Chapter 18: Cold and Indifferent
You Ruxu, no longer sleepy after waking up, didn’t message Zhou Tianzui, afraid she was dealing with an emergency.
Zhou Tianzui stood in the director’s office, facing He Wei and the director’s barrage of criticism: “What happened? Huh? What’s going on with you two?”
She looked at He Wei: “What’s wrong?”
“You’re still asking her?” The director said, “Do you not know what you did? Zhou Tianzui, He Wei is new to the job, it’s understandable that she doesn’t understand the ways of the world, but when did you join the hospital? How can you not even understand this?”
The director’s voice was filled with exasperation: “He Wei just went to Director Song and said it was Lin Luo who performed the emergency rescue.”
He Wei’s face was pale as she stood to the side. Zhou Tianzui glanced at her, her gaze not as sharp as before. He Wei didn’t know why, but she felt that Zhou Tianzui’s gaze wasn’t as piercing anymore.
She lowered her head and said, “Director, it’s my fault.”
“Your fault?” The director said, “He Wei, is it important who performed the rescue right now?”
From the moment she called He Wei in and only questioned her, the hospital’s stance was clear. Even Fu Shushu could see it, so she didn’t believe Zhou Tianzui couldn’t!
They were all waiting for the TV station’s interview, preparing to push He Wei into the spotlight, and now this blunder had emerged. Director Song was furious, saying he hated such practices and ordered a thorough investigation.
Investigate?
How?
The interview was approaching, the publicity was already out, now, forget investigating, even admitting a mistake would be a blatant mockery of the hospital!
A good deed had turned into this.
The director rolled her eyes in exasperation: “He Wei, have you thought this through? You’re an intern. If this is pursued, it will be a stain on your career. It won’t be easy for you to become a full-fledged doctor in the future.”
He Wei trembled.
She hadn’t known the consequences would be so severe. She thought it would be a warning at most.
Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s my responsibility.”
He Wei looked at her, her eyes instantly reddening, blurring Zhou Tianzui’s image.
Zhou Tianzui’s tone was cool as she said, “He Wei is the intern I’m mentoring. This matter is my responsibility, both professionally and personally. It’s my fault for jumping to conclusions without a thorough investigation. It’s my mistake.”
The director looked at her intently, her face stern. She said, “We’ve already canceled the interview.”
Fortunately, the fireworks factory incident was still attracting attention, and the initial news about the intern’s rescue didn’t mention any names, so it was still an internal matter. The director said, “But disciplinary action is unavoidable.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I understand.”
“You understand.” The director laughed in exasperation. “You really…”
She didn’t finish, waving her hand, “Get out.”
Zhou Tianzui glanced at He Wei and left.
He Wei didn’t even wipe away her tears. She lowered her head: “I’m sorry, Dr. Zhou, I didn’t mean to implicate you.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her, her voice calm: “You can leave work now.”
He Wei wanted to apologize, but she didn’t dare speak to Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui didn’t give her the chance either. She left the director’s office and went downstairs. He Wei stood behind her and heard Zhao Mingqi’s voice: “Dr. Zhou left?”
He Wei turned around and called out, “Dr. Zhao.”
Zhao Mingqi said, “You, you’re really lucky.”
Everyone said Zhou Tianzui was unsympathetic, the most difficult person to get along with in the department, and that she had a bad temper, always with a stern face. But in reality, Zhou Tianzui was incredibly responsible when mentoring interns. Being mentored by her was truly fortunate.
He Wei seemed to understand what Zhao Mingqi meant by “lucky.”
She asked Zhao Mingqi, “That disciplinary action…”
“Do you think it’s just about the disciplinary action?” Zhao Mingqi looked at her and said, “It’s not just about the disciplinary action.”
The reason the director was so angry was, of course, because she had made the decision about the intern’s commendation, she was the one who submitted He Wei’s name. And when she asked Zhou Tianzui earlier, Zhou Tianzui said she didn’t know, that she hadn’t investigated clearly yet. If this matter was truly investigated, the director wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility.
Right now, Zhou Tianzui wasn’t taking the blame for He Wei.
She was taking the blame for the director.
Of course, the other reason for the director’s anger was that she wanted to recommend Zhou Tianzui for the deputy director position and use He Wei to curry favor with Director Song. Now, with this incident, Zhao Mingqi said, “Dr. Zhou’s chances of becoming deputy director are slim now.”
He Wei clenched her hands, looking in the direction Zhou Tianzui had left, her face pale.
You Ruxu sat in the car, scrolling through her phone, when she heard a noise beside her. She turned; Zhou Tianzui was back, the scent of disinfectant filling the car. You Ruxu loved this smell, it made her feel at ease.
“Everything settled?” You Ruxu asked, her voice clear. She said, “Your hospital canceled our interview.”
This was the first time. Such good publicity material, such a good opportunity, no hospital would willingly refuse, unless there was a compelling reason.
