Dating My Ex After Breaking Up - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Their eyes met, and Lu Yao broke the silence first, “Put the toiletries in the room’s bathroom too.”

“Okay.” Shen Zhirou’s things were not many, so she quickly tidied up.

“It’s late. Let’s rest early,” Lu Yao said as she turned and went into the bathroom.

Shen Zhirou’s words, “I haven’t eaten yet,” stuck in her throat. Seeing Lu Yao’s demeanor, she must have already eaten. Shen Zhirou felt a bit disappointed inside. She cooked quickly, and in no time, two dishes were ready.

She placed the two dishes on the dining table, hesitating whether Lu Yao would eat with her again.

At that moment, Lu Yao finished her bath and came out. Not seeing Shen Zhirou in the room, she left to find her.

She saw Shen Zhirou busy in the dining room. Lu Yao walked over in a few steps and leaned against the wall. Fresh from her bath, her face still had a misty glow, giving her a soft radiance. “Haven’t eaten yet?”

“Hmm, I thought we could eat together. Want to join me?” Shen Zhirou invited nervously, her eyes flickering as she looked at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao’s brows furrowed slightly, a faint trace of displeasure passing through her. She didn’t like feeling controlled by others.

Lu Yao glanced at Shen Zhirou and sighed, “You don’t need to wait for me in the future. I ate outside already. But since you prepared it, I’ll eat a bit with you.”

“Okay,” Shen Zhirou replied with a soft smile, her captivating eyes sparkling, making Lu Yao freeze in place.

Shen Zhirou’s eyes were beautiful, clear with a touch of gentleness. At first glance, they didn’t leave much impression, but the longer you looked, the more you got drawn in. Lu Yao chose Shen Zhirou from many blind date candidates largely because of her eyes.

Seeing Lu Yao staring, Shen Zhirou’s ear tips turned faintly red. She looked away first and changed the topic, “Let’s eat first, or it’ll get cold.”

Lu Yao snapped back, her expression back to normal, though her brows were slightly furrowed. She felt Shen Zhirou’s words broke the comfortable atmosphere from moments ago.

“Okay,” Lu Yao responded lightly. She picked up a dish in front of her to taste, giving Shen Zhirou face. As soon as the food touched her tongue, her expression softened, and she unconsciously reached for another dish to try.

Seeing Lu Yao use her chopsticks, Shen Zhirou’s bright eyes shone even more as she looked at Lu Yao expectantly, “How is it? Good?”

Lu Yao met Shen Zhirou’s gaze, nodded slightly, and her thin lips gave the answer Shen Zhirou wanted, “Not bad. This cashew shrimp tastes better than what I’ve had at several restaurants.”

Shen Zhirou, delighted by Lu Yao’s praise, smiled even more, “If you like it, I can cook it for you again. If you have time at noon, I can bring lunch to your company.”

“No need. Don’t waste time on meaningless things. Lunch is just lunch; I can eat anything,” Lu Yao’s voice grew cold. She wasn’t used to others disrupting her orderly life, even if that person was her chosen partner.

Shen Zhirou suddenly felt like she was back at their blind date. Lu Yao was just as cold then, her words a bit impersonal.

“Sorry, I overstepped,” Shen Zhirou apologized first, her gaze briefly meeting Lu Yao’s before pulling away.

Hearing the apology, Lu Yao softened her tone, “I didn’t mean it that way. You have your work too. No need to spend so much effort on me. We both have our jobs, and this way of getting along is fine. Eat now.”

“Okay.” Shen Zhirou started eating, looking at Lu Yao sitting across from her. She wondered silently how Lu Yao, who seemed so outstanding, chose her. They didn’t seem to belong to the same world.

Lu Yao wore a black silk nightdress, her graceful figure clinging to the fabric’s texture. She didn’t seem shy around Shen Zhirou, wearing no extra undergarments. A large patch of fair skin spilled out at her chest, with a small red mole faintly visible three centimeters below the center of her collarbone.

Her slightly wavy brown hair hung lazily over her shoulder. Her cool eyes, sharp nose, and thin, delicate lips gave her an air of aloof nobility when expressionless, yet she was strikingly captivating.

Lu Yao only ate a few bites before putting down her chopsticks. Though Shen Zhirou’s food was delicious, it couldn’t break her long-held habits. Normally, she wouldn’t even drink water at this hour, let alone eat. Eating a few bites with Shen Zhirou tonight was already an exception, and Lu Yao felt it wasn’t good.

