I blushed at Chen Li's words, but she kept scolding me. "I doubt you'll ever truly fall for a guy and date him. I don't know what your parents have in mind, but you have to rely on me for this. It's almost cruel. I've turned down most men I know. Do you think they'll listen to me and do this for you?"
Feeling a blend of annoyance and thankfulness, I sighed, "Never mind," I muttered, poking out my tongue and withdrawing my earlier request.
Even in this critical moment, I held onto some pride. Although these boys only confessed to Chen Li, and I just wanted a temporary boyfriend for protection, I couldn't bring myself to be with a man who had feelings for another woman.
Chen Li saw through me. "How long has it been? You're still being choosy. Now is not the time to overthink," she said firmly. "At our age, who hasn't liked a few people? Unless he's very young, you need to be realistic. Almost every man has had feelings for a woman, except maybe gay men. Just that..."
All of a sudden, Chen Li paused, and our eyes met. Instantly, we both exclaimed, "It's him!"
We were on the same page. Without delay, I grabbed my phone and dialed a number.
The guy we were thinking about was in a private internship room then. Our university had fancy facilities. The dorm rooms were big, shared by only two people, and the best students could use special study rooms. The soundproofing was so great that you couldn't hear anything, even if there was a commotion outside.
I often thought, did we really need this much luxury?
After a few rings, the person answered and agreed to meet me in person to discuss my issue. When I reached the study room building, I called again. Shortly after, a good-looking guy, resembling a concert performer, greeted us.
Inside, I was impressed by the stylish and modern layout of the study rooms. The walls had sound-absorbing panels, and the lighting was ideal for a calm and focused atmosphere. It was like entering a separate world, free from stress and disorder.
The student here is named Hua Zhe. He's my childhood sweetheart and studies in the same department as me. Hua Zhe is famous in the department and even the whole school for his strikingly handsome face. Despite the constant attention from girls, he has never had a girlfriend and has never shown romantic interest in anyone.
Whenever Chen Li saw Hua Zhe, she would give me a meaningful look, sometimes making me feel uneasy and unsure of her thoughts. Our long-lasting friendship was maintained because I never showed romantic feelings towards Hua Zhe.
Even Chen Li wasn't sure how long she could resist confessing to the handsome Hua Zhe. She met Hua Zhe through me in college and confessed she was smitten with him at first glance. Whenever she saw him, she felt nervous, but despite his charm, Hua Zhe stayed down-to-earth. Chen Li stayed true to her decision and didn't fall for Hua Zhe romantically. Eventually, Hua Zhe saw her only as a friend, and they maintained a platonic friendship despite knowing each other for a long time.
When I entered Hua Zhe's study room, the calm atmosphere eased my anxious heart. Hua Zhe greeted us with his usual warm smile, a mix of comfort and tension considering the favor I needed. After some small talk, I decided to get to the point.
I took a deep breath and said, "Hua Zhe, there's something really important I need to talk to you about. My family has given me three tough conditions to keep receiving my allowance. They want me to find a boyfriend, score an A on my next test, and earn a perfect attendance award. I'm here to ask if you could help me by pretending to be my boyfriend, just to get through this tough time."
Hua Zhe seemed deep in thought, his forehead creasing slightly as he listened. He had always been caring towards me since we were kids, so I assumed he would easily agree to the suggestion. However, after a brief pause, he looked troubled, scratching his head before saying, "Siyu, I'm sorry, but I have traditional views on emotions. If we were to be together, it would have to be genuine, not pretend."
I felt a rush of sadness. "Well, if that's the case, there's nothing we can do. I apologize for any trouble I've caused you."
Hua Zhe shook his head, looking more gentle. "It's fine, Siyu. I get where you're coming from, but I value emotions. I can't pretend to be in a relationship."
Chen Li, who had been watching silently, stepped in with a playful look in her eye. She asked Hua Zhe half-seriously, "Hey, Hua Zhe, if Siyu wanted a real relationship with you, would you say yes?"
I gave Chen Li a puzzled look, my heart racing. Hua Zhe glanced back and forth between us, deep in thought. After a short pause, he nodded and calmly stated, "Sure, if Siyu wanted us to be in a serious relationship, I'd say yes."
His words stunned me, leaving me momentarily speechless. It was not what I had anticipated. I had viewed Hua Zhe as a friend, so hearing him open to a real relationship with me stirred up a mix of thoughts and feelings in my mind.
At first, Chen Li planned to play a prank on Hua Zhe by suggesting he pretend to be my boyfriend, thinking he would dismiss the idea. But to our surprise, Hua Zhe agreed, leaving both Chen Li and me shocked. The thought of someone as charming and attractive as Hua Zhe agreeing to be with me felt like a fairy tale.
I was realistic enough to understand that capturing the attention of someone as good-looking and popular as Hua Zhe was nearly impossible for me. His agreement was likely due to his kind nature rather than genuine romantic feelings. It hurt my confidence a bit, but deep down, I knew that even if I confessed my feelings, it wouldn't change the situation.
Moreover, I had no desire to date Hua Zhe. It was too complicated and unnecessary.
To divert the attention away from the awkwardness of the situation, I promptly said. "Chen Li, please don't trouble Hua Zhe. Why would he even like me? Let's concentrate on finding a different answer. Perhaps I can tackle the other two tasks first, and we can come back to this later."
Chen Li didn't push the issue, but her face showed more seriousness, and I could tell she was uneasy. It seemed like she wanted to get away from the situation entirely.
At the same time, Hua Zhe gazed at me with real worry, his concern clear in his eyes. "But it will take longer than a couple of months to finish the other two tasks. How will you handle money until then?"
I paused before confessing my small savings, making both Chen Li and Hua Zhe worry.
"I can give you some money to help you out." Hua Zhe suggested sincerely.
Chen Li was surprised by his offer and asked for clarification. "You mean as a giving, not lending?"
I could feel the unease, knowing that taking money from Hua Zhe would make our relationship more complicated. Despite our strong bond, I couldn't bring myself to add financial responsibilities to Hua Zhe.
I shook my head, politely refusing his offer. "Thanks for being so generous, but this isn't the long-term solution. I can't keep depending on you if I can't overcome those obstacles."
Hua Zhe's unexpected words surprised me. "Don't worry, I can support you for the rest of your entire life." He said, his words impactful, sending a chill down my spine.
Even Chen Li, usually composed, appeared briefly affected by Hua Zhe's statement. It felt like a sudden burst of energy had passed through the room, leaving us momentarily silent.
If I didn't know Hua Zhe so well, I might have been charmed by his caring nature, thinking his words were a declaration of love or even a proposal. But our history together had taught me to be cautious of his naturally friendly and convincing ways that could easily win over anyone. So, despite feeling a brief excitement, I stayed firm against the charm of his words.
After pausing to gather my thoughts, I looked at the situation rationally and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Hua Zhe. Let's put aside any jokes for now. Can we focus on finding a practical solution?"
Chen Li, practical as always, gave me a look of disbelief. "What's the point?" she scoffed. "You have a brain, two hands, and two feet. You won't go hungry if you get out there and work. Just concentrate on surviving the next two challenges."
Hua Zhe shook his head. He had a different point of view from Chen Li. "Why go to work when you have nothing to do? I can support you."
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the feelings inside me. "Thanks, Hua Zhe, but I can't take what you're offering. I'm grateful for your kindness, but I want to solve this on my own."