Dating My Ex After Breaking Up - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

After Lu Yao arrived at the company, the secretary Chen Qingqing had already prepared breakfast and brought it in. Lu Yao paused for a moment, looked at Chen Qingqing, and said, “I forgot to tell you I already ate breakfast. See who hasn’t eaten yet and give it to them.”

After saying this, Lu Yao threw herself into work. The buildings their company was responsible for were about to be completed, and the materials they submitted to the housing department kept increasing. Lu Yao was either reviewing materials or attending meetings every day, busy as could be.

Chen Qingqing was stunned for a moment, not expecting Lu Yao to say that. She had worked under Lu Yao for two years and knew Lu Yao’s habits well. Once Lu Yao formed a habit, she usually didn’t like to break it, even for small things like breakfast.

But it was only a brief pause. Chen Qingqing quickly left, sensing something was slightly off with her boss, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. Jiang Chen was tight-lipped and wouldn’t spill anything.

Shen Zhirou hesitated as she looked at her phone, thinking about how close she and Lu Yao were last night and how Lu Yao ate the breakfast she prepared today. Shen Zhirou felt that if she sent Lu Yao a message today, the response might be different.

With that in mind, Shen Zhirou opened her WeChat and went to the pinned contact labeled “Yao Yao.”

“I’m at the company. Are you busy today?”

It was like dropping a stone into the sea—no reply came after a long wait.

Shen Zhirou stared at her phone nervously for a while, then gave a light chuckle and shook her head. Maybe Lu Yao was too busy, or maybe she just didn’t like replying to WeChat messages.

But what Shen Zhirou didn’t expect was that after work, she received a call from Lu Yao. Shen Zhirou’s clear eyes lit up with uncontainable joy. Lu Yao didn’t like replying to messages or making calls, so getting a call from her made Shen Zhirou quite happy.

“Yao Yao? Are you done with work? Will you come back for dinner tonight?” Shen Zhirou’s voice was full of uncontainable joy, her fingers gently pinching together at her side, waiting for Lu Yao’s reply.

Lu Yao’s brow furrowed slightly. She didn’t like others calling her Yao Yao in non-intimate settings and felt Shen Zhirou was crossing a line. But since she was in a hurry to leave, she didn’t have time to discuss such trivial matters. Her voice was flat as she replied, “I won’t be back tonight. I have to go to Linhai City for a business trip. I’ll be gone for about a week, so don’t wait for me these days. I have things to do, so I won’t say more.”

Shen Zhirou tried to speak several times but sensed the impatience in Lu Yao’s tone. In the end, she only said, “Then take care.”

“Hmm, you too.” Lu Yao replied stiffly, as if the warmth from the past two nights never existed. Her tone was cold and formal, like a boss giving orders. She hung up quickly, not wanting these small matters to disrupt her thoughts.

The smile on Shen Zhirou’s lips faded slightly, a trace of worry clouding her clear eyes. She had wanted to ask what time Lu Yao’s flight was so she could see her off, since they wouldn’t see each other for a week. Didn’t Lu Yao want to see her at all?

But Shen Zhirou shook her head soon after. Before they got together, Lu Yao had said she was very busy with work and had no time for love. Maybe that was why their relationship moved so fast. Shen Zhirou decided to adapt. Lu Yao was just a bit busy, not uncaring. At least she called so Shen Zhirou wouldn’t wait in vain.

Zhao Tongtong noticed Shen Zhirou’s expression shift from joy to worry and leaned over to ask, “What’s wrong with you? Your face is happy one moment and sad the next. Did you fight with her? That shouldn’t be. You just got together; you should want to be together all the time.”

Shen Zhirou packed her things while gently looking at Zhao Tongtong and explained, “No fight. She’s just too busy with work and said she’s going on a business trip for a week.”

“She hasn’t even left, and you already miss her? Zhirou, I always said, a gentle and caring girlfriend like you—Lu Yao is lucky to have you.” Zhao Tongtong teased with a smile.

“Stop it, you’re just teasing me.” Zhao Tongtong’s playful words eased some of Shen Zhirou’s worries.

When they reached the first floor, Zhao Tongtong said her boyfriend was picking her up, so she didn’t go with Shen Zhirou to the second basement parking lot.

After work, there were many people around. When Shen Zhirou went to open the door of the Bentley, Huang Qingqing from her department saw her and came over to say hello.

“Zhirou, you’re impressive! Quietly driving a Bentley now.” Huang Qingqing glanced at the sapphire blue Bentley parked there.

Shen Zhirou smiled warmly and replied, “It’s not my car. It’s my girlfriend’s.”

“You have a girlfriend?” Huang Lili was shocked, her eyes widening.

