CH 11

Lin Yuxing stared motionless at his phone, excitedly saying to Gu Zhongyi, “Senior, I received it!”

“They really paid, I received the money!”

Lin Yuxing was overjoyed. The first thing he did after receiving the money was to transfer the monthly 1,500 yuan he owed his family.

The heavy burden in Lin Yuxing’s heart finally lifted, and he no longer had to worry about how to raise money.

He wouldn’t spend the remaining money recklessly either. He wasn’t sure how long Gu Zhongyi would hire him. He planned to save the money for now, and if everything went well, he could use it to repay his student loan later.

Seeing Lin Yuxing in a good mood, Gu Zhongyi’s lips curved upward.

For Gu Zhongyi, 3,000 yuan a month was just a small amount of money that could be easily obtained. But when he saw Lin Yuxing’s smile, he felt that this money had tremendous value.

Of course, Gu Zhongyi had no intention of letting Lin Yuxing receive a salary without working.

He spoke confidently, “Can we go eat now?”

“Sure!” Lin Yuxing readily agreed, “Now that I have a job and salary, I’ll work hard. If you have any instructions, just tell me. Even if you want to eat supper in the middle of the night, I’ll go out and buy it for you!”

Gu Zhongyi was amused by his words and reassured him, “Thank you, but I don’t eat supper.”

Lin Yuxing then pointed at his phone, “We haven’t become friends yet, right?”

Now that Gu Zhongyi was his boss, he needed to add him as a friend and prioritize their chat box.

While entering Gu Zhongyi’s account number in the search bar, Lin Yuxing tactfully reminded, “You mentioned before that there were certain restrictions during our fake dating period, right? Now that I’m working, I need to clarify the rules.”

He didn’t distrust Gu Zhongyi, but with a large sum of money involved, he still needed to be cautious.

“Yes.”

“Senior, there’s one more thing. I just found a job at a bakery, so it wouldn’t be good to quit right away…” Lin Yuxing negotiated, “I’ll need to go there for about two hours every day. Is that okay with you?”

He was afraid that his part-time job hours would clash with Gu Zhongyi’s schedule.

Gu Zhongyi assured, “This is your life, and according to our agreement, I won’t interfere. You can coordinate with me at your own pace. Although it’s a fake relationship, we can imitate a real relationship by respecting each other’s space and time.”

At the same time, to reassure Lin Yuxing, Gu Zhongyi said, “I will draft a contract that outlines all the important points. It will be beneficial for the both of us.”

Lin Yuxing agreed, “Thank you for that.”

After becoming friends, Gu Zhongyi glanced at the sun hanging high outside. He was concerned that the cafeteria would be too crowded and make Lin Yuxing, who hadn’t fully recovered, uncomfortable, so he suggested, “How about we don’t eat at the cafeteria today? Shall we go out?”

Lin Yuxing hesitated, “I have a full schedule this afternoon, so I can’t go too far.”

“You need to rest in the afternoon.”

Gu Zhongyi knew that Lin Yuxing wanted to compete for the scholarship at C University, which was extremely difficult.

Gu Zhongyi hoped that Lin Yuxing would prioritize his health.

Naturally, he wouldn’t deny the importance of the scholarship to Lin Yuxing, nor would he say something condescending like, “You already have a monthly salary of three thousand, so you don’t need a scholarship anymore.”

He simply told Lin Yuxing, “Taking a sick leave once won’t affect anything. You need to recover fully to do things better. I’ll ask the school doctor to issue a sick leave certificate for you. It’s still not too late to take the leave now.”

Persuaded by Gu Zhongyi’s gentle words, the usually stubborn Lin Yuxing reluctantly accepted the suggestion for the first time.

He immediately sent an email to the teacher, with a sick leave certificate attached from the school hospital.

As Gu Zhongyi had said, there was still time.

The teacher replied to the email half an hour later, approving Lin Yuxing’s leave application.

At that moment, Lin Yuxing, who had received the leave approval, was sitting in a private room of a tastefully decorated classical restaurant.

The private room was semi-transparent, with crimson curtain walls and glass, intricately engraved with a painting of garden roses.

Lin Yuxing had never eaten in such an upscale restaurant before. He sat up straight and received the menu handed to him by the waiter. He carefully opened it and found that there were no prices written on the menu.

Lin Yuxing looked at Gu Zhongyi in confusion and dared not order easily. He and Gu Zhongyi were pretending to be in a relationship, and strictly speaking, they should split the bill.

Lin Yuxing was worried about the cost and flipped through the menu for a long time without deciding what to eat.

Taking advantage of the waiter’s absence, Gu Zhongyi said, “This restaurant is under my name. You can order whatever you want.”

