My Ex Who Dumped Me Comes to Hook Me Up Every Day - Chapter 37

The first person to greet Jin Zhou upon entering her room was the housekeeper, Auntie Li, who was tidying up.

“Auntie Li, thank you for your hard work,” Jin Zhou said, placing the gifts she carried down and nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

On previous returns home, Lin Xin would usually be waiting for her in the first-floor living room, ready with a barrage of pointed questions about her recent activities.

But today, after searching most of the first floor, Jin Zhou still couldn’t find her mother.

Despite it being her birthday, the house felt unusually quiet and cold.

Something was off.

Jin Zhou proceeded upstairs.

Jin Wei sat in the reception room, reading a newspaper.

As expected, it was likely the latest financial daily.

“Dad, I’m back.”

Jin Wei didn’t look up, replying curtly, “Mm.”

Unfazed, Jin Zhou continued, “Do you know where Mom went?”

Jin Wei finally glanced up, as if just remembering something. “She had some errands to run. She hasn’t returned yet.”

Jin Zhou was surprised. “What errands? Why didn’t she tell me beforehand?”

Jin Wei offered no further explanation. “I’m not sure. The guests will be arriving at ten o’clock. You should get ready to greet them.”

Jin Zhou paused. “Wasn’t this supposed to be a family gathering for my birthday?”

Jin Wei adjusted her glasses and said calmly, “We didn’t invite many people. Just a few old friends for a private get-together to catch up.”

“…Alright.”

Jin Wei disdained lying. When she said few guests, she meant it.

In fact, there were only two:

A middle-aged woman dressed in understated elegance, radiating refined grace.

And a young man in a gray suit, looking somewhat green and inexperienced.

The woman’s name was Luo Lanying.

The young man was her son, Wang Hongfei.

Individually, they might seem unremarkable.

But mention Luo Lanying’s husband, Wang Hongfei’s father, and everyone in C City would know the name:

Wang Wuliang.

A self-made tycoon who rode the wave of the times to establish Hengyue Group, single-handedly propelling C City’s internet industry to prominence.

He had also founded the Wuliang Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to funding education for impoverished children in rural areas, earning him widespread acclaim across the country.

These two unassuming figures carried a weight that could not be underestimated.

Jin Zhou immediately understood the true meaning behind her father’s words about “catching up.”

Her expression remained unchanged, maintaining only the minimum level of professional courtesy toward her two “guests.”

Just get through today’s charade.

Before arriving, Luo Lanying had learned Jin Zhou’s basic information from Lin Xin.

Jin Zhou had earned her undergraduate degree in law from C University and completed her master’s degree at Bridge College, renowned for its legal studies, before returning to China. Her academic credentials were impeccable.

This meeting was primarily to assess her physical appearance and personality.

Luo Lanying had mentally prepared herself beforehand, but Jin Zhou’s striking beauty still caught her off guard.

With her smooth, straight hair, understated makeup, tall and slender figure, and graceful demeanor during conversation, Jin Zhou moved with poise and confidence.

Having passed this crucial test, Luo Lanying had already deemed Jin Zhou a suitable daughter-in-law.

Observing Wang Hongfei’s eyes practically glued to Jin Zhou, Luo Lanying immediately understood her son’s intentions.

Her expression softened into an unusually warm smile. “I heard you work in the legal field, Miss Jin?”

Jin Zhou nodded politely. “Yes, I do.”

Luo Lanying smiled knowingly. “Hongfei’s companies are just starting to find their footing. He mentioned they still have some legal vacancies…”

Wang Hongfei froze, speechless.

Luo Lanying cleared her throat softly.

He snapped out of his daze. “Ah, yes, yes, our company needs a legal advisor. Miss Jin, which law firm do you work for? We could collaborate.”

Jin Zhou’s smile was faint. “It’s just a small, unknown firm. I have a friend at Donghua. If you need it, Mr. Wang, I can give you her business card.”

Donghua was the most prestigious law firm in C City, and Wang Hongfei had certainly heard of it.

But everyone at the table was intelligent enough to see through the gesture.

He didn’t need that flimsy business card, and Jin Zhou knew it perfectly well. Yet she offered it anyway.

Her message was crystal clear: she wasn’t interested in him and had no intention of pursuing a relationship.

After her words, Wang Hongfei’s pride stung.

Luo Lanying, however, remained unfazed. Romance, after all, could always be cultivated.

And if it couldn’t, it didn’t matter—as long as they could produce heirs.

In family alliances, the younger generation’s wishes were rarely considered.

Once Jin Wei reached an agreement with them, the matter would be settled.

Facing the undercurrents of calculation between the two across the table, Jin Zhou lowered her gaze, her expression utterly serene.

She pretended not to notice anything.

As the clock approached eleven, Auntie Li walked toward the door.

Jin Zhou knew Lin Xin had returned.

She stood up. “Excuse me for a moment.”

As Jin Zhou approached the elevator, Lin Xin stepped out.

Whether due to work or guests, Lin Xin’s attire was far more formal than her usual casual wear at home.

