Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Facts
Eleven was stunned for quite a while by Su Ziyan’s question. It was clearly a difficult one for her to answer. The slight noises from the waitstaff walking by brought her back to her senses. In a soft voice, she said, “Dr. Su, Third Miss and I… we’re not in that kind of relationship.”
She hadn’t been able to explain clearly to Du Yueming earlier due to the circumstances, but she didn’t want Su Ziyan to misunderstand—it would damage Third Miss’s reputation.
Unaware of her thoughts, Su Ziyan frowned gently. “You don’t like Third Miss?”
Eleven opened her mouth. “No, I… the relationship between us isn’t what you think.”
She was bad at explaining. Her delicate face turned bright red, her eyes clear and luminous. Su Ziyan’s voice was gentle. “If one day, the two of you developed that kind of relationship, would you dislike her?”
Eleven was completely dumbfounded.
Su Ziyan saw her reaction and looked down with a chuckle. “I was joking.”
“Let’s eat.”
But when Eleven picked up her chopsticks, her heart was a chaotic mess. Did Su Ziyan say this because Third Miss had told him something?
She was sure of it—Third Miss must have said something, which was why he asked that question.
If they developed that kind of relationship, would she dislike her?
So, was Third Miss just like those men who had taken her home before?
That possibility made Eleven lose her appetite. She lowered her head and just sipped her soup, sitting quietly afterward. When Su Ziyan put down his chopsticks, she whispered, “Dr. Su, I’m full.”
Su Ziyan replied, “I’ll go pay the bill.”
Eleven looked up. “I—I’ll do it.”
Su Ziyan chuckled. “Do you even have money?”
Eleven looked a bit embarrassed being stared at but insisted, “I do.” Even if it wasn’t much.
Her money was wrapped in a handkerchief, a habit she learned from her granny. When she worked as a servant, she couldn’t receive monthly wages like the others because she was underage, and the mistresses hated her. They’d just give her a little now and then. She never had the chance to spend it, so she slowly saved up a bit.
Su Ziyan watched as the girl pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket—washed so many times it had faded—and carefully unfolded it to reveal neatly stacked paper bills, folded so many times the creases were deep. He suddenly felt a wave of heartache and said, “Let me do it.”
Eleven looked up at him in surprise. Su Ziyan smiled. “I promised to treat you to something nice. How can I let you pay?”
He called over the server. When he took out his wallet, he paused for a few seconds before putting it back and pulling several red bills directly from his pocket to pay.
After paying, Su Ziyan took Eleven back to the hospital. Neither spoke on the way. When they returned to the office, Su Ziyan told her to rest, and that once Wei Hui was finished, they could leave. He opened a drawer and said, “Take whatever candy you want.”
Then added, “But don’t eat too much.”
Eleven clasped her hands nervously. “Thank you, Dr. Su.”
Su Ziyan patted her head and left the office.
The office wasn’t large, but it was well equipped. Near the window was a small sofa, with sunlight pouring over it, making it look warm. Eleven curled up there, hugging her knees, resting her head on them, and gazing out the window.
Su Ziyan’s question echoed in her ears again:
“If one day you developed that kind of relationship, would you dislike her?”
Eleven didn’t know. That question shattered the image she had of Wei Hui. She had always thought Wei Hui was different from those men.
So… was she not?
Then why did she bring her to the hospital for treatment?
Was it because she was afraid she was dirty?
That thought stabbed her heart like a knife, making her face pale and her arms tighten around her legs even more. She curled up tighter.
The sunlight streamed in, but she felt no warmth.
One room lay in silence; another bustled with activity.
…
Wei Hui opened her eyes and saw Su Ziyan sitting by her hospital bed, jotting down notes on a medical chart. She asked hoarsely, “What’s wrong?”
Her voice was rough, nothing like her usual clear tone.
Su Ziyan finished writing and looked up. “We need to increase your medication.”
Wei Hui didn’t seem surprised. “Okay.”
“I contacted Dr. Bai overseas before the New Year. He replied recently and said he’ll come take a look. He’s been researching this field for 30 years. If he’s willing to take your case, we still have hope.”
Hope.
Wei Hui had heard that word too many times. And every time it came, disappointment followed. She was used to it.
Su Ziyan lowered his gaze. “All you need to do now is take care of your health.”
“I think you should step back from work.”
Perhaps it was the IV, but the flush on Wei Hui’s cheeks had faded, her skin now pale. After a restful sleep, she looked well. Hearing him, her expression remained calm. “I understand.”
Su Ziyan sighed. “If you really understood, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
Nagging like an old mother hen. Wei Hui rubbed her forehead. “Leave me alone. I want to sleep some more.”