“Under your name?” Lin Yuxing almost bit his own tongue.

“It was a birthday gift from my grandfather.”

Lin Yuxing felt like he was overreacting. It wasn’t strange for someone like Gu Zhongyi to own a restaurant.

“Even if it’s your restaurant, there should still be fees displayed,” Lin Yuxing thought that using his advance salary to pay his meal was already considerate enough, and he couldn’t take advantage of others.

But Gu Zhongyi made him look outside the glass window.

From there, they could see several semi-transparent private rooms extending in different directions. The restaurant’s architectural design was odd and a rare sight for Lin Yuxing.

He stood up, looking around in astonishment.

Many people around them cast their gazes, and some even stood up and slightly bowed to Gu Zhongyi.

Gu Zhongyi nodded politely and turned back to Lin Yuxing, saying, “Many business associates of the Gu family always come here to dine. As I told you, I need a nominal romantic partner to fend off unnecessary blind dates and excessive attention.”

At that point, Gu Zhongyi raised his hand.

The waiter outside the private room understood and pressed a button. Instantly, a thin layer of translucent gauze fell inside the glass, covering the space they were in.

“Lin Yuxing, from now on, I hope you can accept my kindness without any conditions or burdens.”

Gu Zhongyi’s expression was serious as he said naturally, “Because it’s your job.”

Twenty minutes later.

The dishes ordered by Gu Zhongyi were served one by one, and Lin Yuxing began his work journey that day.

In the spirit of not wasting, Gu Zhongyi ordered the dishes with consideration and only ordered portions for two people.

Faced with the fragrant dishes, Lin Yuxing hesitated to start eating with his chopsticks. On his first day at work, he still had some reservations.

He saw a large bowl of rice porridge on the table and wanted to start with something affordable. Unexpectedly, when he took a spoonful, the rice porridge was filled with thinly sliced abalone, sea cucumber, and a few translucent golden chrysanthemum petals.

Lin Yuxing’s eyes were opened wide. He no longer believed that there would be plain rice porridge in the world of rich people.

He sheepishly put down the spoon.

The waiter saw this and proactively scooped a bowl for him and placed it on the tray in front of him.

“Thank you,” Lin Yuxing quickly said.

The waiter smiled slightly and made a gesture of invitation.

Lin Yuxing no longer hesitated. He scooped up a spoonful of porridge and tasted an explosion of flavors on his taste buds. The deliciousness was so overwhelming that Lin Yuxing wished he could chew it slowly, refining it into an elixir in his mouth.

Of course, this description was exaggerated, and Lin Yuxing’s expression was also a bit exaggerated.

Seeing this, the waiter approached with concern, “Sir, would you like some mouthwash tea?”

Lin Yuxing didn’t understand.

Gu Zhongyi also misunderstood, “Bring him some tea.”

The waiter quickly brought a cup of tea, along with an empty cup. Lin Yuxing didn’t understand, so the waiter explained carefully, “If you don’t like the dish, you can use jasmine tea as mouthwash and spit it out into this empty cup.”

“No need!” Lin Yuxing couldn’t dislike it. He blushed and explained, “This porridge is too delicious. I don’t need mouthwash.”

He couldn’t relieve his embarrassment at this moment for being inexperienced, but fortunately, Gu Zhongyi helped him out, and the waiter left the private room.

Now there were only two people left in the room. Lin Yuxing apologized, “I didn’t expect porridge to be so delicious…”

Gu Zhongyi comforted him, “When I first had it, my expression was even more exaggerated than yours.”

Lin Yuxing didn’t quite believe it, “Did I embarrass you?”

On his first day of work, Lin Yuxing didn’t want to make any mistakes.

“No,” Gu Zhongyi picked up a piece of braised pork with osmanthus flavor for Lin Yuxing, “These are the signature dishes of the restaurant. Try them while they’re hot.”

The braised pork was red and aromatic, garnished with a few strands of osmanthus flowers preserved from autumn. Lin Yuxing was afraid that it would get cold in the dish and ruin the delicacy. Without hesitation, he thanked Gu Zhongyi and picked up a piece, savoring it in his mouth.

In an instant, the mouthful of meat juices flowed, rich but not greasy. The braised pork melted in his mouth, and the lingering fragrance of osmanthus added a pleasant aftertaste, completely opening Lin Yuxing’s appetite.

Moreover, Lin Yuxing had a big appetite to begin with. That day, with a bunch of worries off his mind, his hunger became even more urgent.

Before long, the table was significantly emptied.

Especially the bowl of porridge, Lin Yuxing felt like he could continue eating. If his stomach hadn’t been so full, he would have wanted another bowl.

