Ge Baitao paused, and considering Song Xi's identity, she said, "...No one, just me as a friend."
To be connected with Uncle Lou, it must be more than an ordinary friend.
Seeing that she was unwilling to say more, Duan Xiu didn't pry further, but he had already silently noted the name.
"What are you back for this time?" Ge Baitao asked curiously.
Duan Xiu smiled helplessly and said, "The reason you are here today is why I am here."
After not seeing each other for years, he had learned to speak in riddles.
Ge Baitao's mind worked fast, and she exclaimed in surprise, "So you saw everything just now!?"
Duan Xiu nodded, not only did he see it, but he was the one who tripped her.
Ge Baitao felt a bit embarrassed, but since things had come to this, she might as well go all out. In front of him, she removed the lipstick from her lips and her exaggerated earrings.
"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. I really have no intention of dating right now; it's all my grandfather forcing me."
"I understand." Duan Xiu was the same. His last girlfriend was also casually chosen to appease his mother.
Ge Baitao saw his troubled expression and an idea flashed through her mind.
"I have an idea, do you want to hear it."
Duan Xiu: "Tell me."
"Since we're both here to fulfill our obligations, why don't we join forces?"
Ge Baitao had already removed her lipstick, revealing her natural lip color. Although it still clashed with the green eyeshadow on her face, one could tell that she had good features: small cherry lips, a small, palm-sized face, and a pretty, delicate beauty.
Duan Xiu raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue.
Ge Baitao spoke with gusto, her idea sounding more and more reliable to her.
"Originally, I thought about hiring a boyfriend, but people nowadays are unreliable. Now that you're back, and we know each other well, pretending to be a couple is the perfect solution. Think about it. If you think it's feasible, we'll sign a contract and abide by it. The term is one year. If you meet someone you like within this year, we can break up at any time. What do you say?"
She was certainly smarter than when she was a child.
Seeing that he didn't agree immediately, Ge Baitao said, "Time is tight. I'll give you two days to consider. How about it?"
Unexpectedly, Duan Xiu remained silent.
Just as Ge Baitao thought it was probably a lost cause, Duan Xiu suddenly said solemnly, "Okay."
Ge Baitao was stunned, "What?"
Duan Xiu repeated, "I agree."
This was too quick, which made Ge Baitao a little flustered, "...Do you want to think about it again?"
"Didn't you say time is tight?" Duan Xiu stood up. "Then let's go. Let's go sign the contract now."
Ge Baitao chuckled, teasing, "You're much cuter now than you were as a child."
Duan Xiu asked, "What was my personality like as a child?"
"Stiff, wooden, especially Aunt Duan—"
Ge Baitao realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly shut her mouth, observing Duan Xiu's reaction.
His handsome face turned cold.
Ge Baitao could only force a smile and say, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. But don't worry, Zhang Qi has gone abroad, and I estimate he won't be back for at least six months to a year."
Duan Xiu lowered his gaze, his voice a little low, "I heard he got married and has a child."
"Married? He just got someone pregnant by accident, it's at most an illegitimate child. He still wants to be with Xixi? What a dream!"
"Xixi?" This name again. Duan Xiu's eyes sharpened. "Is it the same person?"
Ge Baitao, who had impulsively blurted out again, wished she could bite her tongue.
She hastily scrambled into the taxi, changing the subject, "Let's go, sign the contract at my company."
Duan Xiu tugged at the corner of his mouth, his gaze perceptive.
Meanwhile.
Song Xi drank all the herbal medicine in one go. Lou Yuming, true to his word, gave her two hundred thousand yuan for a total of four bowls.
The moment Song Xi received the money, the bitterness in her mouth instantly vanished.
She beamed, thinking that earning two hundred thousand yuan in a few minutes was the easiest job ever.
After drinking the medicine, Lou Yuming left. Before leaving, he mentioned that she had to drink this medicine once a week.
Song Xi had objections, but as soon as she heard there was money involved, she immediately fell silent.
Only a fool wouldn't make money.