Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 34
Chapter 34: s3x
It was precisely eleven o’clock when they arrived at Foshishan. Luo Zhouping walked ahead to Wei Hui’s side and said with a smile, “CEO Wei, we’ll be there shortly.”
He then scrutinized Wei Hui’s face. It was no different than usual; her eyes were still clear and bright, her brows slightly lowered, forming a sharp angle. Wei Hui nodded, “Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Vice President Luo. But please arrange for them to get off the bus first; it’s not very convenient for me here.”
She tilted her head to look at the shallowly sleeping Eleven, her gaze uncharacteristically tender, seemingly afraid to disturb the beauty’s rest. After speaking, she even patted their clasped hands. Luo Zhouping smiled, “Of course, of course.”
Nonetheless, Eleven was woken up. As they were about to alight, Du Yue Ming rushed to their seats and called out, “Eleven!”
Her voice was clear and quite loud, enough to wake someone from a light sleep. Eleven had finally dreamt of her grandma, and was about to have a good talk with her, when she suddenly heard someone call her name. Her tightly closed eyelids twitched, then slowly opened. She heard Du Yue Ming say, “We’re here. Don’t sleep anymore.”
She had just woken up and was still a bit dazed, not noticing her posture. She only felt that the shoulder she was leaning on was exceptionally comfortable, emanating a clear fragrance, just like the Third Miss’s scent.
The Third Miss?
Eleven immediately turned her head, catching a glimpse of Wei Hui’s cold profile, her jawline taut. She swallowed, inching inward. Her hand met resistance as soon as it moved. She looked down to see her hand and Wei Hui’s hand tightly clasped together.
Du Yue Ming was still chattering in her ear, but Eleven heard nothing; her ears were ringing, her heart pounding. She didn’t even dare to look up at Wei Hui’s expression.
At the company, when they held hands, it was Wei Hui who initiated it. Although Eleven didn’t know why at the time, she could tell Wei Hui had other intentions.
But now?
Why were they holding hands this time?
Could it be that she had dreamt of Wei Hui as her grandma? Then why didn’t Wei Hui let go? Didn’t she dislike being touched the most?
An inexplicable anticipation, along with a subtle shyness, welled up in Eleven’s heart. Various emotions intertwined as she lowered her head, her face slightly flushed. Du Yue Ming, sitting beside them, didn’t notice her delicate thoughts. When the car stopped, she called out, “Let’s go, get out!”
Eleven heard her words and tentatively tried to pull her hand away again. This time, Wei Hui let go without much force. Eleven felt her palm go from warm to empty, and she suddenly had an urge to reach for Wei Hui’s hand again.
Was she crazy?
“Let’s get off,” Wei Hui said, then stood up, her cold voice exploding in Eleven’s ear. Eleven clenched her hands and followed her out of the car.
This team-building event was planned and arranged by Luo Zhouping. After getting off the bus, Eleven gasped, choking and coughing a few times, her fair skin flushing crimson. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with tears, making her look more lively than usual. Du Yue Ming saw her like this and couldn’t help but lean in and whisper, “Eleven, you look utterly delicious like this!”
Eleven turned her head and asked in return, “Delicious?”
Du Yue Ming smiled: “Meaning, good to eat!”
Eleven’s expression remained unchanged. Du Yue Ming wasn’t disheartened by her not understanding her joke; instead, she laughed even louder. This Eleven was not only delicious but also adorably naive!
Absolutely adorable!
“Alright, alright, let’s assign tasks.” Luo Zhouping, a few steps away, looked at everyone with a smile: “This isn’t just a simple outing. We need to combine work and leisure, and get active!”
“You agree, right?”
Perhaps because he chartered the private plane, the secretaries were all happy to agree: “Vice President Luo, please arrange it.”
“Vice President Luo, what do we need to do?”
Luo Zhouping looked at everyone: “It’s simple. I’ve prepared a barbecue feast for everyone halfway up the mountain. The first ones to arrive will have their year-end bonus doubled, out of my own pocket!”
After he finished speaking, the secretaries cheered: “Long live Vice President Luo!”