Seeing this, Gu Zhongyi instructed the waiter to pack a bowl of abalone and shredded chicken congee for Lin Yuxing to take away.

Lin Yuxing wanted to decline.

But Gu Zhongyi was more assertive this time and not as easy to negotiate with, “This is part of your job.”

Lin Yuxing immediately took the takeaway bag from the waiter and professionally accepted Gu Zhongyi’s gesture, “Okay, senior.”

On the way back, Lin Yu Xing, feeling full and satisfied, sat in the passenger seat next to Gu Zhongyi, offering suggestions and being proactive. “Senior, take this route, it has more people. Senior, should I roll down the car window?”

“…”

Thoughtfully, Lin Yu Xing said, “Just so that everyone can see that I’m sitting in your passenger seat, that we’re in a relationship.”

On his first day at work, Lin Yu Xing was enthusiastic and performed well.

Gu Zhongyi didn’t expect Lin Yu Xing to be so talkative, it was somewhat unexpected, but the phrase “we’re in a relationship” didn’t sound bad to him.

He said, “It’s too windy, it will be cold. Next time, okay?”

“Oh, alright.”

Lin Yu Xing obediently sat down and smiled, “Then next time.”

After returning to the dormitory, Lin Yu Xing received the first message from Gu Zhongyi.

Gu Zhongyi: [Remember to take your medicine and rest well.]

Lin Yu Xing: [Senior, may I ask how much I owe you for the medicine? I’ll transfer it to you. I’m really grateful to you today.]

Lin Yu Xing was afraid that Gu Zhongyi wouldn’t want to take the money, so he was about to say something, but Gu Zhongyi sent a payment record. Now Lin Yu Xing was completely reassured. Work was work, life was life, and being able to distinguish between the two was important.

He transferred the money, took the medicine, and soon felt drowsy. He comfortably fell into a sweet nap on his bed.

When he woke up, it was already evening.

Rubbing his eyes and getting up, Lin Yu Xing was almost startled by Su Li.

Su Li, with a stern face at the opposite desk, “Tell me honestly, what’s going on? How dare you skip class in the afternoon, not replying to my messages, not answering my calls, and just sleeping in the dormitory?”

Lin Yu Xing raised his hand, looking aggrieved, “I had a fever!”

“F*ck, my precious little baby!” Su Li’s expression instantly changed, and he approached to gently touch Lin Yu Xing’s forehead. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Much better. I also brought you something delicious. I’ll go heat it up for you.” Lin Yu Xing grabbed the takeout box and headed to the common area, heated it in the microwave for three minutes, and then proudly brought it back to the dormitory.

Su Li looked at a bowl of yellowish porridge and sighed, thinking, “It seems that Lin Yu Xing is really having a hard time. After finishing this bowl of porridge, I’ll lend him money to get through this difficult period!”

But when Su Li took a spoonful, it was filled with abalone and sea cucumber.

You could call this thing porridge, but the rice inside might just be a garnish…

A gust of wind swept through Su Li’s heart. Could Lin Yu Xing have gone to rob a bank?

Seeing Su Li’s serious expression, Lin Yu Xing sat properly and said, “Su Li, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Did you rob a bank?”

“It might be even more unimaginable than me robbing a bank.”

“Tell me, I can handle it.” Su Li scooped up a spoonful of porridge and brightened up as he tasted it. He exclaimed, “Lin Yu Xing! This is so delicious! Where did you buy it? I’ll go buy some tomorrow!”

“Gu Zhongyi gave it to me.”

Su Li almost dropped the bowl, but luckily he didn’t.

Lin Yu Xing reached out and helped Su Li steady the bowl, then hesitated and said, “I just told him that you’re my only friend at school, and I don’t want to hide anything from you.” Seeing Su Li’s confused expression, Lin Yu Xing touched his nose and continued, “So, he said it’s okay to tell you, but you must keep it a secret.”

“Him?” Su Li held a bowl full of abalone porridge and had a bad feeling. His hands were trembling.

Lin Yu Xing took a deep breath and confessed, “I’m dating Gu Zhongyi.”

Su Li’s mind went blank.

Lin Yu Xing, not thinking it was a big deal, added, “But it’s not a real relationship. He gives me money, three thousand a month…”

There was silence in the dormitory for half a minute.

Then Su Li, cautiously putting down the precious bowl of abalone porridge, grabbed Lin Yu Xing by the collar and angrily shouted, “Couldn’t you borrow money from me if you’re broke?! Return the money and the porridge to him immediately!”

Su Li was filled with anger, slamming the table in frustration.

“I knew these rich second-generation Alphas were no good! Heartless beasts! Wolves in sheep’s clothing!”