The Only Choice - 4

Treating someone to a meal was practically second nature to Zhou Fanfan.

She'd always had a generous allowance growing up, and had developed the habit of offering a meal as thanks whenever she troubled someone or asked for a favor.

So she could swear on her life that her offer to treat Guan Yuanbai held no ulterior motive.

But in the few seconds of silence before his response, it suddenly dawned on her she could use things like meal invitations to achieve something else!

Becoming his sister-in-law was off the table, but during this period of forced connection, couldn't she become friends with Guan Yuanbai? Couldn't she find excuses to give him gifts? Of course, the main goal would be to gift things to her precious Yiyi.

This way, not only would they be helping each other out, but she could also fulfill her own dreams!

Just as Zhou Fanfan was marveling at her own brilliance, already mentally selecting which gift to give Guan Yuanbai first, he finally spoke. "Treat me to a meal?"

Zhou Fanfan nodded vigorously, though she kept her voice measured. "Yes, it's the proper thing to do, right? And since we're pretending, shouldn't we make it convincing? Maybe… occasionally have a meal together?"

Guan Yuanbai found her logic sound and didn't refute it. After a moment, he said, "I've been quite busy these past few days. I might not have the time."

"That's alright. You can just call me whenever you're free."

Guan Yuanbai seemed to let out a soft laugh, but it was so faint Zhou Fanfan couldn't be sure. She ventured cautiously, "Is that okay?"

Guan Yuanbai gave a noncommittal hum, his voice suddenly tinged with a lazy drawl. "I suppose it's fine."

The next day, Zhou Fanfan moved back home from campus.

There were two reasons. First, with Guan Yuanbai in the picture, her grandmother wouldn't nag her incessantly. Second, all her painting supplies were at home; she needed to be there to put her plan into action.

Opportunity favors the prepared. Even though Guan Yuanbai hadn't specified a day for their meal, her gifts needed to be ready!

She had many paintings of Guan Zhiyi. Her favorite one was already framed; that was the one she wanted to give. But giving a gift of just Guan Zhiyi would seem strange, and she didn't want to reveal her fan identity and potentially cause trouble for anyone.

So, she needed to prepare a gift for Guan Yuanbai first. Then, she could smoothly present the painting for his sister as an extra piece she'd happened to do.

Absolutely perfect!

For the next three days, aside from necessary trips to campus for her supervisor's tasks, Zhou Fanfan holed up in her studio painting.

Painting had been a childhood hobby, but she'd neglected it after not pursuing formal training.

She'd picked it up again purely for fangirling, to create content for her idol.

Since university, she'd only painted celebrities. Painting a non-celebrity was a first in years. Then again, Guan Yuanbai didn't exactly look like an ordinary person either.

Zhou Fanfan looked at the photo her grandmother had sent of him and couldn't help but smile.

As expected of her darling daughter's older brother. So handsome.

It took her three days to complete a portrait of Guan Yuanbai that she was satisfied with. Once finished, she took it to a shop to be framed.

After that, it was a waiting game. But two more days passed with no news.

Zhou Fanfan wasn't particularly anxious herself, but she'd forgotten one crucial thing: she was staying at home. If she wasn't anxious, someone else was perfectly willing to be anxious on her behalf.

After lunch that day, Zhao Dezhen came upstairs and entered her room.

"Fanfan, it's Saturday. Don't you have any plans?"

Zhou Fanfan, sitting at her computer desk, turned to look at her grandmother warily.

Sure enough, Zhao Dezhen said, "Tell me the truth. Are you lying to Grandma again? All that talk about 'getting to know Yuanbai', it's all fake, isn't it?"

Zhou Fanfan nearly jumped out of her chair. She blinked her big eyes, feigning confusion. "Grandma, what are you talking about? Why would I lie to you?"

Zhao Dezhen pressed, "Then how come you've been eating at home every single day? You've never once gone out for a meal with him."

Zhou Fanfan explained, "That's because he's been busy lately."

"Busy on weekends too?" Zhao Dezhen looked utterly unconvinced. "If you haven't made plans, just say so. Don't lie to me."

"Who says we haven't? We… we have plans for dinner tonight!"

Zhao Dezhen was skeptical. "Tonight? Really?"

Zhou Fanfan knew she couldn't give her grandmother room for doubt; otherwise, she'd definitely call the Guan family to check.

Her mind raced, and she put on a serious face, nodding. "Really, it's tonight. We arranged to have dinner together. Grandma, don't doubt me. I even have a gift prepared for him."

Zhou Fanfan pulled the exquisitely wrapped gift from her drawer and waved it in front of her grandmother. "It's almost time. I need to get ready and head out soon. Grandma, please go out now; I need to change."

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhen finally seemed somewhat reassured. "Wear a nice dress, something pretty. And your face, I'll have someone come over to do your makeup."

"Okay~"

Once the door closed, peace was finally restored.

Zhou Fanfan hurriedly grabbed her phone and called Guan Yuanbai. He answered surprisingly quickly.

"Hello."

"Mr. Guan, it's me."

Guan Yuanbai replied, "Yes, I know."

