After Breaking Up with the Stoic CEO - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: How Do You Plan to Repay Me?

Before she could fully decipher the intent behind Li Jin’s look, Lu Wu’s train of thought was interrupted.

“Hello, may I sit here?”

The woman holding a wine glass wore a long, white, fine-gauze dress. Her jet-black hair was tucked behind her ears, and her features were soft and elegant the kind of “Big Sister” beauty that was difficult to ignore once seen.

There had been many people in the room secretly watching Lu Wu, but seeing this woman make the first move, they all gave up on their designs.

Lu Wu withdrew her attention from the distance to deal with the conversation in front of her. “I’m sorry, this seat is taken.”

The newcomer had clearly expected this answer. Her tone remained gentle. “It seems the person you’re waiting for hasn’t arrived yet?”

Lu Wu smiled slightly, a silent admission.

“I’m also waiting for a friend.” The woman raised her glass slightly toward Lu Wu. “Can I sit here for just a short while? I’ll leave soon.”

With the request phrased that way, refusing further would seem a bit too cold-hearted. Lu Wu shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Having received permission, the woman didn’t sit right next to her. She maintained a perfect sense of propriety by choosing a spot that was neither too close nor too far.

“My name is Qu Wan.”

Lu Wu, accustomed to not letting a conversation grow cold, took a sip of her drink. “That’s a very beautiful name.”

Sensing it was a polite formality, Qu Wan smiled. “And yours?”

Lu Wu didn’t answer immediately. She thought of another person’s name.

Li Jin.

Two seemingly ordinary characters, but when put together, they created a strangely fragmented contrast.

Li… Jin.

The former felt shrouded in a detached morning mist. The latter felt bathed in a misty, continuous drizzle.

Just like the woman herself. Most of the time, she was strictly and solemnly serious to a fault. But even when her mouth said, “I’m not interested,” her eyes always seemed to harbor a trace of unknown emotion.

Lu Wu’s gaze once again drifted uncontrollably toward Li Jin. The other woman didn’t look back this time; she just kept her eyes downcast, her thoughts a mystery.

Li Jin must have recognized her. Then, surely, she must have at least a tiny bit of unspoken interest in her, right? Would she be unhappy seeing her sitting with Qu Wan?

Lu Wu wasn’t sure. The air went still for a moment.

Qu Wan: “Is it inconvenient to answer?”

Lu Wu snapped out of it, withdrawing her gaze and stirring her straw in the glass. “…Sorry. Just call me Lu Wu.”

Qu Wan was curious. “Lu Wu? Which characters?”

Lu Wu explained, “The Lu from ‘road,’ and the Wu from ‘wilderness.'”

Qu Wan nodded thoughtfully, then followed Lu Wu’s previous line of sight. “Is she your type?”

Qu Wan’s sudden directness caused Lu Wu to choke on her drink. “Cough… cough!”

She rarely peeked at others and had never been caught red-handed like this. She felt momentary embarrassment. “How did you tell…?”

Qu Wan looked at Li Jin again, a look of realization on her face. “The type of older sister who is beautiful and has a powerful aura—everyone likes that. It’s normal. And—”

Qu Wan stopped abruptly, turned back, and winked at Lu Wu. “Your eyes are just too easy to read.”

Li Jin had said something similar. Lu Wu was helpless. After all, this was her first time liking someone; she couldn’t hide a thing.

Wiping a wine stain from the corner of her mouth with a tissue, Lu Wu changed the subject. “Do you like that type too?”

Qu Wan chuckled and shook her head. “Not really.”

Lu Wu scrutinized her. Because they’re both ‘Sisters’? Or a conflict of roles?

Seeing her confusion, Qu Wan’s expression remained natural. “I prefer lively and cute younger sisters.”

‘Lively and cute.’ Lu Wu knew she couldn’t be equated with those words, and she felt a shallow sense of relief in her heart.

It seemed Qu Wan was telling the truth from the start; she had only approached her to pass the time while waiting for someone. Lu Wu thought for a moment and asked, “Is it the person you’re waiting for?”

Qu Wan only smiled and didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Since you like her, why don’t you make a proactive move?”

Lu Wu sipped her wine. It was sweet and sour, but the aftertaste left a faint hint of bitterness. “Isn’t it because she wants to be left alone that she’s drinking by herself? Going over at a time like this… wouldn’t it be annoying?”

Qu Wan pondered this and offered an opposing view. “Then how do you know if she just happens to need you when she’s alone?”

Lu Wu froze. Li Jin… needs her?

Those words were like a soft, fluffy cat teaser, sending a light ripple through her heart. Once the ripple passed, only a faint itch remained.

Lu Wu pursed her lips, struggling to quiet the thirst in her throat. After a moment of hesitation, she couldn’t help but look toward the distance again.

This time, her gaze hit nothing. The table held only a few empty glasses; the person who had been sitting there was gone.

Li Jin had left.

Lu Wu was stunned, a flash of surprise in her eyes. She didn’t speak, but Qu Wan looked over too and helpfully suggested, “Why don’t you go check? Maybe she went to the restroom.”

Lu Wu hesitated. Before she could speak, a loud, youthful female voice rang out.

“Qu Wan! How’s this outfit? Does it look good?”

