After Breaking Up with the Stoic CEO - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: You Can Stay Here Temporarily

“Go change.”

“Do you remember the room from last time?”

Lu Wu was soaked through; strands of hair clung tightly to her scalp, her makeup was smudged—a complete mess. Yet, Li Jin only looked over with her usual calm, indifferent expression, her eyes as cool and clear as always. This near-ruthless detachment, which once made Lu Wu feel that Li Jin was untouchable, now brought her a sense of inner peace.

“I remember.”

“Good.”

Li Jin’s own clothes were quite damp, but she offered only a faint reply before heading upstairs. Watching the slender figure disappear through the gaps in the elevator, Lu Wu blankly withdrew her gaze and walked toward the room with heavy steps. She had never imagined that she would return to Rongjiang under such circumstances, nor that she would suddenly see Li Jin when the entire world felt deathly silent.

Why was she there with an umbrella? Was it a coincidence… or had she seen the information online, twisted into whatever form it had taken? Lu Wu preferred the former, but deep down, her heart was clamoring for the latter. Li Jin couldn’t be completely unaware of the news online. She had come specifically for her. This conjecture was burning hot, enough to leave her dazed.

Lu Wu changed her clothes and washed herself clean. When she emerged, Li Jin was sitting on the terrace; it seemed she had been there for a while. Lu Wu sat on a high stool nearby, keeping a respectful distance. Amidst the drizzling rain, Li Jin held a cigarette between her fingers, looking focused, seemingly unaware of Lu Wu’s approach. The newspaper in her hand looked old, yet well-preserved, free of excess creases or dust.

Lu Wu couldn’t clearly see the contents of the newspaper and only dared to steal glances at those exquisite contours, not daring to break the silence. Only when Li Jin’s gaze shifted from the paper did she speak lightly: “Done?”

Caught staring, Lu Wu felt embarrassed. She whispered, “Did I disturb you? I just wanted to say… thank you for today.”

With a subtle movement of her fingers, Li Jin folded the newspaper and set it aside, looking up. Her gaze landed on Lu Wu’s face. Her soft, dark hair had been blown half-dry, the ends still damp, dripping water bit by bit. Her eyes, usually captivatingly foxy, were shrouded in the night, emitting a shimmering, crystal-clear light like pure, flawless pearls. She spoke cautiously, her voice still carrying a nasal tone.

Usually, Li Jin thought Lu Wu was naturally obedient and polite—both with her and with others. But after seeing Lu Wu chat with Qu Wan, she realized the girl was actually much livelier and more unrestrained, putting on this harmless, pitiful act only in front of her. She would obediently agree to go to bed early, yet wouldn’t actually go home unless she was truly in trouble.

Just like now, the corners of her eyes were red—had she been crying? Or did she deliberately let hot water get into her eyes while showering? Li Jin didn’t like being flattered, but she didn’t find the desires of adults shameful. If the bed partner in front of her was willing to put in the effort to please her, there was room for concession. Currently, she was in a good mood and found herself unusually inclined to tease.

“Is that all just talk?”

Lu Wu’s mouth fell open, as if caught off guard by the question. Seeing her widen her eyes slightly, Li Jin curled her lips: “Go to sleep.”

The conversation ended there. Lu Wu stood dazed in place as the person in front of her turned her head away. The spark of the cigarette glowed and dimmed, tracing an elegant wisp of mist in the air, only to be extinguished a second later by the cold air from the window, dissipating entirely.

The alcohol was still taking effect, and an inexplicable heat rose within her. The two sensations combined, blurring her thoughts and stripping away her ability to reason. Before she realized what she was doing, Lu Wu had leaned over and kissed Li Jin’s lips—soft, and still carrying a chill. But beneath the sweetness, there was a reckless, astringent edge that was almost choking. Lu Wu endured the discomfort in her throat, accepting it all, then mimicking Li Jin, letting it breathe in and out. A milky-white mist swirled between their noses. Lu Wu saw Li Jin watching her through the mist; in those cool, clean eyes, there was surprise, but also indulgence and tacit permission. The corners of Li Jin’s mouth turned up slightly, as if she were smiling.

Cough, cough, cough…

The cigarette wasn’t hard to inhale, but the peppermint-flavored aftertaste was strong; one had to be very careful when trying it for the first time. The recklessness of a novice easily led to a price to be paid, and Lu Wu was a classic cautionary tale.

Li Jin handed her a glass of water from the side: “You’re very bold.”

Lu Wu couldn’t offer any commentary on Li Jin’s assessment; her nose was stinging, and she could barely open her eyes. Li Jin glanced at the light blush on the girl’s face and flicked the cigarette into the trash can. “Or perhaps, it’s just liquid courage.”

Lu Wu chugged several mouthfuls of mineral water. Seeing the bottle empty, she finally caught her breath and felt the touch of fresh air. Clutching the bottle, Lu Wu explained herself: “I’ve never done that before.”