Winning over hearts with small favors and profits was Luo Zhouping’s usual tactic, and it was undeniably effective. After speaking, Luo Zhouping looked at Wei Hui: “By the way, perhaps CEO Wei would like to say a few words to everyone?”
All the secretaries looked at Wei Hui with anticipation. On weekdays, she stayed mostly in her office and was serious and formal during meetings. In previous years, she never attended team-building events, so everyone had few opportunities to interact with her in such a way. They held her in even greater awe.
Now that there was a rare chance to get closer, everyone was undoubtedly very enthusiastic.
Wei Hui stood in front of everyone, thought for a moment, and said, “Have fun.”
Just three short words, yet the atmosphere became even more fervent than before. Luo Zhouping’s lips curled into a cold smirk, and he led the way, saying, “Since CEO Wei has spoken, then – let’s go!”
Foshishan is a tourist attraction, with peak seasons in spring and autumn, and off-seasons in summer and winter. There’s a small path leading all the way to the summit, with concrete steps. The girls from the secretarial department were all dressed elegantly and beautifully, looking distinct from the occasional passersby they encountered, clearly a small team.
As the leader of the team, Luo Zhouping would gasp for breath after just a few steps. He truly was out of his mind to think of climbing a mountain. He didn’t know if Wei Hui would be alright, but for him to climb up, it would probably be quite a struggle!
He regretted it immediately!
Luo Zhouping turned to look at Wei Hui, his eyes fierce, then quickly looked away.
Wei Hui walked at the very back. The group of secretaries ahead were chatting enthusiastically. Company team-building events were held roughly once a year. In previous years, the chief secretary would lead them with some money to find a makeshift place, never with such a grand scale. With both the boss and the vice president accompanying them, they were all very excited, frequently looking back at Wei Hui.
Eleven also glanced at Wei Hui every few steps, but unlike the others’ probing gazes, her expression was very worried. However, the surrounding gazes were too intense, and she didn’t know how to ask, so she could only look at Wei Hui eagerly.
As if knowing what she was thinking, Wei Hui turned her head: “Give me the water.”
Eleven immediately handed over the mineral water, even opening the cap for her. Wei Hui saw her small gesture and merely curled the corner of her lips, then said, “Don’t worry.”
“This much exercise is fine.” Although she was sick and couldn’t engage in strenuous exercise, her usual workouts couldn’t be neglected. However, most of these were done at the hospital and required constant monitoring, so Eleven was unaware. In her eyes, Wei Hui seemed like a patient who could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Hearing her say that, Eleven didn’t relax her worried expression. Instead, she whispered, “How about this, Third Miss, we’ll walk later.”
“I’ll carry you up.”
She spoke very softly, afraid of being overheard. They were so close that when Wei Hui turned her head, she saw beads of sweat sliding down Eleven’s cheek, glistening, just like her clear eyes.
Wei Hui’s heart stirred inexplicably, and her chest felt a little warmer. She refused: “No need.”
Du Yue Ming, who had already taken two quick steps ahead, saw the two stragglers and quickly ran back, standing in front of Eleven and saying, “Why are you two talking about love now?”
Eleven was choked by her: “No, no.”
Du Yue Ming chuckled, seeing her slightly flushed face: “Oh, shy, are we!”
Her tone was quite teasing. Wei Hui gave Du Yue Ming a faint glance, her eyes showing displeasure. Du Yue Ming was naturally afraid of strong-willed people; both her brothers were, and now there was Wei Hui. She immediately shrugged: “Just chatting! Is having a girlfriend so great, you stingy person!”
She snorted and joined the secretary group not far away. Eleven said a little awkwardly, “Miss Du likes to joke a lot.”
Wei Hui chuckled: “She always talks nonsense.”
Eleven’s good mood inexplicably dimmed after hearing that remark, and even her eyes clouded over. Wei Hui continued to walk forward with a serene expression, seemingly unaware of Eleven’s change in mood.
The first one to give up was Luo Zhouping.
After walking for a little over ten minutes, he collapsed on the steps, while his assistant kept saying, “Mr. Luo, it’s just ten more minutes.”
The secretaries also giggled and watched him, whispering among themselves: “He gave up after just a few steps.”
“He’s fat, you see his build.”
“Lack of exercise.”
