Yearning For Warmth, Day and Night - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Unworthy

In the living room, Wei Hui’s voice was calm: “Zhang Ma, teach her.”

Zhang Ma’s grim expression softened slightly. She stood beside Shiyi, took out all the cosmetics from the box, and turned to explain, “Use this first, it’s for skincare.”

Her tone and demeanor were somewhat different from earlier that afternoon. Shiyi looked up and met her harsh, furrowed brow. Shiyi shrank her shoulders and immediately lowered her head.

Wei Hui’s elegant brows furrowed slightly.

“Miss?” Zhang Ma urged when she saw no movement, “Miss, please start your makeup, Third Miss is very busy.”

“Okay.” Shiyi composed herself and took the skincare products Zhang Ma handed over. The bottles and jars were labeled in English, and she couldn’t tell the order. Whatever Zhang Ma gave her, she used. Then Zhang Ma turned her head and snapped, “Wrong! How can you apply it directly to your face like that?”

Wei Hui glanced over. Shiyi’s face looked like a smudged little cat, with uneven application and no control over the amount used. Luckily, her delicate features still gave off a mischievous charm despite the mess, especially when her wide eyes curiously studied the bottles — it added a naive cuteness.

It was the first time Wei Hui had seen this kind of expression on the girl’s face. A bit… adorable?

That thought flashed through Wei Hui’s mind. After a pause, she said to Zhang Ma, “That’s enough. Take her to remove the makeup.”

Zhang Ma was confused. “She’s not wearing makeup anymore?”

Wei Hui responded softly, “Mm.”

Shiyi, anxious, looked over at her. Wei Hui’s profile was tense, her expression unreadable. Before she could process what it meant, Zhang Ma had already dragged her to the bathroom.

When she came out, her face was bare again. Her high heels made her walk unsteadily.

Wei Hui frowned. “Get her a different pair of shoes.”

Zhang Ma rushed off once more. Half an hour later, the two of them finally got in the car. Shiyi still leaned against the door. In a small voice, she asked, “Third Miss, are you angry?”

In the darkness, she felt Wei Hui’s cold gaze sweep toward her, and Shiyi immediately straightened up. “I’ll learn,” she added quickly.

“I’ll learn how to do makeup.”

Wei Hui’s cool voice came from beside her, carrying a faint, crisp fragrance: “Forget it.”

Forget it. The two simple words made Shiyi’s heart race. She curled up closer to the door and stayed that way until the car stopped.

They were at the grand entrance of a luxurious hotel. Two stone lions stood tall on either side, imposing. A large fountain gurgled with flowing water, the droplets shimmering under the lights.

After getting out of the car, Shiyi followed closely beside Wei Hui, not daring to stray, yet careful not to get too close. She remembered Zhang Ma’s warning — Wei Hui hated being touched.

Inside, the hall was full of elegantly dressed guests holding wine glasses and chatting cheerfully. It was a world Shiyi had never set foot in. She kept her head down.

A man’s voice sounded beside them. “I thought Third Miss Wei wouldn’t have time to come.”

Wei Hui glanced at Shen Hao, her red lips curling faintly. “President Shen’s invitation — how could I refuse?”

Shen Hao smiled. “Third Miss really honors me.”

Wei Hui’s expression remained indifferent, clearly uninterested in further conversation. Shen Hao studied her intently. She always favored red gowns — simple and elegant styles. On others, it might look gaudy, but on her, it was captivating. No wonder she was known as one of Jiangcheng’s famed beauties. Just standing there, she seemed to light up the entire room.

Whispers spread around them:

“Is that the Third Miss?”

“She’s stunning.”

“Too bad she has a bad temper.”

“She can afford to have one — unlike you.”

The sharp retort shut them up. Still, they couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Wei Hui. Even as women, they felt no jealousy — the gap between them was too vast.

Under the crystal chandelier, Wei Hui’s cool expression, red gown, and porcelain skin made her glow. Her long, soft brown curls flowed behind her, her features sharp yet graceful under flawless makeup. Shen Hao struggled to maintain composure under her pressure and turned to Shiyi. “Third Miss, this is…?”

“A friend,” Wei Hui replied lightly.

Shiyi was stunned speechless, her heart pounding.

Shen Hao frowned. In all these years, it was the first time he’d heard Wei Hui call someone a friend. But she didn’t give him time to linger, simply saying, “We’ll head inside.”

“Of course, make yourselves at home,” Shen Hao quickly said.

As they walked in, Shen Hao called over his assistant. “Make sure to take care of Third Miss.”

“Yes, President Shen.”

Shen Hao sipped his wine, looking solemn.

He’d first met Wei Hui when she was just a young girl — the third child of the Wei family. Her two older brothers had died young, so her family adored her. Back then, everyone in their circle knew of the pampered Third Miss of the Wei family. But who had time to chase rich daughters? They were all out playing the field, himself included — even though he was Wei Hui’s fiancé in name.

He was two years older than her. Their families had joked about a child engagement, but when her mother died and her father fell ill, Wei Hui broke off the engagement, saying she didn’t want to burden the Shen family. They tried to resist — after all, with Wei Hui poised to inherit the family fortune, who would let go of such a prize?

