To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 25

Qi Jinyou swallowed back the words that almost slipped out.

She had guessed that Chen Nuo might like her, but she assumed it was because of his aunt’s matchmaking. She never expected it to be this serious. His face was sincere—he didn’t seem like he was lying.

Looking into Chen Nuo’s eyes, she observed him seriously for the first time. Unlike Song Chu’s sharp and striking handsomeness, Chen Nuo had a gentle, refined charm. He had a natural warmth that made people feel at ease around him. That was probably why she could meet his gaze so calmly, trying to determine if he was telling the truth.

Qi Jinyou paused for a few seconds before speaking openly, “Are you saying you had a crush on me?”

Chen Nuo nodded. “Yes, back in No. 8 High School.”

That long ago?

For a moment, the words of rejection Qi Jinyou had prepared seemed too harsh to say.

“I once saw you getting confessed to,” Chen Nuo continued. “You turned the guy down without hesitation, saying you didn’t want to think about relationships while studying. That’s why I gave up. Later, I went abroad for university and just returned this year.”

Qi Jinyou thought for a moment. She had received many confessions in high school and rejected them all. She wasn’t sure which one he was talking about.

“I don’t remember,” she said, shaking her head.

“Now that school is over,” Chen Nuo smiled, “can you consider dating?”

In his shining eyes, Qi Jinyou saw hope and anticipation.

But she was going to disappoint him.

Without hesitation, she replied, “Chen Nuo, I’m not thinking about personal matters right now. I just returned to Haishi, started a new job, and in this highly competitive era, I need to focus on my career.”

“So, don’t waste your time on me.”

Chen Nuo was briefly stunned, probably not expecting such a direct rejection.

But he quickly recovered. “I can wait. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

“You’ll be waiting forever,” Qi Jinyou said gently but firmly.

She could tell he was serious. That was exactly why she couldn’t give him false hope.

Chen Nuo’s eyes dimmed, disappointment flashing across his face.

Qi Jinyou briefly wondered if she had been too harsh.

Feeling uneasy, she prepared to leave.

“I’ll wait,” Chen Nuo said again, his gaze deep and resolute.

Noticing her intention to leave, he gestured toward the napkin in her hand. “Even though this blind date didn’t work out, we’re still old schoolmates. Let’s at least finish the meal.”

His words were sincere, making it difficult for Qi Jinyou to leave abruptly.

She picked up her knife and started cutting her steak.

Her cuts were rough, and she stuffed a large piece into her mouth. As she chewed, her gaze swept around the restaurant—until it landed on the entrance.

Her movements froze.

Three people had just walked in. Among them, she recognized one—Song Chu.

Dressed in a tailored suit, he looked elegant and composed. However, in his hand, he carried a pink purse with cartoon designs.

It was completely out of place.

Yet, he held it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Qi Jinyou immediately recognized it—it was her bag.

She quickly looked away, shifting deeper into her seat and avoiding eye contact.

The three men sat at a table eight or nine meters away.

Chen Nuo, with his back to them, continued talking about their high school memories and didn’t notice Song Chu.

Song Chu casually placed the pink purse on the table.

One of his companions teased, “Mr. Song, is this your bag?”

Expressionless, Song Chu replied, “No.”

The two men exchanged knowing smiles, their faces full of amusement. “Then it must be your girlfriend’s.”

Qi Jinyou listened carefully, but she didn’t hear Song Chu deny it.

She lowered her head and ate quickly.

She needed to wrap up this blind date as soon as possible.

But under the current circumstances, she had lost her appetite. After eating only a third of her meal, she felt full.

From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Song Chu’s table. Their seats were positioned right along the path to the restaurant’s entrance. Strangely, the restaurant was nearly empty, meaning if she tried to sneak past, he would definitely see her.

She looked around, searching for an alternative exit.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of running into Song Chu. She just didn’t want Chen Nuo to find out. If Song Chu suddenly handed her the bag in front of everyone, how would she explain? And knowing Song Chu, he would definitely do something like that.

She needed to leave before he noticed her.

Besides, their last conversation hadn’t ended well.

Across the table, Chen Nuo noticed her unease and paused his story. He looked at her curiously.

Then he chuckled and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Thinking quickly, Qi Jinyou replied, “I ate too fast. I need to use the restroom.”

Before standing up, she realized she didn’t have Chen Nuo’s contact information. “What’s your phone number?”

Chen Nuo was briefly surprised but then recited a string of numbers.

Qi Jinyou entered them into her phone, grabbed her bag, and headed for the restroom.

If she could find another exit, she would leave first and message Chen Nuo later with an excuse.

Inside the restroom, a female restaurant staff member was washing her hands.

Qi Jinyou approached her. “Excuse me, is there another exit on the second floor besides the main entrance?”

The girl looked her up and down, a little puzzled, but answered, “Yes, if you turn right after leaving the restroom and walk straight, there’s a service elevator used for taking out the trash. Guests can use it too.”

Qi Jinyou mentally mapped out the route. That could work.

She exited the restroom and turned right. About ten meters ahead was the elevator.

As she waited, she took out her phone and sent a message to Chen Nuo.

Qi Jinyou: Chen Nuo, I’m sorry. Something urgent came up at home, so I had to leave first.

Chen Nuo hadn’t read the message yet.

No matter. She had already made her stance clear. Men lose interest quickly—one moment, they say they’ll wait forever, the next, they find someone new.

The elevator arrived from the third floor. The doors opened, and a foul smell hit her.

Inside, there was a bucket of kitchen waste being transported downstairs.

Luckily, it was only two floors down. She didn’t want to cover her nose—after all, the worker standing beside the garbage looked completely unbothered. He only glanced at her curiously.

Qi Jinyou held her breath and gave him a polite smile.

The elevator opened to the restaurant’s back alley.

She stepped out and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with fresh air. Just then, her phone rang.

It was Chen Nuo.

She hesitated, then answered.

His voice was gentle, not the least bit angry about her sudden departure. “Jinyou, where are you? I can take you home.”

A wave of guilt hit her.

“Sorry, I just got a call. Something urgent came up at home, and I had to leave right away. I’m already in a car.”

“Alright, let’s meet another time.” Chen Nuo’s background sounded lively, as if he was in a busy place.

She hung up and remembered her charger issue. Asking Song Chu for it now was impossible—she’d have to find a phone shop nearby.

This was all Song Chu’s fault.

She searched her phone for nearby stores.

There was one just 200 meters away. She memorized the route, put her phone away, and looked up—

Only to see someone standing a few meters away, staring right at her.