Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 27

Tian Qiurou had three thousand yuan docked from her bonus and was crying her eyes out at home, utterly miserable. The worst part? She still had no idea what she’d done wrong.

Night had fallen, the world outside was quiet, but the seaside villa was still ablaze with light.

With one swift kick, Tao Anyu sent Lu Mengxiao tumbling off the bed. Lu twisted to dodge, then lunged back and pinned her down.

“Get away from me. You reek of rotten eggs—absolutely unbeatable,” Tao Anyu complained, pinching her nose.

Lu raised an arm and sniffed herself. “I washed three times.”

“Save it. You could wash a hundred times and it wouldn’t help. Rotten eggs are the fighter jets of biochemical weapons—you can’t scrub them away; you have to wait for them to… digest.”

“And whose fault is that?” Lu grabbed a fistful of Tao’s hair like a brat. “Huh? Whose? I went out of my way to help you get revenge, and you actually threw rotten eggs at me? You must be tired of living.”

“Lu Mengxiao.”

“What?”

Tao sat up, looking her straight in the eye. “I appreciate you standing up for me, I really do. But could you at least give people a shred of privacy? You might not care about your own dignity, but I still care about mine. Maybe you think flaunting your body in front of a crowd is some kind of achievement—fine, flaunt yours. But don’t drag me into it, okay?”

“It was just one photo. And it wasn’t even your face,” Lu muttered, flopping down beside her.

“Face or not, you—” Tao cut herself off, unable to finish, and dove under the covers. “Forget it. I’m not talking to you.”

“Nope.” Lu yanked her out of the blanket. “That picture was nothing. Besides, I was the one behind you in it.”

Tao glared at her. “I’m going to sleep. Don’t bother me.”

Lu crawled over and wrapped her arms around her. “Hey, don’t sleep yet.”

“What now?” Tao turned on her side to look at her.

Lu rolled her eyes upward, doing a mock count. “Tell me, how long has it been since we last cuddled and kissed? One… two… three…”

“Out, out, out.” Tao kicked her through the blanket. “You nearly wore me out last night, okay? What kind of math is this?”

“No, I wasn’t counting days.”

“Then what were you counting?” Tao asked, turning to face her.

Lu grinned. “Hours.”

“Get lost!” Tao rolled back over.

“My dear consort~~~~~” Lu flopped onto her back. “How about you come and cuddle your emperor?”

After a brief silence, Tao turned to look at her. “Really?”

“Really.” Lu nodded.

“Then lie down on your stomach.”

Somehow, Lu obeyed without a second thought, sprawling facedown on the bed.

“Good girl. But, Your Majesty,” Tao said sweetly, “your humble consort must first petition you about something.”

“Permission granted.”

Tao showed off her fingernails, painted with twinkling little stars. “Did them tonight. Smell—still fresh!” She waved them right under Lu’s nose.

“Tao Anyu, are you asking to die?!” Lu shot up, grabbing a pillow. “If you dare touch me with those chemical-radiation-coated claws, I’ll end you!”

“Hahahahahaha!” Tao bounced on the bed, laughing uncontrollably. “I’m happy! I want to! Hahahahaha!”

“You’re dead!” Lu swung the pillow at her, but her leg caught on the edge of the inflatable pool bed. With a splash, she tumbled straight into the water outside the dragon boat bed.

Tao chuckled twice at the sight of her sitting there, dripping wet… and then completely lost it. “Hahahahahaha—”

“Oh, you think that’s funny?” Lu lunged forward, grabbing her ankle, and yanked. With another splash, Tao went right into the water too. Her white silk nightgown soaked through, clinging to her body.

Lu tugged at the wet fabric, letting it snap back. “Hahaha—returning the favor, my dear. Hahahaha!”

Tao stared at her for a moment, then leaned in to brush a droplet from the corner of her eye, sweeping her wet hair aside. She smiled softly. “Idiot.”

Lu’s lips curled upward. “Idiot—do you like it?”

Tao lowered her gaze, smiling without answering.

“Smile more from now on,” Lu murmured, ruffling her hair.

Tao suddenly caught her hand, her voice going gentle. “Xiao Xiao.”

“Mmm?” Lu’s eyes flickered, her expression a little dazed. “What is it?”

Tao hugged her, closing her eyes and breathing in deep. “Thank you for today.”

Lu patted her head. “Your thank-you gift has been received.”

******

A week later, at Lu International.

“President Lu, the boss of Lin Ke has been waiting a long time. He says he absolutely must see you,” a lounge assistant reported.

“Aaaah~~~~~” Lu opened her mouth wide and turned her head aside.

“Aaaah~~~~~” Tao scooped a spoonful of Häagen-Dazs (ice cream) and fed it to her.

“Mmm~~~~ tastes amazing.” Lu licked her lips and slid an arm around Tao’s waist. “What do you think, my dear?” She dabbed her finger in the ice cream, then touched the corner of Tao’s mouth.

Tao licked it away, smiling with her arms around Lu’s neck. “Your Majesty, your humble consort finds it delicious too.”

“President Lu… about Lin Ke… should I tell him you’ll see him or not?” the assistant asked, looking awkward.

“See him,” Lu said, giving Tao’s waist a squeeze before lifting her off her lap and setting her on the couch. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Then… when will you go over? He’s already asked me several times,” the assistant pressed.

Lu shrugged. “No idea.”

“Huh?” The assistant gaped.

She waved a hand dismissively. “Let him wait.”