Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Make Up
Eleven didn’t move for half the day after hearing what Wei Hui had said. She had guessed that coming here, her situation wouldn’t be the same as it was at her previous employer’s — just doing servant work — but she hadn’t expected things to be even worse than she imagined.
Wei Hui sat on the sofa, looking up at Eleven’s tightly wrinkled face. Her bright, clear eyes were full of shock, her face pale, her lips slightly trembling — she looked completely frightened.
After all, she was just a child. When terrified to the extreme, she didn’t know how to hide her emotions. There was no sign of the cleverness she had shown at the Wang family. Now, she looked overly honest. Panic, worry, fear, and nervousness were all written on her face. Dressed in loose sportswear, her already frail body appeared even more delicate against her pale complexion. Even someone like Wei Hui, not known for being kindhearted, felt a twinge of sympathy. No wonder Su Ziyan had called to question her.
Sunlight spilled freely outside, pouring into the spacious living room. Wei Hui sat on the sofa, wearing a light blue business suit — sharp and well-tailored. Her wavy brown hair cascaded over her shoulders and back. Her facial features were sharp and deep-set, cold and defined, her brows stern, radiating an air of aloofness. She cast a light glance at Eleven. The sunlight fell across her fair face, her red lips and white skin glowing. She wore long earrings, and the dangling jewel lightly swayed as she turned her head, landing against her beautiful collarbone, glinting with a cold light.
Eleven stood by the coffee table and accidentally met her gaze — stern brows and piercing eyes. Her nervousness reached its peak; it felt like the air around her froze. Even breathing hurt her chest. She bit her lip, reopening a scabbed wound from yesterday. The taste of bl00d rose up her throat. She coughed lightly twice, adding a flush of unnatural red to her pale face, her frightened eyes full of pleading.
“Third Miss,” the living room was quiet, her soft voice floated to Wei Hui’s ears.
“Could you not take my eyes?”
Wei Hui chuckled softly, the corners of her lips lifting just enough. The indifference in her brows faded, replaced with a hint of amusement. Her cold features instantly became more vivid. She said plainly, “When did I say I was going to take your eyes?”
Eleven froze, staring blankly at Wei Hui. Their eyes met. Eleven swallowed down the metallic taste in her mouth, “Then… you…”
“I want something else,” Wei Hui stood up, her face returning to its icy, arrogant expression. “Can you drink?”
Eleven didn’t know how the topic changed so quickly. She replied, “A little.”
Wei Hui brushed past her, “Rest well this afternoon. You’re going out with me tonight.”
A fresh, cool fragrance brushed past Eleven’s nose. She nodded blankly, “Okay.”
After lunch, Wei Hui was picked up by Pei Tian to go to the company. Before leaving, Eleven vaguely heard mentions of the Wang family and the Shen family. She quietly lowered her head and sat in the living room for a while. Servants passed by frequently, sneaking curious glances at her. When Auntie Zhang entered the kitchen, she overheard a conversation.
“You think she’ll steal from the Third Miss?”
“How could she? She wouldn’t dare even if you gave her ten lives!”
“Still, you never know. Having a thief around is creepy.”
“I feel the same.”
“Keep an eye on the Third Miss’s room later.”
Auntie Zhang put down what she was carrying and asked, “You’re saying that young lady is a thief? Really?”
One of the girls picking vegetables tugged her over. “You don’t believe it? Sister Wu said she has a relative who guards the Wang family. She heard the madam herself say something about stealing, and someone even got beaten. You saw how she looked yesterday.”
Auntie Zhang peeked through the kitchen door and saw Eleven sitting upright on the sofa, looking proper and disciplined.
She thought for a moment, then walked out of the kitchen and said to Eleven, “Miss, would you like to go upstairs and rest?”
Eleven was about to say no, but remembered Wei Hui’s instruction to rest for the evening outing. She nodded. “Okay.”
Her voice was soft, her expression shy. Auntie Zhang led the way upstairs. On the way, she asked, “Miss, what did you do before?”
Eleven followed behind and replied, “I was a servant.”
Auntie Zhang had already guessed something was off. The clothes Eleven arrived in were dirty and messy, her head was bloody, and she even tried to help out in the kitchen — nothing like the usual young ladies she had seen. Still, she couldn’t believe the Third Miss had brought home a servant, possibly even a thief.
Thinking of the confidential company documents possibly stored in the Third Miss’s room, Auntie Zhang’s gaze darkened. She led Eleven to the guest room and smiled, “Miss, go ahead and rest.”
“If you need anything, just call me.”
Eleven lowered her head. “Thank you, Auntie Zhang.”
Auntie Zhang glanced at the obedient and well-mannered Eleven and frowned. Her lips moved a few times as if wanting to say something but ended up just asking, “Do you need help tidying up?”
Eleven had just opened the door and glanced inside. Everything was as it had been the day before. The quilt was folded neatly, the items on the desk placed in order, nothing messy. She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Auntie Zhang had no choice but to say, “Then please rest well.”
