Chapter 31: Willing
The tumultuous week-long fireworks factory incident came to a close, bringing with it new regulations from the broadcasting authorities regarding public opinion control and truth-seeking. Netizens sighed at the shocking reversal, some saying, [I knew something was off.]
[I told you, I thought it was strange how everyone was targeting Zhang Xiaojie. The boss should be the one held responsible!]
[What’s the deal with Chen Mo’s parents? Their act was so convincing, they should win an Oscar!]
Chen Mo’s parents, who were the focus of much discussion before, remained so afterwards. However, since they were under investigation, no one knew what they were thinking.
“They hated us.” Zeng Jing said, “Xiaojie and I always knew. Back then, when Chen Mo and Youyou were together, his family opposed their relationship. Xiaojie and I couldn’t stand it, so we gave them some money to move to another city for work, sending money back home regularly so his parents could live comfortably.”
“Later, Xiaojie’s father found out and confiscated the money. Chen Mo’s parents took all of his salary every month, so the money was never returned to us.”
Presumably, it was a substantial amount.
But You Ruxu didn’t ask.
She had originally planned to go home after the case was closed, but Shi Qi said, “Why don’t you interview Zeng Jing before taking your leave?”
Since Zhang Xiaojie hadn’t woken up yet, the original focus remained, although his status had changed, from being universally condemned to being pitied. People also wanted to know about Zeng Jing’s condition, especially since her near-suicide attempt had become a hot topic.
People probably felt a sense of guilt, hoping Zeng Jing was doing well, to make up for their previous blind accusations. So, Zeng Jing was once again a trending topic, everyone wanting to know about her current situation.
Every TV station wanted to interview her, they were practically going crazy, but all of Zeng Jing’s interview requests were rejected. Finally, she said she would only accept an interview with You Ruxu, from Jindu’s midday news.
The efforts You Ruxu had made regarding this case were finally recognized.
Netizens expressed their admiration and gratitude for such a dedicated reporter. You Ruxu had always had social media accounts. Before this, she had around 300,000 followers, a substantial number for a reporter in Jindu. After this case, her follower count increased by several hundred thousand in just a few days. Although many were probably bot accounts, there were also many who were genuinely interested in the case. So, You Ruxu posted the scheduled time for Zeng Jing’s interview.
Zeng Jing said, “I always knew they hated us, but Chen Mo was our friend, if we didn’t help him, no one would.”
It was ironic that family was a burden, while those without blood ties wanted to help Chen Mo escape his predicament.
Of course, Chen Mo’s parents refused to accept this truth. They insisted, “It was Zhang Xiaojie, Zhang Xiaojie was the one who harmed Chen Mo.”
As for why they were so adamant, whether it was because Mr. Zhao had shown them the video, brainwashing them beforehand, or whether it was a combination of old and new grudges, making them unwilling to believe the truth, blindly consumed by hatred, remained unknown, as they later refused to have any contact with the media.
You Ruxu spent a day preparing the interview script for Zeng Jing, drawing a perfect conclusion to the case. After sending the script to Shi Qi, she requested leave, bought a gift, and went to the hospital to visit Zeng Jing.
There was a cheerful atmosphere in Zeng Jing’s ward. Zhang Xiaojie’s parents were also there. They hadn’t appeared before, reportedly because their front door had been splashed with red paint, their windows smashed by unknown individuals, and their doorstep constantly crowded with people. Unable to contact Zeng Jing directly, they had to contact her parents, feeling incredibly guilty for not being able to care for her personally. Zeng Jing, however, was understanding. Having just come back from death’s door, she knew how such incidents could affect one’s mental state. She was just grateful that her parents-in-law weren’t harmed further.
Even now, she remained kind.
You Ruxu, with a smile, walked in, holding a bouquet of flowers, and knocked gently: “Ms. Zeng.”
“Reporter You.” Zeng Jing beamed when she saw her, “Reporter You, come in quickly.”
You Ruxu walked in and handed her a basket of fruit. Zeng Jing said, “We’ll be discharged in a couple of days.”
“That’s good.” You Ruxu said, “Go home and rest well.”
Zeng Jing looked at her. She seemed cool and aloof, but in person, she was down-to-earth and easy to talk to. Just as she was about to speak, someone appeared at the door. Zeng Jing called out, “Dr. Zhou.”
