Chapter 396: Side Story: Borrowed Girlfriend? (2)

Since that day after meeting the Early Sleep Club President in person, Li Luo found that his chat frequency with the other person had increased.

Although they had known each other for over half a year, their usual conversations were limited to online novels and entertainment industry topics.

When they got excited, they could chat for over an hour, but on ordinary days, going several days without talking was perfectly normal.

But since meeting in person, their relationship had clearly advanced from online friends to real-life friends.

As a result, their daily chat topics became richer.

For example, Yinjiang District where both grew up, the junior high school they once attended together, or complaining about family pressure to get married.

No longer limited to online novels themselves.

But since meeting in person, they had not seen each other again.

Until Li Luo's new book's average subscription count broke through the 6,000 mark and the editor scheduled him for the "Daily Recommendation" slot next Friday.

Only then did Li Luo muster the courage to send the Early Sleep Club President a dinner invitation.

【Luo Luo】: Are you free this weekend?

【Early Sleep Club President】: Yeah, why?

【Luo Luo】: I'm getting featured on the Daily Recommendation next Friday. Let me treat you to dinner to celebrate, how about it?

【Luo Luo】: Last time we met, I said I'd treat you next time, but I never got the chance.

【Early Sleep Club President】: Sure, but why the weekend?

【Luo Luo】: What's wrong with the weekend?

【Early Sleep Club President】: You're so dumb…

【Early Sleep Club President】: We're full-time online novel writers. They rest and go out for fun on weekends—why should we go out on weekends?

【Luo Luo】: So?

【Early Sleep Club President】: Monday.

【Luo Luo】: Fine, I'm good with that.

【Early Sleep Club President】: Where to eat?

【Luo Luo】: How about Yintai City?

【Early Sleep Club President】: OK, let's do dinner. I can't get up at noon.

【Luo Luo】: Alright.

……

Knock knock knock!

"What?"

"I'm using the bathroom!" Lin Xiuhong shouted at the bathroom door, "What are you doing in there?"

"Can't you hear? I'm showering!"

"But…" Lin Xiuhong checked the time, her face filled with surprise, "Why are you showering at 4:30 in the afternoon?"

"I'm going out later, won't be home for dinner," Li Luo shouted from inside the bathroom, "Didn't I tell you guys yesterday?"

"Oh, right, I remember," Lin Xiuhong nodded, "Who with?"

"A friend," Li Luo said. "Last month, didn't I go out to meet someone? All novel writers."

"I kind of remember…" Lin Xiuhong frowned, trying to recall—it did sound familiar—then couldn't help asking, "It's not a girl, is it?"

Instantly, the bathroom fell silent.

Seeing Li Luo go quiet, Lin Xiuhong raised an eyebrow and pressed further: "Really a girl? How old is she? Where's she from?"

"You're so annoying, why ask so much?" Li Luo replied, drying himself off after his shower.

"I'm just asking—you won't lose anything by telling me."

"Asking won't make you gain anything either," Li Luo said, putting on clean clothes, stepping out of the bathroom, shoving his phone into his pocket, and preparing to leave.

"You little brat…" Lin Xiuhong, desperate to use the bathroom, watched Li Luo neatly slip on his shoes at the door, her face full of complaint, "Just tell me—it won't kill you."

……

Yinjiang District, South Station Exit C.

Li Luo stepped out of the subway exit and faced Yintai City directly ahead.

Unlike the Yintai Department Store near his home, which now had almost no foot traffic.

Yintai City, built in 2018, was Yinjiang District's new landmark, just like Shidai Tianjie to the north—both close to subway exits, instantly drawing in foot traffic from the entire surrounding area.

Especially at South Station—on weekends, Yintai City would instantly burst into bustle.

But on Mondays, the situation improved considerably.

Li Luo walked into Yintai City in the evening; the number of passersby wasn't high, so he didn't have to worry about restaurants lacking empty tables.

He entered the entrance closest to Exit C, glanced up at the still scorching weather outside, then pulled out his phone to check the chat history.

【Luo Luo】: I'm leaving soon, should arrive around five.

