Chapter 44: Compensation
You Ruxu sat on a chair. Several professors were on stage, a medical case being projected on the screen behind them, their voices clearly amplified. A few doctors in the audience yawned. The session was longer than yesterday’s, still not over at noon. Han Shuang, returning from the restroom, said, “It’s like a class that’s running over time, don’t these people need to use the restroom?”
You Ruxu, also feeling the urge now, went to the restroom. By the time she returned, the session was over.
Han Shuang lay listlessly on the equipment, her eyes wide open, and said, “I’m so sleepy, are you going out for lunch?”
You Ruxu looked around, but didn’t see Zhou Tianzui. Her already gloomy mood worsened, “Let’s go.”
She wanted to find Zhou Tianzui.
Han Shuang said, “Then bring me back a lunchbox.”
You Ruxu asked, “Aren’t you coming?”
Han Shuang said, “I want to take a nap.”
You Ruxu agreed. Since Han Shuang was staying, she didn’t bring the equipment and just left with her bag. Just as she took out her phone to unlock the car, she saw a familiar figure among a group of people nearby.
One of them was Han Shuang’s cousin, the one they had dinner with yesterday. These were probably doctors from the city hospital. Han Shuang’s cousin was introducing them, and Zhou Tianzui nodded and greeted them with a smile.
You Ruxu had previously thought Zhou Tianzui didn’t like socializing, but she was wrong. Zhou Tianzui was actually very good at it. Although she was always overly serious and formal, her words and actions were always to the point. If she wanted to, she could easily win people over.
Like Han Shuang’s cousin, whose eyes held admiration.
You Ruxu, standing a distance away, didn’t approach, just stood there, holding her phone. She didn’t know if Zhou Tianzui had seen her. Zhou Tianzui followed the group into the hotel, chatting animatedly even with people she had just met.
You Ruxu went to a restaurant, packed a lunchbox, and brought it back for Han Shuang.
Han Shuang, surprised to see her back so soon, asked, “You didn’t eat?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m not hungry.”
Han Shuang said, “You don’t look well, are you feeling sick? Is your cold still bothering you?”
You Ruxu, taking the cue, nodded, “Yes, my cold isn’t completely gone yet, I have a bit of a headache.”
“Then why don’t you go back and rest?” Han Shuang said, “We’ll cover the afternoon session, let me know if you need anything.”
You Ruxu hadn’t intended to leave, but hearing this, she wavered, “Okay, I’ll go back and rest then.”
Han Shuang nodded and saw her out.
Leaving work early, You Ruxu drove aimlessly. Her family probably wasn’t home. She drove around, and remembering her mother’s suggestion about buying clothes, thought of the brand Zhou Tianzui often wore. She found a store on the navigation app and drove there. The parking spot had no cover, and the drizzle hit her face, making her frown.
Inside the store, two or three shop assistants were chatting. Seeing a customer enter, they immediately approached, eager to make recommendations. You Ruxu looked around and said, “Could I try on that blue jacket?”
“Of course.” The shop assistant said, “With your figure, it will fit perfectly. And it’s leather, perfect for this rainy weather, just wipe it clean, the material is excellent…”
You Ruxu took the jacket. It was a long trench coat style, but slightly thicker, warmer, and easy to care for. The deep blue color had a cool sheen under the lights, perfect for Zhou Tianzui.
She thought it was very suitable.
She also bought a pair of jeans, a lighter shade of blue than the jacket, slim-fitting, accentuating the legs nicely. You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui had similar figures. After trying it on, she chose the size and paid, leaving the store, her mood much improved.
At least, she had a reason to visit Zhou Tianzui tonight.
After buying things for Zhou Tianzui, she bought thermal underwear and a set of clothes each for You Shu and Wu Xiulian, and a fashionable business suit for Wu Xiulian, even though she rarely came home, she always remembered to buy them clothes and shoes every season, so she knew their sizes. Being busy helped her forget her troubles, but after finishing, she started thinking about Zhou Tianzui again.
Zhou Tianzui probably hadn’t finished work yet, she would likely be very late today.
You Ruxu went home first, dropped off the clothes for You Shu and Wu Xiulian, and took Wu Xiulian’s upstairs. Suddenly free, she reported to Shi Qi about work, then received a call from Chen Xiang.
Chen Xiang wailed through the phone, “Teacher You, I’m so busy I’m dying!”
You Ruxu asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Since you left, and I’m working with the new reporter, I’m constantly working overtime. I don’t even know how they work, it’s a mess, I don’t get to sleep until midnight every day.” Chen Xiang really wanted to cry. She missed You Ruxu terribly.
You Ruxu asked, “The explosion case isn’t over yet?”
“It’s all wrapped up today.” Chen Xiang said, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have time to call you. You’ll be back in a few days, right?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes.”
Chen Xiang thanked Buddha repeatedly and said, “But the boss is quite pleased with herself lately.”
You Ruxu asked, “How so?”
“You probably don’t know yet, but that interview we did with CCTV, and the exclusive interview about the explosion, the higher-ups praised us, and now the boss is chairing all the meetings.”
Previously, they rotated, each team leader chairing for a week, but now Shi Qi was in charge.
No wonder she was pleased with herself.
You Ruxu wasn’t very interested in these office politics, just casually chatting. Someone called for Chen Xiang. She said, “Then I’ll hang up, Teacher You, come back soon.”
You Ruxu chuckled and hung up the phone.
