Chapter 2: Gained a Girlfriend

As evening approached, the summer weather was still hot.

When the two police officers, a man and a woman, arrived at the scene, the crowd outside Baixing Supermarket grew larger.

The two officers were experienced, and when they saw Li Miaoyi’s ashen face they knew something was wrong; it was likely a first offense.

When they learned that Li Miaoyi was still a No. 1 High School student, the two officers exchanged a glance and kept the onlookers outside the shop, leaving only Chen Fan and Li Miaoyi as the parties involved.

Without much pressing, Li Miaoyi confessed on the spot; she unzipped the side of her skirt and pulled out a 1-yuan comb, a 0.5-yuan ballpoint pen, and a 0.1-yuan candy stick from inside.

They were all cheap little trinkets!

After Chen Fan marveled that the skirt actually had a hidden pocket, his face grew darker.

He remembered that back then his wages had been docked by 200 yuan, and the losses had been for items just like these?

You greedy shopkeeper, you swindler!

The two officers also couldn’t quite keep straight faces, and Li Miaoyi’s appearance did not look like that of someone short of money, so why would she steal such things for no reason?

“Young girl, since this is your first offense we won’t notify your parents or teacher this time, but you mustn’t do this again.”

“I… I promise I won’t do it again…”

Li Miaoyi kept her head down in shame, but when she learned it wouldn’t be made public she felt a slight relief.

Having been a model student all her life, she could not imagine how to face countless disappointed and mocking looks.

But when her eyes flicked to Chen Fan putting the stolen items back in their places, Li Miaoyi’s heart leapt.

The police wouldn’t blab, but an angry Chen Fan might.

How on earth could she get Chen Fan to keep this secret?

While the officers went outside to help explain and disperse the crowd, Li Miaoyi bit her red lip and, accompanied by a waft of fragrance, stepped up to Chen Fan’s side.

“Chen Fan, I’m sorry; I know I was wrong, and I hope you will forgive me…”

“Does saying sorry help?”

Chen Fan was crouching at the time, which put him at the perfect angle to see her pale, tender calves, but his heart was as hard as stone.

“Have you thought about what would have happened to me if I hadn’t caught you today? Being yelled at and having my wages docked would have been the mildest outcome; I could have been fired outright, and they might even have accused me of slander and revenge born of love turned to hate…”

“I can pay you; as long as you promise not to tell anyone about today, I’ll give you 1000…2000 yuan!”

“…Am I the sort of person who cares about money?”

Chen Fan immediately stood up and carefully sized up the delicate, charming little lamb before him.

Li Miaoyi’s father was a brick-factory owner famous throughout the surrounding countryside, and he truly did not lack money.

And he, on the other hand, was desperately short of money…

Li Miaoyi misunderstood; seeing Chen Fan staring at her like a hungry wolf, she hurriedly took a few steps back, her face full of panic.

If Chen Fan did not care about money, then he must have been the sort of person who wanted her.

If she did not agree, would he expose her as a thief and make everyone know?

The more Li Miaoyi thought about it, the more frightened she became; countless thoughts flashed through her mind and she finally yielded.

“I… I’ll agree to be your girlfriend, but you must promise not to do anything inappropriate.”

Huh? So my money’s just gone like that?

Chen Fan’s gaze returned to the girl before him, and he could not help admitting that Li Miaoyi was top-tier in every respect and very much to his taste.

Besides, asking for money would always carry the suspicion of extortion, which a law-abiding citizen should not do.

At worst, he could always borrow money from his girlfriend later.

Chen Fan easily convinced himself, took out his phone and turned on the recording function, and said, “Repeat what you said about being willing to be my girlfriend, and we’ll put this matter behind us.”

Li Miaoyi did not think much and hurriedly complied.

She would fill out her college preferences tomorrow, and she had already decided to go to Modou to study, thereby leaving her cold home behind.

Given Chen Fan’s grades, he would probably only apply to local schools; at most after this summer the two would slowly drift apart and have no further ties.

Chen Fan put his phone away, paid little attention to Li Miaoyi’s naive plans, quickly slipped into character, and took her soft, smooth little hand.

“Miaoyi, from now on we’re boyfriend and girlfriend; please take care of me!”

“Chen Fan, you… we agreed not to do anything inappropriate…”

Li Miaoyi had not expected Chen Fan to be so sleazy and to take advantage immediately, so she reflexively started to struggle.

But realizing she now had leverage over him, she subconsciously reduced the intensity of her struggle, her small face flushed with both embarrassment and urgency.

Chen Fan, displeased, said, “Miaoyi, think about this: can’t a couple hold hands?”

“I… I’m not emotionally ready yet; could you give me a little time?”

“Alright, I’ll listen to my girlfriend!”

Chen Fan, considerate of his girlfriend’s feelings, promptly let go of her hand.

They had a long life ahead of them, so there was no rush right now.

Just then, Huang Kexin came back in from outside with an anxious look and shouted, “Miaoyi, are you okay? Did Chen Fan force you to confess?”

“No, it was just a misunderstanding…”

Huh?

Huang Kexin’s momentum was interrupted; earlier, Li Miaoyi’s expressions and actions had clearly indicated she had stolen something, and Chen Fan had even called the police in his anger.

How could nothing possibly have happened?

“Chen Fan, didn’t you say with certainty that our Miaoyi stole something? What are you saying now?”

Unable to get the answer she wanted from Li Miaoyi, Huang Kexin shifted her eyes and deliberately tried to provoke Chen Fan.

If she could find a breakthrough from Chen Fan, then Li Miaoyi, this golden girl, would still be finished!

Unexpectedly, Chen Fan directly apologized: “Sorry, I was wrong.”

What?!

Huang Kexin looked utterly bewildered and shouted, “Chen Fan, where did your arrogant swagger go; why has it disappeared!”

Li Miaoyi exhaled a big breath, smiled gratefully at Chen Fan, and then pulled away the still-scheming Huang Kexin.

“Kexin, forget it, let’s go; I’m meeting Shanshan for a meal later.”

“Huh? I already told my friends we’d go eat with them.”

Huang Kexin’s attention was instantly diverted; she had spent the day trying to make Li Miaoyi look bad and almost forgot she had a dinner tonight.

Fortunately Li Miaoyi had not actually been taken away; otherwise tonight would have been a disaster for her.

Li Miaoyi frowned and said, “I don’t like your friends, and I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I won’t go.”

Huang Kexin persisted in persuading her: “They’re actually all very nice; don’t mind that they have tattoos and hot tempers… they’re all very loyal…”

Chen Fan couldn’t let his girlfriend hang out with unsavory people and flatly interrupted, “If you want to go then go by yourself; why force Li Miaoyi to come, do you have some ulterior motive?”

Huang Kexin’s expression froze and, in a rage, she snapped, “When I’m talking to Miaoyi, it’s none of your business!”

“It really does concern me…”

Seeing Chen Fan was about to expose their relationship, Li Miaoyi no longer cared about sparing her best friend face and spoke coldly.

“Chen Fan is right, Kexin; I’m starting to doubt whether you truly consider me a friend.”

“I… I’m innocent!”

Huang Kexin was so depressed she felt like spitting blood and thought that had she known this earlier she would not have egged Li Miaoyi on to steal.

Now tonight she’ll just have to repay the debt herself…