Dating My Ex After Breaking Up - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Even though all the WeChat messages sent later went unanswered, Shen Zhirou still prepared according to what Lu Yao said on WeChat. She didn’t expect that after so many days, Lu Yao still remembered her. After all, a woman as outstanding as Lu Yao surely had no shortage of suitors.

Shen Zhirou thought there was still time, so she put on delicate makeup. This time, she chose a black dress, her long black hair loosely falling over her shoulders and back. Afraid of being late, Shen Zhirou took a taxi early. When she arrived, it was only six in the evening.

She walked into the Yue Lanwan Restaurant mentioned in Lu Yao’s WeChat message. The staff quickly led Shen Zhirou to the table Lu Yao had reserved. Even after sitting down, Shen Zhirou felt uneasy. Looking at her WeChat chat history with Lu Yao, she felt even less confident. She sent five or six messages to Lu Yao, but Lu Yao didn’t reply to any. Shen Zhirou almost felt this date was just her imagination.

As time passed bit by bit, Shen Zhirou watched anxiously. Finally, when the phone screen showed it was nearly six, the person she longed for arrived. Shen Zhirou couldn’t take her eyes off her with just one glance.

Lu Yao wasn’t wearing the suit from their last meeting at work. Instead, she wore a red dress, slightly tightened at the waist, showing off her graceful figure. Her makeup was more refined today, clearly carefully done.

Shen Zhirou stared for a while until Lu Yao’s gaze met hers. Only then did Shen Zhirou snap back, “Miss Lu, please sit.”

Lu Yao, for once, didn’t have a stern face. Looking at Shen Zhirou’s bright, watery eyes, her mood lightened. “Just call me Lu Yao. Sorry about last time, I had to leave for something and was too busy to meet until today.”

“It’s okay. I thought we wouldn’t meet again,” Shen Zhirou said with a smile.

“Good, then let’s have them serve the food, and we can talk while eating.” Lu Yao spoke to the waiter nearby, and soon their table was full of dishes.

“Actually, after our last meeting, I had more to say, but it was too rushed, and I didn’t get the chance.”

“It’s fine. You can say it now,” Shen Zhirou said, quietly watching Lu Yao, waiting for her to speak.

Lu Yao nodded. “Last time, I thought we were quite compatible. I plan to date for a while and then get married, so I want to make some things clear upfront.”

Shen Zhirou nearly choked at the word “married,” looking at Lu Yao in surprise.

Lu Yao nodded at Shen Zhirou and continued, “To avoid trouble later, I’ll say this now: I might not be the kind of girlfriend you imagine. My work keeps me busy, and I often travel for business. I won’t be home much and might not have much time to spend with you. So, if you can accept this, we can move forward.”

Shen Zhirou didn’t expect Lu Yao to say this, but she could see Lu Yao’s busyness. Apart from asking her to meet at the restaurant, Lu Yao hadn’t said much else. Shen Zhirou genuinely liked Lu Yao. This feeling was strange to her—maybe it was love at first sight. Shen Zhirou thought that as long as it was Lu Yao, she could accept her being busy.

Besides, they would be together in the future. Shen Zhirou believed that even if Lu Yao didn’t like her much now, if she treated Lu Yao well, Lu Yao would come to like her too, right?

“I can accept what you said, and I understand. So, can we try?” Shen Zhirou’s eyes sparkled with an anticipation Lu Yao couldn’t read. “This is my first time dating.”

Lu Yao’s heart tightened for a moment, but she quickly continued, “I don’t have time for dating, but starting a family would be good. By the way, where do you live now? Tomorrow, I’ll have my assistant arrange for someone to help you move.”

“Move?” Shen Zhirou asked in surprise.

“Yes, since we’re together, we should live together to get used to being married,” Lu Yao said matter-of-factly.

Shen Zhirou sipped the lemonade by the table, trying to stay calm, and asked, “Isn’t that a bit fast?”

“No. Since we’ve decided, we should act quickly. Otherwise, aren’t we just wasting time?” Lu Yao’s slightly curved eyes looked at Shen Zhirou, waiting for her answer.

Shen Zhirou pressed her lips together. Though they’d only met twice, she understood Lu Yao’s personality. If she refused, this would likely be their last meeting. Shen Zhirou, at 28, had always lived cautiously, never rebellious. But this time, she wanted to take a risk for the person in front of her.

“Okay, I’ll pack my things tonight,” Shen Zhirou said with a smile to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao gave Shen Zhirou a rare smile in return.

