My Ex Who Dumped Me Comes to Hook Me Up Every Day - Chapter 24

Zhou’er? Zhou’er? Jin Zhou!”

Wen Yan’s voice gradually grew louder in her ear, finally snapping Jin Zhou out of her daze. “Hmm?”

Noticing her distracted state, Wen Yan teased, “What have you been thinking about since earlier? You haven’t said a word.”

Jin Zhou pulled herself together and offered a casual explanation: “Nothing. What were you guys talking about just now?”

It was clear she wasn’t telling the truth, but Wen Yan didn’t press the issue. She merely raised an eyebrow. “We were discussing going to the karaoke bar downstairs tonight. Want to join?”

Jin Zhou shook her head. “I have something to do tomorrow, so I’ll have to pass today…”

Her voice trailed off, leaving the refusal unspoken.

Normally, Wen Yan would have persisted until Jin Zhou agreed to come along. But today, she simply sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment.

“Oh—is that so? If you have work, then there’s no helping it. You can leave whenever you need to.”

Jin Zhou paused, surprised by Wen Yan’s unusual compliance.

“…Then have fun.”

Wen Yan called out to someone behind her, turning her back to Jin Zhou.

“President Jiang, do you have any plans? Want to go sing karaoke?”

President Jiang?

If Jin Zhou’s guess was correct, she was referring to Jiang Shuyi.

Jin Zhou stared straight ahead, her gaze unwavering, but her pace quickened noticeably.

Jiang Yuhuai walked at the back of the group, her head bent over her phone, seemingly engrossed in work.

Jiang Shuyi followed close behind her, maintaining a comfortable distance.

“I’m fine with—” Jiang Shuyi began, glancing at Jiang Yuhuai with a smile. “Xiao Huai, are you going later?”

After a few seconds, Jiang Yuhuai’s cool, clear voice replied, “Yes.”

With that settled, Jiang Shuyi made her decision. “Then I’ll join too. It’s rare for us to all get together.”

Friend A teased, “Those two never join these events. Wen Yan’s charm must be irresistible!”

Wen Yan grinned, replying without false modesty, “Of course! You know who I am.”

Jin Zhou stood with her back to the group, silently pressing the elevator button.

At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. But a closer look revealed her knuckles were white from gripping the button too tightly, as if she harbored a deep resentment toward the elevator.

Wen Yan, standing beside her, noticed this immediately. Suppressing a laugh, she asked, “Zhou’er? You look a bit pale.”

Jin Zhou quickly composed herself, turning around with feigned nonchalance. “I’m fine.”

Hearing Wen Yan’s words, Jiang Yuhuai approached, her face filled with genuine concern. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Jin Zhou lowered her gaze, not yet having a chance to reply, when Jiang Shuyi followed behind.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Huai? Did something happen?”

Jin Zhou looked up, her gaze sweeping coldly over the two women before her. “Dr. Jiang’s concern is unnecessary.”

Wen Yan, never one to miss an opportunity for drama, chimed in.

“Oh, Zhou’er, I haven’t introduced you yet, have I?”

“This is Jiang Shuyi, also from C University, two years our senior.”

“And this is…”

Surprisingly, despite Jiang Shuyi’s somewhat assertive appearance, her voice was gentle and warm.

“I’ve heard Xiao Huai mention you, Classmate Jin Zhou. A very impressive lawyer, isn’t that right?”

Wen Yan grinned, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Exactly! That’s her.”

Though the exchange seemed perfectly ordinary, and Jiang Shuyi’s tone was impeccable, the words grated on Jin Zhou’s ears.

Perhaps it was the phrase “I’ve heard Xiao Huai mention you.”

As if their relationship was far more intimate, relegating everyone else to the status of irrelevant outsiders.

Jiang Shuyi extended her hand to Jin Zhou. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jin Zhou extended her hand with an equally expressionless face, forcing herself to say, “Me too.”

As they entered the elevator, someone started teasing again: “Wen Yan, don’t forget you promised to treat us to drinks last time! We’re going to get you completely drunk tonight!”

Wen Yan grabbed Qu Xinran’s hand and waved it defiantly at them.

“Sure, but you guys better find designated drivers. Ranran will take me home if I get too drunk, but some of you won’t have anyone to drive you!”

The group clutched their chests and wailed dramatically: “Where’s the justice? These lovebirds are torturing us single dogs!”

Qu Xinran blushed and tugged at Wen Yan’s sleeve: “A-Yan…”

Those who hadn’t driven began discussing carpooling home.

Jiang Shuyi was talking to Jiang Yuhuai.

“Yuhuai, I remember you didn’t drive here today, right? I can give you a ride home tonight.”

Jin Zhou stood in a corner, not participating in their chatter, but her attention sharpened at these words.

She secretly wondered how Jiang Yuhuai would respond.

But Jiang Yuhuai remained silent, seemingly considering the offer.

Jiang Shuyi appeared to have a close relationship with Jiang Yuhuai. What was their connection?

Were they romantic interests?

Or, like Jin Zhou and Jiang Yuhuai, former girlfriends?

Jin Zhou frowned, unwilling to dwell on the thought.

Jiang Yuhuai still hadn’t replied.

Jiang Shuyi simply gazed at her with gentle eyes, waiting patiently by her side.

