Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 24
by Little PandaThe Du Family
This is my little friend.
The next day, Wei Hui said she would send Shi’er away, but before she could give the order, she was picked up by Pei Tian because something happened at the company. Shiyi spent half the night with her heart hanging by a thread [worried sick], and when she woke up with panda eyes [meaning: dark circles under eyes], Shi’er was pacing back and forth by the bed, seeming very anxious. Seeing her wake up, it started clinging to her. Shiyi had never raised a dog and didn’t know what was wrong with it. Only when she went to the bathroom to wash up did she realize Shi’er might need to go to the bathroom. After a quick wash, she took Shi’er downstairs.
In the courtyard, she didn’t dare let Shi’er relieve itself anywhere, and only when they reached the base of the wall did she release Shi’er.
Aunt Liu followed behind her calling: “Young Miss.”
Shiyi turned around, thinking she had come to take Shi’er away, and said reluctantly: “Did Third Miss say where to send it?”
Aunt Liu was startled: “What?”
Shiyi bit her lip: “Weren’t we supposed to send the dog away?”
Aunt Liu smiled: “No, Third Miss didn’t give any such instructions.”
Shiyi looked at Aunt Liu in confusion: “She really didn’t say anything?”
Could she have forgotten? Shiyi harbored a small hope in her heart, then heard Aunt Liu say: “Third Miss was picked up early by Assistant Pei, saying there was an urgent matter at the company.”
So that’s how it was. Shiyi’s small hope was shattered. Aunt Liu asked about Shi’er with interest: “Is this dog yours?”
Shiyi shook her head: “It’s one I found.”
Aunt Liu smiled: “And it’s even a purebred dog. Young Miss, you’re really lucky.”
Shiyi didn’t really know what a purebred dog was. She just smiled at Aunt Liu’s words without making a sound. She didn’t feel lucky at all, as she couldn’t keep Shi’er.
Shi’er seemed to sense her bad mood and rubbed its head against her pants, looking up with its tongue out. Its jet-black eyes looked at Shiyi, appearing very obedient and lovely. The more Shiyi looked at it like this, the more she couldn’t bear to give it away. She hugged Shi’er and asked: “Can I tie it up in the backyard for now?”
Aunt Liu nodded: “Of course, I can help you lead it.”
Shiyi held onto the rope: “I’ll lead it myself.”
Shi’er followed her into the backyard. The backyard was very large, with a big swimming pool, lush green lawn, several stone paths with many trees planted on both sides. Shiyi had been here before, having glanced around from afar.
Today’s weather was completely different from last night – clear skies as far as the eye could see, with gentle sunlight falling on them, adding warmth. Shiyi walked to a tree in the farthest corner of the backyard, tied Shi’er beside it, and said softly: “Will you be good and stay here?”
Shi’er barked twice at her, and Aunt Liu smiled: “Young Miss doesn’t need to worry, I will take good care of it.”
Shiyi lowered her head: “Thank you.”
Aunt Liu extended her hand: “Let’s go back for breakfast.”
Shiyi looked at Shi’er reluctantly, gritted her teeth, and followed Aunt Liu back to the living room. Breakfast was already set on the table. Although she was alone, it was very lavish. While eating, Shiyi thought about last night in Wei Hui’s room, how she didn’t have the strength to support Wei Hui when she fell. She needed to eat more, eat more so she would grow stronger, and then in the future she could support Wei Hui and not let her fall.
The future?
Shiyi’s hand paused slightly while eating breakfast, confusion in her beautiful eyes. Why was she thinking about the future?
After finishing breakfast, Aunt Liu brought her milk. After drinking it, Shiyi had nothing to do, so she slipped back to the backyard. Shi’er was gnawing on a bone. Shiyi didn’t disturb it, but sat by herself on a bench not far away watching Shi’er. Wei Hui’s words from last night echoed in her ears, and the light in Shiyi’s eyes gradually dimmed. She lay on the table and slightly closed her eyes.
At the company, Wei Hui sat in the conference room, with several shareholders speaking assertively in front of her: “Every day it sits empty is a waste of money. We can renovate to save funds, why do we need to rebuild the amusement park?”
“Exactly, Director Wei, let alone whether the amusement park can be profitable, just looking at the costs – aren’t they too high?”
“Renovation would be so much better.”
Wei Hui looked at these old men. Usually, they just waited for their dividends and rarely involved themselves in company affairs. Her decisions had never faced such strong opposition before. Without thinking, she knew someone must have added fuel to the fire [stirred things up]. It seemed that Luo Zhouping couldn’t cooperate with Shen Hao, so he came to influence these old fellows’ minds. He had hit the mark perfectly – these people just wanted to make money but were reluctant to invest.
