Chapter 4: Borrowing a Name

The general manager stared at the man’s face on the phone for a long while, his hand, which had reached out to help Jian Qing, froze mid-air. Just as he was about to greet the boss, Li Jingche, unruffled and calm, said, “Sir, please take care of your customer. She’s drunk and should be sent home.”

Sir… sir? The general manager’s eyes darted, and he nodded repeatedly, not daring to acknowledge the man but understanding the meaning behind it. “Of course, sir.” He beckoned two female attendants over. “This guest is drunk. Escort her home.”

Jian Qing was still thinking about Yan Jin in the private room, but was already being supported by the two attendants to the underground parking lot.

Li Jingche hung up before she could, and after getting into the car, Jian Qing called Yan Jin. “Jinjin, I’m heading home first.”

The moment Yan Jin heard this, even the male models beside her lost their appeal. “Is the wine getting to you again? Pining for Xiao Yuncheng? Don’t be sad all by yourself—spill your woes and let me have some fun.”

“I…” Jian Qing hesitated, not intending to mention number 33, since she didn’t even know his name. “Just tired. I can’t even sleep well myself, let alone with someone else.”

Yan Jin tutted twice and didn’t press further, but added before hanging up, “You’re just going to skip the He family’s banquet like that? Aren’t you afraid Ren Yishan will snatch the inheritance from you? Be careful—by the time you wake up tomorrow, the world might have changed.”

What she really meant was: Sis, you’re way too nonchalant. Are you going home to sleep or to cry?

But in truth, Jian Qing had never feared such things. She yawned. “We’ll know what happens tomorrow by the day after.”

“…The He family only has one son, He Jiangyu. I’ve heard he’s still single. You could give it a try.”

Regardless of the He family’s status, though the Jian family was respectable, their influence was a notch lower. Yet Jian Qing, though she couldn’t latch onto He Jiangyu, had invented a “He Jiangyu” of her own.

Tonight, Ren Yishan would be at the banquet—who knew if she would meet He Jiangyu? If she did, Jian Qing would have to assign the man a new identity. Anyway, he was handsome and dignified; it wouldn’t be out of place no matter who he became. If things got tough, there was always the famous “Li Prince” in the capital—no one had ever seen him in person, so his name would do just as well.

“Do your best—if you get rich, keep me,” Jian Qing said with a kissy noise and hung up.

Between striving and lying flat, she decisively chose to let her best friend strive while she herself relaxed.

Reaching the villa entrance, Uncle Qian opened the door for her. The place was pitch-black inside.

“Qingqing, everyone’s still out. I’ll make you some sobering soup.”

“No need, Uncle Qian. I’m going straight to bed.” It’s said that those with carefree hearts sleep best, and at this moment Jian Qing truly fit the bill. She’d meant to explain things to number 33 before sleeping, but the moment her head touched the pillow, she was out cold.

Only her dissertation, returned by her advisor, could keep her up at night.

Though Jian Qing slept soundly, Li Jingche, sitting in the luxury lounge at the banquet, spent a full half hour on the phone with the owner of Haiqing Heyan. When the call ended, he received the night’s detailed bill for Jian Qing.

Twenty-four male models?

Even if she were assembling a World Cup team, there’d still be two left to sit on the bench!

He let out a heavy sigh, his mind replaying the woman’s flushed, tipsy face—like a fiery sunset. As he lowered his gaze, He Jiangyu walked in.

“Brother Che, we… why do you look so upset?”

Only then did Li Jingche relax his brows. He turned to glance at the floor-length mirror—his face, usually hard to read, now displayed every emotion, though he hadn’t noticed it himself.

He turned back, calm. “Ayu, lend me your Hengfu Jewelry for a couple of days.”

He Jiangyu, unaware he was about to lose his own name, readily agreed. “Sure.”

“And your name too. Let me borrow it for a couple of days.”

He Jiangyu: ?

He stopped in his tracks, pointing at his own nose, suspecting he’d misheard. “Is there some anime character with the same name as me? Brother Che, I remember you’ve never been into cosplay.”

Li Jingche fixed him with a stare. He Jiangyu instantly fell silent, then sat beside him and gossiped, “What’s going on, bro? Are you using my name for online dating?”

Close enough.

Li Jingche didn’t deny it, only controlling his expression as he thought of Jian Qing. “Is it not allowed?”

He Jiangyu’s mind buzzed. He stared at Li Jingche’s face for a long time before speaking. “Brother Che, listen to me. Don’t rush this. I know you’re nearly thirty and haven’t dated, and your family’s pushing you to marry, but online dating isn’t reliable. Don’t let yourself be deceived.”

“…Remember when you were almost hacked abroad…”

Before he could finish, Li Jingche shot him a glare.

He Jiangyu zipped his lips, realizing there was no point arguing, and tried a different tack. “So, Brother Che, why do you want my name? With your own name, men and women alike would throw themselves at you.”

“She asked me to use your name.”

He Jiangyu: …

Brother, I never realized you were such a hopeless romantic.

Seeing how serious Li Jingche was, He Jiangyu felt it would be impolite to argue further. “Alright, how long do you need it for?”

“Just don’t show your face for a while. I’ll decide when to return it.”

“Hey, Brother Che?” As Li Jingche was about to leave, He Jiangyu called out. “As someone with experience, let me give you a word of advice.”

Li Jingche stopped and turned. His tall, upright figure in the mirror made He Jiangyu, slouched on the couch, look almost rakish by comparison.

“These are heartless times. Women can change several husbands in the time it takes to finish a drama series. If you want someone to be truly haunted by you, unforgettable…”

“How?”

Li Jingche narrowed his eyes, giving He Jiangyu a thorough once-over. Unlike Li Jingche, He Jiangyu was a notorious ladies’ man—“charming” didn’t begin to cover it.

He Jiangyu snapped his fingers. “The best way is to borrow money from her.”

Li Jingche: “You’ve tried?”

He Jiangyu nodded emphatically. “Never fails. And once they learn I’m actually from the He family, they love me even more.”

“…It’s the contrast—women love that. Brother Che, with your background, that woman will only fall for you harder.”

Li Jingche arched an eyebrow. As he left, he tossed back, “Take all those male models you sent to my nightclub away.”

Though this was the He family’s banquet, the only family members present were He Jiangyu and his sister—after all, for them, this gathering was the benevolence of the powerful toward the less powerful.

Li Jingche found a quiet corner and opened the guest list. When he saw the name “Jian Qing,” he started plotting. His grip tightened around the champagne flute, the scene in Haiqing Heyan replaying vividly before his eyes.

Jian Qing…

You really are something!

He drained his glass in one go, his face cold and stern.

“Good evening, sir.”

Just as Li Jingche was lost in thought, a sweet voice sounded at his side.