Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Like
Eleven stood at the hospital entrance. After parking the car, Pei Tian walked over to her, brushed off some imaginary dust, and said, “Let’s go in.”
Unlike the busy hospital Eleven had imagined, this one was quiet and empty. Two security guards stood at either side of the door. When they saw Eleven and Pei Tian, they immediately opened the door. Pei Tian, tall and imposing, walked straight in. Eleven followed behind him like a child who hadn’t grown up yet. She wore a plain white tracksuit that didn’t fit properly—too big—making her look even smaller and thinner. Her bright eyes flickered uneasily whenever someone looked at her, full of anxiety.
For as long as she could remember, this was her first time stepping into a hospital. The surroundings were clean and polished, sunlight glinting off the glass. Everything looked vibrant and full of life, yet she felt out of place—just like the night before. The feeling that she didn’t belong here swept over her again, and she wanted to run.
A hand gripped her shoulder, and Pei Tian’s cold voice came from behind, “Miss Eleven, you’re walking the wrong way.”
Eleven swallowed nervously, clenched her hands tightly, and slowly turned back around. She heard a familiar voice, “You’re here.”
She looked up—it was Su Ziyan. Since yesterday, he had been the only person who made her feel at ease. Maybe it was because he was a doctor—he gave off an inexplicable sense of safety. When she saw him looking at her, she shyly responded, “Mm.”
Su Ziyan said to Pei Tian, “I’ll take her for the examination. You can wait here.”
Pei Tian nodded calmly and walked to the chairs in the lobby. Eleven followed Su Ziyan. At the front desk, Su Ziyan grabbed a pen and some papers. Two pretty young nurses at the desk smiled sweetly and said, “Dr. Su, isn’t that Assistant Pei? Why is he here?”
They glanced at Eleven and asked, “Hey, who’s that girl?”
“She’s so pretty.”
Su Ziyan tapped them both on the head with his pen. “What girl? Be polite.” Then he turned to Eleven, “What’s your name?”
The girl beside him bit her lip and answered, “Eleven.”
Su Ziyan frowned. “Eleven?”
He looked at her curiously. “What kind of name is that?”
The two young nurses continued to watch her with curious eyes. Su Ziyan smiled gently, “Come with me.”
Eleven followed him into the examination room.
During the checkup, Su Ziyan asked again about her name. Eleven repeated what she had said the night before. Su Ziyan nodded, “No parents?”
Eleven shook her head faintly. To her, the word “parents” was just a label—one she had never even spoken aloud. After finishing the paperwork, Su Ziyan looked at her and said, “Let’s begin the checkup.”
His voice was calm and soothing, his manner gentle, his face smiling. Unconsciously, Eleven relaxed. She watched him mark notes after each test. The checkup lasted over an hour. Once done, Su Ziyan led her to his office and said with a smile, “Two reports will be ready the day after tomorrow.”
Eleven twisted the hem of her pants nervously and asked carefully, “Dr. Su…”
“What does Third Miss want me to do with me?”
From the moment she got out of the car yesterday until just now, this question had been haunting her. She finally asked it. Her beautiful eyes locked on Su Ziyan, hoping for an answer.
But she was disappointed.
Su Ziyan simply closed the folder and said, “Eleven, that’s something you should ask Third Miss.”
The hopeful light in her eyes dimmed. Her shoulders slumped. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to ask—she was just too scared. In front of that woman, even speaking one extra word felt like a mistake.
She was starting to regret it—regret provoking Wei Hui.
Maybe she should’ve chosen someone else.
Pei Tian stood up when he saw the two coming out and asked Su Ziyan, “Doctor Su, all done?”
Su Ziyan glanced at the still timid Eleven and nodded, “All done.”
He walked to the front desk. “The medicine, please.”
A staff member handed him a bag filled with different medications. Su Ziyan brought it to Eleven and held it out. “Instructions are on the label, including the scar cream—apply three times a day.”
Eleven took it, lowered her head, and said in a soft voice, “Thank you, Dr. Su.”
Pei Tian said, “We’ll be going now.”
Eleven walked away with the medicine bag. Her frame was thin and fragile. Su Ziyan couldn’t stop thinking about her fragile bones from the exam. As he watched her get into the car with Pei Tian, he couldn’t help but call Wei Hui.
“What exactly do you plan to do with this kid?”
Wei Hui had just exited a meeting. Her secretary was still reading her schedule behind her. She raised a hand, and the secretary stopped talking. Wei Hui walked to the window and asked, “Finished the checkup?”
