Future Love Contract (GL) - Chapter 3

Gresya Antowa seemed at a complete loss for words, her face turning bright red. After hesitating for a long while, she finally blurted out, “I… I want to keep you!”

“…What?!” During those few seconds of Gresya’s hesitation, Zhao Xinyun’s mind had already gone through dozens of scenarios, but she never expected this. Her mouth dropped so wide open, it could fit a whole egg.

“No, no, no, let me explain,” Gresya said, flustered. “What I mean is, we pretend to be a couple… Could you help me with that?”

Zhao Xinyun couldn’t process what Gresya was saying. She was still in shock, desperately searching the original owner’s memories.

In this era, same-s3x marriage had long been legalized, so two women being a couple wasn’t uncommon. The technology to turn iPS cells into sperm had also become very advanced (see author’s note), so many lesbian couples had children of their own. Same-s3x relationships were essentially no different from heterosexual ones. In fact, many bisexual women also chose to marry other women.

So, a woman supporting another woman… or, well, pretending to be a couple—that was understandable. But why would Gresya ask her specifically? Zhao Xinyun noticed that Gresya seemed to have more to say, so she remained quiet, waiting.

“I’m already forty years old…” Gresya pouted.

Without thinking, Zhao Xinyun blurted out, “But you don’t look forty at all!” Only after speaking did she recall from the original host’s memories that in this highly advanced age, human life expectancy had exceeded 150 years. So, forty now was basically equivalent to twenty in the past.

“I’ve never been in a relationship. My parents and brother are starting to worry. So I thought… uh… could you pretend to be my partner… just like that.”

Zhao Xinyun frowned. “But you don’t even live on the same planet as your family. How could they even control what you do?”

Gresya didn’t answer that. Instead, she hurried on, “As soon as you find someone new, just let me know and we’ll ‘break up.’ I promise I won’t interfere.”

Rich girl: Can we be friends, please?!

Zhao Xinyun kept her head down and didn’t speak, but her thoughts were a stormy whirlwind. Gresya noticed her hesitation and fell silent too, letting her think.

In her head, it felt like two little voices were fighting:

“Say yes already! Did you see Gresya’s car and house? She’s clearly rich! A rich girl wants to keep you—this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! You won’t get another one!”

“No way! Zhao Xinyun, you are a young woman of the new age! You should work hard and be self-reliant, not become a freeloader!”

“New age? Please. You’re basically a fossil from 600 years ago! Your values are outdated. Same-s3x and opposite-s3x relationships are way more open now than they were in the 21st century. This dilemma you’re having? Totally irrelevant.”

“But… to be kept right after time-traveling? That just feels so…”

“She only said ‘pretend to be a couple’! And it’s not like she’s some creepy old guy—she’s a cute girl! Other people would kill for this chance!”

“Hmm… but still…”

“Think about it! She wanted to save you before you even crossed over. That proves two things: one, she’s a good person (not that this is a ‘nice girl card’). Two, you owe her. A drop of kindness should be returned with a fountain. You can’t even agree to a small favor? How are you going to repay her later?”

“That’s not fair… But still, I think…”

“If you say no, your shy little self will feel so awkward, you’ll end up moving out. And where will you go? You have nowhere else. What other choice do you have? Say yes!”

Eventually, the voice supporting the idea won. The other voice fell silent. After a long pause, Zhao Xinyun looked up, as if she had made up her mind. “If you want to keep me… does that include… that thing…?”

“You mean… that thing?” Gresya blinked, crossed her arms with a playful smirk. “Take a guess.”

“…” Zhao Xinyun was speechless. She had no idea what to say. The seconds stretched on like a century. Just when she was about to backpedal and take her words back, Gresya lifted her head and spoke.

Looks like she’s really not good at being teased, Gresya thought. All the more fun. But for now, she decided not to push it.

“Ahem. Like I said, it’s just pretending to be a couple. Nothing more. If you’re not willing, I wouldn’t have forced you.”

Both of their faces flushed red. The mood was awkward. Zhao Xinyun felt she needed to say something.

“Actually… I don’t really mind…! But you should know, I’m only thirty-five. Still pretty young!”

In this era, with the average lifespan over 150, physical development was slower. The legal marriage age was thirty. That’s why she said she was still “young.” Of course, that didn’t stop teens or people in their twenties from dating—just like how middle schoolers dated in the 21st century. Some 13-year-old boy could say, “I’m so tired, I don’t think I can love again.”

And with the rapid mental development in this advanced age, today’s youth matured even earlier than their 21st-century counterparts.

“Besides… I don’t have any relationship experience, so I’ll be relying on you to show me the ropes.” That was completely honest. Even the version of her from 600 years ago had never been in a relationship. Never in her life did she think she’d be kept by a rich girl.

Also, what did she mean by ‘at first’? Could it be… does she actually have feelings for me and is playing hard to get? Zhao Xinyun still had her doubts. But even if that’s true, there’s nothing I can do now. I already agreed. One step at a time, I guess. Cross that bridge when we get there.

And just like that, Zhao Xinyun’s life as a “kept woman” officially began.

Though it all sounded quite awkward, the two of them mostly got along like friends. The next morning, Zhao Xinyun went out again to look for a job. She originally wanted to go alone, but Gresya insisted on driving her.

Given their current situation, maintaining a (at least outwardly) close relationship was necessary, so Zhao Xinyun didn’t object.

Though “driving” was a stretch—Gresya only had to press a few buttons, use voice input for the destination, and set the mode to automatic. No need to grip a steering wheel like drivers in the 21st century. So during the few minutes of the ride, they just sat and chatted.

Venus Base Two wasn’t very big, and much of it was still under construction. The population was small, and the central control system was highly advanced, so there were no traffic jams. They arrived in no time.