Chapter 35: Happy
Wu Xiulian was skilled at conversation, managing to glean Zhou Tianzui’s family and work situation within a few sentences. Zhou Tianzui was honest and polite, a stark contrast to the sharp-tongued person in You Ruxu’s memories.
“Auntie, you’re joking, I don’t think we’re that far apart in age.” Wu Xiulian beamed, her face lighting up. She always enjoyed being complimented on her youthfulness. The interns at her workplace were all obedient at first, but after a while, they started teasing her, “Sister Xiulian, don’t be angry, look, you’re frowning again.”
She really wanted to smack them sometimes.
Zhou Tianzui’s flattery was just right, pleasing her immensely. You Ruxu looked sideways at Zhou Tianzui, her anxiety lessening slightly. She didn’t know Zhou Tianzui had such good people skills. Then again, she was good at coaxing her mother as well.
But she had never coaxed her.
Usually, she would just use words to provoke her.
This person knew how to hit where it hurt, otherwise she wouldn’t always manage to pierce her heart. Ultimately, she just wasn’t someone Zhou Tianzui bothered to coax.
You Ruxu pursed her lips, her face darkening slightly. What she usually found comforting, now felt like a small thorn pricking her heart, a dull ache with every touch. You Ruxu reluctantly admitted that she was actually a little envious of her aunt.
Halfway through the drive, Zhou Tianzui said, “Aunt, could we stop for a moment?”
Wu Xiulian quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I just saw a shopping mall, I want to buy something.”
“No—” Then she remembered this was Zhou Tianzui’s first time visiting, and the child would probably feel embarrassed coming empty-handed, so she said, “Alright, just a moment.”
The car turned and entered an underground parking lot. Zhou Tianzui got out and looked back at the car. You Ruxu’s expression was calm as she looked at her, a flicker of something in her eyes. Before she could figure it out, Wu Xiulian said, “Let’s go, I’ll go with you.”
You Ruxu also got out of the car.
Wu Xiulian, very enthusiastically, introduced the local cuisine to Zhou Tianzui, saying, “Ask Xu Xu to bring you here, she loved coming to this area when she was in university.”
You Ruxu gave a noncommittal “mm-hmm.”
Zhou Tianzui smiled, “Sounds good.”
They reached a gift shop on the second floor. Wu Xiulian said, “You choose, I’ll pay.” She looked at You Ruxu, “Don’t tell your mom.”
She had the air of an elder, her words conveying her fondness for Zhou Tianzui. Earlier in the car, after learning about Zhou Tianzui’s father passing away and her being raised by a single mother, she had sighed, “Your mother is truly remarkable.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll buy it, it’s the thought that counts.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Such a well-mannered child.”
After Zhou Tianzui left, Wu Xiulian said, “No wonder they say children from poor families mature early. Single-parent children also grow up fast. Xu Xu, this friend of yours is good.”
You Ruxu hummed softly. Wu Xiulian asked, “Do you want to look around?”
“I’m not browsing.” You Ruxu said, “I’ll wait for her here.”
Wu Xiulian looked at her and said, “Xu Xu, you’ve changed a lot.”
You Ruxu asked, “How have I changed?”
Wu Xiulian and You Ruxu were very close, perhaps because she didn’t have children of her own and wasn’t that much older than You Ruxu, so she doted on her as both a daughter and a younger sister. You Ruxu had also been close to her, but after high school, she suddenly matured, becoming less affectionate, her personality more aloof. Her friendships were superficial, and Wu Xiulian hadn’t heard of her having any close friends. When You Ruxu was in university, she had visited her dorm room. Everyone said You Ruxu had a good temper and was easy to talk to, but she rarely opened up to anyone.
During You Ruxu’s university years, she had urged her to find a boyfriend, not to waste her youth, but You Ruxu didn’t even have any ambiguous relationships. Wu Xiulian blamed her mother, “It’s your non-marriage stance that’s influencing our Ruxu!”
Wu Xiulian’s mother retorted, “How am I influencing her?! I had several relationships during my university years!”
But You Ruxu seemed to have no desire for romance, seemingly close to everyone, yet distant at the same time. Before You Ruxu graduated, Wu Xiulian was worried about her personality, whether she would be okay going to Jindu alone, or if she would return after a few months.
To her surprise, You Ruxu had stayed for over three years.
Wu Xiulian complained, half-jokingly, “You’re not as close to your aunt anymore.”
