Chapter 62

Her emotions had been too intense just now, and Lu Yao only felt her stomach starting to feel uncomfortable again. She covered her stomach with one hand while looking at Zhang Huichun. “I want to go see her. At this time, she’s about to get off work.”

“Alright, have your dad drive you there. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go apologize to Shen Zhirou myself. Just don’t do anything rash, Yaoyao. You absolutely cannot have anything happen to you.” Zhang Huichun’s eyes reddened with urgency.

“I’ve already said that you all are not allowed to interfere in my matters with her. If you go find her again, then I won’t have parents anymore.” Lu Yao’s gaze was icy cold, her thin lips parting slightly.

“Alright, don’t worry. We won’t interfere. We really won’t this time.” Zhang Huichun hurriedly assured her.

Lu Yao gave the address, and Lu Jitong drove the car near the entrance of Shen Zhirou’s company. She fixed her gaze on the gate. After more than ten minutes, she finally spotted Shen Zhirou’s figure. However, the girl she had seen that day was still hanging onto Shen Zhirou’s arm, clinging to it intimately. The two of them were chatting about something, both laughing happily.

Lu Yao’s eyes reddened slightly, and the stabbing pain in her stomach surged over her again. Cold sweat beaded on her face, but her gaze still lingered on Shen Zhirou until Shen Zhirou and the girl got into a taxi together and left. Lu Yao felt as if all her strength had been drained from her, and she slumped into the back seat, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Zhang Huichun had naturally seen Shen Zhirou leaving in a taxi, all intimate with someone else. She had originally wanted to ask what was going on, but when she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her daughter’s state, Zhang Huichun didn’t dare to ask. She could only try to comfort her. “Yaoyao, don’t cry. You just got out of the hospital. Let’s go home first. Have your dad make you some millet porridge to warm your stomach. Once your body’s recovered, you can come find her again tomorrow.”

Lu Yao slowly shook her head. “I’m not going back. Take me home. I have to go to the company for handover tomorrow. I don’t have time anymore. She’s really done with me.”

There was a tremor in Lu Yao’s sobs. Zhang Huichun had never seen her daughter like this—not even five years ago when she had broken up with Wen Jin. This made Zhang Huichun feel even more uneasy. After all, her daughter was so outstanding; usually, it was others chasing after Lu Yao in vain. Now, it was her daughter chasing after Shen Zhirou.

Zhang Huichun sighed. She had been so arrogant and overbearing in front of Shen Zhirou before, but now what? Her Yaoyao had become like this, listless all day. Zhang Huichun felt a bit regretful.

After sending Lu Yao home, Zhang Huichun was worried about her and wanted to get out of the car to stay with her overnight.

“Yaoyao, Mom will go back with you and stay with you overnight before leaving.”

Lu Yao pressed down on the car door, her gaze coldly fixed on Zhang Huichun. “No need. She doesn’t like you all. This is our home—just for the two of us. You don’t need to keep me company.”

Zhang Huichun hadn’t expected her daughter to say something like that and wanted to argue a bit, but Lu Jitong pressed down on her left hand. She turned to look at him and saw him frantically signaling her with his eyes. Only then did Zhang Huichun swallow her words. With a somewhat dim expression, she looked at Lu Yao. “Alright then. In that case, your dad and I won’t go up.”

Lu Yao nodded and walked toward the building, clutching her stomach.

“Don’t provoke her anymore. When have you ever seen Yaoyao like this? She’s set her heart on Shen Zhirou. Don’t try to dissuade her anymore. Sigh.” Lu Jitong sighed as he spoke. He had been quite frightened earlier in the hospital too.

“Yeah, I just didn’t expect that she wouldn’t even let us into the house now?” Zhang Huichun sighed along with him. She had done so much, yet now Yaoyao treated her like an enemy. If she had known it would turn out like this, she should have been nicer to Shen Zhirou from the start. But it was too late to realize that now; all the things she shouldn’t have done were already done. Among them, forcing the IOU had undoubtedly been the most humiliating. She wondered if, in this state, Yaoyao could still win her back.

If not, this child would probably hate her and her dad for the rest of her life.

“Sigh, seeing Yaoyao like that in the hospital today really scared me. From now on, we really shouldn’t interfere in her affairs anymore. Our daughter already hates us.” Lu Jitong chimed in.

As if thinking of something else, he continued, “And don’t let Ye Qi come over anymore either. Yaoyao doesn’t like it. We really went too far before.”

“Alright, we’ll avoid contact as much as possible from now on.” When choosing between her daughter and an outsider, Zhang Huichun would unhesitatingly pick her daughter. No matter how good Ye Qi was, he was still an outsider. If she kept going like this now that even her own daughter had turned against her, she would truly lose her forever.

Lu Yao got home, simmered some porridge, and forced herself to eat a little. She washed down some stomach meds, took a shower, and then burrowed under the covers. Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through Shen Zhirou’s Moments and spotted two movie tickets posted there—tickets to the recently released two-lead film 《Drifting Snow》. Lu Yao recalled Shen Zhirou leaving with that girl in a Didi cab. Her eyes locked back onto the screen, staring hard at those two tickets.

