You Have the Right to Keep a Secret Love

Chapter 22: "Qixi, you look so..."

Qixi glanced at the time and thought about how she had plans to rehearse the new script with Gu Yan tomorrow, Sunday. She didn't feel like wasting any more time posting about "The Complete Gu Yan" in the group.

Coincidentally, just as she thought of Gu Yan, his phone call came through.

Qixi answered, "Hello?"

Gu Yan's voice sounded pleasant as he explained, "I won't be able to come for rehearsal tomorrow."

Qixi was a bit surprised and asked, "Do you have something urgent tomorrow? So, we won't meet tomorrow?" She paused for a moment and continued, "You can focus on your matters first. We can schedule the rehearsal during next week's working days, either during lunch break or in the evening when you're free. The Law Association hasn't been pressuring us, so there's no rush."

"Mm." Gu Yan's tone was somewhat low. "There's something that came up, but we still need to meet tomorrow."

Qixi was puzzled for a moment, then she heard Gu Yan's voice on the other end of the call again. "My sister has a client from a listed company, and they're holding their annual company dinner tomorrow night. My sister is their consulting lawyer, so she was invited. However, she has to fly out of town tomorrow for due diligence on the other company's documents, so she won't be able to attend the dinner."

As Gu Yan spoke, Qixi began to understand. "So, Lawyer Gu wants you to attend on her behalf?"

"Yes, usually as a cooperating law firm, it's necessary to send representatives," Gu Yan explained quietly. After a moment of silence, he continued, "This company has excellent performance and promising prospects. Their annual dinner is quite extravagant, and almost everyone receives awards. As an external partner, we're usually invited and there are usually generous prizes."

If Gu Yan is going to attend, then what's with the bragging?

Qixi was a little puzzled and asked, "Isn't that great?"

"Mm. But this year, the company's annual dinner requires attendees to bring a partner. The dress code is formal attire or evening gowns. It seems to be a high-end business reception."

As Gu Yan spoke, there was a moment of silence, and then Qixi heard his voice again:

"I don't have a female companion to bring."

So...

Qixi didn't dare to think too much, fearing that she might be misunderstanding or imagining things.

Until she got a definite answer from Gu Yan.

He asked, "Can you come as my partner tomorrow?"

It wasn't an outrageous invitation, and the person inviting her wasn't even in front of Qixi, just on the phone. Qixi shouldn't have been so nervous, but she couldn't seem to control the frequency of her heartbeat or the speed of her breathing. Because of this overwhelming emotion, she became somewhat slow-minded, solely focused on digesting her own nervousness, and even forgot to answer Gu Yan.

Due to Qixi's prolonged silence, Gu Yan seemed to grow impatient. He cleared his throat and spoke as if talking to himself, but also as if trying to convince Qixi: "When you went on blind dates before, I even pretended to be your boyfriend. At that time, you said there should be reciprocity, and in the future, you could pretend to be my girlfriend. I don't have as many blind date setups as you do, so there's no need for you to pretend to be my girlfriend. Now, I just need you to attend as my partner. Why are you trying to refuse?"

The accusatory tone of his words caught Qixi completely off guard, as if Gu Yan had taken the initiative before she could even react.

Under the pressure from Gu Yan, Qixi couldn't help but lower her voice. She didn't even know why she felt guilty. Qixi stammered, "I didn't refuse..."