Chapter 87: Like
You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui had a quickie before dinner. It had been a while since they had enjoyed such a carefree moment, and this time, for some reason, it felt especially fulfilling.
Exceptionally so.
The kissing was fulfilling, the embracing was fulfilling, even just looking at each other, doing nothing, felt fulfilling.
Zhou Tianzui thought.
She really, really liked You Ruxu.
She wanted to hold her like this forever, to be entangled with her forever, to be with her forever.
But their bodies wouldn’t allow it.
After a short rest, they were hungry. Zhou Tianzui asked what You Ruxu had made for dinner, and You Ruxu replied, “I haven’t started cooking yet, but they’re all your favorite dishes.”
She was making amends, naturally buying all of Zhou Tianzui’s favorites. But she hadn’t expected this interlude, it was almost midnight, and they hadn’t even had dinner yet. You Ruxu tried to sit up, her back aching, she frowned slightly. Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll cook, you rest.”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll help you.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her, “Aren’t you tired?”
You Ruxu said, “Not really.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then want to go another round?”
Her tone was serious, not like she was joking. You Ruxu was speechless, just looking at her. Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “I’ll go cook.”
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
She rarely exercised, yet she had so much energy.
You Ruxu stretched her legs, thinking Zhou Tianzui was extraordinary. She considered herself one of the more active people at the station, yet she couldn’t compare to Zhou Tianzui’s energy levels.
And it wasn’t just a one-time thing. You Ruxu remembered several times when she woke up in the middle of the night and accidentally woke Zhou Tianzui, who would then pester her for a while, yet still be full of energy for work the next day, seemingly unaffected, while she herself would have to force herself to focus. She decided to ask Zhou Tianzui to get a checkup, to see if her physiology was different from hers. Thinking of this, she smiled, burying her face in the pillow.
She was becoming as childish as Zhou Tianzui.
You Ruxu rested for a few minutes, then put on her pajamas and slippers and went out to the living room. Zhou Tianzui was busy in the kitchen. She offered to help, but Zhou Tianzui said, “Dinner will be ready soon, go take a bath.”
“Don’t you need my help?” You Ruxu looked at her, moving around so quickly and efficiently, even more impressed.
Zhou Tianzui said, “No, go ahead.”
You Ruxu hesitated, then went to the bathroom to fill the tub. The warm water soothed her aching muscles, relaxing her completely, almost making her fall asleep. She only got out when Zhou Tianzui called her. The bathtub was separate from the shower, a small jacuzzi Zhou Tianzui had installed after discussing it with the landlord. She used to enjoy soaking in it after work. You Ruxu had used it a few times as well. Before they defined their relationship, she rarely touched Zhou Tianzui’s things. Afterwards, they had been too busy, and she hadn’t used it much.
Every inch of her skin felt refreshed.
You Ruxu, her face slightly flushed from the steam, her eyes bright and clear, a hint of moisture, a hazy softness, walked out of the bathroom. Zhou Tianzui, placing the food in front of her, couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.
Her skin was soft and smooth, milky white. You Ruxu’s skincare routine wasn’t complicated, but meticulous, a delicate fragrance emanating from her pores. Zhou Tianzui loved it.
You Ruxu looked up slightly at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui’s fingertips still tingled from the touch of You Ruxu’s soft skin. You Ruxu, with her head tilted slightly, looked like a delicate doll, her beauty captivating.
Her usual aloofness blended perfectly with her current docility, creating an illusion of innocence.
Zhou Tianzui leaned down and kissed You Ruxu softly on the lips.
The sweet fragrance clung to her own skin as well.
She straightened up, taking a step back, her voice slightly tense, her gaze darkening a little, “Let’s eat.”
You Ruxu lowered her head and started eating. Zhou Tianzui sat opposite her. The living room was quiet, the warm, orange glow of the lights creating a cozy atmosphere. Zhou Tianzui broke the silence, “They still haven’t found Xu Jinwan?”
You Ruxu’s eating paused slightly, “Not yet.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “I saw online that it might be self-orchestrated, what’s that about?”
You Ruxu said, “It’s just a speculation.”
There were many inconsistencies, hence the speculation. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Really nothing to do with Zhou Heng?”
Not just Zhou Tianzui.
Many people online were also asking the same question.
Including those who knew Zhou Heng.
The manager of Fengyuan was puzzled. Zhou Heng, after meeting with Shi Qi that day, had been furious, even threatening to deal with Shi Qi and You Ruxu. But after two days, nothing happened. And even after Xu Jinwan’s report, he was still calm?
This wasn’t the Zhou Heng he knew.
And his move today, suing the TV station while Xu Jinwan was missing, was brilliant. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Zhou Heng was capable of such a thing, as the owner of Fengyuan, he had the means and the guts, he could even handle the aftermath, but Zhou Heng had a temper, he was easily angered. With the V1 issue, if he hadn’t insisted on using his friend’s company, causing dissatisfaction among the board members, leading to their attacks during the meeting, he would have been able to handle the situation calmly, instead of acting impulsively.
Now, he was acting like a shrewd businessman.
That Zhou Heng could actually be patient was surprising.
But this way, Fengyuan might actually weather the storm. The online sentiment towards Fengyuan was already shifting in a positive direction, he had noticed.
And Zhou Heng had noticed it too.
Zhou Heng stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, looking at the brightly lit city below, like a city that never sleeps. Who would have thought that ten days ago, he had been struggling with the V1 issue and the news reports, and now, he could leisurely sip his red wine, even asking the person beside him, “How’s the wine?”
