Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 30
by Little PandaScent
She now carried Third Miss’s scent
To Wei Hui’s surprise, she didn’t have a fever that afternoon and her spirits were quite good. Shiyi worried she might be hungry and asked if she wanted to eat. Wei Hui waved her hand, asking her to go downstairs and bring up a cup of hot water. After a burst of activity, the thin figure moved in and out of the room, and Wei Hui suddenly realized that having another person in her room wasn’t so annoying after all.
She didn’t actually have mysophobia [extreme fear of germs], but she had always preferred solitude. Due to her health issues, she didn’t want people getting too close, so she simply claimed to have mysophobia, making others keep their distance. Over time, all the servants came to believe she had mysophobia. Among the previous servants, except for Zhang Ma, none had ever entered her room.
Wei Hui could tell that Shiyi already knew she didn’t have mysophobia, but kept quiet about it. Indeed, how could someone with mysophobia cover another person with their blanket while they slept, or frequently allow their touch? Even when sick, someone with genuine mysophobia couldn’t tolerate such contact.
So it wasn’t surprising that Shiyi knew, but the girl never asked about it. That was typical of Shiyi – she never overstepped boundaries unless necessary.
While Wei Hui was lost in thought, Shiyi came in with the hot water, placing it on the bedside table. “It’s a bit hot,” she said, “please wait a while before drinking.”
“Mm.” Wei Hui responded neutrally and began looking at the documents on the bed. Although Shiyi had never handled these before, she had arranged them perfectly according to the previous order. Wei Hui glanced at her, her lips twitching slightly, but ultimately said nothing and lowered her head.
Not knowing how Wei Hui was feeling, and since Wei Hui hadn’t asked her to leave, Shiyi sat down in the chair by the bed. With nothing to do, she observed Wei Hui from the corner of her eye.
Her skin was almost transparently white. Having just woken from sleep, her long hair wasn’t messy but fell smoothly down her back, with a few strands hanging over her chest and falling onto the documents. She would occasionally tuck it behind her ear, her expression remaining mild.
“What are your plans for the future?” The sudden question broke the silence just as Shiyi was studying Wei Hui, bringing her back to awareness as she heard Wei Hui’s question.
What plans for the future?
Shiyi was stunned for a moment. When she first left the Wang family, she had only hoped for a place to settle down, to avoid wandering homeless. But after coming to the Wei family, she had gone out a few times and discovered how unfamiliar she was with this world – unfamiliar to the point of fear. So she shook her head honestly: “I don’t have any plans.”
Wei Hui tilted her head to look at her, her features appearing more profound in the scattered sunlight, her gaze deep. Having no plans was, to her, a good thing – this way she could accept her proposal, have a child, and enjoy a wealthy life thereafter.
Yet somehow, she was beginning to resist this idea in her heart.
Thinking about how this child had bonded with Shiโer in just a few days, and how she had already grown attached, how could she not miss a child carried for ten months?
She had previously said that developing feelings with Shiyi would be cruel to her, but now she felt that asking her to get pregnant and have a child would be equally cruel.
Too much thinking was no good – Wei Hui’s temple started throbbing again. She spoke: “If there’s nothing else, you can go now.”
Shiyi obediently stood up and after a moment’s thought asked: “Do you have an important meeting tomorrow?”
Wei Hui smiled: “Hmm?”
Shiyi lowered her head, meeting Wei Hui’s eyes: “I think… I think, since I don’t have anything to do at home, and your health isn’t good, I’d like to accompany you to the company. Would that be alright?”
She was worried about Wei Hui having another sudden incident, like what happened at the pet store today. At least she could help a little, especially since so few people knew about her illness.
Wei Hui gave her a long look, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, only saying: “Go out first.”
Shiyi didn’t dare disobey and left with her head lowered.
As the door closed, Wei Hui leaned against the headboard, rubbing her temples. She couldn’t shake the image of Shiyi leaning against the car window saying goodbye to Shiโer. Perhaps when she eventually left the Wei household, she would have the same demeanor, or perhaps she would cry even harder. This thought inexplicably troubled Wei Hui, and though she lowered her head to continue reading the documents, she couldn’t focus on a single word.
Shiyi returned to her room and, after much consideration, decided to talk to her only friend.
Shiyi: ใMiss Du, are you there?ใ
Du Yueming quickly replied: ใDon’t call me Miss Du, just call me Yueming.ใ
Shiyi bit her lip: ใMiss Yueming.ใ
Du Yueming: ใI’ll get angry if you keep calling me Miss!ใ
Shiyi had no choice but to type: ใYueming.ใ
Du Yueming: ใGood girl. What’s up? Want to see Sisi? I’m not home right now.ใ
Shiyi pressed her lips together and quickly replied: ใNo, I just wanted to ask if you have any way to make someone smarter.ใ
Du Yueming: ใ…ใ
Shiyi stared at the ellipsis in confusion, then Du Yueming called her: “Shiyi, are you joking with me?”
“W-what’s wrong?” Shiyi was confused by the sudden questioning, her voice turning cautious. Du Yueming heard the timidity in her voice and laughed: “Nothing, I thought you were teasing me. Why are you suddenly asking this question?”
Unable to explain what had just happened, Shiyi could only say: “Nothing, I just feel I’m very stupid and don’t know anything.”
Du Yueming initially wanted to offer some comfort, but remembering that Shiyi indeed couldn’t even use a basic phone, she became curious and asked: “Shiyi, do you have any family?”
Shiyi answered promptly and decisively: “No, I don’t.”