Shen Zhirou’s intense gaze was obvious to Lu Yao. If she had this effect on Shen Zhirou, future matters would be easier. Smiling, Lu Yao looked at Shen Zhirou, her thin lips curving slightly, “Am I nice to look at?”

Shen Zhirou realized she’d been staring while eating. Hearing Lu Yao’s question, her cheeks and ears visibly flushed. She felt so embarrassed—staring like that on their first night living together was too rude.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Shen Zhirou apologized, burying her face in her food.

Lu Yao’s smile grew. Twice apologizing in such a short time showed Shen Zhirou was good-natured and easy to handle—perfect for her. She was obedient, which would satisfy her parents, and most importantly, Lu Yao loved her eyes.

Lu Yao looked away, shaking her head with a slight smile, “It’s fine. I’m your fiancée. Look however you want.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhirou’s expression didn’t improve. Instead, she choked, quickly grabbing a tissue and coughing lightly.

Lu Yao got up, poured a glass of water from the dispenser, and handed it over, “Eat slowly. I’m a bit tired. I’ll wait for you in bed. Remember to shower after eating, or you’ll smell.”

“Okay,” Shen Zhirou answered with effort. Every word from Lu Yao made her heart race like thunder, pounding relentlessly. Did Lu Yao say she’d wait in bed?

Shen Zhirou shook her head, scolding herself for overthinking. She and Lu Yao had only met three times, including today. It couldn’t happen that fast. Lu Yao probably meant to build their relationship for a quicker marriage.

Reassuring herself, she got up, cleaned the dining table and kitchen, then nervously headed to the master bedroom where Lu Yao was.

The door was slightly ajar; Lu Yao hadn’t closed it.

Shen Zhirou pursed her lips and gently knocked. Lu Yao’s cool voice came from inside.

“This is your home now too. Be casual; no need to knock.”

Shen Zhirou paused, then pushed the door open and walked in, “Hmm, moving in suddenly, I’m still not used to it.”

Lu Yao’s gaze softened as she looked into Shen Zhirou’s eyes, nodding with a smile, “No rush. You’ll get used to it after a few days.”

Her gaze was lazy, less cold than before. Shen Zhirou looked for a moment before quickly shifting her eyes.

“I’ll shower first. It’s past 11 already. You sleep first,” Shen Zhirou said hurriedly after glancing at the clock. Lu Yao had come back late, and eating together delayed them further.

“Okay.” Lu Yao closed her eyes slightly, turning off the main light, leaving only two dim bedside lamps glowing. They cast a soft light on her fair face, adding a gentleness absent during the day.

Shen Zhirou glanced briefly, then looked away and went to the bathroom.

Lu Yao’s eyes narrowed, sinking comfortably into the soft bedding. She loved soft mattresses, even knowing they weren’t good for her back, choosing one that enveloped her in warmth.

The sound of running water from the bathroom reached her ears. Lu Yao’s fingers lightly tapped the soft blanket, her eyes showing no trace of sleepiness. She lay on her side, occasionally glancing toward the bathroom.

Shen Zhirou showered quickly, finishing in 20 minutes and cleaning the bathroom. She changed into her light blue nightdress, took a few deep breaths in front of the mirror, then clenched her fists and opened the bedroom door.

Her life was methodical, even dull—work and staying home. Because of her childhood, Shen Zhirou had little material desire. Every step she took felt preordained: college, a stable job, and now blind dating.

Deciding to live with Lu Yao so quickly was perhaps the most rebellious thing she’d ever done. She’d never been rebellious before, nor dared to be. Besides her grandmother, no one cared about her and her little sister. They couldn’t afford to be disobedient.

Shen Zhirou pushed aside her wandering thoughts and walked to the bed with her phone. As she looked at Lu Yao, Lu Yao opened her eyes and met her gaze.

Maybe it was an illusion, but Shen Zhirou felt Lu Yao, lying in bed, lacked her usual cold arrogance, instead showing a touch of softness.

“Still awake? Did I disturb you?” Shen Zhirou asked nervously, gripping her phone tightly.

Lu Yao propped herself up slightly. One strap of her nightdress slipped off her fair shoulder, but she didn’t fix it. She just beckoned Shen Zhirou with a finger, “Of course I’m not asleep. I’m waiting for you.”