Chapter 13: One Minute of Pretending

“…I have a condition.”

Hearing Xia An say this, Ye Jin’s eyebrows arched slightly before she replied, “As long as it’s reasonable.”

“I also need you to help me deal with my family.”

If not for this, Xia An wouldn’t have proactively contacted Ye Jin tonight.

If she actually had a girlfriend, it would indeed save her a lot of trouble.

Ye Jin considered for a moment. “I can do that.”

“And…”

“What?”

“My father’s medical expenses…” Xia An said slowly, “I will bear them myself.”

“Are you sure?” Ye Jin asked back.

She was giving Xia An a chance to reconsider.

Even though she didn’t know the specifics, she could guess that Xia An’s financial situation was definitely not optimistic.

“I’m sure,” Xia An answered firmly.

If this marriage was purely a business transaction, Xia An hoped the deal would be at least relatively fair.

She knew Ye Jin didn’t lack money; the medical fees that were enough to leave her frantic might be a mere drop in the bucket for the other woman, but she couldn’t accept them with a clear conscience.

That stubborn, strong-willed face surfaced in Ye Jin’s mind again.

Always smiling like a flower in front of people, yet hiding in a corner alone to grit her teeth and endure behind their backs.

Xia An—was she that kind of person?

“Suit yourself.”

“Mm.”

Now that they had reached an agreement, Xia An felt much more relaxed.

In the end, it was just acting.

She was actually quite good at it; after all, wasn’t drinking and flirting with people at Night Colors for high commissions also a form of acting?

She had truly been forced into being an actress by reality.

“Let’s set a time to meet and talk.”

“Alright…”

****

The meeting time was tentatively set for Wednesday night at ten o’clock, which was two days later.

Xia An had to work at the hospital during the day, and her school schedule was packed with classes and labs in the evening; her time was basically carved out of a hectic schedule.

Up until now, Xia An still didn’t know what Ye Jin did for a living, but she seemed quite busy as well.

The call ended.

Xia An leaned back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling, still processing everything.

She remembered that when Ye Jin first said “Let’s get married” to her, she thought it was absolutely absurd—how could it be possible…?

Yet only three days later, it had become a done deal.

Xia An rubbed her forehead, took a short nap with her eyes squinted, and then went back to burying her head in her books.

It was as if everything was the same as usual.

****

Wednesday, deep into the night.

The bar street began to buzz with excitement once again.

From the moment she stepped into Night Colors, Xia An had to put that pleasing smile back on her face.

Over time, smiling or not had become like putting on or taking off a mask—almost a mechanical motion.

“Xia-Xia, I haven’t seen you for so many days…”

Amy greeted Xia An warmly and took her arm. “Have you been very busy lately?”

“A bit.”

“Busy with what?” Amy blinked.

“Nothing much, I’ve got work to do.”

Amy was left standing there, pouting helplessly.

When it came to Xia An, she only seemed warm and passionate on the surface; in reality, she never spoke a word about her own affairs.

To this day, Amy still didn’t know what Xia An’s actual job was—she was incredibly mysterious.

It was another noisy night.

Xia An chatted and drank with guests, glancing at her phone several times until the digits neared 22:00—the time of her appointment with Ye Jin.

In the temporary parking area of the bar street, a black car came to a steady stop.

Ye Jin got out; she was very punctual, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet.

After several days of heavy rain, the nights in Nancheng in October were becoming increasingly cool.

Not far away was a couple, holding hands.

The two were leaning in close and laughing about something; as they spoke, the shorter woman suddenly lunged into the taller woman’s arms, seemingly acting spoiled.

Embracing on the street, it looked very intimate and sweet.

Ye Jin walked past, her peripheral vision involuntarily sweeping over them.

The two didn’t hug for long before interlocking their fingers and leisurely strolling down the street.

A plain yet warm scene.

Watching their retreating backs, Ye Jin’s gaze lingered—perhaps a bit too long.

She looked down at her watch again and continued toward Night Colors.

At ten o’clock, Xia An stood with a glass in her hand, leaning against a wall.

She repeatedly rejected approaches from others, her eyes casting casual glances toward the entrance from time to time.

“Miss, may I ask…”

Before a server could even greet her, Ye Jin’s first glance upon entering Night Colors fell on Xia An, who was directly facing her.

Firstly, she was standing in a prominent position, and secondly, that face and figure were indeed eye-catching.

Under her short skirt, her legs were slender and straight.

Xia An didn’t have a height advantage, especially when she wasn’t wearing heels; her figure appeared even more petite, yet her proportions were impeccable.

“Sister, she’s looking for me.”

Once she saw Ye Jin, Xia An walked up and spoke familiarly to the receptionist.

Glancing at Ye Jin, the corner of Xia An’s mouth curled slightly.

As she expected, President Ye had entered the nightclub once again in her signature “frigid” style of dress.

For some reason, every time she saw Ye Jin appear at Night Colors with a frown, looking completely out of place, Xia An felt an urge to laugh.

Ye Jin’s gaze swept over Xia An’s face.

She was wearing red lipstick today, which made her look slightly more mature, yet the bright color on her fresh, lovely face appeared charming without being gaudy.

Amy had once analyzed her, saying that Xia An’s face was 80% pure and 20% seductive, which was why she could leave guests so mesmerized.

After all, being purely innocent could seem lacking in charm, while being too seductive would inevitably fall into cliché.

“President Ye, how about we go somewhere else?”

Xia An took the initiative to speak.

She could see that Ye Jin didn’t like the atmosphere of Night Colors—it was practically a form of repulsion.

Ye Jin gave a silent nod and was the first to turn and leave.

Xia An followed closely behind.

