The Only One With a Mouth in the CEO Novel - Chapter 71: Can a Breakup Have a Deadline

Chapter 71: Can a Breakup Have a Deadline

The heavy rain lasted all night.

By the time Ye Jin left for work the next day, the floodwater had already reached knee-deep levels.

Fortunately, her car had high ground clearance. She managed to drive onto the road safely despite the scare and, after being stuck in traffic for over half an hour, finally arrived at the company.

The rain outside continued to pour heavily.

However, the staff in the President’s Office had all arrived early.

Although the weather forecast had issued a storm warning in advance, the actual rainfall exceeded expectations. Despite Vastness having taken preventive measures for the factory buildings in advance, they still couldn’t withstand the downpour.

Machines were damaged, and warehouses were flooded.

The property losses were countless.

Thus, Ye Jin and Gu Chenxi spent the entire day in meetings.

Ye Jin was somewhat worried about Guan Yan, so she made a phone call during a break.

Fortunately, the rain wasn’t as heavy in the neighboring city, and their location was safe.

Gu Hui had also joined them the previous night.

There was no need to worry for now.

By the time they finished work, it was already very late.

As colleagues gradually left the conference room, Ye Jin finally relaxed a little. She rubbed her throbbing temples, feeling completely drained by work and too exhausted to say another word.

President Gu, let’s discuss our matter another day.

Gu Chenxi, who was helping her gather documents, hummed in agreement.

When Ye Jin opened her eyes, she saw this scene.

Suddenly alert, she immediately took the items from him. Thank you, President Gu. I can handle this myself.

Gu Chenxi was unusually accommodating today, letting her take the items and walking out of the conference room with her.

Shall I take you home? Gu Chenxi asked.

Ye Jin replied, It should be me taking you home, President Gu.

She explained, Li Ge mentioned that the road to your place is deeply flooded and asked me to drive you.

Ye Jin and Li Yong were on good terms now, so she felt obliged to help.

However, Gu Chenxi interpreted it differently and nodded in agreement.

The two went downstairs together.

Parking in the underground garage during a storm was risky, so Ye Jin had parked in an outdoor spot.

Ye Jin held the umbrella.

Gu Chenxi reached out for her keys. I’ll drive.

Ye Jin said, Alright.

She handed him the keys.

Gu Chenxi casually pocketed them and smoothly took the umbrella from her, holding it over both of them.

How did it feel so natural?

They really weren’t dating!

With no time to explain in just a few words, Ye Jin could only silently resign herself to the awkwardness and follow Gu Chenxi into the rain.

The umbrella was large, but the rain outside was heavier.

They had to stay close together.

Gu Chenxi seemed perfectly fine with it.

But Ye Jin suddenly felt that this matter shouldn’t be postponed until tomorrow—it was better to clarify things as soon as possible.

Dating your boss was truly stressful.

It wasn’t that Gu Chenxi had done anything wrong, but the discomfort of their mismatched roles was overwhelming.

After all, she was the assistant.

She should be the one working tirelessly and attending to every detail.

The boss could be kind to her, but he shouldn’t be considerate.

Feeling inwardly exasperated, Ye Jin was ushered into the passenger seat by her boss, who had inexplicably turned Love-struck, without getting a drop of rain on her.

Gu Chenxi closed the door for her.

Raindrops hit his black suit, silently absorbed without leaving a trace.

But his clothes were likely quite damp.

Gu Chenxi paid no mind to this. After getting in the car, he casually pressed the ignition button and started the engine.

Tired? He noticed Ye Jin didn’t seem quite herself.

I’m alright.

How could she admit exhaustion in front of her boss?

Even so, Ye Jin hugged the seatbelt and closed her eyes, avoiding any further conversation with him.

Gu Chenxi turned on the car’s heater, and before she knew it, Ye Jin had fallen asleep.

When she opened her eyes again and saw the road sign ahead, she let out a puzzled Huh?

President Gu, this isn’t the way to your home, Ye Jin reminded him.

Of course, Gu Chenxi knew. Gripping the steering wheel, he replied, It’s the way to your home.

In his lovestruck state, Gu Chenxi’s words flowed unusually smoothly.

His train of thought was just as fluid.

Taking his girlfriend home was only natural.

He had taken her car, so it was only fitting that he pick her up for work tomorrow morning.

Ye Jin: …

She had to make things clear.

The white Range Rover turned into the residential complex. Ye Jin sat up a little straighter and silently pointed the way to her building, signaling Gu Chenxi to drive to the entrance.

This is it, Ye Jin said. You can stop here.

Gu Chenxi parked the car, pulled the handbrake, and then casually took hold of Ye Jin’s left hand.

See you tomorrow.

He squeezed it reluctantly.

Ye Jin: …

She awkwardly freed her hand.

Steeling herself, Ye Jin took a deep breath and spoke in one go, President Gu, I think you might have misunderstood. I don’t like you. I was just joking around before, but I never expected that you and Yan Rong were the same person. I never had any intention of dating you.

After saying all that in one breath, she took another deep breath and continued quickly, Let’s just let this matter pass. You don’t bring it up, I won’t mention it, and we’ll act like it never happened. Let’s end it here, alright?

She had already unbuckled her seatbelt in advance.

Having said everything in one breath, Ye Jin didn’t dare to look at Gu Chenxi’s expression. She pushed the car door open and fled without even grabbing an umbrella.

