Chapter 4: A Game of Gifts and Guile
by xennovel“1,800?”
Mu Qingwu laughed, “Is that enough to spend?”
“It should be enough.”
Xiao Yu felt a tinge of embarrassment.
But what can you do during your internship?
“Got a car?” Mu Qingwu asked.
“Ummmm… no,” Xiao Yu replied honestly.
“What kind of car do you like?” Mu Qingwu continued.
“What kind of car do you like?”
Xiao Yu was puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Look.”
Mu Qingwu pointed toward the supercar in the garage, “The Bugatti Veyron Limited Edition. Like it?”
Xiao Yu: ???
“It’s yours,” Mu Qingwu said calmly.
Xiao Yu: …
“Got a house?” Mu Qingwu asked with a smile.
Xiao Yu shook his head in confusion.
He hadn’t yet recovered from Mu Qingwu’s words.
A supercar… just handed over like that?
That extravagant flair—it all felt oddly familiar.
Hadn’t he seen it in some novel before?
So generous?
“Miss, you must be nuts!”
“I’m giving it to you,” Mu Qingwu said with a smile.
Xiao Yu’s eyes darkened, “Are you a devil or what…”
He was completely thrown off by Mu Qingwu.
“Now, let’s get back to business.”
Mu Qingwu looked at the stunned Xiao Yu, “Do you still think 28 is old?”
‘So you were waiting for me here?’
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yu wanted to shout, ‘I told you—you’re old! So what?’
But…
She had given him way too much!
(A long while passed.)
“Sorry.”
Xiao Yu shook his head and, snapping back to reality, headed toward the villa’s main door.
Wasn’t this his typical low-key showboating?
As a transmigrant, Xiao Yu could have become a tycoon long ago if he really wanted to make money.
He even had a system.
Don’t talk about sports cars or houses.
What’s the point of having more?
From the very first day he transmigrated into this world,
Xiao Yu had decided to forgo the opulent yet mundane life of the wealthy…
Mu Qingwu watched Xiao Yu’s retreating figure with astonishment.
There was surprise mixed with disbelief.
Though money isn’t everything, she knew very well, given her status.
In this world, there’s little that a pile of cash can’t fix.
Just look at this big guy.
Sometimes a woman’s curiosity burns fiercely.
The less she understands, the more she wants to unravel the mystery.
“You’re just going to walk away?”
Changing tactics, Mu Qingwu softened her tone to almost a timid girl’s whisper.
Sure enough, Xiao Yu halted in his tracks.
Soft words over hard tactics?
As if discovering a new land, Mu Qingwu’s eyes sparkled.
Her expression shifted instantly, lips pursed with a hint of stubbornness.
Just like someone too proud to speak when upset.
Staring at you with narrowed eyes.
Women—they’re natural-born dramatists!
Xiao Yu was dumbfounded by Mu Qingwu’s change in demeanor.
What’s going on?
Who are you giving that look to?
Do I owe you a loan that’s about to mature or what?
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
Unable to withstand her intense gaze, Xiao Yu gave in.
“My mom’s been pushing me to find a boyfriend and get married.”
As he spoke, Mu Qingwu dropped the act—there was a trace of genuine grievance as she glanced toward the garden’s blooms.
“Then what?”
Xiao Yu felt an inexplicable kinship.
“For now, I don’t really want to date… but I can’t stand watching her cry endlessly.”
Mu Qingwu sighed, “Help me out, will you? I never intended for you to be my real boyfriend anyway.”
Got it… Xiao Yu rolled his eyes.
Is this your way of using me as a tool?
“At the restaurant, didn’t you notice I wasn’t on a real blind date?”
Xiao Yu chuckled, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Why should I?”
Mu Qingwu turned to face him, putting on that mix of indignation and stubborn charm.
“I told you enough—don’t think I can’t tell you’re putting on a show; back in our past life, we were top detectives…” Xiao Yu rolled his eyes again, “Alright, enough with the act.”
Mu Qingwu was taken aback, “You saw right through me?”
She dropped the act completely, staring intently at Xiao Yu.
“So you were faking it all along?”
After a pause, Xiao Yu smirked, “Fine. From now on, whenever I need you, you play along as my partner. When you need me, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend. Otherwise, we go our separate ways.”
“Deal.”
Mu Qingwu nodded, “Text me your number.”
The two exchanged phone numbers.
“Goodbye,” Mu Qingwu bid him farewell.
Xiao Yu: …
Even the speed at which a book is flipped couldn’t match your mood swings.
She toyed with my feelings, bruised my pride, and now wants me out—the tears flowed uncontrollably.
Is it really so hard to be human?
……
After leaving the villa and stepping out of the community,
the downtrodden Xiao Yu could only grab a cab home.
And how am I going to explain today’s blind date to my mom?
Thinking of Mu Qingwu, Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.
Seems like I’ve got a girlfriend now.
Even if it’s fake, my mom will probably go wild with joy.
On his way home, Xiao Yu forced a bitter smile.
I forgot to ask what you do, Mu Qingwu.
Forget it; I’ll call you when I get home.
No sooner had he mentioned calling than his phone rang.
After finishing the call, Xiao Yu suddenly clenched both fists.
He had just received his assignment.
The Criminal Investigation Team!