To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 8

The guests here are all from the upper class of Haishi.

Rich people have a small social circle and naturally, they are surrounded by people of similar status.

Qi Jinyou glanced at the other person. Their clothes and accessories were all luxury items.

She had rarely worn such things since childhood. However, her aunt often taught her about fashion and bought a few items for her. Whenever there was a gathering or banquet in high society, her aunt would make her wear them to maintain the Shen family’s reputation. At other times, she wore her school uniform. The uniform of Haishi No. 8 Middle School was even more eye-catching than luxury brands.

When the other person realized she didn’t recognize him, he introduced himself: “I’m Chen Nuo, your senior from No. 8 Middle School.“

Most of the rich kids in this circle choose to attend expensive private high schools. Few manage to get into top public schools like No. 8 Middle School. Since they couldn’t get in, they preferred the comfortable and easy-going private schools, like the ones attended by her aunt’s cousins.

She only knew of one exception, Song Chu, whose photo is still on the honor roll of the high school.

As a fellow alumni of No. 8 Middle School, Qi Jinyou looked at the boy with a slightly different perspective.

From his gentle and refined demeanor, he didn’t seem like the typical rich kid.

The two started talking about the universities they attended.

Chen Nuo studied abroad, and the country he went to was one that Qi Jinyou also wanted to visit.

Her interest was piqued. She had searched for a lot of information online, but it was better to ask someone who had experienced it.

The food hadn’t been served yet, so Qi Jinyou kept asking questions. It was a rare opportunity.

Chen Nuo was very patient, answering each question one by one.

When Song Chu and Cheng Zian walked in, they happened to see this scene.

Qi Jinyou was so focused on the conversation that she didn’t notice them entering.

When she saw Song Chu, Shen Yan quickly stood up and waved at him. She had saved the seat next to her for him.

Two people had arrived, but there was only one seat left.

Song Chu raised an eyebrow at Cheng Zian.

Cheng Zian muttered something but walked over to the side.

Song Chu shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way toward Qi Jinyou’s table.

“Chen Nuo, when did you come back to the country?“ His eyes glanced over Qi Jinyou before landing on Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo was deeply engaged in his conversation with Qi Jinyou when he was interrupted. He looked up and saw Song Chu standing between their seats.

Chen Nuo was taken aback.

He and Song Chu only exchanged polite nods when they met, and although they were both part of the same social circle, Chen Nuo had been studying abroad and didn’t have much contact with Song Chu.

They had very little in common, in fact, their personalities were completely different.

Chen Nuo quickly composed himself. The heir of the Song family in Haishi wasn’t someone anyone dared to offend.

He stood up and walked over to Song Chu. “I just came back a week ago.“

Qi Jinyou didn’t look up. Her phone had just received a message, and she focused her attention on it. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the girls around her sitting up straighter.

Qi Jinyou curled her lips and continued replying to the message.

Unexpectedly, the chair beside her was pulled out slightly.

“Thank you.“ As Song Chu spoke, Qi Jinyou saw a man in black sit down beside her.

She raised her eyes, first looking at Song Chu, then at Chen Nuo. The former had a calm expression, while the latter looked a little helpless.

Was it surprising?

Each table had eight seats, and adding one more chair made it a bit crowded.

Song Chu pulled the chair a little closer to Qi Jinyou’s side.

The other six people moved their chairs, just enough to make room for one more.

Taking advantage of the brief moment when others were adjusting their chairs, Qi Jinyou greeted Song Chu in a tone quiet enough that the others couldn’t hear.

A server brought over a chair.

Chen Nuo sat down, with Song Chu between him and Qi Jinyou, effectively cutting off their conversation.

The food was served just in time.

Qi Jinyou put down her phone, wiped her hands with a napkin, and started eating.

But being so close to Song Chu made her feel uncomfortable.

She glanced around at the nearby tables, noting that two or three of them weren’t full.

If her own utensils hadn’t been used, she would have considered moving to one of those tables.

Luckily, the food was delicious, and Qi Jinyou soon became absorbed in it.

Song Chu and Chen Nuo talked for a little while, but it seemed they didn’t have much to say.

Halfway through the meal, her aunt came over to call Qi Jinyou. Qi Jinyou’s gaze fell on Song Chu.

There was a moment of surprise.

Then her aunt smiled and said, “Jinyou, go over and toast Grandpa.“

Qi Jinyou stood up, and her aunt led her over.

Song Chu stood up as well. “Aunt Shen, I haven’t toasted Grandpa yet. Let’s go together.“

Her aunt looked stunned, or rather, frightened.

When did this child become so polite?

She nodded and smiled.

Her aunt walked ahead, with the two of them following behind.

Shen Yan looked at the two behind her, feeling puzzled. How did these two end up together?

Although they hadn’t really interacted and seemed like strangers, she was still upset. She had saved the seat for Song Chu, but he hadn’t sat there. She had been angry, but when she saw that he had sat down because of Chen Nuo, her mood improved a little.

Now, she was angry again.

She looked at the drink in Qi Jinyou’s hand.

Qi Jinyou noticed the look on her face.

But she ignored it.

She wasn’t good at drinking, and the Shen family knew that.

A gift is enough.

Shen Yan grabbed a bottle of wine from her own table.

“Cousin, it’s a happy occasion today. You should drink a little wine.“ Her voice was a little loud, causing nearby people to glance over.

Qi Jinyou couldn’t refuse anymore.

She was about to raise her glass to drink when Song Chu grabbed the wine bottle from Shen Yan’s hand. “Let me pour a little more. You can’t toast Grandpa with too little.“

Once the bottle was in his hands, Shen Yan didn’t dare to take it back. She could only sit back angrily.

Song Chu urged, “Qi Jinyou, what are you waiting for?“

Qi Jinyou glanced at the wine bottle in his hand and understood his meaning.

She picked up her cup and said to the elder at the head of the table, “Grandpa, I wish you good health and long life.“

Grandpa looked up, saw Qi Jinyou, then glanced at the people behind her, frowning slightly.

Song Chu, all in black, looked a bit out of place for such a joyful occasion.

But soon he regained his smile. Song Chu was the first to offer him a toast.

“Song Chu is here too. Let’s toast together,“ Grandpa said.

Song Chu stepped forward a little, and the three of them clinked glasses.

After the toast, Qi Jinyou walked ahead with Song Chu following behind. She quietly said “thank you“ in a tone that only they could hear.

Song Chu only gave a faint smile.

As the meal was nearing its end, Shen Yan hurried over.

On the surface, she asked Qi Jinyou how she was getting home, but in reality, she was looking for Song Chu.

Once she heard that Qi Jinyou was taking a taxi home, she turned her attention to Song Chu.

Qi Jinyou seized the opportunity and began packing her bag.

“Song Chu, we agreed yesterday afternoon to go support Cheng Zian’s new bar. Why didn’t you go?“ Shen Yan leaned on the back of Song Chu’s chair, asking.

Song Chu quickly turned his chair, and Shen Yan’s arms missed. He then answered, “I went to a really fun place yesterday.“

His tone was casual and soft, but loud enough for Qi Jinyou to hear clearly.

Qi Jinyou, who had been about ten centimeters away from her chair, now sat back down.