Eleven lowered her gaze and walked into the room. The door closed gently. She sat on the bed, holding the bag from the hospital containing various ointments and clean bandages. After a glance, she took it to the vanity and sat down.
In the mirror, a girl in an ill-fitting tracksuit, pale face, and dark eyes looked back at her. Her lips bore shallow teeth marks from biting. She reached up to touch her eyelids, thinking of what Wei Hui had said.
At the time, she really thought Wei Hui wanted her eyes.
Eleven took out the ointments one by one. Although she wasn’t highly educated, she could read basic characters. Su Ziyan had clearly written each label in neat handwriting in case she couldn’t understand. A warmth bloomed in her heart. She applied the ointment to her face.
After tidying everything up, she lay on the bed. The soft bedding, the fragrant sheets, the fluffy pillow — everything around her was something she had never even dared to dream of. The overwhelming sense of unreality made her try to close her eyes.
Her body was weak, and she hadn’t slept much the night before. She only meant to nap for a while, but ended up sleeping until nightfall. Outside, Auntie Zhang knocked on the door, calling, “Miss?”
No response. Her voice rose slightly. “Miss?”
Eleven suddenly opened her eyes. In the darkness, her eyes sparkled like stars.
“Coming.” She got up, opened the door, and saw Auntie Zhang holding a bag. Eleven was startled. “Auntie Zhang?”
Auntie Zhang handed her the bag. “The Third Miss wants you to change into this. She’s waiting downstairs.”
Eleven instinctively looked down and saw someone sitting on the sofa — a slim back mostly hidden in the cushions. Auntie Zhang urged, “Go on, change quickly.”
Then added, “These are makeup items.”
Eleven was handed a box of cosmetics. Her gaze turned confused. Auntie Zhang said nothing more and turned to leave. Eleven hesitated to call after her but felt too embarrassed. Finally, she lowered her head and went back into the room with the clothes and makeup.
Downstairs, Pei Tian stood beside the sofa. “Third Miss, are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
Wei Hui sipped her tea and raised her eyes. Now dressed in a long gown, she looked more elegant and graceful. “No need. Arrange a meeting with Minister Zhao.”
Pei Tian frowned. “Minister Zhao?”
Wei Hui nodded. “The Shen family wants a share. Go test the waters.”
Pei Tian thought for a moment and understood. “Got it.”
“But going alone…”
“Eleven will go with me.” Wei Hui interrupted coolly.
Pei Tian frowned more. “But that child doesn’t know anything.”
Wei Hui smiled faintly. “She can drink. That’s enough.”
Pei Tian wanted to argue more, but thinking that no one would dare go overboard with Wei Hui present, he agreed. “Understood.”
Just as they finished speaking, there was movement on the stairs. Pei Tian and Wei Hui looked up. Eleven was in a yellow dress, long hair down, head lowered so her expression was unclear. She was thin, barely any flesh on her body. Even the smallest size dress Wei Hui chose was a bit too big. Luckily, a belt made it look passable.
But her walking posture—
Eleven had never worn heels in her life, especially stilettos. She was unsteady even on flat ground, let alone stairs. Each step took several seconds, clutching the handrail awkwardly.
Pei Tian, usually serious, couldn’t help but laugh. Wei Hui shot him a cold glance, and he lowered his head. “Then, Third Miss, I’ll be going.”
Wei Hui replied softly, “Mm.”
Still clinging to the handrail, Eleven heard them and glanced at Wei Hui, just in time to meet her gaze. She looked displeased. That fleeting look made Eleven tense up. She instinctively straightened her posture, but the heel gave way — she clung back to the rail.
There were giggles around her. Eleven’s face flushed with embarrassment. She finally reached the bottom of the stairs and saw a pair of red heels.
Fair skin, dainty ankles, long and slender calves, smooth and taut without an ounce of fat — the most beautiful legs she had ever seen. She dared not look further, eyes stopping at Wei Hui’s knees. Wei Hui stood before her, arms crossed, her red lips parted.
“Look up.”
Same cold tone as yesterday.
Eleven nervously clutched her skirt and slowly looked up. Her bare face, the bandage on her forehead replaced by a white plaster hidden beneath her bangs. Her complexion still pale, lips bloodless, expression uneasy — like a child caught sneaking into their master’s closet. Wei Hui stared at her for a few seconds, then said:
“Don’t know how to put on makeup?”
The girl before her shook her head. Wei Hui called, “Auntie Zhang.”
“Yes, Third Miss,” Auntie Zhang responded and stepped forward.
Wei Hui said, “Go to her room and bring the makeup.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Auntie Zhang went upstairs and entered the guest room. She saw the opened makeup box still on the vanity, all items untouched. She closed the box and prepared to leave. At the door, she recalled the lunchtime conversation about Eleven possibly being a thief. She paused, then returned to the vanity, glanced around — nothing out of place. She opened the drawer — empty. She relaxed a bit until her eyes landed on the neatly folded clothes beside the bed.
A few minutes later, Auntie Zhang came back downstairs holding the makeup box, her expression dark and heavy.