"The Spoiled Wife of a Wealthy Family"

In October, the weather in Granth was still scorching, with a hint of autumn coolness only in the early mornings and evenings. My name is Alva, and currently, I'm living with my sister's family. Early in the morning, I prepared breakfast for my sister's family of three, tidied up the scattered toys in the living room, and mopped the floor. Afterward, with two steamed buns in hand, I discreetly left my sister's home, carrying my household register. "From now on, we'll go Dutch, whether it's living expenses or mortgage payments. Your sister is staying with us, she should contribute half. What's the use if she gives only two thousand a month? It's no different from a free ride," my brother-in-law said during their argument last night. To ensure my sister's life wouldn't turn chaotic, I had to move out of her house. However, to put my sister at ease, there was only one path – marriage. Eager to get married in a short time and without even having a boyfriend, I decided to agree to Mrs. Steven's request and marry Donovan, Mrs. Steven's grandson, who was said to have difficulties in marriage. As I walked down the stairs and reached the roadside, a bus happened to be parked there. I hurried over and, upon seeing that it was headed to the Civil Affairs Bureau, I boarded the bus before the driver started. Choosing a window seat, I sat down. The bus started moving, and I kept my eyes on the street scenery outside. Granth was a bustling metropolis with towering buildings on both sides of the streets, showcasing its prosperity. Twenty minutes later, I got off the bus at the Civil Affairs Bureau. "It's me." As soon as I got off, I heard a familiar shout—it was Mrs. Steven. "Mrs. Steven." I walked over quickly and saw a tall and stern-looking man standing beside Mrs. Steven. Presumably, he was Donovan, the person I was going to register with. Approaching them, I got a clear look at Donovan and couldn't help but be surprised. According to Mrs. Steven, Donovan was already thirty years old, facing difficulties in marriage, and couldn't even find a girlfriend. Worried about him, Mrs. Steven introduced us three months ago, after I saved her when she fell on the road. After getting to know each other, Mrs. Steven appreciated my character. Learning that I was twenty-five and still single, she decided to matchmake me with Donovan. I always thought that Donovan, being thirty and unable to find a girlfriend, must be quite ugly. After all, according to Mrs. Steven, he was a high-ranking executive in a large corporation with a high income. I assumed Donovan belonged to the type of successful men who were either too picky or too unattractive, even for gold diggers to tolerate. At this moment, meeting him face to face, I realized he was the former. Donovan was quite handsome, with a slightly cold temperament. Standing next to Mrs. Steven, he had a stern expression on his face, exuding a uniquely cool aura. The breath he emitted warned strangers to keep their distance. Not far away, there was a black business car, not too expensive. It made me feel that the distance between Donovan and me might not be that far. Being a dependent, I mainly stayed with my sister due to reluctance to leave her and my nephew. I boldly lived with them, partly because my income was not bad. A friend and I opened a bookstore near Granth Middle School. Granth Middle School is a prestigious school that encompasses elementary, middle, and high school. With nearly ten thousand students and teachers, the demand for various materials and stationery was substantial. However, the competition was fierce, as every other neighbor seemed to run a bookstore. During my free time, I also knitted small items to sell online, and the sales were good. After deducting all the costs from the store and splitting the profits with my friend, combined with the income from my online store, my monthly earnings stabilized at over twenty thousand. In Granth, earning two thousand a month could already qualify as a white-collar worker. However, my brother-in-law was unaware of my income and thought my bookstore wasn't profitable. He constantly criticized me, but in reality, I gave my sister five thousand each month for living expenses and rent. I advised my sister to save half of it for emergencies without letting my brother-in-law know. My sister only had a vague understanding of my income, thinking my bookstore wasn't making money. After all, the competition was intense, and she had no idea that I gave her five thousand each month. She considered it as a contribution to household expenses. "My dear, this is my grandson, Donovan. He's thirty years old and still single. Though a bit cold, he's thoughtful. You saved my life, and we've known each other for three months. Trust me, I wouldn't introduce you to a bad grandson," Mrs. Steven said. After hearing Mrs. Steven's description of him, Donovan glanced at me with a sharp and cold gaze but didn't utter a word. Probably immune to being criticized by his own grandmother so many times. I knew Mrs. Steven had three sons, and each son gave her three grandsons. She had a total of nine grandsons, but not a single granddaughter. After I saved her, she treated me like a granddaughter. "Mrs. Steven." My face blushed slightly, but I still reached out my right hand and smiled as I introduced myself to Donovan, "Hello, Donovan, I'm Alva." Donovan's sharp eyes swept me from head to toe and back to my feet. Only after Mrs. Steven lightly coughed did he extend his right hand to shake mine, his voice low and icy, "Donovan." After the handshake, Donovan raised his left hand to check his watch and said to me, "I'm busy. Let's make this quick." I just nodded. Mrs. Steven hurriedly said, "You two go in and handle the formalities. I'll wait here." "Grandma, go to the car. It's hot outside." Donovan assisted Mrs. Steven back to the car. Watching his actions, I believed Mrs. Steven's words. Donovan might be cold, but he was also attentive. Even though Donovan and I were strangers, Mrs. Steven said he had a house under his name, fully paid for. If I married him, I could move out of my sister's place, and my sister could be at ease without having arguments with her husband because of me. My sister's marriage was just a partnership in daily life. Soon, Donovan returned to me and said, "Let's go." I nodded and silently followed him into the Civil Affairs Bureau. At the marriage registration office, Donovan reminded me, "Alva, if you're not willing, you can still back out. Don't worry about what my grandmother says. Marriage is a big deal, not a child's play." He hoped I would back out because he had no intention of getting married, let alone marrying a stranger he met for the first time today. I was similar to what Mrs. Steven described: young, beautiful, and somewhat bookish. However, we were still strangers. Grandma had been nagging him for several months. When he was a child, his parents were busy, so he was raised by his grandmother. He was exceptionally filial to his grandmother. Under her repeated requests, he had no choice but to make this trip. "Since I've promised, I won't back out." I also took a few days to decide, and once I made up my mind, I won't back out.