Dating My Ex After Breaking Up - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Shen Zhirou finished packing by six-thirty and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Unsure of what Lu Yao liked, she took out milk and bread to make sandwiches.

It was simple, and Shen Zhirou handled it easily. When she returned to the room, Lu Yao was awake, lying in bed, staring blankly.

Shen Zhirou met Lu Yao’s eyes and noticed her gray-brown eyes had regained their usual clarity, no longer as soft and tender as last night.

Lu Yao glanced at Shen Zhirou lazily and asked, “Why are you up so early?”

“When I lived in my apartment, I always woke up early and made breakfast. I wasn’t sure what you like, so I prepared sandwiches and milk. Want to eat together?” Shen Zhirou looked at Lu Yao, her thumb gently rubbing her other fingers as she asked.

“No need. I usually eat at the company. I’ll take a shower soon, and Jiang Chen will pick me up. He can drop you off at work, or if that’s inconvenient, you can take my car. I don’t drive it much anyway.” Lu Yao’s voice was cool as she propped herself up and slipped into a black silk nightgown, barely covering her fair skin. She walked into the bathroom without waiting for Shen Zhirou’s reply.

Her movements were swift and clean, showing no trace of the tenderness from last night. She didn’t even spare Shen Zhirou an extra glance, as if they weren’t close, despite how near they had been the night before.

Shen Zhirou froze in place. Growing up with divorced parents, she lived with her little sister and grandmother. Visiting her mother or father always made her cautious, as those places never felt like home, only like she was a guest.

Those childhood experiences made her very sensitive to others’ emotions. The slightest hint of displeasure made her instinctively careful, hoping not to be abandoned. She clearly sensed Lu Yao’s mood shift just now.

Since Lu Yao declined her invitation, Shen Zhirou warmed the milk alone, fried the sandwiches, and ate quickly at the dining table, her attention fixed on the master bedroom.

She heard Lu Yao’s voice on the phone, sounding like it was something urgent.

Lu Yao had several meetings that morning. A project she managed was nearing its end, and the final tasks needed extra care.

Lu Yao wore a light-colored, fitted skirt with a beige V-neck blouse. A small red mole below her collarbone was faintly visible. She hadn’t let Shen Zhirou kiss there last night to avoid marks that might look bad.

Thinking of last night, a smile curved Lu Yao’s lips. Annoyed by her mother’s urging, she agreed to a casual blind date. Not caring much for anyone, she planned to pick someone pleasant enough to marry. She didn’t expect to meet Shen Zhirou. She liked Shen Zhirou’s clear, gentle eyes, which reminded her of someone.

Shen Zhirou’s temperament was good—she didn’t overstep boundaries. What surprised Lu Yao most was how well they fit together in bed. She enjoyed the feeling. Though it was their first time, Shen Zhirou was gentle and had good stamina. Lu Yao was quite satisfied with her choice.

She applied light makeup, used beige lip gloss, tidied her hair, and grabbed the car keys from the drawer. Her busy work kept her schedule unpredictable, and her assistant, Jiang Chen, was equally busy. Lu Yao didn’t want to neglect Shen Zhirou but also didn’t want her taking up too much time. Letting Shen Zhirou use her car seemed like the best solution.

With that, Lu Yao put her phone in her small bag, grabbed the car keys, and left the room. Jiang Chen was already waiting downstairs.

Seeing Shen Zhirou eating at the dining table, Lu Yao walked over, placed the car keys on the table, and said, “Jiang Chen is waiting downstairs. Take your time eating. Drive to the company later. The car’s in the basement, level B2, accessible by elevator. Don’t worry about the house—an auntie will come to clean. Don’t wait for me for dinner. The project’s wrapping up, so I’m busy and won’t be back early.”

Shen Zhirou quickly pushed the keys back, saying, “No need, I’ll just take a taxi to the company.”

“The car’s just sitting there. It’s a waste if we don’t use it. The tank’s full—I had it filled earlier. Drive it without worry. If Jiang Chen’s busy someday, you can pick me up. Take it. I’m running late, so I’m going.” Lu Yao glanced at Shen Zhirou’s eyes and left.

