I’m Rich, My Roommate only Pretends

The heiress was openly mocked by her fake rich second-generation roommate. I thought such stories only happened on TV. But when I actually encountered it, I just found it amusing. I kindly warned my roommate not to be deceived by a scumbag pretending to be rich, only to be misunderstood and unappreciated. My name is Winnie. On the surface, I'm just a hardworking student who got into this top-tier university through my own efforts. In reality, I'm the daughter of the CEO of the Ashley Group, but no one would believe that if I said it. Because my surname is Kaylee, not Ashley like the head of the Ashley Group. It's not one of those clichéd melodramatic plots where I'm some unloved child or the offspring of a mistress. It's because my dad loves my mom so much that I took my mom's surname after I was born. Interestingly, in our dorm, besides me being a pseudo-commoner, there's also a fake heiress. Stella always tells us roommates how wealthy her family is. At first, I was a bit interested, thinking I had met someone similar. But later, hearing her stories full of inconsistencies and observing her lifestyle habits, I sensed something was off. She claimed to be rich, yet she always had to borrow cosmetics from her roommates. Once, my dad thought I was living too frugally and had his assistant send me a set of expensive skincare products, which were already placed in my dorm. When I got the call, I thought my dad was meddling again, feeling both touched and a bit like a show-off. But when I returned to the dorm, I found my skincare products had indeed been replaced, just with slightly better ones, which were within the range I could afford on my 2000 living expenses. I initially thought my dad was respecting my decision by not sending anything too extravagant. But after a shower, I noticed Stella using very expensive skincare products, and I still thought she was a real heiress. Then my dad called in the evening to check what items I had received. That's when I realized, how did the skincare products my dad intended for me end up with Stella? I asked my dad to send me a list of the skincare products' prices, printed it out, and left a note in the dorm. It said the skincare products were samples for my part-time job, and if stolen, I would report it to the police. Soon after, my skincare products were returned, but there was hardly any left. Unless she was eating them, how could there be so little left? That's when I understood the situation. Next, I pretended to write an email, claiming it was for the company testing the products, and then threw them all in the trash in front of the entire dorm. At that time, I didn't want to make a big fuss, but Stella wasn't just taking advantage of me in this matter. Although she treated us to meals, it was always at small eateries. And afterward, she would find ways to recoup the meal money from here and there. Even I, wanting to maintain good relations with my roommates, fell for it. After being treated to meals two or three times, once we went to a high-end restaurant, she said she forgot her credit card and asked us to cover the bill. We each ended up paying several hundred, and I sensed something was off. Later, she treated us to meals a few more times, claiming it was to make up for the previous help with the bill. I quietly calculated the costs, and with the daily advantages Stella took, she still made a small profit. Others' attitudes only solidified her image as a generous and approachable heiress. After calculating the gains and losses, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It's better to suffer small losses now than big ones when I take over my dad's company. Managing a household makes you realize the true cost of living, and this lesson gave me a deeper understanding of the concept of money. At the same time, I kept my distance from Stella, politely declining her small favors. After she noticed my attitude, it seemed to hurt her vanity and self-esteem, so she would often mock and subtly insult me. "Winnie, here's some fried chicken and cola I got for you, along with some snacks. The school cafeteria might fill you up, but nothing beats this kind of food." While I was focused on checking my graduation project on a second-hand laptop I got from the school flea market, a bag smelling of fried food was suddenly placed next to my computer. The snacks were also put down, nearly pressing down on my keyboard, so I quickly moved my laptop aside. I turned to see Stella, who had just withdrawn her hand, standing with her arms crossed, with a forced smile. Alongside her were the dorm mates who had returned with her from outside. If only these people truly deserved to be called roommates. The snacks just now were intended by someone else to be pressed onto my keyboard. Realizing it was another one of their pranks, I shrugged it off, moved the snacks aside, and continued working on my computer. "Thank you for your kindness, Stella, but I'm not hungry. You can share it with the other dorm mates. I still need to work on my graduation project." I wasn't just brushing her off; I was genuinely busy with my project, but she didn't see it that way. "Tch, acting all superior." The muttering came from behind, and I chose to pretend I didn't hear it. It's not that I'm generous, but if I fuss over such trivial matters now, how will I handle bigger issues when I take over my dad's company? But mosquitoes