Chapter 41: Going Home
It had been a long time since You Ruxu had a cold. She was usually healthy, with a regular exercise routine at the TV station, her physique better than most. But when illness struck, it hit hard. Despite taking medicine, she still felt weak and listless. Zhou Tianzui, after kissing her for a while, seeing that she was on the verge of falling asleep, said, “Go to sleep, I’ll wake you at 1:30.”
She lay down beside her. You Ruxu, smelling the familiar scent, felt completely at ease. Her previous restlessness vanished, replaced by a wave of drowsiness. She hugged Zhou Tianzui and fell into a deep sleep.
Zhou Tianzui looked down at You Ruxu’s sleeping face, remembering the doctor sitting next to her saying, “You Ruxu, she’s transferring back to Yuhai.”
She took You Ruxu’s hand, gently pinching her fingers, then tracing the lines on her palm with her fingertip.
You Ruxu’s palm tickled. She looked up at the woman in front of her, “Mom, what are you doing?”
“Reading our A Ran’s fortune.” The woman’s smile was gentle. “A Ran, look, this is your career line, it’s very long, which means you’ll achieve great things in the future.”
She didn’t understand: “What are great things?”
“It means you’ll become a very, very successful person.” The woman smiled, “You’ll earn lots and lots of money.”
“Then can A Ran live with Mommy forever?” She was young, didn’t quite understand what “earning money” meant, only knowing it was a good thing. “Can we not live with Daddy?”
“Doesn’t A Ran like Daddy?” The woman asked. She shook her head, “No, I don’t like him, not at all. He hits A Ran, he also hits Mommy, A Ran hurts, Mommy also hurts.”
“Mommy’s not hurt.” The woman held her close, “Mommy’s not hurt at all. Mommy won’t let him hit A Ran again.”
She buried her face in the woman’s embrace, “Really?”
The woman nodded, “Really.”
True to her word, from that day on, she never saw that man again, because her mother took her away. They moved from place to place, finally settling down in Jindu. She was terrified of men, all men, disgusted and repulsed by them. In her young mind, all men were devils.
This devil lurked in the depths of her heart, waiting for an opportunity to consume her, to turn her into a devil as well.
You Ruxu woke up with a start. It was 1:20. The alarm hadn’t gone off yet. Her forehead was covered in sweat, either from the dream or from her cold. Zhou Tianzui was lying beside her, eyes closed, seemingly resting. You Ruxu moved her hand and realized it was being held by Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui’s palm was warm, unlike her usual cool demeanor, a comforting warmth she was drawn to.
She carefully withdrew her hand, looking at Zhou Tianzui’s features, her lips. Sometimes, she really wished she could just silence her.
You Ruxu’s finger traced Zhou Tianzui’s lips, their color a soft red. She knew Zhou Tianzui was a light sleeper and would probably wake up soon, so she moved her hand, placing it on Zhou Tianzui’s waist, and snuggled closer, burying her face in Zhou Tianzui’s embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of disinfectant.
Zhou Tianzui’s neck tickled from You Ruxu’s hair. Half-asleep, she brushed it away, her eyes opening only when her fingers tangled in the soft strands. You Ruxu’s hair was tickling her chin, no wonder.
She called out, “A Ran?”
You Ruxu didn’t reply, just nestled against her, like when she was young, burying her face in her mother’s embrace, only to be pulled away, her mother saying, “A Ran is being naughty, ignoring Mommy even when I call her.”
Zhou Tianzui wouldn’t say such things, You Ruxu knew. She just suddenly didn’t want to move, didn’t want to break the spell with a single sound.
She closed her eyes, tears welling up. The alarm rang. Zhou Tianzui turned off the insistent ringing and looked down: “A Ran?”
You Ruxu replied, “Mm.”
Her voice wasn’t as clear as usual.
You Ruxu sat up, the redness in her eyes too obvious. Zhou Tianzui asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I had a dream.” You Ruxu got out of bed, her tone casual, “I dreamt about my mom.”
Zhou Tianzui’s grip on the blanket tightened. She looked at You Ruxu, who went into the bathroom. The room felt empty, only Zhou Tianzui remained, and the sound of her suddenly rapid heartbeat, then gradually calming down.
She got out of bed and followed You Ruxu into the bathroom. You Ruxu was washing her face. She stood beside her and started brushing her teeth. You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui through the mirror. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Is your cold better?”
You Ruxu nodded: “It’s gone.” She turned to Zhou Tianzui, “Zhou Tianzui.”
As if knowing what she was about to say, Zhou Tianzui said, “Brush your teeth.”
You Ruxu lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.
You Ruxu felt much better in the afternoon. Han Shuang arrived with the cameraman, yawning, and asked, “Ruxu, why do you look so radiant? Did you go to a spa?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
“Yes, you did.” Han Shuang said, “If you weren’t single, I would definitely think you’re glowing from love, look at how energetic you are!”
You Ruxu pursed her lips and smiled at her.
Han Shuang said, “Hey, Ruxu, there’s a party tonight, want to go? Lots of handsome guys!”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll pass.” Before Han Shuang could ask why, she added, “I have someone I like.”
“Oh really!” Han Shuang asked, “Who is it, who is it?”
She added, “Wedding bells soon, I presume?”
In her opinion, there was no one You Ruxu couldn’t win over. You Ruxu, however, didn’t elaborate, just smiled again.