Shen Zhirou sipped her milk, unsure of the situation. After last night, it didn’t feel like their hearts were fully connected, but Lu Yao wasn’t exactly cold either. If she were, she wouldn’t have brought someone she just met to live with her or lent her car.

Shen Zhirou glanced at the keys and searched online. Lu Yao’s Bentley was worth over 2.6 million yuan. It wasn’t top-tier among luxury cars, but for Shen Zhirou, with her 200,000-yuan annual salary, it was shocking. She’d need to save for years and still might not buy one.

Eating breakfast and eyeing the keys, Shen Zhirou thought of last night, her heart racing. Though she’d worked for over four years and was well past adulthood, she couldn’t deny she craved love. Fearing loss, she had never dared to pursue a relationship.

Shen Zhirou thought that although Lu Yao was busy with work, it didn’t matter. She could manage the house and wait for her. Lu Yao’s mention of living together to prepare for marriage reassured her.

Shen Zhirou finished her milk, wiped her lips with a tissue, and, in a good mood, grabbed her girlfriend’s car keys and headed to work.

In the basement garage, Shen Zhirou pressed the key fob, and the car beeped. She walked toward a sapphire-blue Bentley, its sleek, understated design catching her eye. She slid into the driver’s seat.

Luckily, she’d driven Zhao Tongtong’s car when picking up her little sister from university or going out to eat, so it wasn’t unfamiliar—except this car was over 2 million yuan more expensive than Zhao Tongtong’s.

Zhao Tongtong, like Shen Zhirou, was a worker, but her family was better off. Her parents bought her a house in Jiangbei City and a 100,000-yuan car, making her life easier than Shen Zhirou’s.

Shen Zhirou drove toward AFN Group, entered the Bentley’s license plate with the security guard, and parked in the basement. As she got out, she saw Zhao Tongtong parking nearby. Zhao Tongtong spotted her and ran over, smiling.

“Did you buy a new car? Why’d you drive today?” Zhao Tongtong asked, then turned to see Shen Zhirou’s car and gasped, “Whoa, you drove a Bentley today?”

Shen Zhirou smiled, tugged Zhao Tongtong’s wrist to calm her, and explained, “It’s her car.”

“Her car? You two are moving fast! Met twice, already living together, and she lets you drive such an expensive car? Nice job, Zhirou. Your girlfriend’s totally smitten, huh?” They teased each other while walking to the elevator.

“Don’t be silly. What’s so great about me to make her smitten?” Shen Zhirou shook her head, laughing.

“Why not? You’re thoughtful, kind-hearted, good to friends, patient, and you cook well. If I weren’t straight, I’d be falling for you myself,” Zhao Tongtong teased, grinning. She genuinely thought her friend was amazing, just too considerate of others, often at her own expense.

Shen Zhirou’s clear eyes flickered, her long lashes trembling, a faint blush on her fair skin. “Stop it. You’re making me so flustered I’ll trip over my own feet.”

“Seriously, I mean it. Tell Lu Yao to cherish you, or plenty of people would want a girl like you,” Zhao Tongtong said, her little hair bun bouncing playfully, looking lively and cute.

“You should tell your Wei Xuan to cherish you. Your orientation doesn’t seem that stable—you’re listing my good points and almost bending already. He’s in danger,” Shen Zhirou teased, laughing as they entered the elevator. They arrived early, and the elevator was still on B2. Shen Zhirou pressed the 11th floor, and the doors began to close.

Just as they shut, someone outside pressed the button, and the doors reopened. A tall, elegant woman stepped in, her refined features striking, her dark hair falling to her waist with slightly curled ends—neat yet beautifully balanced. She wore a lightweight summer suit with a silver chain at her waist, adding to her distinguished aura.

Shen Zhirou smiled and greeted, “Good morning, General Manager Xiao.”

Even the lively Zhao Tongtong clasped her hands and politely said, “Morning, General Manager Xiao.”

“Morning,” the woman replied, pressing the 17th floor. The elevator fell silent.