An event concluded, and the woman went to the restroom.
Returning, she wrapped herself in a comfortable bathrobe, sat on the edge of the bed, and lit a cigarette. She took a drag herself before offering it to Lu Mingzhe's lips.
Lu Mingzhe, to maintain his gentlemanly image, rarely smoked.
But each time he was with her, he broke his habit.
As they both exhaled the smoke, Lu Mingzhe paused for a few seconds before opening his eyes.
"What time is it?"
The woman didn't answer. She picked up the phone from the bedside table, unlocked the screen, and showed it to him.
It was absurd; he had slept from noon until past nine in the evening.
"It's late. You should go."
She tossed the phone back, issuing a dismissal.
Lu Mingzhe liked this about her – her ability to keep two things separate.
No matter how in sync they were while sleeping, once awake, it was as if nothing had happened.
This was the advantage of an older woman.
Far better than young, clueless girls.
Financially independent, intellectually independent, treating men as fast food.
It wasn't just Lu Mingzhe; many men probably liked her this way.
In the past, he would have left on his own without her needing to tell him.
But today, his heart was troubled.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me? Got a date?"
The woman didn't answer him, instead casting a faint, knowing glance his way, a half-smile playing on her lips.
"It seems you're truly heartbroken."
"There's actually someone in this world whom Dr. Lu can't handle. Quite impressive. My friend, you're doing women proud."
Lu Mingzhe: "...You seem rather happy that I'm heartbroken?"
"Of course. Every villain has their match. You can't always be the one playing others; someone needs to play you. What goes around comes around."
Lu Mingzhe closed his eyes again, feeling annoyed.
"I didn't realize you hated me so much."
"It's not worth it."
The woman smiled, slowly standing up, tapping ash into the ashtray.
"I'm not an eighteen-year-old girl anymore, whose mind is filled with nothing but love or hate, especially towards men. I can't afford to waste time like that."
Normally, hearing her say such things would have made Lu Mingzhe admire her attitude.
And he would have been smug about finding such a companion.
But at this moment, it sounded rather ironic.
Was he really that unappealing?
Rebuffed by one woman, then another, and still hitting a wall.
Was Lu Mingzhe really that bad?
Where was the problem?
But he wouldn't ask such a question that hurt his pride.
He shifted into a more comfortable position, watching the woman's slender back.
"How long has it been since we last contacted each other?"
The woman didn't turn around, continuing to tap ash.
"I don't know. A few months, perhaps."
"They say in the world of women, not contacting for over three days means breaking up. I didn't expect you'd still let me come over."
"Break up?"
She turned back, finding it amusing.
"We've never held hands. How can there be talk of breaking up?"
"..." Lu Mingzhe felt a bit disheartened. "You know that's not what I meant."
"I understand what you mean, Dr. Lu. You're talking a lot today, and your usual standard has dropped."
The woman interrupted him.
"We meet because it's mutually consensual, a product of loneliness. We both know this. Talking too much ruins the point."
Indeed, it ruined the point.
But Lu Mingzhe didn't want to go home alone and be lonely. He just wanted to ask.
"Have you been single all this time, not seeing anyone else?"
"Do you really want to hear me say that?"
The woman exposed him without mercy.
"'I've fallen in love with you, hopelessly, uncontrollably. For you, I can abandon all principles, all boundaries, waiting for you to return. You can come whenever you wish, and I will always open my doors for you?'"
"..."
Subconsciously, he did want to hear such words. To have her say them so directly made it feel hollow.
The woman let out a cold laugh.
"You men, you gain psychological satisfaction by putting women down, and then you need women's flattery to boost your ego again."
"You're dependent on women at every turn, yet you look down on them. Truly a bundle of contradictions."
"I don't like how you're blabbering now. Get up and get dressed to leave."
"If you can regain your former suave demeanor, we might see each other again. If you continue like this, I'm sorry. I might have to block you."
Because of Chen Jiaojiao's blow, his heart suddenly felt empty.
Not wanting to go home alone, Lu Mingzhe lingered in his car, then decided to call Chen Jiaojiao.
He wasn't one to hide things.
If he didn't get to the bottom of this, he would never feel at ease.
Fortunately, Chen Jiaojiao answered.
"What is it?"
Lu Mingzhe got straight to the point.
"I'll send you an address. Come and meet me."
"Are you crazy, Lu Mingzhe? It's so late, I..."
"You're in Nancheng right now. I know. I saw you today. Coming out of the hotel."
"..."
"Chen Jiaojiao, let's be direct. I've sent the address. Face reality, don't make me look down on you."
He arrived at the coffee shop first.
Soon after, Chen Jiaojiao arrived as well.
She wore a different little black strapless dress, a pearl necklace, her hair tied up high, and her makeup was exquisite.
She looked as beautiful as Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.
It was a pity, though, that such a beautiful person's heart did not belong to him.
The most painful thing in the world is when something that was once within reach suddenly becomes someone else's.
Especially when it stems from a man's possessiveness over a woman.
Lu Mingzhe was extremely, extremely unhappy.
Chen Jiaojiao sat down. Seeing his displeased expression, she had already guessed about eighty percent of it.
She admitted frankly.
"How did you see me? Were you at the hotel today too?"
"But I was meeting a friend."
Chen Jiaojiao lowered her eyelids.
"I'm sorry, I should have been upfront with you beforehand, but..."
"But what? Seeing me groveling so earnestly, you couldn't bear to hurt me?"
She looked up again.
"Don't put it so harshly."
"That's exactly what it is. You've made yourself look this pathetic, and you're afraid of my harsh words?"
Chen Jiaojiao fell silent.
He stared at her and asked again.
"How long have you two been together?"
"Whether it's one day or a hundred days, the outcome is the same for you. I don't want to say."
Chen Jiaojiao avoided his gaze.
"Now, tell me directly what you want to do."
Her evasive attitude made it clear that the duration was definitely not short; otherwise, she wouldn't have been unable to speak.
Lu Mingzhe just scoffed.
Was he really that bad?
He had given her money and attention, practically dug out his heart for her, yet she had been secretly with someone else for so long!
"Whether it's one day or a hundred days, it's extremely important to me. I need to know. Tell me the truth."
Chen Jiaojiao knew this would hurt him greatly, but she hadn't expected it to be this much.
In her eyes, Lu Mingzhe was a successful, dashing, and suave man.
He didn't have much love for her.
It was merely that he felt her family background was acceptable, she was good-looking, and marrying him would bring him prestige.