The moment I sat down, an artfully sculpted hand suddenly rested on my right hand.
In the dim light of the cinema, I clearly saw the profile of the person sitting next to me. His face was cold, his nose perfectly straight; just half a face was enough to make one exclaim that this was a masterpiece by Nuwa.
Gu Wei.
He was the infamous campus tyrant of T University, accompanied by countless legends widely circulated throughout the campus. Among them, one caught my particular attention.
Gu Wei, male, likes males.
As a fellow 'academic ace' at T University, I only followed one rule: "A person who only focuses on studying doesn't believe rumors."
That's right, this absurd rumor—I don't believe it!
To create this 'accidental' encounter, I had deliberately chosen a light-colored dress. The skirt wasn't long, revealing a patch of white skin on my thigh. Just as I was about to reach for the popcorn in the box, another hand suddenly reached in. Instinctively, I lowered my head. Oh, it was Gu Wei's hand! His fingertips were warm, the touch delicate. I felt as if I'd been electrocuted and pulled my hand back.
"This is my popcorn..." I whispered.
Gu Wei softly hummed "Mm," his tone matter-of-fact. He even reached out, took my hand mid-air, and automatically placed it on my thigh.
What was this situation? Could it be that Gu Wei was suddenly struck by Cupid's arrow and fell in love with me at first sight? I used every cell in my body to suppress the surging undercurrent of emotion.
No way! Qin Chu, you must be rational, you must act shy! At least... I had to pretend to be shy in front of this person!
After mentally preparing myself, I turned my head to look at Gu Wei. The big screen emitted light, and I clearly saw his slightly furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips. It seemed he had no awareness that he was holding my hand. Even stranger was that his eyes were... closed.
Instinctively, I looked towards the screen; the scene in the movie was also reaching a climax with a hint of horror, which made me feel a little flustered. Then I remembered his "Mm" from earlier; it was clearly conscious, not... sleep-talking.
A flash of insight struck me. Could it be that Gu Wei was afraid of... ghosts?
Perhaps this thought didn't fit his image at all, so I couldn't easily entertain that doubt. Until a phone flashlight shone over, stopping on our intertwined hands on my thigh.
"Huh? Brother Wei, whose hand are you holding?"
The male student holding up the phone looked utterly shocked; even through the flashlight beam, I could clearly see his dumbfounded, gaping expression. If his words could be translated, they would probably be:
"Could it be... Mars crashed into Earth?"
"Am I seeing a scene where a straight man like Brother Wei is touching a girl's hand?"
I knew him, Chen Mu, he was Gu Wei's good friend. Or rather, he was a familiar face by Gu Wei's side, so familiar it couldn't be more familiar.
— Unrequited.
Two other heads, as if at light speed, pressed closer to look with Chen Mu. Their eyes were gleaming, their faces full of gossip.
When Chen Mu shone the flashlight over, Gu Wei had already opened his eyes, just in time to face the screen showing the ghost. At that moment, I felt his tension through the hand that was gripping mine tightly. I didn't hesitate to confirm: The one-meter-ninety tall boy sitting next to me—was really afraid of ghosts!
My face remained calm, but I took the opportunity to withdraw my hand.
But as I expected, each firm knuckle landed on the patch of pale skin exposed on my thigh, a sensation that was both slightly itchy and sent shivers down my spine.
Qin Chu, you've done well! Your shamelessness has reached a new level!
"Pfft!"
Facing the three heads, coupled with the greenish light behind them, made the atmosphere even more somber.
I gave them enough time to be shocked, even thoroughly enjoying the moment, before feigning to open my mouth and speak.
"Had enough touching?"
After repeated shocks, Gu Wei finally reacted.
Suddenly, a black cloth bag was simultaneously thrown onto my thigh, covering the revealing view.
Those eyes, which hadn't been paying attention, suddenly turned towards me, the reddish light reflecting in them like two blazing flames.
The flame in my heart was also awakened by those dark eyes.
Spreading throughout my body.
I like Gu Wei.
But I couldn't tell him.
5.
I lowered my gaze to hide the emotions clearly showing, and lifted my right leg to leave.
My right hand was firmly held by Gu Wei.
I tried to suppress a smile, pretending not to be angry.
"What are you doing?"
Of course, Gu Wei was also flustered, furrowing his brows.
He was a proud person; when he frowned, it made his eye sockets appear deeper and added a layer of intimidation to others.
Facing Chen Mu, who was shouting:
"Brother Wei, is that sister-in-law?"
Although he was asking a question outwardly, his expression clearly stated that we were already a done deal.
The others chimed in.
"That's right, how long have you two been hiding it? Isn't it time to introduce her to your brothers?"
If it weren't a workday today, I'm sure with the decibels they were emitting, I wouldn't be able to escape even if I ran.
I feigned avoidance, in a very good mood.
Xiao Wei, I've wanted to do this for a long time.
But Gu Wei seemed a little anxious.
He raised his eyes and glanced at the others, his gaze containing a chilling coldness.
A school boss is indeed a school boss; his power to keep them in line was extraordinary.
Chen Mu and the others instantly fell silent like startled chickens.
I watched the internal struggle in his eyes, trying my best to suppress my laughter.
Gu Wei took my hand again, finally making up his mind and saying, "This is my girlfriend."
6.
To be honest, today was a truly delightful day, like a filled pastry or rich crab roe.
