Stop Whining.

Ethan finished hanging the clothes and placed the basin back in the bathroom.

Claire was lying on the bed reading a novel. 

She hadn't touched it for several days, and the story she had been saving had updated with more than ten chapters which was enough to keep her entertained for a while.

It was still early.

Ethan sat on the sofa, typing on his laptop.

The small apartment felt quiet and harmonious.

“That's it?”

Claire muttered.

She finished the last chapter and left a comment: [Not enough! Not nearly enough! Author, please update soon!]

After posting the comment, she put down her phone.

Turning over, she saw Ethan on the sofa, still typing on his computer.

His pale fingers moved across the keyboard, the knuckles sharply defined.

Her gaze slowly traveled upward.

The man had deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and full, attractive lips. 

Even the shape of his ears was perfect. His hair was glossy black, each strand distinct.

How could someone be so flawless?

She almost forgot that this was a novel world and the man before her was the novel's male lead.

He possessed both talent and looks. Even poverty couldn't hide the noble aura about him.

The longer Claire watched, the more absorbed she became.

Eventually, she propped her face on her hands and stared openly at the man on the sofa.

Ethan couldn't ignore her gаze.

His hands continued moving, but his mind gradually went blank.

After a moment's thought, he picked up his phone, opened a shopping app, and searched a word.

Soon, the screen filled with colorful little boxes.

There were so many options that he felt overwhelmed.

Randomly choosing one, he added it to the cart and placed the order.

Perhaps because his thoughts were elsewhere, he couldn't focus on work anymore. He simply closed the laptop.

When he looked toward the bed, Claire had already fallen asleep in the same position she had been watching him.

Her hands were still folded beneath half her face.

Ethan sighed softy.

He picked up his phone to cancel the order, but when he saw that the delivery rider was already on the way, he gave up.

Instead, he sent the rider a message.

“Don't knock. Just leave it at the door."

After putting down his phone, he walked to the bedside.

Gently lifting Claire's head, he moved her hands away.

If she slept like that all night, her hands would definitely go numb.

Claire suddenly opened her eyes and stared at him.

Her eyes were bright and clear like a small deer in the forest.

Just as Ethan was about to speak, she closed her eyes again.

Her breathing quickly steadied.

Ethan smiled helplessly.

A dozen minutes later, he heard movement outside the door.

After waiting a moment, he went to open it and brought the package inside.

He stuffed the box into the drawer of the bedside table.

Then he turned off the light and lay down.

—

The next morning at breakfast time, Ethan woke up first.

He glanced down at the woman in his arms.

She was soft and warm.

Her face was pressed against his chest, one leg draped over him.

His hand rested on Claire's waist.

He had slept well the entire night without waking.

At some point, when Claire clung to him in her sleep, he had instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

Suddenly, an alarm rang.

It was Claire's phone.

Seeing that the woman in his arms didn't react, he reached over, grabbed the phone, and turned off the alarm.

Then he gently pulled Claire away, got out of bed, and headed for the bathroom.

At that moment, Claire suddenly jolted awake.

Grabbing her phone, she screamed, “Oh no! I'm going to be late!”

She jumped out of bed, grabbed her clothes, and rushed into the bathroom.

After hurriedly washing up and getting dressed, she snatched her bag and ran for the door.

Ethan handed her a still-warm sandwich.

“Eat it on the way.”

Claire didn't even have time to feel touched.

She grabbed the sandwich, opened the door, and dashed out.

Afterward, Ethan changed his clothes and left for the company.

—

It was Saturday, so the subway wasn't crowded.

Claire quickly found an empty seat.

Eating wasn't allowed on the subway, so she put the sandwich into her bag.

She only took it out when she arrived at the offce.

The aroma quickly attracted Sandra, who leaned closer.

“Where did you buy that sandwich? It smells amazing!”

“My boyfriend made it."

“Oh my god…your boyfriend made this?”

“Yeah. He can cook, and he's really good at it.”

“My goodness. You must have saved the galaxy in your past life to meet such a perfect man. Not only is he handsome, but he's also so capable. I'm so jealous!”

“Why be jealous? Don't you have a boyfriend?”

“My boyfriend isn't as handsome as yours, and he can't cook, He just waits for me to cook for him."

Claire happily took another bite of her sandwich.

What a joke.

The male lead in a novel was always invincible.

In the future, he would become incredibly rich…a prince among Bellmont's elite, high above the rest, able to shake the world with a flick of his hand.

How could Sandra's boyfriend possibly compare?

The male lead's attributes were always maxed out.

But Claire couldn't show off too much.

Showing off only invited jealousy. 

She patted Sandra's shoulder comfortingly, “Good men are trained. You should train yours well.”

Sandra clenched her fist.

“Okay! I will have him buy groceries right now and cook dinner for me after work!”

Claire chewed her sandwich and mumbled, “Have him learn from cooking videos.”

"Okay.”

“I'll recommend two cooking channels for him. It organizes everything clearly step by step. Even a pig could learn to cook two dishes.”

"You make it sound so easy. Now I feel like I could do it too.”

Claire froze.

She turned her head in disbelief. “Wait... you can't cook?"”

Sandra shrugged.

“Who isn't a baby? I was spoiled growing up too. My parents never made me cook.”

“Then how do you usually eat?"

“Takeout, or eating out.”

“But eating like that every day gets tiring."

“Exactly! It's either braised chicken, spicy hot pot, fast food, or hot pot again. I'm sick of it."

Claire sincerely encouraged her.

“Cooking is actually very simple. Home-cooked food is delicious, healthy, and saves money. You should learn.”

Hearing that, Sandra immediately became full of confidence.

She quickly started texting her boyfriend.

After finishing her sandwich, Claire sent Ethan a bright red lipstick emoji.

[Thank you for the loving breakfast, honey.]

Her sweet, affectionate act was becoming more and more natural.

Ethan looked at the message, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

He replied: [What do you want to eat tonight?]

Claire replied instantly: [I love whatever my husband makes.]

[Stop whining.]

[Okay. I want stir-fried cabbage,stir-fried shredded potatoes, and tomato egg soup.]

[Why are they all vegetarian?]

[Eating vegetarian food at night is easier to digest and healthier.]

Actually, the company cafeteria food was too bland.

So she might as well eat light meals at home.

She felt like her chest was getting

smaller lately.

Claire clenched her fist and silently cheered herself on.

Just endure it a little longer.

Soon, she'd become rich and be able to eat as much meat as she wanted.

After work, Claire grabbed a bag of beef jerky from Sandra .

The smell was so tempting it almost made her cry.

She glanced at the packaging.

When she became rich, she would definitely achieve beef jerky freedom.

…

When Claire pushed open the apartment door, a rich aroma of meat drifted out.

Ribs!

It was ribs!

Her nose was practically sharper than a dog's.

Wow…and strawberries too!

She immediately noticed the plate of washed strawberries on the table, their stems neatly removed.

Her husband, Ethan, was so thoughtful!