Chapter 1
Yarrick Sutton had been particularly busy recently as he was about to graduate from university.
From Mondays to Fridays, he would be busy sending his resumes to various companies or going for interviews. On the weekends, he would bring the signboard he had prepared in advance to the park.
The signboard was basically an advertisement for himself. On it, he had written, “Yarrick Sutton, male, 22 years old, 5’11”, 150 lbs. Looking for a wife, all women aged 18 and above are welcome—no upper limit. Jillburg locals preferred. If you’re outstanding enough, I can even be your live-in husband.
“I also offer temporary boyfriend services, with a daily rate of no less than 500 dollars. A surcharge applies for overnight services, but the rate is negotiable. Additionally, I can help with middle and high school homework. I also offer tutoring services for high school math, physics, and chemistry. Rates are negotiable.”
Yarrick came from a remote village, so he had been responsible for his own tuition fees and living expenses for the past four years at the university. He took on all sorts of jobs—aiding with homework, being a tutor, being a temporary boyfriend, becoming the errand boy for the dorm…
All of this was for the sake of money. As long as it wasn’t illegal or anything morally wrong, he was willing to do it.
Other than earning money for himself, he also sent some back to his parents. After all, it wasn’t easy making a living in remote places like that. Besides, his mother wasn’t in the best of health and required constant medication.
Now that he was about to graduate, he had to find a decent source of income as soon as possible. Even if he had to take the path less traveled and find a rich wife to rely on, he didn’t mind.
Since it was a Saturday, Yarrick headed to the park early in the morning with his signboard. Plenty of elderly people came to the park during these earlier hours, so there would be more opportunities for him.
“Young man, what’s your job and monthly income?”
He had only just picked a spot when an elderly woman came up to him and looked over his signboard seriously.
“Ma’am, I’m taking software development and just about to graduate, so I’m still looking for a job. I’m guessing my monthly income will be about six to ten thousand dollars?”
Though he didn’t mind becoming a kept man, that didn’t mean he didn’t have morals. The truth was that he was jobless, and he wouldn’t lie about something like that.
Nonetheless, he believed that with his capabilities, getting a salary within that range wouldn’t be a problem once he found a job.
“Oh, you don’t have a job yet? That means your income is zero. Why did you say six to ten thousand dollars?”
“I’m still searching for a job but should be able to find one real soon–”
Yarrick wanted to explain, but the elderly woman waved her hand and walked off, not giving him the chance.
“Young man, you’re even thinking of becoming a live-in husband? I’m guessing you’re just after a rich lady, aren’t you? Young people these days…”
“Sir, with my handsome and young looks, what’s wrong with wanting to find a rich wife to rely on?”
“Young man, do you have a car? House? Savings? What do your parents do?”
“Do you have a monthly income of at least 20 thousand dollars?”
“My daughter is 28 this year and looking for a man with a successful or stable career. You… No, there’s no way I’d let my precious daughter take you in as a kept man. You don’t even have a job yet!”
Yarrick continued to stand there patiently. Every now and then, someone would come over to ask him questions. However, after learning of his situation, they all left while shaking their heads.
He came from a remote and poor village, and his parents had neither money nor power. With him also being jobless right now, it wasn’t surprising that no one was interested in him.
During his four years in university, not a single woman had been willing to get into a long-term relationship with him.
At the end of the day, the main reason was that he was just too poor!
He had no money to get a gift for women or treat them to nice meals. How could anyone be willing to stay with him?
Nonetheless, Yarrick didn’t give up. He had long grown used to such responses, so he was completely unfazed.
Time ticked by, and as it came close to noon, there was hardly anyone around anymore. Yarrick sat in the shade of a tree and couldn’t help but sigh.
It seemed his trip here today had been a wasted effort. Not a single person had asked him for his contact details!
With that thought, he decided to call it a day. He would come again early tomorrow morning.
Yarrick stood up and dusted his pants. Just as he was about to leave, an elderly woman approached him. Pointing at the signboard he had set aside, she asked with a smile, “Young man, are you looking for a wife?”
“Good day, ma’am. Yes, that’s right.”
After checking out the details on the signboard, the elderly woman nodded. “Do you have any particular conditions?”
“Not really. I’m graduating this year and still haven’t found a job yet, so I’ll be happy as long as she chooses me. As for conditions, if I had to name something, I guess I would say I hope her financial situation is on the better side.”
As for her looks and age, that could be discussed after a face-to-face meeting.
“I see… I noticed that you also offer temporary boyfriend services?”
“That’s right, ma’am! I can be a temporary boyfriend, but my daily rate starts from 500 dollars.”
Had business come knocking?
Upon hearing her words, Yarrick couldn’t help but take a closer look at the elderly woman before him. She looked to be in her 60s and had a friendly air about her. Could it be that she wanted him to become her temporary boyfriend?
As long as she was willing to pay him at least 500 dollars a day, he couldn’t care less.
“I see…” The elderly woman nodded once more, unable to hide the surprise and delight in her eyes.
She hadn’t expected what this young man had written on his signboard to be true! She had assumed it was simply a bid to draw people’s attention.
“Young man, what do you think about becoming a temporary husband and marrying someone?”
“Temporarily marrying someone?” Yarrick couldn’t help but pause in shock when he heard that. How had he not thought of that idea before?
“Yes. If you’re interested, how about we find a place to sit down and discuss it further?”
“Sure, no problem!”
Naturally, Yarrick wouldn’t reject an opportunity to earn more money, especially since he had never received such a request before. He was eager to learn more.
“Alright. There’s a bench over there. Let’s take this conversation there, okay?”
“Okay.” Yarrick nodded, swiftly folding up his signboard.
This wasn’t his first job since he started coming to this park, but it was certainly his first time receiving a request for him to temporarily marry someone. “Ma’am, are you looking for a temporary marriage candidate for your daughter? Or is this for yourself?”
As Yarrick fell into step beside the elderly woman, he took the chance to observe her further.
She seemed to be good-tempered, and judging from her steady steps, she was probably rather healthy. She also had fair skin. From her facial features, Yarrick could tell she had likely been a real beauty when she was young.
