Chapter 0042: The Pretend Boyfriend As a token of appreciation for “Yun Ai Dai,” an extra chapter is added with the Jade Pendant reward.

“Acting? That’s what I’m good at.” Zhang Xiaofan smiled.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. That bastard is a Taekwondo expert. Are you sure you can handle it?” Lin Sixue asked.

“Absolutely. Of course I can handle it. How can a man not? Don’t worry, whatever way you want to beat him up, I’ll do exactly that.” Zhang Xiaofan replied earnestly.

“Alright, then come with me. That idiot is still downstairs, waiting to pester me for dinner.” Lin Sixue stepped forward, grabbing Zhang Xiaofan’s arm. “Be natural and act convincingly, okay?”

“I told you, acting is my forte.” As he spoke, Zhang Xiaofan wrapped an arm around Lin Sixue’s slender waist.

“Scoundrel… taking advantage of me, but to get rid of that bastard, I’ll endure it!”

…

“Wow… isn’t that Deputy General Manager Lin? Who’s the man beside her?”

“I think he’s the one who came with the CEO this morning…”

“Could he be Deputy General Manager Lin’s boyfriend? He does look pretty handsome.”

“This guy’s in trouble… hugging Deputy General Manager Lin like that, Young Master Zhao is still downstairs…”

“I bet Lin just found another actor… this guy is really going to suffer…”

…

“Sixue, I’ve already booked the restaurant.”

As soon as they reached the ground floor, a man in an immaculate white suit walked over. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan holding Lin Sixue, he frowned. “Who is he?”

“Zhao Kai, this is my boyfriend. What do you think, handsome, right?” Lin Sixue smiled, moving closer to Zhang Xiaofan.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai immediately laughed, “Sixue, you’re still not giving up, are you? Another actor today?”

“Aren’t we going to eat? Shall we go?” Lin Sixue clearly didn’t want to be the center of attention in the company.

“Let’s go, let’s go. Bring your fake boyfriend along. I’d like to see what kind of character you’ve picked this time.” Zhao Kai didn’t pay Zhang Xiaofan any mind.

“Listen, brother, don’t put on airs, or you’ll regret it,” Zhang Xiaofan said calmly. On the way, Lin Sixue had already told him about Zhao’s identity.

The son of the deputy mayor of Jinghai City, Zhao Kai did indeed have some reason to be arrogant.

“Hahaha! Bold! Even more than the previous ones. Sixue hasn’t told you who I am, has she?” Zhao Kai laughed, full of disdain.

“You’re just the deputy mayor’s son. Your father’s impressive, but what does that have to do with you?” Zhang Xiaofan replied coldly.

Lin Sixue was delighted. This guy really knew how to retaliate!

“Don’t worry, dealing with a background actor like you doesn’t require my status.” Zhao Kai chuckled, purposely keeping up his gentlemanly facade.

“Shall we? Let’s eat together. Little brother, have you ever tried French cuisine?” Zhao Kai spoke casually, but the contempt in his tone was unmistakable.

“No, I haven’t. Young Master Zhao, don’t be stingy later,” Zhang Xiaofan smiled, unconcerned. Let him act superior—he’d eat him out of house and home.

But Lin Sixue thought he was a bit too spineless…

Soon, the three arrived at a French restaurant near the company.

Maxim’s, the finest French restaurant in Jinghai City.

A tall, alluring French waitress led them inside.

Everyone who frequented this restaurant carried themselves with a hint of noble elegance. Foreign guests were common, giving the place an air of high society.

Even Zhao Kai exuded a gentle refinement.

The hall was spacious, bathed in soft, elegant light, with decor and arrangements that were exquisitely tasteful.

It was less a restaurant than an elite social venue.

Spotlights converged on a stage where a jazz band played.

They took their seats, ready to order.

“Guests first. Why don’t you order?” Zhao Kai looked at Zhang Xiaofan. “But the waiters here don’t understand Chinese.”

Zhao Kai’s intention was obvious: he hoped Zhang Xiaofan would embarrass himself, assuming he couldn’t speak French.

Zhang Xiaofan smiled. Was Zhao Kai already declaring war? Luckily, he knew a bit of French.

Without even looking at the menu, he ordered several signature dishes in fluent French—each costing thousands—and, most importantly, requested five bottles of Lafite, vintage 1982.

Zhao Kai’s face darkened. Was this guy part cow? Five bottles of Lafite?

Here, each bottle cost a hundred thousand—that’s half a million.

A loss on all sides, but he had to endure it to avoid being called stingy.

The waitress immediately praised Zhang Xiaofan’s French. Few customers here spoke so fluently.

“Didn’t expect you to know French,” Lin Sixue said with a faint smile, looking at Zhang Xiaofan.

“Just a little, probably not as good as Brother Zhao’s,” Zhang Xiaofan laughed, turning to Zhao Kai. “Would you like to order something too?”

“No, that won’t be necessary…”

Zhao Kai didn’t dare show off. If he spoke his awkward French, it would be even more humiliating in comparison.

“Yes, Zhao Kai, aren’t you impressive? Go ahead and order a few dishes. Or are you reluctant?” Lin Sixue instantly saw through the situation. The two men were already dueling—her cousin’s bodyguard was reliable! Lin Sixue felt hopeful, loving to see Zhao Kai defeated.

“It’s just a bit of money. Order whatever you like.”

Zhao Kai remained composed, skillfully sidestepping his embarrassment.

Lin Sixue’s eyes flashed with mischief, and she proceeded to order seven or eight dishes in one go. As Deputy General Manager of Lin Group, it wasn’t surprising she knew some French.

