Chapter 2

I had no interest in keeping up with Lin Wentao and Li Xiangyun's developments.

I just didn't expect him to come knocking on my door.

I had just finished getting ready for bed when there was someone knocking loudly on the wooden door.

When I opened it, there stood Lin Wentao in the moonlight, with that familiar look of wanting to say something but holding back.

"Lin Shuang, I... I have something to tell you."

His eyes kept darting into my room, but I stood firm at the door, not letting him in.

"It's late. If there's something to say, let's talk at the factory tomorrow."

"Just a few words!"

He suddenly raised his voice, then quickly lowered it. "It's about today, about Li Xiangyun... "

"She asked me to take her child to the park this weekend, and I agreed... "

I waited for him to continue, but it turned out he came over just to tell me this.

I responded with an "Oh, " turned around, and started tidying up my washbasin as if nothing had happened.

He waited for a while, seeing I had no reaction, and his voice suddenly became urgent. "You have nothing to say?" I was puzzled. "Say what? Wish you a good time?"

"Oh, right. Just a reminder to bring an umbrella. The weather forecast says it might rain this weekend."

Lin Wentao's hand clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white.

When he looked up again, his brows were furrowed.

"Chen Linshuang, what do you mean? I came over in the middle of the night to tell you this, and this is your attitude?"

"What's wrong with my attitude? Isn't this normal? What kind of attitude were you expecting?"

I sat down, unfazed, and looked at him.

Lin Wentao's expression showed a moment of shock, probably surprised by my behavior.

After all, I was the one who used to say he could only be mine and not get too close to Li Xiangyun.

And I was the one who would use money to keep him by my side when things got rough.

He pursed his lips, seemingly sensing something was off about me, and patiently explained, "No, I just... didn't want you to misunderstand, so I came to tell you. Actually, Li Xiangyun and I are just work colleagues. I agreed to her request because I felt awkward refusing... "

"Oh, right! The factory is allocating housing, and I'm planning to choose the one in the west of the city, just to be closer to you. We can go to and from work together. How about it?"

Hearing this, my eyelids twitched. When I looked up, I was met with Lin Wentao's smiling face.

In the past, I would have been grateful for this gesture, thinking he had some genuine feelings for me.

But having gone through it once, I now understood it was all just a tactic.

Every time I was about to lose hope, he would give me some semblance of hope, making me think I was about to win his heart.

So, willingly, I followed him, giving him everything.

But in the end, it was like drawing water with a sieve.

I shook my head, put the enamel mug on the table, and prepared to see him out.

"No need. I'm on a tight schedule and don't have time to wait for anyone."

"It's late. You should go back. We don't want to give people the wrong impression."

Lin Wentao's face changed instantly.

He thought I was still mad at him, and his eyes widened in anger.

"Chen Linshuang! Are you still mad about Li Xiangyun asking me to the park?"

"I already said I only agreed because I felt awkward refusing. Why are you being so nitpicky?"

"Is that so?" I interrupted him. "Then was giving Li Xiangyun a scarf last winter also because you felt awkward? And bringing her mung bean soup every day last month, was that awkward too? How can someone be so persistently awkward?"

His face turned pale, and his lips trembled as if he was shivering.

"You... you've been following me?!"

I sneered. "The textile factory isn't that big. Do I need to follow you? And what's our relationship that would make it worth my effort?"

"Then why do you care about my business?"

He suddenly raised his voice, his finger almost poking my nose.

I slowly leaned closer, looking at him with cold eyes.

"That's a question I should be asking you. Since we have no relationship, why did you come to explain in the middle of the night?"

Lin Wentao's chest heaved violently, and if you looked closely, his eyes were rimmed with red, as if I had angered him to tears.

In the past life, this would have made me feel sorry for him for months. Now, it just seemed laughable.

In the end, his face flushed red with anger, and he left with a huff, slamming the door so hard it echoed.

I stood by the window, waiting for the sound of his footsteps to completely disappear, then pulled out the neatly pressed housing application form from the bottom of the drawer.

In the section for preferred address, I firmly wrote "East of the city."

In the past life, he did choose the house in the west, claiming it was to be closer to me, but in reality, it was just to make it easier to use me.

I acted like a servant in his house, preparing three meals a day for him, while he took the child to meet Li Xiangyun.

So this time, I must stay far away from him!