Chapter 28: You Must Take Responsibility for Me, and Be with Me…

The next day, Chen Haili summoned Xu Wu to his office. Unexpectedly, instead of reprimanding her, he served her tea in a fawning manner.

Yesterday’s Weibo post about LUNAR and the project assigned to Xu Wu made Chen Haili believe she had already “climbed” into the good graces of LUNAR’s President Zhou.

His words were still hypocritical, but when Xu Wu couldn’t bear to listen any longer and excused herself, claiming she needed to organize data, he continued to be overly polite: “I never expected you to have such skills with President Zhou. You’ve worked hard at Lingmei all these years. Today, I’m giving you a day off.”

How unusual.

Her pent-up frustration from working under him bubbled over.

No matter how hard she had worked before, he had never granted her leave—even calling her back to handle affairs after she returned from business trips without rest.

He continued, “Pass on a message to President Zhou for me. I look forward to the next collaboration between LUNAR and Lingmei.”

A big opportunity like LUNAR was something everyone wanted to seize.

As the director of Lingmei’s public relations department, Chen Haili naturally wouldn’t let it slip by, which explained his obsequious attitude toward Xu Wu now.

Even though he claimed to act in the company’s best interest, he harbored ulterior motives. Xu Tianya’s actions should have resulted in demotion, yet the company only made her write a letter of repentance. Xu Wu, who had worked diligently for years, wasn’t as smooth-talking as Xu Tianya.

She wondered if this Weibo incident, which was damaging to the company’s interests, would even allow her to keep her job.

Not wanting to see his face anymore, Xu Wu left his office.

As she exited, everyone exchanged glances.

Clearly, everyone knew about the Weibo post.

She ignored their stares and returned to her seat as if nothing had happened.

Xu Tianya, who hadn’t come to the office for several days, appeared before Xu Wu, blocking her path. “Are those things on Weibo true?”

Seeing her act like this, Xu Wu’s brows furrowed slightly. “What does that have to do with you?”

Never expecting the usually gentle Xu Wu to show this side, Xu Tianya was somewhat surprised. “I’m very close to his father—we’re friends. I’m asking on his behalf.”

Friends?

Xu Wu didn’t know where Xu Tianya got the guts to approach Qin Shili. Her voice remained soft and calm. “Then you should ask Mr. Qin who posted that Weibo.”

Without another word to her, Xu Wu brushed past and returned to her workstation.

“Good job, Sister Xu Wu! That was so cool,” Shu Ke said, holding her cup after Xu Tianya walked away in a daze. “She thought you’d be easy to bully. Besides, the posts were taken down today. Why does she care so much?”

Xu Wu knew who was behind it. She had deleted the Weibo post and hadn’t downloaded it again since.

Zhou Jinye had mentioned revoking the trending topic quickly, but she didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

What she didn’t expect was that Zhou Jinye had installed a camera at the entrance. Xu Wu hadn’t noticed it.

Thinking she could finally escape the issue, he showed her a video. Her face in the footage was crystal clear.

No matter how much she denied or tried to avoid it, there was no escaping.

In the bathroom, they remained silent for a long time. Zhou Jinye stared directly at her and finally spoke: “I’ll give you some time to think about it.”

Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification from the rental app.

She opened it to find someone had replied.

Shu Ke, who had just finished pouring water, accidentally caught a glimpse of the screen. “Are you moving?”

Xu Wu hesitated about replying. “That’s the plan.”

“You’re not living in the same place as Jinye Ge? That neighborhood has great security, environment, and location. My family didn’t even manage to get a spot there.” Shu Ke took a sip of water and asked.

Xu Wu remained silent.

Shu Ke guessed, “Is it because of what’s on the internet? Those things are often exaggerated. Most of it isn’t worth taking to heart. You…”

“I’m not. It’s just…”

Since their reunion, she had been covering up the past by avoiding it. She planned to continue evading the events that happened when she was drunk.

Xu Wu didn’t elaborate further. After tidying up a few things on her desk, she said, “Director Chen gave me the day off today, so I’ll head home first.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Xu Wu tucked her hair behind her ear and responded, “See you tomorrow.”

