Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Incident

Eleven had a good night’s sleep. It was the first time since coming to the Wei family that she had slept so soundly. Maybe it was because Wei Hui had clearly told her his intentions and choices, so she no longer had to worry about losing an eye or some organ at any moment. Or maybe it was simply because she had eaten too much last night. The feeling of being full was just too satisfying. Even as dawn broke the next morning, she still felt that subtle sense of happiness.

She woke up before six o’clock.

Eleven got up and neatly folded her quilt. When she opened the window, the cold wind mixed with dampness blew in. Early mornings and evenings in early November were always chilly. She hugged her arms and sneezed twice before closing the window. By then, she was fully awake.

After washing up, she went downstairs, but no one was in the living room—it was empty. Eleven checked the time on her phone again. It was indeed 6:30. Usually, by this time, the others would be up and cleaning already. But now? No one?

Curious, Eleven walked toward the kitchen and saw only one chef in a white coat busy at work. Everyone else was gone. Out of curiosity, she asked, “Where’s Aunt Zhang?”

The chef looked up at her and replied, “Outside.”

Eleven thanked him softly and stepped out of the living room. Sure enough, she saw Aunt Zhang, and in front of her stood a row of servants. Aunt Zhang was scolding them:
“Who took it? You better come forward now. It’s not too late to admit it. But if this alarms Third Miss, you’re all in trouble!”

“No one wants to admit it?”

“You, speak!”

She pointed to the woman on the far left—tall and thin. The woman hesitated under Aunt Zhang’s gaze and replied, “I don’t know. It wasn’t me.”

“Aunt Zhang, it couldn’t have been us. We’ve been working here for so long—you know our character.”

“Exactly, we’d never touch Third Miss’s belongings. Not unless we didn’t want to work anymore.”

“Aunt Zhang, we really didn’t take it!”

The murmurs and protests continued. Eleven stood silently behind Aunt Zhang and heard one woman say,
“Aunt Zhang, why don’t you ask Miss Eleven?”

“Her hands aren’t clean to begin with…”

“She just got hit…”

“She wasn’t around yesterday…”

“Maybe she already sold it…”

Eleven stood there, her hands and feet turning cold. Aunt Zhang slowly turned around and looked at her with a sinister gaze. Her voice was cold:
“Miss Eleven, have you ever been to Third Miss’s jewelry room?”

Jewelry room? Eleven shook her head slightly and replied softly, “No.”

Aunt Zhang stared at her for a few seconds. The others continued whispering accusations. Then Aunt Zhang said,
“All right, once Third Miss finishes breakfast, we’ll search everyone. Miss Eleven, since you say you didn’t take it, you won’t mind if we search your room, right?”

Eleven shook her head, about to say she didn’t mind, when a cold voice came from behind:
“Search what room?”

Everyone was startled—no one had noticed that Third Miss Wei Hui had arrived.

Wei Hui was still in the same nightwear Eleven had seen her in the night before, with a pale pink shawl draped over her shoulders. The cold wind blew her shawl and hair into a graceful arc. Her beautiful face remained indifferent, eyes slightly narrowed:
“Aunt Zhang, explain.”

Aunt Zhang cleared her throat and said, “Third Miss, when I went to the jewelry room this morning to organize things, I found a necklace missing.”

Wei Hui frowned. “A necklace is missing?”

Aunt Zhang lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Third Miss. I failed to keep it secure.”

Wei Hui glanced at her indifferently. Her lips moved slightly:
“So you’re suspecting this child?”

Aunt Zhang immediately shook her head: “I wouldn’t dare. I just thought we could search everyone after breakfast.”

Wei Hui chuckled lightly. “Fine.”

She turned to look at Eleven. “I’ll search.”

Aunt Zhang’s expression changed slightly. “Third Miss—”

“She’s someone I brought back. I should be the one to take responsibility.” She turned to Eleven. “Come with me.”

Without glancing at the others, Eleven obediently walked to her side. As their figures disappeared, the whispers began again:

“Maybe she really did take it?”

“If so, Third Miss will definitely kick her out.”

“Third Miss hates thieves the most.”

“I don’t think she looks like the type.”

“What do you know? Some people look innocent but are really rotten inside!”

Aunt Zhang’s eyes darkened as she overheard the gossip. If Third Miss searched Eleven’s room herself, she should find the necklace, right? That way, there would be a reason to kick Eleven out. This was the first time in her life she had ever planted evidence, and it made her feel uneasy. But thinking about the possibility of a thief being around Third Miss made her even more anxious.

She’d rather deal with the guilt—even compensate Eleven later—than let her cause any trouble for Third Miss.

Aunt Zhang told the others: “Go get back to work.”

Then she headed into the villa.

In the second-floor room, Eleven opened the door, and Wei Hui entered. They stood in silence for a few seconds before Eleven, remembering Wei Hui’s germophobia, offered, “Shall I search while you watch?”

