The Tragic Heroine Fell in Love with Me - Chapter 49

“Boss?”

Xiao San watched Ji Junhong leave at such a rapid pace, with such resolute determination that left everyone in the dust, that aloof figure retreating into the distance. She had never seen Ji Junhong move so quickly before.

“I figured you were almost off work, so I came to wait for you.” Zheng Qi naturally stepped forward and took Xiao San’s hand. “You look so startled. I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That the company I arranged for you to join is actually a studio I founded.”

“Well, there was a hint of it.” Wait, something wasn’t right. Xiao San suddenly realized what she had missed. Oh right!

She slapped her forehead, making a gesture of sudden enlightenment.

“I actually forgot you’re a rich lady now!” Xiao San exclaimed happily. “And here I am, struggling away. From now on, can I just show up and leave work whenever I want?”

“Hmm…” Zheng Qi stroked her chin as if deep in thought.

“Hey, why are you even hesitating? We’re besties! Shouldn’t you agree without a second thought?”

“I think for a lover, I wouldn’t hesitate. But for a best friend, it seems I still need to think about it.” Zheng Qi shook her head.

Xiao San looked at Zheng Qi with tragic eyes. Was this still her best friend? How could such icy words come from those 37-degree lips? “I never thought you’d be the type to prioritize romance over friendship!”

Xiao San pushed Zheng Qi away, clutching her chest with both hands as if in unbearable pain, nearly collapsing to the ground. She raised her hands dramatically, “My once gentle, kind Ah Qi, look what you’ve become.”

Zheng Qi had already opened the car door and started the engine.

Watching Xiao San’s antics outside, Zheng Qi honked the horn twice. “If you don’t get in now, I’m driving off.”

Xiao San quickly ran to the passenger side, opened the door, and hopped in.

“Seatbelt.”

“Huh?”

Xiao San obediently sat properly. Fine beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. Even though it was already afternoon, the weather was still quite warm.

Xiao San’s hair had a yellowish tint not from bleaching, but naturally light brown.

Some say hair texture reflects personality, though perhaps whoever said that was just speaking casually. Someone as cheerful as Xiao San actually had soft, fine hair that tended toward a gentle yellow hue.

“All sweaty.” Zheng Qi gently dabbed Xiao San’s forehead with a tissue, absorbing the moisture. The car’s air conditioning was only set to low, and though Xiao San felt cooler after getting in, the temperature difference from outside wasn’t that significant.

She watched as Zheng Qi wiped away her sweat, then took a bottle of mineral water from the car fridge. “Let it reach room temperature before drinking.”

After doing all this, Zheng Qi pulled out the passenger seatbelt and helped buckle Xiao San in. “You have to wear your seatbelt in the car. You forgot again. At this rate, I wonder if you’ll even pass your driver’s license test.”

At this mention, Xiao San’s smile vanished.

Remembering her driving instructor’s earnest advice, she groaned, “Ah, don’t remind me. You’re making me want to cry.”

Xiao San sighed heavily. “Why is driving so easy for you guys, but for me, ah, it’s so hard!”

It was precisely because learning to drive was too difficult that Xiao San was unwilling to go to the driving school. And because she was unwilling to go, she learned even worse, a complete vicious cycle.

“Is it really that hard?” Zheng Qi laughed. “Once I finish this busy period, I’ll go with you to the driving school. I want to see just how difficult it is.”

“No! No! No! Absolutely not!” The thought of Zheng Qi seeing how clumsy she was made Xiao San feel so ashamed she could die. She wouldn’t be able to focus on the car at all.

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely learn it well. Next time we go out, I’ll be the one driving.”

Xiao San patted her chest with little confidence, but to appear fearless, she pretended to be full of assurance.

“Alright, I believe in you.”

Xiao San looked at Zheng Qi with gratitude. Ah Qi was truly the best. No matter what she did, Ah Qi always trusted her completely.

“Ah Qi, it’s so good to have you.”

Zheng Qi glanced sideways at Xiao San, seemingly a bit disdainful. “Is that so? If I’m that good, why didn’t you think of me when you wanted to deal with Ge Weizhong?”

“Ah!” Xiao San covered her face, making a funny expression. “There’s still that matter? I almost forgot about it.”

“Forgot?” Zheng Qi looked at their approaching destination. “We’re about to meet Ge Weizhong now.”

Xiao San punched Zheng Qi resentfully. “You’re so mean.”

As they talked, the two arrived at the agreed-upon location. Zheng Qi parked the car in the parking lot, and they got out and walked into the mall.

By then, Ge Weizhong was already waiting inside the restaurant.

Ge Weizhong had chosen a stir-fry restaurant with a southern flavor. Just as Xiao San and Zheng Qi arrived, the dishes were being served.

Facing Zheng Qi, Ge Weizhong showed a hint of awkwardness and surprise.

