59:Duped Before

Glancing at Shen Yifei (Shěn Yìfēi), the guy was dressed in a Milanese casual plaid shirt, paired with Givenchy black casual trousers and Versace casual leather shoes. He certainly looked the part.

Liu Xiaoxiao (Liǔ Xiāoxiāo) felt somewhat satisfied, thinking that while the fellow might be a bit of a scoundrel on the inside, his outward appearance was acceptable.

"I'm warning you, don't you dare mess this up, or I won't let you off the hook!" Liu Xiaoxiao huffed.

"I'll try my best," Shen Yifei replied, his voice lacking enthusiasm. For Liu Xiaoxiao’s sake, and her connection to Su Muqing (Sū Mùqíng), he decided to help her out this time.

Liu Xiaoxiao couldn’t be bothered with any more chatter, lest she get angry again and falter before they even started.

The BMW drove to the city center, pulling up in front of a building named the Golden Tripod Grand Hotel.

This five-star establishment was one of Huahai City’s (a prominent metropolis) most luxurious restaurants.

Just the cars parked outside, the cheapest of which cost half a million, were enough to show how exorbitant the hotel's prices were.

Stepping out of the car, Shen Yifei extended his arm, intending to link it with Liu Xiaoxiao's.

"What do you think you're doing?" Liu Xiaoxiao raised a delicate eyebrow.

Shen Yifei's face darkened with exasperation. He muttered, "Director Liu, didn't you ask me to pretend to be your boyfriend? If we don't even hold hands, how will we look like a couple?"

Liu Xiaoxiao's face flushed as she glared at Shen Yifei. She snorted, "Consider yourself lucky!"

Just as they were about to enter the main doors, Liu Xiaoxiao bit her pearly teeth and, blushing with shame, linked her arm through Shen Yifei's.

Instantly, Shen Yifei caught a gardenia-like fragrance emanating from Liu Xiaoxiao. The soft touch on his arm, and the tantalizing glimpse of the cleavage outlined by her deep V-neck dress, sent a ripple of desire through him.

He had to admit, despite her arrogant and conceited personality, this woman certainly had quite a figure.

"Pervert, what are you staring at?" Liu Xiaoxiao noticed Shen Yifei's roving eyes. Her pretty face flushed, and she quickly pinched the flesh on his shoulder.

"Nothing at all. But Director Liu, you should at least try to act the part. Don't look so stiff, or they'll see right through us," Shen Yifei chuckled.

"This beauty doesn't need you to teach her!" Liu Xiaoxiao shot Shen Yifei a fierce glare, then took a deep breath.

The moment she pushed open the door, Liu Xiaoxiao's previously icy expression instantly softened, becoming breathtakingly beautiful and gentle.

Shen Yifei was slightly taken aback. This woman truly couldn't be underestimated; she could change her demeanor faster than flipping a book!

Shen Yifei cleared his throat, also deciding to play the part of a suave gentleman. He smoothly slipped his arm around Liu Xiaoxiao's slender waist.

Liu Xiaoxiao's delicate body trembled. It was the first time a man had made such an intimate gesture towards her, and her heart quickened slightly.

*For my lifelong happiness, I'll let this scoundrel take advantage for now!* Liu Xiaoxiao fumed inwardly.

Inside a luxurious private room on the top floor of the Imperial Golden Tripod Grand Hotel.

Qian Bowen (Qián Bówén), the Young Master (the heir of a prominent family) of Zhongheng Real Estate, was chatting cheerfully with Liu Xiaoxiao's parents.

Liu Xiaoxiao's parents were extremely pleased with Qian Bowen himself.

"Bowen, we were so wrong about you last time, with that unfortunate incident. Your uncle truly apologizes and hopes you can forgive him," Liu Jianguo (Liǔ Jiànguó), Liu Xiaoxiao's father, said apologetically.

