What to do if I've locked myself in a book! - Chapter 18

Led by the man, she walked into the vast hall. Aside from a few guests chatting off to the side, she quickly took in the situation—and just as quickly recognized the characters from her own novel.

At a not-too-near, not-too-far distance, she saw Cheng’s mother beaming as she held Su Zhixin’s hand, warmly asking after her.

Su Zhixin was the original novel’s female lead. In the book, the Cheng and Su families were old enemies and opposed the match, but the male and female leads ultimately overcame countless obstacles and ended up together for love. Here, however, it was obvious that the Cheng and Su families were on friendly terms and eager to push the marriage through.

Since the real female lead had appeared, if Ling Qianqian could just bring about Su Zhixin and Cheng Ye’s engagement, would the story end sooner and send her back to reality?

Her mind raced as she calculated a plan, but Cheng Ye was already pulling her by the hand toward his mother and Su Zhixin. She tried to shake free, only to be pressed down by his unmistakably firm grip. “In a moment, I’ll introduce you as my girlfriend. Cooperate.”

“…”

Ling Qianqian hadn’t expected this turn of events. It would only hinder the plot, not help it.

Cheng’s mother noticed first and quickly signaled the assistant beside her to notify Cheng’s father to divert the people away, lest the Su family see and cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

But Su Zhixin saw it anyway. Though a decorative partition blocked part of the view, Cheng Ye holding Ling Qianqian’s hand still caught her eye.

“Auntie, Mr. Cheng… does he already have a girlfriend?”

“No, he doesn’t. A-Ye has been single all this time. Even if there were someone, it’d just be for fun. Zhixin, don’t misunderstand.”

“But—”

At that moment, Cheng Ye was stopped by a well-dressed male assistant. “Young Master, the master would like to see you in his study. It’s important.”

“Got it.” He released her hand and motioned for Ling Qianqian to sit on the nearby sofa. “Wait here for me.”

“Okay.”

Watching Cheng Ye head toward the spiral staircase, Ling Qianqian felt her chance had come.

Su Zhixin had glanced over earlier and must have seen them holding hands. Now was the time to put on a show.

She walked straight toward Cheng’s mother and Su Zhixin. The two were having afternoon tea; on the elegant table sat a three-tiered dessert stand, along with intricately patterned tableware and tea sets.

Like an uninvited guest, Ling Qianqian stepped into their line of sight.

Just as Cheng’s mother was about to stop her, Su Zhixin couldn’t help asking, “Are you Mr. Cheng’s girlfriend?”

Su Zhixin’s voice was soft and gentle. She was sweet and pretty, dressed in a pure white dress, with slightly curled brown hair—a classic beauty.

Cheng’s mother felt momentarily suffocated, but Ling Qianqian wasn’t embarrassed at all. This was the perfect chance to clear the “misunderstanding” and push the plot forward.

“Of course not.” Ling Qianqian smiled openly and explained, “Mrs. Cheng, Miss Su—hello. My name is Ling Qianqian. I came over specifically to explain this.”

She glanced back, saw that Cheng Ye hadn’t come down yet, and added, “Actually, I was hired by Mr. Cheng to play the role of his girlfriend.”

“What? Why would A-Ye do that?”

Both Cheng’s mother and Su Zhixin looked at Ling Qianqian in surprise, waiting for an explanation.

Ling Qianqian grinned, showing a row of white teeth, pulled over a chair to sit closer, tucked her dark hair behind her ear, and began as if telling a story. “Mr. Cheng is, of course, deeply taken with Miss Su. He did this only to test her.”

After a round of smooth talk from Ling Qianqian, Su Zhixin flushed with delight, clearly overjoyed.

Cheng’s mother listened in a daze. Though she didn’t know what relationship Ling Qianqian truly had with Cheng Ye, since she wasn’t there to stir trouble but to help bring them together, she naturally welcomed it.

Just as the conversation was heating up, Cheng Ye suddenly came down the spiral staircase in long strides, like a gust of wind, heading straight for Ling Qianqian.

He was worried she might be put in an awkward position—but the reality was exactly the opposite.

Ling Qianqian felt awkward. If he came over now, he might ruin all the progress she’d just made.

She had planned to ask Cheng’s mother to help arrange a chance for Cheng Ye and Su Zhixin to spend time alone and build understanding. Before they could even get to that point, Cheng Ye arrived.

“Mom. Miss Su.”

Cheng Ye stopped beside Ling Qianqian. She had just stood up from the chair when he suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist. “This is Ling Qianqian—my girlfriend.”

Ling Qianqian pursed her lips awkwardly. But thanks to what she had said earlier, the two women at the table were mentally prepared.

“A-Ye, Miss Ling already explained everything to us.”

“Hm? What did you say?” Cheng Ye frowned, looking at Ling Qianqian, who wore an awkward smile.

Just as it was about to fall apart, Cheng’s mother seemed distracted by something else. Her gaze passed over Cheng Ye and Ling Qianqian. “Professor Bai, has it officially begun today?”

“Yes, Mrs. Cheng. I’ll be troubling your household for the next month.”

A cool, refined male voice came from behind them—strikingly familiar.

Ling Qianqian’s scalp tingled. As she turned around, her gaze collided with the eyes of a man who should not possibly be here. She couldn’t help rubbing her eyes, making sure she wasn’t seeing things.