She had never even gone to a movie with Jie Jie. A pang twisted in Lu Yao’s chest. Her stomach hurt like hell, but she could tough that out. Yet just one post in Shen Zhirou’s Moments had her tears spilling over.

Droplets trailed down her cheeks, splattering the phone screen and blurring the tickets. Lu Yao pulled the covers over her head. The deeper her misery now, the more she loathed the version of herself from over a month ago. All these things—she could have done them with Shen Zhirou, but she never had. She’d buried herself in that godforsaken work day in, day out, not even bothering to go shopping with her. The thought sent fresh waves of aching bitterness through her heart.

And now? Jie Jie had a new little puppy to keep her company. She didn’t need Lu Yao anymore—and wouldn’t even let her touch her. Lu Yao thought back to yesterday afternoon, and her tears flowed like a dam burst. Holding Jie Jie’s hand was a luxury she could no longer afford.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhirou couldn’t shake Fu Ning. The girl was as clingy as Mianmian, wheedling until Shen Zhirou agreed to go to the movies with her. Still down about Lu Yao these past couple of days, Shen Zhirou figured why not and went along.

They emerged from the theater just past seven. Fu Ning tugged Shen Zhirou toward the nearby Snack Street, buzzing with evening crowds. She gripped Shen Zhirou’s wrist tight, terrified they’d get separated.

“Jie Jie, the fried chicken skewers from that stall are to die for. Want some?” Fu Ning pointed excitedly at the long line from afar. She’d scoped out the street before and knew every must-try spot.

“Yeah, I’m getting a little hungry.” Shen Zhirou nodded with a smile.

“Perfect. You just wait right here, Jie Jie—I’ll handle the line.” Fu Ning’s eyes lit up.

“Let me go.” Shen Zhirou started toward the cart, but Fu Ning blocked her.

“No way, Jie Jie. It’s packed over there—I don’t want you getting bumped around. I’ll queue up. Just wait for me.” Fu Ning gave her wrist a gentle squeeze before dashing off. No way was she letting Shen Zhirou jostle through that crowd.

Shen Zhirou stood there, momentarily dazed. Had Fu Ning just looked out for her? It had been ages since anyone fussed over her like that. A small gesture, sure, but it sent an unexpected warmth blooming in her chest.

Trivial to most, maybe. But for her, a scrap of genuine care was rarer than gold.

Shen Zhirou gave a wry shake of her head, reining in her thoughts. Worried Fu Ning would overheat in line, she ducked to a nearby drink stall for two iced lemon teas and hurried back.

Fu Ning was about midway in the queue. Sweat beaded on her temple, so Shen Zhirou passed her a tea. “Here, drink this. You hot?”

“Not at all—as long as it’s something you like, Jie Jie, I can take the heat.” Fu Ning’s eyes sparkled. She’d bundled her dark hair into a perky topknot against the warmth, radiating pure energy.

Shen Zhirou, seeing her sweat so much, pulled tissues from her bag and dabbed at Fu Ning’s face. Fu Ning’s gaze brightened impossibly more, and Shen Zhirou could’ve sworn a tail was wagging behind her.

To save room, Fu Ning grabbed ten chicken skewers—five apiece. They munched as they strolled, pausing at a rice noodle stall. Fu Ning glanced at Shen Zhirou. “Jie Jie, these noodles are killer. Have a seat here; I’ll grab some other snacks.”

Shen Zhirou barely opened her mouth before the girl bolted. With a sigh, she claimed a stool at the noodle stall and waited.

Maybe it was her imagination, but knowing Fu Ning made Shen Zhirou feel years younger. Lately, the girl had dragged her out for meals and shopping sprees, lifting her spirits in one fell swoop.

Perhaps it was time to let Lu Yao go for good. A fresh start didn’t sound half bad.

A dozen minutes later, Fu Ning returned loaded: a massive grilled squid, barbecue skewers, fried rice cakes, and a plate of stir-fried cold skin.

“Jie Jie, I had these last time—they’re delicious. There are a few more, but I’m afraid the two of us can’t finish them. I’ll bring you back in a few days.” Fu Ning handed a skewer to Shen Zhirou as she spoke.

Shen Zhirou shook her head with a chuckle. Strangely enough, whenever she was with Fu Ning, it was always this Little Friend taking care of her instead.

“Jie Jie, this giant squid is great too. Quick, give it a try.” Before Shen Zhirou could respond, another squid skewer was stuffed into her hand.

She took a few bites. The flavors were indeed excellent. With a light smile, Shen Zhirou asked, “Do you come here often? You seem awfully familiar with the Snack Street.”

“Not really. Since I was bringing you to see that movie, I scouted ahead once. Didn’t want to risk bringing you to some dud spot.” Fu Ning replied casually between bites. She had skipped dinner for the movie and was starving now.

Shen Zhirou’s chopsticks paused as she reached for the stir-fried rice cakes. She lifted her gaze slightly to Fu Ning. “You came early… just for me?”

“Mm-hmm.” Fu Ning nodded. “What’s so strange about that? You’re amazing, so of course I have to bring you to the best places.”

Fu Ning said it offhandedly, but the tips of her ears turned faintly pink. Fortunately, the lighting on the Snack Street was dim enough to hide it. She didn’t dare confess her feelings just yet—afraid it would scare Zhirou off. For now, she could only test the waters like this, little by little.