Chapter 3 Lu Yan quickly stepped forward, blocking her path.
1343 Words
Jiao Didi bent down to pick up the business card.
"Hua Dong Xing? Hmm, that's the one."
The next morning, the dawn sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a golden hue on the green leaves, while the chirping of birds filled the air.
On the vast ocean-view balcony, the sea breeze swept across her face.
Jiao Didi lazily stretched her body, performing her daily yoga routine on the mat. Starting with the Dolphin Pose, she gradually transitioned into the Pigeon Pose...
After completing the series of poses, she was drenched in sweat.
Glistening beads of sweat slowly trickled down her delicate nose.
Yoga required immense patience and persistence.
After years of practice, Jiao Didi's body had become long and toned. In a cocktail dress, she would effortlessly steal the show—she was the perfect model for any outfit.
Submerging herself in a steaming hot bathtub, rose petals scattered across the surface, adding a romantic touch.
After the rose-scented steam bath, her skin was soft and radiant.
A light layer of foundation, followed by a rich tomato-red lipstick, and a glossy lip gloss on top.
Her lips, like flower petals, shimmered with a delicate translucence.
She chose a floral split skirt and paired it with a low-V white tank top.
Her entire appearance struck a perfect balance between mature sensuality and the innocent charm of a young girl.
It was like a feather brushing against her heart—tickling it ever so gently.
A woman's beauty and elegance are for herself, not to please others.
Jiao Didi stood before the full-length mirror in the changing room, admiring her reflection for a moment.
Forgetting, for the time being, the troubles from the previous night at the bar, she grabbed her small silk Chanel bag, slipped on her white strappy heels, and hummed a tuneless melody as she walked out the door.
"Give me a kiss...look at you..."
…
How does one feel when they unexpectedly bump into their ex?
Can anyone enlighten her?
Yes, Lu Yan was her neighbor.
In the passionate throes of love, couples often wish to be glued together every waking moment.
When they were together, Lu Yan had gone all out and purchased two ocean-view apartments on the same floor.
He had gifted one to her.
Now, the aftermath of their breakup had set in—her ex-boyfriend was her neighbor. She would see him whether she looked up or down.
With the grace of an artist, Lu Yan pressed his finger against the elevator's fingerprint lock. His tailored suit, a work of art in itself, accentuated the sleek lines of his body.
With long strides, he entered the elevator first.
Jiao Didi stood frozen, eyes fixed ahead, thoughts silent.
Lu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Jiao Jiao..."
He called her by the nickname she hadn’t heard in years.
Her family had long stopped calling her by that name after elementary school.
But when they were together, Lu Yan had learned it and would often use it affectionately.
Now, after their breakup, it seemed out of place.
Yet, Lu Yan didn’t see it that way.
He pressed the elevator's pause button, holding it firmly in place.
The silence between them stretched for ten minutes.
Finally, Lu Yan’s persistence prevailed.
Stepping into the elevator, he stood tall beside her.
The confined space felt stifling to Jiao Didi, the air thick with the cold scent of his men’s cologne.
It was the scent of Lu Yan—distinct and familiar.
Neither of them spoke as they stood side by side.
For every second that passed, Jiao Didi felt as if time itself had slowed down. When they finally reached the ground floor, she breathed a sigh of relief, hastily exiting the elevator with a sway of her hips, her heels clicking rhythmically.
The security guards at the door greeted them warmly.
"Good morning, Miss Jiao, Mr. Lu!"
Jiao Didi smiled back, sweetly, with grace.
Lu Yan gave a subtle nod, his face impassive.
With swift fingers, he unlocked the main door.
The security guards exchanged glances, clearly noticing the tension between the two.
"I heard they broke up," one guard whispered, "but they don’t look like it, do they?"
"Careful, don’t gossip about the owners' personal affairs," the other warned.
"Got it!"
The two returned to their posts.
…
"Jiao Jiao, where are you going? Let me drive you!"
Lu Yan stepped forward, blocking her path.
"I don’t need you... let go, it hurts..."
Jiao Didi struggled, but could not free herself from his grasp.
He dragged her towards the parking lot.
In one smooth motion, he opened the car door and pushed her inside.
"Put on your seatbelt..."
Lu Yan drove out of the parking lot, his face cold and expressionless.
"You tyrant..."
Jiao Didi reluctantly fastened her seatbelt.
Although Lu Yan had always been overbearing and authoritative, Jiao Didi couldn’t deny that she had come to enjoy the luxury of a private driver.
The landscape outside the window shifted as they sped along, the luxury cars weaving effortlessly through traffic.
Sitting comfortably in the passenger seat, Jiao Didi decided to make the most of the free ride.
"Take me to Hua Dong Xing!"
"Hua Dong Xing" was the largest pawnshop in B City, known for fair pricing and trustworthiness. The only thing they didn't accept were illicit items. People in urgent need of money often came here, receiving a price they were satisfied with.
Rumors had it that the owner had powerful connections, though his identity remained a mystery.
"Are you short on money? How much do you need? I can transfer it to you," Lu Yan offered generously, his demeanor still aloof.
Jiao Didi grinned slyly, replying, "I’m not selling myself, just my talents..."
Lu Yan removed his sunglasses, casting a dismissive glance at her.
"With your... 'skills'?"
"Forget it..."
Jiao Didi pouted, her irritation bubbling to the surface.
"I want to get out of the car!"
With a sigh, Lu Yan parked the car on a side street next to Hua Dong Xing.
He wrote out a blank check, slipping it into her V-neck before driving off in his luxury car.
Jiao Didi stood in the street, watching him leave, her fists clenched in frustration.
"Lu Yan... you...!"
Furious, she pulled out the blank check, tearing it into pieces with a loud rip.
Still not satisfied, she stomped her heel down on the shredded paper, grinding it into the pavement as though it were his face.
Only then did she feel a sense of relief.
An older woman nearby, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but shake her head with a sigh.
"This beautiful girl... such a pity... she's clearly not all there..."
Jiao Didi ignored the bystander’s pitying gaze, focusing on her mission.
With purposeful steps, she entered the front lobby of Hua Dong Xing.
The staff, surprised by her bold presence, mistook her for someone intending to challenge the establishment.
A young woman at the front desk, likely a recent graduate, stammered in nervousness.
"Excuse... Excuse me, miss... How may I assist you...?"
Taking a deep breath, Jiao Didi forced a smile, adjusting her expression.
"I’m here to pawn something," she said softly.
Feeling a bit nervous for her first time, she added, "I don’t have the items with me, but here’s a picture."
The manager, Mr. Li, soon entered.
"Good morning, Miss Jiao. I’m one of the managers here, Li."
He handed her his business card respectfully.
Jiao Didi was impressed by the professionalism.
After looking at the pictures on her phone, Mr. Li carefully examined the images with a magnifying glass.
"If these pieces are genuine, Miss Jiao, they’re exquisite. These jewels and designer bags are worth no less than fifty million."
"But with the recent downturn in the stock market, fewer clients can afford such luxuries."
Mr. Li explained with some reluctance.
Not one to persist unnecessarily, Jiao Didi graciously said goodbye and walked out of the building, her mood somewhat deflated.
As she left, Mr. Li watched her retreating figure, murmuring to himself.
- Writer
