Chapter 8: It Became a Habit

“Foggy, the flight I was supposed to take has been canceled due to the typhoon in Hong Kong. I can’t come back for now.”

Xu Wu received this message just after finishing a meeting.

In the voice note, Jiang Zihan’s delicate yet pitiful voice came through. “I won’t be able to meet you tonight.”

Xu Wu pressed her hand against the screen, gently replying, “It’s fine. Safety is most important. Remember to close all your windows and doors at home, avoid going out, and stay safe.”

Xu Wu didn’t have many friends. She hadn’t made any during her high school years in Linjing, but she had met Jiang Zihan in college. After graduation, Jiang Zihan changed her major to pursue someone in Hong Kong, continuing her studies there. They had stayed in touch ever since.

Recently, Jiang Zihan was planning to return to Linjing.

Although she hadn’t succeeded in pursuing that person in Hong Kong, she had completed her postdoctoral studies. After an emotional setback, she decisively returned to work and start a new life.

Xu Wu closed her phone, opened her thermos, and took a sip of plain water. Last night, after returning to her room, the echoes of Zhou Jin Ye’s voice still lingered in her ears, replaying every time she closed her eyes.

She hadn’t slept well all night, and during the meeting earlier, her eyelids felt heavy with fatigue.

After shaking off the drowsiness, she picked up her work report and walked out of the conference room toward her desk.

“Miss Xu,” Shu Ke jogged over from behind and asked, “Do you want to grab lunch together later?”

Xu Wu smiled warmly and agreed.

Shu Ke’s eyes lit up. This season was perfect for a hot meal.

“I remember there’s a popular Sichuan hot pot restaurant nearby. The reviews are great. Shall we go there after work?”

Back at her desk, Xu Wu nodded.

“To thank you for helping me last time, let me treat you to a meal this time,” Shu Ke declared proudly as she sat next to Xu Wu.

Just as Xu Wu was about to respond, a shadow loomed over her desk.

“I forgot to send you a message while I was resting at home. These are all the product materials related to Boheng. Everything is here.”

Xu Tianya placed a blue leather folder on Xu Wu’s desk, turned around, casually tossed her curls behind her, and walked away in her towering high heels.

“Hmph,” Shu Ke, who had witnessed everything, couldn’t help but feel disdainful. “She didn’t say anything before when you were handling everything. Now that it’s done, she comes to dump it all on you. Does she really look like she forgot? You cleaned up her mess, and she doesn’t even thank you.”

“Seriously, Xu Tianya caused such a huge problem for the company. She stayed home for a few days, and with just a few written apologies, she’s back at work? That’s too lenient.”

Xu Wu organized the documents on her desk. Fortunately, she had taken precautions beforehand.

Considering this, she transferred all of Boheng’s product projects under her own name.

Unaffected by the situation, Xu Wu remained gentle as ever. To calm Shu Ke’s rising frustration, she softly consoled her: “It’s alright. From now on, all of Boheng’s projects will be handled by us.”

Shu Ke’s mood eased. “That’s true. You always think ahead.”

“After reporting so much data just now, I’ve burned quite a few calories. Later, I’ll have to eat a hearty meal to make up for it.”

________________________________________

At noon, Xu Wu and Shu Ke finished organizing their tasks, hung up their work badges, and headed out.

The hot pot restaurant Shu Ke mentioned was very close to their office, so they walked there.

The sycamore trees lining the streets were already tinged with golden hues, and the warm sunlight filtering through the branches created a particularly cozy atmosphere.

With the rare good weather, Xu Wu’s recent worries began to lift.

Indeed, good weather could heal the soul.

Shu Ke led Xu Wu into the restaurant.

A waiter approached them. “What services do you need?”

“We’d like your most popular Sichuan hot pot.”

“The seats are all occupied right now,” the waiter explained. “You’ll have to wait a bit.”

Upon hearing this, Shu Ke glanced at the nearly full dining area and asked the waiter, “Ah, how long will it take?”

The waiter replied, “About half an hour before a table becomes available.”

They still had to return to the office later, so half an hour might not be enough.

This place was indeed as popular online as claimed—perhaps even more so than expected.

Shu Ke looked at Xu Wu awkwardly. “Sister Xu, should we try another place instead?”

“I’m fine with it,” Xu Wu nodded. “If you really want to eat here, we can come earlier next time.”

As Shu Ke prepared to leave with Xu Wu, her gaze lingered on the aroma of hot pot wafting through the air. Suddenly, through the steam, she spotted a familiar figure carrying a plate and sitting down.

“Brother!”

The warmth on her arm disappeared as Xu Wu followed Shu Ke’s direction with her gaze.

Her eyes widened slightly, and her fingers unconsciously curled.

The events from last night still felt vivid in her mind—the man hadn’t released her until she gave him an answer.

Shu Ke blocked Xu Wu’s view of Zhou Jin Ye, who was busy preparing condiments at the table.

“Never thought you’d be here too,” Shu Ke remarked, looking at the untouched hot pot. Familiarly, she patted Li Qingyang’s shoulder.

Li Qingyang, sitting with his back to them, hadn’t noticed Xu Wu yet. His tone was authoritative: “Don’t be disrespectful. Why can’t I be here?”

“Well then,” Shu Ke gestured toward Xu Wu, who wasn’t far from their table. “Sister Xu, my brother and his friends are here. How about we join them?”

With that, both Li Qingyang and Zhou Jin Ye looked over.