and flies will keep buzzing around your ears unless you swat them away. "Winnie, you're working so hard. Are you planning to go to graduate school or join a company? It's tough to land a job as a graduate student these days. Maybe you should ask Stella to help you land a good job." It wasn't Stella speaking, but the other two roommates who often received her small favors and firmly believed she was a rich family's daughter. They excluded me not just to please Stella, but also because I was too diligent and serious in my studies. "No need, I've already received an offer from Ashley Group and plan to intern there in my senior year." The name of Ashley Group is well-known among national enterprises, and even just receiving an offer from them is something students at this university would strive for. Now, it's more than enough to impress a pretender like Stella and two ordinary students. "What's the big deal? Once you're in, you're still just an employee." "Exactly, compared to Stella, you're still far behind." The group muttered in agreement, then sat at their seats, chatting loudly about the day's events, with Stella being the loudest. I glanced at the time; it was only six o'clock, and the library was still open. I closed my laptop and left the dorm with it. Similar incidents had happened before, with Stella and the others fooling around until ten at night before coming back. I was working on a project for my teacher and didn't pay attention to them. But then they complained that the sound of my typing was too loud and disturbed their rest. How could a laptop's soft keyboard make any noise? Initially, it was only Stella, but later the other roommates joined in to give me trouble, even calling the dorm manager. The others told the manager that I was making a racket in the dorm, disturbing their rest. After I argued my case, the dorm manager said it wouldn't be tolerated again, and we were each given a mild reprimand before she left. This was another lesson I learned: sometimes stepping back can save a lot of trouble. In the following days, Stella didn't bother me again, and I was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet. While diligently working on my graduation project and thesis, I was also studying for the final courses of my junior year. I thought I could peacefully finish the last part of my college life and then go for an internship at my dad's company in my senior year to learn about business operations. But when has life ever been smooth sailing for an ordinary person? Even if I'm a fake one. Not long after my peaceful days, Stella once again flaunted like a peacock, showing off her splendor. After finishing my studies for the day, I returned to the dorm, intending to continue refining my design. As I opened the door, I heard voices filled with envy from my other roommates. "I'm really envious of Stella. I had my eye on this bag before, but I couldn't afford it." "Don't worry, I'll give it to you after a few days when I'm tired of it." "Re-really?" "No problem, we're classmates and roommates, after all, it's fate that brought us together. Besides, this is just a knock-off, not worth much." "Thank you so much." By the time she finished showing off, I was already seated at my desk, turning on my computer. The quiet days had made me think Stella wouldn't trouble me again. But just as my computer screen lit up, I heard that annoying voice behind me once more. "Winnie, you've been using that bag for three years without changing it, right? I'll give you one." Suddenly, a new wallet appeared on my desk. After placing the bag down, Stella reached for my old wallet. "No need to trouble yourself, Stella. This wallet has sentimental value to me." This was the first thing I bought with money I earned from working, without relying on my parents. Even if I inherit the family business in the future, I want to keep it; how could I throw it away? I quickly grabbed her hand, put my wallet in my pocket, and handed her wallet back to her. After doing all this, I let go, watching Stella rub her wrist with a slightly pained expression, glaring at me with displeasure. "Winnie, what do you mean by this? I'm just trying to help you, or is it that now you've got an offer from Ashley Group, you look down on us as classmates?" The other people in the dorm heard her and their expressions towards me became more complex, with admiration, envy, and a bit of disdain. "Not at all. Even with an offer, I'm just destined to be a worker." I threw their gossip back at them from a few days ago, making them a bit embarrassed. But they knew that talking behind someone's back isn't right, so they didn't immediately retaliate. "I can't accept such a gift without a reason. My relationship with you, Stella, is just average, and suddenly receiving such an expensive gift from you is a bit startling." Receiving a gift like this out of the blue, I could only think it was like a fox wishing a chicken a happy New Year, with no good intentions. "Alright, alright, we're all roommates, no need to make it awkward. Stella is just concerned about her roommates, and this amount of money is nothing to her family. Besides, Winnie, your wallet, no matter how sentimental, is probably due for an upgrade. Otherwise, every time we go out to eat, it looks like we're bullying you." Other roommates who had benefited from Stella came out to play peacemaker, but their words were indeed saying I was too shabby and