PATGFM Chapter 35: Do You Like Me?
Luchuan walked into the coffee shop and sat down across from Ningxin.
Ningxin immediately straightened up, assuming a somewhat haughty posture, and said, "Let me make it clear first, the reason I'm asking for your help is that I don't have any other choice. Don't think too highly of yourself. You're just my last resort."
Luchuan chuckled as he looked at Ningxin and said, "I don't believe you."
Ningxin blinked, "Believe it or not!"
Luchuan had a playful look on his face and suddenly asked, "Do you like me?"
Ningxin's eyes widened, "Why are you so narcissistic!"
Luchuan glanced down at her chest, "If you don't like me, why leave two buttons unbuttoned? Isn't that to charm me?"
Ningxin snorted, "Don't daydream here. I just forgot to button them."
Luchuan nodded thoughtfully, "Oh, I see. I must have misunderstood."
Ningxin glanced at him, "Hmph, it was indeed your misunderstanding. How could I possibly try to charm you?"
Luchuan smiled and didn't say anything more.
Ningxin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, How does this guy always seem to see through my thoughts? Could it be... could he really be the one destined for me?
Luchuan got back to the point, "So, tell me, what do you want from me? Let's make it clear, you mentioned a hundred thousand, and not a penny less."
Ningxin glared at him, "You're not just vain, you're also greedy. A person like you will never find a girlfriend in your life!"
Luchuan shrugged, "Let's talk business."
Ningxin huffed, "I'm attending a banquet tonight, and I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend and accompany me."
Luchuan looked surprised, "Pretend to be your boyfriend?"
"What, you don't want to?" Ningxin observed Luchuan's expression, seeming very interested in his reaction.
Luchuan smiled and said, "As long as the money is there, I have no problem pretending to be your boyfriend. I just didn't expect that you would ask me to do this when you invited me. Are there no other requirements?"
Ningxin rolled her eyes, "What else do you want?!"
Luchuan smirked, "Like having a room, for example. I'm well-equipped and capable, I guarantee to satisfy you."
He thought Ningxin would blush at this remark.
But to his surprise, Ningxin leaned in directly, staring at his lower body, and said, "Really? Let me see."
Now it was Luchuan's turn to be embarrassed, thinking, Is it appropriate for a girl to act like this?
"Just kidding, just kidding," Ningxin said with a smirk.
"Tch." Seeing that she had turned the tables, Ningxin looked smug for a moment, then stood up, "So, it's settled. Now, let's go buy some clothes."
Luchuan asked, "Why buy clothes?"
Ningxin looked disdainfully at Luchuan, "Look at your clothes, all worn out. If I take you to the banquet like this, we'll be the laughingstock."
"Fine." Luchuan didn't refuse. His clothes were indeed old.
The two of them left the coffee shop.
Ningxin casually hooked her arm through Luchuan's.
Luchuan glanced at her, "What are you doing?"
Ningxin said confidently, "Since we're pretending to be a couple, we should act the part. It's perfectly normal for a girlfriend to hook arms with her boyfriend."
"Fine." Luchuan couldn't argue and could only acquiesce.
On the way to the mall, Luchuan asked, "Is my only task tonight just eating and drinking, or will there be any other troubles?"
Ningxin's eyes curved into crescent moons. "No, there won't be any troubles. Being my boyfriend, what trouble could there be? Just relax and go with me."
Luchuan didn't ask further, but he always felt that Ningxin's words were unreliable.
Once they arrived at the mall, Ningxin took Luchuan from one store to another, tirelessly picking out clothes for him.
In no time, Luchuan had a handful of bags in his hands, totaling over a dozen items.
He glanced at the price tag of one of the items, 13,800 yuan!
Just one piece already cost over ten thousand. With all these items combined, it would probably be close to two hundred thousand.
From the clothes she bought, Ningxin picked out one and handed it to Luchuan, saying, "Wear this one tonight. The rest are gifts for you. Later, leave your address, and I'll have the mall people deliver them to your house."
Luchuan quickly waved his hand, "No need, no need. This one is enough."
Ningxin gave him a reproachful look. "What, are you afraid that if I buy these clothes, I won't give you your reward? Rest assured, these clothes are extra. Your reward won't be a penny less."
"I didn't mean that..." Luchuan didn't know how to explain.
Ningxin pushed him into the fitting room. "Stop talking nonsense and change your clothes."
Luchuan could only obediently comply.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man. After changing into the new clothes, Luchuan did indeed look much better.
Ningxin had someone do Luchuan's hair and said with satisfaction, "I didn't expect you to look quite handsome."
Looking at the different image in the mirror, Luchuan was also surprised.
Then he looked at Ningxin seriously and said, "Thank you."
Ningxin smiled and said, "Wait for me here for a moment. I'll go to the restroom."
Luchuan stood in place, waiting.
At that moment, a surprised voice sounded, "Luchuan?"
Luchuan turned around and found a disoriented-looking Qin Lan.
Seeing the significantly changed Luchuan, Qin Lan's face soured. "I can't believe you're willing to come to a place like this to buy clothes."
Luchuan laughed, "I have to thank you for that. If you hadn't dumped me, I probably wouldn't have had this opportunity."
Qin Lan gritted her teeth, "You!"
She suppressed her anger and said arrogantly, "After I dumped you, you must have been very sad, right? I've been reflecting recently and realized that you're actually quite good. Now that you're doing better, I'll give you a chance. Let's get back together."
Luchuan burst into laughter, "Are you out of your mind?"
Qin Lan frowned, "I'm giving you a chance because I value you. Don't be ungrateful!"
Luchuan chuckled, "Liu Kun got caught, and there's no one to spend money on you anymore, so you come running back to me. Did you really think I'd be that naive to fall for it again?"
Qin Lan was furious and cursed, "Luchuan, think carefully. I'll only give you one chance. Apart from me, no other woman will look at a loser like you. Miss this chance, and you'll be a bachelor for life!"
Luchuan was about to retort.
Ningxin, exuding an invisible aura, approached, naturally hooking her arm through Luchuan's. She glared at Qin Lan and said, "Where did this old hag come from? My boyfriend is someone you can shout at?"