After Becoming an Alpha, I Became a Charmer (GL) - Chapter 30.2

This familiar feeling of not being able to interfere—are they not dating? This is exactly how we act when we’re dating. We only see each other, and everyone else is just background noise. How can Ruan Wu call this pure friendship?

“I’m sure now,” Song Yourui suddenly said, out of nowhere.

“Sure about what?” Xia Zhiyu went back in to try on the second outfit. Ruan Wu looked up when she heard this.

Jing Yan and Pang Jingyi said in unison, “Only those of us who are dating can understand.”

Ruan Wu: “…”

What is wrong with my friends today? They never brought up dating in front of me before! Today, because they misunderstood my relationship with Xia Zhiyu, they’ve mentioned it no less than ten times.

“Mhm. Then I, who doesn’t plan to date, certainly can’t understand,” Ruan Wu stressed again.

But this time, the three of them didn’t believe a word.

Based on their years of understanding Ruan Wu, they were certain Ruan Wu loved Xia Zhiyu but was unaware of it, and Xia Zhiyu didn’t seem completely immune to Ruan Wu either.

Two people so well-matched should just confess and be together, enjoying a sweet romance every day, instead of suffering a painful love story due to a bizarre misunderstanding.

From today on, Ruan Wu and Xia Zhiyu’s love story would be protected by the three of them.

Xia Zhiyu liked the three outfits Ruan Wu picked out and decided to buy them all.

Ruan Wu took out her card, about to hand it to the sales assistant, but Xia Zhiyu stopped her. “I have money. I’ll pay myself.”

Ruan Wu hadn’t even asked where a person with several million in debt got the money to buy clothes worth thousands when Song Yourui and the others surrounded Xia Zhiyu, urging her to accept Ruan Wu’s kind offer to pay.

“Friends shouldn’t be so calculating. It’s completely normal for Ruan Ruan to pay for you once.”

“That’s right. Ruan Ruan often pays for us. We accept it easily because we know that refusing would hurt Ruan Ruan’s feelings.”

“Are you sure you want to hurt Ruan Ruan’s feelings? All for a few thousand yuan?”

Facing three pairs of sincere eyes, Xia Zhiyu almost thought she was refusing Ruan Wu’s confession instead of her offer to pay.

“Alright, thank you, Ruan Ruan. I’ll take these as gifts from you.” She would just pay Ruan Wu back later with a gift.

Besides, Ruan Wu did look genuinely puzzled and hurt when she refused her just now.

Ruan Wu was satisfied and handed her card to the sales assistant.

Xia Zhiyu had bought three outfits, which was enough for now. She asked Song Yourui and the others, “Aren’t you buying anything?” They were so excited on the way over, talking about maxing out their credit cards.

Song Yourui seized the opportunity to bring up the plan they had discussed with Ruan Wu earlier. “You two single people don’t plan to date. It would be perfect to get together and hang out. You don’t have to do anything intimate. Just experience what it feels like to only have one person in your heart and eyes.”

Xia Zhiyu found the idea amusing. If it were anyone else, she would immediately refuse to pretend to be a couple, but with Ruan Wu, this was a rare opportunity.

Xia Zhiyu looked at Ruan Wu expectantly. “Ruan Ruan, I think that sounds like fun. Should we try it?”

Ruan Wu’s original reason for not agreeing was to get Xia Zhiyu’s opinion. Now that Xia Zhiyu was visibly enthusiastic, Ruan Wu pursed her lips to hide a smile. “Just this one time.” She would give Xia Zhiyu one chance to realize her wish.

The couple’s outing plan was set, but they still needed to decide on a date. “I’ll make a plan as soon as I get back,” Song Yourui said. “Let’s first create a group chat with the four couples. Ruan Ruan and Zhiyu can observe how the three of us interact as couples to learn in advance, so it won’t be awkward on the outing.”