Su Ziyan: “All done.”
Wei Hui nodded. “Is she clean?”
It was a simple word, but coming from her mouth, it sent chills down the spine. Su Ziyan frowned, “Clean. Completely clean.”
“You still haven’t said what you’re going to do with the kid.”
Wei Hui chuckled lightly, her voice still cold: “This kid’s quite something. You’ve only met her twice and now you’re questioning me?”
Su Ziyan was speechless.
He hadn’t meant to question her. It was just that Eleven’s last look—those dim eyes, the fear and helplessness—left him feeling uneasy. That’s why he called.
Wei Hui didn’t explain further. “Just send me the report. I’ll make arrangements.”
Su Ziyan sighed, “I’ll send it later.”
After Wei Hui hung up, she received a message from Pei Tian: Third Miss, should we send her back to the Wei residence?
Wei Hui tapped on the screen for a moment: Yes.
Eleven was returned to the Wei residence. The large garden was filled with housekeepers watering and weeding. Aunt Zhang bustled around. Eleven wanted to help, but Aunt Zhang was startled and quickly insisted she sit and rest. Eleven stood behind them, regretting once again that she shouldn’t have bumped into Wei Hui yesterday.
If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be in such a difficult situation now.
She just wanted to live a good life.
Was that wrong?
She sat on a bench, floral scents drifting in the air. Eleven looked around—bright flowers and green plants, neatly trimmed and swaying gently in the breeze. Many she couldn’t even name. It was the first time she had ever sat in a garden, appreciating the flowers, without anyone barking orders or casting cruel glances and harsh words her way.
She savored the peace. Before long, the front gate slowly opened—Wei Hui had returned.
Through the slightly open car window, Eleven saw her cold profile, sharp eyes. She immediately stood up.
Wei Hui rarely came back for lunch. She was always busy, usually eating at the office. The butler was surprised to see her. Only after she stepped out in high heels did he snap back and ask, “Third Miss, why are you back?”
Wei Hui shot him a look. He got the message and skipped the question, asking instead, “Have you had lunch?”
“Not yet,” Wei Hui replied, then called, “Eleven, come here.”
Eleven bit her lip and walked over.
The two walked toward the living room, one behind the other. The butler headed to the kitchen to inform Aunt Zhang to prepare lunch. Aunt Zhang peeked out and frowned slightly. “Why did Third Miss come back?”
A girl washing vegetables asked in a low voice, “Aunt Zhang, what’s the relationship between Eleven and Third Miss?”
Everyone turned to look at Aunt Zhang curiously. She shook her head, “How would I know?”
Another girl whispered, “I heard she was brought back from the Wang family yesterday.”
“Wang family?”
“Yes. She stole something and got beaten. Third Miss happened to be there and brought her back. Look—she still has a scar right here.” She pointed to her temple.
The others were stunned. Aunt Zhang looked thoughtful. A few seconds later, she scolded, “Enough gossip. Get back to work!”
The kitchen fell silent and everyone returned to cooking.
In the living room, Wei Hui sat on the sofa, flipping through a document—full of graphs, text, and symbols Eleven didn’t understand. After reading it twice, she closed it, and Eleven recognized the two characters on the cover—her name.
Eleven.
She didn’t dare speak. Wei Hui put the file aside just as Pei Tian walked in quickly and said in a low voice, “Third Miss, the Shen family is hosting a dinner and invited you.”
Knowing she disliked such events, Pei Tian added, “They also invited President Wang.”
Wei Hui glanced at her, her gaze sharp and imposing. “Then let’s go.”
Pei Tian nodded, “I’ll make arrangements. This afternoon…”
She looked at Wei Hui, then Eleven. Wei Hui said, “Go to the company.”
Pei Tian nodded and left. Eleven still stood at the edge of the coffee table, body stiff, head down, hair covering half her face—like a lost child unsure what to do. Wei Hui thought of the examination report and her expression softened a bit. Her red lips parted, “Do you want to know why I brought you back?”
Eleven immediately looked up at her, eyes full of desperation and hope. Her hands clenched tightly. It was the first time she dared to look directly at Wei Hui. The room fell silent. Only her thundering heartbeat remained, loud and dizzying. She swallowed hard.
Wei Hui stood, walked two steps to stand in front of her. Her brows were sharp, her tone serious: “Because I really like your eyes.”
“They’re beautiful.”
Eleven’s face went pale. Her lips trembled. The heart that had just leapt to her throat abruptly stopped beating.