7
After the divorce, I went back to my
apartment, took a long bath, and nestled into
my soft bed.
I rolled around, almost screaming; this is what
life should be like!
Every day I juggled training and exercise.
Energetic, and full of life, the very air felt
sweet.
With $80,000,
I could improve myself and become a top–tier
housekeeper
Who says nannies can’t succeed?
Shameful?
I’ll show them!
Seeing my young, muscular personal trainer,
my hormones surged.
While measuring my body data, I felt guilty
about neglecting my health.
For years, I’d never taken care of myself.
In just a week, I lost 15 pounds!
I’d hit rock bottom; every improvement was a
sign of progress and hope.
Like an old tree sprouting new leaves.
I regained the excitement I felt when I got into
college, the ambition of a soon–to–be
graduate!
I wanted to be in top shape for my first
interview.
In two months, I got my nutritionist and
housekeeping certificates.
I also saw great results from my fitness and
shaping efforts.
My workout clothes went down four sizes in
those two months.
The gym manager wanted to expand and
asked me to be their spokesperson.
“Ms. Jiang’s transformation is amazing. It fits
our ‘Desperate Housewife Transformation‘
campaign.
We want to use your photos and videos for
promotion and want you to shoot some
commercials.”
I calmly smiled, “Five thousand dollars.”
The manager looked surprised.
He seemed unprepared for me to mention
compensation.
He hesitated, “The company doesn’t have
that budget. How about 30 hours of personal
training with your coach?”
“I’m sorry, that’s already a low price,”
L
I said firmly.
Seeing me leave, he stopped me, smiling,
“Ms. Jiang, let’s talk. 50 hours, consider it a
favor for Coach Xu.”
I brushed him off, my face hardening, “If you
say that, there’s no point in continuing this
conversation.”
Hah, like I’ve never seen men before?
Many wealthy women hit on the trainers and
members at this gym.
But I don’t have time for that!
I will avoid men for the rest of my life.
After all, I even abandoned my own son.
He realized I wasn’t interested and apologized
profusely.
A few days later, $5,000 was in my account.
Unexpectedly, the advertisement boosted the gym’s business, and Mr. He became a client.
We met in the lounge; he looked at me up
<
and down, his admiration evident.
“Seeing the advertisement, I thought it looked
like you, and it was.”
I smiled confidently, mentioning my
certifications.
He nodded, “Good. School’s starting soon. I’ll
schedule a home interview.”
Coincidentally, he chose Coach Xu as well.
We met often, and we became acquainted.
I worked hard to impress my future employer.
Mr. He was the perfect stepping stone to my
housekeeping career.
I needed that high–paying job!
Through our conversations, I learned about
Mr. He’s family situation.
He and his ex–wife were both high–achieving
professionals.
Since his ex–wife went to Hong Kong to
manage a branch, they were estranged.
After she settled there, she wanted to stay
permanently.
But Mr. He didn’t want to leave his business;
after years of conflict, they divorced this year.
Custody was granted to him.
Mr. He said, “If one of us had focused on
family, we wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
I chuckled bitterly, “If my ex–husband hadn’t
made such a mistake, I would have been
happy to work hard.”
Mr. He chuckled, “It seems the ideal men and
women are always found in other people’s
families.”
The conversation was getting too personal.
I said seriously, “Mr. He, your marriage was a
matter of differing values and a lack of fate,
there’s no right or wrong.”
“As for me, if I had been more independent
and assertive, I wouldn’t have been bullied.
Let’s look to the future!”
We had a deep conversation that day.
Mr. He looked at me with increasing approval
and admiration.
Coach Xu asked me privately if Mr. He was
pursuing me because he seemed very
interested in me.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
An elite, self–interested man like Mr. He has
many options.
He wasn’t so much interested in me as he
was assessing if I had leadership potential. I know successful businessmen have high
standards for their close associates.
I wouldn’t have such ambition even if I drank
ten bottles of Brain Gold.
And after dying once, I have no hope for men.
This life, I just want to live freely.
Stay away from men!
Just as my life was improving, trouble found
me again.
As Coach Xu and I were leaving the gym, my
Tormer mother–in–law, Catherine, grabbed my
hair.
