Chapter 71: The Number of Love

Over the past few days, Wen Jiu had been doing her best to balance everything. She needed to spend time at home with her parents, but also had to return to the apartment with the clingy Gu Zehuai.

Before long, her parents noticed something was off. After a quiet discussion, the couple decided to probe Wen Jiu in a subtle way.

One evening at dinner, Lin Sheng casually broached the topic at the table. “Jiujiu, has work been busy lately? Is it more convenient to stay at the apartment these days?”

Wen Jiu sensed her mother's intent, but answered honestly, “Yes, the apartment is closer to the office—it cuts down on my commute.”

Lin Sheng nodded in agreement. “That makes sense. The weather’s getting colder these days, and it’s nice to get a little more sleep on chilly mornings.”

Wen Jiu nodded. If her mother asked about her relationship, she didn’t plan to hide it. She thought Lin Sheng would press further, but since she didn't, Wen Jiu decided to wait for a more suitable moment to bring it up herself.

Lin Sheng picked up a few more pieces of meat and placed them in Wen Jiu’s bowl. “Eat more, Jiujiu, you’re far too thin these days.”

Wen Jiu suspected both Gu Zehuai and her mother were only saying that to coax her.

Sitting nearby, Wen Zhan chimed in, “Exactly, Jiujiu, look at you—so delicate, you'd be blown over by a gust of wind.”

Wen Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. That was a bit of an exaggeration.

After dinner, back in their room, Wen Zhan asked Lin Sheng, puzzled, “Why didn’t you ask Jiujiu just now?”

Lin Sheng shook her head. “I thought about it again—Jiujiu’s grown up. Even if she’s dating, it’s perfectly normal. Besides, it doesn’t seem like it’s been long. We should give her enough space. She’s always had her own mind, ever since she was little. I’m sure she has her own plans. We shouldn’t interfere too much.”

Though Wen Zhan worried about his daughter being tricked by some man, he had to admit Lin Sheng made sense. Jiujiu had always been independent—she’d know what to do.

The next day was the weekend. Wen Jiu messaged Shen Mengxia, asking if she wanted to hang out. Shen Mengxia replied quickly with an “OK” sticker. Assuming Mengxia was busy, Wen Jiu didn’t press further.

In fact, Shen Mengxia really was busy—just not in the way Wen Jiu imagined.

At that moment, Shen Mengxia was seated in a restaurant, at a table just behind a man and woman, quietly observing their interaction.

When her phone vibrated, Shen Mengxia glanced at it and knew it was her cue.

She straightened her clothes, checked her reflection, and strode over to the man’s table. Without hesitation, she sat down beside the man, looped her arm through his, and, in a mix of anger and possessiveness, questioned, “Ah Chen, who is this? You’re actually out having dinner with another woman? If I hadn’t happened to walk by, you really would’ve fooled me!” As she spoke, she dabbed at an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye, then looked pitifully at the woman across the table.

The man called Ah Chen twitched at the corner of his mouth, but there was a hint of fondness in his expression. Giving her free rein had really let her put on quite the act. Though he nearly laughed, he remembered the situation and managed to keep a straight face, watching her continue her performance.

Shen Mengxia went on, turning to the woman with feigned heartbreak, “Miss, you don’t know the half of it. The man across from you has already accepted my confession. We’ve done everything a couple does, yet he still makes me queue up for his affection. Isn’t that outrageous? But what can I do? I like him so much—I’m more than willing.” She dabbed at her eyes again.

The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the man.

His face, however, darkened at Shen Mengxia’s words.

Shen. Meng. Xia!

Noticing the woman’s uncertainty, Shen Mengxia added fuel to the fire. “To tell you the truth, Miss, I was fooled by his looks at first. It took a lot to get close to him. Even after all we’ve done together, I still feel I can’t get into his heart. I wonder which girl he’ll finally choose.”

At this, the woman was thunderstruck. Seeing the man’s grim expression, she assumed he was angry at being exposed.

Barely holding onto her composure, the woman said, “Mr. Ye, I don’t think we’re suited for each other. Sorry to have disturbed you.” She grabbed her bag and hurried off.

Rubbing at her eye, Shen Mengxia smiled, about to claim credit for her work, only to find the man beside her staring with a sinister grin.

Sensing something was wrong, Shen Mengxia tried to make a run for it, but the man caught her arm.

“Suitor, trying to run? Not a chance. Your turn has come—I accept your pursuit. Girlfriend.”

Gritting his teeth, he spoke the words, and only now did Shen Mengxia realize she might be in trouble.

Seeing no escape, Shen Mengxia quickly surrendered, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Boss, Brother Ye, please let me off this once—I won’t do it again.”

She knew she’d gone overboard, but her urge to perform had simply been uncontrollable.

Sitting beside her, Ye Chen, her immediate superior, was helpless. He was the one who’d asked her to come and ruin his blind date.

But Ye Chen had no intention of letting her off so easily. After all, she’d just painted him as a scumbag.

“How could I be angry with you, darling? You said yourself you’re devoted to me—I can’t possibly let you down,” he replied.

That “darling” sent a chill down Shen Mengxia’s spine. Was this really her boss?

Once she’d collected herself, Shen Mengxia regained her composure. “Boss, you told me to act, and you said I could improvise. Anyway, it worked out, and the result’s what matters, right?”

Ye Chen nodded, then added, “True, the result is good. Since that’s the case, I’ll reluctantly agree to your pursuit and let you help restore my reputation.”

“Agree to what?”

“What else? Your pursuit, of course,” Ye Chen replied nonchalantly.

At that, Shen Mengxia finally lost her composure. The hand he’d grabbed had been let go, but now she grabbed his arm herself and pinched, putting all her strength into it. Ye Chen, however, remained unfazed.

Shen Mengxia was deflated.

Ye Chen continued to goad her. “Shen Mengxia, although the result is right, your performance just now completely ruined my reputation. I might never find a girlfriend again. What do you suggest I do?”

Shen Mengxia decided to throw caution to the wind. “What do you want me to do? Don’t pin this on me—I’m not responsible for repairs!”

They bickered for a few more moments before Ye Chen stood up, grabbed her bag from the next table, and patted her on the head. “Alright, let’s go. I won't come after you.”

Only then did Shen Mengxia break into a grin. That was more like it.

After Ye Chen dropped her home, Shen Mengxia remembered she’d replied to Wen Jiu’s message earlier in the evening.

She picked up her phone and sent Wen Jiu a text.