After Breaking Up with the Stoic CEO - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: You Come Take Me

The meal consisted of seven courses in total. The server diligently explained the raw ingredients of each dish and the beautiful symbolism behind them within the context of the festival.

Lu Wu didn’t hear a single word.

She replayed the entire conversation from earlier in her mind; there was nothing particularly unusual. The only thing she noted was that phrase—No need to come to a place like this specifically next time.

The meaning of “next time” was clear.

So, someone said those words with a cold face, yet in her heart, she had already envisioned the scene of their next date?

The tips of Lu Wu’s ears felt a tingling numbness. Even though the timing wasn’t ideal, she felt as if she were stepping on cotton, her entire being uncontrollably sinking into sweetness again.

Li Jin had never bluntly said she liked her. Lu Wu used to think her emotions were profound and unfathomable, impossible to read. It was only after Qin Xu brought that matter to light that she realized everything left a trail. Just as Li Jin rarely showed displeasure on the surface, what could be the reason this time?

Worried that signing would affect their cooperation, or… jealous because of a friend she had never mentioned?

Lu Wu looked at the figure sitting upright opposite her, feeling certain she had found the correct answer. She pursed her lips, trying to look as subtle as possible, but the curve of her lips wouldn’t stay down. As they curled more and more, her joyful mood was completely exposed.

The server began to introduce the final course. Li Jin listened with downcast eyes, her peripheral vision catching the person opposite her grinning, looking a bit silly. Her movement of wiping her fingers with a wet wipe stalled. She suddenly felt her dissatisfaction had come out of nowhere.

This was an expected development. She didn’t need anyone to be grateful or remember her; it was best if Lu Wu remained unaware. Now that a Qu Wan had popped up midway, there was no need for her to get so heated up and competitive, and even less need to… deliberately give someone the cold shoulder.

The server finished all the formalities and introduced today’s limited activity with a smile.

“As it is the Qixi Festival, we are gifting a Polaroid photo as a souvenir to every table dining with us.”

“It might take a little bit of time for your cooperation; I wonder if it’s convenient for the two of you?”

Hearing this, Li Jin looked up thoughtfully.

Lu Wu coughed, feigning a hint of surprise: “There’s actually such an activity? It sounds quite interesting; I’d be very happy to cooperate.”

She had consulted many guides, so of course, she knew that gifting Polaroids was a customary service at this restaurant during holidays. But being watched by Li Jin at this moment, she naturally had to restrain her tone and not show the fox tail behind her.

It was impossible for the person who booked the meal to be unaware beforehand; Li Jin saw through it clearly. She paused but eventually withdrew her gaze.

“Whatever works for me.”

Since neither party had any objection, the server thoughtfully confirmed the details.

“Where would the two of you like to take the photo? At this time, the terrace position is perfect for capturing the sunset over the river.”

Worried that Li Jin would refuse, Lu Wu answered first. “The terrace then.”

Fortunately, Li Jin didn’t say anything. Once they had both adjusted their positions, the server skillfully held up the Polaroid camera.

“Please remember to keep smiling~”

Lu Wu smiled, almost able to imagine Li Jin’s expression. Either cold or a look of calm indifference.

The server reminded them again: “The two of you are spaced a bit far apart; you can get a little bit closer~”

Lu Wu naturally raised her hand to wrap it around Li Jin’s waist, harvesting the expected moment of stiffness. But Li Jin didn’t break away.

“Just like that! 1, 2, 3, cheese!”

In the final second of the countdown, Lu Wu turned her head to look at Li Jin’s profile. It was nearly eight o’clock; the setting sun was about to sink into the river. The air was thin, and the heat was about to dissipate completely. The blurry, smudged afterglow of the sunset fell on the other’s face, casting a light and shadow interwoven with brightness and darkness.

The Li Jin who was gentle as water, and the Li Jin who was rational and detached—it seemed they merged at this instant, becoming a full and complete whole.

Lu Wu suddenly really wanted to kiss her. And she did just that. A light kiss was branded on the side of her face. Lu Wu smiled with her eyes open, making no effort to hide her delight after succeeding. Li Jin’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She didn’t turn her head; it seemed like surprise, yet also like acquiescence.

So the frame was frozen there.

During the meal, Li Jin remained elegant, silent, and unspoken. Lu Wu was also used to not speaking while eating. The silence continued until the end of the meal, when the staff brought over the meticulously packaged Polaroid.

“This is the small gift we prepared.” The young girl smiled, her blessing sincere. “I hope your dining experience today was pleasant enough, and I hope you have a beautiful night. Happy Qixi Festival~”

Lu Wu took it and thanked her: “Thank you.”

The sky had darkened; night was arriving. Her chest felt slightly warm, and she began to look forward to even more beautiful things happening.

Leaving the restaurant, Li Jin spoke first, her mood seemingly restored to normal.

“Is there anywhere else you want to go?”

Lu Wu, mindful that the other had been busy at the company for half the day and was truly tired, shook her head: “It’s late; let’s go back.”

Li Jin replied: “That works too.” Being tensed up usually, she also felt unaccustomed to sudden relaxation.

