The next day.
While Jiang Yan was reviewing documents, he received a message from his good friend, Lin Cheng.
“My man, you’re moving fast! Yesterday I was still worried you’d get devoured by Mu Wanzhou, and today you’ve already brought home a new girlfriend. I’m impressed. I truly feel inferior now.”
Jiang Yan teased, “You’re the one with experience. You’ve had at least twenty girlfriends, right? She’s only my second. I should still be learning from you, Brother Cheng.”
Lin Cheng grinned proudly and said, “Hmph, of course. So where’s your new girl from? I haven’t seen her in our circle. How’d you two meet?”
Jiang Yan paused for a second and replied, “Tianhai University.”
He couldn’t possibly say he met her at a cemetery—it sounded absurd even to himself. If Lin Cheng found out, he wouldn’t believe it and would just laugh at him for not being fully awake.
“That’s quite the fate, huh? Both your girlfriends were from Tianhai University. No wonder—tons of pretty girls there.”
Jiang Yan’s expression turned flat. “Just say what you want to say.”
Lin Cheng chuckled, “Yu Youwei ignored her dad’s opposition and insisted on placing Bai Luo in her company. She’s even planning to get him a debut slot as the lead in some talent show. She really loves that guy—her company’s in trouble, yet she’s still taking care of his career.”
Jiang Yan replied calmly, “What does that have to do with me.”
“Hehe, as your good brother, I’d feel itchy if I didn’t share the gossip.”
Lin Cheng laughed and added, “That girl of yours… she’s from an ordinary family, right? She’s pretty cute.”
“Mm.”
“That’s good, though. You should find a simple, ordinary girl. She can be beautiful and charming, while you make money to support the family. Girls like Yu Youwei, with such powerful backgrounds, will only bring stress.”
“So when are you going to bring her over? Let your brother meet her.”
Jiang Yan said, “Some other day.”
His relationship with Gu Xinyou was just contractual. He had no intention of bringing her into his personal circle.
“Alright then. I’ve already arranged the trading strategy for you—top-level professionals in the industry. They’ll be coming to your company on Monday to prepare.”
“Got it.”
Lin Cheng’s family specialized in investments. They had vast connections and worked efficiently, which was exactly why Jiang Yan sought him out.
By the time he finished the day’s work, it was already afternoon.
Jiang Yan stretched his sore neck and suddenly remembered he had just added Gu Xinyou on WeChat the day before.
He opened WeChat and found her profile picture.
It was an anime character searching for a book on a bookshelf—slightly silly and cute.
Jiang Yan couldn’t help but chuckle.
Honestly, the avatar suited her quite well.
Jiang Yan typed a message: “What time do you finish class? I’ll take you to see the apartment today.”
…
At Tianhai University’s library, Gu Xinyou’s petite figure was nearly buried under a pile of books.
The school had just acquired a new batch of books, and as the head of the library committee, she naturally had to help.
Even when she didn’t have classes, she loved staying in the library reading.
“President, what are you staring at your phone for? Come back to reality!”
Xu Shuangshuang, who was also sorting books, noticed her odd behavior.
Normally, Gu Xinyou was very focused when working. For example, with this new batch of books, she wouldn’t rest until everything was properly arranged.
But today, she had been staring at her phone screen for a full five minutes.
“Ah.” Gu Xinyou snapped out of it, her face turning slightly red with embarrassment. “It’s nothing.”
Xu Shuangshuang didn’t believe her. Taking advantage of Gu Xinyou being distracted, she craned her neck to peek at the screen from behind.
“Oooh, who’s this?”
Xu Shuangshuang successfully caught sight of the message and teased her with wide eyes.
Gu Xinyou’s fair little face turned even redder.
“Just… someone…”
She stammered, unable to properly explain their relationship.
Xu Shuangshuang shared the same love for books. They met during freshman year in the library and later became close friends.
Seeing Gu Xinyou’s expressionless, dull-eyed look replaced by nervous embarrassment, Xu Shuangshuang immediately sensed something fishy. Her eyes lit up mischievously, and a wicked smile crept across her lips.
Thirty minutes later, Xu Shuangshuang had wrung the whole story out of her.
Though technically, it wasn’t really wrung out—she asked, and Gu Xinyou just answered honestly.
“Oh, so he gives you 100,000 yuan a month to be his fake girlfriend.”
Gu Xinyou’s cheeks flushed as she nodded.
Xu Shuangshuang frowned slightly, a bit concerned. “So what does he want out of it? Giving you money for nothing and not even touching you? Xinyou, you need to be careful. This could be some kind of scam.”
Gu Xinyou stared blankly for a moment, then lightly shook her head.
“He doesn’t seem… like a bad person. And…” Get faster updates on g.com.
She spoke too slowly. Xu Shuangshuang impatiently cut her off, “And yesterday he didn’t touch you, right?” She rolled her eyes. “He’s just laying the bait. Let’s see if he tries anything today.”
Gu Xinyou looked at her worried best friend.
She knew Xu Shuangshuang was genuinely concerned for her, but she had given her word to Jiang Yan. She couldn’t go back on it.
Gu Xinyou said, “I’ll protect myself!”
“Alright!” Xu Shuangshuang gave in.
After spending over a year together, Xu Shuangshuang knew her personality very well—introverted, calm, and extremely stubborn.
Once she made up her mind, no one could change it.
Xu Shuangshuang reminded her worriedly, “Then at least pin my WeChat on your phone’s home screen. If anything happens, message me immediately, okay?”
“Mm, okay.”
By evening, all of Tianhai University’s afternoon classes had ended.
Gu Xinyou walked to the school gate and spotted Jiang Yan’s black SUV parked by the roadside.
His car was already low-key, priced just over 800,000 yuan, but it still drew attention from quite a few passing students.
As she got closer to where Jiang Yan was parked, more and more eyes turned to her. Whispering voices floated to her ears.
She hated being the center of attention and kept her head down, walking quickly.
Once she got into the car, those uncomfortable gazes were instantly blocked by the tinted windows.
Gu Xinyou slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Jiang Yan glanced at her and frowned when he saw she was still wearing the same black tracksuit from yesterday.
“I gave you a bank card. Why didn’t you buy new clothes?”
Gu Xinyou stared at him blankly, clearly confused. “I have clothes.”
Looking at her innocent expression, Jiang Yan sighed helplessly. “Forget it. I’ll buy you some today.”
Then, he took her straight to a real estate office not far from Tianhai University.
He picked a layout and floor, then asked for Gu Xinyou’s opinion.
Seeing that she was still in a daze, Jiang Yan didn’t bother asking further. He just paid in full for the apartment.
The apartment wasn’t huge—about 200 square meters—and cost 15 million yuan, fully furnished and decorated.
…