Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 3
by Little PandaThe Habitual Thief
Why does the Third Miss keep a habitual thief by her side?
The rules of the Wei family are simple: no entering Third Miss’s room, and no getting close to Third Miss. Like just now when she grabbed Third Miss’s clothes – if it were an ordinary person, they would have been thrown out of the mansion already. Speaking of this, Zhang Ma couldn’t help but look at Shiyi several times. Her face was indeed more delicate and beautiful than ordinary girls, like a carefully crafted doll, but why did Third Miss bring a doll home?
In all her time at the Wei family, this was the first time she’d seen Third Miss bring someone back.
“Miss, where are you from?” Zhang Ma asked.
Shiyi thought for a moment and shook her head, her voice still very low and weak: “I don’t know.”
From her earliest memories, she was with Grandmother. Grandmother had no children, treated her like her own granddaughter, was extremely good to her, and even sent her to school. But good times didn’t last long – soon after, Grandmother had an accident and passed away, and she was alone again.
After Grandmother’s passing, she was taken back to serve as a maid by the master’s family. Much later, a guest came to the house, and that guest said they liked her, so the master’s family gave her to the guest.
Later, the guest’s guest said they liked her, and she was given away again.
By now, she didn’t know how many “guest” homes she had stayed in.
Hearing she didn’t know, Zhang Ma frowned: “Miss isn’t a local?”
Shiyi bit her lip corner, shaking her head with minimal movement.
She didn’t know where she was from.
Seeing this, Zhang Ma didn’t press further, only cautioning: “Miss, did you remember what I just said? You absolutely cannot offend Third Miss.”
Shiyi’s face went pale for a moment, and she nodded: “I remember.”
Seeing her obedient manner, Zhang Ma had nothing more to say, just led her upstairs.
The guest room was on the second floor, two rooms away from Wei Hui. When Shiyi passed Wei Hui’s door, she could still see the light pouring out from under it – warm, yellow. Just as Zhang Ma walked past, the door opened, and Wei Hui stood in the doorway.
She had just finished bathing, her long hair slightly damp and scattered across her front, crystal drops of water still clinging to the ends, falling onto her white nightgown. Her fair features were distinct, her presence commanding. When she raised her eyes to look at Shiyi, her stern brows slightly furrowed. Shiyi kept her head down under her imposing gaze.
Wei Hui looked for a few seconds before withdrawing her gaze. Without makeup, her previously vibrant lips now showed a slight pink, her lips red and teeth white, her voice cool: “Zhang Ma, bring me a glass of milk.”
Zhang Ma immediately responded respectfully: “Yes.”
After speaking, Wei Hui glanced at Shiyi, meeting her startled, rabbit-like eyes. Her face was pale, her frame frail. Though just of age, she looked like she was fifteen or sixteen, except for her mature features – everything else seemed unhealthily developed. No wonder Su Ziyan kept calling her a child earlier.
Her brows furrowed again as she looked at those eyes once more, and said flatly: “Bring her a glass too.”
Zhang Ma was stunned for two seconds, quickly glanced at Shiyi, and nodded: “Yes.”
Before Shiyi could express her thanks, Wei Hui had already closed the door. Zhang Ma led her to the guest room, and after seeming to hold back for a long time, finally asked: “Miss, what’s your relationship with our Third Miss?”
What relationship?
Before coming to this house, she didn’t even know her.
Shiyi shook her head: “No relationship.”
Zhang Ma clearly didn’t believe it, but she could see Shiyi wasn’t lying. How could someone with such clear eyes and emotions written all over their face possibly lie? Still, she couldn’t understand why Third Miss suddenly brought someone home.
It was truly rare.
Because of Wei Hui’s earlier instructions, Zhang Ma didn’t dare linger. She hurriedly went downstairs to fetch two glasses of milk, knocked and delivered one to Wei Hui, then turned to bring one to Shiyi.
Shiyi sat on the edge of the bed. This guest room was even larger than her previous master’s bedroom, with a large floor-to-ceiling window. From her angle, she could see the bright moon hanging in the sky, its light spilling in and falling on her.
She sat stiffly, not moving at all, until shortly after Zhang Ma knocked, and she quickly ran to the door.
Zhang Ma handed her the milk: “Drink it, then get some rest early.”
Shiyi took the milk she offered and drank it down, white foam remaining at the corners of her mouth. Zhang Ma gave her a tissue, and Shiyi smiled shyly, wiping the corners of her lips. Zhang Ma said: “Miss, please go in and rest.”
Perhaps sensing Zhang Ma’s concern, Shiyi’s voice grew slightly louder, her expression also relaxing somewhat, and she said: “Thank you.”
Zhang Ma was surprised: “Miss, if you need anything, just give the order.”
Shiyi lowered her head: “Alright.”
Only after watching Shiyi go into the room and lie down on the bed did Zhang Ma quietly close the door. Carrying the empty glass, she turned to Wei Hui’s door and knocked softly: “Third Miss?”
“Come in.” The cool voice sounded, and Zhang Ma pushed open the door.
In the immaculate room, Wei Hui sat at her desk. The half-open window lifted her fine hair, which hung over her chest, swaying slightly. Zhang Ma took the empty glass from her desk, and Wei Hui tilted her head, noticing the other empty glass, and asked: “Did she drink it?”
Zhang Ma nodded: “She did.”
Wei Hui lowered her eyes to the documents: “You may go.”
Zhang Ma could only respectfully walk out.
Hearing the door close, Wei Hui lifted her head to look in the direction of the door, thought deeply for a few seconds, then picked up her phone to message Su Ziyan: Have a detailed examination done for her tomorrow.