When driving, Li Jin was habitually serious and rarely replied. Having nothing to do, Lu Wu flipped the Polaroid over and looked at it several times. The textures of their features in the photo were clear; the server had captured it well. It recorded that moment of smiling and that moment of surprise. She and Li Jin looked exactly like a sweet young couple playing and laughing.

Lu Wu couldn’t help herself. Looking at Li Jin, she asked: “Can I have this?”

Almost entering Rongjiang, Li Jin looked straight ahead and answered casually: “You can.”

A hint of sweetness surged in Lu Wu’s heart. She took the photo out, held it in her palm, and then carefully tucked it back into a souvenir album. “I will treasure it, putting it somewhere I can see it as soon as I open my eyes.”

Faced with her guarantee, Li Jin’s knuckles lightly tapped on the steering wheel, her tone only cold and quiet. “Rui Rui usually comes back here; I don’t want her to discover this photo.”

Lu Wu was stunned. She had forgotten one point—Li Jin’s coldness and avoidance might also be because there were difficulties in her heart that she couldn’t easily voice. Li Xinrui was a difficult problem between them that couldn’t be bypassed.

Lu Wu was silent for a while, reflecting on her own lack of thoroughness: “We didn’t bring Rui Rui with us today; will she be angry?”

Li Jin said flatly: “She was picked up by her grandmother to the old manor; she won’t be coming this week.”

Lu Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Li Jin drove into the depths of the asphalt road and stopped in front of the villa.

“You go in first, I’ll park the car.”

Lu Wu didn’t follow the instruction, nor did she get out to leave. Rui Rui’s problem needed solving. But right now, things were finally moving in a good direction, and she wanted to keep the momentum going.

Li Jin glanced at her: “Is there something else?”

Lu Wu unbuckled her seatbelt but delayed her next move. Her gaze crossed the gap between the seats and landed straight on Li Jin’s face. Li Jin saw her intent but remained silent as well.

The air was quiet, yet the car’s air conditioning seemed to have lost its effect. Around the intersection of their gazes, the space gradually became hot and dry.

Lu Wu spoke up on her own: “I’m actually a bit concerned about a question; can you answer me?”

Li Jin, knowing full well what kind of question the other might ask, still let it take its course: “What?”

Lu Wu brought up the unresolved loose ends: “Were you angry just now when we were talking about Liucheng Publishing?”

Li Jin’s hand on the steering wheel loosened, and she replied with a heart as calm as still water: “No.”

Lu Wu didn’t believe her. Word by word, she watched the other’s expression. “He Qing is just a pen name. It’s not that you dislike a certain author; you just feel this person has impure intentions toward me, so you’re jealous, right?”

Li Jin lowered her eyelashes. She didn’t feel her reaction just now was jealousy, nor did she intend to specifically explain. But Lu Wu’s reaction was interesting, which gave her a desire to tease.

“What if it is, and what if it isn’t?”

Only the faint light of the dashboard remained in the car; Li Jin’s expression couldn’t be seen clearly. Her lips were touched with moist luster, opening and closing in the darkness, sexy and alluring. Lu Wu watched and instinctively licked her own lips; that moment of warm sensation seemed to still linger.

In a confined space, any small movement would be magnified. Li Jin noticed Lu Wu’s lips becoming wet. She let out a light chuckle but offered no comment.

Lu Wu didn’t speak, her gaze shifting. Passing over a patch of fair, smooth back, she retracted before the shallow valley at the black deep V-neckline, finally stopping at the slightly heaving throat.

Li Jin preferred Oriental floral scents; the base note of her perfume was a faint lily aroma, delicate and elegant. Normally, it always gave off a feeling of something that could only be viewed from a distance and not offended. But at this moment, the physical distance was within reach, and the cold, detached aura was no longer invulnerable.

The fragrance invaded her nasal cavity, bit by bit penetrating her teeth and landing on the tip of her tongue; Lu Wu’s breath hitched for an instant. Before she could react, her right hand had crossed the safety distance and touched Li Jin’s neck.

What she felt first was the delicate, smooth texture, carrying a hint of the clear, translucent coolness rare in summer. Then, stroking over a vessel on one side, a faint tremor came from her fingertips—like a breath, yet like a heartbeat, heaving wave after wave. It was vastly different from the calm composure Li Jin displayed; there were strong fluctuations and emotions here.

The silence did not continue. Li Jin spoke at the right time, her voice very light, piercing through the ambiguous sentiment in the air.

“What are you doing?”

It sounded like a prohibition, but it could also be an encouragement. Lu Wu was gradually coming to understand the other’s personality. Li Jin was habitually duplicitous; stirring up emotions was easy for her.

If Li Jin clearly liked her, yet was still bound by external rules and frameworks, believing their relationship hadn’t reached the standard for a further step… then how much weight would be needed to become the catalyst to accelerate the change in the situation?

Would using herself work?

Lu Wu gathered her courage, her opening more bold and explicit than ever before.

“Li Jin, want to try it in the car?”

Li Jin was a bit surprised. She hadn’t expected someone who usually liked to play obedient and show weakness to say something so out of line.

In the next second, Lu Wu swallowed, adding the second half nervously.

“You come take me.”

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