Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I am deeply sorry, Miss Pei. I don’t intend to make use of you, but things are a little complicated, and I suddenly find myself in need of a fake girlfriend to use as a cover,” Wen Qimo explained at Pei Ge with an apologetic look.
“Fake girlfriend? Cover?” She was struck dumb by his answer. “With your qualities, why would you need to use a blind date partner as a cover? That’s not right! You are so handsome; even if you need someone to be your fake girlfriend, you don’t need someone like me.”
His reply only made her more confused of the situation.
When Pei Ge did not take his words at face value and, instead, calmly analyzed everything, his impression of her went up a few more notches.
“It’s no good to find anyone else.” He lifted his cup and sipped the coffee within before continuing in a business-like tone, “It always ends badly.”
“Huh?” She inexplicably thought of an idiom that was perfectly suited for this blind date partner of hers: ‘Do not judge a book by its cover.’
The man opposite her had the appearance of a gentlemanly prince from a folktale, be it looks or voice, but his personality was the complete opposite of that image.
At her stunned look, Wen Qimo’s mouth curled into a bitter smile. “You are not the first one.”
What in the world is this man talking about? Also, what did he mean by that?
She felt that she did not have enough brain cells for this conversation as she totally could not understand what the man was talking about.
“Those last-minute fake girlfriends I found in the past all fell for me without an exception. In the end, they added to my troubles…” He smiled wryly at her, yet his eyes were filled with hope.
“…” Pei Ge’s mouth twitched at his explanation and she studied the man’s handsome features.
Alright, his reason is pretty believable.
“Aren’t you afraid that I will also fall for you and add to your troubles?” The current her had already let down her defensive walls against Wen Qimo and was observing him with curiosity, instead.
“You won’t. I took interest in you because I saw your clear eyes and know instinctively that you are not the type to cling on to someone unreasonably,” he said with certainty.
Pei Ge rolled her eyes at this and then nudged her lips. “Speak the truth.”
Raising an eyebrow in surprise, he admitted, “Alright. I feel that you’re more normal-looking than those from before, so it is easier to dump you.”
“Tsk. Didn’t you say before you aren’t trying to make use of me?” she asked sarcastically upon hearing his honest reply.
“Cough, cough!” he coughed and then smiled sheepishly but did not say a word.
Just when the atmosphere was starting to turn awkward, a few waiters in uniforms entered the semi-private room with trays of dishes.
With practiced movements, they arranged the dishes on the table and then said respectfully to Wen Qimo, “Mr. Wen, all the dishes you ordered have been served. Please enjoy your meal.”
“Sure.”
Her unhappiness slowly dissipated at the arrival of the dishes.
She suddenly recalled her motive for coming here today.
That’s right! There’s nothing for me to get angry about as I didn’t come here for the blind date but for the food, instead!
Who cares about what this pretentious man is planning or his motive is for coming here? I only came here to have free meal!
“Can I start eating now?” She eagerly picked up the utensils on the table and raised her head to ask Wen Qimo for permission.
“Of course, you can.” He nodded his head with a relieved smile.
She did not speak anymore and switched on her foodie mode.
Although she already had quite a sumptuous meal at the banquet this afternoon, she did not get to eat her fill because of the corset she had been wearing then.
As such, this table full of food before her was just too tempting a sight! No wonder it’s a five-star restaurant!
Wen Qimo was a little stunned at the sight of Pei Ge happily enjoying the food without sparing him a glance.
Based on her total disregard of me, it seems she really doesn’t fancy me.
This was his first time encountering a woman who disregarded other people’s looks completely.
He was actually not narcissistic. He understood that he was not RMB1 and not all women would like him, but even if there were no romantic feelings between a man and a woman, admiring the other’s looks was normal, right?
As for this woman, forget about admiration, the only look she was giving him was one of calm disinterest.
“Then, Miss Pei, do you think you can agree to my request?” He placed his utensils down after having a few bites of the food and asked friendlily.
She also put down her chopsticks, swallowed her food, and asked, “What request?”
“I think you are quite suitable for me. Will you be my ‘girlfriend’?” He smiled at her with utmost gentleness. His warm smile was very hard to resist.
With a smile like his, few would be able to reject his request.
Alas, without a trace of hesitation, she rejected him.
“No way; not suitable at all.” Why the hell do I find this line very familiar?
“Miss Pei, I can see that you don’t really like going on blind dates but are still doing so for your family.” He was not the slightest surprised at her rejection and just started persuading her, instead. “As for me, it will really be troublesome not to have a fake girlfriend. Look; we are just going to date as a pretense. There won’t be any inconveniences. Most importantly, the two of us will benefit from this partnership.”
Pei Ge’s heart wavered a little when he laid out the benefits to be had from this partnership.
She knew that her mother would just find her more blind dates to participate into if she were unsuccessful with Wen Qimo.
She currently did not want to go on blind dates, though.
“I am really curious; why do you need a cover?” She questioningly raised an eyebrow at the man.
“Er… That – That is actually a little hard to explain…”
Her eyes shone when a thought popped up at his stuttering. With wide eyes, she blurted out, “Are you gay?!”
“…” If it were not for his good upbringing, he would definitely spew out the water in his mouth onto her face.
Who is going to answer me?! What the hell is in this woman’s head?! Since when did I become a gay?!
1. RMB – is short for renminbi, the official currency of China.
