Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Softness
Wei Hui rarely worked overtime, but ever since Luo Zhouping returned to the country, working late had become the norm for her. Especially with the unfinished building project still unresolved and both parties in a stalemate, she couldn’t afford to leave the company.
After 8:30 p.m., Pei Tian knocked on her office door and said, “Third Miss, it’s time to leave work.”
Wei Hui looked up from the documents, glanced at her watch, and after a few seconds of deliberation, closed the file. “Prepare the car.”
Pei Tian went downstairs first and drove the car to the front entrance of the company. After Wei Hui got in, he asked, “Third Miss, the new chef hasn’t arrived yet. Would you like me to arrange dinner for you?”
She had declined earlier at the office, saying it wasn’t necessary because she didn’t have time to eat. So Pei Tian had held back from asking then, but now that she was off work, he could easily take care of it on the way.
Wei Hui was looking down at the tablet in her hand. Hearing the question, she glanced at the back of his head and replied, “No need.”
It was just dinner. There should be some frozen food at home. She wasn’t particularly hungry. The only concern was whether the child at home could eat those things.
At 5:30 p.m., Shiyi had finished feeding the dog dinner and got home just around 6 p.m. Based on her shallow understanding of Wei Hui over the past few days, that should have been her usual time to get off work. But since the chef had been fired that morning and the new one wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow, Shiyi had gone into the kitchen to make a few simple dishes—ones she thought would suit Wei Hui’s taste: very light and bland.
After preparing the meal, she sat on the sofa waiting for Wei Hui. Seven o’clock passed, but no one came. Eight o’clock came and went—still no sign of her. Shiyi held her phone tightly, tempted to message and ask when Wei Hui would be back. But she reminded herself she had no right to ask such a question, so she gave up and continued hugging her knees, silently waiting on the sofa.
Just after nine, there was movement at the door. Shiyi immediately stood up and looked outside. Sure enough, Wei Hui had returned.
After entering, Wei Hui took off her light-colored trench coat. Underneath was a slim-fitting red dress. The vibrant color made her pale skin appear like polished jade, exquisitely smooth.
Standing beside her, Shiyi asked, “Third Miss, have you had dinner?”
Wei Hui turned her head toward the dining room. Seeing a few dishes neatly arranged on the table, she asked, “You made this?”
Shiyi looked a little shy. “Yes. But it’s cold now. I’ll reheat it for you. Please have a seat.”
She turned and went to the dining room, picked up the dishes one by one, and took them into the kitchen. Soon, the sound of stir-frying came from inside. Wei Hui set down her briefcase and stood at the kitchen doorway, watching her busy figure. Shiyi looked petite and delicate—like a child who hadn’t grown up. Wei Hui lowered her gaze and walked back out to sit on the sofa.
Halfway through reading a report, she heard a voice behind her: “Third Miss, dinner is ready.”
Wei Hui closed the report and walked to the dining room. Shiyi had already pulled out a chair for her. After sitting down, Wei Hui glanced at the dishes. They looked no different from her usual meals, but after tasting them, she found them a little salty. It wasn’t Shiyi’s fault—Wei Hui herself had strict dietary requirements.
The soup, on the other hand, was good—very light. Wei Hui only ate a few bites of the dishes but had two bowls of soup. Seeing her stop eating so soon, Shiyi couldn’t help but ask, “Is it not to your liking?”
“I can make something else for you—”
“No need,” Wei Hui replied blandly. “I already ate at the office. I’m not very hungry. You go ahead and eat.”
Shiyi bit her lip. “Okay.”
After setting down her chopsticks, Wei Hui returned to the living room and continued going through the documents. Several proposals for the renovation of the unfinished building had arrived. Luo Zhouping advocated for refurbishing it and continuing as a commercial residential project. Some shareholders proposed converting it into a commercial complex, while others suggested building an amusement park. Wei Hui rubbed her temples as she held the proposals, her expression serious.
In fact, Luo Zhouping’s suggestion was the one she had originally considered. But instead of a renovation, her idea was to demolish everything and rebuild new residential buildings. Just across the street was a commercial strip—so building residential properties nearby made the most sense. In four or five years, when the commercial district officially opened, their new buildings would be completed too.
However, the problem was that if she agreed to build residential properties, Luo Zhouping would definitely find a way to get involved, claiming he had useful connections, and might even exploit the project for personal gain. Wei Hui wasn’t just overseeing this project—she had several others, and with her health concerns, she couldn’t supervise everything closely. So she decisively drew a big X over the residential proposal. The other ideas were even less viable.
She tossed her pen onto the coffee table. It rolled and fell to the floor. Just as she was about to get up to retrieve it, Shiyi bent down and picked it up first, respectfully handing it to her. “Third Miss, your pen.”
Wei Hui took it and placed it on her files. Shiyi, watching her subtle gesture, furrowed her delicate brows slightly.