【Early Sleep Club President】: Huh? You're on time again?

【Luo Luo】: Take your time, no rush.

【Early Sleep Club President】: I'm still getting ready!

【Luo Luo】: You didn't just wake up, did you?

【Early Sleep Club President】: You're seriously underestimating me! I woke up at three!

【Luo Luo】: But didn't get up.

【Early Sleep Club President】: Shut up!

【Luo Luo】: Alright, alright, wouldn't dare to speak out of turn in front of the Ten-Thousand-Subscription Master.

【Early Sleep Club President】: Now you remember I'm the Ten-Thousand-Subscription Master?

【FenceFall】: We were just talking as friends before, but suddenly I realized there's already a thick wall between us.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Just break through it, then (smiley. JPG)

【FenceFall】: …

…

Scanning the chat history from just after four, Li Luo tapped a few times on his phone screen and sent the latest message.

【FenceFall】: I've arrived.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: So fast?! It's not even five yet!

【FenceFall】: I'm at the entrance of Exit C, next to a Starbucks—I'm sitting inside.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Haha~ Still Starbucks? Don't go bumping into me again.

【FenceFall】: I wouldn't dare bump into a senior.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Don't call me senior anymore!

【FenceFall】: SleepEarlySis!

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Haha~ Now we're real-life friends, no need for pen names—just call me Youyu.

【FenceFall】: YouyuSis.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: You're determined to make it seem like I'm older, aren't you?

【FenceFall】: Isn't that the truth?

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Hmph!

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: I'm leaving now! I'll be there in five minutes!

【FenceFall】: So fast?

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: I rent an apartment in the next neighborhood—didn't I tell you?

【FenceFall】: I heard it for the first time.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Then wait! Come out of Exit C, quick.

【FenceFall】: What's wrong?

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Look across the north road at the neighborhood—second building from right to left, 18th floor.

Reading the message, Li Luo walked out of Exit C, curious, and gazed in the direction Youyu had indicated.

Soon, he spotted a blurry figure waving at him from beside a window on the opposite building.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: See me?

【FenceFall】: I see you.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: I see you too, haha~ I'm coming down now~

Putting away his phone, Li Luo stared at the neighborhood across the way.

This neighborhood near the South Station subway exit… rent must be around twenty to thirty thousand per square meter.

That's only because prices have dropped these past two years.

Back when prices were surging hardest, over forty thousand per square meter was normal here.

Given this price, rent probably isn't cheap either.

But for Youyu's income, it's pocket change.

Li Luo thought this as he waited for Youyu, imagining in his mind his next book going viral—enough royalty to buy this entire apartment outright.

But that was just fantasy.

Youyu, on the other hand, might actually achieve this goal.

"Hey! What're you looking at?" Youyu appeared behind Li Luo and tapped his shoulder.

Li Luo turned around, looked at Youyu, paused slightly, then replied: "Nothing. I was just wondering if you bought a place over there."

As he spoke, Li Luo's gaze settled on Youyu; though he restrained himself, he couldn't help scanning her up and down.

Youyu wore a simple T-shirt today—black with white letters, an English phrase stretched taut over her full chest, which Li Luo couldn't even read.

Below, she wore light-blue denim shorts, revealing long, pale, slender legs—firm thighs that looked soft enough to pinch.

"Buy a house?" Youyu waved her hand as she heard this. "I prefer renting—I can move whenever I get bored."

"So… uh… YouyuSis, have you ever moved to another place?" Li Luo walked with Youyu inside, asking as they went.

"I've always lived around Yinjiang—just switch apartments every few months." Youyu followed Li Luo through the gate, pulled out her phone, snapped a photo of the entrance, then walked with him toward the fourth-floor restaurant.

"Isn't that annoying?"

"Not really. Mainly because I own so little." Youyu said. "Most of my stuff stays at home—I only really need a computer and two cats."

"You have cats too?"

"So cute!" Youyu smiled. "Do you like cats?"

"They're okay, but keeping one would be a hassle."

"True." Youyu nodded.

"So how do you, so lazy, have time to raise cats?"

