Chapter 52: Going Back
When You Shu arrived home, You Ruxu and Wu Xiulian were sitting on the sofa, discussing the color of gloves. Wu Xiulian asked her, “What other colors do you like? I’ll buy you some next time.”
You Ruxu said, “Anything is fine, I like blue.”
Blue. The clothes she bought for Zhou Tianzui today were blue. Wu Xiulian smiled and said, “Okay.”
You Shu couldn’t understand how her anger had dissipated so quickly, as if nothing had happened. He looked at the two of them in surprise. You Ruxu called out, “Dad.”
“Mm.” The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. He asked You Ruxu, “What’s wrong with your mother?”
You Ruxu looked at Wu Xiulian.
Wu Xiulian said, “What’s wrong with me? I’m perfectly fine.”
You Shu looked at her, blinked, then said, “Is dinner ready?”
“We’re waiting for you.” Wu Xiulian stood up and went to the kitchen to serve the food. You Shu followed her, whispering something. You Ruxu didn’t follow, just sat at the dining table. You Shu soon emerged, a smile on his face. Wu Xiulian said, “Send some pork rib soup to your aunt after dinner.”
You Ruxu nodded.
After dinner, she took the thermos upstairs to Wu Xiulian’s apartment. Wu Xiulian had just gotten off work, lying motionless on the sofa. Seeing this, You Ruxu made her some noodles with the pork rib soup, adding a few leafy greens. The rich aroma of the soup filled the air. Wu Xiulian sat up and leaned closer to the bowl, sniffing, “Smells delicious.”
“It’s great having a niece.” She said, “Xu Xu, let’s just live together from now on.”
Before You Ruxu could reply, Wu Xiulian added, “We can invite Dr. Zhou over too, I don’t mind the three of us living together.”
Absurd.
You Ruxu chuckled.
Wu Xiulian said, “What’s so funny? I’m serious, where are you two planning to settle down in the future?”
You Ruxu paused, “We haven’t discussed it yet.”
She had initially planned to live in Jindu for a few years, then return, but now, because of Zhou Tianzui, she was no longer so free. Wu Xiulian nodded, “It’s a difficult question.”
She said to You Ruxu, “If you go to Jindu, your parents definitely won’t go. What about her coming here? Have you thought about that?”
You Ruxu shook her head.
Zhou Tianzui would never leave Yu Qiao.
Wu Xiulian said, “Forget it, you two just started dating, don’t think too much about it, just enjoy your relationship for now.”
Just enjoy the relationship, for now?
You Ruxu’s heart felt sweet, thinking about Zhou Tianzui. She couldn’t help but message Zhou Tianzui while Wu Xiulian was eating her noodles: [Are you back at the hotel yet?]
Zhou Tianzui: [Yes, have you had dinner?]
You Ruxu: [Yes, I’m at my aunt’s place.]
Zhou Tianzui looked at her message, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, the TV on, broadcasting news about the summit. She listened absently, her mind on You Ruxu, then after a moment of thought, asked: [Did your mom say anything?]
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
She replied: [Nothing, why?]
Zhou Tianzui: [I saw her when I came back, she bought me some things.]
You Ruxu: [What?]
Zhou Tianzui: [Gloves and things.]
She took a photo and sent it to You Ruxu.
You Ruxu replied: [My mom bought me some too.]
Zhou Tianzui: [And?]
You Ruxu said: [My mom also said Jindu is cold and told me to keep warm.]
So, she wasn’t going to interfere in her relationship. Hearing those words, You Ruxu had hugged Wu Xiulian, her eyes red, and said, “Thank you, Mom.”
Wu Xiulian hadn’t said anything, just patted her back.
They hadn’t mentioned Zhou Tianzui directly, but it was clear what they were talking about.
You Ruxu’s eyes still ached, remembering that moment. Zhou Tianzui didn’t reply immediately. Wu Xiulian finished her noodles, wiped her mouth, and said, “Are you going back to your place tonight?”
“Yes.” You Ruxu said, “Going back.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Your teddy bear is still on my bed.”
You Ruxu knew. She went to her room, picked up the teddy bear, and said to Wu Xiulian, “Aunt, I’m going back now.”
Wu Xiulian nodded, “Go ahead.”
She saw You Ruxu to the elevator, standing there, watching as the elevator, instead of stopping two floors below, continued down. Wu Xiulian chuckled, “Being in love is nice.”
She knew You Ruxu was probably going to see Zhou Tianzui.
Before You Ruxu entered the elevator, she received a message from Zhou Tianzui, asking if she could come downstairs. You Ruxu went straight down. She sat on the sofa in the lobby, looking towards the entrance. Someone walked in. She glanced over, then looked down again.
She didn’t ask why Zhou Tianzui was here so late, because she also wanted to see her.
After her mother gave her tacit approval, she wanted to see Zhou Tianzui even more.