Li Jin suddenly laughed again, her brow line drooping, looking relaxed and comfortable. She said faintly: “It doesn’t suit you.”

The atmosphere was just right, and a surge of inexplicable courage welled up in Lu Wu’s chest. She tentatively asked: “Were you just passing by tonight, or… did you come looking for me specifically?”

Li Jin didn’t answer directly, asking instead: “Which one do you think it is?”

Lu Wu thought she didn’t actually need a definitive answer. For Li Jin, there was no clear boundary between “not denying” and “admitting.” She asked again: “Did you see the exposé online?”

This time, Li Jin didn’t evade: “Mhm.”

Lu Wu pursed her lips: “Can I see it? A phone… or a tablet, anything that can connect to the internet.”

Li Jin’s gaze swept over her without moving, saying faintly: “In the study.”

It sounded like a polite refusal, and Lu Wu realized belatedly that her request was a bit abrupt: “Sorry, never mind…”

Before the words could fully settle, Li Jin spoke again. “Are you very bothered by it?”

Lu Wu was stunned, realizing she meant the online exposure. She had expected Li Jin to comfort her or perhaps question her, but she hadn’t expected the other woman to ask her a question instead.

Bothered? Naturally, she was. But looking at Li Jin’s calm eyes, Lu Wu couldn’t quite put it into words. She asked herself, if this happened to Li Jin, how would she answer? The answer was obvious. Li Jin’s time was precious; a single ordinary meeting or a minor decision could invest in and facilitate a new industrial chain, feeding countless ordinary families. She didn’t have the energy to spare for a few minor trending topics.

Actually, there was no need for a hypothetical, because even with the aura of the Li Corporation CEO, Li Jin was constantly subjected to scrutiny from the outside world. Countless pundits, industry insiders, and even random strangers who didn’t know the situation at all. As a woman, when standing at a high position, one is bound to face harsh judgment and skepticism. Yet Li Jin was simply Li Jin—her excellence was never shaken by these judgments and skepticism for even a second.

Suddenly, the lingering dissatisfaction and grievance in Lu Wu’s heart lost its momentum. She understood the key to the situation. Gossip and rumors might affect one’s inner world, but they couldn’t truly change a person. Lu Wu remained silent for a long time, and Li Jin didn’t speak again. The air stayed quiet until the sky fell into total darkness and the rain stopped. Lu Wu finally pulled herself from her thoughts and looked at the person beside her in the dim night.

“Li Jin, I think I’m liking you more and more.”

Li Jin didn’t reply, looking as though she were merely resting her eyes. After a long moment: “Are you planning to go back to your friend’s place tomorrow?”

Lu Wu shook her head: “I’m not sure.”

Li Jin: “Mhm.”

A single, cold, clear word, the tone rising slightly as if waiting for more. Lu Wu hesitated, then told her the truth. “Someone sent a dead rat there today. They haven’t caught the person yet, and there are media scouts lurking outside. I’m worried that if I keep staying there, it will affect the two of them.”

Li Jin asked: “Have you been followed?”

Though she didn’t know how Li Jin got this news, there was no point in hiding it anymore after being this honest. Lu Wu replied: “The night of our first… time, they were lurking outside my door.”

“Then move to Rongjiang.”

When Li Jin said this, her tone was as casual as if she were picking up a homeless stray cat on the side of the road; she was still leaning back in her chair, not even opening her eyes. Lu Wu, whose head had cleared up in the wind, felt dizzy all over again. She looked over cautiously: “What… did you just say?”

Li Jin parted her lips slightly, using an easy-to-understand explanation: “You can stay here temporarily.”

The surprise came too fast, and Lu Wu’s heart betrayed her, its deafening beat audible in the quiet air. It was so loud it made it impossible to think. She forced herself to calm down, considering other factors that needed to be weighed. “That’s not safe; there are reporters, they will…”

“Lu Wu.”

Li Jin didn’t let Lu Wu finish. This kind of thing wasn’t in her nature; in a few more seconds, she might change her mind. “It is very safe here.”

Lu Wu stood frozen. She remembered that this was Rongjiang, one of the most luxurious villa areas in the entire C-City. It possessed top-tier, comprehensive security; anyone suspicious wanting to step through the gates of Rongjiang would have to go through layers of screening. Reporters couldn’t lurk here, and there would be no more threatening packages.

Li Jin finally looked up, adding flatly: “You can refuse.”

“I will have the driver take you tomorrow.”

Lu Wu finally snapped out of it, speaking almost without hesitation: “I want to stay here.”

Her tone was urgent, sounding less like a response to an invitation and more like a vow. A soft chuckle came from the side, and Lu Wu felt her ears flush red for no reason.

“Go get some rest.”

Li Jin got up and walked into the house. As she passed by, that faint, cold scent mingled with the soft breeze, making one unconsciously want to get closer. What would it feel like to lie with Li Jin? Just purely holding her, burying her face in the crook of her neck. Lu Wu squeezed out a few words from her throat, stammering.

“Can I… be with you?”

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