Chapter 9: Could You Pretend to Be My Girlfriend?

"How is the interaction going, young ones?"

After finishing their work in the greenhouse, it was nearly mealtime. Jiang Shi led the three of them back to the courtyard of the old master, Jiang.

On their way, they saw the old master fishing by the lake. Upon seeing them arrive, he set down his fishing rod.

The butler, quick to read the situation, arranged three chairs side by side next to the old master.

"It is a great honor for me to meet the two young ladies of the Jiang family," the old master said.

Xie Yan naturally understood the old master's meaning, but they had barely exchanged a few words all morning, hardly enough to please him.

"A bite!" Jiang Shi timely reminded the old master, and the fish came just in time to ease the awkwardness.

"Looks like we’re in for a treat today," Jiang Ming said, picking up the net and helping the old master haul in the fish, adding a flattering remark.

"Indeed, it’s only because you all came that the fish deigned to cooperate," the old master replied, his joy at catching the fish softening his earlier disappointment. Though he knew it was unlikely the children would bond so quickly, he still held onto hope.

"Do you all have each other’s contact information now?"

If it didn’t work out this time, he believed it would in the future. Given enough time to interact, there had to be a reason to feel affection.

Jiang Shi didn’t know how to answer this. He didn’t want to lie to the old master, but they hadn’t exchanged contacts. Even he himself hadn’t arranged for Jiang Man to add the others as friends.

“My memory fails me—I only remember your favorite flowers and plants, forgetting the most important thing,” Jiang Shi said, pulling out his phone and showing Xie Yan’s WeChat to Jiang Ming. "This is your brother Xie’s WeChat."

He intended to share Jiang Man’s contact next but realized he didn’t have her WeChat either. “Look at me, the little uncle, forgetting to get your contact! A Man, quickly add me as a friend, and I’ll send you Xie Yan’s WeChat.”

“Ah? Okay.” Jiang Man was momentarily stunned. She had been keeping a low profile all day, knowing she wasn’t a true daughter of the Jiang family but merely a companion. Yet Jiang Shi treated her equally on the surface.

After a brief hesitation, she quickly took out her phone and added Jiang Shi.

Soon, a sea-themed avatar appeared on the screen.

So this was the little uncle’s WeChat profile picture—deep and vast like the ocean, truly fitting his aura.

---

Shortly after, Xie Yan’s message popped up in their chat window.

“I’ve sent it to you,” Jiang Shi said, noticing the old master was about to stand. He quickly placed the phone on the ground and helped steady the old man.

“You all should go inside and sit; it’s too hot outside.”

The sun was blazing, and even sitting in the shade felt oppressively warm.

Naturally, no one refused.

Xie Yan was the first to stand, moving to support the old master’s arm. Jiang Ming handed the fish to the butler and followed them inside.

“Jiang Man, come quickly,” Jiang Ming called, noticing she was still standing outside.

“Okay, I’m coming,” Jiang Man quickly turned off her phone before standing and took the phone Jiang Shi had left behind.

The living room reflected the old master’s taste—solid wooden sofas that were the coolest option in summer. Nearby was his study, where neatly arranged calligraphy copies were kept on a cabinet.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen your calligraphy. Will you show us a piece today?” Xie Yan asked, aware of the old master’s hobby and eager to engage him.

At once, the old master perked up, his spirit renewed. “It’s just a pastime, no match for your grandfather,” he said, leading Xie Yan toward the study.

“Grandpa, don’t be partial! Let me learn something too,” Jiang Ming, with nothing to do in the living room, followed to keep in good standing.

“You little girl, do you think I wouldn’t let you join?” The old master laughed. Since his younger daughter went abroad, no one had spoiled her like this.

Jiang Man dared not approach the old master too closely—after all, she wasn’t a biological granddaughter and preferred to keep some distance.

Only Jiang Man and Jiang Shi remained in the living room. The butler took the fish to the kitchen, and the other servants, after serving refreshments, returned to their duties.

The two sat at opposite ends of the sofa, the air thick with awkwardness—though that awkwardness was only felt by Jiang Man.

Jiang Shi treated her simply as a quiet junior.

“Ring, ring...” The phone’s ringtone shattered the silence. Jiang Man jumped, then realized she was holding Jiang Shi’s phone, which was ringing.

---

“Little uncle, your phone—you forgot to give it back...” Jiang Man whispered, handing the phone over without focusing on who was calling.

When Jiang Shi saw the caller ID displaying “Su Baozhu,” his head instantly ached.

The old master had nothing else to do these days. Besides fishing, calligraphy, and tending to his plants, his favorite pastime was matchmaking.

Su Baozhu, daughter of the Su family and granddaughter of an old friend, was the sole heir among the Su men. True to her name, she was the family’s treasured pearl—handled with utmost care and caution.

Upon their first meeting, Su Baozhu had openly expressed her admiration and fondness for Jiang Shi. Since then, she called every few days, regardless of his willingness. Ignoring her calls only resulted in threats that she would report him to the old master.

Helpless, Jiang Shi had tried every excuse to refuse her. But Miss Baozhu was relentless, firmly believing that time would turn affection into love, and that persistence would win his heart.

“Ah Man, do me a favor. Pretend to be my girlfriend, so she stops bothering me,” Jiang Shi pleaded, utterly exhausted by Su Baozhu’s incessant calls.

If Jiang Ming were here, he wouldn’t drag Jiang Man into this. But with Jiang Ming and the old master together, he couldn’t just hand her over.

Reluctantly, he turned to Jiang Man.

“Me?” Jiang Man’s eyes darted nervously, her ears reddening at the strange request.

“Please, little uncle is counting on you. Though it’s odd, I really need your help,” Jiang Shi said, speaking more words to her than ever before, all to ask her to pretend to be his girlfriend.

“All right, I’ll try,” Jiang Man said, unable to refuse his earnest look.

Taking a deep breath, she answered the call.

“Ah Shi, where have you been? Why did you take so long to answer? Don’t you miss me?” came the coquettish voice on the other end—the pampered young lady of the Su family, skilled at blunt talk that left others speechless.

“Ah Shi isn’t here right now. Is there something you need? You can tell me,” Jiang Man adjusted her breathing before speaking, careful not to reveal her nervousness.