Contradicting Hearts - Chapter 5 - Then Just Let It Be Dating

Zhong Haixin put away the newspaper and began to fiddle with the bouquet on the small table. Perhaps intentionally, she even pulled a few carnations from the vase and shoved them into the corner. “If you’re busy, you can leave now.”

Zhong Haixin spoke without looking at anyone. Just as Cheng Lu, who was about to head to the restroom to check her reflection, turned around, “I’m free today, Mom.”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Cheng Lu paused for a few seconds, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards Hao Sijia, who was sitting on the sofa.

Zhong Haixin was clearly not fond of her, and Hao Sijia was aware of it. She had no desire to stay and endure any unpleasantness.

“I’ll head back first then.” Hao Sijia stuffed the last piece of meat into her mouth, intending to place her bowl on the table, when Lin Jize handed her a napkin and took the bowl and chopsticks from her hands. Hao Sijia glanced at Zhong Haixin on the bed, didn’t take the napkin from Lin Jize, and instead, casually wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before grabbing her bag and heading out.

“Jiajia!” Cheng Lu called out and stopped Hao Sijia. “Jize’s grandmother is just like that. She didn’t approve of me back in the day either, called me just a singer, not worthy of her precious son.”

Hao Sijia rarely saw a trace of melancholy on Cheng Lu’s face and responded with a smile, “It’s okay.” But the next second.

“Is that bag the latest from xx?” Cheng Lu’s eyes were set on her bag again.

Zhong Haixin threw the carnations on the table to the floor. “Throw that basket of fruit out.”

Lin Jize glanced at the scattered petals. “She’s the one paying for your medical bills now.”

“You and dad always taught me to be grateful, so you should do the same, Grandma.” Lin Jize picked out the good fruits from the basket and arranged them on the table. “Be a bit more polite to her next time. She’s got a temper, and quite a few people are watching her. You never know when she might take an interest in someone else.”

Lin Jize’s words almost labeled himself as being kept.

Zhong Haixin was fortunate to be born into a wealthy and influential family, from ancestors who were nobles and officials. Lin Jize’s grandfather was an architect, and his father a neurosurgeon. From a girl to a woman, she was pampered by her father, husband, and son. The pride ingrained in her blood made it difficult for her to tolerate the ambiguous relationship between Lin Jize and Hao Sijia.

But the family’s fortunes declined, and now she, a widow and bereaved of her son, had become a burden to her grandson.

“I’m sorry, Grandma.” Zhong Haixin sighed weakly. “You and Qin Ya were such a good match.”

“You’re overthinking it.”

Zhong Haixin was taken aback, but listened as Lin Jize continued, “Our breakup wasn’t because of anything or anyone.” Lin Jize cleaned up the chopsticks Hao Sijia had used. “We weren’t that close.”

Zhong Haixin naturally didn’t believe it, but what more could she say? To declare she was done with treatment, ready to die? Yet strangely, the more one lives, the more fearful of death one becomes.

When Cheng Lu returned, Lin Jize had already left. Zhong Haixin was leaning on the bed, looking very unwell.

“You don’t seem to pity your son at all.”

“What a pity, huh?” Cheng Lu, carrying a bag she had casually picked up from Hao Sijia, stood in front of the mirror, admiring herself, “Jiajia is both beautiful and smart, and she even spends money on my son. You can’t find such a good woman even if you light a lantern or carry the sun.”

“A good woman?” Zhong Haixin scoffed: “She never even went to college. How a woman could get to where she is now, who knows what she’s done behind the scenes!” Seeing that Cheng Lu remained silent, Zhong Haixin became more agitated, “If it were just dating, that’d be one thing, but those two! Those two…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish, the words too vile to say.

The smile on Cheng Lu’s face faded, “Then just let it be dating.”

…

On Friday nights, Hao Sijia and Ye Jingshu would go to the bar to pass the time. Initially, Ye Jingshu wasn’t comfortable with the flashing red and green lights in the bar or with how easily men and women stuck together on the dance floor. However, after being dragged there repeatedly by Hao Sijia, she gradually got used to it. When in high spirits, Ye Jingshu, following Hao Sijia’s lead, would even boldly reach out to touch a muscular man.

Today, their team leader was rushing to test some data, so Ye Jingshu had to work late. By the time she arrived, the bar was already buzzing with activity. After parking her car, Ye Jingshu noticed a Toyota LC71 occupying two parking spaces nearby and knew Hao Sijia must have already arrived. Hao Sijia liked cars; she wasn’t much into sports cars but loved large SUVs, especially Toyota’s LC series.

“Over here!” Hao Sijia waved her drink at Ye Jingshu.

Ye Jingshu glanced at their usual high booth, “Oh! Snatched away, huh?”

“People with more money, I guess!” Hao Sijia shrugged, “They bid for the booth, and the highest bidder wins. Let’s just sit here today.”

They hadn’t been drinking long when a few men came over to join them. Hao Sijia and Ye Jingshu exchanged a look and did not refuse. The young, handsome guys sweetly calling them “sister” was indeed flattering. Hao Sijia enjoyed the attention, but Ye Jingshu was less enthusiastic.

Laughter continuously emanated from the neighboring booth. Ye Jingshu looked over and saw two or three wealthy, middle-aged women with meticulously done makeup sitting on the couch. Several beverage salesmen knelt by their feet, diligently explaining the drinks menu.