“I never expected San’er’s girlfriend to be Miss Misirui.” Ge Weizhong displayed his mature charm, as if every expression and gesture were meticulously calculated.

“We’re in the country now. You can call me Zheng Qi.” Zheng Qi showed no trace of panic. She naturally guided Xiao San to sit in the inner seat, taking the outer seat herself. She reached out and shook hands lightly with Ge Weizhong before sitting down.

“Mr. Ge, please sit. Don’t just stand there. San’er has mentioned you to me, saying you’ve taken good care of her, especially during the two years I was abroad.”

Instead of sitting directly, Ge Weizhong picked up the chopsticks in front of Xiao San, tore open the packaging, assembled the bamboo tops with the metal ends, and placed them together in front of Xiao San with both hands before sitting down.

“I heard Miss Zheng’s engagement ceremony with Young Master Shen is coming up soon?”

Zheng Qi smiled. “Mr. Ge, you might have been away from the city for too long. My engagement banquet with Shen Lin was canceled two months ago.”

“I never would have thought. Miss Zheng and Mr. Shen are such a perfect match, yet you broke up without much fanfare.”

“Not at all. It’s all business. Although Shen Lin and I broke up, we’re still great partners. We have many projects to collaborate on in the future.” As she spoke, Zheng Qi served food to Xiao San. Seeing Xiao San’s confused expression, she smiled reassuringly. “Just eat, don’t worry.”

Why would Xiao San need to worry? She couldn’t understand a word of what the two of them were saying, only catching bits like “Miss Zheng,” “Mr. Shen,” and “Mr. Ge.”

If only Lü Yu were here now at least the two of them could have a common language and discuss these unique delicacies.

She looked up at Zheng Qi and Ge Weizhong, noticing that the two were still chatting harmoniously, their conversation seemingly unrelated to her.

Was this really working?

Xiao San didn’t want to get involved in Ge Weizhong’s personal feelings. Ge Weizhong was a great senior, but for Xiao San, there was absolutely no possibility of developing romantic feelings.

It didn’t feel right to deceive Senior Weizhong like this.

Xiao San began to regret it again, though the thought only lasted a moment.

But…

Xiao San glanced at Ge Weizhong, then at Zheng Qi.

Finding a guy to pretend to be her boyfriend was one thing, but directly bringing a girl and claiming she liked women would Senior Weizhong even believe it?

As she worried, Xiao San ended up eating a bit too much. It wasn’t until Zheng Qi pressed her hand and shook her head, saying, “You’ve had enough. Didn’t you say you wanted to lose weight? Why are you still eating?” that Xiao San awkwardly put down her chopsticks. A moment later, the feeling of fullness set in.

She really had eaten too much just now.

Ge Weizhong seemed to have grown much quieter.

“San’er, are you planning to stay in this city for good?” Ge Weizhong suddenly asked.

Xiao San nodded and glanced at Zheng Qi. “I don’t have any big ambitions. I just want to buy a house and live a carefree life.”

Her words were a bit crude, and she laughed awkwardly after saying them. “Is it bad to have such little ambition?”

In truth, she could have said many ambitious things like wanting to see the world or make it big in a major city. But the truth was, she really had no grand aspirations. She just wanted to live a simple life with her parents and younger brother.

If she hadn’t accidentally gotten involved in that tragic novel, her life would have been even more ordinary.

“Not at all,” Ge Weizhong replied. “It’s a shame I’m going abroad. My parents want me to study overseas. You know, event planning is just a hobby of mine. As I get older, my parents are pressuring me more, so I have to go abroad.”

“Ah? Congratulations,” Xiao San said, unsure how else to respond. The conversation had suddenly taken a heavy turn, and she didn’t know how to continue. But was inheriting the family business really that bad?

After a moment of silence, Ge Weizhong looked at Zheng Qi.

Zheng Qi stood up impatiently and placed a hand on Xiao San’s head. “I’m stepping out for a moment.”

Before Xiao San could react, Zheng Qi had already left.

She stared blankly at Zheng Qi’s retreating figure. Ah, sister, why did you have to step out? Leaving me alone with Senior Weizhong is so awkward! Weren’t you supposed to help me?

By now, it seemed too late to stop her or leave with her.

Xiao San had no choice but to pretend to be calm and look at Ge Weizhong.

“I thought you’d just find someone random to brush me off,” Ge Weizhong said. With Zheng Qi gone, he seemed to relax completely, no longer as tense as before.

“How could I?” Xiao San replied guiltily. That was exactly what she had done.

Indecision only leads to trouble, and Xiao San had no intention of stringing Senior Weizhong along.

“Don’t worry, my decision to go abroad isn’t because of you. My family has been pressuring me for a long time. I just kept wanting to wait a little longer, and a little longer still never expecting it would drag on for this long, almost like.”

“Ah.” Xiao San uttered a meaningless sound.

If Ge Weizhong hadn’t said this, Xiao San would never have imagined that the reason he was going abroad could somehow involve her.

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