Chapter 117: A Sudden Inspiration

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: A Sudden Inspiration

"Oh, right. He also needs to be sharp, adaptable, and not addicted to women."

This combo of requirements stunned Deng Yuyuan into silence.

"Actually, there’s no need to test him. The fact that he’s hesitating between two women shows he doesn’t love you enough," Deng Yuyuan said. "If he were truly so passionate that he fell in love with two women at the same time, then both of you should feel certain that you are loved, rather than wondering whether he loves you or not."

Wei Yin fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "Let me test him one last time. From the time I was five until I was seventeen, Zhao Mingzhao always firmly chose me. Back then, he treated Chu Luo like an ordinary girl next door. I don’t understand what happened to cause his change in attitude, so I’ve been searching for the reason."

The paper cranes Zhao Mingzhao had folded with his own hands, the silver bracelet he had saved up to buy for her, the peace charm he had prayed for when she was sick... His affection in their youth had been so intense that she could still feel its lingering warmth even now.

"Men are easy to find, but men who meet such high standards are not." Deng Yuyuan raised an eyebrow. "If there really is a man who fits your criteria, I don’t think you’d even need him to be a fake boyfriend. You might as well just marry him into the Wei Family directly."

The Wei Family Parents nodded in agreement, though they had their own thoughts. "There will always be brave men under a heavy reward. If we offer Fifty thousand, we should be able to find someone. He’ll only need to pretend for a few days, and then you can publicly announce a breakup."

"Mr. Duo?" Deng Yuyuan’s voice cracked from excitement.

Her grandparents could understand her excitement. They too felt this was a bit absurd, but Wei Yin was their precious Mingzhu. Now that the child had finally come to her senses and realized her poor judgment in men, how could her elders bear to refuse her wishes?

"Fifty thousand," her grandfather said. Thinking more meticulously, he broadened the criteria. "It doesn’t matter if he comes from a poor background. It’s too hard to find a noble son from a humble family anyway. We might as well look for someone who has studied abroad. Xiao Yin has also been overseas, so we can claim they are friends who met abroad and hit it off after returning to the country."

The social circle the Wei Family interacted with was fixed. It would not be easy to find an outstanding man whom the Zhao family didn’t know, and who wouldn’t bring lingering troubles afterward. Thus, they pinned their hopes on Deng Yuyuan, who was always out and about.

The first people who came to Deng Yuyuan’s mind were Chu Tiankuo or Jiang Hua. She immediately ruled out Jiang Hua. The work he was doing made it unsuitable for him to be exposed to the Zhao family’s radar. If he accidentally drew their ire, his already difficult entrepreneurial journey would likely be cut short.

Although Chu Tiankuo was merely a counselor’s son, he could casually give Tuantuan expensive and rare gifts. His family’s background had to be profound. He certainly fit the bill, but she didn’t know if he would actually agree to it...

Unexpectedly, when the Wei Family heard the options she presented, they shook their heads. Chu Tiankuo and Chu Luo shared a certain degree of kinship; Chu Tiankuo could be considered Chu Luo’s distant cousin. They didn’t have a deep impression of Chu Tiankuo. He hadn’t lived in Beijing before and had only moved there after getting into university. However, the Wei Family instinctively didn’t want their child to have any further connections with the Chu Family.

"It would be best to find someone within a week. Next week is my birthday banquet, and I want to... test him." Wei Yin lowered her head, hiding her expression from everyone.

Although she called it a birthday banquet, she would only invite a few relatives and close friends for a small gathering. Zhao Mingzhao was invited every year.

The Wei Family frowned in unison. They did not approve of Wei Yin sacrificing her own birthday for a scumbag, even though every birthday since she turned eighteen had been somewhat unpleasant because of Zhao Mingzhao.

Deng Yuyuan was the first to voice her opposition, her perspective as unconventional as always. "If you do that, your birthday banquet will likely be a miserable affair. Why not postpone it by a day? On your actual birthday, you can just gather with your family, and set the date on the invitations for the day after.

"Besides, if he really cares about you, he’ll ask why you postponed your birthday. That can serve as a small test, too."

Wei Yin was taken aback for a moment, her fingers tightening slightly around her teacup. She clearly hadn’t expected Deng Yuyuan’s reason for objecting to land on this specific point.

"You really are..." she sighed softly. Her tone held no anger, but rather a sense of dawning realization, as if her hidden thoughts had been laid bare. "The way you look at things is always so... spot-on."

The matter went round and round, only to return to the starting point. What were they going to do about Wei Yin’s boyfriend candidate?

Deng Yuyuan originally shouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess, but Fifty thousand... Ever since she arrived in Beijing, she had been in a state of constantly spending money with no income. Fifty thousand was no small sum. Even if she used it to buy the Adult Male Outfit from the Farming System Shop, the payment would cover the purchase cost and still leave a massive profit margin.

Furthermore, now that she had the Jade Pendant Space, the Adult Male Outfit could be stored inside it after use. What could have been a one-time consumable would turn into a practical, reusable item. After all, in this era where surveillance cameras were undeveloped and the Skynet system didn’t exist, disguises were incredibly useful. At certain specific moments, a disguise could completely separate a person from their true identity, especially when their gender or age was blurred.

"I actually have a method that might meet your requirements," Deng Yuyuan said, rubbing her temples.

Wei Yin was overjoyed. She grabbed Deng Yuyuan’s hand. "Xiao Yuan, I knew you were a great friend! You’re like a timely rain, solving my troubles right when I need it. Tell me, who is he?"

"Me," Deng Yuyuan told her deadpan. "I’ll dress up as a man. How about that?"

Wei Yin let go of her hand. "I misspoke. There is no timely rain, only a leaky roof catching the overnight downpour."

"You don’t believe me?" Deng Yuyuan looked a little wronged. She lowered her eyes, showing a rare, almost childish stubbornness.

Wei Yin wavered again.

"O-Okay, then give it a try." Wei Yin consoled herself. Had she heard a shortage of idle gossip over the years she spent chasing after Zhao Mingzhao? This was just pretending to date a short, effeminate partner—she could handle it!

In the eyes of outsiders, her taste in partners had always been terrible anyway. It was just that Wei Yin felt a bit frustrated; she didn’t want her fake boyfriend to be overshadowed by Zhao Mingzhao. If it was Deng Yuyuan, well, forget it. She was willing to be tolerant.

Seeing Wei Yin’s expression, Deng Yuyuan knew immediately that Wei Yin didn’t believe her at all. Now, she was genuinely determined to make Wei Yin see her in a new light. "Wait here. I’m going to get my props right now."

"Hey, wait," the nanny called out to stop her. "Xiao Yuan, where are you going? It’s starting to drizzle outside, and it’s dark. Go get it tomorrow. I’m worried the rain will get heavier while you’re on the way. I was even going to suggest that you and Tuantuan sleep over at the Wei Family’s home tonight."

It was currently the rainy season. A heavy downpour had fallen early in the morning, and though it had cleared up by noon, a light, pattering drizzle unexpectedly started again in the evening.

"Lend me an umbrella. I’m going back to my rented place to grab some things." Deng Yuyuan’s competitive spirit had been stoked. Furthermore, her current body had excellent night vision, and she wouldn’t get sick from ordinary exposure to the rain.