This made Shen Zhirou laugh. Her already smiling face lit up even more. “What? Can’t I have a girlfriend?”

“No, I’m just surprised. I thought you’d like boys. Congrats! Let’s talk more at the company tomorrow.” Huang Qingqing chatted a bit more before heading to her own parking spot.

“Okay, see you tomorrow.” Shen Zhirou opened the car door, got into the driver’s seat, and started the car.

She cooked some dumplings for dinner. After a shower, Shen Zhirou lounged boredly on the master bedroom bed. The bedsheets had been changed, probably by the housekeeping auntie. Shen Zhirou looked at the side of the bed where Lu Yao slept last night, her eyes curving slightly, her heart feeling like it was tickled by a kitten’s paw, both tender and itchy.

She rolled onto her stomach, opened WeChat, and checked the pinned “Yao Yao” contact. There was still no activity. Shen Zhirou opened the chat and saw it was mostly her talking to herself. Maybe Yao Yao didn’t check WeChat often.

Shen Zhirou propped her chin with one hand while her slender fingers typed a line on the phone keyboard with the other. After writing, she didn’t hit send, but her ears turned slightly red.

The chat box read: “Yao Yao, are you resting? I miss you so much.”

Shen Zhirou pursed her lips and pressed send, her eyes shimmering with emotion. Moments later, she buried her face in the soft blanket, too shy to look at the phone screen. She knew Lu Yao probably wouldn’t see it or reply, but she still felt her face flush with embarrassment.

It was her first time in a relationship. She had never said such things to anyone before. Even though the past two nights with Lu Yao felt good, she was still shy in bed and couldn’t say sweet words. Lu Yao, however, was nothing like her usual cold self and could say anything.

Just thinking about it made Shen Zhirou bury herself entirely in the blanket, feeling like she was burning up.

After a while, Shen Zhirou reached for her phone. Her slender arm, pale under the light, peeked out from the blanket. Her gaze fell on the chat with Lu Yao, and the fleeting warmth faded. As expected, Lu Yao hadn’t seen the message or replied.

Shen Zhirou buried her face in the soft bed again. She felt Yao Yao was so different in bed compared to out of it. But she understood—Yao Yao was probably the serious type. Shen Zhirou comforted herself.

As her heart swung between sweet and sour, her phone suddenly rang. Shen Zhirou quickly pulled herself out of the soft bed and hurriedly checked the phone. What if it was her Yao Yao?

But the screen showed “Mother,” a call from her mother, Ning Jianfang. Shen Zhirou answered, and Ning Jianfang’s joyful voice came through.

“Zhirou, how are things with you and Lu Yao? Want to bring Lu Yao home for dinner this weekend? It can be like an introduction.” Ning Jianfang’s voice carried a smile, a warmth that had been absent in recent years since she rarely invited Shen Zhirou home for meals.

“She’s on a business trip to Linhai City for at least a week. She’s really busy, often coming back at eleven or twelve at night, so she doesn’t have time to come over.” Shen Zhirou explained again.

“Alright then. Since she’s not here, you and your little sister can come for dinner. Your Uncle Kang drove back from the coast and brought lots of fresh shrimp. This Saturday, you and Yumian come over, and I’ll make braised shrimp for you.” Ning Jianfang said with a smile.

Shen Zhirou’s delicate eyelashes fluttered as she thought for a moment before agreeing. She loved the feeling of home, even if she knew her mother might want something from her. She couldn’t resist the warmth of home. Since their grandmother passed, she and her little sister had no real home.

“Okay, I’ll call Yumian, and we’ll come back together this weekend.” Shen Zhirou agreed.

“Great. Your little brother will be back too. We can all sit down and have a good gathering. It’s been a long time since our family got together properly.” Ning Jianfang smiled and said.

Shen Zhirou chatted a bit more with her mother before hanging up. She looked down at her phone, found “Mian Mian” in her contacts, and dialed. The call connected quickly, and a clear, youthful voice answered.

“Sister? Why are you calling now?” Shen Yumian had just finished tutoring and was walking back to school.

“Hmm, I miss you. Can’t I call you?” Shen Zhirou’s eyes softened, her tone playful, like she was teasing a kitten.

“Sister, I miss you too. Are you free this weekend? Can I treat you to something delicious?” Shen Yumian’s steps grew lighter. Her parents had already paid her university fees, and her sister gave her living expenses, but she still worked part-time every day. She didn’t want to burden her sister, and in a week or two, she’d graduate.

Shen Yumian felt a weight lift off her. She could soon find a job to repay her sister, but only if she found a suitable job. Otherwise, housing would be an issue.