The large living room fell silent. Neither of them was the talkative type, so the atmosphere became awkward. Just as Shiyi was thinking about finding an excuse to leave, she heard Wei Hui call her name.
“Shiyi.”
She looked up, eyes sparkling. “Yes, Third Miss?”
Wei Hui hesitated for a few seconds, then asked, “If you were given a plot of land and could choose what to build, would you build houses or an amusement park?”
Shiyi tilted her head in confusion, staring blankly.
Wei Hui noticed her dazed look, with her head tilted like a small animal—obedient and cute. The corners of her mouth curved slightly. “What’s wrong?”
Shiyi snapped out of it. “N-nothing. What did you just ask?”
Wei Hui repeated the question, and halfway through, she found it amusing herself. After a moment, Shiyi replied shyly, “I’d build an amusement park.”
Wei Hui’s smile deepened. An amusement park. Of course—a child.
A child?
Wei Hui lowered her gaze, her expression sobering. She picked up the amusement park proposal again, her profile tightening as her sharp gaze returned, seemingly deep in thought. Shiyi didn’t dare interrupt her, only sneaking glances from time to time.
The quiet living room was filled only with the sound of Wei Hui’s pen gliding over paper—a strangely soothing sound. Shiyi leaned back on the sofa. At first, she was only peeking at Wei Hui, but seeing how focused she was, Shiyi grew bolder.
Her features were well-defined and elegant. A clean, fair forehead, slightly sharp brows, eyes locked on the documents. Occasionally she would purse her lips, her jawline drawn in a perfect curve—like a painting. The more Shiyi looked, the more she thought of the “deal” Wei Hui had once mentioned. She quietly looked away.
Just past ten o’clock, the alarm on Wei Hui’s phone rang. It was her self-imposed bedtime reminder. Seeing half the draft still unfinished, she sighed, closed her notebook, and looked up—only to find Shiyi had fallen asleep on the sofa.
Even in sleep, the girl was neat and proper—no sprawling limbs. Her head tilted slightly, body curled toward the edge of the sofa, breathing steady. Wei Hui thought of the way Shiyi had tilted her head earlier when asked about the land, and for once, her frosty face softened with a smile.
She called softly, “Shiyi.”
But the girl didn’t respond. Shiyi rubbed her face against the cushion and smiled contentedly, clearly having a sweet dream. Wei Hui glanced around, spotted the throw blanket she used on the chaise lounge, and without thinking, draped it over Shiyi.
The soft grey blanket completely covered her small frame, leaving only her delicate face exposed. This girl had been tense from the moment she came into Wei Hui’s care, but now, sleeping peacefully, her expression finally relaxed—free from her usual timidity and caution.
This is what a child should look like.
Wei Hui sat across from her on the opposite sofa, quietly watching her sleep for a long time. Not until the alarm rang again ten minutes later did she finally go upstairs.
Shiyi had sweet dreams all night, but when she woke up, the memories became blurry. She only remembered the faint, warm feeling—something she had never experienced before. While scolding herself for her bad memory, she sat up and froze.
She had fallen asleep on the sofa?
She had actually slept the whole night on the sofa?!
The memories of the previous night rushed back. She remembered watching Wei Hui work and slowly dozing off. Somehow that had turned into an entire night’s sleep. But why hadn’t Third Miss woken her up?
Was it because she slept too soundly?
Shame flooded her. She wanted to get up quickly—only to realize she was holding something soft. Looking down, she saw it was a blanket. Shiyi paused. This was Third Miss’s blanket… and she hadn’t had one on when she fell asleep.
Did… did Third Miss cover her with it?
A soft, fluttery warmth bloomed in her chest.
She carefully folded the blanket, went upstairs to wash up, then came back down and made breakfast for two. Just as she finished setting the table, Wei Hui came downstairs in slippers. The morning light spilled onto her figure, giving off an inexplicable sense of warmth.
Shiyi walked up and said, “Third Miss, breakfast is ready.”
Wei Hui picked up the cup of warm water on the coffee table, took a few sips, and finally spoke. “You don’t need to do these things in the future.”
Shiyi’s expression shifted slightly. She bit her lip. “Third Miss, I’ve thought about it. You said you’d give me three months to decide, and I will. But I also don’t want to just eat and live here for free. In case… I think I should do something.”
“No need,” Wei Hui said, setting the cup down. She looked straight at Shiyi with clear eyes and a calm expression. “Shiyi, people should each fulfill their own role.”
Shiyi blinked in confusion. “Third Miss… what does that mean?”
Wei Hui met her gaze, paused briefly, then explained, “It means doing the things you’re meant to do.”
Shiyi’s eyes grew even more puzzled. “But I don’t know what I’m meant to do.”
Wei Hui replied calmly, “What you’re meant to do is take care of your health… and give me a child.”
Shiyi opened her mouth, speechless.
Wasn’t that something she was still thinking about?
When did it become something she was meant to do?