Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 8

“Lu Mengtao!”
Tao Anyu suddenly blurted out, then turned to look at Lu Mengxiao. “It’s Xiao Tao! Your names are only one character apart.”

“Mm.” Lu Mengxiao laced her fingers together, watching her with leisurely amusement. “That’s right.”

Tao Anyu frowned. “Are you two related?”

Lu Mengxiao crossed her legs lazily. “I’m his sister.”

Tao Anyu suddenly remembered how Xiao Tao had enthusiastically helped her set up the GPS on her phone while on the train. Wait a second…

“When Xiao Tao set up your GPS, he noted down your account info. Then he went home and told me. I looked you up and came right over. As it turns out, I already own a place in D City, which saves me from having to purchase one at the last minute.

…

Tao Anyu closed her eyes. So this is why they say never to chat casually with strangers—there’s definitely truth to it! She swore to herself: no matter how much she clicked with someone in the future, no matter how much it felt like “love at first sight,” she would never stupidly hand over her phone again.

Better yet, just never talk to strangers at all!

Lu Mengxiao crooked her finger at her. “Come here.”

Tao Anyu instinctively stepped back, eyeing her warily. “What for?”

“My beautiful concubine, you’re my beloved. Come sit in the seat of honor.”

Tao Anyu froze. “We just signed a contract. It’s fake—there’s no real relationship here. If you have something to say, say it. If not, I have work to do.”

“Tsk.” Lu Mengxiao glanced around, then got up, reached into a vase on a nearby cabinet, and pulled out a wad of cash. She stuffed it down the front of her shirt, patted her chest, and pointed. “Come. Take it, and it’s yours.”

Tao Anyu’s gaze involuntarily dropped to the bright red bills peeking out from her collar. She swallowed. Hmph, even with the lure of that plus money, she was not the kind of woman who’d forget her principles for lust or let her eyes glaze over at the sight of cash.

Absolutely not.

Definitely not…

…probably not.

“I’m sitting.” Tao Anyu timidly perched on Lu Mengxiao’s lap, plucked out a bill, and looked at her cautiously. “This… you’re really giving it to me?”

“Hold on.” Lu Mengxiao wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled. “Let me stamp it first, then it’s yours.”

“Stamp it?” Tao Anyu blinked.

“Like this.” Lu Mengxiao pulled her close, pressed her down onto the sofa, tipped her chin up, and brushed her lips with a kiss. “Done. Take it.”

“Mmph…” Tao Anyu kept one eye on her while shoving the cash into her pocket as fast as possible, worried she might change her mind and snatch it back.

Lu Mengxiao couldn’t help laughing at her sly, timid look. She reached over to ruffle her hair, only to make Tao Anyu jump back in alarm. “What are you doing?”

Lu Mengxiao folded her arms. “Squishing you.”

Tao Anyu instinctively covered her chest. “Pervert.”

“We’ve already slept together,” Lu Mengxiao said. “Who are you trying to put on an act for? Keep the pretense up and you’ll just be a hypocrite.”

“I already told you—nothing happened between us!”

Lu Mengxiao smacked the sofa hard, making Tao Anyu spring away.

“Bullshit! A gorgeous woman like me, and you felt nothing? Not buying it for a second!”

Tao Anyu lowered her gaze, thinking, “Right… the only bullshit I’d ever believe is whatever comes out of your backside, President Lu.” Not mine from this life or the next—and not even a single burp.

Her temple twitched. Where did this woman get such unshakable confidence? Her confidence was beginning to exceed what one would expect from any species.

“I’m a woman,” Tao Anyu said flatly. “And so are you.”

“Problem?”

“I like men.”

“Bullshit!”

Tao Anyu’s patience snapped. “Can you try being a little more civilized?”

“Sure,” Lu Mengxiao lunged at her. “Say something sweet first, and I’ll be civilized right after.”

“Get off me!” Tao Anyu shoved her hard and twisted her waist for good measure. “Or I’ll report you for sexual harassment!”

Lu Mengxiao pinned her and kissed her hard. “You’re as bent as a corkscrew, and you dare tell me you like men? If you’ve got the guts, bring one over and show me. Find a good one and I’ll let you go.”

“Lu Mengxiao, you’ve gone too far!” This time Tao Anyu was truly angry. No matter what, people still had dignity—what kind of woman acted so shamelessly?

“Is my name something you can just shout?” Lu Mengxiao’s grip tightened on her arm.

“What’s the point of having a name if I can’t call it?”

Lu Mengxiao’s lips curved into a smile. She lifted Tao Anyu’s chin. “Call it what you like. Later, when we’re… exercising, call me Xiaoxiao.”

“Xiao, your grandma’s thigh!” Tao Anyu spat, swinging a leg at her.

Lu Mengxiao caught her without flinching, holding her close. “My beloved has a good kick.”

“You—!” Tao Anyu glared daggers at her, trying to pull her leg back, but after struggling for a while and getting nowhere, she switched tactics. “Lu Mengxiao, let me go.”

“Remember this, Tao Anyu—I’m your benefactor. Got it?”

Tao Anyu fell silent, giving her a slow once-over. She was probably mixed race—tall, sexy, attractive, and rich. Sure, her personality was a bit much… but maybe she really was skilled.

And honestly, this wasn’t exactly a loss.

The contract was already signed. She was in a tough spot after her “rebirth,” and sticking with Lu Mengxiao would help her avoid a lot of trouble. If the benefits were being handed to her on a silver platter, why not take them?

She had come back to this life for one reason—to treat herself, enjoy life, and stop believing in so-called true love. Without a heart, everything was just a game. So what if she played along a little?

Plus, there was money to be made.

Tao Anyu stopped struggling and sighed in defeat. “Fine, go ahead. Do whatever you want. I’m done fighting it.”

Once Tao Anyu went quiet, Lu Mengxiao lost interest. She released her and leaned back, crossing her legs. “Tao Anyu, have you ever seen Pei Yuhai’s photo?”

“Pei Yuhai?” The name startled her. Her emotions calmed instantly, and she looked over in confusion. “No… why are you asking?”

Lu Mengxiao smiled faintly, picked up the remote, and pointed it at the wall. A hidden screen descended from the ceiling. She opened a file full of photos of a woman, showing them one by one.

“This is—” Tao Anyu stared at the various expressions on the screen: thoughtful, laughing, serene, sorrowful… each one brimming with poise and charm. Every expression was unfamiliar, yet every face was eerily familiar.

Seeing her shock, Lu Mengxiao looked satisfied. The corners of her mouth curled. “That’s Pei Yuhai. Xiao Tao noticed you look exactly like her and told me right away. The moment I heard it, I flew to D City overnight to find you.”

Tao Anyu frowned. “What are you getting at?”

“It’s simple. 

It’s written clearly in the contract—you’re a stand-in. 

Her stand-in.

I loved Pei Yuhai, but she’s dead, and since you look exactly like her, I want you to be my woman.”