Chapter Thirty-Two: When Pretend Becomes Real

Xin Gan felt as though he had dug a pit, waiting for her to fall in.

She said, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“What are you afraid of?” Cheng Jiu asked deliberately, “Afraid I’ll cling to you when the time comes?”

Her cheeks flushed. “That’s hard to say. What if, after a long time…”

“Afraid the pretense will become real?” Cheng Jiu suddenly asked, his tone turning cold.

Xin Gan’s brows knitted slightly. She stayed silent.

“Or are you afraid feelings will develop over time?”

“Aren’t those the same thing?”

Cheng Jiu smiled, his voice deep and emotionless. “Xin Gan, you don’t have confidence in yourself.”

Xin Gan’s expression was restrained. The wind blew into her eyes, making them itch. She blinked rapidly, but said nothing.

Cheng Jiu reached out and adjusted her hat, settling it properly on her head. “Our families know each other well. They’re trying to bring us together because they want to maintain the relationship. If we call off the engagement now, it would be a big blow to both families. How would they interact in the future?”

Xin Gan bit her lip, her heart in turmoil.

Cheng Jiu continued, “I’m not a bad person. Being with me, you won’t suffer any loss. Besides, I can’t return to Yong City anytime soon—I have no leave and no time off. Ending the engagement isn’t that simple. Given the current situation, Xin Gan, being with me won’t do you any harm.”

His meaning was clear: he wanted to keep things as they were and didn’t wish to break off the engagement.

If that was the case, why agree to her request in the first place?

She asked directly, “Then why did you agree? When I asked you, you said yes.”

“That was my mistake. I shouldn’t have agreed so readily.”

Xin Gan was speechless.

Cheng Jiu went on, “Don’t worry, Xin Gan. I’m only asking you to endure this for a while. If, after some time, you still want to end the engagement, you can. I’ll agree—but not now.”

Xin Gan pressed her lips together. The wind gusted again, blowing her hat off. The string caught around her neck. She hurried to fix it, and Cheng Jiu, cigarette between his teeth, reached out and tied the string for her, making a neat knot.

She had no chance to refuse—he was in control.

She was no match for him.

She couldn’t out-argue him.

“All right, get in the car. I’ll call Xiao Shi back.”

Cheng Jiu walked off to make a call, tossing his cigarette butt in a nearby bin.

Xin Gan got in the car and, through the window, watched Cheng Jiu striding in the blazing sun. His broad back and long, steady steps gave him an imposing presence—he was striking in every way, and naturally, very attractive to others.

She didn’t know what to do anymore. Things had veered far from her expectations. Now that he’d gone back on his word, she was powerless.

She was completely passive.

Xiao Shi and A Songli soon returned. A Songli was holding a stick of candied hawthorn, reluctant to eat it. As soon as he got back, he handed it to Xin Gan. “Sister, this is for you.”

Xin Gan gently patted his hair. “No, you have it. I’m not hungry.”

But A Songli simply wanted her to have it. Xiao Shi couldn’t help but praise him for being so thoughtful, knowing to share with his sister.

The car started up again and they got back on the road.

Because they’d been delayed for two hours at noon, it was nearly midnight when they finally arrived at A Songli’s relatives’ house.

They all spoke the local dialect, except for Xin Gan who couldn’t understand, but fortunately, no one paid attention to her and spoke only with Cheng Jiu and the others. Xin Gan looked around at the modest home—a typical family of limited means. To thank them for bringing A Songli back, they had specially brought out the best food they had to offer.