After Breaking Up with the Stoic CEO - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Bathrobe Slightly Open

Lu Wu pretended not to notice: “For real.”

Tan Xingxue picked up a piece of pork belly, swirled it in the honey-sweet Thai dipping sauce, and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, her mouth remained busy.

“So when do you two plan to officially be together?”

Lu Wu answered, “She’s on a business trip to Hai City and won’t be home for a few days.”

She hadn’t quite figured out how to bring this up with Li Jin yet. A confession had to be formal, and she needed to prepare for it properly.

Tan Xingxue intentionally dragged out her tone.

“Oh—”

“Not—at—home—”

“You’ve only lived together for a few days, and it’s already become a ‘love nest’?”

Lu Wu’s ears burned at her words. she plucked a piece of lettuce and stuffed it into that chattering mouth.

“Even eating can’t keep your mouth shut.”

Tan Xingxue laughed to the side and then sighed.

“I’ve never seen you like this. Tsk, you’re quite sweet when you’re in love.”

“Maybe I should find someone to date and give it a try?”

Ji Youyan, sitting nearby, poured cold water on her.

“Have you finished writing your lesson plans? Is the PowerPoint for next week’s public class ready?”

Tan Xingxue: “…”

“Ji Youyan, I swear you’re just looking for reasons to pick on me.”

Ji Youyan sipped her drink, looking completely unbothered.

“I’m just stating facts.”

Tan Xingxue’s temples throbbed. Ultimately, she decided not to argue with her and turned back to ask Lu Wu.

“When is President Li coming back? Should we find a time for us all to have dinner together?”

Lu Wu thought for a moment and said, “Li Jin is quite busy with work. I’ll ask her when the time comes.”

Tan Xingxue was always easygoing: “Sure, call me anytime you can find a slot.”

On Monday, Lu Wu went to Liucheng Publishing House as scheduled.

Liucheng’s office was located in the city center, in an office building that looked very artistic from the outside. As a well-known industry leader, the office atmosphere here was noticeably more mature and professional compared to Feiyan.

Huo Jing’s office was on the top floor. When Lu Wu knocked and entered, the other woman was reading a book. She wasn’t wearing heavy makeup today; her long green hair was casually secured behind her head with a shark clip. She looked crisp and capable, possessing the full aura of a publishing house editor-in-chief.

“Editor-in-Chief Huo.”

“You’re here? Have a seat.”

As soon as Lu Wu sat down, the other woman tossed a file over across the desk.

“This is the preliminary draft of the contract.”

“Take a look and see if there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, then we can discuss further.”

Lu Wu nodded slightly and picked up the document. “Alright.”

Huo Jing’s attitude was casual, but in stark contrast, the terms she offered were exceptionally generous. Lu Wu scanned the contract rapidly. The royalty split wasn’t set according to industry standards; every clause had been increased by a significant percentage, and the copyright revenue even reached an exaggerated 9-to-1 split in her favor.

This level of priority was usually only given to “blockbuster” authors with immeasurable commercial value, not someone who had just been deeply embroiled in a contract termination scandal.

Lu Wu hesitated and looked up: “Editor-in-Chief Huo, this contract…”

Huo Jing was blunt.

“Someone asked me for a favor.”

“However, these splits are also based on an assessment of your potential. You don’t need to carry too much of a psychological burden.”

A favor?

Lu Wu paused: “I cannot accept this offer.”

Huo Jing looked at the young woman standing poised before her and asked with interest: “Aren’t you going to ask who the person helping you is?”

Lu Wu guessed that the person behind it was Qu Wan and simply said: “I appreciate Teacher He Qing’s kindness, but for me, being treated equally is enough.”

Huo Jing thought of that cold, celibate face of Qu Wan and couldn’t help but feel a bit mischievous.

“You really don’t want this contract?”

Lu Wu shook her head: “I’m sorry.”

She hoped to join Liucheng, but only on the basis that the other party valued her ability. If the price was owing Qu Wan such a massive personal favor, then joining Liucheng would not be the best choice.

Huo Jing raised an eyebrow; Lu Wu’s personality was quite to her taste.

“Then we’ll do as you say.”

“Equal treatment.”

“I look forward to the surprises you’ll bring to Liucheng.”

The villa was too large; it always felt empty when alone.

With Li Jin away, Lu Wu had nothing to look forward to, so she spent her free time sitting on the terrace writing her manuscript. In the evening, Qin Xu called again. The sound of wind on the other end was so loud it felt like she was in a canyon.

“Lu Wu, guess where I am right now?”

Qin Xu was like a “Traveling Frog” currently—her signal was intermittent, and she would lose contact for days at a time. Lu Wu was surprised she called at this hour. While editing her manuscript on the computer, she picked up the conversation.

“Where are you?”

Qin Xu said mysteriously, “I’m already in Africa.”

Lu Wu was shocked: “So fast?”

Qin Xu rambled on: “Let me tell you, I saw a few lions today. They walked right past the car. You have no idea how terrifying it was.”

Lu Wu teased: “Remember to send me a few photos. I might use them as source material later.”

Hearing that she was being teased, Qin Xu rolled her eyes on the other end.

“What source material? Are you going to write a story about a zoo?”

Lu Wu laughed and asked, “How is Sister Yan?”

Qin Xu’s tone took a sharp turn, suddenly becoming bashful.

“It’s not Sister Yan’s first time here. She knows many of the locals and handles problems so gently and reliably.”

“And even though she’s such a beautiful person, she looks so cool driving an off-road vehicle! I’m absolutely smitten.”

