Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 13

Lu Mengxiao swore that the must-sees at the ocean park were the shows and the underwater tunnel.
Tao Anyu shot her a disdainful look. “Isn’t that just stating the obvious?”

Whatever. Tao Anyu had long since given up expecting anything sensible to come out of that mouth of hers.

It was a weekday, well outside peak tourist season. The park was quiet apart from the performance hall, and by around five o’clock, hardly anyone remained.

The circular underwater tunnel held only a scattering of visitors. Blue light filtered in from all directions, shoals of colorful fish drifted by, and a curious green sea turtle swam right up, tilting its head as its big eyes studied the people.

Lu Mengxiao made a finger-gun at the turtle’s head. “Bang!”

Tao Anyu dragged her away. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Who says I’m crazy? Off with her head!”

“I do!”

Lu Mengxiao pointed at her nose and bellowed, “Demoted! You’re now Concubine Tao!”

But Tao Anyu didn’t flinch this time, holding her head high. “Fine, demote me all you want! “You’re not even a real emperor; you are just a daydreaming maniac trying to drag socialism back into feudalism. You are total societal scum and counterrevolutionary!”

Lu Mengxiao shouted back, “Fine! Downgraded to Lady Tao!”

“You’ve clearly never watched a palace drama properly—‘Lady’ is above ‘Concubine’!” Tao Anyu argued.

“Then you’re now… Attendant Tao!”

Tao Anyu widened her eyes. “There’s still ‘Constant Companion’ below that!”

Lu Mengxiao ignored her and marched ahead. “Into the Cold Palace with you!”

Cold Palace? Please. That crumbling, miserable castle she lived in was already colder than any Cold Palace could be. She was basically already there—what more could they do?

Like she’d be scared? Hah!

Trailing behind, Tao Anyu lazily lifted her eyelids. “Go ahead, but tell me—what’s the difference between now and the Cold Palace?”

Lu Mengxiao stopped, turned, and spread her arms with a grin. “Of course there’s a difference. The higher your rank, the bigger your stipend. In the Cold Palace, you get no salary.”

What the hell—!

That was downright cruel!

Fine, no salary then. Tao Anyu wasn’t the kind of person who’d bend for a few bags of rice…

“Your Majesty! This humble concubine knows her wrongs!” Tao Anyu lunged forward, clutching Lu Mengxiao’s leather jacket and putting on her sweetest voice. “Your Majesty, I was wrong! Punish me however you wish, just don’t send me to the Cold Palace!”

Sure, she could say it wasn’t worth stooping for rice—but this wasn’t rice. This was her living expenses. Without that paycheck, she’d be left to drink wind.

A wise person knew when to yield. A lady of refinement could be flexible. Pride was cheap; a salary was priceless.

With that in mind, Tao Anyu clung to Lu Mengxiao and refused to let go.

Lu Mengxiao gave a cold snort. “I thought my beloved concubine was above such things?”

Tao Anyu seized on the key word. “See? You just called me ‘beloved.’ That means you love me, right?”

Lu Mengxiao folded her arms, staring up at the glowing blue tunnel overhead as a giant ray drifted past.

“Even if you don’t love me, you must love my face. Have mercy for the sake of this face. My monthly royalties are only three thousand—if you cut my pay, I’ll starve to death.”

“Three thousand?”

Lu Mengxiao blinked and looked down at her. “Then how did you survive before?”

“By barely scraping by—tightening my belt every day,” Tao Anyu said, blinking up at her with pitiful eyes.

“And now you can’t?”

“That’s because I’ve gotten used to the good life under Your Majesty’s care,” Tao Anyu whined, shaking her arm. “It’s easy to go from frugal to lavish, but hard to go back. Please, forgive me. Pretty please?”

Lu Mengxiao stared at her for a while.

Tao Anyu smiled, knowing that this face—identical to Pei Yuhai’s—was her secret weapon. Lu Mengxiao could never stay hard-hearted once she saw it.

Sure, there was a tiny pang of sadness—who wants to be someone else’s stand-in? But Tao Anyu had stared death in the face before. Life now was just a play, and this contract between them was just one more script.

Finally, Lu Mengxiao stroked her chin. “Alright. For your honest plea for mercy, I’ll forgive you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Tao Anyu gave a quick curtsy. “This humble concubine will serve you with all her heart.”

“Mm~” Lu Mengxiao nodded in satisfaction and gave her cheek a pinch.

Tao Anyu leaned back against the tunnel wall, closed her eyes, and let herself feel as if she were adrift at sea.

“My beloved, let me take your picture.”

“Sure.” Tao Anyu smiled, striking a casual pose. “Go ahead.”

“Good, hold that smile—” Lu Mengxiao adjusted the camera, snapping several shots that framed her against the shimmering fish and deep blue light. She saved them all, then remarked, “As expected of my concubine—gorgeous. Shame your b00bs aren’t bigger.”

…

Yep, Lu Mengxiao was still infuriating.

“Your Majesty, I have a humble suggestion,” Tao Anyu said through clenched teeth.

Lu Mengxiao leaned lazily against the opposite wall. “Granted.”

Tao Anyu took a deep breath. “I believe Your Majesty should make a cow your empress.”

Lu Mengxiao raised a brow. “And why’s that?”

Tao Anyu burst out laughing, already backing away. “Because her b00bs would be huge! Hahahaha!”

Oh, she dared to tease me? She’s asking for it! Lu Mengxiao pounced, pinning her down. “Forget your salary—you’re definitely not getting it now!”

Tao Anyu fought back, protesting, “No way! You’re the emperor—your word is law! You promised to forgive me and pay me—how can you go back on that?”

“With behavior like this, you think you still have a chance?” Lu Mengxiao barked, holding her against the wall.

“Yes.” Tao Anyu met her gaze and nodded once. “I do.”

“Like hell you do!”

Tao Anyu’s eyes darkened, and suddenly she grabbed Lu Mengxiao’s head, pulling her in for a kiss.

“Xiao Xiao,” she murmured softly.

Lu Mengxiao’s eyes went wide, her pale-gold irises dilating as she felt the warm, wet press of lips. She hesitated, then let her mouth fall open, allowing Tao Anyu’s tongue in to claim and conquer.

Realizing that a preemptive strike worked wonders, Tao Anyu deepened the kiss, holding her close. Lu Mengxiao, of course, reciprocated—meeting her in a fierce battle of lips and tongues.

They didn’t break apart until footsteps approached.

Tao Anyu wiped the glistening corner of her mouth, leaning lazily against the tunnel wall with a goofy grin. “Your Majesty… think about giving me a raise?”

Lu Mengxiao’s face flushed red. She jabbed a finger at her. “Why don’t you just marry money?”

Tao Anyu threw herself at her, shamelessly. “Marry it? Sure! Aren’t you money?”

Lu Mengxiao frowned at her for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Sometimes, being direct—being real—was better than feigned tenderness or illusory romance.

At least right now, this person is here, isn’t she?

Lu Mengxiao pulled her into an embrace, rubbing her nose. “Good girl.”