To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 18

Qi Jinyou had hoped to be discharged on the last day of the holiday, but it didn’t work out. However, things were fine on the company’s end—when she applied for leave, they understood the reason and approved a one-week break for her.

Song Chu visited her every day, though his timing was inconsistent. Sometimes he brought breakfast in the morning, other times he came in the afternoon for dinner, and occasionally he would drop by at noon just for a short visit.

Feeling guilty, she told him he didn’t have to come every day. After all, he was a busy CEO. But after mentioning it twice and seeing no change, she stopped saying anything.

Aunt Li took great care of her, ensuring she had physical therapy every day and applying medicine on time. By the fifth day, the swelling in her foot had gone down, though the bruises were still visible.

She could walk again.

On the first day of the workweek, Sister Zhou called, first asking about her health and then inquiring about her hospital stay, saying she wanted to visit with Director Zhang.

Jinyou jokingly told her she was in a “classified location” and couldn’t have visitors. Sister Zhou had no choice but to give up.

Then Sister Zhou shared some news: “Those two influencers had their accounts banned—one for borderline content in live streams, the other for selling substandard goods. Now, several sponsors are suing them for breach of contract, and the club has revoked their memberships in response to public opinion.”

Jinyou was initially surprised but soon thought of someone.

Sister Zhou continued, “They went to the club looking for your contact information, saying they wanted to apologize. Director Zhang refused—who knows what their real intentions are?”

Jinyou firmly told Sister Zhou not to give them any way to contact her.

Later, when she saw Song Chu, she mentioned it to him. He didn’t deny anything and simply remarked that the two influencers were facing the consequences of their own actions. Then he casually added that he had just sought justice for her.

On the third day of her hospitalization, Zhuang Xiaoran unexpectedly sent a message to check on her.

On Thursday afternoon, during his rounds, the doctor happily informed her that she could be discharged on Friday morning.

Feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, Jinyou excitedly bowed twice to the doctor.

But even by dinnertime, Song Chu still hadn’t shown up.

She had dinner with Aunt Li. As it was her last meal in the hospital, Aunt Li had prepared a lavish spread.

Looking at the food, which was enough for three people but only being shared between the two of them, Jinyou felt it was a bit wasteful.

After eating, she sent Song Chu a message, informing him of her discharge the next day and thanking him for taking care of her these past few days.

The drama she had been following was reaching its grand finale, but she had no interest in watching it. The spring air was pleasant, and since she had always been wheeled outside, she wanted to take a walk on her own before leaving.

Taking her phone, she stepped out of her hospital room. She was careful with her steps, mindful of her still-healing injury.

The lobby was mostly empty, with only a few staff members in medical uniforms.

She couldn’t help but wonder how the hospital maintained financial balance—there seemed to be more staff than patients.

Then she realized it wasn’t something she needed to worry about.

Stepping out of the lobby, the spring breeze brushed against her, instantly sweeping away the restlessness that had lingered inside her since dinner.

The sky was turning dark, the streetlights flickering on, casting soft outlines over everything.

Following the scent of flowers, she wandered through several green spaces.

About ten meters ahead was a small parking lot. Beyond it, past a stretch of lawn, stood a three-story French-style building. It was slightly larger than a typical villa and clearly different from the modern hospital buildings. She had never walked close to it before, always being pushed around by Aunt Li or Song Chu.

Curiosity sparked within her, and she decided to take a closer look.

As she rounded a tall hedge, the parking lot came into view.

She stopped in her tracks—Song Chu was stepping out of his Bugatti.

The car was parked in a dimly lit area, so she could only make out his tall and well-built figure, not his expression.

Just as she was about to call out “Song Chu,” he turned towards the passenger seat. From the raised car door, he carefully lifted out a bouquet of flowers.

Though the lighting was poor, she could tell from their shape that they weren’t the usual eustoma he had been bringing her.

She instinctively took a step back, retreating behind the hedge.

Holding the flowers, he didn’t head toward the inpatient building behind him. Instead, he strode toward the French-style building.

As he stepped into the light, she finally saw the flowers clearly—red roses.

After watching him walk dozens of meters, Jinyou followed, keeping behind the greenery. When she emerged from the bushes, he was already stepping inside the building’s grand entrance, disappearing from sight.

He never once looked back, completely unaware that someone was following him.

Placing a hand over her chest, she realized how absurd her actions were. Yet, she had followed without thinking, even jogging at some points, forgetting about her injured foot.

For two seconds, she hesitated—should she go back or keep going?

Against her better judgment, she walked toward the building.

The entrance was large, secured with a keypad lock, but Song Chu hadn’t closed it fully when he entered. Gently, she pulled it open just enough to squeeze inside.

The brightly lit lobby illuminated every corner, yet it was empty. All the visible room doors were shut.

Glancing around, she noticed an elevator on one side. Of the two elevators, one was stopped on the second floor.

With the light behind her, her own sneaky shadow stretched out onto the polished floor, making her feel even more out of place.

This wasn’t something she should be doing.

She hesitated but ultimately headed for the elevator.

It was large—one of those deep hospital-style elevators, a mismatch for the elegant interior of the building.

As the elevator reached the second floor and the doors began to open, she had a moment of panic. If she ran into Song Chu, how would she explain herself?

She quickly thought of an excuse, just in case.

Fortunately, the hallway was empty.

Her heartbeat slowed slightly, and she stepped out, looking around.

The corridor was softly lit. Several rooms lined the hallway, all with closed doors—except for one at the end, where light spilled through the gap.

She quietly approached, drawn in like a moth to a flame.

The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear voices inside.

Peering through the narrow gap, she saw Song Chu sitting beside a bed.

Her gaze drifted past him—to the person behind him.

Aunt Li.

Aunt Li handed him a towel, which he took and used to gently wipe the face of the person lying on the bed.

Even from a few meters away, Jinyou could make out the woman’s features—pale skin, delicate beauty, long black hair spilling over the pillow, eyes closed.

On the bedside table, the bouquet of red roses sat in a vase.

As Song Chu carefully wiped the woman’s arms and face, he spoke softly to her.

His voice was low, and she couldn’t make out the words.

The woman on the bed didn’t respond.

Jinyou could already guess what was happening. Her panic was momentarily replaced by shock.

Outside the window, the moon had risen, nearly full.

Two words surfaced in her mind: White Moonlight. Red Rose.

Song Chu had never been involved with any woman, despite the efforts of countless socialites.

It must have been because of the person in this room.

As he tenderly cared for her, he seemed like a different man.

Who would have thought he could be this gentle?

Her curiosity was satisfied, but an inexplicable emptiness crept in.

Turning, she decided to leave. Peeking any longer would be inappropriate. She just hoped she could slip out without being noticed.

The elevator doors opened. She stepped one foot inside—

Then, suddenly, someone grabbed her collar from behind.