The newcomer looked young, with light purple long hair and vintage headphones around her neck. Her entire outfit was a uniform dark palette, with leather boots that had exaggeratedly thick soles.

Lu Wu frowned not because of the girl’s niche fashion, but because she recognized her. Someone Qin Xu had mentioned before.

Peng Ruan.

Qu Wan didn’t notice Lu Wu’s reaction. She looked at Peng Ruan helplessly. “It’s… very unique.”

Peng Ruan sat down, making herself at home. “This is called ‘Yabi’ style. I’ve been really into this lately it’s cool and beautiful. So many people were looking at me on the way here. By the way, did you know my mom was home today? I barely managed to sneak out…”

She was chattering away, but stopped abruptly when she noticed Lu Wu sitting nearby.

Lu Wu was still thinking about Li Jin’s sudden disappearance. Without saying anything, she stood up and politely bid Qu Wan farewell. “Since the person you were waiting for is here, I’ll be going. Have a good time.”

Seeing her leave, a flash of regret appeared in Qu Wan’s eyes, but she only smiled. “I wish you all the best.”

As the two reached an understanding, Peng Ruan was unhappy. “Lu Wu! Am I air to you? We haven’t met in so long where have you been? There should be a limit to how much you avoid me!”

Lu Wu didn’t reply. Her footsteps didn’t falter as she disappeared into the darkness.

Peng Ruan stomped her foot. “Always like this! I hate her!”

After she vented, the two sat looking at each other for a moment. “How do you two know each other?” “You know Lu Wu?”

The former was asked by Peng Ruan; the latter by Qu Wan. After a moment of silence, they both had their answers.

Qu Wan thought out loud, “You like her?”

After all, the girl was her mother’s cousin’s husband’s cousin a semi-elder. Peng Ruan felt a bit guilty. “I’m already nineteen. You aren’t allowed to nag me again…”

Qu Wan chuckled. “Sticking to her unilaterally again?”

Peng Ruan coughed. “Not exactly… but she’s really my type. I’ve camped out here a few times to run into her.”

Qu Wan, knowing the girl’s personality all too well, said airily, “Know when to stop. She already has someone she likes.”

Peng Ruan countered, “Don’t you like her too? Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Qu Wan didn’t deny it. She admitted frankly, “She is very cute. However, forced fruit isn’t sweet.”

“Tsk.” Peng Ruan pouted and turned to call out, “Waitress! I want a Vodka special. Tonight, we drink until we drop.”

Li Jin wasn’t in the restroom.

Lu Wu turned toward the terrace. As expected, Li Jin was there.

She was leaning lazily against the railing, her jacket draped casually over her. A slender lady’s cigarette at her fingertips glowed with a spark. Half a glass of unfinished wine sat before her.

Lu Wu lightened her steps as she walked over, stopping just as the hems of their clothes almost brushed. She leaned against the railing, hiding the lower half of her face in the crook of her arm. The second hand on her wrist ticked away, and the familiar faint scent of lilies gathered in her nose again.

Lu Wu turned her face toward the side, the curve of her lips nearly impossible to hide. Li Jin glanced at her and wordlessly crushed out her cigarette.

No one spoke. The air was quiet. Until.

“A-choo!”

The wind on the terrace was strong. A cold gust blew past, and the heat from the alcohol dissipated. Lu Wu belatedly felt the nighttime chill.

Li Jin spoke softly. “Go inside. It’s cold out here.”

Her tone wasn’t particularly warm, but Lu Wu sensed something else in it. Her eyes lit up, and she asked tentatively, “Are you caring about me?”

Li Jin’s eyelids lowered slightly. She said neither heavily nor lightly, “Wishful thinking.”

A hint of sweetness rose in Lu Wu’s heart. She mumbled, “I’m not leaving.”

Li Jin paused. “…Suit yourself.”

Lu Wu grinned for a while, then remembered the events of that morning. Her fingers gripped her sleeves, kneading them a few times. She spoke as if casually, “Assistant Du is quite professional.”

Li Jin had already guessed what was coming next, but her face didn’t show it. “Mhm.”

Lu Wu spoke slowly. “Today… why didn’t you come?”

Li Jin had no intention of explaining. She only said, “I was busy.”

“Oh.” Lu Wu asked again, “And now?”

Li Jin was concise. “Finished being busy.”

Lu Wu: “…”

She got straight to the point. “Are you in a bad mood?”

Li Jin tossed the cigarette butt into a nearby bin and remained silent. Lu Wu looked at the extinguished butt and instinctively said, “You should smoke less.”

Li Jin turned her head to look at her, the smile in her eyes so faint it was nearly invisible. “You think smoking is bad?”

Lu Wu frowned. “How could I?” “I just think it’s bad for your health.” She thought for a moment and added, “I know you might be under a lot of pressure, or unhappy or something. But smoking and drinking… you should be a bit more moderate.”

Li Jin smiled noncommittally. “Someone who scribbles all over a car while drunk is telling me to be moderate with drinking?”

Lu Wu felt embarrassed. She whispered, “Um, I said I would repay you.”

Li Jin was silent for a moment, then raised her eyes to look over, her gaze unreadable. “And how do you plan to repay me?”

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