Whoever Falls in Love First is the Dog - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: “During the duration of the relationship, only a one-on-one relationship is accepted.”

Shen Mengke stared at her in surprise, silently hanging up the phone.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Chen Yanxing handed her the document folder in her hand. “The contract.”

Shen Mengke took it in surprise. Their meeting had definitely been a coincidence, but…

Staring at the contract in her hands, Shen Mengke couldn’t help but wonder—was it really just a coincidence? Had Chen Yanxing been carrying the contract with her all along?

They walked a few steps to the end of the hallway, where a window offered a clear view of the world outside.

The bustling city lights shone brightly, never dimming through the night. From their angle, the cars with headlights on in the streets below looked like ants.

Suddenly, Shen Mengke couldn’t quite see clearly. She couldn’t tell how far she was from the sky—or how high above the ground she really was.

She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear. But only she knew her mind was already in complete chaos.

Taking a quiet breath, Shen Mengke opened the document folder under Chen Yanxing’s watchful eyes.

Two copies of the contract. Shen Mengke skimmed through one briefly. Confirming there wasn’t anything shady, she pulled out a pen to sign. But Chen Yanxing suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Read it carefully before signing.”

Shen Mengke looked up at her, then nodded. “I did.”

“You’re sure?”

That question made Shen Mengke hesitate. She flipped through the contract again, front to back. Not even a monetary transaction was listed. She truly couldn’t figure out what trick Chen Yanxing might pull, so she nodded again. “I’m sure.”

Chen Yanxing didn’t say anything. She simply took the contract from her hand, opened the first page, and pointed to the first clause.

“During the duration of the relationship, only a one-on-one relationship is accepted.”

Shen Mengke raised her brow at the line, a little confused. She glanced at Chen Yanxing again but didn’t voice her question. She simply assumed that, being in the entertainment industry, it was common for people—especially the powerful like the Chens—to misunderstand and assume stars had chaotic private lives.

Still, no matter how she looked at it, Chen Yanxing didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed “group play,” right?

Shen Mengke chuckled nonchalantly. “Got it, Boss Chen. Can I sign now?”

Chen Yanxing nodded, but didn’t let go of her wrist. “The contract duration is one year. But within this year, if you want to end the relationship, you can do so at any time. The choice is yours.”

“As long as, during the relationship period, you are available when I need you.”

That last line was a bit ambiguous. Chen Yanxing hadn’t specified what kind of needs, and Shen Mengke pressed her lips together, suspecting she was overthinking it. Besides the needs listed in the contract, what else could there be?

“OK.” Shen Mengke agreed easily, and only then did Chen Yanxing release her hand.

Chen Yanxing’s name had already been signed. As soon as Shen Mengke signed hers, the contract became effective.

As wished.

Shen Mengke smiled and reached out to shake hands. “Pleasure working with you, Boss Chen.”

Chen Yanxing returned the handshake. “Pleasure working with you… girlfriend.”

Her voice noticeably lowered when she said the last three words.

Shen Mengke’s breath hitched. It felt like a warm wave brushed past her ear, leaving her heart slightly itchy.

She looked up at Chen Yanxing. Their gazes met mid-air, but there wasn’t a single trace of affection. It was as if they were truly just engaging in a straightforward, ordinary business partnership—where “girlfriend” equaled “Boss Chen.”

Maybe they’d been out too long, because Xu Shinian came looking for them.

“Mengke!”

From a distance, she saw Shen Mengke with a woman. She hesitated for a moment but still called out from afar, giving her time to compose herself.

Hearing the voice, Shen Mengke quickly pulled her hand back. She glanced at Xu Shinian, who was walking over, and then turned to Chen Yanxing. “Uh… you’re here because…”

“A friend’s birthday,” Chen Yanxing answered, slipping the contract back into the folder.

“Oh…”

Seeing Xu Shinian getting closer, Shen Mengke briefly wanted Chen Yanxing to take her away. She hated the atmosphere in that private room—it was gloomy, like a sheep strayed into a wolf pack.

But after a moment’s hesitation, she didn’t speak up. After all, it was Chen Yanxing’s friend’s birthday. She probably didn’t have the right to tag along.

So, changing the subject, Shen Mengke smiled. “Well, have fun then. I’ll…”

Before she could finish, Chen Yanxing suddenly looked up. “You’ll what?”

“You signed the contract. It’s effective now.”

“I need you to fulfill your obligation.”

Shen Mengke was momentarily stunned, staring at Chen Yanxing.

By then, Xu Shinian had already walked over. She first glanced at Chen Yanxing—recognizing her from earlier in the hallway—then looked at the white orchid brooch on her chest, her eyes flickering.

Putting on a friendly face, Xu Shinian smiled. “Mengke, this is?”

“My girlfriend.”

Before Shen Mengke could answer, Chen Yanxing spoke up, standing protectively in front of her and facing Xu Shinian.

Shen Mengke was even more confused. She remembered Chen Yanxing had said she didn’t want too many people to know about their relationship.

But since they were already at this point, as a professional “B-side” party, Shen Mengke knew she had to play along. She added, “Sister Xu, this is my girlfriend…” She paused, then turned to Chen Yanxing. “This is my teammate, Ms. Xu Shinian.”

Chen Yanxing nodded and extended her hand. “Ms. Xu, pleasure to meet you.”

Xu Shinian’s smile stiffened but she still shook hands. Then she looked at Shen Mengke. “I hadn’t heard…”

Shen Mengke: “It just happened in the last few days. Sorry to make a scene.”

