If what she said was true, and she really did sleep with Chu Ke Huan, did that mean after our conversation last night, he’d gone back to the mixer and seamlessly charmed Ke Fei, spending the night with her as if nothing had happened? I knew some men could separate physical intimacy from emotional connection, but... could they shift their focus that quickly?
If Chu Ke Huan had feelings for Ke Fei, then what was the meaning of his gestures toward me last night? These questions churned in my mind until my thoughts became a tangled mess. And then, a horrifying realization hit me—
Somewhere along the way, I had started caring about Chu Ke Huan.
All my questions weren’t out of sympathy for his girlfriend. No, it felt more like I was “comparing” his behavior toward me versus Ke Fei. Even worse, it was as if I was... jealous of him.
What on earth was wrong with me?!
I repeatedly told myself that I couldn’t possibly be swayed by Chu Ke Huan’s trivial gestures from last night. He was supposed to be nothing more than a passing figure, someone who faded into irrelevance the moment I turned away. His actions shouldn’t linger into this morning. It had to be the monotony of my relationship with Hao Yi that was creating space for such absurd thoughts. I needed to snap out of it!
After the meeting, I declined Ke Fei’s lunch invitation and went to the nearby food court alone. At that moment, I resolved to sever all ties to anything related to Chu Ke Huan. Tonight, I’d meet Hao Yi for a proper date and use the opportunity to reset myself emotionally. Nothing could disrupt our relationship—not in the past, not now, and not in the future.
As I walked, scrolling through my phone to pick a movie for our date, that same voice from last night called out from behind me.
“I told you to let me know when you got home. Why did you leave me on read?”
It was Chu Ke Huan’s voice—playful yet tinged with maturity.
I gasped. Why was he here again?
A first reunion is a coincidence.
A second reunion is fate.
A third reunion... I refused to interpret a third reunion, because I didn’t want it to happen in the first place. If I just pretended not to hear anything and kept walking, I could avoid it altogether!
I closed my eyes, suppressing the turmoil inside me. When I opened them again, I took firm strides forward, determined not to look back.
But it was too late. Chu Ke Huan was already standing in front of me.
“The person you’re looking for isn’t me—it’s Ke Fei. I heard you went back to the private room last night and had a great time with her!” I forced a smile, trying to mask my discomfort.
“Why does that sound like jealousy?” Chu Ke Huan teased, smiling as he looked at me. I felt as though I was standing naked before him, every thought and emotion exposed under his gaze.
“How did you even know I was here?!” I asked, struggling to maintain my composure. When had losing control in front of him become my default state?
“Ke Fei told me you often come here for lunch. I wanted to see you, so I took a chance.”
What? My jaw practically dropped. Ke Fei, who’d been pining after Chu Ke Huan, had turned into his informant?
“You buy the same lunch every day. Looks like your life doesn’t change much. No wonder you think love should be a single-target investment,” he said casually, watching me as I stood frozen in shock.
“Wait... I don’t get it. Why would Ke Fei tell you all that...?” I stammered, feeling more and more confused.
“Did she also tell you we did this and that last night? And maybe emphasize that I’m exceptionally skilled?”
“Um...” His matter-of-fact tone made my face burn. I wanted to bury my eyes into the ground rather than meet his gaze, so I mumbled a barely audible response.
“Your face is so red. Seems like my ad campaign worked.”
“You two planned this together?” I finally picked up on the hint in his words, snapping my head up to stare at him.
“A meal in exchange for a glowing review—seems like a good deal to me,” he replied, his smile as light and effortless as ever.
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