Chapter 21: Fake Love

  Looking at Ye Feng in a daze, Ailier whispered: "Let's leave here and talk about it later. They're all looking this way."

  He glanced at the shop assistant and smiled: "Okay, forget about the clothes. I'd feel awkward if you did that."

  "Take it, I hope you can dress more handsome, we are on a date after all." Aili smiled all the time. Ye Feng felt that her smile had a hint of mockery, a hint of evil, and some inexplicable things, in short, definitely no love. No love, why let him be her boyfriend?

  "Just this set I'm wearing on me, don't want anything else."

  No matter what happens, Ye Feng feels that Aili will not harm him.

  Wearing a brand new coat, casual pants and shoes, Ye Feng looked refreshed from head to toe. Adding a pair of sunglasses, he and Ailier walked together in perfect harmony. He was also very satisfied with his own styling, which could be featured on the cover of a fashion magazine.

  As soon as he left the mall, Ye Feng quickly discovered that there were not a few paparazzi following him. He was particularly sensitive to these people and could spot anyone who followed him. Not only could he find the right angle for taking pictures, but with one glance, he could even guess what camera model and focal length they were using. With this kind of lineup, it's likely that there will be news tomorrow.

  Two people entered a coffee shop, found a window seat, ordered some desserts, and Ye Feng asked: "Tell me, why did you want me to be your boyfriend?"

  "Are you really 19 years old? How can you be so calm?" Ariel chuckled and asked, "Do people often confess to you?"

  Ye Feng shook his head and said, "No, just like you investigated, but I can feel that you don't have that kind of feeling for me."

  Ariel smiled and said: "You've never been in love, where did you get the experience from? Maybe I like people who are straightforward and talk directly, that's just how carefree I am."

  "I've seen many romance movies, but I've never seen a heroine like you." Ye Feng spread his hands in exasperation.

  Airi said about her situation, although she didn't push someone down the stairs on Halloween, a woman who had a relationship with her exposed to the media that Airi is lesbian, if she wants to prove herself innocent, the best way is to let the media see her boyfriend.

  Ye Feng was somewhat surprised. "I thought you'd be nonchalant about it. What's the big deal if they know? This isn't something a carefree person would do."

  Ellie said seriously, "Of course there is a reason. My father has done many stupid things that can't be counted. But he thinks my sexual orientation is a scandal. He says if this matter is made public, he will not let me take over the team's business in the future. When he gets old and tired, loses interest in the game, he will choose to sell the team, what he says he does."

  "Aren't you having an older brother? Can't he take over?"

  "Ariel sneered, 'You're talking about Stanley? He doesn't have a sports cell in his body, no interest in basketball whatsoever. All he's good at is throwing money around and chasing girls. In the future, he'll take over the family's real estate business, let him manage the team, and the team will be ruined too. I'm different, I like the Clippers. When I was a little girl, I watched them play games. I couldn't give up on this team. Maybe I won't be able to make the team win the championship or get better, but I hope it still belongs to the Sterling family. Can you understand me?'"

  Ye Feng nodded slightly. "I can understand you, but why me? We've only met once."

  Ellie smiled and said, "I have very few male friends. Many men who approach me have ulterior motives. But you're different. We've only met once and chatted for a bit, but I can tell you have a kind heart. You helped Martha even though she had nothing to do with you, and you talked to me about many things. I can see that you don't discriminate against women, and I really consider you a friend."

  "Alright, Aerie, how long do I have to pretend to be your boyfriend? Have you thought about the problems this plan of yours could bring me? I'm a Lakers player, but I'm dating the daughter of the Clippers' boss - isn't that weird? What will others think if they find out?"

  "Our two families have a good relationship, so you can rest assured. Is it that after chatting with me, you're worried that the Lakers will give up on you? Now that you've been sent down to the development league, you're even more uneasy? You help me out and I'll take responsibility for you. If the Lakers really cut you loose or no team signs you next year, the Clippers will give you a guaranteed contract and make you a millionaire overnight, how about that? Listen, I won't even get in the way of your dating life, as long as when you find someone you like, we'll break up immediately."

  Ye Feng was moved by this proposal. It has to be said that Ailier is really generous, he hasn't shown his strength in the league yet, and the only thing that can make people remember him is that big hat. In Lakers, he is a marginal player, just like his basic contract, without a sense of security, he wants to play at least five seasons with the Lakers, but whether the Lakers manager will satisfy his wishes is an unknown number. Getting Ailier's commitment would be beneficial for him. If he were cut by the Lakers, joining the Clippers would be the best option. With his relationship with Ailier, the Clippers might listen to his suggestions to build the team, which is important. Pretending to be her boyfriend wouldn't hurt him much, anyway, he isn't in love with anyone now.