Although Du Yueming had prepared herself, she still caught her breath: “Are you… an orphan?”
Shiyi showed no discomfort at these words, her voice clear and bright: “Mm-hmm.”
Du Yueming felt distressed instead. She asked Shiyi a few more questions about her past. Being her first time confiding in a friend, Shiyi held nothing back. Except for the past incident of being falsely accused of theft, she told Du Yueming pretty much everything. On the other end, Du Yueming sniffled: “Shiyi, you’ve had it so hard.”
But Shiyi had never thought of it that way. She felt lucky to have met Grandmother, to have survived, and now to have met Wei Hui and have Du Yueming as a friend. But Du Yueming said gruffly: “Lucky my foot, you should have met me earlier.”
Then she thought about her own terrible personality and realized that if she had met Shiyi earlier, she might have just seduced her and ended things after two months, making Shiyi even more pitiful. She shook her head: “Never mind, it’s better that you met that Buddha first.”
Shiyi laughed at her nickname for Wei Hui: “Why do you call her ‘that Buddha’?”
“Oh, that was her nickname from school.” Du Yueming started reminiscing about Wei Hui’s school days. Shiyi listened intently, imagining the scenes described. At this moment, Wei Hui felt more real to her, not so high and mighty, not so distant, as if she were right beside her, within reach.
She really liked this feeling.
They didn’t talk much longer. It was getting noisy on Du Yueming’s end, and Shiyi could hear someone calling her. Not wanting to take up more of her time, Shiyi made an excuse to end the call. They arranged a time to meet next, and Shiyi didn’t decline – she now considered Du Yueming a friend, so she agreed: “Sure.”
Du Yueming was still smiling after hanging up the phone.
“Yueming, what’s making you so happy?”
“Did you make a date with some girl?”
“I bet you’ve got a new target, right?”
Du Yueming waved her hand at her group of sisters: “What nonsense are you talking about? I just made a new friend.”
The looks everyone gave her spoke volumes. Du Yueming rolled her eyes and left the gathering.
That evening, Shiyi saw Wei Hui come downstairs for dinner, wearing loose casual clothes with a bare face. Her complexion looked much better than before, almost back to normal. Feeling somewhat relieved, she sat beside Wei Hui and ate dinner together.
Before dinner was finished, Wei Hui received a phone call. Her expression turned serious as she asked: “What did President Shen say?”
“It’s fine.”
“Yes, I’ll send it to you later.”
As she spoke, she stood up and met Shiyi’s gaze. Her dark eyes deepened as she turned, saying: “No need, wait two minutes. Is everything settled with President Du?”
“Oh right, help me buy a set of clothes…”
Her voice faded as she went upstairs. Shiyi watched as Wei Hui entered her room and closed the door, then lowered her eyes and continued eating.
Later that evening, while Shiyi was drinking milk, Aunt Liu came holding a bag and said to her: “Third Miss asked me to give this to you.”
Shiyi blinked: “What is it?”
Aunt Liu smiled: “Probably clothes, take a look.”
Shiyi put down her milk cup and opened the bag. Inside was indeed clothing – a light pink professional suit. She held the clothes, somewhat confused: “Did Third Miss say anything else?”
Aunt Liu shook her head: “No, nothing else.”
Shiyi placed the clothes on the bed and scratched her head, puzzled. Just then, her phone screen lit up, and Wei Hui’s name appeared with a message: Come with me to the company tomorrow.
So she had heard what Shiyi said earlier and agreed. Shiyi glanced at the clothes and typed back: Yes, Third Miss.
Wei Hui, receiving the reply, stood by the window, put down her phone, her gaze deep in thought.
The next day, the weather was nice. Shiyi stood before the mirror in her new work outfit. She wore light makeup, tied her long hair in a ponytail, looking neat and clean. She had never seen herself like this before – it felt somewhat unfamiliar and unreal. Her hand unconsciously touched her cheek.
After lingering in her room for a while, Shiyi heard a knock. She opened the door to hear Aunt Liu say: “Young Miss, Third Miss is waiting for you for breakfast.”
After looking Shiyi over, she smiled: “You look very nice in these clothes.”
Shiyi smiled awkwardly and lowered her head, following Aunt Liu into the dining hall. Wei Hui glanced at her, feeling pleasantly surprised. Shiyi’s naturally fair skin, complemented by the light pink blazer and white shirt underneath, made her skin appear even more luminous like jade. The blazer’s style was perfect – narrow shoulders and slim waist, in the smallest size, fitting her perfectly. Though not curvy, she still had a delicate figure. Shiyi felt self-conscious under her gaze and gave Wei Hui a small smile.
Wei Hui lowered her eyes: “Come sit, let’s eat.”
Shiyi obediently sat beside her. After breakfast, Pei Tian arrived. He paused briefly seeing Shiyi’s attire but didn’t ask questions, saying to Wei Hui: “Third Miss, the car is ready.”
Wei Hui spoke: “Shiyi, let’s go.”
Shiyi followed behind Wei Hui, and just as they were about to get in the car, Wei Hui called out: “Wait.”
She opened her bag and took out a small bottle, spraying it twice on Shiyi. She leaned in closer to smell it, then nodded: “Get in the car.”
Shiyi held her breath when Wei Hui came close, only taking a deep breath after being told to get in. The fragrance filled her senses – identical to Wei Hui’s scent.
Now she carried Third Miss’s scent.
This thought flashed through Shiyi’s mind, and she chided herself for such random thoughts, but her heart couldn’t help beating faster. Her ears grew warm, turning as red as the evening glow [sunset clouds].
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