Chapter 70: I Don't Like You, and I Despise Her Even More

Huo Ting’s defeat made Qiao Jiu naturally delighted; she even smiled at Lu Fengzhou, teasing him, “I’ve kept you from making money.”

Lu Fengzhou replied, “Money can always be made, a little while doesn’t matter.”

He completely ignored Huo Ting and asked Qiao Jiu, “You haven’t eaten yet? I haven’t either. Mind if I crash your meal?”

With the performance reaching this stage, Qiao Jiu certainly couldn’t refuse. “My cooking isn’t great, as you know.”

Lu Fengzhou nodded, carrying the shopping bag as he headed toward Qiao Jiu’s place. “Have I ever complained?”

Qiao Jiu followed behind, half joking, half sincere. “You never complain, but you never eat much either.”

Lu Fengzhou fell silent, and the two entered the corridor side by side.

Once she was sure Huo Ting couldn’t see them, Qiao Jiu’s expression changed instantly. She grabbed the shopping bag from him. “Thanks for earlier. That’s enough, the show ends here.”

Lu Fengzhou glanced at her sideways, as if he’d anticipated her reaction, and chuckled.

Qiao Jiu ignored him, picking up her pace to walk ahead.

Lu Fengzhou meandered behind her.

Unsure whether Huo Ting had left, Qiao Jiu couldn’t send him away yet.

When they reached her door, Qiao Jiu unlocked it, intending to have Lu Fengzhou wait in the corridor while she checked the window. If Huo Ting was gone, Lu Fengzhou could make his exit.

But as soon as she unlocked the door, Lu Fengzhou reached from behind, grabbed the handle, swung the door open, and slipped inside.

Qiao Jiu cried out in protest, but Lu Fengzhou strode straight to the window. “Huo Ting’s still downstairs. You sure you want me to leave now?”

Qiao Jiu shut the door behind them and hurried over. Perhaps out of unwillingness, Huo Ting was indeed still standing below, searching for the right window, not knowing which floor Qiao Jiu lived on.

A few seconds later, she spotted Qiao Jiu. Qiao Jiu wasn’t sure if Huo Ting could see her expression, but she raised her hand and waved, smiling smugly.

Huo Ting must have been furious; she stepped back, her lips moving as if cursing.

Qiao Jiu didn’t bother with her, carrying the groceries into the kitchen. As she prepared to wash them, she called out loudly, “I’m not making your portion. When she leaves, you should go too.”

Lu Fengzhou turned, leaning against the windowsill, pulling out his cigarette case. He’d already picked one and held it at the corner of his mouth, but hesitated before continuing, “Just hurry up and cook.”

Qiao Jiu washed the vegetables, chopping as she asked, “Why are you here again?”

Lu Fengzhou, cigarette dangling from his lips, spoke with a slight twitch, “If I hadn’t come, how would you have handled that scene?”

Qiao Jiu sneered, “Don’t overestimate yourself. Even without you, Huo Ting isn’t a match for me.”

Lu Fengzhou took a breath and changed the subject, “Are you going to the Zou family’s engagement banquet?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Qiao Jiu replied. “If I didn’t, it’d look like I was afraid of them. I’m not the kind of person who shrinks away.”

Lu Fengzhou nodded. True enough, except in front of him, Qiao Jiu had never bowed her head to anyone.

But he still reminded her, “It won’t be pleasant. You’d better be prepared.”

“Lu Fengzhou, you’re the least qualified to say that,” Qiao Jiu retorted. “You know perfectly well why I have to face such situations—it’s all thanks to you. Now you step forward pretending to be the good guy?”

At her words, Lu Fengzhou fell silent.

Once she finished chopping, she stood at the kitchen door, her voice still cold. “Why did you help me earlier?”

Lu Fengzhou shoved his hands in his pockets, cigarette still at the corner of his mouth. “No reason.”

Qiao Jiu stared at him. “You’ve never liked me, have you? So why didn’t you choose Huo Ting? As far as I know, her family’s terms were just as good. Being with her might have benefited you more than being with me.”

Lu Fengzhou answered lightly, “I don’t like you, but I dislike her even more.”

He was brutally honest.

Qiao Jiu clicked her tongue theatrically, “But she’s crazy about you, so devoted. Even now you’re ‘secondhand,’ she still clings to you. Aren’t you moved?”

Lu Fengzhou looked up at her. “Isn’t that childish?”

Qiao Jiu stared at him for a while before turning back into the kitchen. “I’m not making your meal. Leave soon—I really don’t want to see you.”

She’d shown him a little kindness today, only because he hadn’t let her lose face in front of Huo Ting.

But that didn’t mean their relationship had eased; she still didn’t want to see him.

Lu Fengzhou said nothing.

Qiao Jiu washed and chopped vegetables, then began heating oil in the pan.

At some point, Lu Fengzhou had wandered to the kitchen door, glancing at the stove and then at Qiao Jiu. “Looks like you’re more skilled than before.”

Qiao Jiu turned to give him a look. “As if you’ve ever seen me cook before.”

She was always clumsy, dragging out mealtimes. She’d start cooking before Lu Fengzhou finished work, so the meal would be ready when he got home.

He never witnessed her getting burned by oil or cutting her hand.

Lu Fengzhou seemed at a loss for words at that, finally sighing and turning to sit by the sofa.

Qiao Jiu ate alone, not fussing over the meal—just stir-fried a dish and made a soup.

When she brought it out, Lu Fengzhou smiled, “You really didn’t make my portion.”

“Did you think I was joking?” Qiao Jiu shot him a glance. “Huo Ting should have left by now—you can go too.”

She set down her bowl and chopsticks, went to the window to check outside.

After all this time, both Huo Ting and her car were gone.

Qiao Jiu turned back to Lu Fengzhou. “Take care—I won’t see you out.”

Lu Fengzhou stood, but started a different topic, “Be careful when you socialize in the future. Some people look human on the surface, but are devils underneath. Judge for yourself.”

Qiao Jiu said nothing.

Lu Fengzhou turned and ambled out.

Just as Qiao Jiu finished her meal, Guan Wei called, her voice excited. “Go check the entertainment news right now!”

Qiao Jiu frowned, “What now?”

Before she could finish, she realized, “Is it something about Song Wan again?”

“Exactly,” Guan Wei replied. “Go take a look—I can’t make sense of it right now.”

Qiao Jiu browsed the gossip headlines. Song Wan had issued a statement, announcing her temporary withdrawal from showbiz, citing health issues and a need for rest.

Guan Wei didn’t know about Song Wan’s entanglements with Lu Fengzhou, but to Qiao Jiu, the announcement was expected.

Song Wan’s reputation was poor; her sudden disappearance would stir public speculation, so a proper reason was needed.

Coincidentally, she’d recently been exposed for a leg injury, so citing health as the reason for quitting gave her a dignified exit.

Guan Wei speculated, “Do you think she’s completely fallen out with Lu Fengzhou? No wonder he was so dour today when I saw him—seems like he’s not been having a good time lately.”

Qiao Jiu followed up, “You saw Lu Fengzhou today?”