"You've got a big misunderstanding about me?" Youyu narrowed her eyes, glanced sideways at him, and snorted twice. "Besides, I use fully automatic equipment."

"Like an automatic waterer, an automatic feeder, and an automatic litter box."

"I just need to handle it once a week."

"Oh." Li Luo nodded. "That's convenient."

Laughing and chatting, the two reached the fourth floor. Li Luo led her into a restaurant called "Daoxiang Chuanyan," and sat them down by the window.

After sitting, Youyu took out her phone again and snapped a photo of the table.

Li Luo assumed this was just a girl's habit of taking photos for memories, and didn't think more of it.

He also took out his phone, scanned the QR code on the table, and ordered food with Xu Youyu.

After ordering about four or five dishes, Xu Youyu glanced around, then looked at the restaurant's name, and suddenly exclaimed, "Have you been here before?"

"Yeah." Li Luo nodded. "Why?"

"Nothing." Xu Youyu chuckled and shook his head. "I just remembered—the name 'Daoxiang Chuanyan' appeared in your book. The male and female leads often met here."

"Ah… well." Li Luo immediately felt embarrassed. "I just used it for research. Too lazy to think up a name."

"Haha~ Same as me." Xu Youyu smiled. "I've always used the name of the shop downstairs from my place for restaurants in my books. Maybe I'll switch to yours next—feels fresh."

When the food arrived, they ate and chatted casually.

With shared interests and the same profession, they always had plenty to talk about.

They discussed each other's recent updates, gossip from the Online Novel circle, and critiqued the latest viral works.

Then the topic shifted from Online Novel to the entertainment industry, tying in recent releases in the cultural-entertainment genre for analysis and summary.

Li Luo usually only saw surface-level things—like how a new book's concept was good, or how it might have done better if written differently, and so on.

Xu Youyu went deeper, often analyzing and predicting the future trajectory of the cultural-entertainment genre by combining trends in new books with the entertainment industry's recent developments.

As celebrity scandals became a routine entertainment focus, constantly appearing in public view, people's halo effect toward stars is slowly fading.

Especially among most male-oriented Online Novel readers, who rarely have any idolizing filters toward stars and are unlikely to be diehard fans of any particular celebrity.

They might be fans, but only of the star's works or looks—not blindly obsessive.

Under this trend, Xu Youyu felt that continuing to write cultural-entertainment novels in the old mold might not yield good results.

Instead, there were three directions worth trying.

One was pure fantasy entertainment.

Another was historical entertainment.

The third was entertainment centered on variety shows.

When discussing these topics, both were highly engaged—it was all about their livelihoods.

Although Li Luo didn't have Xu Youyu's strong ability to summarize genres, he occasionally offered his own insights, giving Xu Youyu fresh perspectives and new angles to consider.

They chatted happily like this until they were full and satisfied. Xu Youyu patted his belly, checked the time, then said to Li Luo, "Want to catch a movie? It's still early."

"Huh?" Li Luo froze, surprised Xu Youyu would invite him to a movie.

He'd planned to go home and write after dinner… He hadn't written all day because he'd been preoccupied with meeting Xu Youyu, and had no mood for it.

"What's wrong?" Xu Youyu tilted his head. "Don't you want to go?"

"Of course not!" Li Luo quickly shook his head. "Sure, I'll go—I haven't been to the cinema in ages."

"Haha~ I go often." Xu Youyu grinned, propping up his chin.

"... Really?" For some reason, hearing that, Li Luo felt a pang of disappointment.

But Xu Youyu added, "But I usually go alone—mainly because it's close and convenient."

"Alone?" Li Luo blinked, confused. "Isn't watching a movie alone at the cinema boring?"

"Not really." Xu Youyu laughed. "I go mainly for research—big screens feel more immersive. If it's just for watching, of course it's better with friends. But I don't really have any."

"Now you do."

"Yeah, now I do." Xu Youyu smiled warmly at him. "So? Will you do me the honor?"

"Of course." Li Luo nodded firmly. "No—you're the one doing me the honor."

"Stop being so polite." Xu Youyu stood up, patted his shoulder. "Come on, let's see what's playing today."