Last time, the pregnant actress Su Muqing had found had played her role so convincingly that Liu Jianguo had genuinely believed Qian Bowen was a scumbag who toyed with women's feelings.

Only later, upon learning the truth, had Liu Jianguo been incensed. His daughter was truly too impetuous, actually hiring an actress to deceive them.

"That's right, Bowen, please don't take what happened last time to heart," Zheng Jie (Zhèng Jié), Liu Xiaoxiao's mother, quickly added.

Qian Bowen acted magnanimously, smiling as he said, "As long as Uncle and Auntie understand the situation, I'm relieved. It's not your fault! Xiaoxiao's been a bit temperamental for a while now; we'll work things out slowly between us."

"Yes, Bowen, my foolish daughter has caused you embarrassment," Liu Jianguo said awkwardly.

"Xiaoxiao simply has a true spirit. My affection for her is absolute and devoted," Qian Bowen said with a smile, looking truly refined and graceful.

The more Liu Jianguo and Zheng Jie looked at Qian Bowen, the more pleased they were. Such a wonderful son-in-law was a rare find, truly one in a million!

"We've spoiled her too much; that child is truly insensible! She really should learn from Bowen," Liu Jianguo sighed, shaking his head.

"Sigh, why doesn't that child understand? Bowen is talented and handsome, successful in his career, and has a good personality. What a perfect match," Zheng Jie also sighed.

"Uncle and Auntie, you flatter me too much," Qian Bowen said with a slight smile, appearing incredibly polite.

Just as the three of them were conversing happily, Liu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, pushed open the private room door, and, with a gentle smile, linked arms with Shen Yifei, looking utterly sweet and endearing.

"Xiaoxiao, you're here!" Qian Bowen's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood.

However, upon seeing Liu Xiaoxiao with an unfamiliar man, the smile on his face instantly froze.

Liu Jianguo and Zheng Jie's faces also drained of color, turning pale, and for a moment, they were too angry to speak.

"Dad, Mom, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Shen Yifei." Liu Xiaoxiao's expression was exceptionally affectionate. She even gave Shen Yifei a slight smile and said, "Look at you, why are you standing there? Go say hello to my parents."

Shen Yifei's scalp tingled, and he felt a grudging admiration for Liu Xiaoxiao's acting skills. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie, my name is Shen Yifei, and I'm Xiaoxiao's boyfriend."

The private room fell utterly silent.

"You..."

Liu Jianguo and Zheng Jie's expressions were exceptionally grim. They had invited Qian Bowen and Liu Xiaoxiao to this gathering today precisely to re-establish their engagement.

For Liu Xiaoxiao to bring a "boyfriend" at this moment—wasn't this a direct slap in their faces?

Qian Bowen's expression twisted, as if he'd swallowed a fly. He was incensed.

"Xiaoxiao, it hasn't even been a month, and you've found another boyfriend? Why didn't I know about this? Why didn't you tell your father?" Liu Jianguo's eyes were spitting fire.

"I..." Liu Xiaoxiao was incredibly nervous, her palms were sweating, and she didn't know what to do next.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Seeing Liu Xiaoxiao about to falter, Shen Yifei squeezed her small hand tightly and, smiling, said to Liu Jianguo, "Uncle, young people have their own ideas. Xiaoxiao and I developed our feelings quite quickly. Anyway, what's meant to be will be; today you've met me, haven't you?"

"Hmph, Xiaoxiao, is this another actor you hired?" Liu Jianguo fumed.

"No, he really is my boyfriend," Liu Xiaoxiao bit her pearly teeth, forcing out a faint smile.

Shen Yifei put on a pleasant face and said unhurriedly, "Uncle, our relationship, Xiaoxiao's and mine, doesn't need to deceive anyone."

"Deceive? Don't make it sound so good. We were fooled last time!" Zheng Jie scoffed.

"Mom, Dad, this time, I'm truly not lying to you."

Liu Xiaoxiao steeled herself. Tiptoeing, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Shen Yifei's.