But they eventually backed off, because Wei Hui’s skills surpassed even her father’s. Rather than make her an enemy, it was better to maintain peace.

At the time, Shen Hao had scoffed — she’s just a woman; she’ll get tired. He could wait until she needed someone, then step in and win her over.

Reality slapped him hard. Under Wei Hui’s leadership, Wei Tian Group soared. She became a figure everyone in Jiangcheng admired. Many suitors lined up, only to be coldly rejected — if they could even see her.

He only got her to come today by invoking her father’s name.

He sipped his drink, regret flashing in his eyes. Maybe he shouldn’t have let her go back then.

“Shen Hao!” A furious voice called out from a few meters away. He looked up. “Sister?”

Shen Suqing, dressed in a formal gown and shawl, marched over. “What’s going on? You promised—”

“Sis.” Shen Hao interrupted and, noticing people watching, quickly raised his glass in greeting and pulled her to a corner. “Why are you here?”

“What? I’m not allowed at a Shen family event?” Her anger burned in her bright eyes.

“Of course you are.”

“Good.” She took a breath. “Now tell me what’s going on. Your brother-in-law said you didn’t move the goods. Why not?”

Shen Hao opened his mouth but didn’t know where to start.

Her husband, Wang Yongshun, had always been disliked by the old man of the Shen family for being opportunistic and shady. When Suqing insisted on marrying him, they were cast out to be independent. Earlier this year, Wang had his eyes on land in the western suburbs. Despite warnings, he went ahead with shady deals, enraging the old man, who banned him from the family home.

Recently, Wang wanted to help Wei Hui transport goods. Shen Hao stayed out of it.

Of course it ended badly.

Trying to scheme against Wei Hui? What a joke.

Shen Hao had leaked the news that the Shen family would help Wang as a cover — to edge in on Wei Hui’s profits. Giving Wang that land would be a waste.

Suqing pressed, “So you’re cutting him off?”

Shen Hao, frustrated, raised his voice, “Cutting him off? Sis, are you blind after marrying him? You think Wei Hui would let him help her for no reason? Did you ever wonder why she suddenly dropped the Cheng family and came to him?”

Realization dawned on her. “You mean—”

“What I think doesn’t matter.” He cut her off. “What matters now is that if Wang can’t handle it, Shen family will.”

She clenched her teeth, still wanting to defend her husband. But Shen Hao waved her off, “I’ve got guests to attend to.”

He left without another word. Suqing gripped her glass so tightly her fingers turned white.

As she turned to leave, she caught sight of someone on the sofa and scowled even more.

“What a coincidence, Third Miss.”

Wei Hui looked up. “Mrs. Wang.”

Suppressing her anger, Suqing smiled. “What luck to run into you. A toast, Third Miss.”

Everyone in the circle knew Wei Hui never drank. Her assistant, Pei Tian, was always nearby. But tonight, Pei Tian wasn’t here. Suqing intended to get her drunk and humiliate her.

Just as she raised her glass, another clink sounded. Another glass had touched hers lightly.

“Ma’am, I’ll drink for Third Miss…” Shiyi whispered. She knew she was brought here to block wine for Wei Hui, but didn’t expect the first to toast would be Suqing — the woman who had beaten her not long ago. The memory still hurt. She felt the wound on her head burning again, as if it were bleeding, but she held herself back, lifted her glass despite trembling, and kept her head low.

Suqing was caught off guard by the voice. She turned and finally noticed someone beside Wei Hui. That voice… “Shiyi?”

She stared hard at the girl — no longer the insignificant housemaid, now dressed in elegant attire like a princess. Though timid and fearful, her side profile was doll-like, more beautiful than herself. She had argued with her husband over Shiyi before, and now seeing her like this enraged her more.

She sneered, “Who do you think you are? You think you’re worthy of toasting me?”

Shiyi’s fingers turned white from gripping her glass. Then a cool voice came from beside her.

“Why wouldn’t she be?”

Both Suqing and Shiyi looked over.

Wei Hui’s expression was cold, her gaze frosty as she met Suqing’s eyes.

“She’s with me,” she said. “That makes her my person. If she’s not worthy, then who is?”

Shiyi slowly loosened her grip on the glass. The throbbing pain in her wound subsided. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at Wei Hui — the first person other than her mother-in-law to stand up for her and say: She’s mine.

An indescribable emotion welled up in her chest. Wei Hui suddenly had a new place in her heart. Shiyi lowered her head and bit her lip.

Wei Hui leaned in and whispered, “Hasn’t anyone taught you to hold your head up when you speak?”

Their faces were close. Shiyi was enveloped in Wei Hui’s light fragrance and stammered, “N-No.”

Wei Hui, still cool and composed, enunciated each word: “Then remember it now.”

Shiyi looked up at her. Wei Hui’s jawline was sharp and tight, her voice clear and cold.

“If you’re by my side, you never need to lower your head again.”

Her sharp gaze pinned Suqing in place, her tone commanding: “Shiyi, toast Mrs. Wang.”