Song Yourui created a new group and added her husband, Jing Yan’s boyfriend, and Pang Jingyi’s girlfriend.

ZhouZhang: Dearest wife, what group is this?

Song Yourui messaged Zhou Zhang privately.

SongYourui: I’ll explain when I get back. Just make up an excuse for me to come home for now.

Zhou Zhang immediately sent a second message in the group.

ZhouZhang: Wife, your husband has a fever. He’s home alone right now. Could you come back and check on your weak and helpless husband?

SongYourui: !!! Honey, why are you sick? Pat-pat. Don’t worry. I’m coming home immediately to take you to the hospital.

After their performance, Song Yourui looked at Ruan Wu and the others with a worried expression. “I have to leave early today. Zhou Zhang has a fever, and I can’t leave him alone. You guys can continue to hang out without me.”

Jing Yan immediately said, “How can we continue without you? Sigh. Actually, my boyfriend is in a bad mood recently. If you’re leaving, I should go too. I’ll go back and comfort him.”

“I’ll leave too,” Pang Jingyi said.

Ruan Wu’s gaze shot to her. “What’s wrong with your girlfriend now?”

“She, her mother is unwell. I feel that since she’s my future mother-in-law, it wouldn’t look good if I didn’t go keep her company. Since everyone has something to do today, why don’t we just call it a day and gather properly next time?”

Ruan Wu frowned but agreed. In the blink of an eye, all three were gone, leaving only Ruan Wu and Xia Zhiyu.

Ruan Wu said, “This is one of the reasons I don’t want to date. They are so annoying. Spending all day together isn’t enough; they have to infringe on private time.”

Xia Zhiyu nodded in agreement. “That’s true.”

“Do you still want to go see a movie?” Xia Zhiyu asked.

Ruan Wu was about to answer when Xia Zhiyu’s phone rang. It was a phone call.

Xia Zhiyu took out her phone, her face becoming serious. She told Ruan Wu, “It’s Zhao Sheng.”

“Don’t rush to answer. I can guess why he’s calling you now. I’ll talk to you about it first.”

Zhao Sheng had recently noticed that someone seemed to be investigating him. He was afraid it was Ruan Wu’s doing. He was probably calling Xia Zhiyu to probe and see if she knew anything.

The phone rang nine times before stopping. Less than two seconds later, it rang again.

Xia Zhiyu waited for the call to ring three times before pressing the answer button.

“Hello?” Xia Zhiyu’s voice was lazy, carrying a sense of nonchalance.

Zhao Sheng paused on the other end, then said, “Little Xia, it’s me, your Brother Zhao. I’ve been so busy lately and haven’t had time to treat you to dinner or give you a gift. Do you have time tonight? Brother is hosting a dinner for you at the Haoting Hotel.”

Xia Zhiyu’s attitude became slightly more enthusiastic when she heard “Haoting Hotel.” “I think I have time, but Sister Ke also said she wanted to treat me to dinner a few days ago. I’m not sure if it’s tonight. I need to ask her.”

“I know Little Ke. She’s busier than I am right now. She’s overwhelmed with company matters and family affairs. She complained to me when I called her last night. You shouldn’t bother her for now.” Zhao Sheng didn’t want Ke Miao to know he might be investigated by Ruan Wu. The alliance between the three of them was only as strong as they believed it to be. They could immediately turn on each other to save themselves.

“No wonder. I was wondering why Sister Ke hadn’t been chatting with me lately.”

Zhao Sheng wanted to roll his eyes when he heard her voice.

Ke Miao had complained to him. Whenever she chatted with Xia Zhiyu, Xia Zhiyu would take the opportunity to ask for things. If Xia Zhiyu wasn’t useful, Ke Miao would have stopped talking to her a long time ago.

“Haha. Your Sister Ke is busy, but you still have your Brother Zhao. Tell me what you like, and Brother Zhao will go to the mall to buy it for you now.”

