Chapter 39
When Zhuo Zhi entered Li Qinyue’s office, Li Qinyue turned around, startled.
She immediately got up from her chair and walked towards Zhuo Zhi, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Zhuo Zhi shook her head, her voice hoarse, “Nothing.”
“That doesn’t look like nothing.” Li Qinyue stared at Zhuo Zhi’s red, rabbit-like eyes and cupped her face, “Who bullied you?”
“No one can bully me,” Zhuo Zhi closed her eyes and brushed Li Qinyue’s hand away, “It’s fine, President Mi is here.”
“Even President Mi can’t stop me from caring about my girlfriend.”
“I need to talk to President Mi,” Zhuo Zhi walked past her and stood in front of Mi Xingyi.
“Xiao Zhuo, how’s the situation in there?” Mi Xingyi asked at the perfect moment.
“Rong Hua lost her child. She searched for twelve years but couldn’t find her. In October this year, she was diagnosed with liver cancer and wanted to see her child one last time before she dies. So she listened to someone’s malicious advice and resorted to blocking your car. They told her that your family is full of high-ranking officials and that if they filmed a video and made a big fuss, you would help her find her child.” Zhuo Zhi finished in one breath and sniffled.
“Hmm, so that’s what happened,” Mi Xingyi said, “Thank you for your hard work. You’re amazing, I questioned her for a long time, but couldn’t get any information out of her.”
Li Qinyue handed a tissue to Zhuo Zhi and said to Mi Xingyi, “You should investigate the person who instigated this, I’m sure there will be new discoveries.”
Zhuo Zhi looked at Mi Xingyi’s desk and asked, “President Mi, can I borrow your paper and pen?”
“Of course,” Mi Xingyi handed her the notepad and pen from his desk.
Zhuo Zhi bent down and wrote a few lines, then handed them back to Mi Xingyi, “This is the name and address the person behind this used to contact Rong Hua. Rong Hua described their appearance, but she doesn’t have a picture. I wrote it all down here.”
“Thank you,” Mi Xingyi took the notepad and looked at it, “I’ll investigate this later.”
Zhuo Zhi hesitated for a moment, then asked, “President Mi, is it possible not to send Rong Hua to the police station?”
“Hmm?” Mi Xingyi said, “It’s best to leave this kind of matter to the police, it’s the fairest way for everyone.”
Zhuo Zhi didn’t insist. She thought for a moment and asked, “Then can I take her to the hospital to get her leg treated first?”
“Yes, of course,” Mi Xingyi agreed.
“Thank you,” Zhuo Zhi bowed slightly.
Mi Xingyi immediately had his secretary arrange a car. When Zhuo Zhi and Li Qinyue went to get Rong Hua, she refused to go to the hospital.
She was slumped on the floor, looking listless. She just asked Zhuo Zhi, “Is there really no other way?”
“This method is wrong,” Zhuo Zhi said, “Get your leg treated, then you can continue searching.”
Rong Hua waved her hand, “It’s no use, it hurts every day.”
Zhuo Zhi knew she was referring to her cancer, and she couldn’t respond to that.
“If I go like this, I’ll be sent to the police station.” Rong Hua paused, then suddenly looked up, “Just take me to the police station. Maybe if I make a fuss with the police, maybe, maybe…”
She had been relatively calm, but the moment she uttered those words, tears started streaming down her face again.
Zhuo Zhi’s body trembled slightly. Li Qinyue put her arm around her and said to Rong Hua, “If you go to the police station, they’ll also treat your leg first. Every day you’re alive is a blessing. Get your leg treated, then if there’s any news, you can go, right? And stop thinking about making a fuss with anyone, it’s useless. You should know…”
Zhuo Zhi tugged at her arm, interrupting Li Qinyue.
Zhuo Zhi walked to Rong Hua, turned her back, and squatted down, “Anyway, let’s get your leg treated first. Come on, I’ll carry you.”
Rong Hua’s hand landed on Zhuo Zhi’s back, and she burst into tears, “Daughter, don’t bother with me, don’t bother with me…”
Zhuo Zhi closed her eyes, bending down. A tear slid down her cheek and landed on the floor.
