Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 183: After modification: Volume 3 Chapter 58 Slandering

The girl’s chest heaved under her tight sports shirt, and her white mini skirt accentuated her full and enticing hips. Her long, slender legs were smooth and delicate like silk. Having just exercised, tiny beads of sweat still adorned her forehead, and her rosy cheeks and large, gentle eyes under her fine eyebrows shimmered with a soft smile. Who else could she be but Ann Lei?

Ann Lei’s eyes sparkled as she glanced subtly at Tian Xingjian and said to Christina, ”I just got here, I’m on vacation and thought I’d visit some old friends.”

”Zhang Yuan, let me introduce you. This is Ann Lei, my best friend!” Christina pulled the absent-minded Fatty standing beside her and covered her mouth with a laugh, ”You’re in luck. Ann Lei is the Royal Family’s most sought-after dance teacher. She travels around the world, and it’s rare to see her unless you’re really fortunate.”

”Tina... who is this?” Ann Lei feigned unfamiliarity with Fatty, nudging Christina with a playful tone.

”His name is Zhang Yuan. He’s the best mechanic at our company,” Christina explained with a smile, not noticing the hint of jealousy in Ann Lei’s playful tone.

”Hello, I’m Ann Lei, a friend of Tina’s,” Ann Lei extended her hand, gracefully, as if it were just an ordinary social interaction.

”Hello, I’m Zhang Yuan. Nice to meet you,” Fatty’s acting was impeccable. The two old acquaintances shook hands as if meeting for the first time, their performance a mix of slight awkwardness and calm indifference. Only they knew the familiar sensation they felt when their hands touched, causing both their hearts to skip a beat.

Ann Lei quickly let go and turned to hook arms with Christina, whispering, ”Tell me honestly, what’s your relationship with him?”

Christina blushed, glared at Ann Lei, and softly scolded, ”We’re just friends. There’s nothing between us. Stop making things up.” She glanced at Fatty, who was standing nearby, looking around naively, and whispered to Ann Lei like a matchmaker, ”But, he’s really nice. How about I set you up with him?”

”Pff, who needs your matchmaking... better keep him for yourself,” Ann Lei pinched Christina lightly. Christina laughed, ”I almost forgot, you have so many admirers lining up from here to the mountain. By the way, how long are you staying this time?”

Ann Lei’s mind was entirely on Fatty, who continued to play the role of the honest and naive man. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have come here. She smiled and picked up a towel from a nearby chair to wipe her face, ”After such a long journey, I suddenly feel a bit tired. I want to rest, and I haven’t decided how long I’ll stay.”

Christina exclaimed with joy, ”Really! That’s great news. Does Susan know?”

Ann Lei smiled, ”She’s my student. I’m staying at her villa. Of course, she knows.”

Christina complained, ”You didn’t even contact me after you got back. If I hadn’t brought Zhang Yuan to this dance, I wouldn’t have known you were back!”

Ann Lei affectionately pushed Christina, ”You’re always so busy that you’re impossible to find. I heard from Susan you joined the Mythical Army?”

Christina blushed and bashfully said, ”Yes, the company was taken over by the Military Department. The Mythical Army has a new Mecha research lab, and I joined.”

Ann Lei teased, ”Congratulations, now you’re much closer to your crush. When will you treat me to your wedding candy?”

Christina blurted out a laugh and reached out to pinch Ann Lei’s face, but she dodged with a smile. As the two girls were fooling around, a delighted voice called, ”Miss Ann Lei, when did you come to Gazalin?”

They looked up to see a young and handsome man standing before them, none other than Bruce Morton, the second in line to the throne of the Gazalin Royal Family. He graciously bowed to the two ladies, his eyes filled with indescribable joy as he looked at Ann Lei.

Fatty stood to the side, grinning foolishly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Ann Lei glanced at Tian Xingjian from the corner of her eye, returned the bow, and smiled, ”I’ve been here for a few days. It seems you haven’t been in touch with your sister lately.”

Bruce playfully put on a stern face, ”That little girl Susan, not telling me that you’re here. Watch how I’ll punish her!” They all laughed together, and Bruce noticed Tian Xingjian standing nearby and asked, ”And who is this...?”

Christina introduced, ”This is my friend, Zhang Yuan.” She then introduced Bruce to Fatty, mentioning he was the Second Prince. Hearing this, Fatty’s interest was piqued, and he shook hands with Bruce.

Upon hearing Fatty’s name, an odd expression appeared on Bruce’s face, as if he recalled something particularly amusing. He turned to Christina with a half-suppressed smile and said, ”Mr. Zhang’s name sounds familiar. Many friends seem to mention it.”

Christina was surprised, ”Really?” she thought for a moment and then said, ”We have attended quite a few gatherings recently. Many friends have met him.”

Bruce, stifling a laugh, looked at Fatty with great interest and asked, ”So, you also came to this dance for the same reason?” Christina suddenly realized she might have gone too far with her matchmaking and blushed slightly. She glanced at Fatty, who, with a calm and honest demeanor, nodded repeatedly at Bruce.