Chapter 55: Bad girl ♪ ♪ ♪

A Shocking Interest

When Yi Diandian mentioned interest, Lin Lu’s heart skipped a beat, fearing another loan shark trap.

But her “interest” was to repay with dates—practically a disguised usury?

A guy as handsome as him could easily rake in millions as a male escort, maybe even score a Cullinan in no time.

But Lin Lu, once a wealthy elite, could never stomach falling so low, like a noblewoman reduced to a courtesan in a brothel after her family’s downfall.

He’d rather take punches from tough guys and bleed for money than “bleed” playing delicate games for women.

Hidden Pride

As Su Keke once said, deep down, he was fiercely proud.

For now, he was just biding his time, lying low.

If he could rise again, he’d dominate them all!

Su Keke, Yi Diandian, Mi Xue—they’d be nothing to fear.

He’d tame them again: one feeding him fruits and delicacies, another pouring tea and fetching water, another dancing and singing for him…

No ulterior motives, just a nightly fantasy to cope with being tormented by them lately.

Without these daydreams, life would feel hopeless.

A Careful Refusal

Of course, these were just fantasies in his head.

In reality, he forced a smile at Yi Diandian.

“Let’s skip the dating thing. It feels too romantic.

If Keke finds out, she’ll have my head…

I can pay you normal interest instead.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he didn’t want to “pay with his body,” so he used a legitimate excuse—one that genuinely scared him.

Redefining Dates

Yi Diandian, holding his hand as they left the shop, corrected his old-fashioned thinking.

“Who says only couples can date?

In the shows I watch, any guy and girl hanging out counts as a date.

You’re my guy bestie, so it’s totally fine.

Keke can’t complain.

Didn’t you see she didn’t say anything about us holding hands earlier?”

‘But tonight, I’m in for it…’ Lin Lu groaned inwardly, unable to voice his dread.

An Excited Proposal

“So tomorrow’s Sunday—we can go out… on a date.”

Yi Diandian bounced on her tiptoes, tilting her face up at Lin Lu with sparkling eyes, excited like a little girl eager to go out with her parents.

“Uh… about that…”

Yi Diandian bit her lip, her cheeks flushing as she upped the ante.

“I have this cute white dress that barely reaches mid-thigh…”

Seeing Lin Lu still hesitant, she sweetened the deal.

“I know a hotel with an amazing couple’s hot spring.

We could try it together.

I’ve got a new swimsuit, though… maybe it’s comfier without one…”

A Shy Temptation

Yi Diandian ducked her head in embarrassment.

Before leaving, her mom had drilled into her that a girl must stay reserved, even with an ex-boyfriend.

Yet here she was, turning into a bad girl, tempting a guy with her body…

She’d never have done this before, but now she had to change.

If Lin Lu married Su Keke, he’d truly become someone else’s husband.

They’d have a child, build a new family, and the past would fade away.

A Fading Connection

By then, Yi Diandian could no longer meddle in his life.

They’d become strangers, all ties severed.

She wouldn’t even get the chance to go out with him, let alone get revenge.

And she’d have to get past Su Keke, who might not take her side anymore.

“Why not go with your roommates or other friends on weekends?” Lin Lu suggested.

“Always hanging out with girls makes people think I can’t get along with guys…

I need to change my social circle’s vibe now.

I want to go out with hot guys, and you’re the hottest one I know, so obviously it’s you.”

A Reputation to Fix

Yi Diandian wasn’t lying.

At her age, young people craved hanging out with the opposite sex.

Back when she was socially anxious, staying home alone felt great.

But after Lin Lu entered her life, she realized how fulfilling it was to be outgoing—shopping with pretty besties, dating a handsome boyfriend…

“And these past few years without you, I only hung out with girls.

I never went out alone with other guys.

Lately, some people think I’m… you know, into girls.

So it’s your fault.

You owe me for ruining my reputation.

You have to go out with me more, take photos for my socials, show everyone my orientation is normal.

That’s your duty as my guy bestie.”

A Regretful Realization

Lin Lu suddenly regretted everything.

Being a guy bestie was no easy gig—it felt like a trap…

He slumped, feeling wronged.

“How is this my fault…?”

“Of course it’s your fault!

If you’d been around these past few years, you could’ve done so much with me, and I wouldn’t have been misunderstood.”

A Sweet Moment

At a roadside shop, Yi Diandian casually bought two ice cream cones, handing one to Lin Lu.

Her pink tongue swirled lightly over the cream, sweetness spreading in her mouth—the sweetest ice cream she’d had in the years without him.

Lin Lu felt like he’d shot himself in the foot.

Who turned her into this outgoing girl?

Oh, right—damn him!

A Scheduling Conflict

He tried another excuse.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just… no time.

Have you seen that national partner-matching dating task?

Keke and I have to go out at least once a week.

Like, tomorrow I’m already set to meet her…”

In an instant, Yi Diandian felt the cone lose its sweetness.

Her lips drooped, her usual energy and spark fading.

“Oh… where are you guys going tomorrow?”

“Probably around Wanxiang Plaza, too.”

That night, he and Su Keke had agreed to meet there.

A Familiar Plan

“What are you doing?”

“Probably grabbing milk tea, watching a movie, eating…”

Lin Lu had it all planned, basically recreating today’s date with Yi Diandian, just switching the milk tea shop.

But thinking about spending money again tomorrow made his heart bleed.

Why did the government mandate dating tasks but not cover the costs?

A weekly date meant hundreds of bucks each time.

A broke student like him—let alone a debtor—was crying inside.

A Cheaper Alternative

Dates didn’t have to cost money.

A park stroll would be nice.

But Su Keke, ever materialistic, didn’t appreciate nature’s beauty, insisting on the cold concrete jungle.

Yi Diandian lightly poked the grumbling Lin Lu.

“So… are you guys going to… you know, get a room at night?”

Lin Lu, caught up in budgeting woes, shook his head reflexively.

“Nah, no need…”

Yi Diandian exhaled in relief, but then he added, “We’ve got an apartment.

Why waste money?

A decent room costs hundreds.

And we can save on other stuff, too—I’ve got a box from a lucky draw I haven’t sold yet…”