“I see.” Xu Shinian vaguely sensed that this person bore some hostility toward her, but wary of her status, didn’t think much of it. “Then please invite her in. The more, the merrier.”

“Ah…”

“She can.”

Shen Mengke was about to decline, but Chen Yanxing cut her off.

Shocked, Shen Mengke looked at her. She had wanted to leave. Going in now, as a pair, would attract even more attention.

Once again, Chen Yanxing made the decision for her.

Shen Mengke frowned slightly and tugged Chen Yanxing’s arm, stepping forward to say to Xu Shinian, “Sorry, Sister Xu. Something came up…”

She gestured at the contract folder in Chen Yanxing’s hand. “I’ll definitely treat you to dinner to make it up to you.”

Xu Shinian looked back and forth between them but continued smiling. “At least come in and have a drink. Say hello to the seniors. Leaving silently doesn’t look good.”

Shen Mengke hesitated, but Chen Yanxing stepped forward and took her hand. “Let’s go.”

Xu Shinian: “Please.”

Back in the private room, the smoke from earlier had cleared. If it weren’t for the lingering odor, Shen Mengke would have thought she’d entered the wrong room.

Xu Shinian walked in behind them, observing everyone closely.

Seeing two leave and three return, the room quieted. Many eyes landed on the trio.

As the host, Xu Shinian introduced, “This is Ms. Shen’s girlfriend…”

She looked at Shen Mengke, prompting her to introduce Chen Yanxing. But Shen Mengke pretended not to notice and poured herself a drink. “Sorry everyone, something urgent came up and I need to leave. I’ll drink to apologize.”

For her, one drink was nothing. But Chen Yanxing stepped in and took the glass, drinking it herself.

Shen Mengke looked at her in surprise, emotions swirling inside.

“She had to join me for another dinner. That’s why the scheduling clashed. This meal’s on me—just mention my name, Ren Zhou. Goodbye, everyone.”

It was the first time Shen Mengke heard Chen Yanxing speak so much at once. After speaking, she pulled her out of the room, leaving everyone stunned.

“Ren Zhou? Is she famous?” Shen Jingli asked suddenly.

She was from out of town and new to Jiangcheng, so not knowing Ren Zhou was understandable.

Someone beside her whispered, “Ren Zhou is a big shot in the entertainment industry. No one dares cross her.”

Shen Jingli scanned the room, then turned her gaze toward the door that had opened and shut again.

Most people present were insiders and knew the weight that name carried.

Ren Zhou, the second daughter of the Ren family, owned Starlight Corporation, a giant in the entertainment industry. They covered everything from film and music to variety shows and merchandise.

Despite being a newer company, they rose rapidly thanks to strong backing and resources, becoming a top player.

Not many recognized Chen Yanxing’s name, but no one in the industry didn’t know Ren Zhou.

She rarely appeared in public, but those who saw the white orchid pin and heard her name knew: even if she wasn’t Ren Zhou, she was at least her equal—or close friend.

And someone close to Ren Zhou couldn’t possibly be ordinary.

Xu Shinian frowned, staring at the closed door, her mind in turmoil.

But so was Shen Mengke’s. She looked at the woman who had just drunk for her and pulled her out, confused. “Chen Yanxing?”

“Yes?” Chen Yanxing looked back.

“You’re acting weird,” Shen Mengke said.

Ever since they met in the hallway, she’d felt something was off. From pushing her to sign, to admitting their relationship publicly, to drinking for her—Chen Yanxing was being overly domineering.

Chen Yanxing let go of her hand but didn’t turn around. “Ms. Shen, maybe it’s time for you to fulfill your obligations per the contract.”

Shen Mengke raised her brow and stepped in front of her, eyes falling on the white orchid pin. A spark of excitement flashed in her eyes.

Who says you can’t experience every kind of role? A rich-family drama—how rare!

“Your friend’s birthday, right? Then let’s go.”

Chen Yanxing didn’t catch the excitement in her gaze. After a pause, she said, “No. I meant the party you were attending isn’t clean.”

“Ms. Shen, during the relationship, you need to remain pure to ensure my physical and mental safety.”

Shen Mengke: “…”

Her eyes turned cold. Then she sneered, “Chen Yanxing, you…”

“Yanxing!”

The words died in her throat as someone called out. Shen Mengke turned to see a woman coming from the corner. Her eyes narrowed. She recognized the woman—Ren Zhou, whom Chen Yanxing had just mentioned.

Shen Mengke looked from Ren Zhou to Chen Yanxing, her lips pressed tight and brows furrowed with unshakable irritation.

Chen Yanxing didn’t look at Ren Zhou. “I meant no harm. As your contractual partner, I was giving a friendly warning—that party was dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous? Are you calling me dirty too?”

“No. I saw your medical report.”

“…”

“Du Junyi is here. What are you still doing outside?” Ren Zhou approached, placing an arm around Chen Yanxing’s shoulder and eyeing Shen Mengke. “Good evening, beautiful lady.”

Shen Mengke smiled. “Good evening.”

Before Chen Yanxing could say anything, Ren Zhou nudged her. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Shen Mengke met Chen Yanxing’s eyes and immediately understood. Clearly, she didn’t want their relationship revealed in front of her friend.

Shen Mengke understood—but pretended not to.

Ren Zhou’s gaze soon landed on the contract in Shen Mengke’s hand. Her eyes narrowed with a grin. “Ah… the little fox, huh—”

She deliberately stretched the tone. Chen Yanxing frowned slightly, but Shen Mengke remained clueless.

Before she could say anything, Shen Mengke said brightly, “Nice to meet you. I’m Chen Yanxing’s girlfriend—Shen Mengke.”