Zhao Kai was at a loss—this meal would probably cost him six hundred thousand.

He wasn’t a typical rich kid; though wealthy, he couldn’t spend recklessly. If someone caught him out, his father would lose his job, and he’d no longer be Young Master Zhao…

At this moment, Zhao Kai asked with a smile, “Mr. Zhang, your French is impressive, and your suit costs tens of thousands. Where do you work?”

“Me? I’m a bodyguard, ten thousand a month. Just making a living,” Zhang Xiaofan replied with a smile.

Lin Sixue was anxious—why say that? He could have claimed to be a manager at Lin Group.

Hearing this, Zhao Kai’s expression was interesting. “So you’re a bodyguard. Ten thousand a month isn’t bad, but I wonder if your skills are worth the price.”

“Don’t worry, Taekwondo experts are no match for me,” Zhang Xiaofan said lightly, clearly referring to Zhao Kai.

Zhao Kai looked uneasy for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. “If there’s a chance, I’d like to spar with you, Mr. Zhang.”

Here, Zhao Kai restrained his usual arrogance, trying to appear gentlemanly to avoid being looked down upon.

This guy was tough—he’d already suffered several silent losses.

If he got a chance to fight, he would definitely teach Zhang Xiaofan a lesson.

“Sure, but I hope you don’t ask me for medical fees if I injure you. I don’t have the money,” Zhang Xiaofan replied calmly and earnestly. His acting was flawless.

“Haha… Mr. Zhang, you seem to be quite the expert. No time like the present—shall we try it after lunch?”

Zhao Kai chuckled, clearly annoyed at being dismissed.

Previously, the fake boyfriends Lin Sixue found were always beaten by Zhao Kai, and here he was again. Lin Sixue wasn’t confident—could her cousin’s bodyguard really handle it?

“No problem, but as I said, if I go too hard, don’t blame me to your father,” Zhang Xiaofan laughed.

“Great, great! After lunch, let’s go to my company’s gym?” Lin Sixue added, fanning the flames.

“Fine…” Zhang Xiaofan was speechless. Lin Sixue must be over twenty, yet she acted like a child.

Soon, their dishes arrived one after another. Zhang Xiaofan was not shy—he was hungry, but still maintained gentlemanly manners.

He opened a bottle of Lafite, eating the special steak and drinking wine as if it were juice. The Lafite was authentic, with excellent taste, and before long, Zhang Xiaofan had finished three bottles, his expression unchanged.

Zhao Kai was glad he hadn’t challenged Zhang Xiaofan to a drinking contest—he would have made a fool of himself.

“Sixue, I’ve been ill lately. Can’t sleep at night, can’t eat during the day. The doctor says it’s lovesickness.” As lunch neared its end, Zhao Kai looked at Lin Sixue, launching into a confession.

“Oh, really? What’s it got to do with me?” Lin Sixue replied indifferently.

“Of course it’s because of you. Every night when I close my eyes, your image appears. During the day, I wonder if you’re eating too.” Zhao Kai spoke passionately, and even Zhang Xiaofan had to admire his acting.

It was a bit cliché, but classic lines often move girls. Sadly, Lin Sixue was not an ordinary girl.

“You really are sick.”

Zhang Xiaofan polished off a fourth bottle of Lafite, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said calmly, “But it’s not lovesickness, it’s premature ejaculation.”

Zhao Kai froze, then his face darkened. He did have that problem, but how did this guy know?

He certainly wouldn’t admit it.

“Whether I have that… illness, I know myself. Mr. Zhang, you shouldn’t speak carelessly, you’re not a doctor.”

“To be honest, I am a doctor. Your problem arose when you were kicked during training, right? Damaged a key nerve, causing weakness.” Zhang Xiaofan spoke quietly. Through the techniques of traditional Chinese medicine, he had already diagnosed Zhao Kai’s issue—a true expert.

Zhao Kai was shocked; Zhang Xiaofan’s precise diagnosis proved he wasn’t just bluffing.

Had this guy investigated him?

But no one knew about this except Zhao Kai himself; he always took medicine before those occasions.

“Mr. Zhang, if you want to impress Sixue, there’s no need to slander me,” he said, though startled, refusing to admit it.

“Zhao Kai, if you’re really sick, just say so. Zhang Xiaofan is a miracle doctor—he cured my congenital heart disease,” Lin Sixue said earnestly, though inwardly she was delighted.

Her cousin’s bodyguard was truly skilled—he could slap someone without a single curse word. Judging by Zhao Kai’s look, she guessed Zhang Xiaofan had hit the mark.

“If you’re sick, you know it yourself. Finished eating, shall we go?”

By now, Zhang Xiaofan had finished all five bottles of ’82 Lafite, burping contentedly. What a treat.

The wine alone cost half a million—Zhao Kai must be in pain.

If not for Lin Sixue being present, and Zhang Xiaofan not being her fake boyfriend, Zhao Kai would have wanted to ask if it could be cured.

After lunch, Zhao Kai was left thoroughly disgruntled.

“Since we’re done, Mr. Zhang, shall we spar?” Zhao Kai asked. Only with his fists could he regain some dignity—and send a warning to this upstart.

“Of course, I’m full. Time for some exercise.” Zhang Xiaofan stood up. “Let’s go.”

“Hurry, hurry, I want to see who’s really stronger,” Lin Sixue said, suddenly energized.

Zhao Kai paid the bill with annoyance, and the three walked out of the restaurant toward Lin Group.