Chapter 116: Break Up
You Ruxu couldn’t reach Zhou Tianzui. Or rather, Zhou Tianzui was avoiding her, not replying to her messages, not answering her calls. Her intentions were clear. You Ruxu, clinging to a last shred of hope, kept calling and messaging, swallowing her pride, just wanting to hear Zhou Tianzui’s voice, but Zhou Tianzui wasn’t giving her the chance.
It wasn’t that there was no news about Zhou Tianzui.
Her news was everywhere, interviews with various media outlets, she seemed fine, at least on camera, she was fine. The truth about Zhou Qiming’s case was out. After the police released the verification report on the work journal, and the anonymous interview aired, the sympathy and support for Zhou Tianzui and Yu Qiao intensified, there were even suggestions to set up a donation account, which Zhou Tianzui declined.
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui on the screen, her expression calm.
She had been resting at home for almost ten days, her leg almost fully recovered. Wu Xiulian hadn’t returned to Yuhai, staying in Jindu to take care of her. You Ruxu urged her to go back, but Wu Xiulian always said she would wait a little longer.
New Year’s was almost here.
And Wu Xiulian still hadn’t left.
On New Year’s Eve morning, Wu Xiulian said she was going out. She had been cooped up in the apartment taking care of You Ruxu for days, barely leaving except to buy groceries. You Ruxu asked where she was going, and Wu Xiulian replied, “A colleague is here on a business trip, I’m meeting her for lunch.”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll go with you.”
“You stay home and rest, aren’t you having lunch with Yao Zhao?”
You Ruxu said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Okay.”
You Ruxu watched her leave, then opened her phone. Many messages and missed calls, but none from the person she longed for. There was news about Zhou Tianzui, in the news feed, on the other side of the screen, a world away.
You Ruxu saw Chen Xiang’s New Year greetings and replied. Chen Xiang immediately sent back an emoji, “Teacher You, have you gone back to Yuhai?”
You Ruxu replied, “Not yet.”
After that interview, she had told Shi Qi about her resignation. Shi Qi had given her an extended leave, telling her to think it over carefully. You Ruxu had been staying in her apartment, her heart leaping at every noise outside, rushing to the door.
A neighbor.
Or a passerby.
She sat on the sofa and saw Chen Xiang’s message: [My phone’s been ringing non-stop, Teacher You, have they been calling you too?]
It was probably about interviewing the person involved in the Zhou Qiming case.
Chen Xiang had refused them all, figuring You Ruxu was probably facing the same situation.
You Ruxu’s situation was worse, her phone hadn’t stopped ringing since the interview aired, various media outlets, even some from Yuhai, asking for the interviewee’s consent for an anonymous interview.
Besides the media, there were also those trying to dig up information, all sorts of speculations online about the interviewee’s identity, everyone trying to find clues, to expose her. After two days of this frenzy, Zhou Tianzui gave an interview, asking them to leave the person alone, asking how their current actions were any different from the ones that had caused so much harm all those years ago.
Netizens praised her generosity, but some were also critical, accusing her of being self-righteous, of playing the victim, now making them look bad, how ironic, she deserved to be condemned back then.
Malice could arise so suddenly, like a hidden bomb, its trigger unknown. Of course, those malicious comments were quickly countered by others, some even fiercely defending her.
The New Year in Jindu, a turbulent mix of emotions.
You Ruxu just put down her phone when it buzzed with a notification. She looked; it was Yao Zhao, telling her she had left the house. You Ruxu replied, then went to her room to change. She put on a red down jacket, light blue pants, and a hat from her closet, thinking of Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui also had a similar hat, the one her mother bought in Yuhai.
You Ruxu put on the hat, tucked her hair behind her ears, revealing her delicate profile. It was still early when she arrived at the restaurant, a habit from her years as a reporter. She was always early. She hadn’t expected Yao Zhao to be there already, discussing the Fengyuan incident with a friend.
“I can’t believe that Zhou Yun is such a bad person.” Song Chenyue said, “I saw his interview before, and I thought he was a good person, so pitiful, his leg broken by his own brother.”
Yao Zhao said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
You Ruxu stood behind them, Song Chenyue turned around, hearing her footsteps, and immediately stood up, “Reporter, you’re here.”
Yao Zhao turned around and smiled, looking at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu met her gaze.
Yao Zhao had changed a lot, no longer timid and withdrawn, but confident and composed. She had heard that social services had arranged accommodation for her, she was staying at the school dormitory now, her stepfather had come looking for her a few times, but they had been turned away. It had only been a while, but she seemed taller now, her hair tied back in a ponytail, a youthful vibrancy about her, a completely different person from the girl she first met.
She smiled and called out, “Sister.”
She had a part-time job helping out at a small shop, earning a little extra money. She had wanted to treat You Ruxu to dinner during the New Year holidays and had suggested several places. In the end, You Ruxu chose a noodle restaurant near the school.
She asked Yao Zhao, “Have you finished your homework?”
Before Yao Zhao could answer,
Song Chenyue said, “Sister, you have no idea, she’s a study machine now, finished all her homework ages ago, even started previewing next semester’s material! She jumped over a hundred places in the last exam, the teachers were shocked!”
