Inside the villa, Mengyao, Biyao, Xu Qianqian, and Zhang Lu were seated.
Zhang Lu was here to borrow a boyfriend, but after hemming and hawing for half a day, she still couldn’t get the words out, feeling quite awkward.
"Biyao, I heard you were kidnapped. Now that you’re okay, I hope it didn’t leave any shadows on your heart. And also, keep an eye on your cousin so nothing similar happens again," Zhang Lu said as she sipped her water, her gaze evasive. "The other day, Mengyao must have been on edge too. The Chu Group almost collapsed, but fortunately, they turned the tide and completely dismantled the Meng Family Business."
She rambled on about other topics; whether it was Mengyao or Xu Qianqian’s affairs, she had been a big help.
Doing so highlighted her contributions, making the borrowing-a-boyfriend request seem more natural and less prone to rejection.
"Officer Flower, I know you’re busy. Thank you for coming all this way without bringing any gifts—just to comfort us. Thank you," Biyao said with a playful smile.
"Even a blind man could see there’s something on your mind. Don’t hesitate, just say it outright," Xu Qianqian said, curious.
"You’ve seen through it. Actually, I really have something to ask. Biyao, you’re something; what kind of gift would I bring for you? It’s way too formal," Zhang Lu said, embarrassed, then focused her gaze on Mengyao. "Mengyao, you can tell I have a favor to ask, right?"
The matter of borrowing a boyfriend depended greatly on Mengyao’s attitude, so Zhang Lu was incredibly mindful.
"Go ahead, you’re not the old Zhang Lu we knew if you visit without a reason. If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Being so hesitant isn’t like you." Mengyao responded.
"Should I say it then?" Zhang Lu stared at Mengyao.
"Say it, don’t keep me in suspense," Mengyao urged with amusement.
"Here’s the thing, didn’t I tell you? I dragged Ye Fan over to pretend to be my boyfriend once, and unexpectedly, it turned into a big deal. My family found out and insisted I bring Ye Fan home, or else my life would be miserable. So, you know," Zhang Lu said, embarrassed.
"You want Ye Fan to go home with you and continue pretending to be your boyfriend, right?" Mengyao said calmly.
"Yes, yes, exactly," Zhang Lu replied with a sheepish smile. She then assured, "Don’t worry, I just need him for one day. It’s getting late today, so just for tomorrow, at worst, he can stay overnight and I’ll bring him back the day after."
"Is that so?" Mengyao pondered briefly.
"Is it okay? Rest assured, I have no intentions towards Ye Fan. You don’t have to worry about that," Zhang Lu said anxiously.
"I have no objections, but Ye Fan needs to agree to this. Asking us doesn’t accomplish much," Mengyao acknowledged. While Zhang Lu had a favor to ask, it was important to respect Ye Fan’s wishes.
"As long as you agree, Ye Fan won’t be an issue," Zhang Lu said with a relaxed smile.
At this moment, Ye Fan returned to the villa after handling Wilson’s affairs.
Seeing the girls, he asked confusedly, "What are you all discussing? I just arrived, and you’re all staring at me? Do I have something on my face?"
"Indeed you do, and it’s peach blossoms," Biyao said with ill-intent, pulling Ye Fan to sit down and eagerly inquiring, "Officer Flower wants you to pretend to be her boyfriend, visit her home, and even stay one night. Sparks could fly between a man and a woman alone together. Do you think something might happen?"
"My house is very big; who said anything about staying in the same room?" Zhang Lu’s face flushed for once, feeling extremely embarrassed.
"When you take a boyfriend home, naturally you’d stay together. If your family isn’t too conservative, they might insist on you staying together. If they’re eager to marry you off, they’ll let you stay together, like the saying ’cook the rice into a meal,’" Xu Qianqian prattled on. "Besides, Brother-in-law is so excellent and charismatic. Your family wouldn’t let such a good man go and would surely find a way to put him in your room and keep you warm."
"How unruly, what nonsense are you spewing," Ye Fan said sternly.
"But it’s true," Xu Qianqian said meekly, then looked at Biyao. "What do you think, Second Cousin?"
"If you ask me, that’s probably it. Officer Flower’s family must be eager to marry her off. Staying together is certain, and something might happen," Biyao said mysteriously. "More importantly, Officer Flower might be desperate. If she can’t help but go for Ye Fan, it’ll be quite a show."
"Making fun of others, is it fun for you? Consider other people’s feelings," Zhang Lu said, familiar with Biyao’s character and didn’t mind.
"This is getting more and more nonsensical. Enough," Ye Fan warned.
"Stop teasing," Mengyao glared at her sister and cousin before turning to Ye Fan. "Zhang Lu asked me to lend you; I agreed. You won’t mind, right? I have a gathering with some sisters the day after tomorrow, and you’ll accompany me."
"I’ll return by the day after tomorrow," Zhang Lu promised.
"What’s the situation? Zhang Lu is asking me to be a shield and go to her house, shouldn’t she ask for my opinion? How come she’s borrowing a person from you all?" Ye Fan asked, puzzled.
"Silly, you’re Brother-in-law. How can Zhang Lu not seek Cousin’s opinion first?" Xu Qianqian rolled her eyes.
"What, not okay?" Mengyao said, feigning seriousness.
"Okay, okay. Who are we? Whatever you say goes," Ye Fan said generously.
"Now, that’s more like it," Mengyao smiled secretly.
Mengyao and Biyao being accompanied by Han Bihong made me at ease, so going home with you is no problem," Ye Fan said seriously. "Since I’m pretending to be your boyfriend, what do I need to be aware of? Who’s in your family? I should know a bit to cooperate with you."
"Let me tell you about my family members," Zhang Lu began to explain.
In no time, the next day arrived. Early in the morning, Ye Fan and Zhang Lu hit the road, heading straight to Zhang Lu’s house.
In the car, Zhang Lu thanked him, "Thank you for coming all this way because of me."
"We’re friends, no need to be so formal," Ye Fan said indifferently.
Zhang Lu gave Ye Fan an odd look, chuckled silently, then suddenly remembered something and reminded him, "Meng Yinglong was released from prison by someone. I’m afraid he has other plans, and you should be more careful. I suspect the Lone Wolf Mercenary Corps is secretly controlled by the Meng Family."
"The Meng Family’s influence is indeed vast," Ye Fan sighed softly and kept this matter in mind.
Half a day later, they arrived outside Zhang Lu’s house, where guards were stationed at the entrance.
Three children, aged about five or six, rushed over excitedly as soon as the car stopped.