”Meet my girlfriend, Boss Chen Fei of Orchidia.”
It was short and simple yet caused a massive explosion among his fans and the media.
A few seconds later, Chen Fei liked and shared his post using her own verified account. Then she wrote the following caption:
”Meet my boyfriend, endorser of Orchidia Beauty’s men’s line, Jin Chonglin.”
Even in a situation like this, she didn’t forget to use Jin Chonglin to advertise Orchidia.
Within a few hours, both of their posts received millions of likes and comments. Their “relationship” also reached the top in the trending lists.
Chen Fei’s followers also increased at a frightening rate. She kept on monitoring the public opinion about her. She couldn’t help it.
Although there were still a lot of bashers, most of Jin Chonglin’s fans were supportive of his “relationship” with Chen Fei. It was just like what he told her yesterday. The majority of people had no choice but to accept the reality especially if it was what he chose for himself.
The sudden change in public opinion into a more positive direction made Chen Fei release a big sigh of relief. They couldn’t please everyone but at least the bashing had reduced a lot compared to last night.
Truth be told, she hadn’t expected for Jin Chonglin’s plan to be this effective.
”Not bad,” she mumbled.
Jin Chonglin had already left earlier. He was a busy man. As soon as they made their posts in the morning, he didn’t stay around in her office and rushed to a taping.
Her family and friends kept on calling her. Even some of her former classmates, not-so-close acquaintances and ex-friends were messaging her nonstop to ask if it was true that she was Jin Chonglin’s girlfriend.
The girl squad already knew about her pretend relationship with Jin Chonglin beforehand because she shared it in their group chat last night.
Although her friends had reservations about it, they still supported her because it was her own decision at the end of the day. Jin Chonglin didn’t force her. She was the one who agreed.
Her parents also called her. She had no choice but to promise them to bring Jin Chonglin for an official introduction. There was no way that she was going to admit to her own parents that she agreed to be in a fake relationship. She might be crass in front of other people but would turn into a sweet little girl in front of her strict parents.
Knock! Knock!
”Come in.”
Her assistant entered her office.
”Congratulations on your relationship with Prince—I mean Jin Chonglin, COO Chen!”
Chen Fei scowled. “This is the third time that you congratulated me. Will you stop it now?”
The assistant giggled before becoming serious. “Our security reported a crowd of paparazzi outside our building. President Long sent a team of bodyguards to protect you. They arrived just now.”
Chen Fei was worried at first but immediately felt relieved after learning that Iris sent a bodyguard team for her. She knew the skill levels of the guards at Dragon Palace Palace Home #10. They were elites. Even Jiang Ying Yue had grown so much more intimidating since she started working there.
Her assistant added, “Jin Chonglin also left a bodyguard to protect you. It seems that he already anticipated this outcome with the paparazzi.”
”Hmph!”
Although Chen Fei acted like this, she still felt touched by the man’s thoughtfulness. She would never admit it to him, though. What if he became even more pompous?
She wouldn’t be able to bear it! If he became even more narcissistic than he already was, she might really end up beating him one day out of annoyance.
###
Dragon Palace Home #10.
”Well, hello there, Mrs. Superstar!” Dom greeted Chen Fei as soon as she arrived at the nursery later that day.
She kicked towards his direction. They were too far apart so of course there was no chance of her actually hitting him. It was just a symbolic kick.
”Hehehe.” Dom waggled his eyebrows while shimmying his body.
Iris chuckled. She was sitting on the carpet with her twins.
Long Jinjing also smiled at her best friend. She was on the rocking chair bottle-feeding Little Dima. Her other son, Little Misha, just finished being fed and was entertaining himself in the crib.
Chen Fei ignored their meaningful gazes and greeted each of the four babies and the grumpy Ice Cream. She brought presents for them as well. Little Jun and the cats also had a share. She would give it to them later. For now, she needed to talk with her friends and hopefully feel better about everything that was happening to her and Jin Chonglin.
”Where’s Sis Yue?” she asked while bouncing Little Mochi on her lap.
