The setting sun dyed the streets crimson. Students streamed along the wide after-school road.

I was one of them—an utterly ordinary high school girl.

“Snowy, how was it? How was it?”

Dressed like a boy, with masculine mannerisms, she was the cool type of girl. If she wore dresses, she’d be a stunning ancient-style beauty.

My best friend to date: Oriental September.

She slung an arm around my shoulders, pressing her face close affectionately—like some creepy old man.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Your fiancé! You’re living together now, right? Seriously, my Snowy’s so cute! I don’t believe that guy hasn’t tried anything.”

“…”

If I could, I’d avoid recalling that. I just wanted a normal high school life.

Sighing helplessly, I covered my forehead.

It happened long ago. When I turned five, my family inexplicably arranged a fiancé for me. They called him a genius, excellent, handsome—all sorts of praise. Naive me even dreamed of him as Prince Charming.

To match such an excellent fiancé, I learned countless skills, even housework.

But dreams are beautiful; reality is cruel. That so-called excellent fiancé…

I saw zero merits—only endless flaws.

On our first cohabitation day, he stayed out all night. My carefully cooked dinner went to waste.

The next day, we agreed to walk to school together. He skipped class after half a day.

And his friends? Idle rich kids with rainbow-dyed hair, spouting nonsense thanks to family money.

Seriously, what’s excellent about that man?

“What’s wrong, Snowy? Did he bully you?”

“No. Just bad memories.”

“Need me to teach him a lesson? He can’t be your man without my approval!”

Oriental September rubbed her cheek against mine like I was a doll. She seemed perverted, but her heart was gold—a guardian angel to us girls.

“No! He’s my fiancé, no matter what.”

“Ohohoho, heartbreaking! After all our time together, I lose to a fiancé of just days?”

“We’re not dating!”

“Shy! I’ll call you ‘husband-protecting maniac’ from now on.”

She made a silly face and dashed off. I chased after her tightly.

Husband-protecting maniac? Ridiculous. But… maybe I should try accepting him.

Born into this family, I can’t choose my fate. At least I’ll steer it toward what I want.

Let my fiancé shed his laziness. Or just gain a hint of motivation for simple tasks.

What’s the difference between him now and those dreamless salted fish?

—— Narrated by the character “Ouyang Qingsnow”