Chapter 13: Help Me
You Ruxu had been running around all day, her calves aching, but her outward appearance was still impeccable. Close to her neck, one could smell the sandalwood scent of her perfume, light and airy, perfectly blending with her temperament. Zhou Tianzui’s nose brushed against her collarbone. You Ruxu tilted her head back slightly, biting her lip and asking, “Are you angry?”
She was exhausted, but leaning against Zhou Tianzui, smelling the familiar scent of disinfectant, strangely, her fatigue dissipated. She wanted to just stay like this, leaning on her.
Even half-draped over her.
Zhou Tianzui lowered her head, her hands supporting You Ruxu’s waist, lifting her slightly and placing her against the shoe cabinet. Hearing You Ruxu’s question, she said, “Angry?” Her tone was still cool, the Zhou Tianzui she was familiar with. “Why would I be angry?”
She looked up, her eyes deep and bright in the darkness, partially hidden by her hair. You Ruxu reached out and brushed the strands of hair from her forehead behind her ear. Their eyes met. Zhou Tianzui’s expression paused for a few seconds before she regained her composure: “Teacher You is helping our hospital with publicity for free, I’m too happy to be angry. Why would I be angry?”
You Ruxu shivered in Zhou Tianzui’s arms, her hands tightening around her.
She was different from usual.
Zhou Tianzui looked down at You Ruxu in her arms. Usually, You Ruxu was very compliant with her, never objecting to anything she did, but also not actively agreeing. At home, she was like a delicate, beautiful doll, letting her do whatever she wanted.
It was rare for her to be so dependent.
Zhou Tianzui released her hands, took two steps back, looked at her, and after a few seconds of silence, turned around. You Ruxu suddenly hugged her from behind.
Her voice was like the most enchanting musical instrument.
“Zhou Tianzui.” Her voice was soft and low, echoing in her ear, weaving a melody.
Late at night, Zhou Tianzui came out of the bedroom. While pouring herself a glass of water, she saw a bag by the shoe cabinet, the one You Ruxu brought back. She walked over and opened it, seeing the familiar crispy pastries.
Zhou Tianzui pursed her lips, glanced at the bedroom, then took the pastries and sat on the living room sofa, turning on the TV to watch the news while eating.
The news was a replay. Several channels were reporting on the Jindu explosion. The online discussion about the incident had reached its peak, all focused on Zhang Xiaojie. Following the midday news report, many people were now stationed at the hospital, waiting for his wife, Zeng Jing.
The police had instructed the hospital not to disclose Zeng Jing’s ward information. When Zeng Jing was admitted with heavy bleeding, it coincided with the emergency rescue, and her information hadn’t been fully entered into the system before she was rushed into surgery. So, when the media inquired, they were told the hospital didn’t know. However, things were worse for Zhang Xiaojie’s parents. It was said they couldn’t even leave their house, as many families of the victims were crowding at their doorstep, demanding an explanation. The elderly couple was hiding inside, and the media was also waiting there.
The news was filled with cries of grief, images of the still-smoldering ruins, billowing black smoke, taking away so many lives. Zhou Tianzui’s phone buzzed with a message. She looked down. It was from He Wei.
[Dr. Zhou, are you asleep?]
Zhou Tianzui pursed her lips, her finger hovering over the screen. She replied: [Is something the matter?]
He Wei’s heart trembled at the reply. Although it was just through the screen, she could sense Zhou Tianzui’s coldness and imposing manner. She wrapped herself in the blanket and typed: [It’s about the emergency rescue.]
Zhou Tianzui replied casually: [Mm.]
He Wei typed: [The hospital wants me to do an interview.]
Actually, it was she who wanted to do the interview. She heard it was Jindu TV who extended the invitation, specifically You Ruxu.
Her little scheme, which had been seen through earlier, was now wavering again after hearing this news. Being interviewed by You Ruxu was something she hadn’t even dared to dream of before, and now such a good opportunity was presented to her, her goddess—
He Wei couldn’t resist the temptation and wanted to test Zhou Tianzui’s attitude first.
Zhou Tianzui didn’t express any particular attitude, simply replying with a cold: [Mm.]
He Wei exhaled, not sure whether she was relieved or more nervous.
Zhou Tianzui ate a few pastries, placed her phone on the coffee table, went to the bathroom to wash up, and finally returned to the bedroom. You Ruxu was sleeping on her side. She had changed into pajamas and taken a shower, lying quietly on the bed, so beautiful she looked unreal, exuding elegance and perfection. Even lying like this, she was captivating.
A dim bedside lamp was on. Zhou Tianzui wasn’t resting. She sat on the edge of the bed, on the side where You Ruxu was lying, so she could see You Ruxu’s profile just by turning her head. It was hidden in the dim light of the bedside lamp, a few strands of hair falling on her cheek. Zhou Tianzui reached out, then drew back her hand. She remembered what the director had said at the hospital.
“Zhou Tianzui, Zhou Tianzui, you’re really playing dumb. Is it important who performed the rescue right now?”
“Dr. Zhou, think it over carefully.”
