Han Yutong felt it was unreliable.
A romantic relationship wasn't just about verbal acknowledgment; it required subtle chemistry and a deep understanding in small details. It also needed intimate gestures like holding hands, hugging, and kissing.
Other than during filming, they felt awkward even standing a little closer to each other. Now, asking her to pretend to be his girlfriend to meet his parents would be transparent to anyone with eyes.
"How about we just tell your aunt the truth?" Han Yutong felt she couldn't handle it.
Su Lin, remembering Tang Jiaojiao's nagging, shook his head decisively. "I believe in your acting skills."
Han Yutong gave a wry smile.
He really thought highly of her!
She had no confidence in herself, so where did he get his from?
"But..." Before she could finish, Su Lin suddenly extended his hand towards her.
Han Yutong: ...
What was he trying to do?
Seeing her dazed, Su Lin had to explain. "Let's practice first."
This abrupt statement only made Han Yutong more confused. "Practice what?"
"Since we're playing a couple, some intimate actions are unavoidable," Su Lin said seriously. "Just knowing each other's preferences isn't enough. To increase credibility, I hope you can understand."
Han Yutong didn't know what to say.
His idea was rather naive.
However, the words of refusal that came to her lips couldn't be spoken.
He was the one she had liked for so long, how could she bear to refuse! Moreover, this liking had long surpassed mere admiration for an idol. Several encounters in reality had transformed this feeling into a different kind of affection.
Heaven knew how happy she was when their relationship was officially announced! Even if it was fake, her heart felt sweet. She had initially thought that Su Lin, who disliked publicity stunts and scandals, would directly clarify their relationship on Weibo. She never expected him to contact Sister Jing and orchestrate this.
Han Yutong's heart pounded, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
She stared at his clean, long fingers for a while before slowly extending her hand.
His palm was large and warm, enveloping her delicate fingers. Their equally beautiful hands clasped together were a pleasing sight.
Su Lin held her hand to feel it, then interlaced their fingers into a more intimate grip.
Han Yutong blushed intensely from his actions. A fine current seemed to pass through her fingertips, involuntarily speeding up her heartbeat, leaving her heart unsettled.
Han Yutong felt she couldn't breathe.
At that moment, a waiter knocked and entered with various dishes. "Here are all your dishes. Is there anything else you need?"
Han Yutong snapped back to reality and quickly withdrew her hand. "No, we'll call if we need anything else."
The waiter glanced at the couple, who looked like a match made in heaven, and smiled as he retreated.
Silence fell in the room again. The soup in the pot began to boil, bubbling and churning.
To mask her true emotions, Han Yutong forced herself to focus on eating.
Su Lin was never one for much conversation, and seeing her silent, he also refrained from speaking. However, midway through the meal, his gaze drifted to Han Yutong, completely beyond his control.
Perhaps because both of them tried hard to act as if nothing was unusual, the meal was exceptionally enjoyable.
Han Yutong, who usually had a strict diet, ended up overeating.
Patting her slightly distended stomach, Han Yutong regretted it immensely. After three months of eating oatmeal, she had finally managed to keep her weight below 100 pounds, only to have all her previous efforts ruined in one meal.
"Want to take a walk in the park?" Seeing her changing expressions, Su Lin suggested.
Han Yutong nodded and said, "Okay."
The park was not far from the restaurant, about a five-minute walk. Su Lin didn't drive. They put on their masks, crossed the road, and blended into the crowd.
As it was a weekday, there weren't many people in the park.
Han Yutong had lived in B City for so many years but had never visited the park before, so she seemed a little excited.
Su Lin had grown up in the area and was quite familiar with it, offering explanations from time to time.
They strolled to a pavilion by the lake, and Su Lin took out his phone, snapping a photo of Han Yutong with a "click." Han Yutong came back to her senses and fidgeted with her hair, "Why are you taking pictures of me?"
"For my wallpaper," Su Lin said, idly swiping on his screen before showing her the set wallpaper.
He was thorough, thinking of everything for the act.
Han Yutong hesitated, then took out her phone. "Should I also set a picture of you as my wallpaper?"
Su Lin thought for a moment and moved two steps closer. "How about a photo together?"
Han Yutong caught the faint scent of his cologne and dared not look up at him. Without waiting for her reaction, Su Lin was already beside her, holding his phone with the selfie mode on and naturally putting an arm around her shoulder, just like a real couple.
The moment Su Lin's arm went around her, Han Yutong's entire body stiffened. Her hands balled into fists, so nervous she didn't know what expression to put on.
Su Lin seemed to notice her awkwardness and gently patted her head. "Relax, try to smile naturally."
Han Yutong wanted to, but her body wouldn't cooperate.
Su Lin patiently helped her adjust her pose, his temper surprisingly good, as if he were a different person. It was known that his biggest weakness was impatience. But for some reason, with Han Yutong, his temper was exceptionally good.
"Look at the camera," he said. "Just pretend it's a photoshoot."
Han Yutong took a deep breath, trying to ignore his presence. Just treat it as work, use your professional skills! She repeated affirmations to herself.
Finally, after five agonizing minutes, they managed to take a couple's photo.
Su Lin was quite pleased with his photography skills. After a simple edit, he sent it to her. "Here, use this one."
Han Yutong looked at the photo of the two of them leaning intimately together. She had to admit, it did have a certain sweet vibe of a couple. She downloaded and saved the photo, hesitated for two seconds, then changed her settings and set it as her wallpaper.
In the photo, she was smiling faintly, her head tilted against his chest. He was slightly bent over, his chin resting on her head. Their perfect height difference made them look exceptionally good together.
Admittedly, Su Lin's photography skills were excellent.
Han Yutong turned around, about to praise him, but bumped straight into Su Lin's chest. He was looking at something, lost in thought, and didn't manage to dodge. Instinctively, he put his arm around her waist to prevent her from falling.
The sudden embrace made them both freeze.
Han Yutong looked up in surprise, her red lips brushing lightly against his chin. The soft touch sent a jolt through Su Lin. He lowered his head to look at the girl in his arms, and something in his mind seemed to explode.