She smiled, “Dr. Zhou, would you like to come in?”
Zhou Tianzui looked at You Ruxu, then entered the room after a few seconds. Zeng Jing said, “I’ve been wanting to thank you for what you did last time.”
Zhou Tianzui’s tone was cool: “No need.”
She tucked her pen into her chest pocket and heard Zeng Jing say, “It’s nothing, I just prepared a small gift for you both, I hope you don’t mind.”
She handed a small gift box to both You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui. You Ruxu started to say, “No…”
Zeng Jing said, “I know about the hospital regulations, that you can’t accept gifts from patients. This is something I made myself, it’s not worth much, just a small token of gratitude for your care this past week.”
Zhou Tianzui opened the box. Inside was a red string bracelet with a carved peach pit. Indeed, a handmade trinket, commonly seen. Peach pits were believed to ward off evil. Presumably, she had made them while preparing for the baby. Among all the gifts they had received, this one was certainly unique. Zhou Tianzui and You Ruxu’s peach pits were carved in the same style, almost identical, but the bottoms were thoughtfully engraved with the characters “Xu” and “Zhou,” respectively. Presumably, “Xu” was used because “You” had too many strokes to carve.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Thank you.”
You Ruxu also accepted hers and said, “Thank you, Ms. Zeng.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.” Zeng Jing said sincerely, “Thank you, Dr. Zhou, thank you, Dr. You.”
You Ruxu chuckled, “I’m not a doctor.”
“You are.” Zeng Jing’s gaze was calm and composed. To her, both of them were doctors, one healing her body, the other her mind. You Ruxu nodded, said goodbye to Zeng Jing, and walked out. Zhou Tianzui teased, “Dr. You.”
You Ruxu turned to look at her and said, “What nonsense are you talking about again?”
Zhou Tianzui smiled, not saying anything. They entered her office. You Ruxu put down her bag and heard Zhou Tianzui ask, “Have you arranged your leave?”
You Ruxu said, “I took a week off.”
Zhou Tianzui sat at her computer and saw You Ruxu open the gift box, looking at the red string bracelet and peach pit inside. You Ruxu said, “These were very popular in junior high.”
But it was just red strings with various small trinkets. A peach pit was a first.
She took it out of the box and held it against her wrist. She didn’t usually wear any jewelry, her wrist bare and fair, slender. She occasionally wore a watch. The red string would be quite eye-catching. Zhou Tianzui stood up, walked over to her, took the bracelet, and You Ruxu, thinking she was going to help her put it on, extended her hand. Unexpectedly, Zhou Tianzui opened her own gift box and tied the bracelet with You Ruxu’s name on it around You Ruxu’s wrist.
You Ruxu was stunned.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Help me.”
She was wearing the one with You Ruxu’s name on it.
There wasn’t much difference between the two, except for the engraved characters. You Ruxu felt that this gesture was like an exchange, like exchanging tokens of love, or rather, couple’s tokens.
She looked up at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui’s eyes were dark and deep, her long eyelashes casting shadows, obscuring her gaze. You Ruxu’s throat tightened slightly. She called out, “Zhou Tianzui.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her. This time, You Ruxu could see clearly, her own reflection in Zhou Tianzui’s eyes.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “What is it?”
Her tone was still cool, with a hint of playfulness unique to their relationship. You Ruxu said, “Nothing.”
Zhou Tianzui’s wrist was still extended: “Put it on for me.”
These words sounded familiar.
But now, recalling them, You Ruxu’s ears flushed slightly. She lowered her head and tied the bracelet around Zhou Tianzui’s wrist, trying to hide her reaction to the sudden rush of memories. Zhou Tianzui watched her slender fingers work, quickly finishing the task, even smoothing the knot for her. The noise from the corridor outside made this space seem even quieter. Zhou Tianzui said, “Do you have anything else to do?”
You Ruxu said, “No, I’ll wait for you here until you finish work, you go ahead.”
Only after saying this did she realize it had been a long time since she had waited for Zhou Tianzui to finish work. Previously, she would usually wait in the car, even working while she waited. Sometimes, Zhou Tianzui would finish work without her noticing. Waiting like this, doing nothing, was truly a long time ago.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll be done soon, just another hour. You can read if you’re bored.”