A man stood up from the couch, blocking the stage’s purple light; as the music changed and the light turned white, he turned around. Ye Jingshu, too slow to avert her gaze, met his eyes directly. She blinked several times before awkwardly turning her head away.

Looking again, the man was half-leaning over, his neck embraced by one of the wealthy women, his shirt mostly unbuttoned revealing his collarbone and chest muscles, a smirk on his lips but a coldness in his eyes.

Good looks naturally attract attention, and Hao Sijia noticed too, but she was more concerned about Ye Jingshu’s unusual demeanor.

“He’s not right for you,” Hao Sijia snapped her fingers to bring Ye Jingshu back to reality.

Apart from a brief crush on a senior during her sophomore year in high school, Ye Jingshu’s love life had been non-existent. Hao Sijia had seen too many men to be easily deceived; she never believed in tales of reformed rakes or prodigal sons returning. A man who could effortlessly navigate through a crowd of admirers was not someone Ye Jingshu could handle.

Her thoughts exposed, Ye Jingshu defensively retorted, “Don’t worry, he’s not my type.”

It wasn’t long before a staff member approached the neighboring booth with a sign congratulating them on winning three bottles of Louis XIII valued at 48,888 yuan each.

Ye Jingshu now realized the man was also a beverage salesman, albeit one with high attractiveness and skills.

Indeed, a handsome appearance rules supreme. Unlike other salesmen who busily shuffled between booths, toasting here and there, he didn’t need to fawn over anyone with excessive flattery. Just standing there and flashing a smile at the wealthy women was enough for them to willingly open their wallets.

Compared to the noisy bar, the restroom was much quieter. Wang Ke had just sent several messages to Hao Sijia, who was engrossed in her phone. She kicked open the stall door with her foot, and the rustling of clothes brought her back to her senses.

Inside the stall stood a man and a woman, the woman’s bra straps hanging on her arm, her skirt lifted slightly high, her face clearly showing annoyance at being disturbed. Hao Sijia scanned the calm-faced man leaning against the wall, thinking it really was a small world.

The woman gave Hao Sijia a dismissive look, picked up the coat from the floor, pointed at the smartphone to the man, and then left.

“You just cost me a deal,” Wen Cheng said, arms crossed, sizing up Hao Sijia with his eyes eventually resting on her long legs.

Today, Hao Sijia was wearing a black spaghetti strap mini dress with a white thin T-shirt over it and black thigh-high boots. Her long hair was casually tied up at the back of her head.

Casually yet fatally sexy.

Hao Sijia noticed the intense look in Wen Cheng’s eyes-unsure how much was genuine and how much was feigned-but she knew what he was aiming for. Normally, she wouldn’t mind spending some money to help him boost his performance. Unfortunately, Hao Sijia had noticed Ye Jingshu’s feelings for Wen Cheng, despite Ye Jingshu’s recent denial.

“I’m really sorry about that,” Hao Sijia gestured for Wen Cheng to go ahead, playing dumb, “You better keep trying. I’m about to burst.”

It was already past midnight when Hao Sijia got back home. The hallway light was left on, the side door was shut, and the light was dimmed. Lin Jize had a very regular routine; he was an early riser, even if sometimes Hao Sijia kept him up till midnight, he would still get up on time the next day. Hao Sijia was a light sleeper, and Lin Jize complained that her late returns often disturbed his rest, which was why they had been sleeping in separate rooms.

After a quick rinse, Hao Sijia climbed into Lin Jize’s bed, snuggling up against his back and nuzzling his neck with her nose. Lin Jize’s breathing briefly halted, indicating he was still awake.

“Did you have dissection class again today?” Hao Sijia gently rubbed Lin Jize’s shoulder. The smell of formaldehyde was strong, even after a shower, Lin Jize still carried a hint of it.

Hao Sijia thought Lin Jize wouldn’t respond, but after a few seconds, he spoke up, “Don’t stick to me.”

“Disgusted with me, huh?”

Lin Jize grunted affirmatively, removing Hao Sijia’s hand from his waist. Undeterred, Hao Sijia draped her leg over him, rubbing his lower belly with her knee, “How about it?”

“You stink.”

“What! I stink?” Hao Sijia thought she had misheard, “You’re saying I stink?”

She hadn’t even sweated today, just had a few drinks-how could she stink?

Lin Jize remained silent for a long time, and just when Hao Sijia thought he was about to fall asleep and lost patience waiting for his consent, she slid her hand into Lin Jize’s sleep pants.

Suddenly, Lin Jize turned around, pinning Hao Sijia’s arms behind her back, rendering her immobile. Struggling briefly, but no match for Lin Jize, she switched tactics, raising her foot to rub his thigh, “What? Looking for a different play style, want to play rough?”

“Cut the crap.” Hao Sijia could hear the displeasure in Lin Jize’s tone, so she withdrew her leg and stopped moving. “Their taste isn’t all that great,” Lin Jize wrinkled his nose, “Go take a shower, you smell awful.”

“Fine, fine!” Lin Jize was always moody, Hao Sijia just assumed he was on his ‘period,’ “I’m off to shower.”

Hao Sijia raised her chin, signaling Lin Jize to let her go. Without hesitation, Lin Jize nearly kicked her off the bed.

“Ugh!” Hao Sijia ran to the door, then turned back to curse at Lin Jize one more time, “Foul temper!”