In the afternoon, Lin Zhou’s mother called, asking if there was any chance she and Chengdu would get back together. Lin Zhou firmly replied no. On the other end of the line, her mother sighed but didn’t press for the reasons behind their breakup. She only said, “Your father had high hopes for your marriage with Chengdu.”
Worried that Lin Zhou might feel burdened, she added, “No matter what decision you make, I trust it’s one you’ve thought through carefully. I’ll try to talk to your father again. If he calls and says something unpleasant, don’t take it to heart. His health isn’t great, and sometimes he can’t control his emotions. Don’t argue with him.”
Lin Zhou’s mother was an ordinary village woman, yet she lacked the brashness typically associated with that stereotype. She was gentle and kind, and she never demanded too much from Lin Zhou. Her father, by contrast, was more authoritarian, believing children should obey their parents in matters of marriage and otherwise.
Lin Zhou deeply understood her mother’s struggle being caught in the middle and reassured her, “I’ll go home during the National Day holiday to explain everything to Dad.”
Technically, she could have gone back over the weekend, modern transportation made it as easy as buying a plane ticket. But she wanted to delay a little longer, not wanting to salt her own wounds.
Her mother’s call reminded Lin Zhou that she loved Chengdu. She loved him so much that she couldn’t accept his betrayal. She loved him so much that, even after breaking up, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her parents the real reason. She didn’t want to tarnish Chengdu’s flawless image in their eyes. She bore everything strongly, saying that their busy schedules led to growing apart, and that as their wedding approached, they realized they couldn’t go through with it, leaving them no choice but to break up.
Yes, she was strong, but she could still get hurt.
Feng Hexu was silent for a moment before saying, “Then take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.”
After hanging up, Lin Zhou felt a bit dazed. That little affectionate “I’ll be back soon” made her uneasy in a way she couldn’t explain.
It was a conversation with no real topic. Lin Zhou didn’t dare think too deeply about what Feng Hexu’s unusual tone might mean. She had always assumed he had no feelings for her. If he did, he would have acted on them long ago. Six years by her side, yet he had never made a move.
She rubbed her temples, convincing herself that her recent nervousness was just from being harassed by Gu Minxuan.
When the workday ended, her phone rang again at the usual time. It was Xie Wei.
“Lin Zhou, you’re too much! You didn’t even tell me you were back in the country.”
“I’ve been busy. I thought I’d meet you when I had time,” Lin Zhou joked, though she was deliberately avoiding Xie Wei a bit. She still had lingering guilt over the modeling incident. The most rebellious thing she had ever done in her life was, essentially, sleeping with a stranger, and then fleeing. Thinking about it still made her feel embarrassed.
“If I hadn’t run into Sister Wenwen at the bar, I would’ve believed your excuse. Come over tonight. I know your boss isn’t in the country. If he’s not here, how busy can you really be?”
She couldn’t avoid it this time. “Alright, alright, my boss Xie!”
Lin Zhou regretted taking her colleagues to Xie Wei’s bar. Once they became familiar with her, Xie Wei had a tight grip on her whereabouts.
The bar, “Huase,” was in Houhai, with a nice environment, elegant interior, and good music, not like some rowdy bars. If it weren’t for that incident, Lin Zhou would have liked coming here.
Xie Wei was thoughtful. After making the reservation, she saved Lin Zhou’s favorite seat by the window. As soon as Lin Zhou entered, a waiter led her there and warmly said, “Sister Zhou, haven’t eaten yet, right? The boss prepared Italian Bolognese and a medium-rare sirloin for you.”
Lin Zhou nodded, feeling a warmth in her heart. Xie Wei always remembered her tastes. She was the odd one who liked steak medium-rare, a chewiness that most people couldn’t handle.
Two sets of utensils were on the table. Lin Zhou assumed Xie Wei hadn’t eaten yet.
Soon the dinner arrived, but instead of Xie Wei’s usual fillet, it was exactly the same as Lin Zhou’s order. She asked the waiter, “Did you make a mistake? Your boss doesn’t seem to have the same taste as mine.”
The waiter smiled, his expression faintly suggestive, and motioned behind Lin Zhou.
She turned to see a stylish young man entering, a good-looking guy around 180 cm tall, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding a sunny aura.
Lin Zhou felt a headache coming on. She thought she shouldn’t have agreed to come. She assumed Xie Wei had moved on after more than three months, yet she had brought a younger brother this time.
“Lin Zhou, do you remember me?” Vita sat across from her, his gaze intense and earnest.
Lin Zhou frowned, nervously blurting out, “Five thousand?”
“Huh? Five thousand what?” Vita looked puzzled, thinking she was speaking in code.
Lin Zhou felt relieved. This wasn’t the same guy from the hotel. A huge weight lifted from her heart. “Code… but unfortunately, you got it wrong,” she said, half-joking.
“Really? Too bad.” Vita was in his early twenties, handsome, but the innocence of youth still lingered on his face. “I had Sister Wei prepare the same meal as yours. I just wanted to see what your ‘special taste’ was and get to know you better.”
Lin Zhou wondered when she had ever given Xie Wei the impression that she liked younger guys. Good heavens, what was Xie Wei thinking?!
Lin Zhou didn’t want to chat with the boy. She busied herself eating and, somewhat unladylike, said, “You don’t mind if I start, do you?”
Vita smiled even brighter. “Of course not. I like women who are straightforward and carefree.”
“Cough!” Lin Zhou was shocked by Vita’s blunt words, almost choking on her noodles.
Vita seemed about to come closer when he suddenly stopped.
Lin Zhou felt a warm hand on her back. She turned away instinctively, only to meet a pair of peach blossom eyes looking at her indulgently.
“Why are you so careless while eating?” he said, smoothing her back as he spoke.
Gu Minxuan picked up the glass of lemon water and carefully brought it to her lips. “Drink a bit, or you’ll have a harder time breathing if you choke.”
Lin Zhou, feeling bewildered, skillfully avoided his hand, taking the glass herself. She had just taken a sip when Gu Minxuan slid in beside her, smiling at Vita. “Young people today are so straightforward. Saying you like someone right away doesn’t seem very polite, does it?”
Lin Zhou smirked inwardly. Gu Minxuan wasn’t exactly subtle either.
She didn’t like Vita. Since Gu Minxuan wanted to intervene, she sat back to watch, curious to see what he was up to.
“And who are you Lin Zhou?” Vita asked, thinking Gu Minxuan and Lin Zhou were close, unaware that Lin Zhou was single. “Sister Wei said Lin Zhou is single, and we are… on a date.”
On a date?! Lin Zhou took a deep breath. Xie Wei really was a good friend, eager to find her a partner. Fine, finding her someone was one thing, but why did it have to be a younger guy?!
Gu Minxuan propped his head on his hand and looked at Lin Zhou. “Putting the five thousand aside, are we considered lovers?” A one-night stand should count as being lovers, right?