“Director Wei, this plan isn’t for you alone to decide. We all think renovation is better now.”
Luo Zhouping smiled and tried to smooth things over [mediate]: “Everyone, don’t rush. Let’s sit down and discuss. Director Wei is still young after all, her consideration might not be comprehensive. Let’s give her some time to think it through.”
Just as he finished speaking, Pei Tian came to Wei Hui’s side and said softly: “Third Miss, Director Shen says he has something and can’t make it to the meeting.”
Wei Hui nodded: “I understand.”
After listening to Luo Zhouping and several shareholders’ double act [working together], she said: “Let’s do this – we’ll decide by vote.”
“However, Director Shen isn’t available today, so we’ll vote at the next board meeting. What do you all think?”
Several directors looked at Luo Zhouping, exchanging glances. Luo Zhouping, with his smiling tiger face [someone who appears friendly but is actually cruel]: “That’s fine of course. What do you think?”
“That’s fine.”
“Then we’ll wait for the next board meeting.”
Wei Hui nodded: “Meeting adjourned.”
After waiting for Luo Zhouping to leave with the shareholders, Wei Hui’s expression finally darkened completely. Pei Tian stood beside her and said: “Vice President Luo seems to have won over [籠絡: to win support through favors] quite a few shareholders.”
When he previously competed with Wei Changyuan for Wei Tian Group, he had constantly built connections. Back then, with the Old Master in charge, the shareholders wouldn’t side with him. But times have changed. Wei Hui had only been in charge for a few years and was young. In their view, she wasn’t rigorous or mature enough in handling matters. Most importantly, she was a woman. Even though she had already achieved great accomplishments, in many people’s eyes, she was still just ordinary.
This led to many shareholders switching sides. Wei Hui asked: “Where is Shen Hao?”
Pei Tian lowered his head: “He said—” He glanced at Wei Hui’s tense profile, and forced himself to continue: “He said he’s waiting for you at the hotel.”
This was a threat to her.
Wei Hui nodded: “Is everything arranged with the Du family?”
Pei Tian said: “Everything is arranged. Old Master Du just returned, and he’s very happy to know you’re coming.”
She was the same age as Du Yueming, and they used to visit each other’s homes as children. The Du family and Wei family had a good relationship. When she was young, she often served tea and water to Old Master Du. When she first took office, she personally visited Old Master Du and was well-liked by him. However, Old Master Du was no longer in charge of the Du family now; many things were controlled by Du Yuehan.
Wei Hui stood up and said: “Since Old Master is happy, let’s go over early.”
Pei Tian asked puzzled: “Now?”
Wei Hui nodded. Luo Zhouping and the shareholders were already forcing her to make a decision, and Shen Hao’s side could switch allegiance at any time. She didn’t want to waste time maneuvering [周旋: to deal with back and forth] with Shen Hao, so she could only start with the Du family first. As she walked, she said: “Prepare the car.”
Pei Tian called the driver and asked: “Shouold we go directly to the Du family?”
Wei Hui thought for a few seconds: “Let’s go home first.”
After returning, Wei Hui couldn’t find Shiyi in the living room or bedrooms. Aunt Liu told her she was in the backyard. Wei Hui thought of the dog she had brought back yesterday, nodded, and instructed Pei Tian to get some documents from her study while she walked toward the backyard alone.
Before she got close, she heard laughter.
Wei Hui stood still, watching Shiyi not far away hugging the dog. Her face was filled with a satisfied smile, her eyes like autumn waters [beautiful clear eyes]. This was a side of Shiyi that Wei Hui had never seen before. In her impression, Shiyi had always been timid and weak, shy and careful. She hadn’t expected this child could laugh out loud, could be so carefree, could have a face like peach blossoms [beautiful and radiant].
She felt her vision brighten, and for a while didn’t move her eyes, just staring intently. Finally, Shiyi sensed something behind her and turned around. Upon seeing Wei Hui, she immediately withdrew her smile, stood up straight. Shi’er didn’t understand what was wrong with her, why she suddenly stopped playing. It licked Shiyi’s hand with its tongue, pawed at her shoes. Shiyi walked two steps forward and called out: “Third Miss.”
Gone was the bright smile, Shiyi resumed her proper standing posture. Seeing her like this, Wei Hui lowered her eyes and said: “Go back and change clothes, come out with me.”
Shiyi didn’t dare ask more questions, following behind her without hesitation. As they were about to turn the corner, she secretly glanced back. Wei Hui walked beside her, clearly seeing her small movement, and spoke: “Do you like keeping dogs?”