Someone with a more impatient temperament would likely have already pressed for a second confirmation.

This measured, unhurried approach was perfect—neither oppressive nor easily refused.

Amidst the boisterous chatter, their quiet exchange could easily go unnoticed.

Only Jin Zhou couldn’t maintain her composure, glancing at them intentionally or unintentionally.

Jiang Shuyi and Jiang Yuhuai’s relationship has nothing to do with me, she repeated silently to herself.

But just as she was calming down, images of her candid conversation with Jiang Yuhuai from the previous night flashed unbidden through her mind.

Thankfully, the elevator doors opened at that moment.

Jin Zhou exhaled in relief and stepped out first.

Just then, Jiang Yuhuai’s voice called out from behind her:

“Did Lawyer Jin drive here today?”

Jin Zhou paused, answering almost instinctively, “Yes.”

Before Jiang Yuhuai could speak again, Jiang Shuyi smoothly interjected:

“I recall Lawyer Jin mentioning she had some urgent matters to attend to. She won’t be joining us tonight, right?”

Jin Zhou looked up. Jiang Shuyi’s expression was perfectly composed, her eyes holding a polite smile, as if her words were merely a casual remark.

The atmosphere in the elevator stiffened. The others, sensing the tension, fell silent as they filed out.

Jiang Yuhuai didn’t respond to Jiang Shuyi’s words, instead focusing her gaze on Jin Zhou.

“I just remembered I need to discuss some work matters with Lawyer Jin. I might as well leave with her now.”

Moments ago, she had insisted on staying, but now that she knew Jin Zhou was leaving, Jiang Yuhuai suddenly decided to go too.

Her intentions couldn’t have been clearer.

Most of those present were early shippers of the “Cosmic” CP. They exchanged knowing glances, their eyes conveying mutual understanding.

What kind of work matters could a doctor and a lawyer possibly need to discuss?

It was clearly just an excuse.

Could it be… are these two rekindling their old flame?!

Jiang Yuhuai’s words were an unmistakable overture.

Jin Zhou couldn’t deny that her heart was wavering.

Wen Yan, standing nearby, kept winking and nudging her with her eyes.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jin Zhou finally said, “I’ll stay too.”

The karaoke lounge was just downstairs.

Since everyone was staying, Wen Yan cheerfully led the group to pick out snacks and drinks.

Jin Zhou, uninterested in such things, remained in the private room, waiting for them to return.

Jiang Yuhuai, who never ate snacks after meals, also stayed behind.

Jin Zhou tried her best to ignore Jiang Yuhuai in the corner, but with the door open, the deafening noise from outside seeped in, making it impossible to concentrate.

She went up and requested a song.

A magnetic female voice began singing a melodious folk tune, finally bringing a sense of calm to the air.

The song ended.

Jiang Yuhuai clapped softly.

“Zhouzhou, your singing is still as beautiful as ever.”

Jin Zhou glanced at her.

Jiang Yuhuai could have remained silent, and they could have coexisted peacefully until Wen Yan and the others returned.

Even if she had to speak, she could have simply said, “That was lovely,” instead of “Zhouzhou, your singing is still as beautiful as ever.”

The former would have been a genuine compliment.

The latter, however, always felt like an attempt to bring up the past and reminisce.

“I told you not to call me Zhouzhou.”

Jiang Yuhuai pursed her lips. “You also said we should be… friends?”

The last two words drifted softly into Jin Zhou’s ears, like a feather brushing against her skin, leaving a ticklish sensation.

They weren’t standing close enough for the microphone to pick up the sound, but Jin Zhou still instinctively glanced toward the corridor.

After confirming no one was passing by, Jin Zhou turned to face Jiang Yuhuai.

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Are you crazy? What if they heard us?”

Jiang Yuhuai looked up at her, her tone as calm as ever.

“So what if they heard? I spoke the truth. Lawyer Jin did it, so why shouldn’t others talk about it?”

Jin Zhou was momentarily speechless. “You…”

Despite her words, Jiang Yuhuai turned and gently closed the karaoke room door.

After doing so, she turned back and met Jin Zhou’s gaze directly.

The classic disco ball hanging from the ceiling cast its outdated red and green lights across Jiang Yuhuai’s face, creating a subtle, almost restrained, air of intimacy.

Jin Zhou let out a breath, but her heart involuntarily began to race.

Jiang Yuhuai slowly approached.

“I just said I wanted to go home with Lawyer Jin. Why didn’t you answer me?”

Jin Zhou paused, belatedly remembering Jiang Shuyi’s presence.

A nameless ache welled up in her heart, and she lowered her gaze.

“Dr. Jiang’s home isn’t on my way, and besides—Dr. Jiang doesn’t seem to lack people to drive you home, does she?”

Jiang Yuhuai stopped walking, giving her a thoughtful look.

In the dim light, Jin Zhou could clearly see the other woman’s composed yet profound eyes.

In that gaze, her own thoughts seemed to have nowhere to hide.

She bluffed, “What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with what I said?”

“Jiang Shuyi drove her SUV today. It’s quite spacious, definitely enough room for several people. But…”

A soft chuckle came from across the way as Jiang Yuhuai continued, “I prefer cars with lower ground clearance, preferably—the kind that breaks down in the rain.”