Li Luo paid the bill and followed Xu Youyu to the cinema on the fifth floor of Yintai City.

They picked a movie with high recent buzz. Xu Youyu bought the tickets outright, not giving Li Luo a chance to pay.

"You took me out to eat—the movie tickets should've been your treat," Li Luo said with a helpless smile.

"You took me to eat, I'm treating you to the movie," Xu Youyu grinned. "Next time I take you out to eat, you pay for the movie."

Li Luo paused, looked at Xu Youyu, then softly nodded: "... Yeah, okay."

The movie Xu Youyu bought tickets for didn't start until 8 p. m. —still over an hour away.

So Xu Youyu suggested walking around Yintai City.

Li Luo accompanied Xu Youyu to the women's clothing store on the second floor, watching as she tried on outfits, occasionally asking him if they looked good.

For a moment, Li Luo almost thought he was on a date with his girlfriend.

But when he remembered that this was Xu Youyu—the veteran author of two million-subscription Online Novels, earning tens of thousands a month—his fantasies vanished instantly.

How could someone like her possibly notice him… He was just a tiny, mediocre writer.

Yet even this fleeting resemblance was enough to make Li Luo happy for a long time.

When was the last time he'd gone shopping with a girl, watching her pick out clothes in a store?

It must've been back in middle school.

In a daze, Li Luo recalled a familiar figure, then shook his head, smiled wryly, and let it go.

For now… just treat it as research.

Don't dream of anything else.

"What about this one?"

Xu Youyu stepped out in a dress, twirled in front of Li Luo, then held the hem and bowed slightly, mimicking a theatrical curtain call.

"Hmm… very nice."

"As an author, can you give me more adjectives?"

"You're putting me on the spot."

"How does it compare to the last one?" Xu Youyu asked.

"The last one looked better."

Is it because my thigh is showing too much?

Cough… cough cough…

"Haha~" Xu Youyu laughed at his awkwardness, then turned to the salesgirl and said, "Then I'll take that short skirt just now—please pack it for me."

You're really buying it?

"Didn't you say it looked good?" Xu Youyu grinned. "Next time we go out, I'll wear it—how's that?"

Next time… when?

We'll see.

When it neared eight o'clock, the two finished shopping and headed toward the cinema on the fifth floor.

At the cinema entrance, Xu Youyu pulled out her phone again, took a photo of the entrance, then another of the movie ticket in her hand.

Looks like she's planning to make a nine-grid collage and post it to Moments?

Li Luo noticed Xu Youyu's small gesture and thought to himself—he understood girls' thoughts like these.

Yet although Li Luo and Xu Youyu had known each other for a long time, they had never added each other on WeChat; they always communicated via QQ.

So Li Luo could never see Xu Youyu's Moments.

He wanted to add her on WeChat, but didn't know what excuse to use.

He'd feel embarrassed if she refused.

Since QQ worked fine for contact, Li Luo gave up the idea.

After entering the cinema, Li Luo bought a duo meal, then they queued for ticket check-in, found their seats in Hall Six, and sat down.

When the film began playing on the big screen, Li Luo occasionally turned to look at Xu Youyu beside him, watching the screen's light fall across her face, outlining her delicate profile.

It left Li Luo momentarily dazed.

Even now, it still felt like a dream.

…

When the movie ended, it was already past ten at night.

Yintai City had closed; the two followed the crowd, took the elevator, and exited through a side passage.

Under the night sky, Li Luo and Xu Youyu walked side by side along the street.

Seeing Xu Youyu pull out her phone again and take several photos, Li Luo said instinctively, "Nine already."

Huh? What nine?

"The nine-grid," Li Luo said. "You're going to post it to Moments, right?"

"Haha~ Why do you think that? I rarely post to Moments," Xu Youyu laughed.

Then it's just for memories.

"Not exactly," Xu Youyu smiled, then turned to Li Luo, her expression softening, and whispered, "Actually, I want to ask your opinion about something."

Huh? Li Luo blinked. "What?"

"My mom keeps pushing me to get married—you know that, right?"

I know.

