Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Make Up

Su Ziyan’s conversation with Wei Hui ended unhappily. Before leaving, Su Ziyan even told her to think about it carefully. Wei Hui shook her head and smiled, what was there to think about? If she liked emotional attachments, she wouldn’t have so resolutely driven out Zhang Ma in the first place. What she meant by “overstepping” wasn’t just Zhang Ma’s overstepping in behavior, but more so, Zhang Ma’s excessive concern for her.

And she, Wei Hui, couldn’t bear such concern, nor did she need it.

…

When Wei Hui returned to the living room, she saw Eleven holding a cake, lost in thought. She didn’t know what Eleven was thinking, her brows were furrowed, and the cake in her hand was almost untouched, still in its original state. This child had been so eager for the cake just now, but now she hadn’t eaten it. Wei Hui walked over and asked, “Don’t want to eat?”

Eleven didn’t expect Wei Hui to be back yet. At the sound of the voice, she looked up. Wei Hui’s long hair was slightly disheveled by the cold wind outside, a few strands clinging to her cheek, making her face appear even paler. Her sharp eyes were not as keen as before, softened with a hint of gentleness. Under Wei Hui’s gaze, Eleven softly said, “I’m not very hungry.”

Wei Hui nodded slightly: “Put it aside.”

She finished speaking and walked towards the stairs: “Get some rest early.”

Eleven turned to see her already ascending the stairs, bit her lip, put down the cake, and followed her back to her room.

…

The room was still the same as before, empty, with no extra decorations on the table. There was, however, a doll on the bed, light gray, in the shape of a puppy. It was the birthday gift Eleven had just bought that evening, intending to give it to Wei Hui.

She wondered if Wei Hui would like it?

If she liked it, Eleven planned to then ask about getting a dog.

Eleven had originally intended to do this, but now she was a bit hesitant. Whether or not to disturb her now became Eleven’s dilemma. She hugged the doll and rolled over on the bed. The window was half-open, and a cold wind blew in. She sniffed, there was no scent of flowers, nor did it smell like the Third Miss.

Eleven stood up and closed the window, then heard a knock on the door. She called out, “Come in.”

Aunt Liu opened the door, holding milk, and smiled when she saw Eleven: “Little Miss, it’s time to drink your milk.”

Zhang Ma had left, but the habit of drinking milk at night had been retained. Eleven took the milk cup from her hand and drank it all in one gulp. A sweet sensation spread across her tongue. She put down the cup and saw another cup of milk, and couldn’t help but ask, “Is this for the Third Miss?”

Aunt Liu nodded: “Yes, the Third Miss is probably taking a bath. I knocked, but no one answered. I’ll take it over later.”

Eleven dared to grab her wrist, deliberated for a few seconds, and said, “I’ll take it.”

She looked up, a charming smile on her face: “I happen to have a gift for the Third Miss.”

Although Aunt Liu had just entered the Wei family, she knew a thing or two about what had happened before, how Zhang Ma left and why. So, in her mind, Eleven and Wei Hui were similar, both mistresses of this house. Hearing this, she placed the tray on the table: “Alright, then I’ll come back for the cups tomorrow morning.”

Eleven nodded obediently.

…

After Aunt Liu left, Eleven took two deep breaths, then looked at the dog doll on the bed. She held the tray with one hand and the doll with the other. When she stood by Wei Hui’s door, she first placed the doll to one side and knocked on the door.

For several minutes, there was no response from inside. Eleven leaned against the door, trying to hear any movement, but heard nothing. Thinking of Wei Hui’s illness, she grew more and more alarmed, her face suddenly turning completely pale. The knocking sound also grew louder.

“Third Miss?” Eleven’s voice clearly showed her urgency. She knocked again: “Third Miss.”

Just as she was hesitating whether to break down the door, Wei Hui opened it. She had just showered, water droplets still on her face, her hair soaked. A white bath towel was draped over her shoulders. She was wiping her wet hair as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Seeing that she was fine, Eleven immediately relaxed, letting out a long breath: “Your milk.”