In the end, they went back to the quiet bar where they had drinks last time.

Sitting in their old spot, they didn’t order alcohol, but two glasses of juice instead.

Ye Jin took a stack of documents from her bag, in duplicate.

She handed one copy to Xia An and got straight to the point.

“If you have no objections to this agreement, please sign it.”

Xia An looked down at the contract in her hands.

[ Agreement. Party A: Ye Jin. Party B: Xia An. ]

It made sense; since it was a contract marriage, they naturally needed a contractual spirit.

The agreement was drafted according to the consensus they had reached earlier, so there were no major issues.

Xia An carefully read the duties and rights of both parties; to put it simply and bluntly, it was nothing more than acting when necessary and posing as a couple.

And the term of the agreement was exactly two years.

“Is there a problem?”

Ye Jin noticed a flash of hesitation in Xia An’s eyes.

Xia An thought about it; she was focused entirely on her studies anyway.

As for romantic matters, she had never considered them.

Actually, having a nominal wife would save her from a lot of trouble.

“No problem.”

Seeing this cold contract, Xia An felt a sense of relief.

It wasn’t as complicated as she had imagined, and they could both get what they needed.

Her gaze continued to sweep over the black and white text.

After seeing a specific detail, Xia An suddenly looked up and asked Ye Jin, “I… have to move into your place?”

Ye Jin watched Xia An and said slowly, “Have you ever seen a married couple who still lives apart?”

Xia An was speechless; it was indeed a bit of a meaningless question.

She thought for a moment. “Then…”

Seeing her stammering, Ye Jin said bluntly, “You’re overthinking it. We don’t need to share a room, let alone a bed.”

Her thoughts were seen through once again.

“That’s not what I was going to ask…”

Xia An brushed back her hair, attempting to defend herself against her true feelings.

Then again, was this woman a mind reader?

Ye Jin arched an eyebrow. “Then what did you want to ask?”

Xia An smiled at Ye Jin, switching to a casual tone.

“I was going to say I have no objection.”

After a moment, Ye Jin added in a low voice, “You don’t need to come back every night either. If you have a reasonable excuse, you can stay elsewhere.”

After reading the contract carefully once more, Xia An took the pen and lowered her head to sign her name in the “Party B” column.

“Regarding your father’s medical expenses, it’s not too late to change your mind.”

Ye Jin watched Xia An as she signed, bringing the matter up once more.

The tip of the pen glided smoothly across the paper with a few strokes.

Xia An put the pen down, pushed the contract toward Ye Jin, and smiled.

“I don’t regret it. President Ye, I’ve signed it.”

Ye Jin had initially thought Xia An was someone who was good at taking shortcuts, but now she saw that this girl was incredibly bad at it.

She could have had an easy life, yet she chose the bumpy road.

Yet, regarding Xia An’s choice, Ye Jin seemed to find it understandable.

Once the contracts were signed, each took a copy.

“Our relationship is purely contractual. Aside from the times when I need your cooperation, I will not interfere in your private life, and I hope you can do the same.”

Even though it was mentioned in the contract, Ye Jin emphasized it again.

She valued her private space immensely.

A single contract had clearly defined the boundaries of their relationship.

Xia An nodded. “I understand.”

Ye Jin studied the young, beautiful face for a moment.

“Under the premise of fulfilling your contractual duties, you are free to date others. I don’t mind.”

Xia An thought to herself: ‘Even though it’s a contract marriage, hearing that still feels a bit weird.’

“Let’s set a time next week.”

Xia An didn’t catch on for a moment. “Hm?”

Ye Jin said calmly, “To make a trip to the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

Miss Xia understood instantly. “No problem.”

Twenty minutes later, the two walked out of the quiet bar.

Xia An offered a greeting. “I still have to go to work, so I’ll be off first.”

Thinking of her drinking glass after glass at the nightclub, Ye Jin hesitated for a few seconds before calling out to the thin figure.

“Xia An.”

“Is there something else?”

Having figured out Miss Xia’s temperament, Ye Jin phrased it differently.

“If you’re short on cash, you can tell me. Just consider it a loan from me that you can pay back later.”

Xia An simply smiled, then turned and continued toward Night Colors.

Ye Jin was certain the girl hadn’t taken her words to heart.

Before she had gone far, Xia An inadvertently caught sight of a familiar figure—tall and thin, wearing a white T-shirt.

Xia An felt completely helpless; would she really have to shove a marriage certificate in Tang Zhen’s face before he would give up?

She had already said she had a girlfriend, yet he simply wouldn’t believe her.

Xia An turned around; Tang Zhen seemed to have spotted her.

Tang Zhen had gone to the department to find Xia An that evening, but her colleagues said she had already finished work.

He couldn’t find her at the hospital, and after asking her classmates, he learned there were no classes or labs tonight.

So he guessed—could Xia An have gone to Night Colors again?

Tang Zhen thought that if he couldn’t persuade Xia An, at least staying by her side for the time being would be better, considering how chaotic nightclubs were.

She was just one girl…

Ye Jin was confused when she saw Xia An walking back toward her.

“President Ye…”

Xia An spoke softly, her body drawing closer and closer to Ye Jin.

She gazed into Ye Jin’s eyes, the two of them standing face-to-face.

“The contract is already in effect, right?”

Ye Jin frowned, instinctively wanting to take a step back, but her waist was suddenly encircled by arms…

The overly intimate posture caused Ye Jin’s waist to stiffen instantly.

Xia An hugged Ye Jin, practically leaning into her embrace.

She was slightly shorter than Ye Jin; as she looked up, their eyes locked.

Staring at the beautiful face so close to her, Xia An whispered, “Be my girlfriend, just for a minute…”