Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 23

On the edge of the city, in a district where urban streets bled into the countryside, a fake-luxury shopping street stood in all its garish glory.

“What are you even doing here buying clothes?” Tao Anyu frowned at the row of knockoff designer suits hanging on the wall. Almost all of Lu Mengxiao’s clothes were custom-made. Sure, her taste was atrocious, and the designs she wore could make the eyes water—but even the ugliest thing she owned was still handcrafted from the finest materials.

So what was she doing rummaging for bargains in a counterfeit shop?

Lu Mengxiao said to the shopkeeper, “Boss, bring out your most obviously fake knockoffs!”

The shopkeeper bristled. “What knockoffs? Everything here’s genuine!”

Tao Anyu stifled a laugh behind her hand.

“Fine, then give me the ones with the most recognizable brand logos,” Lu Mengxiao said.

The shopkeeper’s wife casually handed a few pieces over. “These should do—the logos are huge, hard to miss.”

Lu Mengxiao glanced through them and picked out two. “Alright, I’ll take these.”

After that, she dragged Tao Anyu to buy some cheap jewelry and a bottle of low-grade perfume.

Back home, she changed into a dress, then doused Tao Anyu with perfume so heavily that she choked.

Aunt Liu wrinkled her nose as she walked in. “Oh my, what is that smell?”

“Perfume,” Lu Mengxiao said cheerfully. “Overpowering, right?”

“Overpowering,” Aunt Liu muttered, pinching her nose. “Why on earth would you spray something like that?”

“We’re going to a ball tonight.”

“A ball?” Aunt Liu’s eyes widened. “Looking like that? Second Miss, don’t go ruining Miss Tao’s reputation.”

“How could I ruin her? I can barely treat her well enough as it is.” Lu Mengxiao pulled Tao Anyu into her arms. “Isn’t that right, my beloved?”

“Get lost, get lost, get lost.”

“Aunt Liu, do you have any really awful, cheap lipstick? Something in an ugly shade that would make her look like a total bimbo?”

Aunt Liu thought for a moment. “I’ve got one from years ago…”

“Bring it here,” Lu Mengxiao said.

Aunt Liu gave them a strange look but went off to find it.

*******

By six in the evening, a gaudily dressed, tacky-looking woman was behind the wheel of a BYD, heading out.

Tao Anyu felt her opinion of Lu Mengxiao’s fashion sense sink to a new low.

“Lu Mengxiao, you still haven’t told me where we’re going dressed like this.” She tugged at her red dress, which was both off-the-shoulder and cropped at the waist. “I look like a nightclub hostess.”

“What, got something against hostesses?” Lu Mengxiao grinned, one hand on the wheel.

Tao Anyu’s heart skipped. Memories of her own nights in clubs flickered in her mind. She felt a twinge of guilt. “…I’ve got nothing against them.”

“Hostesses earn their keep with their bodies. Some parasites don’t even bother with that—they just drain you dry.” Lu Mengxiao’s voice dripped with disdain.

Tao Anyu thought, “This woman’s personality is terrible.” Sooner or later, she’s going to need a good straightening out.

“And did you really have to give me this village-braid hairstyle?”

Lu Mengxiao glanced at the braid hanging over her chest. “That’s exactly the effect I’m going for.”

“Pfft!”

“My beloved,” Lu Mengxiao said with a sly smile, “once we get there, you’re to stay quiet. If you can avoid talking at all, do it. Watch me.” She turned the wheel to the right.

“Fine.” Tao Anyu eyed the little tin can of a car. “I didn’t think you even owned something like this. I thought you only drove Lamborghinis and the like.”

Lu Mengxiao laughed. “Sometimes it’s fun to ride a wild pony.”

For some reason, the way she said it left Tao Anyu with an odd feeling.

The San Ding International Hotel sat on an alluvial island where the great river met the sea, reachable only by a long bridge. It took over an hour to get there.

At the revolving doors, the greeter asked for an invitation. Lu Mengxiao made a quick call, and soon a smiling man bustled out from the lobby to welcome them inside.