She hadn’t slept well last night, but listening to the steady drumming of the rain outside, she felt a little sleepy. You Ruxu lay down on her desk, watching the raindrops on the windowsill, each drop forming a ripple, the circles surrounding her. She closed her eyes and rested.
She was woken up.
There was the sound of the door opening. It was probably Wu Xiulian. Seeing the shopping bags on the sofa, Wu Xiulian smiled, then walked to You Ruxu’s room and called out, “Ruxu.”
You Ruxu was lying on her desk, her face turned away. Wu Xiulian walked in and saw her sleeping, so she lightened her steps, but You Ruxu still woke up. She opened her eyes, looked at Wu Xiulian, and after a moment of confusion, called out, “Mom.”
“Hey, you went shopping?” Wu Xiulian said, “Didn’t we agree to go together? But I was very busy this afternoon, didn’t have time to call you.”
You Ruxu said, “I finished early this afternoon, so I went.”
Wu Xiulian nodded, smiling, “I love it.”
You Ruxu got up and followed her to the living room. You Shu happened to arrive home as well, putting away his umbrella. Wu Xiulian immediately started showing off, “Our daughter bought me some clothes.”
You Ruxu said, “I bought some for Dad too.”
Wu Xiulian said, “I saw it. Let your dad stew for a bit.”
She chuckled, and You Ruxu also smiled.
She glanced at the clock, it was past seven already. She had been asleep for hours, no wonder her back ached. She looked at the shopping bags on the shoe cabinet, picked them up, and said, “Mom…”
There was a knock on the door. Wu Xiulian called out, “Xu Xu!”
Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Is it for your aunt? Go ahead, go ahead.”
You Ruxu pursed her lips, didn’t speak, opened the door. Wu Xiulian saw her come out and was about to speak when You Ruxu pulled her outside, turning to say, “Mom, I won’t be home for dinner.”
Wu Xiulian, thinking she was going out with Wu Xiulian, nodded, “Go ahead, have fun.”
You Ruxu pulled Wu Xiulian away.
Wu Xiulian was confused: “What’s going on?”
You Ruxu said, “Aunt, are you looking for me?”
Wu Xiulian said, “Did you buy me clothes?”
You Ruxu nodded.
Wu Xiulian said, “So thoughtful, should your aunt thank you? Tell me, what do you want in return?”
You Ruxu hadn’t intended to ask for anything, but hearing Wu Xiulian say this, she smiled, “Take me to the hotel.”
Wu Xiulian clicked her tongue, not asking, not speaking, just looking at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu, under her gaze, looked back.
Wu Xiulian said, “Okay.”
You Ruxu breathed a sigh of relief.
She suddenly felt nervous. She rarely bought anything for Zhou Tianzui, just the occasional crispy pastries, or some jewelry for her birthday, which Zhou Tianzui never wore. The first time, she had bought Zhou Tianzui a bracelet, after searching through several stores, finding one she thought was perfect. After buying it, she gave it to Zhou Tianzui, who just said indifferently, “Thank you.”
She hadn’t even opened it, just casually placed it on the dresser.
You Ruxu hadn’t bought her anything since.
This was a gift after a long time, and You Ruxu’s mood was the same as when she gave her the bracelet. But she also felt it was different. She had sensed Zhou Tianzui’s recent changes. It was just that last night, she might have been busy, or perhaps—
You Ruxu was searching for excuses.
She, who always valued practicality and truth, was now making excuses for her own peace of mind.
You Ruxu’s mind was in turmoil. Her fingertips were cold when she got out of the car. Wu Xiulian asked, “Want me to wait for you?”
Before she could reply, Wu Xiulian said, “Forget it, you’re probably not coming back tonight.”
“Don’t worry, I know what to tell your mother.”
You Ruxu blushed slightly, hearing her aunt’s words. Wu Xiulian said, “Go ahead.”
You Ruxu nodded and walked towards the hotel. After a few steps, she turned back and stood by Wu Xiulian’s car window, “Thank you, Aunt.”
“Such a good girl.” Wu Xiulian reached out and tapped her nose, “Such a good girl, how did you become someone else’s?”
Someone else’s?
You Ruxu’s heart beat faster, thinking about these words. In the elevator, she wished she could just take the stairs, feeling that it was too slow. She wanted to see Zhou Tianzui immediately, forgetting about her coldness from last night and today. She just purely, simply, wanted to see her.
A strange and inexplicable feeling.
But very strong.
So strong that she ignored Zhou Tianzui’s coldness.
You Ruxu stood at the door, took a deep breath, and after two seconds, knocked.
Zhou Tianzui, are you there? Should she have called first? Lost in thought, the door opened. Zhou Tianzui stood there, looking at her. You Ruxu froze slightly. Zhou Tianzui’s scent was unfamiliar, making her slightly dizzy. After a couple of seconds, she finally reacted, asking, “Have you been drinking?”
The person in front of her stepped forward. Only one lamp was on in the living room, the dim light blending with the sound of rain outside, making the room feel even colder. Zhou Tianzui never drank, not since You Ruxu had known her. This was the first time she had seen her drinking. She seemed different from usual.
Zhou Tianzui looked at her and asked, “What are you doing here?”
You Ruxu’s throat tightened. She gripped the shopping bag and said, “I bought you some clothes…”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, grabbed You Ruxu’s wrist, and pulled her into the room. The door slammed shut!
You Ruxu’s ears rang. Zhou Tianzui stepped closer, their faces close, the distance between them shrinking. Zhou Tianzui’s expression was cold, her voice icy, “Why did you buy me clothes?” She enunciated each word clearly, “To compensate me?”
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