“You’re too kind, Brother Zhao. I haven’t seen many nice things, so I’m not picky. Just buy me something along the lines of Sister Ke’s watch.”

“Alright, alright, no problem. I’ll text you the private room number at Haoting. We can chat more when we get there.”

The watch Ke Miao gave was worth over 100,000 yuan. Xia Zhiyu heard a hint of teeth-grinding in Zhao Sheng’s voice and smiled slightly. That’s exactly the reaction I was aiming for.

Five minutes later, Zhao Sheng texted the time and place.

8 p.m., Haoting Hotel, Private Room 658.

Ruan Wu immediately called and booked the private room next to 658 when she saw the room number.

On the way home, Ruan Wu’s face was solemn. She told Xia Zhiyu, “Don’t be scared. Zhao Ze, Zhang Yu, and I will be next door with you. We can rescue you immediately if anything happens.”

Xia Zhiyu couldn’t help but feel amused and touched. “Zhao Sheng invited me to butter me up. There won’t be any danger.”

“What if there is?” Ruan Wu looked at Xia Zhiyu’s face and frowned. “You need to remove your makeup today, too. Being too beautiful is dangerous.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” Xia Zhiyu couldn’t help but gently tap the crease in Ruan Wu’s brow. “Don’t frown so much, or the wrinkles will never go away. Take a page from my book and smile more.”

Ruan Wu said, “Smiling too much causes laugh lines. It’s better not to show any expression.”

At 7:30 p.m., Ruan Wu and Xia Zhiyu arrived at the Haoting Hotel. Zhao Ze followed Ruan Wu into the private room next to 658. Zhang Yu stayed with Xia Zhiyu, waiting downstairs in the coffee shop.

At 7:45 p.m., Xia Zhiyu saw Zhao Sheng take the elevator upstairs in the coffee shop. She waited another fifteen minutes before leisurely walking into the Haoting.

“Hello, do you have a reservation?” A waiter immediately approached to ask.

“Private Room 658. Mr. Zhao.”

“Certainly, please follow me.” The waiter confirmed the information with the front desk and then smiled and led the way for Xia Zhiyu.

Arriving at Private Room 658, the waiter knocked on the door. A voice from inside said “Come in.” The waiter pushed the door open and invited Xia Zhiyu inside.

Xia Zhiyu nodded her thanks to the waiter. The next moment, a relaxed smile appeared on her face as she walked into the room. She said to Zhao Sheng inside, “I’m so sorry, so sorry. There was traffic on the road. I’m late.”

Zhao Sheng seemed mentally prepared. He smiled warmly. “Don’t be so polite, Little Xia. It’s just a little late. That’s perfectly normal.”

“Come and sit down, Little Xia. See if you like the gift Brother Zhao picked out for you.”

Xia Zhiyu’s eyes lit up when she heard “gift.” “Brother Zhao actually bought me a gift! I was just joking. I didn’t think you’d take it seriously.”

Zhao Sheng thought: Could I really not take it seriously? At least I finally heard you say ‘Brother’.

“I know you like jewelry. I just bought this ruby bracelet at the jewelry store. Don’t worry. The price is definitely more than that watch.”

Xia Zhiyu immediately put on an eager, greedy expression. She walked over, picked up the jewelry box on the table, opened it, and put the bracelet up to her wrist.

Against her pale, slender wrist, the dark ruby stones looked incredibly beautiful. Even Zhao Sheng couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.

But he quickly snapped out of it. Xia Zhiyu is an Alpha. I must be crazy to stare at her. Furthermore, Xia Zhiyu was a superficial person who only cared about money. If he was going to be distracted, it should only be by someone as excellent as Ruan Wu. Who does Xia Zhiyu think she is to make me lose my focus?

“You have good taste, Brother Zhao. This bracelet is indeed better than the watch.” Xia Zhiyu looked up and smiled radiantly.

Zhao Sheng’s gaze froze. “…”