Chapter 2

Even though all the WeChat messages she sent afterward went unanswered, Shen Zhirou still prepared herself according to what Lu Yao had said. She hadn’t expected that after so many days, Lu Yao would still remember her. After all, an outstanding woman like Lu Yao surely wouldn’t lack admirers.

With time still to spare, Shen Zhirou applied exquisite makeup. This time, she chose a sleek black gown, her long black hair cascading casually over her shoulders and back. Anxious about being late, she called a ride ahead of time. When she arrived at the restaurant, it was just six o’clock in the evening.

She stepped into Yuelan Bay Restaurant, the place Lu Yao had mentioned in her WeChat message. A server promptly escorted Shen Zhirou to the reserved table. Even after taking her seat, a flutter of nerves lingered in her chest. Glancing at their WeChat chat history only deepened her uncertainty—she had sent five or six messages to Lu Yao, receiving not a single reply. She was beginning to wonder if this date was all in her imagination.

As the minutes ticked by, right when her phone screen neared six o’clock, the woman she had been eagerly awaiting finally appeared. Shen Zhirou’s gaze locked onto her instantly, unable to look away.

Today, Lu Yao had traded her work suit for a striking red gown, cinched at the waist to highlight her graceful curves. Her makeup was even more polished, clearly the result of careful preparation.

Shen Zhirou stared for what felt like ages until Lu Yao’s eyes met hers, jolting her back to the present. “Miss Lu, please have a seat.”

Lu Yao, for once not wearing her usual stern expression, gazed into Shen Zhirou’s clear, luminous eyes and felt her mood brighten. “Just call me Lu Yao. I’m sorry about last time—I had to rush off for something and haven’t had a free moment until now to meet up.”

“That’s fine. I thought we might never see each other again.” Shen Zhirou smiled.

“Good. Let’s have them bring the food so we can eat and talk.” Lu Yao spoke briefly to the nearby server, and soon their table was laden with dishes.

“Actually, after our last meeting, there were a few things I wanted to say, but it was all so rushed.”

“No problem—you can tell me now.” Shen Zhirou watched Lu Yao quietly, waiting for her to continue.

Lu Yao nodded. “I thought we got along well last time. I’m the type who dates for a bit and then gets married, so I want to clear up a few things upfront.”

Shen Zhirou nearly choked at the mention of marriage, shooting Lu Yao a surprised look.

Lu Yao nodded confirmation and went on. “To avoid any issues down the line, I should say this now: I might not be the girlfriend you have in mind. My job keeps me incredibly busy—I’m often away on business trips, not home much, and I won’t have a lot of time to spend with you. If you can accept that, then we have something to discuss. Otherwise…”

Shen Zhirou hadn’t anticipated this bluntness, but she had glimpsed Lu Yao’s hectic schedule firsthand. Aside from setting up this dinner, Lu Yao hadn’t exchanged another word with her. She truly liked Lu Yao—this feeling was strangely captivating, perhaps love at first sight. As long as it was Lu Yao, Shen Zhirou thought she could handle the busyness.

Besides, if they were to build a life together, she believed that even if Lu Yao didn’t care for her much yet, her own devotion would win her over eventually.

“I can accept all that, and I understand. So… can we give it a try? This would actually be my first relationship.” Shen Zhirou’s eyes gleamed with an anticipation Lu Yao couldn’t quite decipher.

Lu Yao’s heart skipped a beat, but the moment passed swiftly. “I don’t have time for dating, though. Building a family together sounds perfect. Oh, right—where do you live now? Tomorrow, I’ll have my assistant arrange for someone to help you move.”

“Move?” Shen Zhirou echoed, startled.

“Yes. We’re together now, so we should live together. It’ll help us adjust before marriage.” Lu Yao stated it as plain fact.

Shen Zhirou lifted her glass of lemon water for a sip, steadying herself before asking, “Isn’t that moving a little fast?”

“Not at all. Once we’ve decided, we should move quickly. Otherwise, aren’t we just wasting time?” Lu Yao’s eyes curved slightly as she regarded Shen Zhirou, awaiting her response.

Shen Zhirou pursed her lips. Although they’d only met twice, she already had a good sense of Lu Yao’s personality. If she refused, today would probably be their last meeting. Shen Zhirou had lived her twenty-eight years in an orderly, predictable way—rebellion had never been part of her life. But this time, she wanted to take a risk for the woman standing before her.

“Alright, I’ll pack my things tonight,” Shen Zhirou said, flashing Lu Yao a smile.

To her surprise, Lu Yao smiled back.

Even when she returned to her small apartment that evening, Shen Zhirou still felt like she was dreaming. Had she really ended up together with Lu Yao, just like that?

The next day, as her shift was winding down, Shen Zhirou received a call from Lu Yao’s assistant.