"But I don't want to get married," Xu Youyu said. "I have no interest in marriage—I just want to live alone forever."

So?

"But I still have to deal with my mom's nagging," Xu Youyu said, waving her phone around with a helpless sigh. "So can I borrow these date photos?"

Ah… Li Luo froze, then realized. "You're not thinking…"

"Mm-hmm," Xu Youyu playfully winked at him. "You know what I mean—help me out, okay?"

Is this pretending to be on a date?

"Haha~ Not exactly pretending—we really are on a date," Xu Youyu said with a smile. "I just want to give my mom the illusion that I'm actively looking for someone, so she stops nagging me."

"I see…" Li Luo fell silent for a moment, finding nothing wrong with it. "Sure, I don't mind."

Still, a faint disappointment lingered in his heart.

Li Luo looked at the girl before him—cheerful, bright, thoughtful, and even a good driver…

If only.

Well, no "if only."

Li Luo smiled helplessly—then suddenly felt Xu Youyu's arms wrap around his neck, and he froze.

"Come on, come on," Xu Youyu giggled, pressing close beside him, raising her phone. "Since you agreed, let's take one more selfie—so my mom won't suspect I went out with another girl."

…Okay.

Under the night sky, the two stood back-to-back against Yintai City and took a selfie.

Li Luo received the selfie Xu Youyu sent, stared at the screen showing the two standing side by side, then sighed softly after saying goodbye to her at the street corner.

The subway had stopped running.

Yintai City wasn't close to his home, but not far either.

He walked slowly under the night, strolling home.

【GoToSleepAndGrowTaller】: I'm home~

【Li Luo】: I'm walking back, still on the way.

【GoToSleepAndGrowTaller】: Be careful.

【Li Luo】: Did you send the photo to your mom?

【GoToSleepAndGrowTaller】: It's already late tonight, and she hasn't nagged me these past few days.

【GoToSleepAndGrowTaller】: I'll send it when she starts nagging again—haha~

【Li Luo】: Can I use it?

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Huh? Show it to your parents?

【FenceFall】: They nag me too, all the time.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Sure, haha~

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: But what if my uncle and aunt are too happy with me?

【FenceFall】: Then you'll just have to pretend for me.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Okay okay, feels familiar somehow.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Renting a girlfriend, right?

【FenceFall】: … What kind of stuff do you usually watch?

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Mmm~ Someone seems to know quite a bit.

【FenceFall】: I know nothing.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: Next time, share your research list with me.

【FenceFall】: Not a chance!

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: I can share mine too.

【FenceFall】: I'll think about it.

The two chatted along the way, and the twenty-minute walk felt like it ended in the blink of an eye.

When Li Luo came to his senses, he was already standing at the entrance of Jincheng Community.

【FenceFall】: I'm home.

【SleepEarlyGrowTall】: OK, I'm going to take a shower.

【FenceFall】: Alright.

Li Luo put away his phone, reached his front door, fished out his keys, and opened it.

The next moment, his gaze turned to the living room sofa, where Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong sat upright.

Li Guohong held a cup of tea; seeing Li Luo return, he said nothing, only sipped slowly.

Lin Xiuhong crossed her arms, glanced at Li Luo, and only cleared her throat after he changed into slippers and shut the door: "Ahem… Li Luo, come here."

"What's going on?" Li Luo glanced at his parents, then slowly walked over and plopped down on the adjacent armchair.

"I didn't stop you earlier when you rushed off to eat," Lin Xiuhong said. "Was the person you ate with a girl?"

"Yes." Li Luo nodded.

"How old is she?"

"One year older than me."

"Older than you?" Lin Xiuhong frowned slightly. "Besides eating, what else did you do? Don't tell me you just kept eating until now."

"Watched a movie."

"Where's she from?"

"Local."

"What does she look like?"

"There."

Having already obtained Xu Youyu's permission, Li Luo felt no guilt—he simply pulled up the recent photo and handed it to Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong.

The couple leaned in to look.

The next moment, Lin Xiuhong's furrowed brows instantly smoothed out.

"Oh… Miss… she's quite pretty…"