By the time Liang Xiaoyuan finished his meal, it was almost closing time at the restaurant. Maybe it was the particularly good atmosphere tonight, or perhaps the food was especially delicious. For the first time, Liang Xiaoyuan was reluctant to leave this restaurant.
Just as he was about to get in his car, someone suddenly rushed over and grabbed his arm, startling him.
To his surprise, it was Shen Tong. He was even more shocked. "What are you trying to do? I..."
"This is my boyfriend!" Shen Tong quickly interrupted Liang Xiaoyuan, smiling sweetly at a handsome young man.
The young man looked a bit disappointed. "So, it's true you have a boyfriend. I thought you were just making up an excuse to reject me."
Liang Xiaoyuan was utterly confused by their conversation. "What's going on? You two..."
"Honey, are you jealous? George and I are really just friends!" Shen Tong interrupted Liang Xiaoyuan again.
George smiled awkwardly. "Your boyfriend really cares about you!"
"Yeah! Look, as soon as he found out I was working here part-time, he insisted on coming to pick me up," Shen Tong said, pointing at Liang Xiaoyuan's Porsche with a face full of happiness.
"Who's picking you up?" Liang Xiaoyuan frowned, pulling his arm away from Shen Tong's grip.
Shen Tong smiled at George. "See, he's just shy?"
George, feeling awkward, said, "I think I'll head back now... You two have a good chat."
"Then we'll be going too. See you next time!" To prevent Liang Xiaoyuan from saying anything, Shen Tong quickly pushed him into the Porsche.
"What exactly are you doing? What was that performance just now?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked, refusing to start the car.
Seeing George still standing outside, Shen Tong quickly said to Liang Xiaoyuan, "Drive the car, I'll explain later!"
"Stop treating me like a fool, okay? Don't you just want me to compensate you? Did you have to stage another act and drag me into it? Let's end this! I'll give the money to you! I'm afraid you'll demand three thousand pounds next, claiming it's for that guy's performance fee!" Liang Xiaoyuan was really exhausted by Shen Tong.
Seeing Liang Xiaoyuan's panicked and helpless expression, Shen Tong couldn't help but laugh. "Alright! I promise this has nothing to do with compensation! If you help me this time, I won't ask you for a single penny! Is that good enough?"
Liang Xiaoyuan looked at Shen Tong, puzzled, unsure of what she was planning.
Shen Tong took out her phone, activated the recording function, and said, "I, Shen Tong, promise that if Liang Xiaoyuan pretends to be my boyfriend to help me get rid of this guy named George today, I won't ask him for any compensation, not a single penny!"
"George? Who is he? Someone you've tricked before?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked.
Shen Tong said irritably, "No, he's my college classmate. Ever since we met, he's been asking for my number and if I'd be his girlfriend. I wanted him to give up, so I lied that I had a boyfriend. But he didn't believe me and came to find me again today. I saw you here and had to use you as a shield!"
"You don't have a boyfriend?" Liang Xiaoyuan found it hard to believe. Shen Tong was extremely attractive, yet she didn't have a boyfriend despite her difficult life abroad. It was hard to imagine how she managed.
"Yeah! I'm struggling to take care of myself, where would I find the energy to care about someone else?" Shen Tong said emotionlessly. "So, are you willing to help me or not?"
Liang Xiaoyuan countered, "He's already seen you get into my car, what more do you need me to do?"
"Look, he's still standing there. He clearly doesn't believe you're my boyfriend! It's your fault for having such a bad attitude earlier, and now you're still parked here!" Shen Tong complained.
Liang Xiaoyuan was both amused and exasperated. "I've never seen someone like you. You're asking for help and acting as if it's only natural!"
Ignoring Liang Xiaoyuan's words, Shen Tong pointed to where George was standing. "Hey, drive the car over to George!"
"Why?" Liang Xiaoyuan was deeply puzzled by Shen Tong's request.
"Stop asking so many questions and just listen to me. Go quickly!" Shen Tong urged.
Liang Xiaoyuan reluctantly drove the car over to George. He couldn't understand why he was so willing to listen to this girl.
"Hi, George! My Xiaoyuan said he was overly jealous earlier and wants apologizes to you! Seeing you waiting here, is your driver not here yet? If not, we can give you a ride home!" Shen Tong said, tugging on Liang Xiaoyuan's sleeve.
"Yes, yes! I lost my composure earlier, making things awkward. Let us give you a ride home to make up for it!" Liang Xiaoyuan followed Shen Tong's lead.
George quickly shook his head. "No, no! My car will be here soon!"
"Then we'll head off. See you next time!" Seeing George's disappointed face, Shen Tong felt a sense of relief.
Before stepping on the gas, Liang Xiaoyuan said, "George, thank you for looking after my dear Tongtong!"
As soon as they turned the corner, both Liang Xiaoyuan and Shen Tong exhaled, feeling relieved from the overly sweet performance.
"Stop here, I'll take a taxi back!" Shen Tong asked Liang Xiaoyuan to stop the car.
Liang Xiaoyuan stopped but didn't let Shen Tong get out. "Where do you live? I'll drive you back! It's dangerous for a girl to be out alone at this hour!"
"Do you think it's safer for me to be on the street or alone with you in your car?" Shen Tong retorted, ready to get out.
"Fine, take a taxi. I was trying to help you save some fare, but if you're determined to contribute to the local economy, be my guest!" Liang Xiaoyuan said smugly. "Besides, the taxi fare could buy quite a few things!"
"Then take me back to school!" Shen Tong thought it made sense and gave her school's address to Liang Xiaoyuan.
"Didn't you say it's dangerous to be with me?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked, now feeling triumphant.
Shen Tong replied indifferently, "You may not be a good person, but you're not a threat to me!"
Liang Xiaoyuan added, "Because you know, while I may not be a good person, I'm definitely not a bad person. I wouldn't do anything to you!"
"No, no, no!" Shen Tong shook her head. "It's because you're too dumb, you have the will but not the ability!!"
"No matter what, I helped you today. You don't even need to praise me. Can't you just not say bad things about me?" Liang Xiaoyuan was so angry at Shen Tong that his head was about to explode.