But she had only taken a couple of steps when the driver’s side door opened as well.

Gu Chenxi got out of the car and walked toward her.

His gaze was heavy.

Ye Jin’s heart sank.

She didn’t want to stage some melodramatic scene in the pouring rain, so she had no choice but to pull Gu Chenxi into the building lobby to take shelter.

President Gu? Ye Jin wiped the water droplets from her forehead. What’s wrong?

Gu Chenxi lowered his eyelashes, making it impossible for Ye Jin to read the true emotions in his eyes.

He looked deeply hurt as he said to her, I don’t agree.

Ye Jin was puzzled. Don’t agree to what?

Breaking up.

Gu Chenxi struggled to utter those two words.

He didn’t agree to break up.

Bound by his nature, it was already incredibly difficult for him to say those words.

But—

We were never together in the first place!

How could they break up if they were never dating?

Ye Jin pressed on, explaining to him earnestly, I’m just someone who loves gossip and stirring up trouble. When I said I liked Yan Rong in front of you… I was just joking. You really don’t need to take it seriously.

Ye Jin defended herself, I never wanted to date you, and I don’t like you at all.

I think I’ve made myself clear enough, haven’t I?

She looked at Gu Chenxi.

Compared to Gu Chenxi’s inability to speak his mind, her words were clear and straightforward, leaving no room for ambiguity or reconciliation.

She mercilessly shattered all of Gu Chenxi’s illusions.

What about this then?

Gu Chenxi cupped her face in his hands, his voice relatively steady though tinged with disappointment, Is this fake too?

They had clearly kissed before.

And that night she had even happily touched his cheek.

Ye Jin had a headache: This is really hard to explain.

She had lost her mind back then too.

Just as Ye Jin was racking her brains trying to figure out how to justify herself, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the apartment building.

Their current situation wasn’t very proper.

Especially since Gu Chenxi was emotionally unstable now, stubbornly holding her face without letting go.

After some thought, Ye Jin simply pulled Gu Chenxi into the nearby fire escape.

It was pitch black inside.

No sooner had they entered the fire escape than someone arrived in the apartment building.

From the sounds, they hadn’t been discovered.

So Ye Jin continued their previous conversation, whispering painfully to him: I don’t know how things developed to this point either. Can I apologize to you? I admit I was wrong. Master Gu, you’re magnanimous, why don’t we just forget about this

As she was speaking.

Her lips were kissed.

The passage didn’t even have windows, so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Thus Ye Jin didn’t realize how close they had already become.

Uh.

Ye Jin stumbled over her words, pulling her head back.

But she forgot Gu Chenxi was still holding her face.

So she was kissed again.

Gu Chenxi murmured lowly: Stop talking, I don’t want to hear it.

Ye Jin continued to emphasize: I don’t like you.

Before she could finish her sentence, her mouth was blocked.

Not allowed.

His voice carried fragmented breaths.

Ye Jin: I’ll say it anyway.

Her stubborn streak emerged again as she rapidly emphasized: I don’t like you I don’t like you I don’t like you.

For the first time, Gu Chenxi found his girlfriend’s mouth so irritating, his heart shattering into pieces.

While speaking, Ye Jin’s hands weren’t idle either, working hard to free herself from his grasp.

By accident, she touched Gu Chenxi’s cheek – it was wet.

Ye Jin paused: Are you crying?

Gu Chenxi remained silent, but moved his hands to her lower back, pressing her completely into his embrace.

Simultaneously burying his head in the crook of her neck.

What kind of strange position was this?

Ye Jin warned discontentedly: Don’t go too far.

Breaking up tomorrow.

His voice came through their closely pressed bodies, muffled.

Ye Jin:

Could this have a deadline too?

Still, it was good that he was willing to accept reality.

She shouldn’t be too hard on Gu Chenxi either – this was indeed difficult to accept.

Finally having gotten through to him, Ye Jin felt relieved.

Noticing how truly heartbroken Gu Chenxi was, Ye Jin even kindly comforted him in low tones for a while.

Gu Chenxi seemed responsive to this approach, gradually calming down.

Ye Jin took the opportunity to remove his hands from her lower back.

Gu Chenxi didn’t resist, accepting it silently.

The fire escape door wasn’t completely closed, allowing a sliver of faint light to illuminate the Buddhist prayer beads on the floor.

Ye Jin picked them up, then personally wrapped them around Gu Chenxi’s hand, coaxing: Master Gu, keep your heart calm like still water. Stay composed, continue your vow of silence, and don’t say those kinds of things to me anymore.

And don’t kiss her anymore either.

Her heart couldn’t take it.

The sandalwood prayer beads felt cool in Gu Chenxi’s grasp. He clenched them tighter, his fingers turning pale from the pressure though he seemed unaware.

His lowered gaze was icy, yet his voice remained subdued and restrained: Mm.

So obedient.

Ye Jin spoke as if coaxing a child.

That settled the matter.

It had gone surprisingly smoothly.

After exchanging a few more concerned words, Ye Jin confirmed Gu Chenxi had truly accepted the situation. Pleased, she bid him farewell, even waving goodbye.

Gu Chenxi watched quietly as she departed. The elevator doors slid shut, and the prayer beads slipped slowly through his fingers.

A long moment passed.

He let out a soft laugh, casually brushing away the last stray tear.

His girlfriend was still too naive.

Prayer beads could never bind a heart.

Desire could only be satiated.

How could he possibly give up so easily?