Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 24

“Heh.” Lu Mengxiao gave a low chuckle, scratching Tao Anyu’s chin. “I’m charming, dashing, well-mannered, and loaded. Isn’t it only natural that my beloved would fall for me?”

Tao Anyu paused at the sight of her smug face, then broke into a bright smile. “You’ve got a big face.”

Lu Mengxiao pressed her lips together. “Not as big as your ex’s.”

They reached the second floor, where a crystal waterfall shimmered in the center. A band played nearby, and a white-draped table was stacked with a champagne tower, ringed with chocolates and all sorts of pastries.

“President Lu.” Someone called softly from the top of the stairs—it was Tian Qiurou.

“Keep your voice down.” Lu Mengxiao pulled her aside and whispered, “Did you bring it?”

Tian Qiurou quickly took a file from her bag and handed it over. “Right here.”

“Good girl. I’ll reward you when we get back.” Lu Mengxiao tapped her on the nose.

Tian Qiurou frowned. “President Lu, are you really going to do this? It’s going to tank your image…”

“My image?” Lu Mengxiao laughed. “What do I need an image for? If my ‘image’ got tossed into the Pacific, would those bastards outside still be begging me to approve their projects?”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“Listen up—image only matters if you’ve got the capital to back it. If you’re broke and stingy, even if you’re packaged up like some golden couple, it’s just gold leaf over a pile of crap. But if you’ve got the real goods, you can walk around naked and still be spotless.” She jabbed her own chest. “Image? It’s right here.”

Tao Anyu had been zoning out while watching her. She turned to Tian Qiurou. “Xiaorou, what did you give her? What are you two planning?”

“You keep quiet,” Lu Mengxiao barked. “Didn’t I tell you not to make a sound today? Just watch me. I’m not swallowing this one.”

Tian Qiurou gave Tao Anyu an apologetic smile. “Miss Tao, it’s better if you don’t get involved. President Lu knows what she’s doing…”

Lu Mengxiao nodded, then tugged Tao Anyu forward. “Qiurou, keep watch outside and bring more people. If things get messy, lock up anyone stupid enough to step in and give them a good beating.”

Tian Qiurou sighed helplessly. “Alright, President Lu. Don’t worry.”

Tao Anyu felt a faint unease. She grabbed Lu Mengxiao’s hand. “What exactly are you going to do?”

Lu Mengxiao craned her neck, scanning ahead. “Find my kid’s dad.”

What the hell? You’re a lesbian—how do you even have a kid?

Whose kid? I’m with you practically twenty-four-seven—eating, sleeping, and even almost sharing a bathroom—and I’ve never seen a little prince in your house.

“Wait, whose kid?” Tao Anyu pulled her back. “You’ve got a kid? You slept with a man?”

Weaving through the crowd, Lu Mengxiao tossed back casually, “I slept with Lin Ke.”

“Bullshit!” Tao Anyu cursed, furious.

“Keep your voice down—family scandals aren’t for outsiders to hear.” Lu Mengxiao clapped a hand over her mouth.

Tao Anyu shoved it away. “What’s Lin Ke got to do with you? You—”

Was she deliberately trying to piss her off? First that run-in with Zhuo Shaqi, and now this—showing up at Lin Ke’s ball and announcing he’s her kid’s dad?

Kid’s dad, my ass.

“Lu Mengxiao, are you out of your mind?” Tao Anyu stared at her in disbelief. “Did you even know Lin Ke before today? Stop making things up!”

“I knew him.” Lu Mengxiao jerked her chin toward the stairs. “See? There he is.”

Tao Anyu looked up to see Zhuo Shaqi on Lin Ke’s arm, gliding down in a silver gown like some society lady.

Lin Ke stopped at the base of the stairs, stepping onto a flower-covered platform beside the waterfall. He took the microphone.

“Welcome, all friends and seniors from S City. Thank you for honoring me with your presence tonight!”

Applause rippled through the room.

“Since I’m new here,” Lin Ke continued, “I plan to settle in S City and join the real estate industry. I look forward to working with all of you!” He extended a hand to Zhuo Shaqi, who walked over smiling.

“This is my wife, Zhuo Shaqi,” Lin Ke announced.

Zhuo Shaqi smiled gracefully. “It’s a pleasure to meet everyone. I run a small cosmetics business—please take care of me as well.”

Before she could even step back, Lu Mengxiao strode forward.

“Hey—Lu Mengxiao!” Tao Anyu tried to stop her but failed.

Lu Mengxiao marched across the marble floor, her heels striking loud and sharp.

“Who’s this? All dressed up like that…”

“Look at that outfit—such a huge Apple logo. Does she think Apple’s in the clothing business now?”

Ignoring the whispers, Lu Mengxiao curved her lips into a smile and stopped in front of Lin Ke.

“This lady, you—”

Smack—

She slapped Zhou Shaqi. Hard.

Zhuo Shaqi clutched her reddened cheek, stunned. She started forward, but Lu Mengxiao shoved her to the ground.

“You—” Lin Ke’s eyes went wide, but before he could finish, she slapped him too.

She turned back to Zhuo Shaqi with a cold sneer. “Cheap woman. Worn-out shoe.”

Lin Ke shoved her back, roaring, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You think you’re any better, Lin Ke?” She shot him a look of pure disdain. “I’m pregnant!”

Lin Ke froze, staring at her like she’d grown a second head.

The room erupted—people pointing, whispering, gaping.

Tao Anyu peeked through her fingers.

Oh god, this is mortifying…

Lu Mengxiao pulled out a prenatal report and ultrasound. “Look! This is your child!”

Zhuo Shaqi got to her feet, her voice trembling. “Lin Ke, what’s going on? I want an explanation.”

Frowning, Lin Ke snapped, “You’re crazy! I’ve never even met you before!”

Lu Mengxiao gave a cold laugh. “Oh, so you had your fun, knocked me up, and now you’re denying it? That ‘worn-out shoe’ over there is better than me? Back when you were with me, you were so green—I was the one who pulled you out of the duck pond!”

Zhuo Shaqi’s face went black. “Lin Ke, what is this?”

From the crowd came murmurs—

“Wow, Lin looks so proper, but he used to do that kind of work? Who’d have thought?”

“Yeah, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. A nice face hides all kinds of dirt. Poor Miss Zhuo—still being kept in the dark.”

“Who knows? Maybe Miss Zhuo’s no saint either. Birds of a feather, right?”

“True enough…”