To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 37

Song Chu walked towards them with a lazy stride.

The night had just fallen, and the blurred shadow cast by the dim light landed right between the two of them.

Qi Jinyou’s first reaction was to ask, “Why are you here?”

Song Chu did not answer but looked at Chen Nuo.

At the same time, Chen Nuo also looked at Song Chu. When their eyes met, both men saw hostility in each other’s gaze.

Chen Nuo confirmed his suspicion.

At the Zhao family’s birthday banquet, he had officially met Qi Jinyou for the first time. They had a great conversation, but Song Chu suddenly interrupted halfway. He had originally planned to escort her home after the banquet, but Song Chu persuaded him to drink, and he ended up too drunk to follow through.

The last time they had a blind date, Qi Jinyou left early and sent him a message. He planned to pay the bill and go find her, but just as he was about to leave, he ran into some old classmates from No. 8 High School, including Song Chu. What was supposed to be a blind date turned into a school reunion, and the mastermind behind it—Song Chu—vanished after making it happen.

Before leaving, Song Chu even paid for his steak.

Now, for the third time seeing Qi Jinyou, he encountered him again. Clearly, those previous ‘coincidences’ were not coincidences at all.

“What a coincidence, Song Chu.” Chen Nuo concealed his emotions and smiled.

As the eldest son of the Song family, Song Chu was not someone he could afford to offend. Even his older brother had to show him respect.

In the upper circles of Haishi, everyone maintained a façade of harmony, but they all knew which families held power and which ones followed behind.

Under Song Chu’s father, the Song family had risen to the top. Now, under Song Chu, they had reached even greater heights.

And no matter what, he could never be as arrogant and reckless as Song Chu.

Song Chu withdrew his gaze and looked at Qi Jinyou.

“Qi Jinyou, let’s go.”

Qi Jinyou was confused but didn’t get a chance to ask.

Song Chu continued, “Beile wants to see you. Get in the car.”

Qi Jinyou didn’t question whether he was telling the truth. Right now, she just wanted to get away from Chen Nuo, so she was willing to leave with Song Chu.

Chen Nuo probably didn’t know that Beile was a dog.

She turned to Chen Nuo and said, “Chen Nuo, sorry.”

She knew she couldn’t leave any room for the usual pleasantries about meeting again next time.

Chen Nuo didn’t miss the emotion that flashed in Song Chu’s eyes. As a man, he understood it well—it was the joy of a victor showing off.

Song Chu had won.

Chen Nuo admitted that he had encountered a formidable rival. Song Chu’s possessiveness toward Qi Jinyou was obvious.

And Qi Jinyou was willing to leave with him.

Beautiful women always easily ignite a man’s possessiveness. But how long would that feeling last?

He had secretly admired Qi Jinyou for many years. Who could be more devoted and sincere than him?

He still had a chance.

The loud, arrogant roar of a Bugatti’s engine filled the air as the car sped past Chen Nuo. As it turned the corner, Song Chu reached out and waved goodbye to him.

Soon, the most expensive supercar in Haishi disappeared into traffic.

As they merged onto the main road, Qi Jinyou finally expressed her gratitude. “Song Chu, thank you.”

“Why were you at the entrance of my neighborhood?”

She realized the question was unnecessary. Of course, he was there to find her.

“I have a sixth sense. I knew you’d run into bad luck today.”

Qi Jinyou didn’t press further, but she wondered what it meant that Song Chu frequently appeared around her.

She felt that he treated her differently.

But then again, it didn’t seem possible.

Or maybe it wasn’t impossible?

As she debated within herself, a message from her aunt flashed through her mind: The Song family is looking for a marriage alliance for him.

Song Chu was four years older than her. He was probably around twenty-seven now.

It was time for him to think about marriage.

The fog in her mind instantly cleared.

She asked, “Where are we going?”

“Home.” Song Chu’s tone was indifferent.

When Beile saw Qi Jinyou, he put on a dramatic reunion performance. He chased her feet, circled her when she stopped, and looked at her with big, pitiful eyes while panting.

Qi Jinyou still remembered how he had helped Song Chu block her last time.

What a little actor.

Song Chu saw this and said, “He’s hungry.”

Qi Jinyou recalled the message Song Chu had sent her late at night about Beile not eating.

She asked, “Did you find out why he wouldn’t eat?”

“Yes. It was because he was lovesick.”

Qi Jinyou didn’t ask further. It was obvious that Song Chu meant the dog missed her.

She didn’t believe it.

Qi Jinyou took Beile to his room and saw Song Chu walk into the kitchen.

After feeding Beile, she tidied up the room. It was very clean, so she wondered if Song Chu had hired a cleaner.

Just then, Le Yi called.

Le Yi had been busy all week with work handovers, so they hadn’t had a proper chat in days.

Le Yi first reported that she had completed her work handover and would arrive in Haishi on Sunday. They discussed where she would stay, and Qi Jinyou planned to rent a two-bedroom apartment since her current place only had one room, which would be inconvenient for both of them.

Le Yi giggled. “Jinyou, I just found out that my family actually owns two apartments in Haishi. Now that I’m moving there, my mom finally told me the truth. Before, she used to say rent was too expensive and my salary wouldn’t cover it.”

“Let’s pick the one closest to work and move in.”

Qi Jinyou laughed. “Haishi’s rent is expensive, that’s true. If you don’t live there, renting it out would bring in a lot of money.”

Le Yi thought for a moment. “That makes sense.”

“But no, if I rent it out, the rent goes to my parents. If I live there, I save on rent, and that’s my money. As long as I don’t have to pay rent, I’m good.”

They chatted a little longer before hanging up. Just then, Song Chu entered the room.

Qi Jinyou looked at the floral apron he was wearing. It clashed so much with his cold demeanor that she almost laughed but held it in.

That must have belonged to the housekeeper.

The meal was simple—four dishes that didn’t look great, but the taste was passable.

After dinner, they took Beile for a walk.

She held the leash.

After walking for a while, Song Chu suddenly asked, “Do you not like Chen Nuo?”

Qi Jinyou hadn’t expected such a direct question.

She wasn’t particularly fond of him, but she didn’t dislike him either. If not for their situation, he would have been a good friend.

“We’ve only met a few times. I can’t say if I like or dislike him.”

“So, if you meet him more, you might like him? Did I make a mistake today, breaking up a potential couple?” Song Chu focused on the first half of her sentence.

“Not really.” Qi Jinyou answered honestly.

They finished walking the dog in half an hour.

As they approached the villa, Qi Jinyou sensed someone following them at a steady distance. When they reached the gate, she tugged on Song Chu’s sleeve and turned around.

The person was gone. Maybe they had hidden in the bushes.

Or maybe she was just being paranoid.

Song Chu took her home.

At nine in the morning on Saturday, her phone rang, waking her up.

She groggily opened her eyes. It was Le Yi. Wasn’t she supposed to sleep in on weekends?

Rubbing her eyes, Qi Jinyou answered lazily. “Hello?”

Le Yi’s panicked voice came through the phone.

“Qi Jinyou! How can you still be sleeping? Don’t you know you’ve brought down the sky?”