embarrassing them. Having learned from past experiences, I chose not to continue the conversation. They had the numbers, and I would be the one to lose out. "I'm sorry, Stella. I was a bit hasty. My graduation project was criticized by my advisor for having some issues, so I'm not in the best mood. I hope you can understand." I had already given her an easy way out, and Stella needed to maintain her generous persona. Even if she didn't like me, she had to smile and say it was fine. After smoothing things over on the surface, Stella suggested going out to eat and proposed a restaurant. "Wow! This restaurant has an average cost of about a thousand per person. Judging by the price, it's a very upscale place. Wouldn't it be too extravagant for us students to eat there?" Hearing everyone's exclamations, Stella looked proud and satisfied. She even emphasized that she was treating this time, so no one needed to bring their wallets. "Stella, you're so kind. You're the most down-to-earth rich person I've ever met." "Exactly, exactly, unlike those other nouveau riche types!" The others flattered her, making her pride even more apparent. Today, she was giving away bags and treating us to dinner, which was really unusual. After the previous high-end restaurant incident, I knew her fake heiress persona couldn't sustain such extravagance. Even if it's a knockoff, it's still several hundred, and she just gives it away. And now she wants to go to a restaurant with an average cost of a thousand per person, which made me a bit puzzled. "Stella, did something good happen to you today? You're treating us and giving gifts." Another roommate, slightly more composed, found it all a bit sudden and asked. "I'll tell you, but you mustn't spread it around." Stella said this, but her expression seemed like she couldn't wait for her roommates to help spread the word. "I found a boyfriend. He's the son of a big corporation. These gifts today were also from him for me to give to you. He even asked me to invite everyone to dinner, saying it's to thank you all for taking care of me." Her statement left me a bit skeptical. Did I really get it wrong? Is she a real heiress? Like me, experiencing life but loves to show off? Or did her fake heiress persona really snag a rich guy? We took a cab to the restaurant we had checked out earlier. Stella cheerfully paid the cab fare and stepped out to straighten her clothes. "Ste, what a coincidence, you're just arriving too." Just as she finished tidying up and was about to enter the restaurant, a fairly handsome guy in casual clothes got out of a Benz nearby and greeted us with a tone of surprise and delight. "Ran!" Stella called out his nickname and went up for a hug. As we approached, she eagerly introduced us. "Randy, my boyfriend. Ran, these are my roommates." Stella introduced us one by one, and when it was my turn, there was a noticeable pause, even her boyfriend noticed the oddity. "Ste, who's this beauty?" Randy extended his hand to me for a handshake, something he hadn't done when introduced to the others. As for looks, I'm not bragging, but my parents' genes are great, and even with light makeup, I outshone the other three. This is also one reason they ostracized me. "I'm Winnie, just a roommate of Stella's." I didn't shake Randy's extended hand. Instead, I placed my right hand lightly on my chest and introduced myself. "Winnie? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before." When I said my name, Randy seemed to be lost in thought, which made me think too. Do I know anyone named Randy? "Ran, don't worry about that. But you, why aren't you in formal attire today? Didn't you say you had business to discuss this afternoon?" Stella quickly interrupted my thoughts, pushing Randy's hand down, and asked her boyfriend with a slightly displeased tone. She gave me a piercing glare, clearly having noticed her boyfriend's sly move. "It's more comfortable this way, and if I wore a suit, your roommates might feel uneasy, right?" His words made the other roommates relax, and he quickly ushered everyone to their seats, snapping his fingers for the waiters to bring out the food. With the previous tension eased, everyone felt more at ease, chatting while eating. With Stella occasionally steering the conversation towards her boyfriend, the others suddenly became curious about Randy. "Stella, you said your boyfriend is the heir of a big corporation. Which one is it? Can you tell us?" Seeing the conversation finally turn to this topic, Stella's face beamed with pride and satisfaction as she looked at Randy sitting beside her. Randy cleared his throat and nodded, and seeing this, Stella's pride was practically bursting, leaving a kiss on his cheek. She turned her head, covering her mouth as if afraid her voice would carry. "Think about what Randy's surname is." "Surname Ashley, wait, could it be?!" This roommate's reaction made Stella even more pleased, her face unable to hide her smile. She put a finger to her lips to shush us and revealed the answer. "Yes, he's the heir of the Ashley Group." After saying this, she shot a triumphant glance at my stunned face, with a provocative gleam in her eyes. Looking quite pleased with my reaction, she continued speaking. "Ran is very low-key; you can't even find information about him online." You really can't find it, since I wasn't aware I had a new brother. I never imagined my low profile would let someone like this exploit it.