A crisp white blouse, a dark gray blazer, and matte wedge heels exuded a professional yet slightly intimidating air.

Jin Zhou stood silently.

Lin Xin spoke first.

“Xiao Zhou, you’re back?”

Xiao Zhou.

That familiar, intimate nickname again.

If Jin Zhou hadn’t spent nearly an hour in the living room, fending off Luo Lanying and Wang Hongfei while already suspecting their motives, she might have calmly sat down and finished her birthday dinner with Lin Xin.

She lowered her gaze. “Mom, what’s the meaning of these two guests you invited?”

Lin Xin’s expression shifted subtly, her eyes darting around the room before she replied evasively, “Oh, nothing. Just some friends of mine. I thought it would be nice to have them over.”

“Is that so? If they’re your friends, I won’t intrude. I still have some work to finish. I’ll head back to my room now.”

As Jin Zhou turned to leave, Lin Xin immediately called out, “Jin Zhou, come back here.”

Jin Zhou stopped. “Is there something else, Mom?”

“Is this how you’re going to spend my birthday with me?”

Jin Zhou didn’t want to argue with her. “I’ve been busy with work lately. I’ll make it up to you properly next time.”

Lin Xin frowned slightly. “What kind of work could you possibly be busy with? Don’t tell me it’s that case your friend is involved in.”

Jin Zhou had never shared details about her social circle with Lin Xin, but she wasn’t surprised her mother knew about it.

Without breaking her stride, she simply replied with a curt “Hmm.”

Lin Xin raised her voice, her tone brooking no argument. “You need to drop that case.”

Jin Zhou stopped and turned to face her. “Why?”

Lin Xin said sternly, “I know you’ve handled many cases these past few years and think you’ve become quite capable. But the legal system in this country is authoritative and unyielding. Trying to change things using the methods you learned abroad will only tarnish your law firm’s reputation.”

Jin Zhou replied calmly, “I understand.”

Believing she had gotten through to her daughter, Lin Xin seemed to relax slightly. “Good. Come join us for dinner. Don’t be stubborn with your mother.”

But Jin Zhou wasn’t finished.

“I’m still going to pursue this case. Whatever the outcome, I just want to be true to myself.”

Lin Xin flared up. “Jin Zhou! Are you defying your mother now?”

Jin Zhou lifted her chin and met her mother’s gaze without backing down.

Jin Zhou was accustomed to Lin Xin’s “kidnapping” under the guise of concern.

The question remained: was Lin Xin genuinely acting solely for her daughter’s happiness, or was there a mix of self-interest and an unspoken desire for control?

Both women knew the truth.

Seeing Jin Zhou’s unwavering stance, Lin Xin softened her tone.

“Alright… you’re an adult now. I won’t interfere in this matter.”

“But Xiao Zhou, Hongfei is an exceptional young man. He’s managed several companies with remarkable success at such a young age. Getting to know him would only benefit you, understand?”

Jin Zhou raised her eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Is it Wang Hongfei you truly value, Mother?”

Lin Xin pressed her lips together. “Xiao Zhou, what do you mean by that?”

Jin Zhou replied calmly, “I heard Everjoy Group’s legal department is facing issues. They’re currently seeking a long-term partnership with a reputable law firm. Are you hoping to get in on that action too, Mother?”

Lin Xin stared at her, words caught in her throat.

“Xiao Zhou, how could you think such a thing about your own mother?”

Jin Zhou tilted her head, her gaze dripping with sarcasm. “Then tell me, dear Mother, why else would you bring Wang Hongfei here if not to arrange my marriage into the Wang family?”

Lin Xin insisted stubbornly, “I’m doing this for your happiness.”

Jin Zhou countered, “And have you been happy all these years married to Father?”

Lin Xin answered without hesitation, “Of course I’m happy! I have you, Xiao Zhou.”

Jin Zhou looked into her eyes. “But Mom, I’m not happy.”

Lin Xin froze.

How could a life controlled by others ever be happy?

How could a life completely ignored by her father ever be happy?

But the process didn’t matter, as long as the outcome was good.

She instinctively retorted, “But we’ve never skimped on your food, clothing, or expenses… I just want you to settle down and start a family soon. What’s wrong with that?”

Jin Zhou cut her off. “Mom, I can live perfectly well without getting married.”

Lin Xin’s emotions flared with unusual intensity. “Regardless, you absolutely must get to know Hongfei properly this time.”

Watching her mother’s shifting moods, Jin Zhou reached a conclusion.

The birthday was a pretense; the blind date was the real purpose.

From the beginning, Lin Xin had planned this all along.

There was no point in staying any longer.

After a long silence, she said, “I heard you’ve been feeling unwell lately. I bought some old ginseng and asked Auntie Li to put it in the storage room.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Xin’s eyes. “You’re leaving?”

Jin Zhou casually picked up a file from the side.

“Mm-hmm. Happy birthday in advance.”

Just as she was about to step into the elevator, Lin Xin’s voice, strained with suppressed anger, rang out from behind her.

“Jin Zhou, tell me—is your reluctance to marry because of Jiang Yuhuai?”