Hearing her voice, Shiyi raised her head, meeting Wei Hui’s somewhat cold gaze. She bit her lip and said: “Not really.”
“I just feel that I’m very similar to it, we’re both people without a home.”
After she finished speaking, she lowered her head, looking dejected, her eyes dim and lightless. Wei Hui didn’t know what she was thinking, but felt a moment of discomfort after hearing her words. She couldn’t help turning to look at Shi’er, seeing the dog tilting its head toward them, its bright black eyes rolling. She lowered her eyes and led Shiyi inside.
After returning to the living room, Shiyi went upstairs to change clothes and apply makeup. She still remembered the order Wei Hui had taught her yesterday. Applying makeup wasn’t difficult; the hard part was remembering all those bottles and containers, and not using the wrong ones. After about half an hour of effort, Shiyi came downstairs. Wei Hui sat on the sofa, seeing how her light makeup made her features appear more lovely, with bright eyes and a graceful gaze, red lips and white teeth.
Shiyi wore a light-colored long dress which, upon closer inspection, matched the color of Wei Hui’s clothes. Standing together, they looked quite like a beautiful couple. Pei Tian observed how Shiyi, who had entered the Wei household with hunched shoulders and a weak voice, now stood straight beside Wei Hui. Apart from her thin frame and not quite developed presence, there was nothing to fault, especially her face – proper and delicate, very beautiful.
“Is the car ready?” Wei Hui’s cool voice interrupted Pei Tian’s thoughts. He replied: “Everything is prepared.”
Wei Hui glanced at Shiyi: “Get in the car.”
Shiyi followed behind her in flat shoes. Not long after getting in the car, Wei Hui leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes to rest. She hadn’t slept well last night and had faint dark circles under her eyes. Shiyi didn’t disturb her, still leaning against the window. Unlike today’s young people who like to hold their phones when idle, she just stared out the window silently. Wei Hui opened her eyes to see her profile facing her, lost in thought, eyes slightly vacant. Thinking of Shiyi’s dim eyes and how she softly said she and the dog were both homeless, Wei Hui frowned. As she closed her eyes again, she said: “If you want to keep it, then keep it.”
Shiyi was stunned for a few seconds at the sudden sound, then after clearly hearing what Wei Hui said, she immediately turned around. Her vacant eyes gained brightness, sparkling like rippling water. She excitedly asked: “Third Miss, you agree?”
Wei Hui still had her arms crossed, expression cold: “Mm, just take good care of it.”
Shiyi nodded repeatedly: “I will take good care of it!” She excitedly wanted to grab Wei Hui’s arm, but halfway through thought better of it and slowly withdrew her hand. Her voice carried a smile: “Third Miss, you’re so kind.”
Hearing these words, Pei Tian suspiciously glanced at the rearview mirror, almost turning the steering wheel crooked.
The Du family residence wasn’t far from the Wei family’s, only about fifteen minutes by car. Wei Hui had just closed her eyes to rest when she heard Pei Tian say: “Third Miss, we’re here.”
The gates were wide open, and the black sedan slowly drove in. After Pei Tian got out, he opened the back door. Wei Hui stepped out in her high heels and saw the Du family’s butler standing beside her, respectfully saying: “Director Wei, please come in.”
Wei Hui nodded slightly, glanced at Shiyi and Pei Tian, and walked inside.
The living room was large and luxuriously decorated, different from the Wei family’s cold feeling. Here, wealth was displayed everywhere. Past the entrance, there was a huge television, half the size of the wall, currently playing a variety show. The living room was filled with laughter from the TV. Shiyi followed behind Wei Hui, hearing her call out to someone on the sofa: “Grandfather Du.”
The person on the sofa turned around. Although well-preserved, signs of age were still visible, with slightly white temples and wrinkles deep and shallow on his forehead. He smiled: “San’er [nickname meaning ‘number three’] is here?”
His voice was loud and clear, and when he smiled, he had a kindly feeling. Wei Hui walked two steps forward, seeing Old Master Du stand up. She spoke: “How is Grandfather Du’s health?”
“Getting old,” Old Master Du waved his hand. “Not much use anymore. You’re here to see Yuehan?”
“Go call Yuehan out.”
The butler nodded: “Yes, Master.”
Old Master Du smiled at Wei Hui: “It’s been two years since we’ve met. You’ve grown more and more beautiful, child.”
After saying this, he looked at the girl behind Wei Hui: “And who is this young friend?”
Wei Hui saw Du Yuehan’s figure already half-appearing around the corner. She smiled and took Shiyi’s hand, saying to Old Master Du: “This is my little friend.”
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