CH 14
Huo Xiang and Bai Zhen Zhen headed down to Xiangju Commercial Mall at the heart of the city.
Xiangju Commercial Mall was a shopping mall which the Ling Corporation had shares in. It was the grand opening of the mall today. According to the news yesterday, Ling Hao Chen would be present at the mall today to participate in the ceremonial opening, personally cutting the ribbon.
The important thing brought up by Huo Xiang was precisely this opportunity to show off their relationship in front of this CEO Ling, letting him know that she was already taken and to give up peacefully.
Bai Zhen Zhen was greatly satisfied with Huo Xiang’s plan.
After all, it was hitting two birds with one stone. She had only rented him for a day, yet she could resolve two persistent problems in one go.
At 10am, there was already a crowd amassing at the central square of the shopping mall.
There was a stage set up in the middle that was currently playing cheerful music. Based on the rumors, the mall had even specially invited a few well-known celebrities to perform on stage.
“Do you see the stage at the central square?” Huo Xiang pointed, “Later, Ling Hao Chen will give a speech on stage. When the time comes, we will use affection to slap him right in his face!”
Sweeping over the jam-packed crowd, Bai Zhen Zhen was put in a dilemma.
“Ah Xiang, there’s so many people here. How can you ensure that Boss Ling can see us?”
Huo Xiang had long anticipated Bai Zhen Zhen’s question, replying smugly: “You can trust me on this. There will be a lucky draw later that Ling Hao Chen would personally… Wait, what did you call me?!”
Bai Zhen Zhen blinked: “Ah Xiang.”
“…”
Huo Xiang’s face turned black, pointing straight at Bai Zhen Zhen’s face, threatening: “Bai Zhen Zhen, this is my last warning. If you continue to be so willful, I won’t continue to help you!”
Bai Zhen Zhen stared blankly at Huo Xiang. Looking at his expression, it seems like he was really incensed this time.
She hurriedly compromised: “Alright, then what do you think I should call you? Anything except ‘Huo Huo’, that term is too silly.”
Huo Xiang huffed: “How about you just call me ‘darling’. Anyway, it’s just for today. It’s not like I’m asking for your life.”
Bai Zhen Zhen snorted.
What a grudgeful man, he actually used her earlier words* to make fun of her.
Since he wanted to be called ‘darling’, then ‘darling’ it is. Hmph, she will just treat it as buying a boyfriend on Taobao.**
While Bai Zhen Zhen was still immersed in her thoughts, Huo Xiang had already reached out a hand and waved it in front of her face.
Bai Zhen Zhen: ?
Huo Xiang: “What are you still dazing out for! Hold my hand! Isn’t this your rotten idea, to pretend to be lovers? Can you put in a little more effort?!”
“Oh oh,” Bai Zhen Zhen finally reacted, hurriedly holding Huo Xiang’s arm.
After that, she quickly entered her role, smiling: “Let’s go, darling.”
Huo Xiang rolled his eyes and brought her to the mall’s service desk.
****
At the service desk, there was already a long queue.
Huo Xiang stood right at the back of the queue, looking at Bai Zhen Zhen meaningfully: “Pass me your ID card.”
“What for?” Bai Zhen Zhen warily scanned him.
Huo Xiang squeezed out a fake smile, sweetly replying: “Naturally, it is to sign up for a membership card for my darling!”
Bai Zhen Zhen: “… Speak human.”
Huo Xiang immediately resumed a serious expression.
He suppressed his voice as he explained his plans to Bai Zhen Zhen: “What we need to do now is to register a membership card with the service desk. After that, we will participate in today’s lucky draw.”
“Lucky draw?”
“Yes, there’s a total of 3 rounds of lucky draws during today’s opening ceremony. According to my sources, after the initial performance, the emcee will invite a few big bosses up to the stage to give a speech. Ling Hao Chen is one of them. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow after that. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first lucky draw will be held, and Ling Hao Chen is the one personally giving the prize.”
Huo Xiang continued: “Do you know what is the prize for the first round of the lucky draw?”
Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t bother to think as she asked: “What is it?”
