Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Life

For the next half-day, Eleven remained in a daze, her mind adrift. She couldn’t help but constantly look at Wei Hui, watching her communicate, interact, discuss things with others with her usual expression, make phone calls, and clearly give instructions for everything. Wei Hui was always like that, so powerful she was impenetrable, unlike Eleven herself, who could be swayed for an entire day by something small.

Why did the Third Miss kiss her?

Did she, did she like her too?

This thought popped into Eleven’s mind, but then she found it absurd. How could the Third Miss like her? Perhaps, she truly was just teaching her what a kiss was. But didn’t the Third Miss dislike being touched the most? Even if she didn’t have a so-called phobia of germs, she still disliked physical contact from others. Yet, she not only touched her but also kissed her.

Wasn’t kissing a sacred act, something only lovers did?

Although Eleven clearly knew her thoughts were absurd, she couldn’t help it. Once an idea took root, it would quickly grow and flourish, its tendrils spreading through her bl00d, tightly binding her.

She was happy, because she liked being bound in this way, even willing to be bound more tightly.

She embodied the essence of a young girl in love, while the other party remained composed and reserved, showing no trace of emotion. Luo Zhouping hadn’t given up on the fundraising matter, pressing Wei Hui to give in. Wei Hui skillfully evaded him, neither agreeing nor refusing, simply saying airily as she left that she would think about it.

Luo Zhouping knew she was stalling for time but couldn’t do anything about it. Annoyed, he turned to take out his frustration on his assistant.

Eleven initially sat beside Wei Hui, watching her calmly parry with Luo Zhouping. She couldn’t interject, but just sitting and listening felt comfortable. However, Du Yue Ming didn’t give her a chance, pulling her away.

The people from the secretarial office were sitting together, cracking melon seeds. They sat in a circle with many snacks in the middle. Seeing Du Yue Ming pull Eleven over, they quickly made two spaces, eagerly saying, “Miss Du, please sit here.”

Du Yue Ming pulled Eleven down to sit, and the secretaries chimed in enthusiastically: “Eleven, eat this.”

“This is imported.”

“Eleven, do you like makeup? I have a new set that I just bought from overseas, haven’t used it yet.”

“Is it IH brand? It’s super good!”

Eleven had barely sat down when her hands were filled with things. She smiled awkwardly, saying to everyone, “Thank you.”

The secretaries smiled, narrowing their eyes: “We should be thanking you! If it weren’t for you, how would we ever see CEO Wei’s spring?”

“Yeah, CEO Wei seems to really like you.”

Eleven lowered her eyes, her voice hesitant: “Is… is that so?”

A secretary mumbled: “Of course! You don’t know her past work style. Forget team building, she wouldn’t even have dinner with us!”

“Also, she used to have no friends around her.”

“But I really admire CEO Wei. She took over Wei Tian right after coming of age. If it were me, Wei Tian would have collapsed long ago.”

“What can you do? It’s because the old CEO passed away early.”

Eleven’s heart skipped a beat when she heard that. She whispered, “The old CEO?”

The secretaries exchanged glances. The chief secretary sighed: “Speaking of which, the old CEO was a good person. It’s a pity that good people don’t live long, while evildoers live for thousands of years.”

As she spoke, she cast a scornful glance at Luo Zhouping. She had been at Wei Tian for almost ten years, initially as the old CEO’s personal secretary. When Wei Hui joined Wei Tian with Pei Tian, she became the chief secretary. She knew a little about the past affairs involving Luo Zhouping and Wei Changyuan, so she was well aware of Luo Zhouping’s purpose in returning to the country this time. She wanted to warn Wei Hui, but she realized Wei Hui didn’t need it.

“The old CEO was truly good! That time our bonuses were deducted, he even gave us extra subsidies.”

“Yeah, and he had a good temper. It’s just that he wasn’t in good health and passed away early.”

Eleven looked sideways at the speaking crowd and asked, “The old CEO wasn’t in good health?”