Su Ziyan, who had just laid down in bed, received her message and immediately replied: Why are you so concerned about this child? Really want to hide a beauty in a golden house?
Wei Hui saw his irrelevant words and paused, before he sent another message: What kind of examination?
After sending the message, Su Ziyan leaned against the bed, his phone falling on his face. When he lifted his phone, he saw words so cold they seemed to pierce through the screen.
—I want her clean.
The next day, before dawn, Shiyi habitually opened her eyes. She immediately got up to dress, and was about to get out of bed when she remembered she wasn’t at the Wang household anymore. She sat on the edge of the bed, looked up at the gleaming crystal lamp, and the unfamiliar surroundings. Not far from the bed was a full-length mirror; with a tilt of her head, she could see herself in it. Wearing clean white clothes she’d never worn before, messy long hair piled on top of her head, the gauze on her forehead still wrapped, its edges slightly curled up from being rubbed during sleep.
The girl in the mirror looked like a beggar who had wandered into a princess’s domain.
Completely out of place with these surroundings.
Shiyi got up and tidied the bed meticulously, folded the blanket neatly, then went into the bathroom. Seeing the new toothbrush and toothpaste laid out, with no one around, she moved very cautiously.
After simple grooming and tying her hair in a ponytail with a leather band, she finally opened the door.
Going downstairs meant passing Wei Hui’s room. Thinking of her current situation, she stood at the door, raised her hand to knock, but remembering Zhang Ma’s words from last night, she became too timid to knock, remaining in this awkward position at the door.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Shiyi hurriedly stepped back, seeing Wei Hui emerge wearing a light blue formal outfit, accompanied by a subtle fragrance. It wasn’t strong at all, yet it crept into her nostrils – a scent Shiyi had never smelled before. She kept her head down, one hand clutching her pant leg, stammering: “Th-Third Miss.”
Wei Hui hadn’t expected someone to be waiting at her door so early, her stern brows instinctively furrowed as she turned to look at Shiyi: “Do you need something?”
Shiyi looked up to meet her eyes, the sharp gaze making her heart jump, and she immediately shook her head: “No, good morning.”
The person beside her responded neutrally: “Morning.”
Wei Hui slowly walked downstairs, while behind her, Shiyi clenched her hands tight, then slowly released them, her whole body tense to the point of aching.
Soon, the two sat facing each other at the dining table. Zhang Ma served Wei Hui breakfast, and Wei Hui spoke: “Pour her some warm water.”
Zhang Ma responded and went down.
Wei Hui glanced at Shiyi and said: “Pei Tian will take you to the hospital later.”
Shiyi sat on the stool, both hands clasped together, fingertips turning white, and said softly: “Okay.”
Since she needed to go for a medical examination, she couldn’t eat breakfast. Zhang Ma brought Shiyi a cup of warm water. As Shiyi drank, she glanced at Wei Hui, who was lowering her head to scoop white porridge with a spoon, her movements elegant, expression indifferent. Sitting face to face, from her angle, Shiyi could see Wei Hui’s slightly lowered eyelashes, thick and beautifully curved, though her brow carried a cool detachment, a faint sense of distance emanating from her. Shiyi lowered her head.
After breakfast, Pei Tian arrived. He stood at the living room entrance and asked Wei Hui: “Shall I take you to the company first?”
Su Ziyan’s hospital happened to be not far from the company. Wei Hui nodded: “Very well.”
She turned: “Shiyi.”
Though her voice was low, Shiyi reflexively stood up. Wei Hui said: “Get in the car.”
Like yesterday, Shiyi and Wei Hui sat in the back seat, maintaining some distance between them. Wei Hui was looking at reports on her tablet when she inadvertently glanced sideways, seeing the girl beside her still lowering her head, hands fidgeting anxiously. She turned off her tablet and studied Shiyi carefully, noting her thin, frail, malnourished appearance, though her skin was remarkably good – fair and delicate. Her hair seemed unkempt, somewhat messy, with a few strands tucked behind her ears, revealing an exquisite profile.
Su Ziyan was right – just this profile alone would make many want to keep her as a secret lover.
But what she liked were those eyes.
Clear, bright, with visible despair, and something invisible – craftiness.
Under her gaze, Shiyi became like a statue, her body stiff to the point of pain, fine sweat breaking out on her spine, quickly absorbed by her clothes, leaving her back cool.
Wei Hui quietly withdrew her gaze.
They soon arrived at the company. Pei Tian got out to open the door for Wei Hui. Shiyi sat in the car, watching Wei Hui walk toward the company in high heels. The car started again, and Shiyi only caught a glimpse of Wei Hui’s straight posture.
The scenery flashed past the car window. Without Wei Hui in the car, Shiyi relaxed considerably. Pei Tian glanced at her through the rearview mirror, frowning. He still couldn’t understand why Third Miss brought Shiyi home, not only bringing her home but providing her with good food and care, and now sending her to the hospital for a check-up over a minor injury.
Having worked for Third Miss for five or six years, he’d never seen her show such special treatment to anyone. If Shiyi were an ordinary girl, he could write it off as Third Miss showing rare kindness, but Shiyi wasn’t ordinary – according to her records, she was a habitual thief.
Why would Third Miss keep a habitual thief by her side?
His gaze in the rearview mirror toward Shiyi became suspicious. Shiyi sensed something unusual and looked up. Their eyes met in the mirror, and Pei Tian naturally shifted his gaze away, continuing to drive. Shiyi bit her lip, as an eerie atmosphere spread through the car.
The author has something to say:
The explanation about the habitual thief will come later, mua mua da.
Guess who will fall in love first.
“Guess who will fall in love first”
Me??
Lol
Is she a thief or nada? Lol, maybe it’s all just a coincidence?