Chapter 163: Girlfriend

Chapter 163: The Girlfriend Seat

After a moment of hesitation, Shi Lv got into the passenger seat of Liang Xu's car.

In his earlier life, there was a saying that the passenger seat was *considered* the girlfriend’s spot. Previously, when taking the kitten for treatment, Shi Lv had held Ginger and sat in the back. But now, he was sitting beside Liang Xu. He fastened his seatbelt, his hands fidgeting awkwardly.

This was undoubtedly an expensive vehicle, with every detail—from the upholstery to the accessories—exuding luxury, much like its owner. Liang Xu held the steering wheel with a composed demeanor, his carefully practiced poise, refined presence, and impeccably tailored clothes all declaring, "I am expensive."

Yet, the expensive Liang Xu and his expensive car were now taking the decidedly inexpensive Shi Lv to see his equally inexpensive kitten.

The car stopped in front of the pet shop. Shi Lv got out, where little Ginger lay on a soft pad, licking wet cat food, looking much better. Shi Lv knelt down and reached into the warming crate, and Ginger immediately nuzzled his hand.

The kitten had an injury on its belly and couldn’t stand, only lying down, but it stretched its head hard toward Shi Lv’s hand, as if seeking its owner’s affection.

At that moment, Liang Xu also crouched down beside Shi Lv.

His fingers touched the glass but didn’t reach inside. Instead, he watched the fragile little life in the warming crate with careful attention, his voice soft, as if afraid of disturbing something. He sighed, "So tiny. From the photos you sent me, I thought it was much bigger."

—This was all thanks to the college student’s dubious angles.

Shi Lv seemed to think of something, his face turning scarlet.

Liang Xu had merely made a casual comment, but seeing Shi Lv’s expression, his own face took on a subtle shift.

If there was anything else in the photos the college student had sent him that appeared "bigger"...

But Liang Xu was certain it wasn’t an illusion caused by camera angles.

After all, on the 29th floor of Zhenhai Hotel, he had once touched the Junior Intern’s waist.

Shi Lv glanced at him and desperately changed the subject, "Do you want to pet her?"

"No, not—" Realizing the ambiguity, he quickly corrected himself, pointing at Ginger. "I mean, do you want to pet *it*?"

Liang Xu’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but he didn’t call it out. Instead, he asked, "Can I?"

"Of course," Shi Lv nodded. "You’ve bought so much cat food for it. It’s almost like..."

He trailed off again.

—*Almost like Ginger’s other dad.*

If Shi Lv was the kitten’s father, then X could probably be considered the adoptive father—the kind who was extremely wealthy and spoiled the child. Ginger’s cat food, cans, treats, cat bed, scratching posts, and toys—Shi Lv had barely spent a dime. X bought everything, and only the best at that. X’s high-end purchases only made Shi Lv’s rented apartment seem even shabbier, to the point where Shi Lv almost envied his own kitten.

*Being pampered by X is way too nice!*

Of course, such thoughts could only stay in his heart, never spoken aloud. He hastily covered it up, "Feel free to pet it. You’ve been helping take care of it for so long but haven’t touched it yet."

Liang Xu held his hand over the warming crate but hesitated before finally lowering it.

"Forget it," Liang Xu said. "*This* cat doesn’t like me, and Ginger’s still sick. It wouldn’t be good if she got stressed."

Ginger’s *cat father*, Gingerbread, didn’t like Liang Xu either—Shi Lv had to coax him over last time.

Shi Lv replied, "She won’t. I’ll help you."

Liang Xu didn’t often say "forget it." The last time he’d said it was when trying to pet Gingerbread. And every time he uttered those words, his lashes lowered slightly, a wry smile tugging at his lips, looking a little sad.

So Shi Lv caught his wrist.

His usually unshakable boss seemed to show a crack at this moment, his perfect mask cracking to reveal the softness underneath. For some reason, Shi Lv suddenly felt a surge of responsibility. He got serious, dead set on getting Liang Xu to pet the kitten no matter what.

So, he held onto Liang Xu and guided his hand into the incubator.

The kitten’s co-parent, who even covered its surgery—why shouldn’t he get to pet it?

Brimming with youthful energy, Shi Lv’s body temperature was even higher than Liang Xu’s. When his fingers brushed over Liang Xu’s skin, Liang Xu instinctively shivered but quickly restrained himself, letting Shi Lv lead his fingertips to the top of the kitten’s head.

The kitten was nothing like its aloof father, Gingerbread. Perhaps sensing Shi Lv’s guidance, it seemed to recognize that this hand belonged to its provider. It affectionately nuzzled against Liang Xu’s fingers, letting out a soft meow before rolling halfway to show its belly—stitches and all.

Liang Xu froze, then gently stroked the kitten’s fluffy head, careful not to touch its injured belly.

This was the first time he had ever earned a kitten’s affection.

The sensation was strange. X had bought things for the kitten because its owner was Shi Lv. X wanted to give Shi Lv gifts but feared rejection, so he showered the kitten instead. But now, a strange thought crossed Liang Xu’s mind—like this was actually his kitten.

After visiting the kitten, Liang Xu drove Shi Lv home. Eyeing the rundown apartment building, he casually brought up moving. He owned several properties near New Leaf Group, any of them open to Shi Lv. But as expected, Shi Lv refused.

The intern got out of the car, waved goodbye to Liang Xu, and headed into the building—still toting that bear-print lunchbox.