Li Qinyue couldn’t stand it any longer. She went over, pulled Zhuo Zhi up, and walked out, “Leave this to me, I’ll handle it.”
“Sister, I want to take her to the hospital…” Zhuo Zhi said softly.
“I know,” Li Qinyue pulled her out of the conference room, “I’ll take her to get her leg treated, right now.”
Zhuo Zhi’s lips moved. Li Qinyue looked at her, “Having that kind of illness, it’s fate, and fate cannot be changed.”
Zhuo Zhi didn’t say anything more. Li Qinyue wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, “Be good, go home first, okay? Leave the rest to me.”
“I’m going with you,” Zhuo Zhi said.
“No, you’re very tired today,” Li Qinyue asked her, “Do you trust me?”
Zhuo Zhi nodded.
“If you trust me, go home first. This is Brother Mi’s matter after all, we shouldn’t interfere too much.”
Zhuo Zhi nodded again, her eyes downcast.
“Can you go back by yourself?” Li Qinyue smiled, “Did you learn how to use that ride-hailing app I taught you?”
“Yes,” Zhuo Zhi forced a smile.
“You’re so smart,” Li Qinyue kissed her forehead, “I want to eat the handmade noodles you make.”
“Okay,” Zhuo Zhi’s voice was hoarse.
They parted ways. On her way back home, Zhuo Zhi received photos of the hospital from Li Qinyue.
Zhuo Zhi clutched her phone. When she arrived home, Li Qinyue sent her a photo of Rong Hua’s leg in a cast.
Zhuo Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, but the knot in her chest didn’t loosen.
Li Qinyue messaged her: Brother Mi’s people will be watching her here. He’ll contact me about the next steps. I’m going home now, I’m starving.
Zhuo Zhi replied: I’m starting to knead the dough.
Li Qinyue sent a voice message: “Noodles kneaded by my wife, wife, make them chewy.”
Zhuo Zhi knew she was trying to cheer her up. She smiled, but Li Qinyue couldn’t see it.
It was very late when Li Qinyue returned to the villa complex.
Zhuo Zhi was staring blankly at the dough in the kitchen. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she quickly straightened up, removed the lid of the bowl, and started cutting the noodles.
Li Qinyue walked in and called out to her as she entered the kitchen. Zhuo Zhi responded, “Yes.”
She slightly regretted not clearing her throat beforehand, her voice was still a little hoarse.
Li Qinyue turned and left. Zhuo Zhi paused in her cutting.
She felt a little uneasy. This time, she forcefully cleared her throat and asked in a louder voice, “Just plain noodles tonight, Sister?”
“Yes,” Li Qinyue replied loudly, then turned around and came back as quickly as she had left.
This time, Zhuo Zhi looked at her, “Tomato and egg?”
“I want meat,” Li Qinyue stood behind her, “Don’t you ever give me meat?”
“It’s late, you should eat less meat,” Zhuo Zhi continued cutting the noodles, making conversation.
“I won’t get fat,” Li Qinyue said proudly, then suddenly reached out and said, “Open your mouth.”
Zhuo Zhi was stunned. Li Qinyue was holding a mint candy, already unwrapped. The beautiful green candy shimmered slightly under the light.
“I can do it myself,” Zhuo Zhi put down her knife.
Li Qinyue raised her other hand and swatted Zhuo Zhi’s hand, “Your hands are covered in dough, I washed my hands, they’re clean.”
“I don’t think your hands are…”
“Then eat it.”
Zhuo Zhi opened her mouth and ate the candy.
The candy was too small. No matter how carefully she tried to take it, it still brushed against Li Qinyue’s finger.
Li Qinyue’s eyes narrowed into a smile.
The mint wasn’t strong, but the cooling effect was refreshing.
The coolness spread through her mouth, up her nose, and into her lungs, making Zhuo Zhi feel much better.
Li Qinyue was standing very close to her, watching her intently, “Hurry up and eat it, I’ll give you another one after you finish.”
“How can I eat candy quickly?” Zhuo Zhi looked down at the noodles, not meeting her gaze.
“Just chew it a couple of times and it’ll be gone.”
“Cavities.”
“You’re eighteen, you can’t get cavities anymore.”