________________________________________

Shu Ke watched Xu Wu’s retreating figure, recalling her unfinished sentence earlier. Her expression seemed tinged with sadness.

If Xu Wu moved out, and there were no more company collaborations, it would be harder to create opportunities now that they knew they lived in the same neighborhood. If Xu Wu moved, how could she continue shipping this couple?

She immediately pulled out her phone and found Zhou Jinye’s WeChat.

[Xu Wu seems to be influenced by the Weibo post and is planning to move.]

At that moment, Zhou Jinye had just finished a business meeting, and his assistant was driving him back. He had just confirmed with Lin Xiao that the Weibo information had been removed.

His phone screen lit up with a message. He read it.

After a flash of surprise, he tightened his grip on the phone.

He clearly knew it wasn’t because of the Weibo post—she was avoiding it.

Last time, while Xu Wu was drunk, he had asked her about the real reason for their breakup.

Under the light, she had tightly closed her lips, refusing to speak. She muttered, “Even in my dreams, I can’t tell him.”

He gazed deeply at her. As she leaned in to kiss him again, he patiently stopped her. “Then answer me—is it related to Mr. Qin?”

Her breath smelled of alcohol, and her soft touch moved against his palm. “How did you know? I don’t remember telling you in my dreams.”

He swallowed hard. How did he know?

Hmph, he just knew.

The breakup between Xu Wu and him wasn’t simple. After recovering from his injuries, he went to see her but learned they had broken up. Back in the hospital room, he was stunned for a long time. Then Qin Shili sent a group of men to “escort” him abroad.

He tried to escape, but still weak from his injury, he was easily subdued by the burly men in suits and forced onto a plane to go abroad.

There, Qin Shili had already prepared everything—arranging for him to study abroad at his previous university and confiscating his ID and other documents that could allow him to return home.

When Qin Shili offered him a house, he wore that disgusting smile. “You’ve grown up now, and I can’t control you anymore. But there’s something even more painful—I’ll tear apart the person you love most, just like I did to myself.”

He didn’t understand why Qin Shili said that, but he sensed that Qin Shili had done something behind his back.

The next moment, as Xu Wu leaned in to kiss him, he bit her lower lip, ensuring she would remember when she woke up.

But when she saw him afterward, she didn’t remember…

However, during her drunken state last time, the words she let slip made him start considering sending Qin Shili to prison.

After a long pause, Zhou Jinye sent Shu Ke a large red envelope.

The rear car window was two-thirds open.

Closing his eyes, he thought about Xu Wu moving. His bangs fluttered chaotically in the wind.

On the other side, Xu Wu, who had nothing to do, went to meet Jiang Zihan. They ordered some desserts.

Jiang Zihan had swapped shifts recently and was resting. They happened to meet up briefly.

She sipped her simple fruit milk tea. “I saw that trending post yesterday. I don’t know which unscrupulous journalist wrote it. They’ll do anything for clicks.”

“Speaking of which, he should compensate you.”

Xu Wu took a sip of juice, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. She felt Jiang Zihan’s words sounded familiar, reminding her of Li Qingyang. “How are things with Li Qingyang?”

“It’s like that. He’s obsessed now—he runs to the hospital every day to register under my name,” Jiang Zihan said, sucking on her straw with a frown. “I had to swap shifts with someone.”

“Do you feel nothing for him?”

“Tsk.” Jiang Zihan slurped her juice slowly. “He’s too sincere and petty about things. But last time at the hospital, when someone couldn’t pay, he didn’t hesitate to cover the cost so they could get treated first.”

Xu Wu observed her expression and could roughly guess what was going on. Jiang Zihan seemed to be developing some feelings for Li Qingyang.

For Li Qingyang, his persistence was paying off.

As they talked, Jiang Zihan didn’t mention Li Qingyang again.

“My dad met Qin Shili at a business meeting recently. I didn’t expect him to stay abroad all this time while owning shares in many domestic companies.” Jiang Zihan mentioned Qin Shili unexpectedly. “What surprises me even more is that he’s your ex-boyfriend’s father. Their personalities don’t seem similar at all.”