You Ruxu chuckled.
Wu Xiulian said, “Come here and give your aunt a hug. Are you not eating properly over there? You’re so thin.”
You Ruxu hugged Wu Xiulian and said, “I’m eating plenty.”
“You still need to eat more when you come home.” Wu Xiulian said, “And that Dr. Zhou, she’s also very thin. Do you two cook at home?”
You Ruxu said, “We do.”
Wu Xiulian asked, “Who cooks more often?”
You Ruxu said, “Whoever is free.”
Wu Xiulian: “Doctors are quite busy, aren’t they?”
You Ruxu said, “It’s alright.”
Wu Xiulian asked again, “How did you two meet?”
You Ruxu said, “We met during an interview, I was interviewing her hospital.”
Wu Xiulian gave a small “oh” and nodded, then asked, “What do you think of Dr. Zhou?”
What did she think?
What could she think of a friend?
The conversation came to an abrupt halt. Wu Xiulian was still smiling, but her gaze was fixed on You Ruxu. The question made You Ruxu feel as if she was being asked about a romantic partner.
And perhaps, it wasn’t just a feeling.
Zhou Tianzui came out after buying the gifts and saw the two looking at each other. She walked over. Wu Xiulian said, “You’re done.”
You Ruxu unclenched her hand.
The mall was crowded, even though it wasn’t a holiday, likely due to the summit. You Ruxu walked beside Zhou Tianzui, pondering the meaning of her aunt’s question.
Reaching the car, she forgot to open the door. Zhou Tianzui opened it from inside and said, “What’s wrong?”
You Ruxu looked up, snapped back to reality, and got into the car, “Nothing.”
She sat by the window, Zhou Tianzui beside her. Wu Xiulian, still trying to lighten the mood, asked, “Is Yuhai colder than Jindu?”
It had been raining a lot recently, so the temperature hadn’t risen. Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s alright, not too cold.”
“Jindu is also quite cold.” Wu Xiulian said, “I went to Jindu on a business trip once, and I had a cold for ten out of fifteen days. The food there is also bland, Yuhai loves spicy food, can you handle spicy food?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I can handle a little bit of spice.”
“Then I’ll treat you to hotpot next time.” Wu Xiulian said, “Xu Xu, remind me.”
You Ruxu said, “Okay.”
Wu Xiulian smiled. After driving for another ten minutes or so, they arrived at a residential complex. Wu Xiulian swiped her access card and drove in. You Ruxu took a deep breath and looked out the window. They soon reached the parking lot. You Ruxu received a message from her mother: [Ruxu, are you home yet?]
You Ruxu replied: [Yes.]
She glanced at Zhou Tianzui and added: [Dr. Zhou is here too.]
Wu Xiulian: [Dr. Zhou is here too?]
You Ruxu: [She’s here for the summit at the city hospital, I invited her for lunch.]
Wu Xiulian: [That’s good, that’s good, then I’ll make a few more dishes.]
You Ruxu pursed her lips, her fingers gripping her phone, hearing Wu Xiulian say, “We’re here, let’s get out.”
Zhou Tianzui opened the door and got out, carrying the gift box. You Ruxu pulled her suitcase. Wu Xiulian asked, “This bag…”
“She needs to take it to the hotel.” You Ruxu said, “I’ll drive her to the hotel after lunch.”
Wu Xiulian handed her the car keys, “Alright, then take my car.”
You Ruxu didn’t hesitate, took the keys, and entered the elevator. As the elevator ascended, her heartbeat accelerated. Although her expression remained calm, the slight tension in her jawline betrayed her emotions.
Zhou Tianzui stood beside her, silent. The elevator was unusually quiet. Soon, it reached their floor with a ding. You Ruxu looked up. Wu Xiulian was standing outside.
Wu Xiulian had changed her clothes. She had been wearing loungewear, but after hearing Zhou Tianzui was coming, she had changed into something more formal, put on makeup, and was wearing pearl earrings. Her posture was elegant and graceful. You Ruxu had mentioned that her mother was a university professor, immersed in literature and knowledge, her temperament refined. She stepped forward, smiling.
You Ruxu called out, “Mom.”
Zhou Tianzui followed, “Auntie.”
“Hey.” Wu Xiulian said, “Come in, come in. Dr. Zhou, right? Ruxu often mentions you on the phone, saying you take good care of her in Jindu.”