Wei Hui stared at her for a few seconds, then stepped aside, saying, “Come in.”

Only then did Eleven carry the tray inside.

…

The room’s floor was covered with a thick, long-pile rug, incredibly comfortable to walk on. Eleven, afraid of dirtying the rug, took off her shoes as soon as she entered. Her clean toes on the brown rug looked somewhat cute. The desk was by the window, and Eleven was unsure whether to place the tray on the coffee table or the desk, so she just stood there. Wei Hui raised her chin: “Put it there.”

“Where’s Aunt Liu?”

Eleven replied, “I told her to go down first.”

Wei Hui didn’t ask why, just hummed softly and passed by her. The thin nightgown she was wearing had a wet patch on the back, dampened by the ends of her hair, vaguely revealing her graceful figure. Wei Hui walked to the wardrobe, took out a slightly thicker white bathrobe, wrapped her long hair in a towel, then independently took off her nightgown. Eleven, standing behind her, widened her eyes, dumbfounded.

Wei Hui was still wearing a small, connected dress under her nightgown, covering her private parts, but her back was completely exposed, her skin fair and delicate. With her hair wrapped up, her neck appeared even longer and more slender. Eleven stood rooted to the spot, her mind filled with one word – fairy.

Beautiful as a fairy.

It was just that this fairy was a bit aloof. Wei Hui put on the thick bathrobe and turned around, her profile indifferent: “Come here.”

Eleven snapped back to reality, her pretty face slightly flushed. She asked, puzzled, “Where, where to?”

Wei Hui walked to the dressing table and said, “Sit here.”

“I’m taking you to the Du family this weekend. You can’t go without makeup.”

The last time they went to the Shen family banquet, Eleven didn’t wear makeup because Wei Hui didn’t feel the need to give Shen Hao face. But going to the Du family this weekend was different; she was going to discuss cooperation, and basic etiquette was essential. Eleven obediently stood beside her. Before coming, she had only intended to deliver a gift and casually ask about getting a dog. Now, all of that was completely forgotten, especially when Wei Hui approached and that fresh, clear scent enveloped her, making her head buzz.

Wei Hui’s bare face appeared slightly pale, her lips tinged with red. Eleven listened to her instructions and sat down at the dressing table, picking up a white porcelain bottle as directed.

“This bottle.” Wei Hui saw her pick up the wrong one, frowned, and picked up one of the bottles to hand to Eleven. Eleven reached out to take it, their fingertips touching. Eleven noticed that Wei Hui’s fingertips were cool.

She said, “Third Miss, shouldn’t you dry your hair first?”

Wei Hui, without even lifting her eyelids, replied, “It’s fine, continue.”

Eleven had no choice but to squeeze lotion from the bottle, rubbing it little by little onto her face. It felt cool and refreshing, just like the sensation of touching Wei Hui’s fingertips. It was as if those hands were caressing her face. This thought suddenly popped into Eleven’s mind, startling her so much that she forgot to move.

The person in the mirror was dazed, her face slightly flushed. Wei Hui, seeing she had finished applying, said, “Use this.”

Eleven was momentarily stunned before continuing with the next step, but the fantasies in her mind simply wouldn’t disappear.

If the Third Miss personally did her makeup.

What would it be like?

Thinking this, Eleven secretly glanced at Wei Hui. She was looking down at something, her profile relaxed, her expression natural, her face calm, her gaze slightly cool. Although her hair was completely wrapped in the towel, some of the roots were exposed, dark black, each strand distinct.

“Did you remember?” The clear, cold voice interrupted Eleven’s thoughts. She came back to herself, looking at the bottles and jars on the table, trying to recall the sequence, and nodded: “I remember.”

Wei Hui nodded. Eleven had a good base, so light makeup would be enough. Her gaze swept over Eleven’s delicate face, then she asked, “Do you know how to shape eyebrows?”

Eleven opened her mouth, just about to reply, when she saw Wei Hui smile faintly and shake her head.

Immediately, she awkwardly curled her toes, a rush of shame washing over her. She was so useless, she couldn’t do anything.