Recalling the conversation she overheard earlier, You Ruxu asked, “Did I cause you trouble?”
“A little.” Zhou Tianzui’s fingers rubbed the steering wheel. Now, she wasn’t just facing disciplinary action, but also a negative impression with Director Song. Even if it was known that she wasn’t directly responsible, she would still lose the deputy director position.
Zhou Tianzui suddenly laughed. She said, “A Ran, do you think the world is fair?”
You Ruxu turned her head, her gaze resting on Zhou Tianzui’s profile. Zhou Tianzui rarely smiled, always serious, so her features also carried a certain sharpness. You Ruxu said, “It’s not fair.”
“Yes.” Zhou Tianzui said, “The world is inherently unfair.”
She started the car and heard the clicking of high heels from the stairwell. She lowered the car window. You Ruxu frowned. Zhou Tianzui leaned over, face to face with her.
He Wei, standing not far away, saw Zhou Tianzui and You Ruxu as soon as she looked towards her car.
The two were very close.
She froze.
So did You Ruxu.
She held her breath, straightened her back. Zhou Tianzui’s features were right in front of her, her long eyelashes so distinct that she knew exactly how close they were.
It was like a silent standoff.
You Ruxu’s palms were sweaty, her pupils dark and bright. Her body was tense and stiff as she looked at Zhou Tianzui’s profile, her skin almost unnaturally pale.
Zhou Tianzui looked into You Ruxu’s eyes and smiled: “Why so nervous?”
She lowered her head, moved her body sideways, pulled the seatbelt from You Ruxu’s side, fastened it, and then slowly rolled up the window.
He Wei, standing not far away, lowered her head.
The car pulled away from the hospital.
Zhou Tianzui held the steering wheel with both hands, her demeanor still casual. You Ruxu looked at her. Neither spoke, a sudden silence falling over the car.
After a long while, as they neared their apartment, Zhou Tianzui asked, “Want to grab something to eat?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m full.”
Rather than food, she wanted to sleep, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Zhou Tianzui was taking a shower. She tossed and turned in bed, thinking about tomorrow’s interview, today’s news, the hospital, and the silent standoff in the car.
She closed her eyes and heard the bathroom door open. The living room lights were all off. The bathroom light elongated Zhou Tianzui’s figure, projecting it onto the bedroom doorway. A warm light was on in the bedroom. It was getting colder, and the window was half-open, the curtains fluttering in the breeze. Zhou Tianzui walked in, wearing slippers, and glanced at You Ruxu lying on the bed.
You Ruxu was wearing beige pajamas, long-sleeved and long-legged. She rarely wore short sleeves, and even more rarely wore nightdresses. Her pajamas were mostly these shapeless long sets, made of cotton, good quality. In the summer, she wore silk, a material she loved, feeling like skin against her hand, only cooler, a stark contrast to the warmth beneath. She loved holding You Ruxu while sleeping in the summer, half warm, half cool.
Seeing that she wasn’t covered by a blanket, Zhou Tianzui walked to the window, closed it, and drew the curtains. She then went to the dressing table to dry her hair. She had very few skincare products on her dressing table, all different brands. Two jars of face cream were barely used, pushed to the side. A few times, after showering, she had seen You Ruxu applying face cream and would go over and use some herself. You Ruxu had naturally milky skin and was particular about her skincare products. After using them regularly, Zhou Tianzui’s skin had also become brighter and fairer.
She turned to look at You Ruxu and said, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
You Ruxu said, “I can’t sleep.”
An honest answer.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Come help me dry my hair.”
You Ruxu got out of bed, not bothering with slippers, her bare feet making no sound on the wooden floor. She walked behind Zhou Tianzui and took the hairdryer.
Zhou Tianzui looked down and saw You Ruxu’s fair feet. She reached out and placed her foot on You Ruxu’s.
It wasn’t a painful pressure, just a light touch. You Ruxu looked down, puzzled by the gesture, and just as she opened her mouth to speak, “You…”
An arm wrapped around her waist. You Ruxu was startled, almost dropping the hairdryer. They were face to face. You Ruxu’s hands went around Zhou Tianzui’s back. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Are you done?”
You Ruxu said, “Not yet.”
Zhou Tianzui tilted her head, resting her chin on You Ruxu’s shoulder. Her slightly damp hair brushed against You Ruxu’s neck, a little cold. She shivered. Zhou Tianzui held her tighter and asked, “Are you cold?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
Zhou Tianzui didn’t speak, just held her. The only sound in the quiet room was the whirring of the hairdryer. After a long while, You Ruxu turned off the hairdryer and heard Zhou Tianzui ask, “If I kissed you in the car, would you have agreed?”
You Ruxu stiffened.
Zhou Tianzui lowered her eyes, suppressing the turbulent emotions beneath, her words particularly clear: “A Ran,” she said, “don’t be so honest.”
You Ruxu: If only this person couldn’t speak.
Zhou Hedgehog: …
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