C13 Fake Couple

"So, now that I've laid it all out, what's your response going to be?" Gu Panpan tried to hide her nerves, but it was her first time ever taking the leap to confess to someone she liked.

Chu Yang was at a loss for words. He couldn't quite say he liked her, but he didn't dislike her either.

Seeing him silent, Gu Panpan's heart raced with anxiety. The thought of rejection terrified her.

"I'm still struggling to adjust to this sudden shift. Are these your true feelings?" she asked.

It was clear to Gu Panpan that he was about to turn her down. She quickly adopted a playful demeanor, teasing him with a chuckle, "Come on, you're not taking me seriously, are you? I was just kidding around. You're just too adorable when you're flustered."

Chu Yang studied Gu Panpan's face for any sign of insincerity, but there was none. She seemed to be joking just as she claimed, and although he had taken her seriously, he felt a wave of relief at having avoided the awkwardness of rejecting her.

"You really had me going there for a second; I thought you were serious," Chu Yang said with a relieved grin.

Gu Panpan's heart sank at his smile. She knew her own feelings all too well. Her claim of joking was only to spare Chu Yang discomfort, as it was apparent he didn't share her affections.

If he believed it was all a joke, she decided to play along to the end. Keeping up her lighthearted tone, she teased, "So, if you're not into me, could it be that you have a thing for Meng Jingxian?"

Caught off guard by the swift change of topic, Chu Yang was unprepared. "No, not at all. I really see her as a sister, you know that. My sister, she..." He had intended to keep it to himself, but to put an end to Gu Panpan's wild speculations, he felt compelled to be honest.

Gu Panpan breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Yang hadn't fallen for someone else. Even though tonight wasn't her night, who could predict the future? As long as she was around, there was always a chance. And if all else failed, perhaps affection would grow with time.

"If you hadn't spoken up tonight, I would've truly believed you had feelings for her, given the tenderness in your gaze. I'm quite envious," Gu Panpan admitted, genuinely envious of the gentle way Chu Yang looked at Meng Jingxian.

"You see, that's the thing with you women, always jumping to conclusions without any solid evidence," Chu Yang chuckled, amused by the emotional whirlwinds that women often found themselves in, never knowing what they might think up next.

"But it's undeniable that she has feelings for you. Have you considered rejecting her if you don't feel the same way?"

"That's where the dilemma lies. Rejecting her now would just upset everyone. She's such an innocent girl," Chu Yang said, rubbing his temples at the thought. He lacked any experience in these matters, having never faced such a situation before.

Gu Panpan could sense that Chu Yang truly cared about Meng Jingxian and didn't want to hurt her, to the extent that he would avoid rejection. This could lead Meng Jingxian to believe that Chu Yang reciprocated her feelings.

"If you're really worried about rejecting her and her not taking no for an answer, why not use me as a decoy?"

Chu Yang was taken aback. A decoy?

Seeing Chu Yang's bewildered expression, Gu Panpan found him incredibly endearing. Despite her own confession falling flat and having to brush it off as a joke, it stung deeply.

"You could tell her you already have a girlfriend, and that's me. I'll act as your decoy, but let's not take it seriously," Gu Panpan thought to herself, "Although, if you wanted to make it official, I'd be more than willing."

Chu Yang hadn't expected this suggestion but recognized it as a sound strategy. It seemed harmless enough, especially since they had agreed not to take things seriously from the start.

"Wouldn't that be unfair to you, though? What if you wanted to look for a boyfriend during this time?" Chu Yang asked half-jokingly, his playful tone masking a genuine concern.

Gu Panpan noticed Chu Yang's interest and felt a mix of emotions. This wasn't her initial intent; she had hoped her confession would lead to a real relationship with him. Yet, the prospect of even pretending to be his girlfriend was appealing, knowing that it meant she would be the one closest to him in the days to come.

During this time, she also had the power to change someone's mind. Sometimes, a wrong start can pave the way to a successful outcome.

"So, if you think this approach is good, let's put it into action starting tonight. No objections, right?"

Chu Yang couldn't fathom why some people insisted on doing thankless, strenuous tasks. Take Gu Panpan, for instance; her actions didn't seem to benefit her in any way.

