After Shengli's pronouncement, he had effectively decided to set up camp in Jingwei's apartment. The three of them needed to make a plan to ensure the press conference proceeded with minimal hiccups, so that Sun Jingwei wouldn't come out of it disowned or destroyed by the court of public opinion.
They also went over the news that was already revealed to the public with a fine-tuned comb, just to make sure that Jingwei didn't say something that was already disproven by the news break.
It was a harder task than expected, mostly because none of them trusted the press to actually stick to the list of pre-approved questions that they had agreed on for the conference.
Also, they were working with limited resources, because Jingwei's father refused to let anyone else from the legal department help. Even Xue Ning were forced into reading reports!
Jingwei had to memorise multiple different answers for seemingly similar questions, to make sure that he didn't get trapped into saying the wrong thing. Shengli in particular, was relentless in his grilling.
Their main defence? They were going to claim that Jingwei was escaping a fervent stalker that was upset that he had a fiancee, which wasn't too far from the truth.
After a few hours of this, they took a quick break and ordered food in. Xue Ning made sure there were no honey products anywhere near the checkout cart, which is how Shengli found out that his boss nearly died a few hours ago.
"Seriously? You didn't find it suspicious at all when you got an unlabeled tin of cookies?" Shengli asked in confusion. His boss was really an idiot!
"That's what I said," Xue Ning said, surprised that she finally agreed with Shengli on something.
"Why didn't you listen to her?" Shengli lectured Jingwei. "You hired her to keep you alive, didn't you?"
Jingwei spluttered. Xue Ning remembered that she hadn't signed her employment form yet. Maybe later, after the press conference.
"I have a question to ask about the press conference - do I need to be there?" Xue Ning asked. "Technically I should be there, but no one knows that I am his bodyguard."
"And they aren't supposed to," Jingwei added. "So we can't exactly make you stand behind me and glare at the reporters, even if I really want to."
"That reminds me, we need to get our story straight regarding your strange relationship, thanks to the little stunt both of you pulled earlier," Shengli said. "If we can't let them know you're a hired bodyguard, what is the cover story you're using? A partner, or is it something more serious like a fiancee?"
"Xue Ning is my wife," Jingwei replied easily.
"Not really." Xue Ning retorted.
"See, this is the exact situation we wish to avoid." Shengli said, rubbing his temples. "The both of you need to be on the same page regarding your… relationship."
"I can't be your wife," Xue Ning declared. "For a start, we aren't actually married, if anyone tried to search for our marriage certificate we won't have one! You'd be branded a liar!"
"We can always fake a certificate," Jingwei said. "And then backdate it."
"And what happens when they look for proof of a wedding? You didn't even prepare a ring for me! And don't tell me your family would have a low-key wedding, no one would believe that." Xue Ning pointed out.
Jingwei paused at her words. "How about me being your fiance then? We're already living together - it would make more sense than me just being your boyfriend. Your reputation is also at stake here. And I've already been calling you my wife - so people will just think that I'm thinking of the near future."
"That sounds… acceptable." Xue Ning said hesitantly. "But can I tell my family members that it's fake? They might have a heart attack otherwise."
"Can she?" Jingwei asked Shengli, who merely sighed.
"That depends, can your family members keep a secret? Normally I would just let them believe it. You can just tell them it's a long engagement, and then break up in a year claiming that things didn't work out between the both of you," Shengli said heartlessly.
Xue Ning had a contemplative glint in her eye as she considered Shengli's idea.
"That sounds fair enough."
"We're not breaking up though," Jingwei promised Xue Ning, his hand holding hers as he gave her a sincere smile. "I'm never breaking up with you, unless you dump me first."
"How can I dump you?" Jingwei wanted to steal a kiss at her words, but Xue Ning pushed him back and continued. "We're not even dating. Really, we're not."
The last bit was said for Shengli's benefit. Shengli could only shake his head. Idiots.
"Yet, we're not dating yet," Jingwei said impishly.
"Please shut up, the both of you." Shengli said wearily, cutting off their flirting. "We still have a long way to go before things are done."
They continued to discuss late into the night, and Shengli eventually had to leave the apartment to prepare for work the next morning. He never planned on staying over, and he certainly didn't want to third-wheel their strange mating ritual, but unfortunately, Jingwei seemed intent on making him his reluctant wingman.
"It's so late and you're tired, you can sleep in the guest room!" Jingwei said, trying to convince him to stay. "I have spare toiletries!"
"Then where am I going to sleep?" Xue Ning protested, before she caught on to what Jingwei was trying to do.
"In my room of course!" Jingwei replied, beaming at her.
"You are so shameless, I'm almost impressed," Xue Ning said, half-amused. Never had a man been so desperate to get her into bed with him before. She nudged his foot with hers, and Jingwei felt a delightful shiver run through his body.
"What if I kick you to the floor?" She asked challengingly.
"Then I shall stay on the floor until you give me permission to rise again." Jingwei said, planting a kiss at the back of her hand, like a loyal knight. Xue Ning's fingers curled in embarrassment at the gesture, but she did not pull away.
Jingwei noticed that too, and beamed even more widely. Their eyes met, and he lifted her hand again to plant another kiss.
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, and Jingwei's eyes stared at the movement of her lips and the bob of her throat with laser-focus, as though he wanted to plant his lips there too.
A loud scoff broke the mood.
"Alright, I'm definitely not sleeping over after that display," Shengli cut in, disgusted. "I'd rather sleep on the streets with the homeless."
Before they could ask him to explain his rude statement, he continued.
"I'm not going to cockblock you lovers from having sex!"
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