Over the next couple of months, three months to be exact, Zhou Lang and Xiao Yunhua went out on multiple dates. A month after their first date, Zhou Lang romantically asked her to be his girlfriend. With the bouquet of roses in his hand, his look of adoration, plus, getting closer to her goal, she couldn't say no.
So with the title of 'girlfriend' hanging on her neck, Zhou Lang and she were nearly inseparable. They had plenty of dates, as established, but he would always make sure to be there at every performance of hers. His unspoken support was really sweet and made Xiao Yunhua feel a type of guilt for using him. But thanks to Xiao Taotao's constant reminder that she was prolonging her mission and there'd be trouble from the system, she had no choice but to endure and continue.
She understood why the system didn't place him as her target. The more time that she spent with him, the more she realized something: he was more like the best friend that she never had.
Sure she had Zhao Meiliang, but the girl had always carried a stiff aura when she was with her. The younger her assumed that it was actually her personality, but she was very naïve to think that. It turned out that she was actually a snake that was waiting to strike—and she did.
Xiao Yunhua didn't forget about the girl's cruelty; she would still make her pay in the future. Revenge was like a cup of tea. Try to drink and absorb it too quickly, one would get scorched. Let it simmer down and then sip it when least expected allowed for the best taste and result.
Even though she took her mask off in front of him, she would always wear it for her performances. Zhou Lang would always teasing say, "I'm glad that you wear a mask. I already have enough pests to defend against when we're out on dates. If you were to perform without a mask..." To which she would only roll her eyes at his silly possessiveness.
But on this particular day, they were currently in a coffee shop and Xiao Yunhua almost choked and spit out her tea when she heard Zhou Lang's words.
"...Meet my family."
She had not expected for their relationship to advance so quickly! It was progressing too quickly for her to absorb and process.
"W-What..." That word was all that she could stutter out.
"I've already told them that I have a surprise prepared for them." Zhou Lang grinned as he gripped her hand in his. "They'll love you." He leaned forward to capture her lips with his, but she turned her head and he ended up kissing her cheek. Xiao Yunhua gave him an awkward smile, but Zhou Lang didn't mind and ignored the tiny bit of hurt that he felt in his heart.
He already knew that she didn't feel what he felt for her. Over these past few months, if he tried to show her a type of affection, she would keep it vanilla and nothing excessive. She had only kissed him once and she was drunk. But even then, it had been a small peck and she missed majority of his lips.
But Zhou Lang was optimistic and knew that as long as she stayed with him, there'd be a day where she reciprocated his feelings.
"I..." With hesitant eyes, Xiao Yunhua was speechless. Finally, she meekly nodded. "I hope it is as you say."
"Of course! You have to have confidence in my words." But even with his reassurance, Xiao Yunhua knew that the Zhou family would hate her. Which family would be happy to let their son be with such a woman like her? Not that she had done anything in this body, but in their eyes, it didn't matter.
She was still an entertainer. He was a young master of the Zhou family. Sure he wasn't the heir, but his bloodline was noble. Or at least noble in this modern timeline. Xiao Yunhua assumed that he would be a prince in she was in a historical setting, and in either timeline, she would be that commoner that wasn't accepted in their family.
After she bid him adieu and went home, she saw a furious Ni Ming talking in the phone. When she eavesdropped, Xiao Yunhua heard bits and pieces and knew that it had something to do with Wang Yaowan and her wedding.
When she ended the call, Ni Ming's stressfully sighed. Seeing Xiao Yunhua giving her a look of amusement, she playfully warned. "Don't ever get married. It's too much work and I haven't even gone through with it."
"Ha. Why have such an extravagant wedding?"
Ni Ming's eyes turned solemn and she whispered, "There are many who think that the rich and handsome Wang Yaowan deserves someone of his own status. I don't belong in his world—"
"On the contrary, there would be no world without you." Wang Yaowan's words interrupted her. She turned around and the couple embraced, making Xiao Yunhua feel awkward.
"Get a room!" She called out teasingly as she left the living room. She got a text from Zhou Lang stating the address and the time where his entire family was gathered. He told her that next week was the perfect time to let every Zhou know who she was.
Seeing his text, she smiled wickedly. Time to begin to wreck a havoc...