Chapter 16: Su Qing's Classmate Is Beautiful

“Su Qing, even if I understand that, I’m still not sure I can face Zhou Mingyuan without getting nervous or blushing when I lie.” Zhang Cheng gently pushed her away, afraid a kiss would spark a fire he couldn’t put out.

“Don’t rush. First, learn to pretend,” she said. “Act as if you’re not interested in me around Zhou, perhaps even a little annoyed. Next time he takes me on a trip, don’t stare or get jealous. You’ve already realized I belong to neither of you.”

“If I can do that, can we go on like this for years?” His hope showed plainly.

Blushing, she murmured yes.

It was Saturday. They stayed in all morning, discussing how he could become a convincing playboy more quickly and gradually gaining insights. That afternoon they dressed and went out: Su in a pale pink dress and canvas shoes, Zhang in a clean T-shirt and jeans. Hand in hand, they wandered the pedestrian street like an ordinary couple, eating snacks. When the candied fruit made her squint at its sourness, he offered her water. She bought a rabbit-shaped balloon and held it with a bright smile.

At sunset they went to a park. Willows brushed the lake, and Su leaned against the railing with her balloon. Zhang stood beside her, content.

“Su Qing?” a surprised voice called.

They turned. A woman in a white dress stood nearby, carrying a designer bag. Beautiful and elegantly made up, she was Su’s university classmate Yan Wenxia, another Huaqing graduate now working for a foreign company.

Yan’s gaze dropped to their joined hands. “And this is?”

Su went pale and squeezed Zhang’s hand. He knew she didn’t want her classmates to learn he was a driver, still less that she was involved with one. “My boyfriend, Zhang Cheng,” she said, her voice unsteady. “His family has a manufacturing business. He keeps a low profile.” She pointed to the Mercedes. “That’s his car.”

“A discreet rich heir! No wonder you never told us.” Yan asked about Su’s work, but Su answered vaguely, avoiding mention of her secretarial job. After adding Zhang on WeChat, Yan hurried away.

Su released his hand and stared at the lake. Zhang understood she’d lied to save face. Without the Mercedes, Yan might have looked at him with contempt instead of surprise.

“Let’s go home,” Su said tiredly.

At home she explained, “Yan Wenxia and I were both campus beauties. I ranked first, she ranked second, and she always compared everything: looks, figure, clothes, family and grades. Now she’s a department manager at a foreign company, earning over thirty thousand a month. She posts afternoon teas and flight tickets all the time, hoping I’m doing worse than her.”

Zhang remembered the designer bag and agreed she might have laughed at them without the car.

“She might ask you about me. Please don’t tell her I’m just a secretary, or what our situation really is.”

“I won’t let it slip.” He patted her hand, unsure how else to comfort her.

Su smiled and leaned against him. “This is a chance to practice. If you can lie to her without blushing or panicking, you can do it with Zhou too.”

Yan hardly knew him, Zhang thought. Lying to her would be easier. “All right. I’ll try.”

Over the next week, he practiced being cool toward Su in Zhou’s presence and indifferent when she had to speak affectionately to Zhou or take his arm. Each evening they reviewed his performance, Su pointing out where his expression betrayed him. Gradually he learned.

The following Friday evening, Zhang was alone. Su had gone to Shanghai with Zhou that morning. “Don’t worry,” she’d told him. “The boss’s wife sent two bodyguards. Zhou won’t get a chance, and I won’t let him. Practice your playboy skills.”

He’d agreed, but the empty apartment unsettled him. On WeChat Moments he saw a photo of Su on the Bund in a black dress, smiling under neon lights. He no longer felt the same pain, but wondered irritably whether she was accompanying Zhou to meet a client or had returned to the hotel.

His phone buzzed. Expecting Su, he opened the message to find Yan Wenxia: “Handsome, are you free?”