Wei Hui didn’t overthink it, simply saying, “Look up.”

Eleven immediately tilted her head high. Wei Hui smiled faintly: “Not that high.”

She said this while touching Eleven’s chin with her finger, pressing down gently. Eleven felt the warmth of her fingertip on her skin, just as she had imagined, cool and refreshing.

Very, very comfortable.

“Close your eyes.” Wei Hui picked up an eyebrow razor from the table. Eleven’s eyes were tightly shut. In the darkness, her other senses became incredibly sharp, especially her sense of smell. A fragrant scent wafted from her nose. Wei Hui had just showered, and the scent emanating from her was slightly different from usual. Eleven felt that both were exceptionally fragrant. In her mind, the scene from the movie where she threw herself into Wei Hui’s arms replayed: the soft, yielding touch, the slender waist, and the scent that seemed slightly different now. An unusual feeling arose in her heart, she shifted her body, and heard a clear, cold voice: “Don’t move around.”

Eleven immediately sat still, unmoving.

After a while, Wei Hui said, “All done.”

Eleven slowly opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. Although only her eyebrows had been shaped, she felt that she was significantly different from before. She couldn’t quite pinpoint where, but she just felt changed.

She turned her head: “Thank you, Third Miss.”

Wei Hui parted her lips: “You’re welcome.”

Seeing that her entire face looked even more refined with the light makeup, Wei Hui nodded with some satisfaction: “If there’s nothing else, you can go back now.”

Eleven nodded obediently, then suddenly remembered that she had come to deliver milk, and by now, it was probably cold. She said to Wei Hui, “Shall I go and warm up your milk for you?”

As she spoke, she walked to the table, and just as she picked up the cup, she heard Wei Hui’s voice: “No need, bring it to me.”

Eleven stood beside her, holding the now-cold milk, hesitating: “Are you sure you don’t need it warmed?”

Wei Hui didn’t say anything more, simply took the cup from her hand. Eleven didn’t dare to disobey her. Just as Wei Hui was about to drink, her hand trembled, some milk spilled onto her bathrobe, and the cup dropped straight to the floor. Eleven cried out in surprise, “Third Miss!”

The person beside her leaned back against the table, her face pale. Eleven, disregarding etiquette, immediately went to support Wei Hui, but she didn’t have enough strength and was instead pulled down by Wei Hui. They both fell heavily to the floor, yet no sound was made. Eleven’s face was even paler than Wei Hui’s. She asked, “Third Miss, what’s wrong?”

Wei Hui’s voice was very faint: “Nothing.”

“The medicine is in the bag.”

Eleven had helped her find medicine before. Her gaze scanned the room and spotted the bag hanging on the clothes rack. She immediately walked over, took out the medicine bottle from the bag, poured out two pills, and handed them to Wei Hui. Only after Wei Hui had taken them did Eleven kneel beside her, her expression anxious. Her hand touched the rug on the floor, and she couldn’t help but look down. She had always thought it was there for comfort, but now she realized she was wrong.

This was clearly because Wei Hui didn’t want others to know she was sick, didn’t want to make a sound when she had an episode, which was why she had laid out this thick rug. She wondered how Wei Hui had endured it before.

Eleven looked at Wei Hui’s pale face and suddenly felt an unbearable ache in her heart.

…

Wei Hui’s complexion improved significantly after taking the medicine. Eleven was still kneeling beside her, watching her nervously, her bright eyes filled with urgency and concern. Wei Hui found such candid gazes unaccustomed.

Except for Su Ziyan, Pei Tian, and the Cheng family, everyone else probably wished she would die sooner.

Especially Luo Zhouping; every time he looked at her with an exploratory gaze, as if he wanted to see through her body, just to find a clue about her illness so he could take over the company. As for the other partners, they also wished she would die sooner so they could divide Wei Tian.

For so many years, others had looked at her with fear, reverence, scrutiny, but never had anyone looked at her with such clear eyes, staring straight at her, not hiding their emotions at all. She was worried about her.

