"Refusing to be a Puppy Lover: My Journey begins with Confronting a Scheming Belle"

"Darling, I consulted someone, and they said today is the best day. Shall we get our marriage certificate?" "The Civil Affairs Bureau is right next door; it won't take long." A woman of average appearance and build spoke urgently to Carver, who lay on the hospital bed, fearing any delay. She was someone Carver had met through a matchmaking arrangement. Both of them were in their thirties, and it was more about settling down. However, because they hadn't agreed on the dowry, things had been dragging on without progressing. But upon learning a few days ago that Carver was critically ill and had no family, the woman suddenly became fervent, even forgoing the dowry and demanding they get the certificate immediately. "Carver, in your final moments, I just want to be with you," she said with deep emotion, though her eyes betrayed an irrepressible excitement. Carver understood what the woman was excited about. He owned a three-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles and had over three million in a construction bank fund. Once they got the certificate, everything would be hers upon his death. The attending physician entered. "Are you a family member? Let's talk outside." The woman was called out, and the door was closed as they conversed in the hallway. "The patient's condition isn't too dangerous, but surgery is necessary," the doctor said. "You don't need to worry. We have extensive experience with this type of surgery, and the success rate is over eighty percent." The woman couldn't wait to respond, "Only eighty percent? That's too low. No surgery!" Carver frowned. Throughout his battle with the disease, he had never given up. But this woman wanted him dead! Just then, he felt a bout of suffocation, a relapse! He struggled to press the call button but accidentally dislodged the tube from the machine. In an instant, a wave of intense pain hit him, followed by darkness... As his consciousness faded, his life flashed before him like a movie. Chasing the class beauty in middle school, worshipping her for eight years... Switching to online sales after college, pretending to be a divorced woman to scam people into buying futures, which led to the entire company being taken down... With a criminal record, finding work became harder, so he risked taking on a construction project... Only to be owed p*****t, leading to massive debt. His parents sold off everything and worked as laborers on the construction site, eventually both dying in accidents... After years of struggle, finally, a stroke of luck saw his business take off. But just as it did, he was diagnosed with cancer. Not yet forty, his life was already over... "If only I could live again..." "I wouldn't waste my energy on women. I'd earn money and make my parents happy..." "Your face is all I see, your heart is all I feel~" "A little love in a big city feels so sweet~" Was that his own singing? Carver felt the darkness recede, his vision gradually clearing. Before him stood a stunning girl. She wore a beige knit top that exposed her white shoulders, paired with vintage faded jeans that accentuated her long, straight legs. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face as delicate as a doll's, pure and sweet. This was... Carver instinctively reached out to touch the girl's face, but she swatted his hand away. "Carver, I'm not ready for a relationship right now. Let's just be friends." Carver was momentarily stunned. That familiar line... The girl before him was none other than the class beauty, Chelsea! From middle school to university, he had been her loyal follower for eight years! He had met her in the third year of middle school, catering to her every need. Yet every time he confessed, she gently declined, saying they should wait. "Now is the critical period for high school entrance exams. Let's talk after we get into a good high school." "High school is the most important stage of life. Let's wait until we get into university." "Now that we've entered university, we're about to face society. We must seize the moment." "I want to focus on my postgraduate exams. Can you not disturb me?" She kept postponing but never rejected his attentions outright, until she suddenly married a rich guy she had known for only two months. This incident left Carver disillusioned with relationships, leading him to resort to matchmaking. Now, seeing the vibrant Chelsea before him, Carver was momentarily lost. Had he been reborn? Carver found it hard to believe. He reached out again, pinching Chelsea's cheek. "Ah!" Chelsea screamed, "What are you doing?" After yelling, she was momentarily stunned. Normally, Carver wouldn't dare be so bold with her, let alone touch her. Even breathing around her was done cautiously. What was wrong with Carver today? Carver, covering his ears, was now grinning widely with excitement. But seeing this, Chelsea, especially Carver laughing like a fool, was instantly enraged. "How dare you laugh! Carver, are you a p*****t?" "If you keep this up, I'll stop talking to you!" "Hey! Please, don't talk to me at all!" Carver snapped back. Chelsea was dumbfounded. What was going on? Usually, if she said something like "I'll stop talking to you," Carver would apologize and even buy gifts to make amends. But now... Could it be that her recent coldness had given him a small temper? Thinking this, Chelsea softened, "Carver, it's not that I want to reject you, but high school is a crucial time. Once we get into university, I will definitely consider being with you, okay?" In the past life, Carver might have believed her. But now... Carver smirked. If he believed her again, he'd be a fool! Since fate had given him a second chance, he vowed to make something of himself! "Forget it, Chelsea. I don't think I even like you that much anymore." Chelsea was taken aback. She didn't expect Carver to respond with such defiance. Hastily, she added, "I'm not just giving you excuses." "The strongest love is often forged through trials." "If we get together now without the test of time, how can I be sure you truly love me?" Carver looked at Chelsea's earnest expression, feeling a bit uncertain. Was she so good at lying that even he was fooled? "Let it go, Chelsea. Just leave me alone." Hearing this, Chelsea felt her pride and dignity were trampled, her anger boiling over. Listen to that! It sounded like she was the one chasing him! "Fine! Carver, you'll regret this! Don't come looking for me again!" With that, Chelsea turned to leave in a huff. Just then, Carver's stomach growled. He hadn't had breakfast yet. His eyes fell on the breakfast in Chelsea's hand, and he suddenly remembered—it was the breakfast he had bought! "Wait!" Hearing his call, Chelsea's lips curled into a smile. She knew he couldn't hold out. A little temper? She had him wrapped around her finger! Turning back to Carver's anxious face, Chelsea coolly asked, "What is it? Realized your mistake?" "Give me back my breakfast!"