Just as Su Ziyan stood up, there was a sound at the door. Pei Tian’s voice called out, “Third Miss.”
Wei Hui glanced at Su Ziyan. He was clearly displeased but said, “Come in.”
Pei Tian opened the door and was immediately met with two eye rolls from Su Ziyan. He frowned but didn’t question it. As Su Ziyan left, Wei Hui sat up in bed. Pei Tian asked, “Are you feeling better?”
“I’m fine,” Wei Hui said with a frown. “What did Wang Yongshun say?”
Pei Tian handed her a contract. “He agreed.”
“He agreed?” Wei Hui took the contract. She hadn’t forgotten how furious Wang Yongshun had been in the private room, furious at being tricked. Now he agreed?
Pei Tian replied, “The Shen family likely pressured him.”
Though he still didn’t understand how Shen Hao convinced him. If Shen Hao had that kind of power, he would’ve taken over the abandoned building long ago. Why wait until now?
Regardless, the project now belonged to Wei Tian Group.
As Wei Hui held the contract, her phone rang. It was from Shen Hao.
“Third Miss, satisfied?” he asked.
Wei Hui, unsure of what game he was playing, smiled coldly. “What does this mean, Mr. Shen?”
“Just a small token of sincerity,” Shen Hao said, checking his watch. “Do you have time at 8 tonight?”
Wei Hui replied icily, “No.”
Shen Hao said, “Then—”
“No time in the future either,” Wei Hui’s voice was even colder.
Shen Hao wasn’t angry despite her cool tone. If Wei Hui were that easy to pursue, the men in Jiangcheng would have lined up around the block. He wasn’t in a rush.
After seeing how radiant she looked last time, he had made up his mind—he had to have her.
Wei Hui didn’t want to waste any more words and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”
“Wait,” Shen Hao said, “What about the cooperation—”
“Discuss it with the company.”
She hung up, handed the phone to Pei Tian, and closed her eyes, still feeling a headache.
Pei Tian asked, “Do you want to rest more?”
“Yes. You may go.”
As Pei Tian stepped out of the room, he found Su Ziyan waiting. Clearly, he had been waiting for him.
“Something you want to say, Dr. Su?” Pei Tian asked.
Su Ziyan closed the patient file. “Still pretending?”
“What happened?”
Wei Hui always took care of herself. She wasn’t the type to recklessly overwork. Since being diagnosed, she’d followed all medical advice. Something else must have happened.
Pei Tian glanced toward her room and whispered, “Dr. Su, can I have a word in private?”
They went into the break room.
Pei Tian said as he entered, “Luo Zhouping has returned to the country.”
Luo Zhouping was deeply tied to the Wei family. Of course Su Ziyan knew this.
Wei Tian Group was built by Old Master Wei after twenty years of struggle. But the economy was bad back then, and a conservative company brought little profit. After Wei Hui’s father, Wei Changyuan, joined, he met Luo Zhouping.
Luo was a former street thug but smart and keen-eyed. He helped the group through several crises and became its second-largest shareholder. With Old Master Wei’s blessing, Luo and Wei Changyuan ran the company.
But without Old Master Wei’s restraint, Luo grew greedy and urged Wei Changyuan toward shady dealings. Wei refused. Luo, already a major shareholder, rallied smaller ones to push Wei out. Fortunately, Old Master Wei had left a backup plan and sent Luo overseas.
Luo only returned briefly for Wei Changyuan’s funeral and tried to seize power, but was blocked by Wei Hui.
He had underestimated her, thinking she was just a naive young girl. He waited for the company to beg him back—but instead, she delivered success after success.
Frustrated, Luo returned abroad to the subsidiary company.
Wei Changyuan had always regretted bringing Luo into the company. That regret had become Wei Hui’s burden.
She had clashed with Luo many times after taking over, but she was young and had to focus most of her energy on operations. That left openings for a cunning fox like Luo to win over the board.
Now Pei Tian said, “Luo Zhouping might have found out about her illness.”
Su Ziyan’s expression changed. “How would he know?”
Wei Hui’s medical records were all with him—confidential and locked away.
Pei Tian shook his head. “He only suspects.”
“This time, the abandoned building case was a test he gave her.”
And although Luo had been abroad for years, he maintained close ties with board members. It was through their support that he returned so smoothly. Even Wei Hui had to temporarily tolerate him.
Su Ziyan understood. “Then watch her health carefully. Notify me immediately if there’s any issue.”
“I will.”
Just as Pei Tian finished speaking, he looked up and saw a pair of bright eyes—Eleven was holding a cup, clearly startled to be caught. She backed away nervously and said, “I—I just came to get water. I didn’t hear anything.”