The Creatures That We Are

“Let me explain first!”

Gao Yang quickly took two steps back, making sure that he was outside Qing Ling’s attack range. “I know you hate that kind of character, but it was made up on spot, and I didn’t make up the story. It was Wang Zikai...”

So go cut Wang Zikai if you want! He’s got a thick enough skin to come out unscathed.

Qing Ling put away her blades, still looking furious. “Go on.”

“Right, then we decided to give each other some space.” Gao Yang continued with the story. “You were still going to West Nation to study. Then after a few days, I fell into a vegetative state. You happened to be setting out for West Nation then, planning to go there ahead of time to get accustomed to the environment.”

“Knowing what happened to me, you immediately went through the procedures to come back to Li City. Something went wrong and delayed the process, though. When you finally returned, you didn’t dare meet my family, so you always visited me at the hospital in secret. Then I woke up miraculously not long after. That seemed like a sign of fate to you, and you stayed, canceling your plan to go abroad. You attended Li City University with me instead...”

The more Qing Ling heard, the angrier she got. What kind of lovesick nonsense was that?

Qing Ling stated, “I can’t play a character like that.”

Gao Yang nodded, having foreseen the response. “I thought so. Forget it. I won’t force you...”

“My sister will do it,” Qing Ling cut him off.

Gao Yang was overjoyed. I knew you wouldn’t leave me high and dry, Qing Ling!

Qing Ling closed her eyes as she spoke.

Five or six seconds later, Little Qing Ling opened her eyes, staring at Gao Yang’s face and pulling her lips into a meaningful sneer. “Good for you, finding a girlfriend who loves you so much that she threatens to take her life for you...”

“Ha...haha.” Gao Yang laughed awkwardly.

Little Qing Ling took a step back, resting her lower back against the window sill and crossing her arms, scowling. “Who would want to play that kind of character? Disgusting.”

“Um...” Gao Yang didn’t have a comeback for that.

“But,” Little Qing Ling smiled slightly, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I can do it if it’s work.”

“Yeah, it’s work!” Gao Yang agreed.

“Have you ever heard of rent-a-girlfriend?” Little Qing Ling asked.

Gao Yang nodded. “I know a thing or two.”

Little Qing Ling raised her right hand, extending one finger. “Tomorrow, I’ll be your rented girlfriend for a day, but not for free. You’re paying me.”

“Of course,” Gao Yang agreed immediately, worried that Little Qing Ling would change her mind.

“Hm, let me think.” Little Qing Ling blinked. “Although I’ll be playing your girlfriend, my sister’s body will be forced to play along. Thus, You have to pay us double.”

“No problem!” To Gao Yang, problems that could be solved with money weren’t problems at all. “State your price.”

“Let me talk to my sister first.” Little Qing Ling closed her eyes. About ten seconds later, she opened her eyes. “My sister asks for 1 jinwu, and I want you to buy me a meal.”

“Deal!” Gao Yang grumbled to himself, I thought it’s gonna be expensive, but that’s dirt cheap.

“Patience. I’m not done yet,” Little Qing Ling continued. “That’s only the price for the basics—playing your fake girlfriend and meeting and eating with your parents.”

“Isn’t that enough?” Gao Yang blinked.

“Of course it’s not,” Little Qing Ling said seriously. “Since we’re gonna be a fake couple, we’ll have to act, right? If we just sit there, your family will get suspicious.”

“Hm, makes sense.”

“So.” Little Qing Ling pursed her lips. “The additional acts should receive additional compensation.”

“Tell me more.” Gao Yang was curious.

“Acting cutesy to you before your family costs an additional 1 jinwu and a meal.”

“Holding your hands before your family costs an additional 2 jinwu and two meals.”

“Snuggling before your family costs an additional 3 jinwu and three meals.”

“And kissing or staying the night are out of the question.”

“Moreover, if I get red envelopes from your parents, we split the money in half. Consider that added bonus for my hard work. As for the gifts I’ll have to prepare for meeting your parents for the first time and your mother’s birthday, you’ll be the one paying.”

She thought for a moment. “That’s it for now. I’ll tell you more when I think of any.”

Gao Yang huffed. That’s nothing!

“Sure. We’ll do things your way.”

“Then pay me half of it in advance!” Little Qing Ling reached out to Gao Yang.

“I don’t have jinwu with me right now.”

“That so?” Little Qing Ling pulled back. “Then pay my part of the price first.”

Little Qing Ling’s sweat had dried. Clear moonlight streamed in from the window behind her, casting the back of her neck and her collarbones in a snowy white glow.

She reached behind her head to untie her ponytail, allowing her silky black hair to fall and sway gently.

She shook her head, having her strands cascading down her shoulders in a looser, smoother manner. Then she gave Gao Yang a small smile. “I’m hungry. Let’s get malatang.”

...

Gao Yang treated Little Qing Ling to some cheap and tasty malatang on Degenerate Street. Then the two of them strolled around the artificial lake on campus to help with digestion while ironing out the details of their scripts for tomorrow, making sure that nothing would go wrong.

About three o’clock in the morning, the two of them parted and went to their respective dorms.

Gao Yang woke up at nine in the morning. After quickly washing up, he went to the school gates with the boxed gift prepared for his mother, meeting up with Little Qing Ling.

Not long after, Little Qing Ling showed up.

Her long hair was permed, the loose curls resting on her shoulders lazily, making her fair heart-shaped face seem even smaller.

She was wearing a soft light pink sleeveless cardigan with heart patterns, a long white dress that went down below her knees, and a pair of light blue platform shoes, a bear-shaped crossbody bag on her shoulder. Around her neck was the red crystal necklace with wanderer energy, the pendant resting on her chest. At first glance, she looked like your typical girl next door with a sweet temperament.

Gao Yang paused. It was his first time seeing such a soft side of Qing Ling.

“Gao Yang!”

Little Qing Ling jogged up to Gao Yang with a bright smile, waving and calling out to him, her curls dangling before her face. “Sorry, I’m late.”

Gao Yang couldn’t be more shocked. Not only did she look different, she might as well have become a different person.

Gao Yang was about to say something, but then Little Qing Ling’s gentle smile suddenly dropped, and she asked seriously, “Does that work? Does it fit your description? Sensitive, fragile, and drunk on love.”

“Impressive!” Gao Yang gave her a thumbs-up earnestly. “As expected of a professional rented girlfriend.”

“That’s nothing.” Little Qing Ling lifted her chin haughtily like she fully deserved the praise.

Gao Yang took Little Qing Ling to go shopping first. Little Qing Ling picked a comb as his mother’s birthday gift. Then Gao Yang bought a box of expensive tea leaves as Qing Ling’s gift for her first meeting with his parents since his father had quit smoking and drinking, and his mother didn’t really have a hobby.

Once all that was done, Gao Yang took his “girlfriend” home at eleven o’clock.

The door was slightly ajar. From inside came the voices of his family.

“Why hasn’t Brother returned yet? He must have slept in again!” Gao Xinxin said irritatedly.

Then his father said, “Hoho, what’s the rush? It’s not lunch time yet.”

Gao Yang looked back at Little Qing Ling. “Ready?”

Little Qing Ling took a deep breath and gave him an okay gesture, breaking into a sweet smile.

Gao Yang opened the door.

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