To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 17

The blanket was lifted off her body, and before Qi Jinyou could react, Song Chu had already picked her up—carrying her in a princess hold.

The sudden weightlessness made Qi Jinyou instinctively reach for support. Her hands tightly wrapped around the man’s neck.

But she only held on for two seconds before letting go in embarrassment. His strong arms gave her enough sense of security.

Before she could say anything to refuse, he had already placed her gently on the bed.

A wave of heat rushed to her face, and her heart pounded. She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at him.

She shifted her focus to her hands. Even though it had only been a few seconds, she could still feel the warmth from his body lingering on her palms.

It was different from before. When she was on his back, the sturdy sense of security he gave her felt like the warmth of family.

But being in his arms was different. Her face had been pressed against his warm chest. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could clearly feel the heat of his firm, muscular body.

Yet, she was the only one feeling flustered. The man remained calm as he lifted her right leg and covered her with a blanket.

“Do you want to watch TV?”

As he spoke, he handed her the remote control.

Qi Jinyou’s chaotic thoughts settled a little. She thought about casting her phone screen to continue watching her drama.

Song Chu walked over to the sofa.

He didn’t seem like he was going to leave, and she couldn’t exactly ask him to go.

She was watching a historical romance drama, and the next episode featured the male and female leads confessing their love. The preview had some blush-inducing scenes, which she felt were not suitable to watch with Song Chu.

So, she switched the TV to the news channel.

The crisp and pleasant voice of the news anchor filled the room: “Now broadcasting the latest news…”

Song Chu sat on the sofa, crossed his long legs, and took out his phone. He only listened to the TV for a moment before glancing at the screen, then at her, but said nothing and continued looking at his phone.

Qi Jinyou pretended to be very interested in the news.

Just then, a message from Leyi arrived.

She was an impatient person and often called directly via video chat on WeChat.

The ringtone “I want to make money…” suddenly played. Qi Jinyou quickly grabbed her phone and pressed the voice answer button. However, her hand slipped, and she accidentally turned on the speaker.

Le Yi’s voice came through loudly: “Why did you reject my video call? Hurry up and turn it on! Are you secretly meeting that dog man?”

Qi Jinyou hurriedly turned off the speaker. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Song Chu. He was still focused on his phone, looking calm and composed—hopefully, he hadn’t heard Le Yi’s words.

She let out a breath and avoided Leyi’s question, lowering her voice: “What’s wrong? You sound upset.”

Le Yi roared, “That bastard of a boss! Making me work overtime tomorrow during the holidays—how can I be in a good mood?”

“Will you get overtime pay?” Qi Jinyou chuckled. “If it’s triple pay, then it’s not that bad.”

“I wish! But he’s like a mythical Pixiu—money only comes in, never goes out!”

“Yeah, that does sound annoying.” Qi Jinyou refrained from saying anything harsher, especially since there was a capitalist sitting right next to her.

“I want to quit and move to Haishi. Can you take me in?” Le Yi’s voice softened.

Le Yi had mentioned wanting to move to Haishi multiple times, but Qi Jinyou never really encouraged her. She herself had plans to leave in two years, and another separation would only be painful.

But since Le Yi always said it without real action, she played along, “Come on over! I could use a roommate to split the rent and cook for me.”

“This time, I’m serious. The salary isn’t even the main thing—I just want to experience life in a big city. I’ve already narrowed it down to three companies, and I have my eye on this one in particular. I did a background check; it’s a major corporation.”

Le Yi had majored in administrative management and had been working in administrative roles since graduation.

[I’ll send you a screenshot.]

Qi Jinyou opened the screenshot, moving her phone away from her ear. She absentmindedly tapped on speaker mode.

She unconsciously read aloud: “Wansong Group Headquarters… Administrative Assistant…”

But as she continued reading, her voice grew smaller.

Wansong Group… Song Chu’s family business.

Qi Jinyou slowly lifted her head—only to meet Song Chu’s gaze.

[I looked it up online. The company president is named Song Zhe. He’s young, handsome, and has an amazing body—eight-pack abs! And most importantly, he’s single! If I get the job, do you think I’ll get a chance to touch his abs?]

Then came Le Yi’s usual mischievous and shameless laughter.

Qi Jinyou immediately ended the call.

She forced a stiff smile at Song Chu, unsure if she was embarrassed that Le Yi had gotten his name wrong or ashamed of her crude joke.

Le Yi, you really talk too much. Now, getting into Wansong might not be an option for you anymore.

Le Yi didn’t call again, but she did send a message: [Jinyou, is it inconvenient for you to talk right now?]

She quickly replied: [I’ll get back to you later.]

Qi Jinyou looked up, trying to explain: “She was just joking. My friend is like that—she loves to joke around.”

“She was just saying it casually, she doesn’t actually mean it. Don’t take it seriously, okay? She doesn’t always think before she speaks.”

Le Yi’s chances of getting into Wansong were likely ruined now, so Qi Jinyou could only downplay her words.

Song Chu stood up and slowly walked to her bedside. He leaned down, his gaze carrying a hint of danger, as if something of his had been violated. His deep voice asked, “Your friend wants to touch—do you want to?”

This man must have thought she was just like Leyi—always fantasizing about men with eight-pack abs.

Maybe he felt offended that someone was openly coveting his body.

Qi Jinyou instinctively scooted backward to maintain a safe distance. She looked up with a flushed face and waved her hands frantically: “No, I don’t!”

The depth in his eyes darkened, seemingly displeased.

Qi Jinyou quickly turned her head to the side.

What was wrong now? She already said she didn’t want to!

Footsteps sounded outside—it was Aunt Li.

Song Chu straightened up immediately and grabbed his coat.

Before leaving, he turned back and asked, “Is she really your university classmate?”

Qi Jinyou caught the implication. Her university was one of the top institutions in the country, and its students wouldn’t normally misread words.

Still, she answered, “Yes, a real classmate.”

“Send me her resume and the position she’s applying for.”

Qi Jinyou stared at him blankly for a few seconds before realizing what he meant. She then smiled and nodded. If the head of Wansong personally accepted her resume, Leyi’s chances of success would be much higher.

“Her application will go through the normal process. If HR approves the initial screening, they’ll decide if she gets an interview. They’ll notify her.”

“Thank you, Song Chu-ge.” Qi Jinyou happily nodded.

“No need to thank me. Everything will go through the process.”

Song Chu put on his coat and, just before stepping out, turned to look her straight in the eye.

“Also, tell her—what she’s hoping for… will never happen.”

Qi Jinyou’s eyes widened in shock.

It was just a casual joke—why was he still going on about it?

Aunt Li’s curious gaze darted between them, observing their interesting expressions.

After saying his piece, Song Chu strode away.

Qi Jinyou messaged Le Yi, asking for her resume. She didn’t mention that she was giving it to the owner of Wansong Group—she didn’t want to give her false hope.

She also reminded her: “By the way, ‘Chu’ is not pronounced ‘Zhe’.”

It was a little embarrassing.