She Gives Too Much (GL) - Chapter 1

“Hey, Xiaoxiao, what’s up?”

It was four in the afternoon. The recording of a variety show had just wrapped up, and the venue was buzzing with the chatter of guests and audience members leaving. Covering one ear to block out the noise, Chen Xi could barely make out the sweet voice on the other end of the line.

“Xixi~” Xiaoxiao’s drawn-out, pitiful whine came through the phone. “Did you see the messages in the Cat Group?”

“No, what did you guys post?”

Chen Xi exited the call screen and noticed that her notifications were overflowing. The group chat named ‘Brave Cats Fear No Hardship’ already had 99+ new messages, with several of them tagging her directly.

It was the chat she shared with her graduate roommates,  Xiaoxiao and Yan Tuo.

Among the three, Chen Xi and Yan Tuo were second-year grad students and shared the same dorm, while Xiaoxiao, a first-year, had moved in from a mixed dorm.

Half a month into the semester, they had discovered, quite by coincidence that all three of them were girls who liked girls, and they bonded instantly. They got along so well that their chat was never quiet; they shared everything from resources to gossip.

Now, Chen Xi had only been off her phone for two hours, and they’d already flooded the chat.

Since she didn’t have class today, she’d taken up a part-time job she saw in a “Gig Workers” group as an audience member at a variety show taping.

With her looks, she stood out easily in the crowd. When the director’s camera swept over the audience, it lingered on her more than a few times.

Honestly, she looked even better than the rising starlet who had just been ushered offstage by her manager.

Sitting among the audience, Chen Xi’s long wavy hair cascaded down her back. Her cream-colored off-shoulder knit top revealed her delicate collarbones, its fitted cut outlining her slender waist. The blue skinny jeans she wore accentuated her tall, graceful figure and every elegant curve.

The brandless bag she carried held a fan lightboard, and the hand holding it was pale and smooth. Her features were fine and delicate but the most striking thing about her was her eyes.

Slightly upturned at the corners, they had a teasing glint; even a sidelong glance from her felt like a hook catching at your heart.

A girl like this even if she did nothing more than post two pretty photos a day,  could easily gain fans in the entertainment industry.

But fate, so far, hadn’t quite tied her to that world.

Chen Xi sighed. She’d dressed up this nicely, so why hadn’t any talent scouts or managers approached her yet?

Yes, beneath her polished, fan-girl exterior beat the heart of a girl who secretly dreamed of becoming a star.

She switched back to her call screen, basking in the admiring glances around her, and caught her reflection in the glossy black wall tiles nearby.

No matter which angle she looked from, she couldn’t find a single bad side.

Even the black tiles couldn’t hide her beauty.

Feeling good, Chen Xi said, “I just finished my gig. I’m heading back to campus now.”

Right then, the assistant director’s voice called out nearby, perfectly on cue:

“Anyone who hasn’t collected their pay, come over here to check out.”

Chen Xi left the studio, returned her lightboard, and pocketed the two hundred yuan she’d just received.

When she slung her bag over her shoulder, the logo finally showed, the newest Chanel model from last month.

It wasn’t that Chen Xi lacked money; she just liked earning it. Ever since college, she’d always taken on part-time jobs when she could, especially ones related to showbiz.

“Xixi, could you help me out with something?” Xiaoxiao asked once she noticed the background noise had faded. “My advisor just gave me a last-minute task tonight, so I can’t make it to my part-time job. Could you cover for me? Just for one day, please?”

She rushed to explain, “It’s only for tomorrow. If I suddenly bail, it’ll be hard for Sister Li to find someone.”

Xiaoxiao really didn’t want to trouble Sister Li, who had taken good care of her. She pressed her palms together toward her phone like she was praying. “Please, I’ll treat you to a fancy dinner later!”

Chen Xi had heard a bit about Xiaoxiao’s side job, something like housekeeping for a rich family. She’d started before summer break.

Apparently, the old lady she worked for was obsessed with auspicious numbers even her maids had to make up a specific count. If Xiaoxiao didn’t show up and the numbers were off, the old woman might throw a fit.

“I already talked to Sister Li,” Xiaoxiao continued. “She said the replacement can only come tomorrow. You don’t have to do much. She’ll try not to assign you any real work. You just need to show up and make up the numbers.”

“Princess Xixi, my future superstar,” Xiaoxiao coaxed, her tone turning sugary. “Just treat it like you’re acting for one night, okay? You’re the best!”

Chen Xi could practically hear the smirk behind the compliment that had to be Yan Tuo’s idea.

She switched back to her chat app, and sure enough — there it was: a new message from Yan Tuo.

[Help her out this once. I’ll get you the latest designer bag as thanks.]

Chen Xi snorted softly, typing back with a hint of mock disdain.

[Big spender Yan-jie, you sure know how to treat your girlfriend right.]

[Fine, I’ll help this time. But don’t you dare forget about that bag~]

After sending the message, she returned to the call screen. Fingering the soft calf leather of her shoulder bag’s metal clasp, she put on her best performance pretending to hesitate, when in truth she just wanted to hear more flattery.

It wasn’t until poor, tongue-tied Xiaoxiao ran out of nice things to say that Chen Xi finally sighed dramatically, as though reluctantly agreeing.
“Alright, fine. Send me the address.”

On the other end, Xiaoxiao let out a breath of pure relief, her voice instantly bright again.
“Xixi, you’re an angel — the kind that actually walks the earth! How are you so nice?”