“Is that so?” Zhuo Zhi laughed, nudging Li Qinyue with her elbow, “Sister, move back a little, I’m going to cook the noodles now.”
Li Qinyue finally moved back a little, leaning against the kitchen door, arms crossed, but still watching her.
Zhuo Zhi could feel her gaze and unconsciously put on a show with her movements. Cooking could also be a performance.
The ingredients were already prepared, so the meal was ready quickly.
Plain noodles with a fragrant tomato and egg sauce. Zhuo Zhi made two large bowls and asked Li Qinyue, “Can you finish this?”
“You’re not concerned about my figure now?” Li Qinyue took the bowl from her and walked to the dining table with her, “I’ll show you my true appetite.”
Zhuo Zhi sat down across from her and smiled, “I already know.”
During this meal, Li Qinyue didn’t stop talking, not just about the food, but also about random things, even sharing the story of how she almost got liposuction in college to lose weight. Her goddess image was completely shattered.
Zhuo Zhi was amused by her stories and almost didn’t finish her meal. Li Qinyue, getting into the mood, went to the refrigerator, grabbed two cans of beer, and proposed a post-dinner drink with Zhuo Zhi.
Zhuo Zhi hesitated and said, “There’s no need, Sister.”
“Hmm?” Li Qinyue raised an eyebrow, “No need for what?”
“Are you trying to get me drunk so I’ll go to sleep? Or to drown my sorrows?” Zhuo Zhi looked at the beer can, “Or maybe to get me to confess my true feelings?”
“All of those, but not all of them,” Li Qinyue said.
Zhuo Zhi chuckled, “What else are you trying to do?”
“I won’t tell you until you drink,” Li Qinyue said.
“Then let me tell you,” Zhuo Zhi said, “I was kidnapped when I was one and a half years old. Someone took me to a faraway place, and the police rescued me, but they couldn’t find my parents.”
Li Qinyue froze, her whole body stiffening. Zhuo Zhi’s words were too sudden and too calm.
Child abduction was a common news story, there were even TV shows dedicated to reuniting families. It was a topic that always evoked tears.
Previously, Li Qinyue had only heard about these stories, and she wasn’t fond of hearing about such tragedies.
But now, a real tragedy had been revealed, and Li Qinyue, who had a high tear threshold, couldn’t help but shed a few tears after hearing what Rong Hua had to say when they took her to the hospital.
Now, even the little girl beside her was a real victim.
The feeling was indescribable, a coldness in her heart, making her feel uncomfortable.
On the way back, Li Qinyue had considered this possibility, but now that it was confirmed, she still found it hard to accept.
While she was still in shock, Zhuo Zhi smiled.
This silly girl could actually still smile? Li Qinyue frowned.
Zhuo Zhi suddenly stood up and said, “Sister, let’s go to the sofa.”
“Okay,” Li Qinyue felt like she would even do the dishes if Zhuo Zhi asked her to right now.
Zhuo Zhi stood by the sofa, waiting for Li Qinyue, who also stopped.
Zhuo Zhi said, “Sit down.”
Li Qinyue sat down.
Zhuo Zhi squeezed beside her, leaning against her, “Sister, I’m so pitiful.”
Li Qinyue hugged her tightly, rubbing her back and arms, “It’s okay, it’s okay, if you want to find them, I’ll help you. I know a lot of people, rich people, officials, it’s much better than searching blindly…”
Zhuo Zhi turned around, resting her forehead against Li Qinyue’s chest, “It was comfortable when you held me like this in the car last time.”
“Okay, okay,” Li Qinyue was willing to do anything for her, “Whatever makes you comfortable.”
Zhuo Zhi couldn’t help but smile, her face hidden against Li Qinyue’s chest. She knew Li Qinyue would be shocked and feel sorry for her, just as she had predicted.
But before she could even finish her thought, tears started rolling down Zhuo Zhi’s cheeks.
They landed on Li Qinyue’s skin, sliding down, making her tighten her embrace.
Once the floodgates opened, tears flowed like a torrential downpour.
Zhuo Zhi had held back her tears when she saw Rong Hua crying, but now, every detail, every word from today echoed in her mind, making her break down.
Li Qinyue’s chest was soaked with tears. The person in her arms was trembling, but she wasn’t making any loud noises.