They were momentarily surprised, but Zhou Jin Ye quickly glanced past her and returned his attention to his bowl.

Li Qingyang recovered first. “Oh, it’s Xu Wu! Come, come, we haven’t started eating yet. Join us.”

Xu Wu smiled politely and walked over. “What a coincidence.”

Seeing Xu Wu approach, Li Qingyang quickly pulled Shu Ke to sit beside him. Turning his head, he cheerfully invited her: “Yes, yes, sit down and eat with us.”

The restaurant tables were square, with booths wide enough to seat two people comfortably.

Li Qingyang and Shu Ke were already seated.

That left only the spot next to Zhou Jin Ye…

She no longer hesitated and sat down beside him.

“Do you all know each other?” Shu Ke, still somewhat confused, finally asked.

Xu Wu softly hummed in affirmation. “They’re all friends of my brother.”

Li Qingyang: “I never expected my younger sister to be working at your company.”

“I didn’t know you had a sister either.” Xu Wu hadn’t heard about Li Qingyang having a sister before.

He quickly explained: “She used to get sick often as a child, so my parents kept her at home. She rarely went out.”

“I share my father’s surname, while she shares my mother’s.”

So, the “brother” Shu Ke mentioned last time was Li Qingyang.

“I see,” Xu Wu said softly.

“By the way,” Li Qingyang suddenly remembered. “Take a look and see if you want to add any dishes. These are all the things Zhou Jin Ye and I ordered that we like.”

Xu Wu glanced at the table. All the dishes near her were ones she liked, without any dietary restrictions.

Initially, she didn’t plan to order more, but seeing this, Zhou Jin Ye—who hadn’t spoken to them—suddenly said, “If you want something, go ahead and order it yourself.”

Steam rose from the bubbling hot pot, creating an eerie atmosphere around the table.

Li Qingyang tried to ease the tension. “Sorry about that, Xu Wu. Zhou Jin Ye has a big appetite. Why don’t you go pick something yourself?”

Xu Wu wasn’t upset. She smiled faintly. “It’s fine. I’ll go order myself.”

Shu Ke stood up with her. “I’ll come with you.”

Watching them walk away, Li Qingyang muttered, “Why are you being so stingy? It’s just a few dishes. Do you really have to be so petty with your ex-girlfriend?”

“You just called her your ex-girlfriend,” Zhou Jin Ye sipped the restaurant’s signature tea. “Shouldn’t I care?”

Li Qingyang was momentarily speechless. Zhou Jin Ye glanced at the dishes in front of him, his emotions unreadable.

All these were dishes she liked.

Zhou Jin Ye wasn’t picky about food. After they became a couple, they often ate together.

On cold days, they mostly ordered hot pot buffets.

Unlike him, Xu Wu was particular about her food. She loved crab and shrimp but disliked radishes, onions, cilantro, celery, and fatty meat. Even basic garnishes like green onions were off-limits.

Gradually, he memorized her preferences and dislikes.

Whenever they ate hot pot together, he would order dishes she liked.

Over time, it became a habit...

Until now.

Thinking about last night, he took another sip of tea. This time, the sweetness lingered longer, followed by a deep bitterness.

________________________________________

Not long after a dish was added to the pot, the only sound at the table was the bubbling of the hot pot.

Li Qingyang raised his glass, breaking the silence. “It’s been a long time since we last met. Let’s toast—with tea instead of alcohol.”

After the first toast, he turned specifically to Xu Wu and raised his glass again. “In the future, when we’re at your company, please take care of us, okay?”

Xu Wu clinked glasses with him and drank.

Encouraged by her brother, Shu Ke also raised her glass. “I’ll toast to you too, Sister Xu. Thank you so much for your help.”

“I remember you’ve only been at the company for a few months. How did you get into trouble so quickly?” Li Qingyang asked, puzzled.

Shu Ke shrugged. “I didn’t cause any trouble. I just accidentally got caught up in something. If Sister Xu hadn’t helped me during her break, I wouldn’t have been able to finish those reports today.”

Li Qingyang still eyed her suspiciously.

Xu Wu stepped in to explain: “She really didn’t cause any trouble.”

“Alright,” Li Qingyang finally believed her, then tentatively asked Xu Wu, “It must have been inconvenient for you to work during your break. Did it affect your relationship with your boyfriend?”

Shu Ke immediately perked up. “Brother, what are you saying? Sister Xu has a boyfriend? How did I not know?”

“She’s right here. Just ask her yourself.”

From the corner where he had been quietly eating, Zhou Jin Ye finally looked up.

Caught by Li Qingyang, who had turned his head.

Didn’t you tell me yesterday to stop meddling? Why are you listening now?

The misunderstanding deepened. Xu Wu had no choice but to clarify: “I’m single. I don’t have a boyfriend.”

As soon as she finished speaking, he glanced at the dishes in front of her.

Xu Wu’s plate was almost empty. Silently, Zhou Jin Ye began adding dishes from his side into the pot.

When the food was cooked, Xu Wu transferred it to her bowl, and Zhou Jin Ye said nothing.

Midway through the meal, Zhou Jin Ye excused himself to use the restroom.

By the time they finished eating, Xu Wu intended to pay the bill but was informed it had already been settled.

Realizing Zhou Jin Ye had paid, Xu Wu stopped him before he left.

“Um, let me see the bill. I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Zhou Jin Ye turned to look at her, his tone nonchalant. “Oh, I’ll settle it with you later.”