The “angel” in question hung up, hailed a taxi, and headed straight to the address Xiaoxiao sent her.

Thirty minutes later, the cab stopped in front of a gated mansion.

After paying the driver, Chen Xi spotted Sister Li, who had apparently come out to meet her — probably thanks to Xiaoxiao’s good word.

“Xiaoxiao already told me,” Sister Li said kindly. “Don’t worry, you’re just here to make up the numbers. Just stand by my side; I’ll handle the rest.”

Sister Li was nearing forty, with a gentle face and steady tone. She’s clearly the household’s head housekeeper.

Noticing Chen Xi’s calmness, she assumed the girl might be nervous, and tried to keep her relaxed with small talk.

“The young miss is coming home today, so the old madam’s attention won’t be on us. Don’t worry about being found out. She only checks headcount and never remembers faces.”

But Sister Li was overthinking it. Chen Xi didn’t look the least bit uneasy. As they passed through the manicured gardens and fountains, her expression barely flickered with surprise or curiosity.

Of course not, her own family was well-off too. Otherwise, she wouldn’t own enough designer handbags to fill an entire wardrobe.

“What kind of business does the family do?” she asked conversationally.

“Investments, I think,” Sister Li replied. “I’m not too sure myself, but their company’s famous — most young people know it. Especially the young miss; she’s not just beautiful, she’s incredibly capable.”

Beautiful?

Chen Xi perked up slightly.

More beautiful than me?

They chatted as they walked, and before she realized it, they were already inside the estate. The place wasn’t just big. It radiated the kind of quiet opulence that came from generations of wealth. The main house had a refined, antique air that made Chen Xi instantly aware of the difference between old money and her own family’s new money.

Sister Li handed her a light blue maid’s uniform, complete with a little bow-tied collar. Chen Xi tied her long hair up, leaving her bangs to frame her face. With minimal makeup, she looked softer, almost doll-like.

“You’re really too pretty. You would look good in anything,” Sister Li couldn’t help but praise.

Chen Xi gave a modest smile, smoothing out her skirt. Then, adopting her best “dutiful maid” posture hands folded demurely at her waist. She followed Sister Li out.

The old madam was already downstairs, wearing reading glasses and seated on the sofa with a book.

Chen Xi snuck a glance at her. The rumored “difficult old lady” looked to be in her sixties, her hair a neat mix of black and white, cut short to her chin. Her posture was straight, her expression composed.

She looked sharp and energetic, but the deep lines around her mouth gave her a stern, intimidating air, the kind of person who didn’t need to raise her voice to command attention.

“Where’s Li Zhi? Why isn’t she back yet?” the old lady asked, glancing at her watch, brows knitting together.

Her tone wasn’t particularly loud, but the effect was instant. No one in the room dared breathe too hard.

“The young miss should be on her way,” Sister Li said quickly.

And almost as if on cue, a car horn sounded briefly outside.

The old madam’s frown deepened.
“She’s back, fine but what’s with the honking?” she said coldly.

This time, even Sister Li kept silent.

Chen Xi pursed her lips, holding back a laugh. Talk about hard to please, she’s mad when the girl’s late, mad when she’s on time. Having a grandma like this must be exhausting.

Standing at the very end of the maid lineup by the door, Chen Xi had intentionally chosen the farthest spot — safely out of range, she thought.

But when the young miss entered, the first person she saw was her.

The front doors opened wide. Through the courtyard, in the amber light of sunset, Chen Xi saw a bodyguard in a black suit and white gloves bow gracefully and open the car door.

A slender leg stepped out first, clad in black patent heels, followed by tailored black trousers, a dark green silk blouse, and sleek shoulder-length hair tucked neatly behind one ear. In one hand, she held a plain black clutch. The overall impression: crisp, composed, effortlessly elegant.

Remembering Sister Li’s words “the young miss is very beautiful”, Chen Xi’s curiosity spiked. She raised her eyes for a closer look.

The young miss’s features were indeed exquisite…. refined brows and eyes, but distant, cool. Her expressionless face seemed untouched even by the fiery glow of sunset behind her.

It wasn’t her beauty that kept people at a distance, but the frost-like aura she carried; sharp, poised, and untouchable.

Chen Xi stared, unashamedly, her gaze tracing from the top button of that silk blouse up to her face.

Her makeup was immaculate — professional, yet still feminine and she looked about Chen Xi’s age. Her pale skin was smooth, nearly poreless….

Wait, pores?

Chen Xi snapped back to reality just as the young miss stopped directly in front of her and extended a hand, offering her clutch bag.

For half a second, Chen Xi froze then quickly brought both hands up, palms open, to take it.

Even so, she caught the brief flicker of impatience and distaste in the other woman’s eyes.

“…”

Chen Xi inhaled slowly, grinding her molars. What a snob, she thought. Pretty face, bad attitude.

The young miss walked past the servants without another glance, stopping beside the sofa and lowering her head slightly.

“Grandmother.”

Her voice was like the clear ring of jade against stone. It was gentle yet resonant, cool but not cold. It was a voice that could only be described as beautiful like a single fingertip brushing across the strings of a guqin, sending a tremor straight through the heart.

Cradling the heiress’s delicate handbag in her arms, Chen Xi watched that slender, upright back and just like that, she decided to forgive her arrogance.

That cool, detached voice, stripped of all emotion or desire… stirred something fierce and possessive inside her.

Support She Gives Too Much (GL)