Zhou Fanfan cleared her throat. "Um, Mr. Guan, are you free tonight? It's like this… my grandmother is starting to suspect that I haven't been in contact with you and that I'm just lying to her…"

Guan Yuanbai paused. "My apologies. I've been on a business trip these past few days, so I haven't called you."

"It's fine, it's fine! So… would tonight work?"

"One moment."

After saying this, Guan Yuanbai exchanged a few words with someone nearby. It sounded like his assistant. Soon, his clear voice returned to the phone. "Miss Zhou, I have a meeting shortly that will likely run quite late. I'm afraid dinner won't be possible."

"That's okay! We don't have to eat. I can just come to see you."

"Oh?"

Zhou Fanfan said earnestly, "Just a quick meeting is enough. I just want to see you for a moment."

Downstairs was her watchful grandmother. Upstairs were her meticulously crafted paintings, waiting to be delivered.

Zhou Fanfan felt she absolutely had to see Guan Yuanbai today. As for the meal, she could just kill time outside and come back late. Her grandmother probably wouldn't suspect anything.

On the other end, however, Guan Yuanbai was momentarily taken aback.

Sure enough, this girl's intentions towards him were not entirely… pure.

Yet it was subtle. Because if you accused her of ulterior motives, she'd insist they were just friends, and her reasons for seeing him were always justified—blaming family pressure.

Guan Yuanbai rested his chin on his hand and chuckled softly.

This young lady had some tricks up her sleeve.

"President Guan, everyone is assembled in the conference room," his assistant reminded him quietly from the side.

Guan Yuanbai snapped back to attention. "Understood."

Zhou Fanfan, hearing the exchange on the phone, asked timidly, "Do you need to go? Then… later, after you finish, could I come see you?"

Her voice was cautious, tinged with a thread of hope.

Guan Yuanbai knew he should refuse. But whether it was because he felt they should play their acts convincingly, or because he was curious to see what she was really up to, the words of refusal never left his mouth.

"Nanjue Hotel."

"Ah?"

Guan Yuanbai's tone was flat, but held a hint of probing curiosity. "I said I'm at the Nanjue Hotel."

If any other man asked her to meet him at a hotel, Zhou Fanfan would have been at least somewhat wary.

But since it was Guan Yuanbai, she didn't have a single reservation.

Nanjue—the most luxurious five-star hotel in the capital, a landmark building in the city center, owned by the Guan conglomerate. Even someone as clueless about business as her knew that much.

After hanging up with Guan Yuanbai, Zhou Fanfan cheerfully selected a gentle-looking dress and a matching coat. Soon after, a makeup artist from a private studio arrived at her door.

She knew how to apply basic makeup herself, but her skills were no match for a professional's. So for any important occasion, her grandmother would arrange for someone to come and ‘fix her up’.

Once everything was ready, Zhou Fanfan timed her departure and set off for the Nanjue Hotel.

Guan Yuanbai hadn't specified when his meeting would end, so Zhou Fanfan had initially prepared to wait by herself upon arrival.

But the moment she stepped into the hotel lobby, a man in a suit approached her.

"Miss Zhou."

Zhou Fanfan looked at the completely unfamiliar face, puzzled. "You are…"

"I'm President Guan's assistant, He Zhi. Just call me Xiao He. President Guan asked me to wait for you here."

Understanding dawned on her. "Oh, I see. Is he finished yet?"

He Zhi glanced at his watch. "He should be wrapping up soon. Miss Zhou, right this way. Please wait in the lounge."

"Okay."

"Shall I take that for you?" the assistant offered, glancing at the two square gift boxes she carried.

Zhou Fanfan shook her head. "No need, they're not heavy."

He Zhi led her to the right side of the lobby, an area separated by a partition. Inside was a coffee bar and numerous seating areas with sofas.

"Miss Zhou, please have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

"Just a glass of water is fine, thank you."

"Certainly."

Zhou Fanfan placed the paintings beside her, took a few sips of water, and settled in to wait for Guan Yuanbai.

She had expected a long wait, but to her surprise, in less than ten minutes, she spotted a familiar figure approaching from a distance.

The hotel lighting was bright. The light from the crystal chandeliers overhead scattered, falling on his tall, well-proportioned frame and outlining his superior physique.

He was dressed in business attire today. He had removed his suit jacket, which was now casually draped over his arm, leaving only the crisp white dress shirt.

Zhou Fanfan's heart gave a little flutter. Her eyes brightened as she stood up. "Mr. Guan."

Guan Yuanbai walked up to her. "Miss Zhou. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all, I just arrived myself." Zhou Fanfan said, "Mr. Guan, I know you're busy and don't have time for dinner today, so I'll only take a little bit of your time."

Guan Yuanbai looked at her with a meaningful gaze. "It's not really a waste of my time. After all, this is a matter concerning both of us."

Seeing Guan Yuanbai being so understanding made Zhou Fanfan's ‘maternal’ affection overflow even more. As expected, even the brother of the person she adored was bound to be kind-hearted.

"Oh, right, this is for you." Zhou Fanfan turned and picked up the gift box from the sofa, handing it to him.

Guan Yuanbai looked at the box, somewhat confused. "This is…?"

"A gift for you," Zhou Fanfan said, a little embarrassed. "I painted it myself. It took me many days. I hope you don't mind it."

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Author's Note:

Yuanbai: She's so into me (?)

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