To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 21

Qi Jinyou went upstairs and returned to her small room. She hadn’t been home for a few days, and with the windows shut tight, the air inside felt damp.

She opened the window. This spring, there had been an unusual number of sunny days.

After tidying up her room, Qi Jinyou was about to text Song Chu to ask for his address when her phone rang. It was Song Chu.

“Beile is wary of strangers. You need to spend some time with it a day in advance. I’ll pick you up after work this afternoon so you can meet it at my place.”

Beile must be his dog’s name. From the name alone, Qi Jinyou imagined a small, fluffy, snow-white pup.

She replied, “Okay.”

At noon, Qi Jinyou received a call from Le Yi. She started with a rant—she had sent out resumes to several companies but hadn’t received any interview invitations.

Every time Qi Jinyou met with Song Chu, she wanted to ask about Le Yi’s job application at Wansong Group, but remembering that Song Chu had said things had to go through proper procedures, she decided against it.

“I think it might not work out, Le Yi,” Qi Jinyou admitted. “The company I recommended last time probably isn’t an option.”

Sensing the apology in her tone, Le Yi chuckled. “No worries. A small company like that doesn’t deserve me anyway. I wasn’t keen on joining a small firm in the first place.”

“I still want to get into Wansong Group. A company like that is worthy of me.”

Qi Jinyou held back from telling her the truth, not wanting to crush her hopes. Instead, she advised, “There are actually a lot of good companies in Haishi.”

“If Wansong doesn’t invite you for an interview, it’s their loss.”

The two chatted for a while until Le Yi was called back to work, and they ended the call.

At five in the afternoon, Qi Jinyou woke up from a nap and was about to start cooking. Song Chu had said he’d pick her up after work, but he hadn’t mentioned what time.

Just as she reached the kitchen doorway, her phone vibrated with a message from him:

[Come downstairs in half an hour. I’ll be there.]

[Bring a couple of extra outfits.]

Qi Jinyou stared at the second message for a few seconds.

She texted him back: [Why do I need extra clothes?]

Minutes passed without a response.

In the end, she grabbed a small bag and casually packed two sets of clothes.

Half an hour later, she headed downstairs.

A Bugatti was parked below her building. This was an old residential area, mostly occupied by elderly residents, but fortunately, the car didn’t attract much attention.

“Song Chu, you’re here.” She raised her bag slightly and asked, “Why do I need extra clothes?”

Song Chu didn’t answer. Instead, he opened the car door, stepped out, and took her bag from her hand.

He walked to the front of the car, opened the front trunk, placed her bag inside, and finally said, “You’re staying at my place tonight.”

Qi Jinyou was startled. Wasn’t he leaving for his business trip tomorrow?

The passenger door opened, and Song Chu gestured for her to get in.

With no room for further questions, she climbed into the car. Song Chu started the engine and drove off.

As they reached the main road, he finally spoke. “My place is in a secluded area. It’s not easy to get a taxi, and it’s far from public transportation. Going home at night would be inconvenient, so you’ll stay over.”

It made sense. The wealthy lived in areas where private cars were a necessity—places taxis avoided because they wouldn’t get enough customers.

Leaving the bustling old district, they drove for half an hour into a quieter neighborhood. Looking at the surrounding buildings—low-rise villas—Qi Jinyou realized they had entered a wealthy district.

Only after getting into the car did she consider something—was she too hasty in agreeing? What if Song Chu’s home was near her aunt’s house?

But she felt reassured upon realizing that the Shen family and Song Chu’s residence were in opposite directions.

After several turns, the car entered a gated community filled with three-story villas, each spaced far apart.

The car stopped in front of a house.

The moment Qi Jinyou saw Beile, she regretted saying yes to Song Chu.

Her imagined small, adorable white puppy was instead a large dog—an oversized German Shepherd with black and tan fur.

Noticing her hesitation, Song Chu smirked. “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

Qi Jinyou bravely admitted, “Yes, I am.”

Song Chu gestured to the alert dog waiting nearby. It was watching her warily, ready to react at any moment.

With just a small motion of his hand, the dog obediently trotted over to his side. He bent down slightly and whispered a few words to it.

The dog rubbed against his leg before looking up at Qi Jinyou, its gaze suddenly much softer.

“Come here,” Song Chu extended his hand to her.

Qi Jinyou hesitantly took small steps forward, stopping just over two feet away from the dog.

She couldn’t go any closer.

Song Chu let go of the dog. Beile padded toward her.

Instinctively, Qi Jinyou stepped back—only for the dog to circle behind her, cutting off her retreat.

She froze.

Beile nudged her leg a few times, then lifted its deep brown eyes, filled with innocent sorrow, as if heartbroken by her avoidance.

An acting-level expression shift.

“It needs you to comfort it,” Song Chu said from the side.

Qi Jinyou crouched down, still a little hesitant.

Finally, she cautiously stretched out a hand and placed it on Beile’s head.

The dog let out a small whimper, clearly enjoying the touch, and rubbed its head against her leg.

Relaxing, Qi Jinyou finally stroked its head more freely, smiling at its affectionate behavior.

Then, Song Chu’s voice rang out: “Come here.” His tone carried a hint of command, maybe even irritation.

Beile instantly left Qi Jinyou’s touch and ran to Song Chu’s side. He patted the dog’s head. “Remember your place.”

Qi Jinyou was puzzled. “What did you just say to it to make it behave so quickly?”

“I told it that you’re its temporary foster mother and that if it doesn’t listen to you, you won’t feed it.”

Qi Jinyou was speechless.

They headed to Beile’s room, where Song Chu briefly explained the key points of taking care of it.

Afterward, they went upstairs. The second floor had three rooms. Song Chu opened one of them. “You can sleep here for the next two days. The housekeeper cleans regularly, so it’s spotless.”

Qi Jinyou placed her bag inside. It was already past six in the evening.

She asked, “What’s the plan for dinner?”

“I’ll check what ingredients we have.” With that, he headed downstairs.

Qi Jinyou glanced around the room. It was spotless, not a speck of dust in the corners.

She followed him down to the first floor.

In the kitchen, Song Chu was cooking.

From where she stood, she could see the way his fitted shirt highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow waist. As he moved, his muscles flexed subtly.

She suddenly recalled how, just a few days ago, she had clung to that sturdy back.

And wrapped her arms around his waist.

Qi Jinyou felt her face heat up.

She exhaled softly and shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts.

At that moment, Song Chu turned around.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. What are you making?” she quickly changed the subject.

She stepped into the kitchen. He was boiling dumplings.

“The housekeeper made them and froze them. They’re really good.”

Qi Jinyou suddenly craved dumplings.

After dinner, they rested for a while. Outside, the sky had turned dark gray.

They took Beile out for a walk.

At first, the dog pulled on the leash, but gradually, it adjusted to Qi Jinyou’s pace.

The neighborhood remained quiet.

Unlike where she lived, where this time of night would be filled with people strolling and children playing.

Occasionally, they passed a few neighbors, but they didn’t seem to know Song Chu well.

They walked for about half an hour.

Then, Qi Jinyou’s phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and frowned.

It was her aunt.