“A presidential suite!” Huo Xiang exclaimed excitedly, “A one-month free pass to Xiangju Hotel’s presidential suite! The hotel is right next to the mall, in a prime spot within the city and provides exceptional service! We can have our own love nest soon!”
Bai Zhen Zhen rubbed her forehead: “Are you dreaming?! Do you think we can win this prize just because you said so?!”
After a pause, she felt that something sounded wrong, and asked sharply: “What do you mean by ‘love nest’?!”
Huo Xiang pouted grievously: “Aren’t I just immersing myself in my role…”
Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t refute it.
She could only go back to her first question: “Based on the number of people here today, even after we can enter the lucky draw after registering for a membership, how can you ensure that we will get chosen? If we aren’t chosen, don’t even mention your broken dreams, we won’t get the opportunity to meet CEO ling either.”
“Trust me, you can do it!” Huo Xiang showed a sincere smile.
Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly seemed to understand something, raising her brows at him: “Unless… You know someone working in the mall and intend to pull a few tricks?”
“Huh?” Huo Xiang was puzzled.
“In other words, ‘bribery’! Pretending that a random person was chosen for the prize, but actually swapping out the prize winner, while accepting the bribe!”
Huo Xiang was enlightened: “Wow, you can even guess that!”
Bai Zhen Zhen gave him a thumbs up: “I’m just average. With such an intricate plan, Brother Xiang is the amazing one!”
Huo Xiang: “… changed again?!”
“Next please — ” The service staff called out.
Only then did Bai Zhen Zhen realised that, unknowingly, they had already reached the front of the queue.
She hurriedly passed her ID card over, and the staff handed over a form for her to fill in.
Huo Xiang silently looked at Bai Zhen Zhen, who was filling out the form carefully, and couldn’t help but smile.
— System: “Actually, I also have some doubts. Why do you think she will be chosen to win the prize?”
— Huo Xiang: “Please, this world is part of a novel. Can the female lead not have plot armor?!”
— System: “Brother Xiang is amazing!”
— Huo Xiang: “… Get lost.”
****
Going back to the central square, the audience had grown even larger. Huo Xiang held onto Bai Zhen Zhen’s hands, squeezing through the crowd to the front.
Bai Zhen Zhen took a closer look. Becoming of the grand ceremony of a shopping mall in the city center, the distinguished guests sitting in the front row were all industry leaders. Just looking at their appearance, and the noble temperament exuding from their every gesture, one could tell that they were not ordinary guests.
Ling Hao Chen was one of them.
Coincidentally or not, the suit he wore today was also forest green.
Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly recalled the words her father had said that morning — to live well, one should always wear a little green!
“Your arrangement is really good…” Bai Zhen Zhen was still thinking of Huo Xiang’s plan, “The prize that Ling Hao Chen is giving just happens to be a presidential suite. At that time, I will drag you on stage with me to receive the prize together, showing our deep affections. He can’t possibly do anything in front of so many people, right? We will also need to take a picture together. If he still dares to harass me in the future, I will take the picture to the media, exposing him for being a homewrecker…”
Huo Xiang also gave her a thumbs up: “Sister Zhen is amazing.”
Bai Zhen Zhen suppressed the turmoil in her heart. Turning back to the stage, the stage lights suddenly dimmed, and the background music suddenly changed to a dynamic song.
Looks like the performance was starting on stage.
“I told you STAR was performing today! They’re coming out soon, I’m so nervous!!” A young girl next to Bai Zhen Zhen excitedly started gossiping with her friends.
“You’re also here for STAR?” The other girl asked.
“Yes!! I watched their debut performance with my other friends and we were completely mesmerised by them! Especially their captain, he’s so handsome!”
“I agree, the captain is quite good, but I prefer Brother Xiao Li. When he smiles, my heart stops!”
“I like Susu the most! His singing voice is so gentle, and he’s so cute!”
“Ah, let’s not talk anymore, they are coming out soon, shh –“
Bai Zhen Zhen watched on skeptically. She wasn’t a fan of any idols, not to mention this was an idol within the book, one that she doesn’t even know of.