You Ruxu instinctively glanced at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui’s face was calm, a smile in her eyes as she said, “We take care of each other.”
Not overly humble, just right. Wu Xiulian liked her personality and invited them in. Zhou Tianzui said, “I bought these on the way here, I didn’t know what you liked.”
“How could you…”
Wu Xiulian said, “Oh, come on, sis, it’s Dr. Zhou’s first time visiting, bringing a gift is a gesture of goodwill. If you feel bad, just give her a red envelope later.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother gave her a look.
Wu Xiulian kept quiet, about to slip away, when Zhou Tianzui said, “Aunt, this is for you.”
“There’s one for me too?” Wu Xiulian was surprised.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Just a small token of appreciation.”
Wu Xiulian, pleased, accepted the gift. Wu Xiulian’s mother couldn’t refuse any longer and accepted it as well, “Have a seat.”
You Ruxu asked, “Isn’t Dad home?”
Wu Xiulian said, “Your dad’s in court today, he should be back soon.”
You Ruxu nodded slightly. Wu Xiulian said, “Ruxu, entertain Dr. Zhou, I’ll go make a few more dishes.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Auntie, I’ll help you.”
Wu Xiulian said, “How can I let you do that? You should…”
“I want to learn from you.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Teacher You always says my cooking isn’t to her liking, that she only likes yours the most, so I want to see how Auntie cooks.”
Wu Xiulian looked at You Ruxu, a hint of pleasure in her expression: “Really?”
She then said to You Ruxu, “Ruxu, honestly, as long as there’s food, why be so picky?”
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, feeling even more strongly that she was a completely different person. So sweet-tongued, so good at pleasing people, but couldn’t even bother to coax her, could she?
She pursed her lips and remained silent.
Wu Xiulian, thinking she was unhappy, asked Wu Xiulian to keep her company. Zhou Tianzui followed Wu Xiulian into the kitchen. Soon, Wu Xiulian’s laughter could be heard. You Ruxu turned to look at the kitchen. Zhou Tianzui also happened to look over, their eyes meeting. You Ruxu quickly averted her gaze.
Just as Wu Xiulian sat down, her phone rang. She said, “The S3 document? It’s on my computer, I’ll send it to you when I get home, later.”
She said to You Ruxu, “I’m going upstairs, I’ll be back down soon.”
Her apartment was two floors above. You Ruxu nodded.
She was alone in the living room. Nothing had changed in the six months she had been away, still the familiar setting. She looked at her suitcase. Having nothing else to do, she decided to unpack. The suitcase wasn’t big, and it wasn’t very full. The vacuum-packed teddy bear was particularly conspicuous. She took it out, placed it by her pillow, and watched it slowly inflate. Hearing a noise at the doorway, she turned around. Zhou Tianzui was standing there.
You Ruxu said, “Done learning?”
Zhou Tianzui walked in. You Ruxu’s room was spacious and cozy, with light pink wallpaper, blue curtains, bookshelves made of irregular shelves, and several large transparent storage boxes under the desk, filled with neatly organized books. There were also pens and paper on the desk. Zhou Tianzui walked in and said, “Done learning.”
You Ruxu, holding some clothes, quickly hung them up and said, “My mom’s very happy today.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Auntie seems to be in a good mood.”
You Ruxu said, “That’s because you’re good at coaxing her.” Her tone held a rare hint of a barb. “I never knew you were so good at making people happy.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded slightly, not saying anything. Hearing no response, You Ruxu turned around. A small, square, deep purple gift box appeared from behind the wardrobe, held out in Zhou Tianzui’s hand.
You Ruxu was slightly surprised, looking at Zhou Tianzui.
She asked, “What’s this?”
Zhou Tianzui: “A gift.”
You Ruxu pursed her lips. She wasn’t blind, she could see it was a gift.
She asked again, “Why are you giving me a gift?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “To make you happy.”
You Ruxu didn’t speak, just looked at Zhou Tianzui, opened the wardrobe door, the door blocking Zhou Tianzui’s view. Hidden from Zhou Tianzui’s sight, You Ruxu bit her lip, unable to suppress the slight upward curve of her lips.
You Ruxu: So you can coax everyone but me, is that it?
Zhou Tianzui: When haven’t I coaxed you?
You Ruxu: When have you coaxed me?
Zhou Tianzui: Asking about your health.
You Ruxu: …
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