“Zihan, Qin Shili is dangerous. Remind your dad to stay away from people like him. That smile might hide a knife ready to strike.”

“It’s obvious—he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Jiang Zihan glanced at her. “Someone dug up his past. He was already married but kept a mistress. The pregnant wife fell down the stairs, miscarried, and bled to death.”

Xu Wu lowered her gaze, gripping her straw tightly. Hearing such a horrifying story made her heart ache for Zhou Jinye.

After a pause, Jiang Zihan said, “So, your ex-boyfriend is the child of that wife. Knowing what happened to his mother…”

The scene was too cruel, and she didn’t continue.

Especially since he had witnessed it firsthand.

“Wu Wu, can I ask you a question?” Jiang Zihan’s fruit tea was half gone.

Xu Wu nodded, signaling her to ask.

“Why did you and your ex-boyfriend break up? Of course, if you don’t want to talk about it, pretend I never asked.”

“I was the one who initiated the breakup,” she stirred her juice. “He doesn’t know the real reason, and some misunderstandings arose.”

“Wait, you mean he doesn’t know the specific reason and you broke up anyway?” Jiang Zihan clarified.

“Yes.”

“Then I have to say something. Even if someone dies of illness, they at least know it’s due to worsening health.” Jiang Zihan analyzed. “You should at least explain it to him. He was part of your relationship and has the right to know. Since studying medicine, I’ve learned that if there’s a scar on your body or heart, you need to tell the doctor so they can treat it properly.”

“Besides, if you still have feelings for him, you should fight for him.”

Her words made perfect sense, and Xu Wu forced a smile. “I didn’t expect that after years of not seeing you and studying in Hong Kong, your way of thinking has changed.”

“That’s right. Your sister didn’t study in Hong Kong for nothing.” Jiang Zihan raised her fruit tea as a toast. “Cheers to my ability to say such philosophical words.”

________________________________________

On the way back, Xu Wu reflected on Jiang Zihan’s words and decided to tell him the real reason for their breakup.

Now that he could stand free of Qin Shili and reach new heights in China, she didn’t have to worry about Qin Shili daring to do anything worse.

Xu Wu didn’t work today and came home early. Pudding ran out to greet her.

To her surprise, Zhou Jinye was walking toward the door behind the partially opened one.

He had returned so early. His tie was loosened, and his shirt collar was undone messily.

She didn’t avert her gaze, looking straight into Zhou Jinye’s eyes. “I have something to tell you.”

“I’m going to take a shower. Go run the bathwater for me first.” He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his hand wrapped in white gauze. His tone was indifferent.

“Alright. I’ll tell you after you finish.”

As soon as she entered the bathroom, he locked the door behind her.

After realizing what he had done, she asked, “Aren’t you going to take a shower?”

He undid the second button of his shirt. “Yes, I will shower.”

Zhou Jinye approached her. “What have you decided about what I asked you to consider yesterday?”

Step by step, he closed in on her. She saw flames burning in his eyes.

Terrified by his appearance, she backed away. “What are you talking about?”

“So, you’re not planning to take responsibility for me?” He undid the third button.

She was cornered in the bathroom with nowhere to retreat. Zhou Jinye leaned in closer.

“You…”

He didn’t give her a chance to speak. His lips pressed against hers as his body leaned in.

Xu Wu looked at his face so close to hers, feeling the wetness on her lips. He was in a daze.

This wasn’t their first kiss. Before she could process it, his familiar scent invaded her senses without restraint, forcefully entering her mouth.

She pushed him away once she realized what was happening. “Do you even know what you’re doing?”

His hands braced against the wall beside her. “Are you running away again by moving? Are you trying to push me away?”

Xu Wu didn’t understand what he meant by “again” and tried to explain. “No, I’m not running away.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the bathroom heater above them turned on.

Zhou Jinye leaned in again.

After silently struggling, neither of them had consumed alcohol, yet they seemed intoxicated, losing control. She gradually melted into the steamy kiss.

Hot water droplets fell on their skin, intertwining with their bodies until the kiss became almost suffocating.

Before releasing her from the kiss, he lightly bit her lower lip in punishment.

His voice was hoarse. “Promise me you’ll never push me away again. Only love me.”