Liang Xu watched him leave, already anticipating tomorrow.

What would Shi Lv bring for lunch?

Shi Lv wouldn’t bring anything, because tomorrow was the weekend.

To a wage slave, days off were holy. Not even a crush could keep Shi Lv from sleeping in until noon. Only when the sun was high, its rays piercing through the tattered edges of his old curtains and flooding the room with light, did he sleepily haul himself up to cook.

It was already late, leaving no time for elaborate dishes. Shi Lv scrambled two eggs to make do while mindlessly scrolling on his phone, checking messages in the school group chat.

At this stage, most students were either interning or preparing for further studies, so campus affairs were minimal. Only a few notices popped up occasionally, which Shi Lv skimmed over on weekends.

The group chat was silent, but his roommate Song Yi had sent him a message:

"Shi Lv, get ready. That Omega’s parents happen to be in Haicheng. Find some time to meet them."

Then, he forwarded a WeChat contact.

It was a female Omega, clad in a leather jacket and pants, radiating tough-girl energy with her hair tied into a high ponytail. Based on Shi Lv’s judgment, she gave off major butch vibes.

Song Yi: "She’s a senior from the math department. I know her—she’s reliable. Apparently, her parents have been pressuring her for three years, and she’s dying for an alpha to play along. The pay’s generous too."

Shi Lv hesitated. At 1,000 yuan a day, he would’ve jumped at the offer before. But now, with Liang Xu in the picture, guilt nagged at him.

He didn’t reply immediately, prompting Song Yi to ask, "You’re down for this, yeah? You’re not backing out?"

Shi Lv: "No."

Song Yi had set this up, and the other party was from the same school. Shi Lv couldn’t let him down.

He sighed, "I’ll take it, but no more after this."

Song Yi: "Huh? Did you get yourself an Omega?"

Shi Lv facepalmed: "...No."

Shi Lv didn’t dare call Liang Xu his Omega yet, brushing it off with, “Still pursuing.”

Song Yi: “Whoa, haven’t succeeded yet?”

“…Hard to say.” Given his current relationship with Liang Xu, Shi Lv genuinely didn’t know how to summarize it. He changed the subject, “Does this fake boyfriend arrangement require physical contact?”

Song Yi: “Nope. Both of you just need to wear gland concealment patches. You won’t even pick up her pheromones. Just sit down, chat with her parents, and occasionally put food in her bowl—act considerate.”

Shi Lv: “Got it.”

“Oh, one more thing.” Song Yi added, “Your family history might need some…embellishment. You know, not everyone can accept…” He paused meaningfully. “Anyway, I’ve put together a backstory for you. I’ll send it over later.”

Likely referring to the original host’s absent father and deceased mother.

Shi Lv: “Alright.”

That afternoon, Shi Lv dressed in a clean, polished style and met with the female senior student.

Young, well-dressed, tall, and handsome—the senior was quite pleased. They gathered at a window-side booth in a restaurant for an introductory meal.

Shi Lv maintained zero physical contact with her, only occasionally putting food in her bowl. When asked about work and studies, he answered easily.

C University was a top-tier institution, its economics department a flagship program, and New Leaf Group was an industry leader. His academic record was flawless, leaving her parents thoroughly impressed.

When they asked about his family, Shi Lv stumbled. Song Yi’s script painted him as coming from a well-off, educated family with both parents present. But thinking of his eighteen maxed-out credit cards, lying made him uncomfortable. He fumbled through it anyway.

The senior was equally awkward. The two smiled stiffly through the entire charade.

Their booth faced one of Haicheng’s busiest streets, bustling with passersby. No one noticed Zhang Ping strolling by with his girlfriend.

Spotting Shi Lv, his eyes widened.

Shi Lv had… a girlfriend?

If the boss and Shi Lv were just in a transactional pheromone deal—money for pheromones—then Shi Lv could date eight hundred girls for all it mattered. But as Liang Xu’s special assistant, Zhang Ping had long sensed something unusual between them.

The boss driving the junior intern home after work? If that wasn’t dating, what was?

Hesitating, he discreetly raised his phone and snapped a photo.

Soon, the image landed on Liang Xu’s desk.

Overexposed and blurry, but clear enough: Shi Lv and an unfamiliar woman, both smiling, as he placed a slice of pumpkin into her bowl.

Liang Xu shut his eyes, his fingers tightening silently on the desk edge.

Shi Lv had never even put food in his bowl.

Zhang Ping stood nervously nearby. “Boss, what should we do?” He stammered, “Should we transfer Shi Lv out of Strategic Investment?”

Strategic Investment was New Leaf’s core, Liang Xu’s inner circle. Having to see each other every day would only make things messier.

Liang Xu lowered his gaze. “Not yet. I need to talk to Shi Lv first.”

The evidence seemed irrefutable—their intimate behavior, Shi Lv’s earlier unexplained distance. If it was because of another relationship, it would at least make sense.

But Liang Xu wouldn’t jump to conclusions or rush to sever ties. He’d give Shi Lv a chance. But if Shi Lv was truly two-timing…

Liang Xu closed his pen, expression unreadable, nails digging silently into his palm.

He opened Shi Lv’s chat: “Shi Lv, free tonight? We need to talk.”

Meanwhile, Shi Lv was busy following a recipe, having just learned beer-braised duck dish to share with Liang Xu. Frantically packing the meal into a lunchbox, he missed the chill in Liang Xu’s tone, answering obediently, “Sure, where?”