”On duty,” Iris replied. Little Matcha was snuggling up to her on the carpet.
”So…be honest with me. What do you think about my fake relationship with Jin Chonglin? I want your honest opinions, okay?”
”Why fake relationship?” Dom asked in a mischievous tone. “Just make it real!”
”Sh—shush, Dom!”
Chen Fei almost said “Shut up, Dom” but managed to change her words in time. She was still conscious that there were kids in the room. She didn’t want to be blamed for corrupting her friends’ children.
The friends chatted for a while. Later, Jiang Ying Yue also arrived after her shift. She brought Little Jun, Popcorn and Gravy with her.
”Lin Yehan isn’t with you?” Chen Fei teased her.
Jiang Ying Yue blushed but her smile was filled with happiness and sweetness. “Yehan already dropped by earlier this morning. He’s a little busy these days but we still see each other almost every day. If we can’t meet, then we talk on the phone.”
”Ugh! I think I’m having a diabetes attack.” Chen Fei pretended to shudder.
”I would tease you, too, but your relationship is fake,” Jiang Ying Yue said.
”Of course, it’s fake. There’s no way in hell that I’ll be in a relationship with Jin Chonglin. Never!”
Everyone raised their eyebrows at her.
”What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Long Jinjing pouted at her. “Never say never, Xiaofei. I also thought that I’ll never marry Lu Zihao but look at me now. I even gave birth to his children.”
Iris nodded. “Same here. I also never thought that I’ll fall in love with Jin Liwei. I border-line hated him before but now I love him the most.”
Jiang Ying Yue agreed with them. “I also didn’t think that I would be in a relationship with Lin Yehan especially after…you all know about what I went through with my ex.”
Dom released an exaggerated sigh before clutching his French-manicured hands together in a prayer position. “I wish that I could say the same as all of you. Dear future lover, when will you come and sweep me off my feet? I also want a happy ever after!”
Little Mochi laughed at his Uncle Dom’s dramatic gestures while Chen Fei rolled her eyes.
Her friends’ reminder about how they fell in love with their men made her stop saying never. She still didn’t think that she would ever become true lovers with Jin Chonglin, though. She just didn’t want to jinx herself.
”Fine, since you asked for our honest opinion, then I’ll give it to you,” Iris said.
Chen Fei straightened her back. “I’m ready.”
”I think that it’s incredibly stupid to pretend to be in a relationship with anyone. If you want to deceive other people, then you must act against your true feelings.”
Both Dom and Jiang Ying Yue nodded. Only Long Jinjing didn’t. The others didn’t think much about it because she was Chen Fei’s best friend in the first place. They thought that she was just sticking to her best friend through thick and thin. Nobody noticed her slightly embarrassed (and guilty) expression.
Iris continued, “But if you already have some feelings for the other person, then you’re not only deceiving other people but also yourself.”
Chen Fei became defensive in an instant. “Hell no! Me? Have feelings for that womanizer? Impossible.”
Iris shrugged.
”Let’s not talk about Jin Chonglin anymore,” Chen Fei said, annoyed.
”You’re the one who wanted to talk about him in the first place,” Iris replied in an amused tone.
”Yeah!” Dom piped in. “You’re the one who asked for our honest opinions.”
Long Jinjing and Jiang Ying Yue stayed quiet but their teasing smiles were enough to embarrass Chen Fei. They continued teasing her for a few more minutes before stopping.
Chen Fei was relieved. Then she changed the topic to business.
”The national shooting team finally agreed to accept our endorsement offer. How do you want to go on about it?”
Iris carried the sleepy Little Matcha back to the crib. “Ren Jiyu will endorse the regular men’s line that we’re planning to launch soon.”
”That diva man will be upset,” Chen Fei muttered.
Iris raised an eyebrow. Chen Fei wanted them to stop talking about Jin Chonglin and yet here she was mentioning him again.
”Brother Chonglin will continue endorsing his own line,” Iris said. “His line is a special one. We also need to have a regular line of men’s product. Ren Jiyu will be perfect for that. He’s young and a great source of inspiration. We’ll tap the teenage market through him.”
