Chapter 68: The Phone Call

“Old Dog, what’s going on?”

Zhu Niao, coming out of the bathroom, poked her head forward to look at Gou Yu’s hand and saw it was her phone.

“Your roommate just asked if you’re free to go out during the holiday. I told her you’re not available.” Gou Yu held out the phone to Zhu Niao, but she didn’t take it.

The mischievous little bird rubbed her freshly washed hands repeatedly on Gou Yu’s body, not in a hurry to retrieve her phone.

“I was actually free this holiday,” she said with mock regret.

With a long holiday and a job that didn’t require working on days off, she should have been able to enjoy some relaxation.

But instead, she had to spend the holiday accompanying Gou Yu back home as his fake girlfriend.

No choice—after all, Gou Yu only had her as his “dad.”

Of course, the biggest reason was that Gou Yu said his parents would give a big red envelope.

“It’s fine. If I find out the red envelopes your parents give are less than what I make from my part-time jobs, I’ll just take from your room.” Zhu Niao gave a dangerous smile.

“Hah, you’ve got the wrong idea,” Gou Yu shook his sleeve. “I’m an honest official—clean and upright.”

The little bird sneered and sat on the edge of the bed.

Just then, the Orange Cat dashed over from the hallway outside. Zhu Niao patted her thigh, and the cat jumped up.

It followed Zhu Niao’s gaze and stared at Gou Yu as well.

“You think I don’t know?” Zhu Niao’s cold smile deepened. “Under the pillow, between the sheets and the mattress, eight hundred and thirty-seven, right?”

“What the hell?” Gou Yu’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“I even checked your browser history clearly. I’m surprised you’re shocked I know about your little stash.” Zhu Niao reached out to scratch the cat’s chin.

“Your Majesty!”

Gou Yu jumped up, landed on his knees on the bed, causing Zhu Niao sitting by the edge to bounce up.

“Eight hundred and thirty-seven, all the spare change I saved is there. I’m so scared of being broke I haven’t dared to spend a single cent!”

Seeing Gou Yu about to burst into tears, Zhu Niao hurriedly stopped him.

She extended her hand and grabbed both his upper and lower lips, sealing his mouth shut like closing a paper bag.

“If you can sort out this little guy’s problem, I might consider not raiding your house.”

The little Orange Cat was living quite comfortably, well-behaved and healthy. The only problem was they didn’t know how to take care of it when they went out.

Now that it was in their home, Zhu Niao wasn’t going to let it be kicked out.

It couldn’t be like her.

“Just take it with you,” Gou Yu said matter-of-factly.

“But won’t it get pressed down during security checks?” Zhu Niao lifted the cat up and held it in front of Gou Yu. “Your brother’s going to ditch you. Go scratch him.”

“Why am I the brother? Shouldn’t I be the dad?” Gou Yu pointed at himself.

“Because I’m your dad.”

Taking a deep breath, Gou Yu said, “Someone will pick us up later. No need to take the train or go through security.”

Zhu Niao was taken aback. “You got a ride? How much did it cost?”

Gou Yu scratched his head, realizing he couldn’t answer and simply said, “My family is coming to pick us up.”

“Your dad’s a Didi driver?”

Seeing Gou Yu fall silent again, Zhu Niao felt her guess was right.

“Did you pack your other clothes?” Gou Yu glanced around, noticing Zhu Niao hadn’t started packing.

“All packed, in the suitcase.” Zhu Niao waved her hand dismissively.

It was her first time going to a friend’s house, let alone staying overnight.

“Honestly, I’m kinda scared you’re going to drag me to some mountain village and make me your little wife.” The little bird hugged herself tightly.

“Then why would I bother taking you to the mountains?” Gou Yu flipped her the middle finger. “I can just lock you in the room and make you my little wife right now.”

Zhu Niao thought about it and it made sense.

“Let’s be clear—fake girlfriend is fake girlfriend. If your parents keep pressuring me, I can’t promise the mission will be completed.” Zhu Niao issued a disclaimer again.

“No worries. My parents will be happy to see you. There won’t be any mother-in-law making life difficult for the daughter-in-law drama.” Gou Yu patted Zhu Niao’s shoulder to reassure her. “All you have to do is prove you’re my girlfriend. If they pressure you, I’ll pressure my dad back. But I don’t think that’ll happen.”

“Isn’t that just passing the buck?” Zhu Niao asked suddenly.

“Not really.” Gou Yu rubbed his chin.

After all, they were family.

“Alright, get out first. I’m changing into something nicer to leave a good impression on Uncle.” Zhu Niao hung the Orange Cat, which had been sitting on her lap, on Gou Yu and pushed him toward the door.

Pushing him, she added, “Seriously, don’t you have your own room? You keep barging into mine.”

Gou Yu retorted, “Because your room smells good and there’s food in there.”

He gave Zhu Niao a thumbs-up over his shoulder.

Zhu Niao stopped pushing him and kicked him hard in the butt before slamming the door shut.

Gou Yu shrugged with the cat in his arms and walked toward the living room.

Just as he was about to grab a sausage to share with the cat, his phone rang.

Not his own phone, so he checked another pocket.

It was Zhu Niao’s phone.

An unknown number called, no contact name saved.

Without thinking, Gou Yu answered.

“Hello hello, this is the Apprentice Goddess speaking.”

A lively yet lazy voice came through the line.

Gou Yu’s pupils contracted.

He recognized the voice—the one responsible for Zhu Niao’s current predicament.

“Hey, are you there?” The voice spoke again after a pause, as if no one had answered.

Gou Yu took a deep breath. “What’s the matter?”

“Oh, not the person themselves, huh.” The voice sounded surprised. “But no worries, it’s just an unimportant notification.”

Gou Yu said nothing, waiting for the message.

“Since you borrowed the power of a senior to change your appearances, now you have to return a big part of it. So even if your love mission is complete and you end up together, you won’t be able to change back.”

The cheerful tone seemed to shatter all the hard-earned calm Zhu Niao had built up.

Gou Yu felt relieved the call was answered by him.

“But you still have to complete the love mission because my power can’t maintain your current appearances for long. If you don’t finish the mission, in about three years, even your current looks will collapse.”

“What do you mean?” Gou Yu frowned, a bad suspicion creeping in.

“It means you’ll die,” the Apprentice Goddess said matter-of-factly. “Alright, notification’s done. I still have to find time to call a few others. These chances aren’t easy to get.”

Ignoring the silence on Gou Yu’s end, the Apprentice Goddess even shouted for him to remember to give her a five-star review.

Gou Yu ignored her, took a deep breath, and hung up.

He looked toward Zhu Niao’s room, an uncommon expression of confusion in his eyes.

.

.

“Phew, I’m exhausted.”

“Watching and waiting for a chance every day isn’t easy, you know?”

“Almost had Zhu Niao pick up the phone, but luckily I’m good—rewarding myself with a cup of milk tea.”