Chapter 21 I Don't Like You

"You see, those women in the novels you read don't end up well either!" Lin Xin said, exasperated.

"Ji Xiaonuan, how much of a grudge do you hold against us to set us up like this!" Xu Wenwen looked pained and let out a sigh, gazing up at the sky.

"You guys didn't try hard enough..." Ji Xiaonuan really felt like giving them a good beating.

Seeing that she was actually about to take action, the two quickly said, "Xiaoxi, didn't you really notice anything?"

"Notice what?" Ji Xiaonuan looked at them blankly.

"Oh my dear Xiaoxi, the way the male god looks at you is completely different from how he looks at us! He's chasing after you. Poor male god, let me feel sorry for him for a second." Xu Wenwen said, holding her forehead in resignation.

"You guys think so too?" Ji Xiaonuan couldn't help but frown.

"So you're not completely oblivious," Lin Xin looked at her in surprise. "So, do you not have feelings for him, or are you playing hard - to - get?"

"Play your ass!" Ji Xiaonuan was speechless. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Imagine one day, someone suddenly tells you that you've won five million in the lottery. What would you do?"

"Of course, go claim the prize! And then spend all the money!" Xu Wenwen answered promptly.

"..." Ji Xiaonuan was at a loss for words. She said helplessly, "But you didn't even buy a lottery ticket in the first place."

"So, you're afraid he's lying to you?" Lin Xin asked, confused. "But what could he possibly lie to you about? He's Chi Jun'an! If he really wanted someone, with just a wave of his hand, he could get any woman he wants. Besides, what do you have that's worth his lying for?"

"Precisely because I have nothing worth lying for, that's what makes it even weirder." Ji Xiaonuan frowned.

"I think, Xiaoxi, you're just overthinking it!" Xu Wenwen concluded. "If you're really not sure, just get to know him better. Let him treat us to a few more meals, and then you'll know what his real intentions are."

"…I think you just really want more free meals." Ji Xiaonuan couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"You know me so well, Xiaoxi!" Xu Wenwen said with a grin.

Just then, the door to the private room opened, and Chi Jun'an walked in. The three of them immediately fell silent.

Ji Xiaonuan desperately tried to signal to the other two.

Xu Wenwen had no choice. She looked at Chi Jun'an expectantly and said, "Male god, can you give us your phone number?"

"Sorry, my phone number is for work - related matters and can't be disclosed." Chi Jun'an said, sounding a bit regretful. He took out a business card and handed it to the two of them. "This is my assistant's business card. If you need any help, you can call him."

"Thank you, male god!" Xu Wenwen took the card. Then she looked at Ji Xiaonuan as if to say, 'See, it's not that we didn't try. The male god is just too difficult to approach.'

Ji Xiaonuan said dejectedly, "I'm done eating."

"Done?" He smiled. "Then later…"

"We're going back later!" Ji Xiaonuan said hastily. "I still need to go to the library to study. I'm not free this afternoon!"

Xu Wenwen and Lin Xin looked at Chi Jun'an sympathetically.

"…Okay, then I'll give you a ride back." Chi Jun'an said, a bit helplessly.

Ji Xiaonuan was really on guard against him.

The four of them walked out of the restaurant together. As soon as Ji Xiaonuan got into the car, she saw that Xu Wenwen and Lin Xin had no intention of getting in.

"Male god, you can just take Xiaoxi back. We two are going shopping, so we won't trouble you." The two said with a smile.

Ji Xiaonuan was stunned. What were these two up to? How could they just sell her out like this?

"I'm going with you guys!" she said hastily.

"Aren't you supposed to study? What are you fooling around for? Go back and review properly!" Xu Wenwen said bluntly.

"…" Ji Xiaonuan was too aggrieved to say anything.

Chi Jun'an nodded and said, "Okay."

Ji Xiaonuan watched as Xu Wenwen and Lin Xin walked further and further away. She was both angry and helpless.

He got into the car, and Ji Xiaonuan tensed up a bit.

Chi Jun'an raised his eyebrows slightly, almost imperceptibly. Since Ji Xiaonuan resisted him so much, it seemed he had to take an unconventional approach.

He started the car, and neither of them spoke. The air in the car seemed to become awkward.

"Ji Xiaonuan, do you like me?" Chi Jun'an suddenly asked.

Ji Xiaonuan was stunned.

Although Lin Xin and the others had given her a heads - up before, Chi Jun'an's sudden question still caught her off - guard.

"How could I!" Ji Xiaonuan said nervously. "I don't like you at all! Give up. You're not even my type! Not now, and not ever. I will never like you!"

"Okay, then I'm relieved." Chi Jun'an nodded.

…Huh?! Ji Xiaonuan was still a bit slow to react.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

She thought Chi Jun'an was going to confess his love, so she said that first to put an end to his thoughts. But what did he mean now? It seemed like Chi Jun'an was actually afraid that she would like him?

Ji Xiaonuan felt a bit embarrassed. So, she had made a fool of herself?

However, his words also made her relax a bit.

"Coincidentally, I need your help with something. That's why I invited you to dinner today." Chi Jun'an continued.

"What kind of help? Go ahead." Ji Xiaonuan asked with a faint smile, and her guard against him lessened a bit.

His eyes flickered slightly. Chi Jun'an said calmly, "I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend…"

Ji Xiaonuan immediately looked at him warily.

"There's a woman who's been chasing me relentlessly. I don't like her, so I told her I have a girlfriend. But she doesn't believe me and insists that I bring my girlfriend to meet her before she'll give up." Chi Jun'an explained softly.

"But you could find someone else. Why me?" Ji Xiaonuan was a bit puzzled. "Surely you can find someone willing to pretend to be your girlfriend?"

"It's not that I can't find someone. It's just that I can't choose those people." Chi Jun'an said calmly. "Because they all like me, and I'm choosing you precisely because you don't like me."

Ji Xiaonuan immediately understood. "You're afraid that other women might take the chance to get too attached to you, right?"

"Yes, Xiaoxi, you're so smart." Chi Jun'an's lips curved into a smile. This little girl caught on quickly. He looked at her with a bit of pleading. "Will you help me?"

Ji Xiaonuan frowned.

Chi Jun'an had treated her to lunch and given her a gift. She really had no reason to refuse.

Besides, it was just about pretending to be his girlfriend. And it seemed that Chi Jun'an didn't have any special feelings for her either.

"Okay." Ji Xiaonuan nodded. "After I help you, we'll be even! Don't come to me again in the future. It'll cause misunderstandings."

"Sure." Chi Jun'an raised his eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "Give me your phone."