Jiang Cheng's fingers drummed twice on the steering wheel, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Pretend?"
The red light painted shifting shadows across his profile, carving his features in sharper relief and making that smile even more captivating.
Qiu Yihe's earlobes flushed pink; she turned her head awkwardly, fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.
"My dad has no idea…" Her voice dropped, as though the words were hard to let out.
"He probably wants to keep me in the capital, so… you don't have to play my real boyfriend. I just need him to think we like each other."
"So you don't want a boyfriend?"
Qiu Yihe shook her head quickly. "No, not at all. I'm heading back to Shanghai in a few days."
Jiang Cheng chuckled, glancing at her while the light stayed red. "Then what's my fee? I charge a lot for appearances."
Qiu Yihe blinked, hesitated, then said, "Name your price."
Jiang Cheng leaned in, closing the distance between them in an instant.
His warm breath brushed her ear like a feather.
"How about paying with this?"
With his lips beside her ear, Qiu Yihe felt her cheeks burn and her heart race wildly.
Her eyes went round; she couldn't find a word.
"You—"
Seeing her flustered, Jiang Cheng realized he'd pushed too fast.
He laughed softly. "Just teasing."
He glanced at the countdown on the red light.
Trying to sound relaxed, Qiu Yihe said, "little friend, you're hardly short of cash. And don't think I haven't noticed—someone like you must have plenty of girlfriends. One more won't hurt, right?"
At those words, Jiang Cheng stepped on the gas.
In his head he cheered.
Nice, very nice.
Even better if she already knows.
"It hurts plenty—what if my other girlfriends get jealous?" He shot a sidelong look at her reddened ear tip, tone half-teasing.
When Jiang Cheng admitted it, Qiu Yihe couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"I've no choice—you're the only one I know here, and my dad likes you. If it's you, he'll stop trying to set me up every five minutes."
"You're putting a lot of pressure on me. What if later we…"
Seeing his hesitation, Qiu Yihe leaned in and gave him a booster shot.
"Relax, I won't ask you to take responsibility, won't butt into your private life, and I definitely won't tell anyone you're my boyfriend—promise."
She even winked playfully at him.
Jiang Cheng's expression stayed unchanged.
But inside he was shouting.
Damn, she's sensible.
His gaze flicked to her rising-and-falling chest.
He still remembered the first time he saw Qiu Yihe.
Back then it had been this spectacular view that caught his eye.
"In that case, shouldn't we rehearse so we don't blow our cover…?"
"Rehearse? You need practice?"
"Of course—professional ethics, you know."
As he spoke, his right hand naturally covered hers resting on her knee.
A bolt of electricity shot up her fingers.
She tried to jerk away like she'd been shocked.
But Jiang Cheng, anticipating it, locked her hand in place—no escape.
"Like this—convincing boyfriend material?"
A faint smile curved his lips as his thumb slowly stroked the back of her hand.
The intimacy turned her face scarlet clear to her ears.
"Looks good. Practice done—let go."
"You're way too stiff. Needs more reps," he declared solemnly.
"No need to be so serious. I said mutual liking, not… not this…" Her voice dwindled.
Her heart pounded, cheeks burned; she had no idea how to cope.
"No can do." He arched a brow, half-smiling. "If we're doing it, we do the full set…"
His thumb kept brushing her hand.
"You're blushing now—what happens when we see your dad?"
"Who's blushing!" She turned away, only to meet her own fire-red cheeks in the mirror.
Meeting Jiang Cheng's wicked grin, something stirred in her.
Suddenly her competitive spark flared.
Her hand stopped struggling.
"Typical scumbag… fine, as long as you don't go overboard. And like you said, you're handsome—guess I'm not losing out."
Mind Perception Skill told him Qiu Yihe's heart was pure panic.
Yet here she was, faking calm.
Jiang Cheng didn't expose her bravado.
Instead he released her hand and focused on driving.
"When do you head back to Shanghai?"
Her face was still crimson.
She stared out the window. "Fifth day of New Year."
"I'll come with you."
She spun around, surprised.
Jiang Cheng explained, "My dad handed the company to me. Every year we host a reopening banquet and hand out red packets. I need to preside this year."
Realizing she'd jumped to conclusions, Qiu Yihe gave an awkward nod. "Oh, I see."
"Why do you look disappointed?"
"I'm not—your imagination's running wild…"
Soon the car stopped at the mouth of the hutong.
Jiang Cheng unbuckled smoothly.
Then he leaned toward her without warning.
Qiu Yihe hadn't seen it coming.
She tensed, instinctively shrinking back.
No way, no way—
Was Jiang Cheng really going to…? Her thoughts tangled.
If he actually tried to kiss her—
Should she accept or refuse?
But Jiang Cheng didn't do what she feared.
Just when his face neared hers, he paused.
His hand reached past her to click open her seat belt.
At the same time he gave a small smile and murmured, "We're here, girlfriend."