You Ruxu said, “Really? That impressive?”
Yao Zhao blushed, slightly embarrassed.
You Ruxu smiled and handed her a gift, “A reward for you.”
Yao Zhao said, “I can’t…”
You Ruxu said, “It’s a New Year’s gift.”
She looked at Song Chenyue: “I have one for you too.”
Song Chenyue immediately squealed with delight, “Sister, you’re the best!”
Yao Zhao, filled with gratitude, said to You Ruxu, “Thank you, Sister.”
You Ruxu sat opposite them, “What are we having?”
Yao Zhao said, “We have to wait a little longer.”
She smiled, “Dr. Zhou is also coming.”
You Ruxu froze, looking up slightly, “She’s coming too?”
Yao Zhao said, “Yes, she said she’s off today, so I invited her.”
You Ruxu’s expression faltered, a strained smile appearing on her face, when a figure appeared at the door, Zhou Tianzui, wearing a down jacket, saw You Ruxu from afar, her expression unchanged, as she walked quickly towards them, bringing with her a gust of cold air.
Yao Zhao immediately stood up to greet her, “Sit here, next to Sister.”
A four-person table.
Her and Song Chenyue.
You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui.
You Ruxu glanced at Zhou Tianzui, who looked thinner, her features more defined, her expression calm. She said to Yao Zhao, “I heard you did well on your exams, that’s great.”
Yao Zhao blushed, “Sister already congratulated me.”
A girlish shyness, something she rarely displayed before. She was gradually becoming like other teenagers, happy and carefree. Zhou Tianzui looked at You Ruxu, “You’re early.”
You Ruxu said, “I had nothing to do at home.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded.
You Ruxu asked, “When were you discharged?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “The day before yesterday.”
You Ruxu was silent.
Yao Zhao and Song Chenyue looked at them, “Sister, what are we eating?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Anything is fine.”
You Ruxu said, “Same here.”
Yao Zhao said, “Then let’s have four bowls of pork rib noodles.” She called out to the owner, who acknowledged her order. Zhou Tianzui said, “One without scallions.”
You Ruxu’s grip on the disposable chopsticks tightened, her knuckles white.
Yao Zhao, oblivious to the subtle tension, asked, “Dr. Zhou, are you feeling better now? I wanted to visit you last time, but Auntie said you were resting.”
You Ruxu had also gone to visit a few times, but Yu Qiao had refused to see her.
Let alone Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui said, “You need to rest when you’re sick.”
Yao Zhao said, “Are you better now?”
Zhou Tianzui smiled, “Would I be out here if I wasn’t?”
Yao Zhao scratched her head, “That’s true.”
She smiled sheepishly. She had visited You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui during the winter break, You Ruxu had already been discharged, saying she was resting at home. She hadn’t dared to disturb them, and now, seeing they were both fine, she was relieved.
She sincerely hoped they were both healthy and well, even willing to trade her own health for theirs.
Song Chenyue, seeing her goofy smile, shook her head. Noticing a milk tea shop outside, she said, “Sister, do you want some milk tea?”
You Ruxu looked at her, at the hopeful look in her eyes, and nodded, “Okay.”
Song Chenyue beamed, “Yao Zhao, let’s go buy some milk tea.”
Yao Zhao asked You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui for their preferences and then left with Song Chenyue.
Only the two of them remained at the table. The owner brought their noodles, Zhou Tianzui placing the bowl without scallions in front of You Ruxu, who said, “Thank you.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “You’re welcome.”
An awkward distance between them, a growing chasm. You Ruxu looked down at her noodles, Zhou Tianzui, beside her, using her chopsticks to stir the soup, the rising steam obscuring her face.
You Ruxu said, “I sent you a message, did you receive it?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I did.”
You Ruxu’s heart ached, a bittersweet feeling, her eyes burning. She looked down at her noodles, their surface now also covered in a thin layer of condensation, “I also called you.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I know.”
You Ruxu said, “Then why…”
Zhou Tianzui took a bite of her noodles, casually interrupting You Ruxu, “Let’s break up.”
You Ruxu turned, looking at her calm profile, her eyes wide.
Zhou Tianzui, chewing slowly, still not looking at You Ruxu, her lips parting slightly, “My mom knows.”
You Ruxu’s throat tightened, “I can talk to Auntie…”
Zhou Tianzui said, “You’re not more important than my mom.”
So, I’m breaking up with you.
A taut string snapped, and You Ruxu felt as if she couldn’t hear anything, her ears ringing for a few seconds before returning to normal. She stared at Zhou Tianzui, unable to look away.
Through the steam rising from the bowl.
Zhou Tianzui’s voice, distant and cold, “I thought you already understood.”
You Ruxu said, “I don’t understand.”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled softly, a familiar sound that made You Ruxu’s eyes burn. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, hearing her say, “What’s there to understand? You approached me with ulterior motives, I accepted you with selfish intentions.”
“You don’t like me that much.” Zhou Tianzui said, “And I don’t love you that much either.”
She looked at You Ruxu, “Let’s break up.”
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