A/N: Changes in the content were made today. (Feb-27-2020)
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Pulling the door open, Luo Jingyi found a girl outside.
"Yes?"
The teenage girl handed her a bouquet of flowers arranged in a vase.
"Are you sure this is for me?" she asked wondering who could have sent it. The girl eagerly nodded her head with a big smile and scampered away.
Inside her apartment, she put it down on the kitchen counter and lifted the note on it.
It read: These flowers reminded me of you. Don't frown. Smile. – YJH
Luo Jingyi rolled her eyes at the man's message. I remind him of flowers?
She glanced at the floral arrangement that consists of hydrangeas, dahlias, sunflowers, cottage roses, Peruvian lilies, and fresh mints. She was able to name all thanks to Aunt Alice's lessons. After staring for some time and unable to find the answer, she carried the vase and placed it on her coffee table. The colorful flowers instantly brightened up her monotonous living room.
Pretty.
Then it suddenly dawned her that perhaps that's what he meant. Without realizing it, a faint smile rose her lips.
Out of nowhere, a black-winged angel popped out of her brain. What are you smiling for?
That curve on her face suddenly disappeared. Luo Jingyi put away all the thoughts and glanced at the time. She pushed back the idea of doing some work and head to the bedroom.
When she finished dressing, she spun slowly in front of the full-length mirror and studied her reflection. She wore a white lace top and paired it with a navy blue pleated skirt. Her hair that was usually pulled up in a ponytail was styled with a loose French braid. Feeling satisfied, she left her apartment.
Yun Jinghan sucked in air upon seeing a beautiful figure exiting the building. She donned in simple clothes yet the way she carried herself made all the difference. She walked with a confident grace similar to a queen. There's that air of nobility she exuded that you would even mistake her as a member of the royal family.
Yun Jinghan didn't see any awkwardness in her as stated on her profile. Without putting much thought about it, he got off and waited for her.
"Good evening," Yun Jinghan greeted her with his mega-watt smile, revealing his perfect white teeth. He then opened the door on the passenger side.
Luo Jingyi acknowledged his presence with a nod. This time, she got inside without much complaint.
Swiftly stealing a glance at his side, she noticed he was wearing navy blue suit pants and a white dress shirt. There was no jacket on him but she saw one at the back. It appeared like they color-coordinated their clothes.
Clearing her throat to get his attention, she asked, "Did you bring the one that I asked you?"
Reaching from behind, he lifted a folder and handed it to her. In exchange, she gave a black one that contained information about herself. Because they didn't have much the opportunity to talk together before going on stage, she thought it was wise to provide the necessary details. It might come handy later.
Assuming that it contained the things he already knew at the back of his hand, Yun Jinghan hesitated to open her file. Nonetheless, he didn't want her to know that he had her investigated already so he flipped through the file. His assumption was correct. It was the same as what he had. Setting it down on the space between them, he cast a curious glance to Luo Jingyi who seemed to be quietly taking in all the information about him. Contrary to his expectation, her lips were pursed.
"What's wrong?" Worried, he inquired to get her attention.
"You're a Shen?" Just yesterday, Ji Min informed her that the Shen matriarch donated money to the hospital and even invited her to the birthday banquet.
It couldn't be a coincidence, right?
What if….
Yun Jinghan inclined her head to his side and studied his expression. Shaking her other thoughts away, she scolded herself for overthinking much.
"Yes, my mom. Look at my birth certificate." He pointed out as he started the car. Slowly, they moved away from her apartment building.
Luo Jingyi leafed the documents. Finding what she needed, she ran her eye over his birth records. Then they stilled at the information she was looking for. Especially at his father's name.
"Oh, so you are one of those Yun's."
Yun Jinghan caught onto that disappointment on her voice which made him ruminate as to why. It felt like she had a wave of inexpressible anger towards his paternal family. So he filed them inside his head and decided to ask her about it later on. Sensing no movement from her, he buzzed for her attention, "What are you thinking?"
"Break-up." she murmured half-heartedly.
Surprised, Yun Jinghan nearly hit the tail end of the car in front if it wasn't for his quickness to maneuver it. Eyebrows snapping together, he glanced at her. She was distracted because she never even realized what happened seconds earlier.
"Why?" His heart felt uncomfortable.
"Your family background is—" Jingyi paused in search for a better word "your background is way over the top."
She was correct after all. That he had an unspeakable background. The first time she heard his last name, she thought he might be related to Yun Mo. But she ignored that niggling feeling.
"It's just my family. It has nothing to do with the real me."
'Of course, it has. Your upbringing molded who you are.' she retorted in her head.
But there's nothing much she could do at this point because the ship had already sailed. So she just had to move forward. He was going to help her dispel Aunt Alice's matchmaking attempts.
Anyway, it's not like she was going to marry into the family. The word marriage suddenly came out of nowhere. She recalled that he said he had some reasons for asking her.
'What if he wanted marriage?'
Her head vehemently refused to believe it was that. Judging from his family background, his family definitely would choose someone of the same status as him. Or it might be, his family wanted him to marry and like her, he didn't want to be bound by marriage.
'Should I ask him?'
'No.' came an answer.
Whatever his reasons, it didn't matter because this was only temporary. Like food, it has an expiration date.
Now, they just needed to discuss how long they were going to keep this charade.
"Let's break-up after 6 months." she shifted her weight, looking at him. He turned, giving her a puppy face. Jingyi felt weird at his sad expression as if he was about to cry.
"Why give me that look? I am pretty sure there'll be plenty of women your family has lined up for you."
"But none of them are like you. Beautiful and smart. Plus, I like doctors."
She gave him an exaggerated eye roll. 'Tch. Men and their tongue.'
Previous life experience had killed all that naivety in her. So his flattery simply entered one ear and went out of the other.
Retracting his gaze, he focused on the road. His mouth was set in a hard line. 'We hadn't even started yet but you were already talking of break-up.'
Seconds ticked by but no one spoke. It was Yun Jinghan who broke the silence. "6 months is too short. How about 2 years?"
"That's too long." Wincing, Jingyi crossed her arms on her chest.
Yun Jinghan was holding the laugh that was about to escape. He had yet met a woman who refused him. Luo Jingyi was the first. Luo Jingyi was the only woman he encountered who was as strong-willed as he was. With all the first things she's letting him experience, the more determined he was. to win her.
And the only way they could proceed was that one had to yield. So in the end, he bargained, "1 year."
Luo Jingyi didn't answer immediately. She propped her elbow on the side and rested her head on her palm, falling into contemplation. Thinking that a year would quickly pass by so she acquiesced, "Okay. One year."
Then, Luo Jingyi clicked the button on her phone to stop recording their conversation. When he shot her a questioning look, she shrugged her shoulders with an innocent smile and said, "Evidence. A verbal agreement between us would suffice, remember? So this is my copy. You have yours already." Her finger pointed to the braided leather wristband on him.
Pressing a small button on the side with his thumb to turn off its function, he asked her, "How did you know that?"
Luo Jingyi just let out a dismissive shrug.
He was as cautious as she was. Hence, he wore it, thinking it wouldn't be obvious. Yet, he got found out.
An amused laugh escaped his lips.
One year...
This is going to be interesting.