When Shen Zhirou returned to her small apartment that night, she felt like she was dreaming. Was she really with Lu Yao now?

The next day, near the end of her workday, Shen Zhirou got a call from Lu Yao’s assistant.

“Miss Shen, President Lu asked me to help you move. Can you give me your address? I’ll come wait for you,” Lu Yao’s assistant, Jiang Chen, said.

“Okay, my dorm is at 112 Ningyuan Road. I’m almost done with work, so I’ll wait for you downstairs.” After a few more words, Shen Zhirou hung up.

Zhao Tongtong patted Shen Zhirou from behind. “Zhirou, are you moving? Renting a place is so expensive. Why not stay in the company’s apartment?”

“My girlfriend asked me to move in with her,” Shen Zhirou said, her lips curving slightly, her eyes full of joy.

“When did this happen? You didn’t even tell me! Who is it?” Zhao Tongtong asked curiously, tugging at Shen Zhirou.

“It’s the person I met on that blind date. She asked me out yesterday and said she wants to be with me.” Shen Zhirou’s smile grew wider.

“Living together after the second meeting? Is this Lu Yao reliable?”

“I think she’s great. Okay, I need to finish my work and get back to pack for the move.” Shen Zhirou hurried to her desk to wrap up her tasks.

After Jiang Chen and the movers helped Shen Zhirou move and gave her the keys to Lu Yao’s place, she finally felt it was real. Lu Yao wasn’t home, and Shen Zhirou didn’t know where to put her clothes, so she stacked them on one side of the living room and sat on the sofa, waiting for Lu Yao.

Shen Zhirou hadn’t eaten, thinking about ordering takeout but feeling it wasn’t right in Lu Yao’s home. She just played with her phone, waiting. By 8 p.m., Shen Zhirou rubbed her phone and called Lu Yao.

“Lu Yao, I’ve moved in. When are you coming back?” Shen Zhirou asked nervously. She only got Lu Yao’s number last night.

“I’m still working late. It’s a bit busy. The kitchen has ingredients an auntie buys regularly. Make something to eat and don’t wait for me,” Lu Yao said quickly before hanging up.

Shen Zhirou wanted to say more, but the call ended. Lu Yao was indeed decisive.

Shen Zhirou went to the kitchen and checked the ingredients. There was plenty. She decided to make simple dishes, washing celery and beef, beating eggs, and chopping peppers. She cooked rice in the rice cooker. By 8:30 p.m., she was done. She ate an apple to tide her over, planning to eat the dishes with Lu Yao later.

After eating the apple, Shen Zhirou grew drowsy and fell asleep on the living room sofa. She woke up to the sound of the door opening.

When Lu Yao opened the door and saw the bright living room, it felt unreal. Usually, she came home to an empty house.

Shen Zhirou, woken by the door, opened her tired eyes. “You’re back.”

Hearing Shen Zhirou’s voice, Lu Yao felt an indescribable emotion. “Hmm, why are you sleeping here? If you’re tired, go to the bedroom.”

Shen Zhirou glanced at Lu Yao, embarrassed. “You weren’t here, so I didn’t feel right going into a room.”

A smile flickered in Lu Yao’s eyes. She didn’t expect her blind date girlfriend to be so honest. “This is your home now too. You don’t need to be so formal. Use anything you want.”

Then, Lu Yao glanced at the suitcases on the floor and said, “Let me help you put your clothes away.”

“Okay.” Shen Zhirou nodded and followed Lu Yao. The bedroom Lu Yao led her to was large, with a private bathroom that even had a bathtub. One wall was lined with tall sliding cabinets. Lu Yao opened one and looked back at Shen Zhirou. “You can put your clothes here. There are plenty of cabinets; I can’t use them all.”

Only then did Shen Zhirou realize this was Lu Yao’s bedroom. Her ears grew warm, but she tried to stay calm and asked, “So, which room will I sleep in?”

Lu Yao turned to her, smiling lightly. “With me, of course. Or did you want to sleep in the guest room?”

Shen Zhirou pressed her lips together. That was exactly what she thought. Things with Lu Yao were moving too fast—sharing a bed after two meetings?

Seeing Shen Zhirou’s expression, Lu Yao knew she was right and chuckled. “So, are you scared to share a room with me?”

Shen Zhirou’s ears turned redder at Lu Yao’s words, the blush quickly spreading to her face.