Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 20
by Little PandaMovie
Let’s watch a movie together.
Su Ziyan arrived at Wei Hui’s house first. Shiyi had just returned from outside. As she walked to the front gate, she saw Su Ziyan getting out of his car with a cake and a bag in his hands. She walked over quickly and called out, “Dr. Su.”
Su Ziyan turned his head and smiled: “Shiyi.”
“Why are you outside?”
Shiyi bit her lip: “Just went for a walk.”
Su Ziyan nodded: “That’s good, walking is good exercise, but winter is coming soon, so you shouldn’t stay outside too long.”
Especially with her weak constitution, too much cold wind would definitely give her a cold.
Shiyi gave a soft sound of acknowledgment, then noticed the cake in his hands and asked: “What’s that?”
Su Ziyan lifted the cake higher and smiled in response: “Today is Third Miss’s birthday, I came to celebrate with her.”
Shiyi was stunned for a few seconds. Third Miss’s birthday?
Today is Third Miss’s birthday?
Should she… should she prepare a gift?
Su Ziyan walked a few steps toward the gate and, noticing Shiyi hadn’t followed, called out: “What’s wrong?”
Shiyi snapped out of her thoughts, looked up at him, and after a moment said: “Dr. Su, please go in first. I’ll come in later.”
Su Ziyan didn’t question it and nodded with a gentle smile: “Alright.”
He turned and entered the Wei residence.
Shiyi crouched down beside his car, wondering whether she should buy Third Miss a gift. She probably should – Third Miss had helped her escape from the fire cage, given her a comfortable life, never forced her to do anything, and even replaced all the household servants because of her.
Third Miss had been so good to her; she should prepare a gift for her.
But what should she prepare?
Shiyi walked with heavy steps toward the nearby supermarket. She couldn’t afford expensive gifts, but felt embarrassed to give something cheap. After looking around for about ten minutes, she emerged from the gift section and turned to see stuffed toys displayed on a shelf.
It was shaped like a little dog, about the size of a throw pillow, grayish in color. Seeing it reminded Shiyi of Shi’er. She took it down from the shelf and bit her lip.
Wei Hui returned home just after six o’clock. As she got out of her car, she saw Su Ziyan talking with Shiyi. They were engaged in an animated conversation, both looking cheerful. She walked over in her high heels and said casually, “Ziyan.”
Su Ziyan turned around: “You’re back.”
His tone was natural and familiar. Shiyi walked a couple of steps toward Wei Hui and respectfully said, “Third Miss.”
Wei Hui’s gaze swept over her and said softly, “Go inside.”
Shiyi followed behind Wei Hui and Su Ziyan with her head down, listening to their casual conversation.
“Why did you come?”
“To celebrate your birthday, of course.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“What do you mean I didn’t have to? I’m the only one who remembers your birthday. You know, each year that passes is one less you have. Treasure each year while you can.”
Shiyi couldn’t quite make out the rest of their conversation. Her mind was stuck on Su Ziyan’s words about having one less year, treasuring each year. Could Third Miss be seriously ill?
With this thought in mind, she glanced sideways at Wei Hui. In the sunset light, Wei Hui’s expression was serene, her features deep-set and defined. Gone was her usual stern look, replaced by a gentle demeanor. Looking at Third Miss like this, one couldn’t tell she was ill at all. But Shiyi remembered clearly seeing her with a fever last time, accompanying her for medical checks, watching her complexion improve only after taking medicine.
Shiyi lowered her head, thinking Third Miss must really be seriously ill.
Her mood suddenly dropped.
Back in the living room, Aunt Liu was preparing dinner. Wei Hui led Su Ziyan toward the inner living room. Shiyi wasn’t planning to follow until Su Ziyan said to her, “Want to watch a movie? Come along.”
She glanced at Wei Hui before following them.
The Wei family had a dedicated movie room. Though not as large as a cinema, it was fully equipped. Su Ziyan often liked to chat with Wei Hui here during his visits, as the movie sound would mask their conversation, ensuring privacy.
Upon entering, Shiyi saw two long rows of sofas. The room appeared even larger than the living room, with drinks and fruits laid out on the coffee table. Wei Hui asked Su Ziyan, “What would you like to drink?”
Su Ziyan gestured, “The usual.”
Wei Hui glanced at Shiyi without speaking and turned toward the side. Shiyi then noticed a small bar area nearby. This being her first time here, she couldn’t help but look around curiously. Su Ziyan patted the space beside him: “Sit.”
Shiyi obediently sat beside him, her beautiful eyes scanning the room before finally settling on Wei Hui.
The person in the distance was busy working with her head down. Her wrists were slender, her skin fair, standing there like a luminous being that naturally drew attention. Shiyi stared a bit too long until Su Ziyan tapped her shoulder: “What are you looking at?”
She stiffened, coming back to herself: “Nothing, nothing.”
After straightening up, she turned to Su Ziyan and asked after some hesitation: “Dr. Su, is Third Miss’s illness very serious?”
Her gaze was clear, her concern obvious. Su Ziyan leaned back on the sofa and smiled: “Why ask this suddenly?”