No one had ever cried like this in front of her, or rather, no one in Li Qinyue’s circle would ever cry like this in front of her.
Unrestrained sadness, a grief Li Qinyue couldn’t comfort. She felt helpless, all she could do was rub Zhuo Zhi’s back and hold her tighter.
“Sister…” Zhuo Zhi’s voice was choked with sobs, “You’re… hurting me…”
Li Qinyue loosened her grip, finally finding something to say, “It’s not comfortable holding you like this.”
She patted her leg, “Sit here.”
Zhuo Zhi looked up, her face covered in tears, her eyes and lips red, “Won’t I crush you?”
“No,” Li Qinyue pulled Zhuo Zhi onto her lap, “Although I’m not as strong as you, I’ve also climbed mountains and crossed rivers.”
Zhuo Zhi straddled her lap, their eyes meeting at close range, their emotions laid bare.
Zhuo Zhi confessed honestly, “I just wanted to cry for a bit, I’ve been holding it in all day.”
“Hmm, it’s okay, cry,” Li Qinyue held her back, preventing her from slipping off her lap.
Her voice was so gentle. Zhuo Zhi’s lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face, “I’ve been holding it in for so long. I stopped crying after I grew up, Master didn’t like me crying.”
“I like you crying,” Li Qinyue felt like her logic had gone to the dogs, “You look good when you cry, cry all you want.”
Zhuo Zhi laughed through her tears. Li Qinyue didn’t mind. She pulled up her sweater sleeve and wiped Zhuo Zhi’s face.
Zhuo Zhi sniffled and asked, “Do you know what the worst part is?”
“What?”
“When I was six, the police said they found my parents. I lived with that family for six months, and then they realized they had the wrong child,” Zhuo Zhi said through tears, “That mother, her eyes were almost blind from crying.”
“Damn,” Li Qinyue couldn’t help but curse.
“No swearing,” Zhuo Zhi said.
Li Qinyue didn’t say anything, just looked at her.
A subtle, inappropriate atmosphere, like a feather brushing against her spine.
Zhuo Zhi leaned in and kissed Li Qinyue’s lips. It was cool and wet, making Li Qinyue’s heart skip a beat.
This time, Zhuo Zhi lingered for a few seconds before pulling away. Then she continued, “Thankfully, I have Master. When I was taken away by that family, she went to the nunnery next door and drank all night. When I was sent back, she took me to eat roasted lamb.”
“A good master,” Li Qinyue said.
“I miss her,” Zhuo Zhi’s lips trembled.
“We’ll go see her tomorrow,” Li Qinyue said quickly.
Zhuo Zhi continued to pout, “She said we can’t go back, not until a year later. She said, if I don’t experience the pain of missing her, I won’t know how good she is to me.”
Li Qinyue couldn’t help but laugh, “A bad master.”
Zhuo Zhi also laughed, wiping her tears, “I’m not sad anymore.”
“Really?” Li Qinyue asked.
“Yes,” Zhuo Zhi nodded vigorously, “I’m done crying.”
“Good,” Li Qinyue smoothed her hair, “Cry whenever you want to cry from now on, anytime, anywhere, just one condition.”
“What?” Zhuo Zhi asked.
“I have to be with you,” Li Qinyue said.
“What if you’re not with me?”
“Call me, I’ll be right there.”
“What if we’re far apart and I can’t hold it in anymore?”
“We won’t be far apart,” Li Qinyue pulled her closer, “Bound together, inseparable, never more than ten meters apart.”
“You’re so clingy,” Zhuo Zhi teased her.
“It’s all for your own good,” Li Qinyue said.
Zhuo Zhi didn’t reply. The room was silent, only the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.
Li Qinyue’s hand slowly moved upwards, cupping the back of Zhuo Zhi’s neck, pulling her closer.
Zhuo Zhi suddenly said, “Sister, you said I didn’t say everything.”
“What?” Li Qinyue’s mind was elsewhere.
“The reasons for drinking,” Zhuo Zhi repeated, “You said I didn’t say everything.”
“What? Are you going to fulfill all of them?” Li Qinyue asked.
“You’re so good to me, Sister, just tell me.”
“Drunken recklessness,” Li Qinyue said with a smile.
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