They were all medical books, which You Ruxu couldn’t quite understand, but she still nodded, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui left.
After she left, You Ruxu touched the red string bracelet on her wrist. Things seemed to be developing in unexpected directions. She and Zhou Tianzui seemed to have embarked on a new journey, and she, shamefully, didn’t want to get off, didn’t want it to end.
Sometimes she was truly surprised by herself.
Surprised by her own shamelessness.
You Ruxu lowered her gaze. Her phone suddenly rang. She answered, it was Shi Qi: “Xiao Xu.”
She snapped back to reality: “Yes? Is there a problem with the interview script?”
“Not with the script, is your family from Yuhai?” Shi Qi asked. You Ruxu said, “Yes, that’s right.”
Shi Qi said, “There’s a medical summit in Yuhai next week. It’s quite far, so the station wasn’t planning on sending anyone, but the topics look quite interesting, so I was thinking…”
You Ruxu said, “You want me to cover it?”
“No need for full coverage.” Shi Qi said, “Just gather some information, it’s right by your home.”
Shi Qi added, “Of course, if you can interview some of the doctors attending the summit, that would be even better.”
You Ruxu understood, she said, “Okay, I understand.”
Shi Qi chuckled, “Should I send a cameraman with you?”
“No need.” You Ruxu said, “I’ll pick up the equipment at the station tomorrow.”
Shi Qi said, “Alright then.”
After hanging up, You Ruxu looked at the doorway. People bustled in the corridor outside. Zhou Tianzui walked out of a ward and heard Zhao Mingqi say, “Dr. Zhou, I heard you volunteered to go to Yuhai?”
This summit was hosted by Yuhai City Hospital. It was far, so no one was particularly eager to go. Zhao Mingqi was previously worried that the director would force him to go, but unexpectedly, Zhou Tianzui volunteered the next day. The director was reluctant to let her go, but having already made the announcement, and with Zhou Tianzui volunteering, it made her decision easier, so she approved it readily, even giving her a few extra days of annual leave.
Zhou Tianzui looked at Zhao Mingqi: “Why? Want to switch with me?”
“No, no, no.” Zhao Mingqi shook his head vigorously. “I don’t want to.”
Zhou Tianzui smiled.
If he knew You Ruxu’s family was in Yuhai, he would probably be begging to switch with her. Zhao Mingqi didn’t know, and he didn’t know why Zhou Tianzui was smiling either. She was usually so serious, her smile not very approachable. Zhou Tianzui handed over her work to him and Dr. Zhao, and only returned to her office ten minutes after her shift ended.
You Ruxu was still sitting on the sofa, looking down at her phone, a medical book beside her, seemingly unread, but the pretense was perfect. Zhou Tianzui walked over and saw You Ruxu playing Candy Crush on her phone, the only game You Ruxu played in her spare time. When they first met, Zhou Tianzui played mobile games with her colleagues and invited You Ruxu to join. Despite being intelligent and capable, You Ruxu wasn’t very good at mobile games. She died several times, muttering, “Why is this so difficult?”
Zhou Tianzui found her adorable back then.
So adorable that she wanted to hear more of her complaints.
Later, she would play games with You Ruxu alone. Every time she lost, You Ruxu would let out a soft hiss and say, “I’m sorry…”
Her voice clear and soft, like a feather brushing against her ear, making it tickle. Back then, she wondered what You Ruxu would look like when she lost a game. Would she frown slightly, looking regretful, her beautiful face scrunched up? Or would she maintain her usual composure?
Later, when she played games with You Ruxu face to face, she realized You Ruxu would look at her apologetically whenever she lost.
That guilt was so intense that she couldn’t tell whether You Ruxu felt guilty about losing the game, or for something else.
Zhou Tianzui focused and heard You Ruxu say, “Are you off work?”
She looked at You Ruxu and said, “Yes.”
You Ruxu picked up the book beside her and said, “I’ll put this back.”
Zhou Tianzui took it from her and said, “I’ll do it.”
She put the book back, sat at her computer, and said, “Wait for me for five more minutes.”