Besides, she didn’t care about what celebrities would appear today; she only cared about when the lucky draw was happening.
She had already planned it all out. When she was announced the winner, she must put on a happily surprised expression. After that, she would excitedly grab Huo Xiang’s hand and walk up stage together.
At that time, the smile on her face must be natural! She explode out her whole life’s worth of acting skills!
— Ah, wait?! Which idol group did those two ladies say was coming up?!
— STAR?! Isn’t that the debut group of the third male lead Xi Xixi?!
Bai Zhen Zhen recalled, according to the original plot, the third male lead had just debuted when he met the female lead.
Because he was slightly inferior to the rest of the group members, the third male lead was attacked by a lot of the other member’s brain-dead fans. He repeatedly sunk into self-doubt and low self-esteem, almost being diagnosed with depression. It was due to the female lead’s encouragement that led him out of the darkest period of his life.
Because of this, he fell in love with the female lead who was 3 years older than him. After going solo and becoming a star, he started to pursue her with no qualms.
But not all fans were rational. After the third male lead publicly confessed to the female lead, the female lead suffered through multiple personal attacks by the third male lead’s brain-dead female fans.
She even regularly received threatening letters and other scary things.
It was the hardest period within the already rocky life led by the female lead.
At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen was truly dumbfounded — The STAR mentioned by these girls wouldn’t happen to be the STAR that she knew about, right?!
Accompanied by the exciting music and strong rhythm, four youths walked out from behind the curtains.
Screams, particularly from young girls, filled the atmosphere.
Just as Bai Zhen Zhen saw a familiar silhouette, she suddenly smacked her thigh in excitement, causing Huo Xiang to jump in shock.
Huo Xiang: “… Are you ok?”
Bai Zhen Zhen ignored him, watching the singing, dancing and rapping youths on the stage, excitement bubbling in her heart.
— It really was the long-time-no-see third male lead!
She had really profited from choosing to rent a boyfriend today!!
———————-.
*In chapter 12, she used the same line on him
**Taobao is known for their cheap, available and convenient goods. So she’s treating him like a cheap person here.
Xiangju Commercial Mall was a shopping mall which the Ling Corporation had shares in. It was the grand opening of the mall today. According to the news yesterday, Ling Hao Chen would be present at the mall today to participate in the ceremonial opening, personally cutting the ribbon.
The important thing brought up by Huo Xiang was precisely this opportunity to show off their relationship in front of this CEO Ling, letting him know that she was already taken and to give up peacefully.
Bai Zhen Zhen was greatly satisfied with Huo Xiang’s plan.
After all, it was hitting two birds with one stone. She had only rented him for a day, yet she could resolve two persistent problems in one go.
At 10am, there was already a crowd amassing at the central square of the shopping mall.
There was a stage set up in the middle that was currently playing cheerful music. Based on the rumors, the mall had even specially invited a few well-known celebrities to perform on stage.
“Do you see the stage at the central square?” Huo Xiang pointed, “Later, Ling Hao Chen will give a speech on stage. When the time comes, we will use affection to slap him right in his face!”
Sweeping over the jam-packed crowd, Bai Zhen Zhen was put in a dilemma.
“Ah Xiang, there’s so many people here. How can you ensure that Boss Ling can see us?”
Huo Xiang had long anticipated Bai Zhen Zhen’s question, replying smugly: “You can trust me on this. There will be a lucky draw later that Ling Hao Chen would personally… Wait, what did you call me?!”
Bai Zhen Zhen blinked: “Ah Xiang.”
“…”
Huo Xiang’s face turned black, pointing straight at Bai Zhen Zhen’s face, threatening: “Bai Zhen Zhen, this is my last warning. If you continue to be so willful, I won’t continue to help you!”
Bai Zhen Zhen stared blankly at Huo Xiang. Looking at his expression, it seems like he was really incensed this time.
She hurriedly compromised: “Alright, then what do you think I should call you? Anything except ‘Huo Huo’, that term is too silly.”
Huo Xiang huffed: “How about you just call me ‘darling’. Anyway, it’s just for today. It’s not like I’m asking for your life.”
