Zhou Jinbei was suddenly pulled from her voyeuristic state back to reality.
After careful consideration, it was indeed difficult to say.
She and Ah Zhong didn't have any complicated relationship yet. Back when she secretly liked him, she was still awkward and afraid Zhan Bei Jue would know and feel embarrassed.
Putting herself in Chen Jiaojiao's shoes, she could understand her.
"When you decided to be with him back then, why didn't you think this much? Now you've developed feelings for him."
Chen Jiaojiao said she had no idea he was siblings with Xiang Wan back then. If she had known, she wouldn't have gotten involved with him even if she was beaten to death.
Then she recounted how Lu Mingzhe found out about their relationship.
Lu Mingzhe already knew? Chen Jiaojiao felt embarrassed just thinking about it.
Zhou Jinbei fell silent for a moment, appearing very composed.
"Breaking up was the right decision, I support you."
"You're Lu Mingzhe's ex-wife, and he's Lu Mingzhe's younger brother-in-law. If you two really got together, your ex-wife would have to call Lu Mingzhe brother-in-law in the future. What kind of mess is that? It's good that you broke up."
"And there's nothing to be sad about. There are so many men in the world; it's not like this one is the last. If it doesn't work out, we can find someone else. I can introduce you too."
Forget it. Chen Jiaojiao appreciated the kind intention, but she was in no mood to start a new relationship right now.
After seeing her off, Chen Jiaojiao listlessly went to work, but Zhou Jinbei refused to leave.
"You already asked for leave from my second brother. How can you leave now? You're in a bad mood, let me keep you company."
"If you want to stay home, stay home. If not, let's go out and have fun. I'm your best friend; I can't abandon you at a crucial moment!"
Chen Jiaojiao was very touched and burrowed into her arms, nuzzling her.
"Alright, I'll order some takeout and get some food. You stay and keep me company with a drink."
"I'm becoming more and more pathetic. I'm really sad about this breakup."
Speaking of drinking, Zhou Jinbei repeatedly waved her hands.
"No. I can do anything else with you, but I can't drink. You know I've been trying to get pregnant lately."
Mentioning pregnancy, Chen Jiaojiao thought for a moment.
Her period and Zhou Jinbei's used to be around the same time. Hers had arrived, but Zhou Jinbei's hadn't. What was going on?
"Has your period arrived this month? Could there be something going on?"
Zhou Jinbei clearly had the same suspicion but didn't dare to think about it.
"It's only been less than a week past due. It's unlikely, right? Don't guess wildly; it would be embarrassing if it turns out to be wishful thinking."
Recalling last night's events, Chen Jiaojiao secretly worried for herself. She didn't plan on having a child, so she needed to buy medication quickly.
"Since we're both idle at home, why don't we go to the pharmacy and get a test strip? Whether it's positive or negative, I won't laugh at you."
The two agreed and ambled downstairs, then drove to a nearby pharmacy.
Chen Jiaojiao very enthusiastically told Zhou Jinbei to wait while she went to buy them.
In the past, Chen Jiaojiao wouldn't have been so considerate. She would have rushed out without a second word, perhaps even teasing her a bit.
She's in a bad mood today, yet she's acting so solicitous?
Zhou Jinbei, being sharp-witted, immediately sensed something was amiss but didn't call her out on it.
"Then thank you, hurry back."
Chen Jiaojiao bought two test strips for her and a box of medicine for herself.
However, there was no water at the pharmacy, so she couldn't take it immediately. She hid it in another bag and kept it behind her back as she got into the car.
While handing things to Zhou Jinbei, she discreetly tucked her bag into the gap between the seats.
Zhou Jinbei was deliberately observing and saw her small actions clearly.
This further solidified her suspicion that Chen Jiaojiao was hiding something from her.
The two returned home. Zhou Jinbei casually looked at the test strips and asked her.
"Did you guys use protection? Don't be like me; breaking up only to find out you're pregnant."
Chen Jiaojiao said it was impossible. Her period had arrived just two days ago.
"I'm talking about from today onwards, no, to be precise, from yesterday. You know, young people like to keep things ambiguous. After breaking up, they sometimes arrange to meet, and you know, that kind of thing. Don't do anything so foolish."
Chen Jiaojiao's face flushed slightly, and she lied.
"No, I won't do anything foolish."
"That's good. You've seen me make a mistake once. Don't get yourself trapped again."
The car quickly arrived at the doorstep. Zhou Jinbei waited for her to get out together, but Chen Jiaojiao pretended to look for something in the car and gave her the house key.
"You go down first, I'm looking for something."
"Looking for what? I'll help you look."
"No need. I'll be right back once I find it."
"Why are you being so formal with me? Let's look together. Tell me, what are you looking for?"
Chen Jiaojiao was exasperated by Zhou Jinbei.
Sometimes, too much enthusiasm meant a lack of awareness. She was deliberately trying to make her awkward!
"Forget it, I'm not looking anymore. Let's go inside."
"What is there that you can't look for in front of me? You've already let me see you; what's so special about an item that you're afraid I'll see?"
The more Chen Jiaojiao tried to hide it, the more Zhou Jinbei deliberately teased her.
"Just tell me, what is it? I'll help you look."
"I already said it's nothing, let's go, I'm not looking anymore."
"Don't. I saw you tuck something into the seat gap when you got in the car. Are you looking for that?"
As she spoke, Zhou Jinbei walked past Chen Jiaojiao and reached for the bag.
Chen Jiaojiao was startled and quickly reached out to cover it. Now, it was completely impossible to hide.
Zhou Jinbei looked at her with an expression that said, "I've seen through you, haven't I?" Chen Jiaojiao could only confess.
"Fine, fine, I'll show you. I do have something to hide from you."
"I met him last night, and we... did it again."
"And you didn't use protection?"
Zhou Jinbei's burning curiosity was piqued again.
"Jiaojiao, you've really sparked my curiosity. What's Xiang Yang's background? Is he as charming as his sister?"
"One captivated Lu Mingzhe to the point of infatuation, and the other made you lose your principles. Even after breaking up, you still..."
"No, I have to meet him, or I'll die of curiosity."
It wasn't that Chen Jiaojiao was unwilling to show him, but she genuinely didn't have any photos of Xiang Yang.
After breaking up, she had deleted all of Xiang Yang's contact information and photos. Who would have thought that something like yesterday would happen?
"You were threatened by him? He refused to break up with you? Does he know about your relationship with Lu Mingzhe?"
Chen Jiaojiao shook her head. "How could I face him if I told him?"
"I originally thought that once we broke up, it would be over. It would be best if he never knew, but who knew it would be so endless? Now I'm even considering telling him the truth, just worried it might shock him."
Zhou Jinbei helped analyze the situation.
"I suggest you tell him the truth. If he's scared off immediately after finding out, it means this man is unreliable and not worth your sadness. Then, it'll be over for good."
"If he finds out the truth and doesn't care, and still wants to be with you, then at least our sadness wasn't in vain, right?"