“President Lu! I haven’t seen you in ages. How’s your father doing?”

“He’s great—so great that the other day he called to tell me he wanted to try bungee jumping.”

“Haha, you’re as witty as ever!” the man laughed, though his gaze faltered slightly at her flashy outfit. Still, he said, “You’re looking stunning tonight, even more beautiful than last time.” Spotting Tao Anyu beside her, he put on a look of surprise. “And this lady is—?”

Lu Mengxiao slipped an arm around Tao Anyu. “My wife.”

“Oh—haha! What a perfect pair. Two beauties in one place—what a treat for me.”

“President Huang, you always know how to flatter.”

“Not flattery, just the truth. So what brings you to my humble little hotel tonight?”

“Is Lin Ke Company holding a ball here tonight?”

President Huang instantly understood. “Yes, they’ve invited quite a few ‘notable’ people.” His lips curled in a mocking smile. “A nouveau riche, from F Province no less. Thinks he can make a splash in S City without realizing the difference between here and his old place, A City. How can A City compare to S City?” Then, in a sycophantic tone, “Of course, true class belongs to families like yours—century-old foundations, a real aristocratic lineage.”

“Enough,” Lu Mengxiao said. “I’m here to pay my respects to Chairman Lin Ke. Honestly, naming your company after yourself—what an idiot.”

“Indeed,” Huang agreed.

“Don’t follow us,” she added. “Plenty of people here don’t know me. Don’t reveal my identity.”

“Understood, President Lu. I’ll remember that.”

Lu Mengxiao tugged Tao Anyu upstairs. “Come on.”

Tao Anyu followed, her emotions churning.

Lin Ke was Zhuo Shaqi’s husband. Back when she and Zhuo Shaqi were close, Shaqi had already been involved with him.

At the time, Lin Ke’s business was just starting out, and he faced plenty of obstacles—two of them in particular were women rumored to have… special tastes. Shaqi had mentioned it to her more than once, and Tao Anyu understood immediately.

If a night in bed could smooth the way, well—she was no saint. And if someone wanted to see her bow her head and plead, she could play along.

After all, she was going to be with someone that night anyway—what difference did it make who it was? At least this way, she could help ease Shaqi’s worries.

None of it mattered to her… until what happened after Shaqi and Lin Ke got engaged.

Shaqi was trying on a wedding dress one day, with Tao Anyu by her side. She said, “Xiao Jing, you really are such a good person. It’s a pity you’re a woman.”

The words dazed Tao Anyu for a moment, and she almost laughed—As if you’d marry me if I were a man.

Then Lin Ke arrived, put his arm around Shaqi, and, noticing Tao Anyu, asked, “Are you Shaqi’s best friend?”

“I’m—”

“She’s not my best friend,” Shaqi suddenly cut in, trembling in Lin Ke’s arms. “Lin Ke, she’s a lesbian. I never told you before because she was always pestering me, and I was too afraid to say yes to your proposal. But after your business took off, I knew you could protect me. That’s when I finally had the courage to reject her and cut ties completely. But don’t worry—when we were together, I protected myself well. And now that I have you, I’ll never have to be afraid again.”

In an instant, everyone in the bridal shop turned to look at Tao Anyu—curious, scornful, and a little repulsed.

The room fell silent.

Shaqi went on, “Lin Ke, do you know how much I suffered living with her? She was constantly trying to touch me, always saying she loved me. It was disgusting—so disgusting.”

Lin Ke pulled her close, glaring at Tao Anyu with barely contained rage and revulsion.

Tao Anyu froze for just a second, then nodded lightly. “Oh.” She turned toward the door, and as she passed Shaqi, she said softly, “You’ve got some nerve.”

The memory replayed in her head now, leaving her chilled to the bone. Her vision swam, her foot missed a step, and she stumbled.

“Watch the stairs!” Lu Mengxiao caught her in an instant. “Beloved, are you okay? You’re looking a bit pale.”

Tao Anyu touched her own face and smiled weakly. Then, leaning closer, she suddenly kissed her.

“Tell me,” she murmured, “what if I really did fall for you—what then?”