“Miss Shen, CEO Lu asked me to come help you move. Could you give me the address first? I’ll head over and wait for you,” Lu Yao’s assistant, Jiang Chen, said.

“Sure, the dorm is around No. 112 Ningyuan Road. I’m almost off work, so I’ll meet you downstairs.” After chatting a bit more, Shen Zhirou hung up.

Zhao Tongtong sneaked up behind Shen Zhirou and patted her shoulder. “Zhirou, are you moving out? Renting a place outside is so expensive. Why not just stay in the Company Apartment?”

“My girlfriend asked me to move in with her,” Shen Zhirou replied, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, her eyes sparkling with joy.

“When did this happen? Hey, that’s not cool—you didn’t even tell me! Who’s the girl? I’ve never heard you mention her,” Zhao Tongtong demanded, tugging at Shen Zhirou curiously.

“It was the woman from that blind date not long ago. She asked me out yesterday and said she wanted to be together.” Shen Zhirou’s smile grew even brighter.

“Moving in after just the second meeting? Is this Lu Yao reliable?”

“I think she’s great. Anyway, enough chit-chat. I need to finish up my work and get back to move,” Shen Zhirou said hurriedly, settling into her workstation to wrap things up.

It wasn’t until Jiang Chen arrived with a team to haul Shen Zhirou’s belongings and handed her the keys to Lu Yao’s place that everything started to feel real. Lu Yao wasn’t home, and Shen Zhirou had no idea where to put her clothes, so she simply stacked the luggage on one side of the living room. She sank onto the sofa and waited for Lu Yao to return.

Shen Zhirou hadn’t eaten a thing all day. She thought about ordering takeout but decided it wouldn’t be right in Lu Yao’s home, so she fiddled with her phone instead, waiting patiently. It was well past eight when she finally mustered the courage to call Lu Yao.

“Lu Yao, I’ve moved in. When are you coming back?” Shen Zhirou asked, a touch of nervousness in her voice. She’d only gotten Lu Yao’s number the night before.

“I’m still stuck at work—pretty swamped. Auntie stocks the kitchen with fresh veggies and meat regularly. Make yourself something to eat; don’t wait up for me.” With that, Lu Yao hung up abruptly.

Shen Zhirou had more she wanted to say, but the line went dead. Lu Yao really did get things done with swift efficiency.

She headed to the kitchen and surveyed the ingredients—there was quite a variety. Shen Zhirou decided to whip up a few simple dishes. She washed the celery and beef, beat some eggs, sliced peppers, and set the rice to steam in the cooker. By around eight-thirty, she washed an apple to tide her over. She’d save the rest of the meal for when Lu Yao got home.

After eating the apple, drowsiness crept over Shen Zhirou. She dozed off on the living room sofa, only waking to the sound of the front door opening.

Lu Yao stepped inside and blinked at the brightly lit living room, a strange sense of unreality washing over her. She was used to coming home to an empty, dark house at this hour.

Shen Zhirou stirred on the sofa, roused by the door, and blinked her sleepy eyes open. “You’re back.”

Lu Yao’s heart stirred with an emotion she couldn’t quite name at the sound of Shen Zhirou’s voice. “Mm. Why sleep out here? If you’re tired, go to the bedroom.”

Shen Zhirou shot Lu Yao an awkward glance. “You weren’t home. I didn’t feel right barging into the bedroom on my own.”

Amusement flickered in Lu Yao’s eyes. She hadn’t expected the girlfriend she’d acquired through a blind date to be quite so proper. “This is your home now too. Don’t stand on ceremony—use whatever you want.”

Her gaze drifted to the suitcases on the floor. “Come on, I’ll show you where to put your clothes.”

“Okay.” Shen Zhirou nodded and followed. The bedroom Lu Yao led her to was spacious, complete with its own bathroom that even featured a bathtub. One entire wall was lined with floor-to-ceiling sliding wardrobes. Lu Yao slid one open casually and glanced back at Shen Zhirou. “You can put your clothes in here. There are tons of cabinets—I barely use any of them.”

Shen Zhirou only reacted after Lu Yao finished speaking. So this bedroom was Lu Yao’s room? She felt her ears gradually heating up and feigned composure as she asked, “Then which room will I sleep in from now on?”

Lu Yao turned back to look at her and said with a light laugh, “Of course you’ll sleep with me. Or did you want to stay in the guest room?”

Shen Zhirou pursed her lips. That was exactly what she had been thinking. Wasn’t their progress with Lu Yao happening a bit too fast? They’d only met twice, and now they were sharing a bed?

Lu Yao could tell from Shen Zhirou’s expression that she was indeed thinking along those lines. She chuckled softly. “So, are you afraid of sharing a room with me?”

Shen Zhirou’s ears turned even redder at Lu Yao’s words, the blush soon spreading across her face.