“You don’t know, yesterday when we were passing through the desert, one of the cars in the team got stuck in the mud. It was raining, and the food on the car was running low.”

“We all thought we’d have to spend the night there, but Sister Yan actually went to the surrounding tribes and knocked on doors one by one to find people to help lift the car out.”

Once Qin Xu started talking about Li Yan, there was no stopping her. It was clear she was falling deeper and deeper.

Lu Wu chuckled and asked helplessly, “How long are you planning to stay there?”

Qin Xu wasn’t sure. “Maybe another half a month?”

Lu Wu asked, “Will you come back to China after the Africa project?”

Qin Xu shook her head: “I don’t plan on returning for now. After the Africa project ends, I might go to Palestine.”

Palestine was a country in international conflict, deep in a refugee crisis with very unstable security. Hearing Qin Xu’s words, Lu Wu instinctively asked:

“Palestine? There’s a conflict going on there, don’t you know?”

Qin Xu sounded a bit guilty: “Don’t be so nervous. I’m going to the capital, not the conflict zones. There are security guarantees.”

Lu Wu went silent for a moment. “What are you going there for?”

Qin Xu found a bit more confidence. “It’s official business.”

“The head of the aid project organized everyone to prepare some relief resources for the children there. The entry procedures for the neighboring country have been processed, and someone needs to oversee the convoy crossing the border.”

Lu Wu frowned. “You could just donate money; why do you have to risk yourself?”

Qin Xu was silent for a while. “Sister Yan is leading the team.”

“I insisted on going along.”

“You…”

Lu Wu’s next words were stuck in her throat.

Qin Xu lowered her voice. “Sister Yan is coming over, I have to go.”

The call disconnected. Lu Wu sent a message over.

“Have you reported to the embassy? Which area does the route pass through?”

There was no response, likely because she was in a place with no signal. Lu Wu had no choice but to leave a final instruction.

“Stay safe.”

Li Jin stayed in Hai City for four days. During these days, Lu Wu sent messages every day to report her whereabouts. Eating, walking, and even taking a photo of her watching TV in the living room at night.

Li Jin was busy and usually only free after eight, but she would find time after her evening shower to reply to messages.

‘Read.’

The word count was low, but Lu Wu imagined Li Jin’s serious expression while typing and found it inexplicably cute. Tomorrow, the other woman was finally finishing her trip and coming back. At night, Lu Wu couldn’t help but start a video call.

It was past eight. Normally, Li Jin would have just finished her shower. Sure enough, the standby ringtone didn’t last long before the call was picked up. The person on the other end was sitting under the warm night light by the head of the bed. The tips of her hair were still wet, resting on her shoulders. Her light makeup had been removed, making her look tired yet soft.

She looked over, her gaze quiet. “Why did you call?”

Having not seen her for days, her heart was heavy with longing. Lu Wu’s tone unconsciously took on a pampered quality.

“I missed you, so I called. Is that not allowed?”

Li Jin’s eyes shifted slightly. “…It is.”

Lu Wu wasn’t satisfied with her hesitation. “You promised me.”

“Does what was said in bed not count anymore once it’s over?”

The air went silent for an instant.

“President Li, if there are no other issues, I will send the contract directly to Director Yu’s email later.”

A third, female voice came suddenly. Lu Wu belatedly realized there was a third person near Li Jin. She paused: “You’re in a meeting?”

Li Jin didn’t speak, slowly lifting her eyes to look ahead. Du Lin’s expression management was perfect; she didn’t show a hint of gossip on her face. She professionally picked up the documents on the table.

“I’ll head out now. Please rest early.”

Thud.

The door closed. Li Jin answered her question.

“No.”

“Du Lin came over to confirm the contract.”

Lu Wu’s ears felt a bit hot: “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Li Jin glanced at her: “You didn’t ask.”

Lu Wu had shot herself in the foot and had a grievance she couldn’t voice. She didn’t know how she would face Assistant Du the next time they met.

Li Jin hadn’t finished her work yet. After a few casual words, she set the phone aside and continued checking documents. Lu Wu watched quietly.

The embarrassment passed, and the awkwardness turned into secret delight. After all, even though such reckless words were heard by a third person, Li Jin didn’t show any displeasure; her attitude was close to acquiescence. Did this not mean she wasn’t actually resistant to their relationship taking a further step?

Lu Wu thought to herself and let out a low chuckle.

Li Jin, distracted, looked at her: “What are you laughing at?”

Lu Wu giggled and shook her head. “Nothing.”

Li Jin: “…”

One was buried in work, and the other just watched. There was no communication between them. Time flowed quietly, but it didn’t feel boring. Gradually, however, a subtle change occurred in the atmosphere.

Li Jin took a small sip of water, tilting her head to reveal her slender neck. Her throat moved slightly as she swallowed, and her lips became moist and inviting. As Li Jin leaned down, her bathrobe slightly opened, revealing a patch of snow-white skin through the gap, with a faint, ambiguous mark visible.

Her mind became active, and her young body began to heat up. Lu Wu raised her hand to fan herself, nonchalantly undoing a button of her pajamas from below.

Li Jin finished her work and looked up. The person on the camera was still sitting on the sofa in the same posture as the beginning, but the pajamas had gone from being neat and tidy to loose and draped. The hem was half-open, revealing a healthy, lean waist with tightened abdominal lines, faintly exuding a sense of power. Moving upward, the third button was half-hidden, with a hint of pink visible amidst the fair skin.

Support