You Ruxu placed the teddy bear beside her and looked at it, its dark, round, brown eyes, its fur faded from being washed so many times, its body slightly deflated from not having enough stuffing. You Ruxu pulled on its arms, hearing a voice behind her: “A Ran.”
She turned around. Zhou Tianzui stood there, slightly out of breath, her eyes bright and captivating. You Ruxu looked at her, and at the gift in her hand.
A very large gift.
You Ruxu remembered when she first received a teddy bear from Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui had been holding it carelessly under her arm, not looking particularly enthusiastic, simply handing it to her, saying casually, “Happy birthday.”
That was the gift.
Completely different from now.
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui and smiled, “What are you doing?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “A gift.”
You Ruxu chuckled, “It’s not my birthday, why are you giving me a gift?”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Do I need a reason to give you a gift?”
You Ruxu said, “Not really.”
Unlike the first time’s carelessness, Zhou Tianzui had carefully wrapped this gift, a gift bag with a perfectly tied bow, neat and beautiful edges, even the color of the bag was thoughtfully chosen, You Ruxu’s favorite.
You Ruxu’s heart swelled with an indescribable feeling.
She sat on the sofa, placed the gift on her lap, untied the bow, revealing the soft, fluffy fur inside, much softer than the previous one. She touched it gently and looked at Zhou Tianzui.
These two bears resembled their relationship, from the initial carelessness and roughness to the carefully crafted softness. You Ruxu’s heart also softened, her eyes slightly red. Zhou Tianzui sat beside her and asked, “Do you like it?”
You Ruxu didn’t speak.
Zhou Tianzui touched her arm: “A Ran?”
Before You Ruxu could reply, she heard someone call out, “Xu Xu.”
She looked up and saw Wu Xiulian standing by the elevator, looking at her: “Oh, isn’t that Dr. Zhou?”
Feigning surprise was her specialty.
You Ruxu blushed slightly, embarrassed at being caught after just saying she was going home. Wu Xiulian chuckled and said, “Do me a favor.”
You Ruxu said, “What is it?”
“I left the water boiling at home, can you go turn it off for me?” She looked at Zhou Tianzui and greeted her with a smile, “Dr. Zhou.”
Zhou Tianzui stood up gracefully: “Aunt.”
She called her “aunt” quite naturally.
Wu Xiulian was pleased. She said, “You two chat, I’ll be going now. Xu Xu, my friend asked me to keep her company, I won’t be back tonight.”
It seemed like she was deliberately saying this for Zhou Tianzui’s benefit.
She added, “Dr. Zhou, it’s cold downstairs, come up and sit for a while.”
Zhou Tianzui glanced at You Ruxu and nodded, “Thank you, Aunt.”
Wu Xiulian smiled at You Ruxu and left with her car keys. You Ruxu stood there, frozen. She said, “The water is still boiling at my aunt’s.”
It sounded more like an invitation.
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
Zhou Tianzui chuckled softly, looking at her.
You Ruxu turned to go to the elevator, then turned back, picked up both teddy bears, and walked towards the elevator. Seeing Zhou Tianzui hadn’t moved, she turned around again and, with one hand, lightly held Zhou Tianzui’s arm. They entered the elevator together.
Zhou Tianzui saw You Ruxu’s face buried in the teddy bear. Many times, when she came home late from night shifts, she would see You Ruxu sleeping like this, her face buried in the fur. She would always be afraid You Ruxu would have trouble breathing. Zhou Tianzui reached out and gently brushed away the fur from You Ruxu’s nose. You Ruxu turned and looked at her, their eyes meeting, neither speaking.
Soon, the elevator arrived.
A comfortable silence enveloped them, like a signal. As You Ruxu opened the door, the signal transmitted. Zhou Tianzui pulled her into an embrace, pressing her against the door. The cold wood made You Ruxu tense, her hands clutching the gift bag tightly, the paper crinkling. The sound seemed distant, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. She tilted her head back slightly, held tightly by Zhou Tianzui, her grip on the gift bag loosening as she wrapped her arms around Zhou Tianzui.
You Ruxu could barely breathe from the kiss.
After a long moment, Zhou Tianzui released her. You Ruxu, like a fish out of water, leaned against Zhou Tianzui, catching her breath, her chin resting on Zhou Tianzui’s shoulder. Zhou Tianzui held her until her breathing steadied, then straightened up. Zhou Tianzui picked up the two teddy bears, placed them on the sofa, and turned around. You Ruxu followed.
Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang. It was the director. Zhou Tianzui glanced at You Ruxu and answered the call.
The person on the other end said something, and Zhou Tianzui’s expression changed slightly, “When?”
The director said, “She was brought in this afternoon.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I understand.”
She hung up. You Ruxu asked, “What’s wrong?”
“My mom fell.” Zhou Tianzui said, “She’s in the hospital.”
You Ruxu paused: “When?”
“This afternoon.” She had called Yu Qiao this afternoon, but Yu Qiao hadn’t mentioned anything. Zhou Tianzui said, “The director wants me to come back early.” She looked at You Ruxu, “Want to come with me?”
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