"What's the matter? Did something happen?" The only explanation he could think of was that she had run into a problem she couldn't fix and was seeking his help, which is why she had made the request.

Gu Panpan picked up on Chu Yang's implication and felt a sting in her heart. To him, she was just an outsider. Everything had to have a motive, a benefit. Without fabricating some excuse, Chu Yang would never easily trust or agree to anything.

"It's really nothing. I just think that, at my age, being single draws too many curious stares, so I came up with this awkward solution."

"Oh, I see. You should have just told me straight up, instead of making a big deal about inviting me out to dinner, getting me all worked up over nothing." Chu Yang chuckled foolishly, finding comfort in the straightforwardness. As long as the plan was purposeful and didn't hurt his interests, he was all for a win-win solution.

"Well, if you have no objections, here's to a fruitful collaboration ahead."

Chu Yang lifted his wine glass, gesturing for Gu Panpan to clink glasses with him. With that, he had agreed to the arrangement. Truth be told, his emotions had been on a roller coaster that evening. Now, he felt as if everything was still unreal. There were many things he didn't care to expose. If others preferred secrecy, he was content to play the fool.

He was still willing to engage in the art of people-pleasing, as everyone looked for an easy exit without causing a fuss. It was, after all, no great effort.

"Seriously though, when I confessed to you earlier, what went through your mind?"

"Don't even mention it, I was shocked! How could such a gorgeous woman fall for someone like me? I'm not rich, not rich at all." At that moment, Chu Yang was the epitome of humility, downplaying himself vigorously.

Gu Panpan gave Chu Yang an exasperated eye roll. Do all women have to fall for men who are both wealthy and talented? After all, the nature of attraction is elusive; one day you might find yourself inexplicably drawn to someone without even knowing when it all began.

"Don't stereotype women, okay? Do I really come across as that superficial to you?" Gu Panpan feigned offense at Chu Yang's earlier remarks, her voice dropping several decibels.

Chu Yang couldn't help but think that women were prone to wild fantasies. He hadn't said a word, and yet she was ready to take all the blame upon herself. He hadn't named anyone specifically, but she seemed convinced he was referring to her.

"No, no, that's not what I meant at all. I just realized I have a knack for killing the mood. I'm not exactly a charmer," Chu Yang sighed, looking skyward. Schmoozing just wasn't his thing.

"Hahaha, you're just too adorable," Gu Panpan said with genuine admiration. Honestly, Chu Yang was exactly her type.

They had been dining for hours, and now darkness had enveloped the sky.

Chu Yang checked his silenced phone to find a slew of missed calls and unread messages. They were all from Meng Jingxian, who was alone at home. Her texts ranged from inquiries about what he was doing to when he would return home, each message betraying her unease about him being alone with Gu Panpan.

After settling the bill, Chu Yang and Gu Panpan left the Western restaurant. He had thought about calling a driver, but the beauty of the night was too tempting, and he suddenly suggested walking home. It was a mere fifteen-minute stroll to Chu Yang's place.

It was Gu Panpan who had proposed the idea, eager for a little more time with Chu Yang. She knew such moments might become scarce, or even nonexistent, in the future. So she was determined to make the most of every chance she got, especially since she wasn't ready to go home and confront the other woman there.

Chu Yang agreed without hesitation. Since his return to Earth, he hadn't really taken the time to wander through the city.

And so, they walked shoulder to shoulder under the night sky, which was truly stunning, dotted with countless stars. Most of the people they passed were couples, holding hands and sharing kisses—typical couple behaviors. As for them, they walked close but not too close, creating an odd impression. Observers might see them as a couple, yet not quite.

Gu Panpan, who hadn't taken a nighttime stroll in ages, felt a surge of excitement. Having the company of someone she adored made it all the more thrilling. Indeed, there's nothing quite as blissful as walking alongside the one you cherish.

As they were just a few steps from her doorstep, Gu Panpan clasped Chu Yang's hand, meeting his gaze with her own.

With a playful challenge in her voice, she reminded him, "We made a pact to enjoy our collaboration, remember? Or has it slipped your mind already?"