Well, after all that commotion with my colleagues, I almost forgot I still had an
ex–boyfriend.
Looking at the text Jack sent me: “You’ve had your fun for a few days. Let’s have dinner tonight and sort things out.”
In the past, I might have hesitated a bit.
Now, I just delete it, lock my screen, and get back to work.
Men are a distraction from making money.
After all, I only have about $50 in my bank account, and I need to make it last for half a
month.
I had originally planned to show my loyalty to the new director. I had turned down several opportunities for out–of–town training and development because of Jack, that dog of a man. It really wasn’t worth sacrificing my career for him.
But now that Ethan is the director, it doesn’t seem appropriate to be too eager.
We were high school classmates after all. As long as I perform well, he shouldn’t deny me opportunities for promotion.
There’s a project to China at the end of the year.
After finishing my reports, I start researching. If I can land this project, the performance bonus could be over $3,000.
I only had a sandwich for lunch and it wasn’t filling enough. As soon as work ends, I
grab my bag and run, craving the chicken soup from the shop near my home.
Just as I exit the building, I see Jack leaning against a blue sports car, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking all cocky.
“Lily, didn’t we agree to have dinner? Why are you dawdling?”
Several luxury cars are parked nearby, with his buddies grinning as they watch the
show.
Rose is sitting arrogantly in the passenger seat, taunting me: “Sister Lily, you’re not that young anymore. Why do you keep throwing tantrums? Don’t you care about Jack at
all?”
I coldly look at this white lotus flower. In the past, I would have rushed over to argue
with her, then she would play the victim, and in the end, Jack would comfort her and
blame me for being unreasonable.
Thinking about this, I can’t help but laugh mockingly at myself.
“Jack, I thought I made myself clear. Let me repeat it one more time: we’ve broken up.”
Jack smiles dismissively: “Still playing hard to get? I’ve come to pick you up, haven’t I? That’s enough now, get in the car and let’s go eat.”
He gets into the car without waiting for my response.
The sports car only has two seats. Rose puts on an innocent act: “I’m used to sitting next to Jack. You can ride in the car behind us.”
Jack turns back to see I haven’t moved and gets angry: “Why aren’t you getting in the
other car?”
This scene isn’t unfamiliar.
I can recall at least four or five times when I obediently sat in the car behind, listening to their undisguised ridicule and mockery, yet still desperately trying to find any trace of
his love for me.
The winter wind is cold, stinging my face.
I cross my arms and watch their little act: “A proper ex should be like they’re dead to you. You understand that, don’t you, Jack?”
When I used to threaten to break up with him, I would eventually beg him to take me
back, and he would say these exact words to me arrogantly.
Now, I can say these words too.
And it feels so good!
Jack’s face turns pale with anger: “Fine, don’t regret it later!”
The exhaust from the sports car smells terrible.
But my eyes are shining brightly, as if seeing a new life.
I skip happily towards the bus stop when suddenly, a low–key Range Rover stops in front of me. The window rolls down to reveal Ethan’s smiling face.
“It’s quite cold. Let me give you a ride home.”
712
There was no reason to refuse.
I obediently got into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt.
Just as I was trying to think of a topic to break the ice, Ethan spoke first: “Where do you
live?”
I gave him my address, which was quite far from here. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I said, “The route is a bit complicated. You can just drop me off at the bus stop if you’d like.”
Ethan chuckled, “It’s not far. It’s on my way.”
I looked puzzled. Someone as wealthy as him should be living in the city center. Why would he be going to such a remote area?
Ethan changed the subject, “You still live there, huh?”
Uh…
I tried to recall if he had ever been to my house in high school.
Ethan casually explained, “I went to play with some classmates in your neighborhood before, so I remember.”
That explanation seemed reasonable.
I nodded obediently, sneaking glances at his profile. He really was incredibly handsome.
Back in high school, when I sat behind him, I loved looking at his side profile, with his long, thick eyelashes.
Ethan cleared his throat lightly, and I realized I had been staring at him too intently. I blushed and laughed awkwardly, “Well, I’ll treat you to a meal next time to thank you.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer. Are you free today?” he asked.
“Huh?”
I was stunned. This was just a social courtesy, wasn’t it?
Ethan smiled, “If not today, we can set a date later. How have you been these past few years?”
The conversation flowed naturally from there.
My nervousness gradually subsided, and I chatted with him casually about the five
years since high school graduation. Even when I mentioned Jack, it felt natural, without
any of the pain or sadness I used to feel.
It was like talking about something ordinary, and I realized at that moment that I had truly moved on.
I used to think it would take a long time to get over him, but disappointment had accumulated to the point where it had consumed all my previous feelings.
Ethan’s expression became a bit serious, “Oh, so that was your ex–boyfriend just now.”
Ugh, he had witnessed such an embarrassing scene.
“By the way, about what you said last night about pursuing me, how do you plan to do that?” he asked.
I was speechless.
Girls, this is even more mortifying.
Should I just jump out of the car?
If I explain to him that last night was just a misunderstanding, would that work?
But if he were to ask me if I liked him, my eyes wouldn’t be able to lie.
This is so awkward.
Ethan considerately added, “Actually, I’m quite easy to pursue.”
My brain short–circuited, and I blurted out, “How so?”
Ethan laughed, clearly in a good mood: “As long as you come home at night, that’s enough.”
I was stunned.
Does he not even care about gender?