Bai Zhen Zhen snorted.
What a grudgeful man, he actually used her earlier words* to make fun of her.
Since he wanted to be called ‘darling’, then ‘darling’ it is. Hmph, she will just treat it as buying a boyfriend on Taobao.**
While Bai Zhen Zhen was still immersed in her thoughts, Huo Xiang had already reached out a hand and waved it in front of her face.
Bai Zhen Zhen: ?
Huo Xiang: “What are you still dazing out for! Hold my hand! Isn’t this your rotten idea, to pretend to be lovers? Can you put in a little more effort?!”
“Oh oh,” Bai Zhen Zhen finally reacted, hurriedly holding Huo Xiang’s arm.
After that, she quickly entered her role, smiling: “Let’s go, darling.”
Huo Xiang rolled his eyes and brought her to the mall’s service desk.
****
At the service desk, there was already a long queue.
Huo Xiang stood right at the back of the queue, looking at Bai Zhen Zhen meaningfully: “Pass me your ID card.”
“What for?” Bai Zhen Zhen warily scanned him.
Huo Xiang squeezed out a fake smile, sweetly replying: “Naturally, it is to sign up for a membership card for my darling!”
Bai Zhen Zhen: “… Speak human.”
Huo Xiang immediately resumed a serious expression.
He suppressed his voice as he explained his plans to Bai Zhen Zhen: “What we need to do now is to register a membership card with the service desk. After that, we will participate in today’s lucky draw.”
“Lucky draw?”
“Yes, there’s a total of 3 rounds of lucky draws during today’s opening ceremony. According to my sources, after the initial performance, the emcee will invite a few big bosses up to the stage to give a speech. Ling Hao Chen is one of them. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow after that. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first lucky draw will be held, and Ling Hao Chen is the one personally giving the prize.”
Huo Xiang continued: “Do you know what is the prize for the first round of the lucky draw?”
Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t bother to think as she asked: “What is it?”
“A presidential suite!” Huo Xiang exclaimed excitedly, “A one-month free pass to Xiangju Hotel’s presidential suite! The hotel is right next to the mall, in a prime spot within the city and provides exceptional service! We can have our own love nest soon!”
Bai Zhen Zhen rubbed her forehead: “Are you dreaming?! Do you think we can win this prize just because you said so?!”
After a pause, she felt that something sounded wrong, and asked sharply: “What do you mean by ‘love nest’?!”
Huo Xiang pouted grievously: “Aren’t I just immersing myself in my role…”
Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t refute it.
She could only go back to her first question: “Based on the number of people here today, even after we can enter the lucky draw after registering for a membership, how can you ensure that we will get chosen? If we aren’t chosen, don’t even mention your broken dreams, we won’t get the opportunity to meet CEO ling either.”
“Trust me, you can do it!” Huo Xiang showed a sincere smile.
Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly seemed to understand something, raising her brows at him: “Unless… You know someone working in the mall and intend to pull a few tricks?”
“Huh?” Huo Xiang was puzzled.
“In other words, ‘bribery’! Pretending that a random person was chosen for the prize, but actually swapping out the prize winner, while accepting the bribe!”
Huo Xiang was enlightened: “Wow, you can even guess that!”
Bai Zhen Zhen gave him a thumbs up: “I’m just average. With such an intricate plan, Brother Xiang is the amazing one!”
Huo Xiang: “… changed again?!”
“Next please — ” The service staff called out.
Only then did Bai Zhen Zhen realised that, unknowingly, they had already reached the front of the queue.
She hurriedly passed her ID card over, and the staff handed over a form for her to fill in.
Huo Xiang silently looked at Bai Zhen Zhen, who was filling out the form carefully, and couldn’t help but smile.
— System: “Actually, I also have some doubts. Why do you think she will be chosen to win the prize?”
— Huo Xiang: “Please, this world is part of a novel. Can the female lead not have plot armor?!”
— System: “Brother Xiang is amazing!”
— Huo Xiang: “… Get lost.”
