“My dad snores too. Hardly any men his age don’t.”

“And you?” Claire asked. “Why didn't you sleep?"

Sandra grinned mischievously.

“Yesterday was my boyfriend's birthday, so I prepared a surprise for him. I bought him a piece of clothing online.”

“Then he turned into a wolf and kept... you know... doing things."

“I didn't fall asleep until three in the morning.”

Claire : “...”

She didn't need to ask what kind of “clothing” that was.

It definitely wasn't ordinary clothing.

She stayed silent for a long moment, unsure how to respond.

Sandra suddenly glanced at the bag in Claire's hand.

“Whose clothes are those?”

“My boyfriend's. He's been staying at the company these past few days, so I'm bringing them to him after work." 

“Why are you letting him stay at the company? Why don't you let your parents stay in a hotel?”

Fang Claire : “..."

Once again, she had no idea how to answer.

“Isn't your boyfriend angry?” Sandra asked.

Claire sighed.

“He's angry again.”

Sandra patted her shoulder sympathetically.

“That's unfair. You should coax him a little. Your boyfriend is so handsome, don't let other women snatch him away.”

Claire wasn't worried about that.

Ethan was distant and aloof. 

There were practically no women around him as his company was full of men.

After clocking in, Claire put the bag down and started working.

—

Meanwhile, at the company…

Justin walked in and frowned when he saw Ethan folding up a portable bed.

“Why are you sleeping at the office again? Did you and Claire fight?"

Ethan placed the folding bed in the corner.

“No.”

Justin looked suspicious.

“If you didn't fght, why sleep here? Isn't it more comfortable to sleep at home with a woman?”

Ethan had already sat down at his computer and clearly had no intention of answering.

At that moment, Kyle walked in.

He headed straight for Ethan.

“Did you watch the video I sent you? What are you thinking?”

Justin looked confused.

“What video? What happened that I don't know about?”

Kyle immediately told him about Claire secretly going on blind dates.

Justin exploded.

“Damn it! I knew that woman was unreliable, fickle and playing Ethan for a fool! Divorce her! You must divorce!”

Kyle nodded in agreement.

“Ethan, just get a divorce. Claire isn't right for you. You saw it with your own eyes so stop lying to yourself.”

Ethan suddenly stood up and walked out.

—

He stopped at a roadside breakfast stall and bought a bag of steamed buns.

On his way back, his phone vibrated.

He took it out and unlocked the screen.

It was a photo from Claire.

Inside the picture was a bag containing his clothes.

He remembered now, after showering on Saturday, he had tossed his clothes straight into the washing machine without washing them.

Right.

His underwear and socks were probably still hanging on the balcony.

At that moment, his phone vibrated again.

[Honey, the clothes are clean now. I will bring them to you after work.]