Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire

YIREN

You all must be wondering how I ended up in this situation. Let’s do a little rewind...

I’m stirring the sauce on the stove, humming quietly to myself when a knock at the door interrupts me. Wiping my hands on the nearest towel, I walk over to open it, not expecting much. But there they are—three of the cheekiest faces I’ve ever seen: Yuyu, Lan, and Honey. Each of them wears a smile that spells trouble in capital letters, and they hold a fancy box of chocolates as if it’s a peace offering.

"Well, hello there," I say, leaning out into the hallway to see if maybe, just maybe, their mothers are hiding nearby. No luck. They’re alone.

"Get aside, let us in," Yuyu commands, marching straight past me into the apartment as if she owns the place.

Before I can ask what they’re doing here, Lan and Honey follow suit, already making themselves comfortable in my living room. Bear runs at them, jumping from one kid to another as if he can’t pick just one. He’s barking up a storm, wagging his tail so fast I think it might take off.

"Wait, where are your mothers?"

"Shopping," Lan says.

"Work," Yuyu says at the same time.

"Ufff," Honey, though, slaps a hand down his face like a seasoned actor. "These two," he mutters, shaking his head in such a mature, world-weary way that I almost forget he’s only six. "Shopping it is." He flashes a cheeky grin.

I place my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes at the trio. "Alright, what are you three hiding?"

In perfect unison, they shrug. "Nothing."

I raise an eyebrow. These three are definitely up to something. But what could they do? They’re just kids. How bad could it be?

"Okay," I say, giving them the benefit of the doubt. "Anyone want a drink?"

The second I open the fridge, three little heads pop up, craning to get a look inside.

Yuyu points immediately. "I’ll take that one," she declares, all business.

I follow her finger to a bottle of beer. "Uh, sweetie, that’s beer. No."

Lan isn’t far behind. She points her stubby finger at the goblet on the kitchen counter. "Then I’ll have that!"

"That’s alcohol too, kiddo. Not happening," I say, my voice pitched between horror and amusement. Am I being pranked by a bunch of kids?

Honey rolls his eyes with an air that says, Amateur. "There’s nothing for us in the fridge. It’s all adult stuff."

I glance back inside and, sure enough, the fridge is stocked with Jun and my collection of drinks—definitely not child-friendly. Great. Now I’m officially that unprepared adult. I curse under my breath, making a mental note to buy some juice boxes or something for next time.

"Oh, wait, here’s something for you," I say, pulling out a packet of milk and flashing it to them like I’ve just solved world hunger.

Their faces collectively scrunch in distaste. Yuyu mumbles under her breath, "I’d rather have cough syrup."

I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing. "How about chocolate milk? I make the world’s best chocolate milkshake."

The kids perk up, eyes sparkling. "With extra chocolate?" Lan asks.

"And extra extra chocolate grated on top?" Yuyu mimics the grating action comically.

"And four pieces on the side to munch on?" Honey adds, as if it’s a non-negotiable.

"More than you can handle," I promise.

They cheer, then immediately scatter around the apartment, chasing Bear, who barks along like he’s leading the parade. But not before Honey gives me one final instruction over his shoulder, as if he’s running the show. "Don’t forget to make one for Bear, too!"

"Yes, sir!" These kids are a force of nature, and somehow, I have a feeling they aren’t just here for the milkshakes and sweet greetings. Something is up, and knowing them, I’ll find out soon enough.

Balancing the tray with tall milkshake glasses, I spot them—three little masterminds, in Jun’s Lego room, surrounded by a sea of tiny Lego pieces.

"Yiren!" Lan’s face lights up as soon as she sees me. "We’re building Hogwarts Castle! Wanna help?"

I raise an eyebrow, passing them their milkshake glasses. "Hogwarts, huh? What’s the master plan here?"

"To trick you into building a real castle for us. And for Aunty Suyin and Uncle Shishi," Yuyu speaks, her face smeared with a foam mustache.

And there it is. The real purpose of this visit.

Honey flashes me a grin that’s way too sly for a six-year-old. "Not tricking. Just... suggesting. And not just any castle. A magical one, with secret rooms. Maybe a dragon pit too. Y’know, something... simple."

"Right. Simple," I nod, playing along as I sit down. Bear jumps into my lap as if it’s his birthright. "Dragons in the basement. Of course. Super easy."

"And a water slide into the lake!" Lan pipes up, bouncing in place like she’s already picturing it.

Yuyu grabs my cheeks to make me look at her as she jumps in, "Yeah! Whoosh—straight into the water! So much fun!"

This time, Lan grabs my cheeks to make me look at her. "Don’t forget to add Hagrid’s hut as well. It’ll be our personal den."

I chuckle. "Wow, you guys don’t hold back, do you? A Hagrid’s hut now? Anything else you want in this totally normal house?"

Honey tilts his head, eyes wide and innocent. "We wouldn’t mind a trampoline room..."

"I’m sure you wouldn’t. But I’m not a miracle worker."

Honey leans in, his eyes gleaming like he’s about to pull the ultimate card. "We believe in you, Yiren. Mom said you’re the best."

I pause, blinking at him. "She said that?"

He nods solemnly. "Yep. And Uncle Jun? He’s gonna be super impressed when you build the coolest house ever."

I nearly roll my eyes at that one. Of course, they’re playing the Jun card. Kids—tiny, adorable manipulators.

And then Jun walks in.

And Honey, the mastermind, drops the kiss words...

The two little girls back him up like it’s the ultimate truth.

Jun’s eyes meet mine, and I mouth, Help me.

He stares at the three of them, utterly defeated. "Okay, I’m officially scared of how much TV you all watch."

"Uncle Juju’s just shy," Yuyu says, clearly unimpressed by Jun’s answer. "He’ll kiss Auntie Yiren soon. Maybe after the castle is done!"

"Oh God," I mutter under my breath, laughing crazily, holding my stomach and looking for a way to disappear into the pile of Legos. I duck my head in my lap, refusing to look up.

"So, Auntie Yiren, will you make us a real castle? Like a real one we can live in? You built Uncle Z’s condo, right?" I hear Lan’s voice but don’t dare lift my head to meet her puppy eyes.

"Pleeease?" I imagine Honey using his big, doe-like eyes to convince me, his hands at my back, nudging me to look at his exaggerated display of cuteness. "You’re so good at it! We know you can do it."

"You really want to say no to this face?" Lan strokes my back, and I bet she’s pouting dramatically.

And worst of all, Bear, sensing an opportunity to join in the fun, wags his tail and nuzzles my head, as if to say, Come on, human. Do it for the kids.

I’m stuck. I’m not going to look up. I have zero power in me to say no to them. To break their little hearts. They aren’t asking for much, and the not-so-normal ideas they suggested... I can make a few of them a reality... But...

"Okay, that’s enough castle talk for today," I say quickly, trying to redirect the conversation. "How about we finish this Hogwarts Castle first, huh?"

Jun chimes in. "Yeah, let’s finish Hogwarts first." I heave a sigh of relief. I tilt my head a little and peek at him from one eye. He’s looking at me, his stare unrelenting, like he’s searching for something.

I mouth, Thank you. He nods. I notice a cut on his lip and point at my own lips, silently questioning. He blinks slowly and shakes his head.

Liar.

****