“What do you know, that’s weakness!”
One sentence made everyone burst into laughter. They looked at Du Yue Ming; only she dared to say such a thing. As for the others, who wasn’t afraid of being reported?
While chatting, Wei Hui and Eleven also walked up. She saw Luo Zhouping sitting on the steps, his face covered in sweat, his chest heaving heavily, and his chubby belly sucking in and out, looking inexpressibly comical and ridiculous.
He was truly trapped in his own web.
Wei Hui, uncharacteristically kind, inquired, “What’s wrong, Vice President Luo?”
“If you really can’t climb, why not go back down?”
“After all, the downhill path is easier.”
Luo Zhouping looked up. Wei Hui, dressed lightly with her long hair pulled back behind her ears, revealed a pretty face with light makeup, exquisite and attractive. Although they had climbed together, her face showed no signs of distress or sweat; she remained as calm and effortless as ever.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of illness.
If the information given to him hadn’t come from his own people, he would have suspected he was deliberately being played.
And Wei Hui’s words just now were a double entendre, ostensibly about climbing the mountain, but actually about the company. Luo Zhouping adjusted himself and stood up, patting the dust off his backside: “Thank you for your concern, CEO Wei, but I’m a person who enjoys challenges and prefers the uphill path.”
Everyone in the secretarial office fell silent, listening to their conversation. Even Eleven, who considered herself the least clever, now sensed a hidden meaning in their words.
The air was cold and a chill permeated. After Luo Zhouping spoke, a low pressure descended. Du Yue Ming couldn’t stand it any longer and asked, “Are you two going up or not?”
One sentence broke the frozen atmosphere. Wei Hui smiled: “Eleven, let’s go.”
She said, then led Eleven upwards. Luo Zhouping, left behind, narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Wei Hui, clenching his teeth!
In less than ten minutes, they reached the halfway point. What was called halfway was actually only about one-third of the way up the mountain. Hotels and inns were located here, along with the barbecue feast arranged by Luo Zhouping. Having just climbed from below, several people were exhausted, walking together in groups. Luo Zhouping, who was originally leading, had become the last in the group, while Wei Hui and Eleven walked at the very front.
The car they had taken earlier was parked at the hotel entrance. The driver was a very amiable person, smiling as he said to them, “You’ve worked hard. Come get your luggage first.”
Eleven was about to move, but Wei Hui pulled her back: “Pei Tian will get it. You stand still and let me lean for a bit.”
Although she did exercise regularly, walking for so long was still tiring. Just now, with the secretaries all around, she had been forcing herself. Now that they had dispersed, she noticed her heart rate was abnormally fast. Eleven let Wei Hui lean on her and whispered, “Third Miss, perhaps I should take you to your room to rest first?”
Wei Hui quietly said, “Just a moment.”
Her tone was unlike usual. Eleven, fearing someone might become suspicious, actively nestled closer into Wei Hui’s embrace. To outsiders, it looked as if she was playfully clinging to Wei Hui.
Suddenly, a soft, fragrant mass nestled into her arms. Wei Hui, forced to maintain an upright position, had to reach out and hold Eleven. The person in her arms felt as if she had no bones, incredibly soft.
Although their posture was ambiguous, no one dared to say anything. Du Yue Ming had just finished retrieving her luggage and was about to talk to Eleven, but now she clicked her tongue, wearing an expression that suggested she couldn’t bear to watch.
Pei Tian walked over, carrying three suitcases, his expression normal, and said, “Third Miss, I’ve got everything.”
Luo Zhouping hadn’t arrived yet, but hotel staff were already assigning rooms. When it came to Wei Hui and Eleven, the attendant handed them a single room key card. Du Yue Ming laughed, “Are you two sharing a room? Never mind, Eleven, let’s put the extra luggage in your room.”
There was laughter around them. Eleven’s room card was snatched away. She tilted her head to look at Wei Hui, seemingly seeking her opinion.
Wei Hui lowered her eyes, handed the room card in her hand to Eleven, and softly said, “Let’s go.”
Pei Tian, who was dragging three suitcases behind the two of them, had a look of astonishment in his eyes.
The Third Miss, willing to share a room with someone?