“It’s good.” Chen Jiushu’s voice was cold and indifferent as he sat on the sofa in his perfectly tailored suit, looking at Zhou Heng.
Zhou Heng said, “I owe you one for this.”
Chen Jiushu said, “You’re welcome, Mr. Zhou, I’m just doing my job. When to release Xu Jinwan, that’s up to you.”
Zhou Heng swirled his wine, wanting to vent all his anger, accumulated from his encounter with Jindu TV, onto Xu Jinwan, but he knew it wasn’t the right time. Suppressed his anger. “Tomorrow, release her tomorrow.”
“And the USB drive?”
“The evidence on it was fake anyway.” Zhou Heng took a sip of wine, a glint of anticipation in his eyes, looking forward to the drama that would unfold when Xu Jinwan returned. Chen Jiushu also raised his glass, looked at Zhou Heng, and smiled.
The night concealed their silent exchange.
The wind howled, the rain drizzled. Before eleven o’clock, it started raining. You Ruxu looked at the increasingly heavy rain outside and frowned. Zhou Tianzui emerged from the kitchen and, seeing her standing by the window, walked over and asked, “What are you looking at?”
“It’s raining.” You Ruxu said, “Makes searching more difficult.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “If it’s really Zhou Heng, it’s a good thing.”
You Ruxu looked at her, “Why?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “If it’s him, he won’t harm her, he’s suing the TV station now because she’s not around, there’s no so-called evidence. All he needs to do is destroy the evidence and then bring Xu Jinwan back.”
“Xu Jinwan won’t be able to defend herself.”
You Ruxu nodded.
This was also a possibility she had considered. If it was Zhou Heng, it would ensure Xu Jinwan’s safety, because in the current situation, he was the one who least wanted anything to happen to her.
Without the evidence, even if Xu Jinwan reappeared, she would be criticized, accused of fabricating the story, of staging her disappearance.
Xu Jinwan would be completely defenseless.
Zhou Tianzui said, “And didn’t you say it’s highly likely her informant was involved?”
You Ruxu nodded.
Zhou Tianzui continued, “Then it’s even worse for Xu Jinwan.”
The informant was on Xu Jinwan’s side, the evidence was “lost” because of her, the disappearance because she didn’t reappear. As long as the lawsuit proceeded, Fengyuan would be in an advantageous position.
But this way, Xu Jinwan would be safe.
You Ruxu paused, then sighed.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking, I hope it was Zhou Heng.” A ridiculous thought, a reporter hoping for someone to commit a crime. But if it was Zhou Heng, it would ensure Xu Jinwan’s safety.
Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s understandable, if it were me, I would also hope it was Zhou Heng.”
Because it meant the person was safe, that they would return.
As for the evidence, they could always find more.
It was choosing the lesser of two evils.
They just didn’t want anything worse to happen to Xu Jinwan.
You Ruxu looked out the window. The rain was still falling, showing no signs of stopping. Zhou Tianzui hugged her from behind, the atmosphere quiet, the drumming of the rain against the windowpane strangely unsettling.
Night fell.
Zhou Tianzui went to the bathroom to wash up. You Ruxu sat on the bed, checking for updates from the station. There was still no news about Xu Jinwan. After thinking for a moment, she called Captain Zhou.
Captain Zhou, wearing a raincoat, stood at the intersection, watching the cars and the few pedestrians hurrying past. The alley was deserted, no streetlights, only the faint glow from the distant streetlights, and with the rain, visibility was even worse, the sky a dark and oppressive gray.
Just as her team member was about to speak, her phone rang. Captain Zhou raised a hand, silencing him.
It was You Ruxu.
Captain Zhou’s voice lowered slightly, “Reporter You?”
You Ruxu said, “It’s me, I still think Zhou Heng is highly suspicious.”
After much deliberation, she still felt it was best to inform Captain Zhou. Captain Zhou said, “I know.”
You Ruxu said, “I was followed before.”
Captain Zhou’s voice became alert: “When?”
The wind howled through the receiver. You Ruxu said, “After the car accident, just once.”
It was while she was still in the hospital, when she went out with Yao Zhao. She hadn’t been followed since, because that time, it had been too obvious, as if they wanted her to see them. She hadn’t mentioned it, not wanting to provide misleading information, but now, with Xu Jinwan’s disappearance, and the possibility of Zhou Heng being involved, but no evidence, perhaps they could investigate that incident.
You Ruxu gave Captain Zhou the details.
Captain Zhou said, “I understand, I’ll contact you if we find anything.”
You Ruxu agreed.
Before she could hang up, Zhou Tianzui entered the room, a towel wrapped around her head, drying her damp hair, her face glowing in the warm light, wearing a beige silk nightgown like flowing water. She walked over to You Ruxu and asked, looking down, “Who was that?”
You Ruxu had already hung up, she was still holding the phone, Captain Zhou’s name on the screen. She looked up at Zhou Tianzui, whose eyes were clear and bright, her long, thick eyelashes slightly curled, casting shadows, her gaze intense as she looked at You Ruxu, who started to say, “It was Cap—”
Remembering Zhou Tianzui’s usual teasing.
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
Zhou Tianzui, looking at her, asked in her familiar cool tone, “Captain who?”
You Ruxu, hearing that familiar tone, smiled faintly, her gaze softening. She said, “Zhou Tianzui, I like you.”
Zhou Tianzui froze.
Her heart pounded, her limbs numb.
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