Shiyi’s bright eyes met Su Ziyan’s as she answered honestly: “I overheard your conversation earlier.”
Su Ziyan smiled. Since Shiyi already knew about Wei Hui’s illness, he hadn’t tried to hide their earlier discussion. Over the years, he’d tried various treatments, but it was difficult. Her condition could only be stabilized, not improved. With time, it would inevitably worsen. Now, organ transplantation was the only possible cure, but the problem was Wei Hui’s rare blood type. Suddenly, he remembered – during Shiyi’s last checkup, didn’t she also have a rare blood type?
“Dr. Su?” Shiyi called out when he remained silent: “What’s wrong?”
Su Ziyan shook his head: “Nothing. About her illness, yes, it’s complicated.”
Shiyi bit her lip, and seeing Wei Hui hadn’t returned yet, asked what she’d been wanting to know: “Her illness, is it incurable?”
“At present, a cure is impossible. I can only do my best to buy her time.” He shouldn’t have told Shiyi this, but he felt she would be different for Wei Hui, bringing a different life to Wei Hui.
Living together meant caring was necessary.
Given Third Miss’s health and personality, he worried she would push herself too hard. Shiyi wrung her hands, biting her lip until it bled: “Then Dr. Su…”
Su Ziyan looked at her directly: “Shiyi, in life, birth and death are destined. We can’t force these things.”
He knew Wei Hui had made peace with mortality years ago, but he hadn’t. That’s why he kept actively searching for solutions, even contacting Dr. Bai.
Shiyi looked dejected, her voice dropping: “Then, could I know how else I might help her?”
Su Ziyan paused before responding: “Listen to her well. She won’t harm you. Don’t worry, she won’t do anything inappropriate or force you into anything. Everything depends on your wishes.”
Shiyi understood this well. She had experienced Third Miss’s kindness firsthand. She never forced decisions on her, gave her the best life possible, and still offered her choices. The more courteous Third Miss was, the deeper Shiyi’s guilt grew. Since meeting Dr. Su that afternoon, she’d been thinking how good it would be if she could help Third Miss.
Surely she would agree?
She would agree. She escaped her cage thanks to Third Miss, who also saved her life. If she could truly help, she would be willing. But right now, she couldn’t help. She lacked the ability.
Shiyi’s thoughts were scattered as she lowered her head: “Thank you, Dr. Su.”
Su Ziyan still felt uneasy about his role in this situation. When she thanked him, he felt uncomfortable and was about to speak when Wei Hui approached with a tray. She handed Su Ziyan a coffee, kept one for herself, and gave Shiyi a glass of warm milk.
The warm milk in her hands matched the warmth in Shiyi’s heart. After her conversation with Su Ziyan, she looked at Wei Hui with less reverence and fear than before.
Shiyi took a sip of milk, feeling the sweetness spread across her teeth.
While waiting for Wei Hui, the movie began. Shiyi hadn’t watched a movie since before her mother-in-law passed away, when she went with classmates. She could barely remember the name of that film now. The screen suddenly went dark, and the room lights had been turned off somehow. The atmosphere was perfect for movie-watching, though Shiyi hoped it wouldn’t be a horror film.
On the large screen, a female corpse crawled from its grave, wearing bright red clothes with heavy makeup that barely looked human. Long red nails seemed to reach through the screen. Shiyi started sitting properly on the sofa, but gradually inched closer to Wei Hui. Though she tried to maintain a neutral expression, her eyes couldn’t hide her fear, especially when the ghost appeared with startling music that made her want to scream!
Her face scrunched up as she watched from the corner of her eye. Wei Hui noticed her conflicted desire to watch despite her fear, her face more animated than usual in the screen’s glow.
During a black screen moment, Shiyi tensely gripped her hands. She squinted until the screen brightened again. Wei Hui leaned back, watching Shiyi. In just a few days, her complexion had improved significantly. Her small face was no longer pale but showed a healthy glow. Fair-skinned with red lips, she looked beautiful even without makeup, showing her natural good features, especially her bright, pleasant eyes.
After observing Shiyi, Wei Hui returned to watching the screen, which had reached a climactic scene with brutal ghost killings. Displeased with the bloody imagery, she was about to suggest changing the film when she felt warmth beside her. Turning, she saw Shiyi cautiously moving closer, looking nervous, scared, and embarrassed. Clearly too afraid to watch but not daring to request a different movie or leave, she had no choice but to seek comfort by moving closer.
She was still young after all, getting scared even by these fake movies. Wei Hui watched as Shiyi moved cautiously, afraid others would notice her actions. In these moments, she truly seemed like a child, unable to hide her thoughts, instinctively seeking comfort.
Seeing her like this reminded Wei Hui of last night when she’d asked Shiyi questions – the way she’d tilted her head slightly, her expression both startled and innocent, with a touch of adorable confusion.
Wei Hui remained still against the sofa as Shiyi drew closer until their clothes brushed against each other. As soon as Shiyi caught the distinct scent of Wei Hui’s perfume, she felt at ease, letting out a long breath. Noticing this small gesture, Wei Hui’s lips curved into a slight smile.
The words she had been about to say remained unspoken, swallowed back in silence.
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