Lin Fanâs impression of Cheng Xiaolu was not great; the first time they met, Cheng Xiaolu saw that he was a food delivery guy and showed disdain. Later, when she found out he was wealthy, her attitude did a complete 180. Typical gold-digger behavior.
Gold-digging isnât really anything. In this realistic world, itâs all too normal, so much so that when it becomes a societal norm, you canât even critique it anymore.
Although Lin Fan doesnât particularly like Cheng Xiaolu, Cheng Xiaolu is Lin Shanshanâs good friend. The two have a clearly genuine friendship and are always stuck together, so Lin Fan never showed resistance towards Cheng Xiaolu.
This made Cheng Xiaolu feel that she had a chance, a chance to win over Lin Fan, a chance to become Lin Shanshanâs sister-in-law.
Today, she took special care to dress up, put on makeup, and wore her best dress, hoping to make Lin Fanâs eyes light up. As long as she could astonish Lin Fan, she would have succeeded.
"Brother Fan," Cheng Xiaolu greeted, her gaze filled with both shyness of a young lady and ambition.
"Mm," Lin Fan responded with a slight smile, his expression amiable but his gaze indifferent.
Seeing this, Cheng Xiaolu felt a bit disappointed inside. Seriously? After dressing up like this, did she still not amaze Lin Fan?
No way!
Cheng Xiaolu was unwilling to accept it. Suddenly she thought, Lin Fan must be pretending, acting indifferent, but in reality, he was already dazzled by her.
It must be like this. Sigh, men, they just love to pretend.
Thinking of this, Cheng Xiaolu decided she had to be more proactive; if she made the first move, Lin Fan certainly wouldnât keep pretending, and eventually, he would fall for her.
"Come on, Iâm starving, letâs go in and eat!" Lin Shanshan said, and with that, she headed into the mall first.
Lin Fan followed behind, while Cheng Xiaolu deliberately stuck by Lin Fanâs side.
In Cheng Xiaoluâs mind, she recalled the silly dramas she watched, the clichĂ©d scenes where the female lead falls, and the male lead catches her in his arms, immersed in a warm fragrance, his senses captivated by her soft body and sweet scent, leading to a deep gaze shared between them...
"Oh no!"
Cheng Xiaolu suddenly cried out, pretending to sprain her ankle and fall into Lin Fanâs arms.
Imagining the cliché drama scene, she was already excited inside...
However, in the next second.
Lin Fan didnât even reach out to catch her.
Absorbed in his phone, Lin Fan instinctively stepped aside...
Sidestepped...
Bang!
Cheng Xiaolu hit the ground like a tortoise, landing heavily, her butt stinging, in a very awkward position.
People around turned to look curiously, witnessing Cheng Xiaoluâs embarrassing moment.
Lin Shanshan heard the sound and turned back in surprise, "Little Lu, whatâs wrong with you, being so careless?"
Lin Fan lifted his head, glanced at Cheng Xiaolu, and casually said, "Yeah, walk more carefully."
Cheng Xiaolu was fuming, Lin Fan didnât catch her, and it was completely different from the imagined TV drama scene. It was so embarrassing.
Lin Shanshan spoke and hurried over to help Cheng Xiaolu up.
Cheng Xiaolu felt touched, "Sob sob, Shanshan is still the best, unlike Lin Fan, who shows no sympathy or tenderness."
On second thought, Cheng Xiaolu felt relieved; either Lin Fan didnât notice, or he was too shy to help her. Alright, the move just now failed, no worries, she still had tricks up her sleeve later. Lin Fan would be moved for sure!
Cheng Xiaolu tidied her disheveled clothes and hair, enduring the pain in her butt, pep-talking herself inside.
Soon, they picked a restaurant and went in.
"Three of you, have a reservation?" a waiter asked as he approached.
Lin Fan directly said, "No, do you have a private room? Book us a private room."
Lin Fan thought, soon Loli and Feng Ruolan would arrive, and a larger room could fit all of them.
The waiter said, "Sorry sirâour private rooms are by reservation only, and theyâre fully booked. You three can dine in the hall; there are empty tables, and itâs more economical than a private room."
The waiter glanced at the trio, seeing they looked like students; especially Lin Fan, who wore street market clothes, definitely not well-off, thus casually adding that last sentence.
Lin Fan responded with a casual "Alright, weâll dine in the hall then."
The waiter led the three to an empty table in the hall, and they sat down.
"See what you want to eatâthis oneâs on me; order whatever you like," Lin Fan said with a smile.
Lin Shanshan exclaimed happily, "Then I wonât hold back! Weâve gotten tired of the cafeteria food at school, finally a chance for a change."
Cheng Xiaolu said, "Shanshan, you order; Iâm on a diet, canât eat a lot, just a bit is fine, itâs mainly about maintaining my figure."
As Cheng Xiaolu spoke, she gave Lin Fan a side glance. She had a reason for saying this, to let Lin Fan know she took care of her figure. Donât men love women in good shape? Her figure was well-maintained.
Lin Shanshan laughed, "Little Lu, stop pretending. Last night when we returned, you bought ice cream before bed, one foot on a stool, eating happily."
Cheng Xiaolu was a bit anxious, "Donât talk nonsense, I was hungry then, hadnât eaten all day, just a little supplement; Iâm usually not like that."
She winked at Lin Shanshan as she spoke.
Lin Shanshan got the hint and laughed, not exposing her any further.
Lin Fan found it amusing, seeing through Cheng Xiaoluâs constant tricks to draw his attention. Was this girl trying to flirt with him?
"Ahem," Cheng Xiaolu cleared her throat, looking at Lin Fan, speaking in a sweet tone, "Brother Fan, donât listen to Shanshanâs nonsenseâI would never eat like that. Iâm very reserved. Besides, isnât it obvious whether my figure is good or not? Brother Fan, what do you think of my figure?"
Lin Shanshan rolled her eyes; her friend was hopeless, clearly obsessed with the idea of becoming her sister-in-law.
"Iâm not looking; Iâm going to order," Lin Shanshan said, taking the menu to find a waiter.
Once Lin Shanshan walked away, Cheng Xiaolu felt she could let loose, ready to show her capabilities and win Lin Fan over.
"Brother Fan, tell me honestly, is my figure good?" Cheng Xiaolu giggled, straightening up and striking a pose for Lin Fan to see.
Lin Fan glanced at her casually, took a sip of tea, and said, "Itâs alright."
Cheng Xiaolu was pleased; if Lin Fan said âalright,â it must mean he thought she looked great. After all, Lin Fan was too shy to openly compliment her attractiveness.
Cheng Xiaolu continued, "Brother Fan, do you think Iâm pretty?"
As she spoke, she intentionally or unintentionally touched Lin Fanâs hand with her finger.
Lin Fan remained calm, "Itâs alright."
Cheng Xiaolu giggled, "Brother Fan, Iâve always wanted to ask you a questionâyou donât have a girlfriend yet, do you? What kind of girl do you like?"
Lin Fan smirked, "Is there even a need to ask? I like beautiful women."
Cheng Xiaolu was overjoyed; Lin Fan liked beautiful women, wasnât she one?
"Brother Fan, youâre so bad. Is that your way of saying you like me?" Cheng Xiaolu said shyly.
"Pfft," Lin Fan nearly spat out his tea, this girl was unbelievable, smiling, "I didnât mean it like that. I didnât say you were a beauty."
"What?" Cheng Xiaolu froze for a moment, a line across her forehead, "Iâm not a beauty."
Lin Fan said, "Iâve seen more beautiful ones."
"Lin Fan!"
At this moment, Loli walked in, immediately spotting Lin Fan, and approached with a smile.