“Heart disease, I think.” The chief secretary thought for a moment: “I heard they finally found a heart match, and the person just happened to be in a car accident. But there was an accident during the transplant, and the old CEO died on the operating table.”

“What a pity. If it weren’t for that, CEO Wei wouldn’t have had to shoulder Wei Tian at such a young age.”

The few of them sighed with regret, and the atmosphere grew heavy. Du Yue Ming clapped her hands: “Alright, alright, we’re here to have fun, not to hold a memorial service. Can we be a little happier?”

Eleven was pulled up by Du Yue Ming. Through Du Yue Ming’s shoulder, she saw Wei Hui talking to Pei Tian, her profile cold and taut. On closer inspection, her face was slightly pale. Wei Hui seemed to sense something amiss and turned, meeting Eleven’s gaze. They looked at each other, and Wei Hui indifferently looked away.

Eleven’s previously cheerful mood instantly turned cloudy.

After lunch, everyone headed back. Just like when they arrived, Wei Hui and Du Yue Ming sat in the front. Only, Wei Hui wasn’t resting; she was discussing something with Du Yue Ming, seemingly related to a project. Eleven noticed that Wei Hui today spoke more than usual. She poured a cup of hot water and handed it over: “Third Miss, would you like some?”

Wei Hui looked up at her, took the cup with both hands, and softly said, “Thank you.”

Eleven bit her lip and sat beside her: “Do you want to rest for a bit?”

Wei Hui glanced sideways: “I’ll rest after I finish talking with Miss Du. If you’re tired, go to sleep first.”

Her attitude was more gentle than usual, but the sensitive Eleven still noticed something was different, or perhaps it was just her own misconception, that she was overthinking. Eleven tilted her head, listening to their conversation as she drifted to sleep.

She hadn’t slept well last night, and now the atmosphere was quiet, so Eleven quickly fell asleep, her breathing steady and long. She lay on her side, hugging a pillow, her head resting on the edge of the sofa. After Wei Hui finished talking with Du Yue Ming, she saw Eleven’s sleeping face. She calmly stared at Eleven for a long time, resting her chin on one hand, her thumb caressing her lips, then lowered her eyes, looking away.

Eleven didn’t wake up until they reached Jiangcheng. When the plane arrived, Du Yue Ming called her name. She opened her eyes hazily; Wei Hui wasn’t beside her. Eleven unconsciously asked, “Where’s the Third Miss?”

“Oh, she’s gone down,” Du Yue Ming said nonchalantly, “Let’s go down too.”

Eleven followed closely behind Du Yue Ming off the plane.

The group was discussing what to do that evening, and when asked for her opinion, Wei Hui waved her hand: “You all go. I need to go back to the company.”

Du Yue Ming looked at Eleven, who smiled: “I’ll go with the Third Miss.”

Wei Hui didn’t speak. Eleven stood obediently behind her. Only after everyone else had left did Wei Hui speak: “I need to go to the company. Pei Tian will drive you home.”

Eleven asked in return, “Can I go with you to the company?”

Wei Hui thought for a few seconds: “No need. You’ll have nothing to do there. Go home.”

Eleven was thus arranged to be sent home. Sitting in the car, she was still pondering Wei Hui’s attitude. It was clearly different from the morning, but she couldn’t pinpoint how. Annoyed, she patted her head. It was all her fault for being too stupid!

Pei Tian drove her to the Wei family residence, helped her with her luggage, and, with his refined glasses perched on his handsome face, said gently, “I’ll take my leave then. Please rest.”

Eleven hadn’t interacted much with him. Although they went on the team-building trip together, they hadn’t exchanged more than ten sentences. So, even though she wanted to ask, she didn’t know how to approach him. She simply nodded: “Thank you.”

Pei Tian bowed his head: “You’re welcome.”

He turned, got into the car, gave Eleven a slight nod through the window, and drove away. The weather in Jiangcheng was much warmer than Foshishan, and along the way, one could still see red flowers and green leaves. Pei Tian drove the car directly to the company’s parking lot. When he went to Wei Hui’s office to report, he heard her on the phone: “Now? I’m at the company.”

