Chapter 32: Jealous
One of the first lessons You Ruxu learned in university was how to manage her emotions and micro-expressions. She had always been a model student. Her professors remarked that she was unusually composed for a freshman. After starting work, her colleagues nicknamed her “Bright Moon” also because of her cool and aloof demeanor – she rarely displayed her emotions openly, her embarrassment or honesty rarely visible on her face.
It hadn’t been like this when she first met Zhou Tianzui.
But now, in front of Zhou Tianzui, she couldn’t quite hide her emotions. You Ruxu felt her earlobe being pinched and heard Zhou Tianzui say, “Teacher You, you’re blushing.”
The formal address, spoken in a teasing tone, the ending rising slightly. Zhou Tianzui’s voice, usually cool, was low and suggestive now, as if she was whispering in You Ruxu’s ear. Her earlobe, she wasn’t sure whether it was from being pinched or the wind, was itchy. You Ruxu pursed her lips. The sound of a key turning in the lock came from the doorway.
And Yu Qiao’s voice, greeting a neighbor.
“Going for a walk later?” The neighbor asked. Yu Qiao said, “No, Xiao Tian is back, I have to spend some time with my child.”
Her tone was laced with a proud smile. The neighbor gave a few compliments. Yu Qiao opened the door, not expecting to see You Ruxu. She paused mid-step as she was changing her shoes. Zhou Tianzui explained, “Mom, Teacher You’s family sent some fruit, too much, she said she would bring some over for you.”
Yu Qiao was flattered and slightly reproachful towards Zhou Tianzui, “Why didn’t you tell me Xiao Xu was coming?”
She would have picked up some groceries on her way back. Now, she was empty-handed. She said, “Haven’t had dinner yet, have you? I’ll cook for you.”
“Don’t bother.” Zhou Tianzui said, “We’ve already eaten.”
Yu Qiao didn’t believe her: “What did you eat?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Fruit.”
Yu Qiao gave her a look, but afraid of being impolite to You Ruxu, she forced a smile, “Xiao Xu, sit down, sit down. Xiao Tian didn’t tell me. I’ll make you some dinner now.”
You Ruxu didn’t want her to go to any trouble, saying, “No need, Auntie, I have to go back to the station later.”
“Ah? More overtime?” Yu Qiao said, “You work so hard. By the way, I saw you on TV, you were great.” She gave You Ruxu a thumbs-up. You Ruxu’s palms were sweating. She said, “Thank you, Auntie.”
“Even if you’re not having dinner, I’ll make you some tea.” Yu Qiao pushed Zhou Tianzui, “Keep Xiao Xu company.”
Zhou Tianzui gave a small “oh” and sat down, looking at You Ruxu, “Have a seat, Teacher You.”
You Ruxu said, “Tell your mom not to bother.”
“It’s okay.” Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s good for her to be busy, she’s happier when she’s busy.”
You Ruxu opened her mouth, then closed it without saying anything.
Yu Qiao was indeed happier when she was busy. Zhou Tianzui was busy with work and rarely came home, and Yu Qiao rarely visited Zhou Tianzui’s apartment either, usually just phone calls and video chats, so she was naturally happy when Zhou Tianzui came home. She made tea for You Ruxu. Zhou Tianzui went to the kitchen. You Ruxu heard some faint noises, then Zhou Tianzui came out and asked, “Going back to the station later?”
You Ruxu nodded. She had originally planned to pick up the equipment tomorrow, but since she had already said she was going back, she might as well get it tonight and save herself the trouble of waking up early tomorrow. Zhou Tianzui said, “Then let’s go later.”
You Ruxu was slightly surprised, “Are you going too?”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “Don’t want to take me home?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then let’s go.”
Yu Qiao was reluctant to see them leave so soon: “Keep warm, don’t skip meals, you get nauseous easily when you’re hungry, and also…”
“Mom.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I know.”
Yu Qiao stopped her rambling and asked Zhou Tianzui, “By the way, did that young man call you?”
The one from the blind date last Sunday. They had dinner here, and after dinner, Zhou Tianzui chatted with him for a bit before he ran off. Yu Qiao had been wanting to know what they talked about. Zhou Tianzui said, “Nothing much, he was interested in my profession, so I explained a little.”
She hadn’t expected him to run off.
Now, hearing Yu Qiao ask, Zhou Tianzui said, “He hasn’t contacted me, he probably realized we’re not a good match.”
You Ruxu, standing at the doorway, listening to their conversation, looked at Zhou Tianzui. This person always seemed to handle everything with ease. Although many doctors at the hospital were afraid of her, saying she was strict and that her personality would easily offend her superiors, Zhou Tianzui was actually very tactful, in a subtle and almost unnoticeable way.
Yu Qiao frowned upon hearing this: “Why aren’t you a good match?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “He’s afraid of blood.”
Yu Qiao: …
Zhou Tianzui continued, “He even asked if I could quit my job at the hospital.”
“That’s not acceptable.” Yu Qiao said, “You can’t quit your job.”
Although she really wanted Zhou Tianzui to settle down, she couldn’t quit her job. Zhou Tianzui smoothly changed the subject and said, “Then we’ll be going now.”
Yu Qiao nodded, “Drive safe.”
She also carried the fruit, “Xiao Xu, Auntie…”
Just as You Ruxu was about to speak, Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, Teacher You is my best friend, she wants to show her filial piety, don’t let down her good intentions.”
Yu Qiao stood there, speechless.
You Ruxu said, “Auntie, you keep it.”
Yu Qiao could only accept, still feeling a little embarrassed.
In the car, Zhou Tianzui sat in the passenger seat. You Ruxu looked straight ahead, but she was secretly happy that Yu Qiao had accepted the fruit, thinking that perhaps she could bring something else next time.