And Fu Shushu’s look. Zhou Tianzui felt irritated and couldn’t sleep. She got up and went to the study. Before leaving, she turned back and turned off the bedside lamp. The room was pitch black, even quieter now.
You Ruxu slept soundly until her alarm went off. When she woke up, her legs were a little numb. She glanced to the side, Zhou Tianzui wasn’t there. There were sounds coming from outside. You Ruxu put on her slippers and walked out. She saw Zhou Tianzui sitting at the coffee table, typing. Breakfast was already prepared on the dining table. She walked over. Zhou Tianzui didn’t look up: “You’re awake.”
You Ruxu saw several documents placed by the coffee table, the computer screen glowing, and a half-finished cup of coffee. She asked Zhou Tianzui, “You didn’t sleep last night?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I slept a little.”
She had rested on the sofa for a while, dreamt of some random things, then woke up with a start. She hadn’t been able to fall asleep again after that. You Ruxu nodded and turned to go to the bathroom. As she reached the doorway, Zhou Tianzui called out, “A Ran.”
She hadn’t slept much last night and wasn’t in her best state. Her voice was a little low, different from her usual cool tone.
You Ruxu turned around.
Zhou Tianzui said, “You really like being a reporter.”
A look of surprise flashed across You Ruxu’s eyes before she regained her composure: “Yes.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “If one day, the condition for you to continue being a reporter is to do something against your conscience, would you do it, for the sake of being a reporter?”
Her eyes were clear and bright, her pupils deep.
You Ruxu’s body tensed, meeting Zhou Tianzui’s gaze. Her hand slowly curled up, her fingernails digging into her palm, the lines of her arm taut. She said, “I would.”
It was an unexpected, yet expected answer.
Zhou Tianzui smiled, lowering her eyes to conceal the coldness beneath. She said, “Go wash up.”
You Ruxu entered the bathroom, closed the door, and slowly walked to the sink, looking at herself in the mirror, her eyes slightly red. She lowered her head and washed her face.
When she came out, Zhou Tianzui was sitting at the dining table, having already peeled an egg for her. There was a plate in front of You Ruxu with an egg, a pan-fried bun, and a bowl of cooked rice porridge. The rice porridge was sweet, the fragrance filling her senses, the warmth soothing her emotions.
She lowered her head to eat the porridge and saw that Zhou Tianzui had already finished. She said, “I’ll go with you later.”
Zhou Tianzui looked up: “You’re going to the hospital?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, I’m going to interview Zeng Jing.”
Zhou Tianzui ate her egg and nodded. She waited for You Ruxu to finish eating and cleaned up the dishes. You Ruxu went back to her room to change and put on makeup. When she came out, Zhou Tianzui was ready. Even though she had just changed clothes, as You Ruxu walked beside her, she seemed to smell the familiar scent of disinfectant, a familiar scent that made her feel at ease.
You Ruxu was driving. Zhou Tianzui was a little tired, leaning back in the passenger seat to rest. Her eyelashes were long and curled, naturally beautiful. You Ruxu remembered the first time she saw Zhou Tianzui. She had rolled down the car window, and the first thing she saw was a pair of beautiful eyes, clear and bright. Her eyelashes lifted slightly, casting a small shadow beneath. She stared at those eyelashes, lost in thought for a few seconds.
Zhou Tianzui had greeted her with a smile: “Reporter You? From Jindu TV? I’m Zhou Tianzui, the hospital sent me to pick you up.”
She opened the passenger door.
Back then, Zhou Tianzui was slightly different from now.
You Ruxu came back to her senses and drove towards the hospital. They arrived early, but hospitals were always busy, crowded with people at any time, especially after the explosion, with even more patients and their families. You Ruxu parked the car in the staff parking lot. Zhou Tianzui woke up as soon as the car stopped.
She was always a light sleeper. You Ruxu asked, “Want to sleep a little longer?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “No.” She rubbed the corners of her eyes and opened the door to get out. You Ruxu walked over to her and handed her the car keys. They walked towards the elevator. After a few steps, they heard someone call out from behind, “Teacher You!”
The voice was clear, young, and filled with uncontainable excitement. You Ruxu turned around and saw the intern she had met a few times, He Wei. She glanced at Zhou Tianzui and said to He Wei, “Hello.”
“H-hello—” He Wei stammered, her eyes fixed on You Ruxu. This was the first time she was so close to her. You Ruxu smelled nice, an intellectual and elegant fragrance. He Wei said, “Teacher You, I really like your news reports.” She added, “I watch them every day!”
You Ruxu smiled: “Thank you.”
Her smiling eyes were gentle and approachable. He Wei couldn’t help but move closer. Zhou Tianzui called out in her usual cool tone, “Teacher You.”
You Ruxu turned to look at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I just twisted my waist, help me.”
You Ruxu paused for two seconds, walked over to her, and just as she reached out, Zhou Tianzui leaned on her shoulder, one arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her into an embrace.
Zhou Tianzui: Experiencing intermittent lower back pain.
You Ruxu: …
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