Her body immediately warmed up, and so did her heart.

She felt she could calm down and properly listen to Zhou Jiayu’s explanation.

But there wasn’t time now; she heard Xiong Hao calling her to follow.

“After this shoot, I’ll come find you,” Shen Zhirou said, giving him a quick glance before taking the swimming rings he was holding and hurrying to join the team.

Zhou Jiayu followed behind, and as they passed through the lobby, they ran into Lu Fanghuai and Fang Wenting, who had come back from a stroll and stopped him. “Lao Zhou, did you find her?”

Shen Zhirou heard the commotion and looked back.

She recognized Lu Fanghuai and remembered Fang Wenting.

Lu Fanghuai had his arm around Fang Wenting’s shoulder. If they were a couple, then what about the woman Zhou Jiayu was with at the cinema and the one he helped carry a bag for at Yuehu Park?

What kind of relationship would make him help her so easily?

Shen Zhirou couldn’t help but speculate wildly.

When the shoot finally ended, she wanted to change clothes and find Zhou Jiayu, but Xiong Hao stopped her.

“Join us for lunch. The company has reserved a private room.”

“Can’t I skip it?”

“The person who pays you will be there. After lunch, I’ll take you to get your money. I’ll wait for you over there.” Xiong Hao didn’t give her a chance to refuse and walked away.

When Shen Zhirou remembered her phone was with him, he was already out of sight.

She had no choice but to change clothes and find Xiong Hao, postponing her meeting with Zhou Jiayu.

As she walked towards the restaurant with Xiao Mei, the model she had shot with in the pool, she searched the surrounding crowd for Zhou Jiayu but didn’t see him.

By the time she reached the restaurant, most people were already there.

Xiao Mei pulled her to a seat.

Just as Shen Zhirou was about to look for Xiong Hao, he sat down beside her, leaning towards her and pulling her phone from his pocket. “Here’s your phone.”

“Thank you.” Shen Zhirou took her phone and immediately checked WeChat, wanting to see if Zhou Jiayu had sent her a friend request, but Xiong Hao snatched the phone back.

“Focus on eating. It’s already 2 PM. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s eat first.” Xiao Mei poured her some red wine and asked curiously, “By the way, the handsome guy watching us shoot, is he your boyfriend? Why didn’t you invite him to lunch? I didn’t see him on our bus this morning. Did he come here just to watch you work?”

Before Shen Zhirou could reply, Xiong Hao answered for her, “He’s her ex-boyfriend, just came to reconcile.”

“An ex-boyfriend coming to reconcile? Do you want to get back together?” Xiao Mei asked, full of gossip.

“Breaking up and then getting back together, little mouse, don’t let your brain get soaked,” Xiong Hao said, taking the wine glass in front of her and replacing it with an empty one. “She doesn’t drink.”

He poured her some orange juice, but Shen Zhirou quickly took over, pouring it herself.

Xiong Hao’s sudden concern startled her.

She thought Xiong Hao might just be looking out for her as a part-timer since she knew him best in this private room.

However, his actions could also be seen as protecting her from drinking, which could be interpreted as a bit ambiguous.

Indeed, Shen Zhirou noticed Xiao Mei’s gaze shifting between her and Xiong Hao.

She felt a bit awkward.

Xiong Hao seemed oblivious, occasionally helping her with food during the meal, asking her what dishes she wanted, making Shen Zhirou feel increasingly uncomfortable, and signaling that she could manage herself.

When they had almost finished eating, Xiao Mei asked, “What are you planning to do this afternoon? We’re going to the nearby mall. Want to join us?”

“Take a nap, I need to nap, or I won’t have any energy.” Shen Zhirou replied, glancing at Xiong Hao, who was on his phone. “Um…”

“I’ll transfer it to you.” Xiong Hao didn’t wait for her to finish, understanding her meaning, and sent her the part-time fee via WeChat. “Finished eating?”

Shen Zhirou nodded, checked her friend requests, and felt a bit disappointed that Zhou Jiayu hadn’t re-added her.

“If you’re done eating, let’s go. I need a nap too.” Xiong Hao stood up.

Shen Zhirou didn’t think much, said goodbye to Xiao Mei, and followed him out.

Nothing seemed amiss while waiting for the elevator.

But once inside the elevator, alone with Xiong Hao, he suddenly moved closer and pressed the button for the first floor.

“Are you planning to reconcile with your ex-boyfriend?”

“I’ll listen to what he has to say first.” Shen Zhirou’s answer was ambiguous.

“If you broke up, it means he’s not suitable for you.” Xiong Hao blocked her hand from pressing her floor button and held her hand.

Shen Zhirou was startled and tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

“Little mouse, how about giving me a chance? We’ve known each other for quite a while now.”

He leaned closer, “Zhi Zhi, I’m serious.”

At that critical moment, the elevator doors opened.

Shen Zhirou wanted to run out but saw Lu Fanghuai, Fang Wenting, and Zhou Jiayu standing outside.