“No need.”

Wei Hui glanced around the room. It was sparse—just a bed, a dressing table against the wall, a desk next to it, and an open wardrobe. The wardrobe held clothes Wei Hui had given her, with old clothes folded at the bottom. The room felt like a temporary place, as if the occupant could leave at any time.

The bed was perfectly made. The desk was bare. Except for the cosmetics on the dressing table, there was nothing personal—almost as though the room was still unoccupied.

Wei Hui said, “Open that drawer.”

She pointed to the hidden drawer beneath the desk. Its handle was the same color as the desk, easily overlooked. Eleven had never opened it before.

When she did, there were a few tissues inside. As she moved them aside, a dazzling necklace appeared.

The platinum necklace sparkled under the morning light. Shocked, Eleven looked up and immediately said, “Third Miss—”

Footsteps approached behind her. Wei Hui walked over, reached into the drawer, and picked up the necklace.

Just then, Aunt Zhang’s voice called, “Third Miss, do you need help?”

“Come in,” Wei Hui said coolly. “Search the room.”

Eleven had already closed the drawer.

Aunt Zhang searched the room thoroughly, especially the drawer—looking at it several times—but didn’t find the necklace. Even the tissue paper used to wrap it was gone. Had Eleven moved it?

Aunt Zhang’s face turned pale.

Servants passing by peered in, whispering:
“Doesn’t look like it’s in Eleven’s room.”
“Then who took it?”
“No idea…”

Aunt Zhang finally said, “Miss Eleven, I’m sorry. I misunderstood you.”

Eleven twisted her fingers together, saying nothing.

She wasn’t smart, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew she hadn’t stolen the necklace—someone had planted it. If Third Miss hadn’t removed it beforehand, she would have been branded a thief. And this wouldn’t have been like the times she was forced to steal—it would have been unforgivable.

Aunt Zhang, awkwardly, said, “Third Miss, shall we eat?”

Wei Hui replied, “Let’s check my room too.”

Aunt Zhang wanted to refuse but saw Wei Hui’s sharp side profile and piercing gaze. She swallowed hard. “Okay.”

Wei Hui led the way. Eleven followed silently. Unlike the quick glance she had gotten before, she now saw the full layout of Wei Hui’s room. It was different from what she imagined.

Thick brown carpets covered the floor. There were built-in wardrobes on both sides. The bed was centered, with a delicate sofa at the foot. A large TV hung on the wall opposite. Eleven could see her reflection in the dark screen.

Had she looked more carefully, she would’ve noticed that every sharp edge in the room was protected.

Aunt Zhang said, “Third Miss, it’s really not necessary—”

Before she could finish, Wei Hui pulled out the necklace and smiled lightly. “Looking for this?”

“…How is it in your room?” Aunt Zhang asked, stunned.

Wei Hui tossed the necklace onto the vanity and replied coldly, “Aunt Zhang, did you forget I wore this to the banquet last time?”

“Third Miss!”

Wei Hui’s jaw tightened, her voice icy. “I think you’re not just old. You’re getting foolish.”

Aunt Zhang turned pale. “Third Miss, I did this for your sake!”

Wei Hui’s eyes grew colder. “I remember telling you the day you came to the Wei family—I hate unnecessary concern the most.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Wei Hui interrupted calmly. “I don’t accept ‘buts’ from anyone.”

“Later, Pei Tian will drive you back to your hometown. You need to rest.”

Aunt Zhang’s confidence crumbled. She pleaded, “Third Miss, I’ve been by your side for ten years! Ten years! You’re kicking me out for some nobody? I did this to protect you!”

Wei Hui remained cold. “Aunt Zhang, do you know where you went wrong?”

Aunt Zhang looked at her, silent for a few seconds, then asked, “Was it for framing this child?”

“It has nothing to do with her,” Wei Hui said. “Nothing to do with this incident.”

“Your mistake was this: you crossed the line.”

Aunt Zhang turned ashen, lips trembling, her gray hair more prominent than ever. Wei Hui gave her a cold glance and walked away. Eleven stepped forward to support her.

Aunt Zhang turned, her voice bitter: “Proud of yourself? Got me kicked out?”

Eleven quickly shook her head. “No.”

Aunt Zhang sneered, “Don’t be so smug. She might kick you out tomorrow.”

Eleven lowered her eyes. Her voice was clear: “Third Miss is a good person.”

She hadn’t revealed the necklace in Eleven’s room to save her face.

She hadn’t exposed Aunt Zhang to save her dignity.

If she were really cold and ruthless, she could’ve exposed everything right there. But she didn’t.

So Third Miss isn’t as indifferent as she appears.

Aunt Zhang looked at Eleven anew. After a long pause, she said hoarsely, “I really am old.”