To Escape an Arranged Marriage, I Became the Heir’s Fake Girlfriend - Episode 9

“What fun place? Where is it? Can you take us there too?“ Shen Yan pulled back her arm, a hint of awkwardness flashed across her face, but she quickly returned to her normal expression.

Qi Jinyou cleared her throat lightly. She intended to remind Song Chu, but wasn’t sure if he would understand.

“Depends on the situation,“ Song Chu glanced at the people sitting properly next to him.

Qi Jinyou instantly felt like she had a soft spot someone could easily control.

After being rejected several times, Shen Yan only pouted. After so many rejections from Song Chu, she probably had become immune to anger.

Or maybe she was angry but dared not show it.

Qi Jinyou couldn’t even feel sorry for her.

Shen Yan’s feelings for Song Chu were obvious to anyone, but Song Chu never hid his dislike for her.

Sometimes, Qi Jinyou admired Shen Yan’s perseverance in the face of rejection.

Once Song Chu finished speaking, there was no more conversation.

Cheng Zian walked over at the right moment.

“Jinyou, long time no see,“ he ignored the others and smiled at Qi Jinyou.

“Hello, Brother Zian,“ Qi Jinyou smiled back.

“Brother Zian, Brother Song Chu said he went to a fun place yesterday,“ Shen Yan, seeing Cheng Zian, seemed to have found a helper.

Cheng Zian didn’t take the bait. “You can’t be asking about Song Chu’s business.“

Shen Yan pouted. She was really curious where this ‘fun place’ was, especially since Cheng Zian didn’t even attend the opening of his own bar.

Her family called her, and reluctantly, Shen Yan left.

Qi Jinyou stood up and nodded her head to say goodbye to the people nearby.

After saying goodbye to her aunt, she quickly walked out of the restaurant.

At the entrance of the first floor, she didn’t immediately take a taxi.

She hid in a shadow and waited for Song Chu.

She felt like a sword was hanging over her head. He had promised to keep her secret, but the two didn’t exchange contact information. If he wanted to thank her, would he try to find her through Shen Yan?

She didn’t know when she would see him next, so she decided to give him her contact info today.

She glanced at the parking lot but didn’t spot the sports car he drove yesterday.

Among the luxury cars, she couldn’t tell which one was his, so she waited.

After about ten minutes, the cars in the parking lot had mostly left, even her aunt’s car, carrying her grandfather and Shen Yan, drove away.

Still no sign of Song Chu.

This hotel didn’t have an underground parking lot.

She had no choice but to keep waiting.

When Cheng Zian and Song Chu appeared at the door, Qi Jinyou had been waiting outside for almost half an hour.

She had forgotten about Cheng Zian.

Could they have come in the same car?

Maybe her waiting was in vain.

Qi Jinyou turned her back.

The sound of a car door opening and closing came from behind.

The playful laughter of Cheng Zian, which had been constant since they left the restaurant, was now locked inside the car.

The air was quiet for a few seconds.

Then she heard the sound of the car starting and driving away, and the parking lot fell silent again.

Only the light spring breeze whispered by her ears.

Qi Jinyou didn’t turn back, taking a step forward.

She took out her phone and opened the taxi app.

It was only about ten minutes from here to her home, and she paid attention to the fare.

She didn’t notice a figure walking quickly past her.

“What are you doing here, sneaking around?“ A cool, teasing voice came from the man.

Qi Jinyou was startled, pausing instinctively. She looked up, and Song Chu was standing there, hands in his pockets, looking at her.

She looked at Song Chu, then at the empty space behind her, and asked, “You didn’t leave?“

“Are you waiting for me?“

“Yes,“ Qi Jinyou nodded.

“Anything you need?“

“Yes.“

The parking lot was dimly lit, and the girl blinked her long, curled eyelashes, her eyes shining with light.

“Are you worried about the promise I made to you?“

At first, Qi Jinyou had been at ease. When she got home last night, her initial concerns disappeared after a good night’s sleep. Song Chu had more important things to do, and this small matter was like dust to him.

But just now at the restaurant, it seemed like he hadn’t forgotten and was even subtly reminding her.

Maybe it was her being overly sensitive.

Today, Chen Nuo’s appearance was not a coincidence. Her aunt had already started planning her marriage. With her mother’s past experience, her aunt wouldn’t let her go easily, and she probably couldn’t control her own marriage. Leaving the country seemed like the best option.

“No, I want to ask if you thought of anything you need me to do?“ Qi Jinyou didn’t tell the whole truth.

“Or, should I leave you my phone number? So you can find me.“

After two seconds, the man finally spoke, “Add me on WeChat. I haven’t thought of anything yet, but if I do, I’ll contact you.“

Qi Jinyou was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to ask for her WeChat.

She quickly brought up her WeChat QR code.

They added each other, and Qi Jinyou sent him a thank you emoji.

“How are you getting home?“

“My house is not far. I’ll take a taxi. Goodbye, Brother Song Chu.“

When he asked this, Qi Jinyou understood he was trying to end the conversation quickly.

Just as she was about to leave, her arm was pulled.

“I’ll give you a ride home.“

He didn’t know where she lived, yet he said it was on the way.

“I live at Baotong Garden on Jiefang Road.“ It was a relatively old neighborhood, and the nearby roads often had traffic jams.

She mentioned the street so he would have a rough idea of her address.

“Was it still on the way?“

“Yes, it’s on the way.“

“Have you had alcohol?“

“I’ll have a driver pick me up later.“

Qi Jinyou nodded, accepting the favor.

“How’s your wrist?“ he asked.

Qi Jinyou had pulled her sleeve all the way down to cover the injury from yesterday.

“It’s fine, a good night’s sleep made it better,“ she shook her wrist.

The man didn’t speak again.

What she thought would be a one or two minute wait turned into more than ten minutes. Finally, the driver arrived in a Maybach.

Song Chu opened the car door, and Qi Jinyou nodded her thanks before getting in. Song Chu got in from the other side.

Once in the car, the driver apologized repeatedly, explaining there was traffic. Qi Jinyou thought Song Chu would be upset, but he remained calm.

The two didn’t speak much. After more than ten minutes, they reached the entrance of her neighborhood, and Qi Jinyou got out of the car.

She went home, took a shower, and went to bed. Tomorrow was another busy Monday.

Two months ago, Qi Jinyou had joined a design company.

The trial period was two months, and last week was the final week.

Qi Jinyou submitted her report for permanent employment, and the HR department approved it the day before Qingming Festival.

On Thursday morning, a message came in the part-time supercar club group: they would organize a members’ event on the first day of the Qingming holiday, a spring outing to the outskirts of Haishi. Everyone should prepare for the trip.

When Qi Jinyou saw the message, she realized that Song Chu hadn’t contacted her for a week.

During the three days of Qingming holiday, she planned to work on one day and spend the other two days going back home to sweep the tomb for her parents.

The spring outing was to Meng Mountain in the suburbs of Jing City.

On Friday morning, Qi Jinyou arrived at the club with her bag.

Sister Zhou had arrived earlier than her.

She handed her a list.

The list of members attending the event.

“Number one is attending again,“ Sister Zhou said before Qi Jinyou could look at the list.

Qi Jinyou held back a smile, her gaze landing on the first line of the list. She wondered how Song Chu would feel being referred to that way.

It was no surprise he attended; among the members attending today, there were a lot of women.

“Be prepared for anything, with so many women, there are bound to be more unexpected situations.“

Sister Zhou handed her another sheet of paper. “Prepare according to this.“

The members would drive to the club, then be transported by bus to the foot of Meng Mountain.

More than forty members would be split into two buses.

But Song Chu wasn’t there.