Han Shuang didn’t pry further. Firstly, they hadn’t been in contact for a long time. Secondly, it was You Ruxu’s personal life. Given You Ruxu’s personality, it was a big deal for her to even reveal she liked someone, showing she considered Han Shuang a friend. Asking more would be overstepping. So, she suppressed her curiosity and asked, “Are you still going back to Jindu?”
You Ruxu thought for a moment, then nodded.
The afternoon session was longer than the morning’s. Han Shuang and several other reporters were dozing off. People occasionally walked past You Ruxu, asking, “Is it over yet?”
You Ruxu was also sleepy. She glanced at the time, it was 5:30 pm. They had only had a ten-minute break all afternoon. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, whose expression was calm and natural, no signs of fatigue after sitting for so long. She composed herself, stepped out to call Shi Qi and give her a report, and by the time she returned, the session was over. Zhou Tianzui was now sitting by her equipment, instead of Han Shuang, occasionally being greeted by people and invited to dinner. Zhou Tianzui would say, “You go ahead, I’m waiting for someone.”
You Ruxu walked over and asked, “Where’s Han Shuang?”
“Her boss called her over.” Zhou Tianzui said, “She asked me to let you know.”
You Ruxu nodded, took the equipment that Zhou Tianzui had organized, and put on the backpack. Zhou Tianzui took the other backpack and asked, “What are we doing for dinner?”
“I…” You Ruxu started to speak, but her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID, it was her mother. She glanced at Zhou Tianzui and answered the call: “Mom.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Ruxu, are you done? What time are you coming home for dinner?”
You Ruxu said, “Just finished, I’ll be back soon.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Good, I bought several of your favorite dishes today, I’ll cook them for you tonight.”
You Ruxu agreed. Wu Xiulian added, “By the way, it’s going to rain tonight, you didn’t take an umbrella this morning, be careful, don’t get wet.”
You Ruxu said, “Okay.”
Then she hung up.
You Ruxu said, “It was my mom.”
Zhou Tianzui lowered her head, “Let’s go.”
Her tone was indifferent, neither happy nor unhappy. You Ruxu looked at her. It was indeed drizzling outside. Zhou Tianzui’s hotel was nearby, so they didn’t bother with umbrellas, just walked under the awnings of the shops along the street. The drizzle created a misty atmosphere. The shops were lit with warm, orange lights, glowing through the rain. You Ruxu felt as if they were on a date.
They rarely strolled like this in Jindu. Zhou Tianzui was busy at the hospital, and when she had free time, You Ruxu would be busy, their schedules never aligning. Also, their mindset back then was different from now.
You Ruxu lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on Zhou Tianzui’s hand at her side. Her hand was fair, slender, with long, elegant fingers, a beautiful hand, perfect for holding.
The rain hastened the arrival of winter, the sky darkening early. You Ruxu walked beside Zhou Tianzui, her fingers curling and then slowly unfurling.
She wanted to take advantage of the atmosphere and hold Zhou Tianzui’s hand.
Her fingers cautiously reached out, but before they touched Zhou Tianzui, she heard her say, “Come closer.”
You Ruxu withdrew her hand and turned, “Hmm?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “You’re getting wet.”
You Ruxu looked at her shoulder; it was indeed slightly damp. She moved closer to Zhou Tianzui. Her previously racing heartbeat calmed down slightly, a secret signal, a sweet and inexplicable feeling.
They soon reached the hotel.
You Ruxu’s car was parked on the second basement level. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Going back for dinner?”
The sweetness turned slightly bitter. You Ruxu nodded, “My mom asked me to go home for dinner.”
Zhou Tianzui didn’t speak. A couple was waiting for the elevator beside them, whispering sweet nothings, calling each other “baby” and “honey.” They entered the elevator, arms around each other. You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui followed, standing behind them.
“Didn’t you say you were working overtime tonight?” The woman asked. The man said, “Not anymore, you’re more important.”
The woman beamed.
They got off on the eighth floor. When the elevator doors closed again, only You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui remained. The atmosphere became strangely charged. You Ruxu pursed her lips, watching the floor numbers light up as the elevator ascended. Reaching the thirteenth floor, a strange feeling arose in her heart.
Like anticipation.
Anticipating that Zhou Tianzui would say something.
But Zhou Tianzui remained silent, just reaching out and saying, “Give me your bag.”
You Ruxu’s chest felt tight. She handed the equipment bag to Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui said, “Then you go back early.”
You Ruxu said, “I know.”
She glanced at Zhou Tianzui and turned to walk back to the elevators. Another elevator arrived, carrying several people. She stepped inside and pressed the button for the second basement level.
One floor, two floors…You Ruxu suddenly pressed another button. When they reached the tenth floor, she got out, saw another elevator still on the first floor, and without hesitation, entered the stairwell beside the elevators.
Zhou Tianzui, watching You Ruxu enter the elevator, stood by the door for two minutes. Just as she turned to open her door, she heard someone call, “Zhou Tianzui.”
You Ruxu’s voice was slightly breathless, her face flushed from climbing the stairs, her eyes bright. She walked quickly towards Zhou Tianzui and said, slightly out of breath, “Zhou Tianzui, let’s go home for dinner together.”
Zhou Tianzui: Teacher You, don’t do this.
You Ruxu: Do what?
Zhou Tianzui: This makes my heart race.
You Ruxu: …
A small theater featuring Dr. Zhou speaking human language.
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