To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 2

Song Chu exchanged pleasantries with Manager Zhang, while Qi Jinyou pretended to casually check the messages in the work group on her computer.

She had the feeling that someone was watching her several times.

She didn’t dare to look up and confirm.

Finally, when there was a chance for a private conversation, Manager Zhang enthusiastically flattered Song Chu, showing extreme enthusiasm.

At the same time, he remained cautious, carefully observing Song Chu’s expressions, afraid of irritating him.

The man didn’t seem annoyed. He was patient and engaged in conversation, but his tone still carried an undeniable arrogance.

With no new work to do and no new messages on WeChat, Qi Jinyou opened her Moments feed.

She had to at least look busy.

Weekends made the feed lively, and after scrolling through a few posts, she saw one from her cousin, Shen Yan, posted an hour ago. It contained three photos with a caption: “Congratulations to Zian for the grand opening of his bar! Wishing you endless prosperity!” The photos showed the interior and exterior of the bar.

Cheng Zian’s new bar was opening today. No wonder he hadn’t come with Song Chu.

Wait a minute—Cheng Zian was opening a bar, and Song Chu didn’t go to support him?

That was unusual.

In her impression, where there was Song Chu, there was always Cheng Zian.

But that wasn’t her concern. After thinking about it for a few seconds, Qi Jinyou continued scrolling.

“Xiao Qi, take Mr. Song to the VIP room. I’ll be there after I take this call,” Manager Zhang said, holding up his ringing phone.

Hearing her name suddenly, Qi Jinyou hesitated, then stood up nervously and looked at the man in front of her.

Their eyes met. His dark eyes revealed no emotion.

Qi Jinyou felt relieved.

“Mr. Song, this way, please.” Avoiding his gaze, she quickly led the way down the corridor.

The man followed at a relaxed pace.

The distance from the front hall to the VIP room was about 50 meters.

To Qi Jinyou, it felt like she had walked 500 meters.

She had to adjust her speed to match his.

He walked as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

Customers come first.

She couldn’t even subtly hint for him to walk faster. The more she spoke, the more likely she was to be recognized.

When the VIP room door opened, two young women in tight dresses with heavy makeup greeted them at the entrance.

Qi Jinyou left Song Chu with them and turned to leave.

Behind her, the two women greeted him excitedly in sweet voices.

Qi Jinyou rushed back to the front desk as if escaping.

She clutched her wildly beating heart.

She swore she wouldn’t take this part-time job again next week.

Just as she sat down, a message popped up on her phone. It was from her aunt: [Jinyou, don’t forget your grandfather’s birthday banquet tomorrow night.]

Tomorrow was the 80th birthday of Zhao, the patriarch of the prestigious Zhao family in Haishi. Her aunt had informed her about it a week ago.

She had almost forgotten. The Zhao family’s celebrations were always grand gatherings for Haishi’s elite families. Sighing lightly, she replied: [I remember, Aunt. See you tomorrow.]

Then, she checked the part-time job group for new opportunities.

A message popped up in the work group chat: The original plan for the member event had changed. A car race was added.

Zhou Jie, who had sent the message, rushed out from inside.

A change in plans meant new tasks.

The two immediately got to work.

They counted the participants and grouped them based on their cars’ performance.

Twenty car owners signed up. Qi Jinyou categorized them using their membership data.

Ten minutes later, the table was ready.

Zhou Jie took the list to confirm it.

A message was sent in the work group chat, informing the members they could head to the racetrack two kilometers away.

Zhou Jie was excited about the race and turned to Qi Jinyou. “I’ll talk to Manager Zhang and let you go watch.”

Qi Jinyou shook her head. She wasn’t interested in the race and didn’t want to be blunt, so she said, “I won’t go. Someone needs to stay here.”

Members started walking out, eagerly heading toward the entrance, where a Bugatti was parked.

But its owner, Song Chu, wasn’t among them.

Qi Jinyou straightened up and smiled as she saw them off.

A few minutes later, the lobby quieted down, and the excitement moved outside.

A new message appeared in the part-time job group chat.

Qi Jinyou picked up her phone to check.

Someone was recruiting volunteers for an expo security job happening in two weeks.

A three-day commitment wasn’t suitable for her.

She kept scrolling carefully, afraid of missing a good opportunity.

She didn’t notice someone approaching.

By the time she sensed something was wrong, her arm was already grabbed.

The sudden movement made her drop her phone.

She watched it fall—luckily, it landed face-up, and the screen wasn’t cracked.

“It’s you, isn’t it?” She looked up and met the furious, disdainful gaze of a woman.

The woman appeared to be in her forties, with a sturdy build, but her outfit was elegant and high-end. The luxury bag on her arm was from a well-known brand.

Qi Jinyou frowned and struggled to pull her arm away. “Who are you?”

But the woman tightened her grip, preventing her from escaping.

Sensing Qi Jinyou’s resistance, the woman sneered. “You don’t know me, but I know you.”

Her tone was mocking and condescending.

“I thought you didn’t work here anymore and that I’d miss you. What? Snatching my husband isn’t enough? Do you think you can find someone even richer just because you have a pretty face?”

Qi Jinyou instantly understood—this woman had mistaken her for the mistress.

She remained calm. “Ma’am, you have the wrong person.”

“I am not who you’re looking for.”

The woman smirked. “Wrong person? Look at this photo and tell me if I’m wrong.”

She shoved her phone forward, displaying a picture of a young woman clinging to the neck of a chubby man.

The man in the photo had an oily, perverted grin.

The woman in the picture had her back to the camera, wearing the same uniform as Qi Jinyou.

The background was a spot outside the club.

“Ma’am, you’re making assumptions based on a back view? That’s reckless.”

“That’s not me,” Qi Jinyou said firmly.

“Not you? The outfit is the same, and look at the hair tie.”

After her reminder, Qi Jinyou examined the photo closely. The woman in the picture had a high ponytail tied with an amber acrylic hairband—identical to hers.

She had bought that hairband a month ago at a night market. It was a buy-one-get-one-free deal. She had given the other one to Su Jiayao, a colleague at a previous part-time job.

Qi Jinyou’s expression changed—the woman in the photo looked a lot like Su Jiayao from the back.

The woman mistook her reaction as guilt.

Feeling triumphant, she said, “Look at the height. My husband is taller than me, and the girl in the photo is the same height as him. You’re also taller than me. Are you still going to deny it?”

In reality, Su Jiayao was five or six centimeters shorter than Qi Jinyou—she just liked wearing high heels. But she couldn’t say that.

The woman’s loud voice attracted a small crowd of onlookers, including some members who had been admiring the Bugatti.

Gossip was too tempting to ignore.

Qi Jinyou instantly felt embarrassed. Lowering her voice, she said, “Ma’am, please let go of me. We can talk this out. That’s not me in the photo. Today is my first day working here. I don’t even know your husband.”

Her quiet response only made the woman believe she was guilty. The more Qi Jinyou struggled, the tighter her grip became.

The pain from the woman’s rough grip intensified.

“Do you think I’m stupid? I’ve seen plenty of women like you.”

Qi Jinyou gave up reasoning with her and looked around, hoping to find a colleague for help.

As she turned toward the hallway, she unexpectedly locked eyes with Song Chu, who was walking over, surrounded by two women and a man.

He had his hands in his pockets, looking completely amused by the scene before him.