Chapter Thirty-Six: Reluctant Consent

I stared at Hua Jingjing in disbelief and cried out, “You went through all this trouble, scheming so much—was it really just for this?”

Hua Jingjing smiled triumphantly as she walked toward me, stopping right in front of me with a look that said she had me completely at her mercy. “Yes! Who told you to dare refuse me? Honestly, it wasn’t as if you were the only option, but since you wouldn’t agree, now you’re the only one I want! Let me ask you one more time: will you pretend to be my boyfriend and come to that birthday party?”

I felt utterly humiliated. This malicious woman dared to threaten me, forcing me to do something against my will, and with such shameless means, too.

I shouted angrily, “Despicable! How dare you threaten me!”

Hua Jingjing sneered, “You can refuse again if you like! But your little sweetheart will suffer—I'll have to fire her. She caused me to be tricked by you, lost face, and nearly died from a serious illness. How could I not take revenge?”

I replied, “All of this is your own doing! If you hadn’t tried to trick me first, you wouldn’t have ended up hurting yourself. Cheng Jia merely warned me out of kindness, not to harm you. All those embarrassing incidents afterward were just me getting back at you. If you want revenge, direct it at me—why make things difficult for an innocent girl?”

Hua Jingjing said, “Fine! I won’t trouble her. My aim isn’t really to fire her anyway. You said revenge should come at you, and right now I’m getting my revenge—I want you to be my boyfriend… well, pretend to be, at least. It’s about embarrassing you, making you lose face. So, won’t you accept? If not, I’ll just trouble her instead. One of you must pay the price—who will it be? It’s up to you.”

I was at a loss for words, staring at this unreasonable woman, not knowing what to say.

Earlier, I had thought I’d rather suffer myself than let Cheng Jia be hurt because of me. From her cautious, anxious behavior, it was clear she feared being punished for this matter. If I couldn’t swallow my pride and refused Hua Jingjing, she’d surely take it out on Cheng Jia. How could I let someone who had shown me kindness suffer unjustly because I couldn’t set aside my dignity? I had no choice but to accept, to swallow this humiliation and agree to Hua Jingjing’s demand. But once I agreed, I’d be giving her leverage—she could use this to threaten me again in the future, forcing me to do things I didn’t want. What then?

My mind was in turmoil, anxiety gnawing at me.

Hua Jingjing smiled sweetly at me, her grin infuriating beyond measure. I was filled with rage, wishing I could turn my back and leave. If not for Cheng Jia, I would never allow myself to be bullied like this. I’d put her in her place once and for all.

But… but…

I spread my hands helplessly and asked, “Why must it be me? If you just want me to embarrass myself, haven’t you considered that any disgrace will reflect on you as well?”

Seeing my tone soften, Hua Jingjing’s smile grew even brighter. “That’s not your concern. Just come with me, that’s all I need.”

I said, “If you really want me to go, you’ll have to swear you’ll never trouble Cheng Jia again—not fire her, not use this to threaten me in the future. If you won’t swear, I won’t agree. Who knows if you’ll keep using this against me?”

Hua Jingjing’s smile faded. She looked at me strangely and asked, “Do you really like Cheng Jia so much? Are you willing to suffer humiliation for her?”

I answered seriously, “Cheng Jia is a good person, someone who’s helped me. Though I’m nothing special, I know that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. It’s just a small grievance—I’m willing to endure it.”

Hua Jingjing lowered her eyes, silent for a moment before speaking softly, “Pretending to be my boyfriend—do you really find it so humiliating?”

I didn’t answer but asked, “Will you swear or not?”

She looked at me, her gaze tinged with wistfulness. “If you’ll be my boyfriend, I swear I’ll never trouble Cheng Jia, never fire her, and never use this to threaten you again. Is that enough for you?”

I didn’t notice that her oath omitted the word ‘pretend,’ a subtle difference that would mean so much later.

I nodded. “I hope you’re someone who keeps your word! Don’t let me see you break your promise. Since you’ve sworn, I’ll go with you. We’re all people, and I’m no less than anyone else. I doubt you’d want to lose face in front of your ex?”

Hua Jingjing’s face bloomed like spring flowers when I finally agreed, but she shot me a glare and pouted, “What ex? Don’t say nonsense! I’ve never liked Li Mingfan. Come, I’ll take you home.” As she spoke, she moved close and linked her arm through mine.