Seeing him enter, Wei Hui raised her hand, signaling him to close the door. Finally, she said to the person on the other end of the line: “When?”

Su Ziyan held documents in his hand, standing at the hospital entrance, and said, “Now, I just got off work. I’ll head over to you.”

Wei Hui nodded: “Good, I have some things I want to discuss with you.”

After hanging up the phone, Pei Tian said, “Miss Eleven has been sent home.”

Having followed Wei Hui for so long, he had also figured out why Wei Hui kept Eleven by her side, so he reported this first. Wei Hui looked up at him: “Good. Ziyan will be here soon. Prepare two cups of tea, and help me contact CEO Du. Tell him it’s to discuss the start of the construction.”

Pei Tian noted it down: “Understood. Vice President Luo will bring it up again.”

Luo Zhouping wanting Wei Tian as a guarantor wasn’t impossible, and it didn’t even require board approval. If he had genuinely worked diligently at Wei Tian for so many years, she wouldn’t stand by idly for such a small favor. Unfortunately, his appetite was too big; what he wanted wasn’t just a guarantee. Furthermore, if he were allowed to develop his company smoothly and then use it as a weapon against Wei Tian later, that would be the worst outcome. So, on this matter, Wei Hui would not concede, even if it meant falling out with Luo Zhouping.

“Let it go for now, no need to pay attention.”

Pei Tian stood straight: “Understood, I know what to do.”

Wei Hui stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and turned: “Go make tea.”

Pei Tian obediently left the office. As he came out, he happened to meet Su Ziyan. He smiled: “Dr. Su, please come in. The Third Miss is waiting for you.”

Su Ziyan hummed and strode in. A moment later, Pei Tian also brought in two cups of tea and placed them on the coffee table. He said to Wei Hui, “Third Miss, please take your time. I’ll go out now.”

“Wait.” Wei Hui called out to him: “Pei Tian, go help me verify Eleven’s relatives again.”

She said solemnly: “I need specifics.”

Pei Tian paused for a few seconds: “Understood.”

After he left, Wei Hui sat on the sofa and looked at Su Ziyan: “Why did you come today?”

Su Ziyan picked up a cup of tea from the coffee table and gently blew on it, steam rising. He took a sip of tea and said, “I heard you went for team building the other day. How’s your health?”

Wei Hui lowered her eyes, letting him observe her, and said naturally, “Very good.”

“I’ve already contacted Dr. Bai, and we can do a check-up by the end of this month at the latest.” He finished speaking and looked at Wei Hui, changing the subject: “Why did you ask Pei Tian to investigate Eleven’s family just now?”

Wei Hui’s expression was serious: “I want to send her home. Cancel the surgery I asked you to schedule last time.”

Su Ziyan raised an eyebrow: “You regret it?”

Wei Hui didn’t hesitate, nodding: “Yes, I regret it.”

She regretted having that thought, regretted bringing Eleven into the Wei family, regretted having Eleven by her side, regretted letting Eleven get close to her, regretted this morning—kissing her.

No one knew her heart better than she did. Last night, she could still deceive herself that it was due to an impending attack, an irregular and chaotic heartbeat. But this morning, she could no longer deceive herself. She truly had different feelings for Eleven.

She couldn’t keep her.

Wei Hui sighed lightly. She never expected that at twenty-seven, with one foot already in the grave, she would taste what it felt like to like someone. Fate had indeed been kind to her.

Su Ziyan, upon hearing her words, was not pleased but frowned: “Your regret is useless. You can’t send her away either. I came today to tell you something. I found Eleven’s family.”

His expression was more serious than ever before. Wei Hui’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and she gripped her cup tightly: “Who is it?”

Su Ziyan handed the document he had brought with him to Wei Hui: “Do you remember a child you looked for before?”

“It’s her.”

Wei Hui’s hand trembled, and the cup fell onto the marble, emitting a crisp sound!