To find out someone's whereabouts, I had to use all 7749 of my connections.
Of course, I already knew they were going as a group of four today, but only the seat next to Gu Wei was empty.
I even prepared popcorn, planning to sit next to him and, when a ghost appeared, "accidentally" drop popcorn on him, then create a melodramatic, cliché story.
Who would have thought that heaven would grant me such a good opportunity?
Gu Wei was sitting alone, and I sat to his left.
And he was afraid of ghosts, then he grabbed my hand.
Now he couldn't help but save face as the school boss and declare me his girlfriend.
I silently looked up at the screen, hiding my bright smile.
"Thank you, blue sky, for your love. This humble devotee vows to alternate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals for life to repay the filled pastry you have bestowed upon me."
But....
In this day and age, to catch a man, you need tactics, don't you know?
Especially a "straight man" type like Gu Wei.
I immediately turned around.
"He and I are not...."
My mouth was clamped shut by two icy fingers, like a duck's beak.
The person in question also used his large body to block the others' view.
What damnable strength!
I'm one meter seventy-one tall, which is considered tall among girls, but standing in front of someone incredibly tall, over 1.9 meters, like Gu Wei, I was no different from a cute little mushroom… Easy to bully.
I tilted my head back to look at him.
“Why are you spouting such rubbish? Who’s your girlfriend?”
I deliberately spoke very slowly, my words full of criticism, matching my soft voice, though it seemed to carry a hint of petulance.
Gu Wei still frowned as before, took a cigarette from his pocket, picked up a lighter, and lit it.
Of course, I knew what he was thinking.
Judging by the situation just now, it was likely that his fear of ghosts hadn't been discovered by Chen Mu and his group.
That's right, with Chen Mu's big mouth, in less than twenty-four hours, the entire T University would definitely know.
If he didn't want others to know, then the only advantage was this hand, currently gripping mine tightly.
Among the thirty-six stratagems of love, I should choose the best one~
My golden hand is the advantage!
Simply marvelous!
7.
Perhaps Gu Wei had heard rumors that he didn't get close to female students, which was why he was so conflicted.
He smoked more than half a cigarette before opening his mouth again: “Just for today. We break up tomorrow.”
This person was truly ruthless, yet heaven had blessed him with charming, amorous peach blossom eyes.
At this moment, those eyes looked directly at me, and naturally, that word ‘break up’ made one feel… so angry I wanted to gnash my teeth.
Finally, I couldn't help but laugh.
“Break up tomorrow?”
“Who do you think you are?”
Gu Wei frowned, feeling somewhat helpless. He seemed about to speak, then stopped.
I didn't give him a chance to speak.
“Do you know who I am? Boy, friend?”
He was too lazy to answer; on his face, the four characters 'I don't know' appeared.
My heart ached secretly. That's right, he really didn't know.
Even though I had once been face-to-face with him, even if only a step separated us.
Therefore.
Therefore, when I have him in my grasp, I will definitely flay him alive to vent my anger!
“My name is Qin Chu!”
I paused after saying that.
Gu Wei continued to smoke, saying nothing.
He was tall; when he smoked, his eyes were slightly lowered, and the exhaled white smoke drifted upwards, caressing his long, curved eyelashes.
“You want me to be your ‘fake’ girlfriend because you don't want others to know you're afraid of ghosts, is that it?”
Having suppressed my anger for a long time, I asked with a hint of malice, my face still maintaining its usual gentle expression.
I couldn't help but applaud myself internally.
Qin Chu, it's a real shame you're not going for an Oscar!
Stung by the remark, Gu Wei suddenly stubbed out his cigarette, the glowing red tip vanishing into the air.
“What will it take for you to agree?”
Perhaps because he had just finished smoking, his voice was hoarse, carrying an indescribable quality.
I pretended to ponder; after a moment, I hesitantly spoke:
“As it happens, recently someone has been persistently pestering me, which is extremely annoying.”
After saying that truthful remark, I glanced at him and continued: “Coincidentally, I also need a ‘fake’ boyfriend to ward off others.”
Gu Wei offered no opinion.
He lit another cigarette. The action was completely ordinary, but performed by Gu Wei, it exuded style.
“I can agree to your terms, but the breakup won't be tomorrow.”
“Otherwise, for a girl like me to break up with a boyfriend after only one day of dating, what kind of reputation would I have left?”
“Three months from now. I'll remind you then.”
He glanced at me, as if resigned.
“Since I've done you this favor, then it wouldn't be too much for you to humble yourself for me, right?”
“Even if it’s just pretend, for these three months, I’ll need you to play the part of a proper ‘fake’ boyfriend.”
Finally, a different expression flickered across Cố Duy’s face, clearly one of annoyance.
I pretended not to notice.
“My demands aren’t high; just don’t let people treat my girlfriend status as if it doesn’t exist.”
“This is my first relationship, after all, so I can’t have people pointing fingers and gossiping.”
His gaze fell on my face, seeming a little surprised.
“Alright.”
After I’d spoken for a while, he finally uttered a single word softly.
“Happy to cooperate.”
He nodded slightly, then threw his cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it with his foot, and turned to leave, but I called him back.
Even though I knew perfectly well, I still asked, “What’s your name?”
“Cố Duy.”
“Give me your phone number.”
“Alright.”
Cố Duy nodded.
“Read it out.”
“Aren’t you going to save it on your phone?”
“No need.”
“132xxxx9527.”