****
Going back to the central square, the audience had grown even larger. Huo Xiang held onto Bai Zhen Zhen’s hands, squeezing through the crowd to the front.
Bai Zhen Zhen took a closer look. Becoming of the grand ceremony of a shopping mall in the city center, the distinguished guests sitting in the front row were all industry leaders. Just looking at their appearance, and the noble temperament exuding from their every gesture, one could tell that they were not ordinary guests.
Ling Hao Chen was one of them.
Coincidentally or not, the suit he wore today was also forest green.
Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly recalled the words her father had said that morning — to live well, one should always wear a little green!
“Your arrangement is really good…” Bai Zhen Zhen was still thinking of Huo Xiang’s plan, “The prize that Ling Hao Chen is giving just happens to be a presidential suite. At that time, I will drag you on stage with me to receive the prize together, showing our deep affections. He can’t possibly do anything in front of so many people, right? We will also need to take a picture together. If he still dares to harass me in the future, I will take the picture to the media, exposing him for being a homewrecker…”
Huo Xiang also gave her a thumbs up: “Sister Zhen is amazing.”
Bai Zhen Zhen suppressed the turmoil in her heart. Turning back to the stage, the stage lights suddenly dimmed, and the background music suddenly changed to a dynamic song.
Looks like the performance was starting on stage.
“I told you STAR was performing today! They’re coming out soon, I’m so nervous!!” A young girl next to Bai Zhen Zhen excitedly started gossiping with her friends.
“You’re also here for STAR?” The other girl asked.
“Yes!! I watched their debut performance with my other friends and we were completely mesmerised by them! Especially their captain, he’s so handsome!”
“I agree, the captain is quite good, but I prefer Brother Xiao Li. When he smiles, my heart stops!”
“I like Susu the most! His singing voice is so gentle, and he’s so cute!”
“Ah, let’s not talk anymore, they are coming out soon, shh –“
Bai Zhen Zhen watched on skeptically. She wasn’t a fan of any idols, not to mention this was an idol within the book, one that she doesn’t even know of.
Besides, she didn’t care about what celebrities would appear today; she only cared about when the lucky draw was happening.
She had already planned it all out. When she was announced the winner, she must put on a happily surprised expression. After that, she would excitedly grab Huo Xiang’s hand and walk up stage together.
At that time, the smile on her face must be natural! She explode out her whole life’s worth of acting skills!
— Ah, wait?! Which idol group did those two ladies say was coming up?!
— STAR?! Isn’t that the debut group of the third male lead Xi Xixi?!
Bai Zhen Zhen recalled, according to the original plot, the third male lead had just debuted when he met the female lead.
Because he was slightly inferior to the rest of the group members, the third male lead was attacked by a lot of the other member’s brain-dead fans. He repeatedly sunk into self-doubt and low self-esteem, almost being diagnosed with depression. It was due to the female lead’s encouragement that led him out of the darkest period of his life.
Because of this, he fell in love with the female lead who was 3 years older than him. After going solo and becoming a star, he started to pursue her with no qualms.
But not all fans were rational. After the third male lead publicly confessed to the female lead, the female lead suffered through multiple personal attacks by the third male lead’s brain-dead female fans.
She even regularly received threatening letters and other scary things.
It was the hardest period within the already rocky life led by the female lead.
At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen was truly dumbfounded — The STAR mentioned by these girls wouldn’t happen to be the STAR that she knew about, right?!
Accompanied by the exciting music and strong rhythm, four youths walked out from behind the curtains.
Screams, particularly from young girls, filled the atmosphere.
Just as Bai Zhen Zhen saw a familiar silhouette, she suddenly smacked her thigh in excitement, causing Huo Xiang to jump in shock.
Huo Xiang: “… Are you ok?”
Bai Zhen Zhen ignored him, watching the singing, dancing and rapping youths on the stage, excitement bubbling in her heart.
— It really was the long-time-no-see third male lead!
She had really profited from choosing to rent a boyfriend today!!
———————-.
*In chapter 12, she used the same line on him
**Taobao is known for their cheap, available and convenient goods. So she’s treating him like a cheap person here.
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