You Ruxu sat down again. She hadn’t cleared the level yet, but with Zhou Tianzui back, she found it hard to concentrate, her gaze drifting towards Zhou Tianzui from time to time.
Zhou Tianzui typed quickly, her fingers flying across the keyboard, the clicking incessant. You Ruxu’s game remained paused until Zhou Tianzui walked over and said, “Let’s go.”
She put away her phone and followed Zhou Tianzui.
Before they reached home, her mother messaged her, asking if she had eaten the fruit. You Ruxu paused, having completely forgotten about it with all the recent busyness. She hurried to the security guard to pick up the package. Fortunately, it was mostly pomelos and apples, which kept well and weren’t spoiled. But there was a lot. Zhou Tianzui said, “Do you mind if I give some to my mom?”
She hadn’t told her mother about the business trip yet, and she was planning to visit her anyway.
You Ruxu said, “Of course not.”
She wished she could give everything good to Yu Qiao, afraid she might become suspicious.
Zhou Tianzui turned the car around and drove to her mother’s place. On the way, she called Yu Qiao. Yu Qiao said, “I’m still at your Aunt Chen’s, it’s her child’s first birthday today.”
She asked Zhou Tianzui, “Do you want to come over for dinner?”
Zhou Tianzui quickly said, “No, I won’t go, I’ll go home first.”
Yu Qiao said, “Then I’ll come home early…”
“It’s okay.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I might not come back tonight, take your time.”
You Ruxu’s hand tightened, hearing her words. She didn’t object. They soon arrived. Zhou Tianzui carried the fruit upstairs. You Ruxu peeled half a pomelo, not having dinner. The fruit was enough to fill her up. Her mother, just as she was about to have dinner, sent Zhou Tianzui a photo, reminding her there was food in the refrigerator, and to rest if she didn’t want to cook, she would make dinner when she got back. Zhou Tianzui replied that she had already eaten, and not to rush. Only then did Yu Qiao eat her dinner with peace of mind.
Someone at the dinner table chuckled, “Yu Qiao is so lucky, her daughter is such a sweetheart, calling her wherever she goes.”
Yu Qiao beamed, “Our Xiao Tian is very sensible.”
“Indeed.” The other person said, “And she’s beautiful, has a good job, works at the hospital, so convenient for seeing a doctor.”
“These days, you really need connections at the hospital, you’re truly blessed.”
Yu Qiao, in a good mood, looked at the photo of Zhou Tianzui on her phone and smiled.
Zhou Tianzui put down her phone and asked You Ruxu, “What do you want for dinner?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m not hungry.”
Zhou Tianzui wasn’t very hungry either. She nodded, “Then we’ll eat when we’re hungry.”
You Ruxu didn’t object. She hesitated for a moment and then said, “Zhou Tianzui, should I go back to my place?”
“Why?” Zhou Tianzui asked, “Not used to being here?”
You Ruxu said, “Auntie will be back soon.”
“So what if she comes back?” Zhou Tianzui said, “We’re not doing anything we shouldn’t be.”
She sat beside You Ruxu, moving a little closer, looking at her intently, and said, “Or does Teacher You want to do something we shouldn’t with me?”
She took You Ruxu’s hand, their fingers interlacing, their wrists touching, the two red string bracelets seeming to connect them, binding them together. You Ruxu’s heart felt as if it was also wrapped in the red string, beating faster. She heard Zhou Tianzui say, “I’m willing.”
You Ruxu looked up, meeting Zhou Tianzui’s gaze. Zhou Tianzui tightened her grip on You Ruxu’s hand and asked, “Is A Ran willing?”
She—
You Ruxu saw the look in Zhou Tianzui’s eyes, like amber, beautiful and alluring. Her mind went blank, and she instinctively said, “Don’t be ridiculous, this is the living room.”
Zhou Tianzui let out a soft “oh” and chuckled, the corners of her lips lifting slightly, “So you’re saying it’s okay if it’s not the living room?”
You Ruxu was speechless, looking at Zhou Tianzui, captivated by her smile. She had meant to glare at her, but she averted her gaze instead. The hand held by Zhou Tianzui was burning hot, her cheeks also flushed.
You Ruxu: Asking every day, is Zhou Tianzui mute today?
Zhou Tianzui: …
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