I was startled and quickly pulled away. “Hey! What are you doing? Did you take the wrong medicine again?”

Hua Jingjing said, “You’ve agreed to be my boyfriend—pretend or not, you’re still my boyfriend. You need to act the part. If we don’t get used to it, someone might see through us. Hand over your arm—what girlfriend doesn’t hold her boyfriend’s arm?”

I grimaced. “Do we have to start so soon? Give me a moment to adapt, or it’ll be really awkward.” Ignoring my protest, she took my arm again and whispered, “Enough talk! Just cooperate. What’s so awkward? No one knows us here.”

I replied awkwardly, “It’s not about being seen—it’s just that we were arguing moments ago, and now we’re suddenly acting so close. Isn’t it weird, a bit embarrassing?”

Hua Jingjing burst out laughing. “Not at all! I feel fine. Come on, let’s go. I’m a girl and I don’t mind—why are you, a grown man, being so shy?”

I had no choice but to let her push me forward, arm in arm. “Hey, where are we going now?” I asked.

Hua Jingjing said, “First, to the office to get my car, then to your place—I need to know where you live.” I exclaimed, “My place? Isn’t that unnecessary? Isn’t this just a pretend boyfriend thing? No need to trouble my family.”

She laughed, “Look at you! I just want to know your address, not visit your parents. Don’t be so silly!”

Helplessly, half-forced by her, I walked arm in arm with Hua Jingjing down the bustling city street. Looking around, I saw many young couples just as close as we were.

Across the street, in a department store, Qiu Jieqin emerged with another woman of similar age, both carrying shopping bags. The woman complained, “I think I overpaid. This outfit doesn’t seem worth fifteen hundred. Jieqin, what do you think?”

Qiu Jieqin replied, “You bargained yourself, so who can you blame? Fifteen hundred isn’t far off—good workmanship and materials, otherwise you wouldn’t have wanted it so badly. I think—” She glanced across the street by chance, and suddenly froze, rubbing her eyes in disbelief before looking again more intently.

The woman beside her was oblivious, still inspecting her new clothes. Qiu Jieqin hurriedly handed her bags over. “Xiao Lei, hold these for me—I have something urgent to do, don’t wait for me.” She dashed across the street, nearly getting hit by a motorcycle.

The other woman was baffled, calling after her, “What’s going on? Be careful! Why are you in such a hurry?”

After walking a while with Hua Jingjing, I felt a bit better, not as stiff as before. Hua Jingjing, on the other hand, acted completely the part—her whole body leaned into mine, her face radiated happiness, and no one could see through her performance. She swayed as we walked, and my arm could feel, every time she moved, the soft, tantalizing brush of her ample chest.

Sweat formed on my brow. I was utterly defeated—how could she be so natural, so unguarded? I could never manage that, so I admired her and was baffled at the same time. To ease my own awkwardness, I made conversation. “By the way, how did you know I was having dinner with Cheng Jia? It can’t have been a coincidence, right?”

Hua Jingjing’s cheeks flushed, and she didn’t answer for a long time, thinking, “Fool! Should I tell you I was so jealous I couldn’t help but secretly follow you?” She tightened her grip, pressing her full chest against my arm and murmured, “Why ask so many questions? I just happened to overhear. The heavens always let me know who treats me well and who plots against me behind my back.”

I said, “That’s not the right phrase. We’re not criminals.”

She giggled, “You’re not a criminal? To me, you’re the worst villain in the world.”

As we spoke, we arrived at the office. Hua Jingjing got her red Ferrari, and I got in, fastening my seatbelt as I asked, “Why do you need to know my address?”

She replied, “Secret! You’ll find out tomorrow. Buckle up, I’m starting.”

Soon, we reached my building. I pointed to an apartment on the third floor. “See? That’s my place. Thanks for the ride. Goodbye.”

As I stepped out, Hua Jingjing called after me, “Hey, Tang Qian, give me your phone number. I need to be able to reach you.” I turned back and gave her a number, which she entered carefully into her phone. Then she smiled and said, “What do couples usually do when they part?”

I was confused. “Do what?”

Her cheeks reddened. “Not only are you a villain, you’re also an idiot. Go on, goodbye!” With that, she closed the door and sped off.

I shook my head. “Crazy woman, I just can’t take it!” Turning to go upstairs, my phone rang. I took it out—it was Qiu Jieqin calling.