Wei Hui uncomfortably averted her gaze and said, “I’m fine.”

Eleven was still uneasy: “Should I call Dr. Su?”

“No need,” Wei Hui refused. “He’s very verbose.”

Despite the otherwise somber atmosphere, her words made Eleven suddenly laugh. She immediately bit her lip, apologetically saying, “I’m sorry.”

She looked up: “Let me help you up.”

Wei Hui didn’t refuse and extended her hand. Eleven helped her up. When they fell earlier, Wei Hui’s nightgown had become a bit loose. Eleven glanced sideways and saw her fair skin on her chest, and faintly visible, horrifying scars.

She froze for a moment. Wei Hui, seeing her not move, turned to look, and with her other hand, she pulled the collar of her nightgown together. Eleven snapped back to attention and quietly asked, “Do you also get hurt?”

Wei Hui had always disliked others prying into her private affairs, but tonight, she was surprisingly cooperative. Whatever Eleven asked, she answered: “Left over from surgery.”

Eleven felt a sudden pang of sadness upon hearing this. She paused for a long time before saying, “Then you must have been in a lot of pain.”

Wei Hui hadn’t expected her to say that suddenly and was momentarily speechless. The entire room was silent. Eleven helped Wei Hui sit on the edge of the bed, then went back. She used a tissue to blot the milk from the rug, placed the milk cup on the coffee table, and after everything was tidied up, she still didn’t leave. It was Wei Hui who prompted her: “You can go now.”

“I…” Eleven bit her lip: “Can I stay?”

Seeing Wei Hui’s calm gaze on her, Eleven immediately explained: “I just want to be here in case you have another episode like just now, I can…”

“Eleven.” Wei Hui interrupted her: “Leave.”

The voice was still calm, but it held a hint of coldness. Eleven stared at Wei Hui, her mustered courage gradually dissipating under Wei Hui’s cold gaze. She lowered her head: “Good night, Third Miss.”

Wei Hui didn’t reply. Eleven opened the door and walked out. She saw the birthday gift by the doorframe, picked it up, and went back inside. Under Wei Hui’s puzzled gaze, she extended her hand, offering the doll, and softly said, “Happy Birthday, Third Miss.”

Happy Birthday?

A doll?

Wei Hui looked at Eleven in front of her, feeling a sense of having traveled back to her childhood. Back then, Wei Changyuan would also use these small toys to amuse her, but that was a long, long time ago. Wei Hui snapped back to reality: “No need, you can take it back.”

Perhaps it was because Wei Hui was unusually easy to talk to tonight, or perhaps Eleven, having witnessed her vulnerability earlier, was no longer as timid as before. She bravely said, “Why?”

Wei Hui wasn’t angry, she chuckled softly: “Eleven, didn’t Zhang Ma teach you manners?”

“The Wei family rules: no entering the Third Miss’s room, no getting close to the Third Miss.” Zhang Ma’s words echoed in Eleven’s ears. Eleven was alarmed. She had broken two rules in one night, and now, she wanted to break a third.

Wei Hui saw that she hadn’t spoken, and sighed, “You can go now.”

Eleven nodded, took two steps out, her head bowed. Just as she reached the door, she turned back, firmly placing the doll in Wei Hui’s hand, and seriously and solemnly said, “Happy Birthday.”

Wei Hui slightly furrowed her brows.

Eleven looked up, her face already flushed. She said, “I don’t have parents, and I don’t know my own birthday. Grandma used to celebrate my birthday on November 11th. I think celebrating a birthday is a very, very special thing. On this day, you should receive a very, very good gift. I don’t have much money, but I want to give you my heartfelt wishes.”

“I want to wish you a Happy Birthday and a long life.”

Wei Hui held the doll’s packaging bag in her hand, and a crisp cracking sound came from the room. She looked up, meeting Eleven’s clear eyes. The child’s pretty face in front of her was bright red, her body standing very straight, her hands nervously clutching her trousers. The veins on the back of her hands were clearly visible. Wei Hui nodded: “Thank you.”