  Airi saw that he didn't respond for a long time, sighed, and her expression was somewhat despondent: "If you don't want to, I won't force you."

  Ye Feng analyzed the pros and cons, smiled and said: "Your proposal is quite unique, I've decided to help you. Just don't buy me random stuff in the future, it makes me feel like I'm eating soft rice. Also, don't use signing contracts or becoming a millionaire as promises, I believe in my own ability to play well in the NBA, and who knows, maybe one day I'll have the power to get top salary. If you want me to join the Clippers, you'd better say nice things to invite me."

  Ellie's disappointment vanished from her face, and she patted his hand with a smile: "Thanks, I knew you'd agree."

  "Do you know I'll agree?"

  Ellie smiled slyly: "Isn't it interesting to hang out with someone like me? Such an interesting thing, and there's no loss, why would you refuse? Besides, you're a rational person. Being friends with me means having another way out, how could you possibly refuse?"

  Every sentence she said hit Ye Feng's heart. Helping Aili'er was a pleasure, and he wouldn't refuse. He found that he and Aili'er had a great tacit understanding, with a sense of knowing each other. Since Aili'er came to find him, she must have thought things through clearly, and their collaboration would be a win-win situation.

  Ellie was extremely excited. "Since we've decided, let's start this relationship immediately. Actually, those reporters outside were intentionally spread by me to take pictures, and sitting by the window is also for their convenience. What should men and women do on a date? Do you have any suggestions?"

  Ye Feng swallowed his saliva, and reporter Ailier had already found him, it seemed that she hadn't expected him to refuse at all. Ailier was not polite to him one bit. He asked: "Haven't you investigated me? I'm introverted and violent, no girlfriend, what do you usually do with your girlfriend?"

  Ellie thought for a moment and said seriously: "Hmmm... it seems like I'm doing nothing, just **."

  Ye Feng almost spat out blood, the people in Sterling's house seemed to be inseparable from the word "color", he smiled and said: "I have a proposal, anyway it's acting, we can do it like in the movies."

  "You tell me."

  "Watching a movie, by the sea, on a university campus, or buying ingredients at a supermarket to cook together - which one do you choose?" The places Ye Feng mentioned are all popular spots for taking photos. Watching a movie is something couples often do, being by the sea is romantic, and university campuses have many people, so it's easy for rumors to spread if two people are seen together there. If they're spotted buying groceries at a supermarket and then heading home together, it means their relationship is quite serious. Ye Feng paid special attention to these details when investigating celebrity scandals.

  Ellie gave a thumbs up and said, "Great, I think let's watch a movie first, then go to the supermarket to buy groceries and cook dinner. How about we go to your place for dinner? I'll try to slow down so the reporters can keep up, how's that?"

  Yefeng smiled and said: "No problem. Today I rarely have a day off, what is your usual work?"

  Airi said lightly, "I'm in charge of some practical matters for the team and I'm a member of the uniform group. However, I have plenty of time, so even if I'm not in the office, I can still make decisions by communicating over the phone."

  Ye Feng smiled and said, "Is that really all you've got? If you want to show off even more, just bring me a love bento box or something when you're free. When we're watching the game at our home stadium, tell me your seat number, I'll find you and wave at you, and at the right time, we can also put on a show."

  Ellie laughed. "I'm starting to suspect you've never actually been on a date before, you're getting it all right."

  "I learned it from watching movies, I'm a movie buff. What kind of movie should we go watch?"

  Drove to the nearby cinema, Ailier chose "Saw IV" among romantic movies like "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Enchanted" and "Twilight".

  The first "Saw" movie was a thriller with a plot, but the sequels were all about bloody killings, unlike other girls who watch horror movies and don't dare to open their eyes, Ariel would scream loudly twice, but she thought it was very enjoyable, she really is different from others.

  As they walked out of the cinema, Ellie laughed and said: "I heard that Chinese people are all good at cooking, can you?"

  Yefeng smiled and said: "After watching this kind of movie, can you still eat? I'll do it, but if it's not done well, don't blame me."

  The two of them strolled through the supermarket in the city center, pushing a cart together and looking very intimate. Ye Feng felt no pressure at all; in his past life, when he went on formal dates with women, he had to think of ways to make himself look good and be careful with what he said in order to win them over and leave a good impression. Now, he wasn't trying to curry favor with Ailie, and they were getting along naturally, harmoniously.

  If it's really like that, love seems pretty good too, Ye Feng thought. Ailier and he exchanged a glance, and he hurriedly threw this idea out of his mind. The other party was just acting, nothing would happen between them, if he had any crooked thoughts, it would be a tragedy.

  ;