To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 23

Those words made her eyes burn instantly. Her gaze was glued to the phone screen.

Beile circled around her, panting with his tongue out, confused as to why she was staring at her phone in a daze.

There was no one else around, yet Qi Jinyou’s face still flushed red, her heart beating a little faster.

She didn’t know how to reply.

Then, another message came from Song Chu: [Sorry, I didn’t finish typing. I was asking if Beile missed me.]

The man added: [Every time I go on a business trip, he waits eagerly for my return.]

Qi Jinyou glanced at the dog beside her. Her face turned even redder, embarrassed by the ripples of emotion she had just felt.

Even though that feeling came out of nowhere.

Why did he always speak in incomplete sentences? Annoyed, Qi Jinyou typed back: [I don’t know. He didn’t tell me.]

[Then please tell him that I miss him.]

She didn’t reply and tossed her phone aside.

Song Chu didn’t send another message either.

At noon, her aunt sent the restaurant address and reminded her to be there by 7 PM.

All afternoon, Qi Jinyou felt a little distracted. At the same time, she was worried about whether Song Chu would be back on time.

With that concern on her mind, she couldn’t nap properly. When she got up and looked in the mirror, her face looked dull.

She was also anxious about the dinner meeting.

She could already guess who her aunt’s ‘friend’ was. This kind of surprise blind date was something she just wanted to get over with quickly.

Besides, she always kept her promises.

At 4 PM, Song Chu finally sent a message: [The flight is delayed by about ten minutes. I should be home around six.]

As if he knew what she was thinking, he added: [Wait for me to get home before you leave.]

If he arrived home after six, it would be hard to find a taxi in this area. A 7 PM dinner was cutting it close.

She hesitated but still asked: [I have something to do tonight. Can I leave earlier? I’ll take care of Beile.]

[No. My flight is taking off now.]

She had agreed to meet her aunt at 7 PM. Now, she texted to say she might not arrive until 7:30.

Unexpectedly, her aunt agreed quickly.

She also reminded her to dress nicely.

Qi Jinyou tidied up a bit. The sunlight was perfect, so she decided to walk the dog earlier than usual.

On Sunday afternoons, the neighborhood was livelier.

She left home at 5 PM and wandered around until 5:30.

After returning, she fed Beile and settled him in his room, then went upstairs.

Although she didn’t want to go to the dinner, she had spent the whole day with the dog. Her clothes were covered in fur and grass, so basic etiquette required her to change.

She put on the outfit she had worn on Friday. It had been washed the day before and still carried the faint scent of gardenia laundry detergent.

Her style was always casual.

For her, this was appropriate attire.

She packed up her things and restored the room to how it was before she arrived.

Carrying her bag, she went downstairs and sat on the living room sofa to wait.

Beile heard the movement, ran out of his room, and circled her twice. Then, as if realizing she was about to leave, he lay down two meters away, staring at her.

One person and one dog looked at each other.

It was already 6 PM.

Traffic in Haishi was heavy on weekends, likely causing delays.

Qi Jinyou started worrying about how she would get to the restaurant.

Song Chu had landed but hadn’t texted her. She didn’t ask either, afraid he would think she was rushing him.

She hesitated about messaging him when Beile, who had just been dozing off, suddenly stood up and bolted to the door.

Song Chu was probably back.

The door was still closed, but Beile pressed against it, whining softly.

Qi Jinyou quickly walked over to open the door. The moment she cracked it open, Beile squeezed through and ran outside.

She couldn’t help but laugh, remembering Song Chu’s words about how eagerly Beile waited for him.

Song Chu and Beile really had a strong bond.

The front gate opened from the outside, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered figure. The man’s face carried a hint of urgency.

From the moment Beile saw him, the dog had been circling him excitedly, whining even louder—acting just like a spoiled child. He followed Song Chu through the yard and up to the house.

Standing by the door, Qi Jinyou already had her bag in hand, ready to leave.

As Song Chu passed her, he finally took his eyes off the dog and looked at her. “In such a hurry?”

“I have something to do later,” she replied.

As he walked inside, he asked, “How are you getting there?”

Qi Jinyou wasn’t sure. She planned to figure it out once she reached the neighborhood entrance.

“I’ll see if I can get a taxi. If not, I’ll think of another way.”

Earlier, Song Chu had mentioned that taxis were hard to find here, which was why she was worried.

Song Chu set his things down inside.

He crouched down and patted Beile’s head, his voice soft and slow. “Little guy, I haven’t seen you in two days. Did you miss me?”

Beile couldn’t answer, only letting out a low whimper.

Song Chu smiled and added, “I really missed you.”

Qi Jinyou suddenly recalled his message from the morning, and embarrassment washed over her again.

Watching him play affectionately with the dog, she felt like he had completely forgotten she was even there.

His earlier question about her transportation was probably just politeness, not genuine concern.

Whatever little expectation she had disappeared.

She didn’t want to keep watching this overly affectionate scene between a man and his dog.

Tightening her grip on her bag strap, she said, “Song Chu-ge, you go ahead and take care of your things. I’m leaving.”

She didn’t wait for his response and turned to go.

Just as she stepped forward, his deep, magnetic voice sounded behind her. “I’ll take you.”

She didn’t stop walking. “Thanks, but no need.”

Before she could step onto the first stair, a dark shadow flashed in front of her. Beile blocked her path.

She stepped left; Beile followed. She stepped right; he followed again.

“Beile, I’m going home. Move aside,” she tried reasoning with him.

After spending two days together, she thought she had some influence over him, but she was wrong.

She saw determination in Beile’s eyes—not aggression, just firm refusal.

She turned back to ask for help, only to see Song Chu standing there, watching them with amusement.

“Beile doesn’t want you to leave,” he said casually. Then, without waiting for her reaction, he took her bag from her hand.

And pulled her to the living room sofa.

“Wait for me. I’ll take you there.”

Qi Jinyou wanted to refuse.

“Don’t be stubborn.” He pressed her down onto the sofa.