She wanted to ask Zhou Tianzui something, but seeing her texting, she pursed her lips.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Why are we going back to the station?”
You Ruxu said, “To pick up equipment. There’s a medical summit in Yuhai, and the team wants me to cover it.”
A full coverage report was impossible, as they lacked the equipment and manpower. Zhou Tianzui nodded and said, “You’re quite busy.”
You Ruxu didn’t reply.
They arrived at the station. You Ruxu got out of the car and saw that Zhou Tianzui also got out. She said, “Wait for me in the car?”
It was cold outside, the wind howling, tugging at You Ruxu’s coat. Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll help you carry the equipment.”
You Ruxu said, “It’s not very heavy.”
The equipment had been upgraded. The cameras were smaller now, and two backpacks were enough. But Zhou Tianzui insisted on going inside with her. The reception area was bright and warm. You Ruxu’s expression was calm and indifferent. Some people greeted her, and she simply smiled, a professional courtesy. Compared to You Ruxu often waiting for her at the hospital, she rarely came here, as it wasn’t open to the public. You Ruxu swiped her card and, seeing Zhou Tianzui hadn’t moved, reached out and pulled her to stand beside her.
Shi Qi, coming out of the meeting room, saw the two of them. She called out, “Xiao Xu?”
You Ruxu looked over. Shi Qi and several colleagues emerged from the meeting room, Chen Xiang among them. Seeing Zhou Tianzui, Chen Xiang greeted her, “Hey, Dr. Zhou.”
A colleague asked curiously, “Is this Dr. Zhou?”
“Teacher You’s friend.”
“Hello, Dr. Zhou.”
Perhaps because of their inherent respect for doctors, they all smiled warmly. Having just received praise in the meeting room, seeing You Ruxu, their mood was even better, all of them smiling. Zhou Tianzui smiled back: “Hello.”
You Ruxu, although approachable, usually maintained a professional distance from her colleagues, except for Chen Xiang, whom she had traveled with a few times. So, sometimes, out of curiosity, they would ask Chen Xiang about her.
Chen Xiang would slap the table, “Why ask me? I don’t know much either, Teacher You doesn’t talk about her personal life with me.”
“That friend of hers, Dr. Zhou, I heard they even live together, they have a very good relationship.”
Everyone was envious, wanting to know what this Dr. Zhou, whom You Ruxu was so close to, was like. Now, seeing her, they found she was just as beautiful as You Ruxu.
“I believe in the saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ now.”
“Excellent people are indeed surrounded by excellent people.”
“Dr. Zhou, do you have her contact information?”
Everyone looked at the young man who asked, his face flushing, “What? Don’t tell me you’re not curious!”
Who wasn’t curious? It was just that no one was as direct as him, asking the moment they met. Shi Qi said, “I remember she’s not very old.”
Chen Xiang said, “Yes, seems to be the same age as Teacher You.”
Someone asked, “Is she married?”
Someone else retorted, “Nonsense, she’s living with Teacher You, how could she be married?”
The first person nodded, “That’s true, so she’s not married. Does she have a boyfriend?”
Chen Xiang said, “I don’t think so.” She paused, then, seeing everyone looking at her, said embarrassedly, “I don’t know for sure, just guessing.”
Someone immediately looked at her, “Chen Xiang, dear sister, please help us ask!”
Chen Xiang shuddered at their fawning and clapped her hands, “Talk normally!”
Seeing her colleagues staring at her expectantly, she said, “I’m not sure, I’ll ask for you.”
You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui got back into the car. Zhou Tianzui said, “Want to have some soup nearby?”
You Ruxu placed the equipment in the backseat and nodded: “Okay.”
There were many restaurants nearby, many serving soup. The weather was cold, so these restaurants were doing good business. You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui entered a beef soup restaurant. The taste was slightly different from the one near the hospital, a little blander. The owner greeted them and showed them to a table. The restaurant was simply decorated, but cozy and clean. You Ruxu sat opposite Zhou Tianzui. The owner quickly brought them two bowls of beef soup. Zhou Tianzui asked You Ruxu, “Want some sesame cakes?”
You Ruxu said, “No, thank you.”
She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to finish.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at it and saw a message from Chen Xiang.
Chen Xiang: [Teacher You, are you busy?]
Such an opening usually meant she had a favor to ask.
You Ruxu: [What is it?]
Chen Xiang choked on her reply, the directness making her heart tremble. She typed: [Nothing much, just that Dr. Zhou came by today, and Xiao Wu wanted me to ask if she has a boyfriend.]
Xiao Wu was the cameraman. He had gone on assignments with You Ruxu a few times, but they only talked about work.
So, he asked Chen Xiang to ask for him.
You Ruxu looked at the message, instantly understanding Chen Xiang’s meaning. She pursed her lips and glanced at Zhou Tianzui, who was drinking her soup, her long eyelashes lowered, obscuring her eyes. The bridge of her nose was high, her nose straight, she would probably look good in glasses.
She looked at Zhou Tianzui for a moment, then back at her phone. Chen Xiang’s message was still there, but she didn’t know how to reply.
Zhou Tianzui looked up, “Busy?”
You Ruxu said, “Not really.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then focus.”
You Ruxu turned off her phone, placed it aside, took a sip of soup, and asked Zhou Tianzui, “Did you add vinegar to mine?”
Zhou Tianzui raised an eyebrow: “No, why?”
You Ruxu swirled the soup in her mouth, her throat feeling strangely tight, the soup tasting slightly sour.
You Ruxu: Something’s wrong with this soup.
Zhou Tianzui: Something’s wrong with you too.
You Ruxu: …
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