Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 34
by Little PandaSharing a Room
The first awakening of romantic feelings
It was exactly eleven o’clock when they reached Mount Putuo. Luo Zhouping approached Wei Hui first and said with a smile, “President Wei, we’re almost there.”
After speaking, he studied Wei Hui’s complexion, which appeared normal as usual. Her eyes remained bright and alert, with slightly downturned eyebrows creating sharp angles. Wei Hui nodded: “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Vice President Luo, but please arrange for them to get off the bus first, as it’s not convenient for me at the moment.”
She tilted her head to look at the sleeping Shiyi, her gaze unusually doting, as if afraid to disturb the beauty’s rest. After speaking, she patted their clasped hands, and Luo Zhouping smiled: “Of course, of course.”
However, Shiyi still woke up when Du Yueming rushed to their seats and called out: “Shiyi!”
Her voice was clear and loud, enough to wake someone in light sleep. Shiyi had just managed to dream of her grandmother, and was hoping to have a good conversation with her when she suddenly heard someone calling her name. Her tightly closed eyelids twitched, slowly opening, as she heard Du Yueming say: “We’re here, stop sleeping.”
Still groggy from sleep, she hadn’t noticed her position, only feeling that the shoulder she was leaning on was particularly comfortable, emanating a clean fragrance similar to that of Third Miss.
Third Miss?
Shiyi immediately turned her head, catching a glimpse of Wei Hui’s cold profile and tense jaw. She swallowed, trying to move inward slightly, but felt resistance when she moved her hand. Looking down, she realized her hand was tightly clasped with Wei Hui’s.
Though Du Yueming was still chattering beside her, Shiyi couldn’t hear anything, only aware of the rushing in her ears and her accelerating heartbeat. She didn’t even dare look up to see Wei Hui’s expression.
When they had held hands at the company, it was Wei Hui who initiated it. Although she didn’t know why at the time, she could tell Wei Hui had other motives.
And now?
Why were they holding hands this time?
Had she mistaken Wei Hui for her grandmother in her dream? Then why hadn’t Wei Hui let go? Wasn’t she supposed to hate being touched by others?
Shiyi felt an indescribable anticipation rising in her heart, along with a subtle shyness. These emotions intertwined as she lowered her head, her face slightly flushed. Du Yueming, sitting next to them, failed to notice her delicate thoughts and called out as the car stopped: “Let’s go, everyone off!”
Hearing this, Shiyi tentatively tried to withdraw her hand again. This time Wei Hui released it without much resistance. Shiyi felt her palm go from warm to empty, and suddenly had an urge to reach back and hold Wei Hui’s hand again.
Was she going crazy?
“Let’s get off,” Wei Hui said as she stood up, her cool voice bursting in Shiyi’s ears. Shiyi clenched both hands and followed behind her off the bus.
This team building event was planned and arranged by Luo Zhouping. After getting off the bus, Shiyi took a sharp breath of air, causing her to cough several times. Her fair skin turned crimson, and her beautiful eyes became moist, making her appear more animated than usual. Seeing her like this, Du Yueming couldn’t help but lean close to her ear and say: “Shiyi, you look so delicious like this!”
Shiyi turned her head and asked: “Delicious?”
Du Yueming laughed: “It means you look good enough to eat!”
Shiyi’s expression remained unchanged, but Du Yueming wasn’t discouraged by her failure to understand the joke. Instead, she laughed even louder, thinking that Shiyi wasn’t just delicious, but also adorably naive!
She was absolutely adorable!
“Come, come, let’s assign tasks.” A few steps away, Luo Zhouping looked at everyone with a smile: “This isn’t just for fun, we need to combine work and leisure, let’s get moving!”
“Don’t you all agree?”
Perhaps because he had chartered a private vehicle, the secretaries were happy to go along: “Vice President Luo, please arrange it.”
“Vice President Luo, what are we going to do?”
Luo Zhouping looked at everyone: “It’s simple. I’ve prepared a barbecue feast halfway up the mountain. Those who arrive first will get double their year-end bonus, coming from my own pocket!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the secretaries cheered: “Long live Vice President Luo!”
Using small profits to win people’s hearts was Luo Zhouping’s usual tactic, and undeniably, it was very effective. After speaking, he turned to Wei Hui: “Oh right, let’s have President Wei say a few words to everyone?”
All the secretaries looked at Wei Hui with anticipation. Usually, she spent most of her time in the office, maintaining a serious demeanor during meetings. She had never participated in previous team building events, so people rarely had the chance to interact with her like this, feeling more reverence towards her.
Now that there was a rare opportunity to get closer, everyone was certainly enthusiastic.
Wei Hui stood before everyone, thought for a moment, and said: “Have fun.”
Though just three words, the atmosphere became even more lively than before. Luo Zhouping’s lips curled into a cold smile as he took the lead: “Since President Wei has spoken, let’s—depart!”
Mount Putuo was a tourist attraction, busy in spring and autumn, quiet in summer and winter. A small path led all the way to the summit, with cement-built stairs. The girls from the secretary’s office were all dressed beautifully and elegantly, clearly distinguishable as a small group from the occasional passersby.
As the team leader, Luo Zhouping had to pause for breath every few steps. He cursed himself for being such an idiot [literally: brain-damaged] to suggest mountain climbing. He didn’t know if Wei Hui would have any problems, but for himself, getting up there would be quite a challenge!
He deeply regretted his decision!
Luo Zhouping turned his head to look at Wei Hui, his eyes fierce, before quickly averting his gaze.
Wei Hui walked at the back, while the group of secretaries chatted enthusiastically in front. The company held team building events about once a year, but in previous years, the head secretary would just take them somewhere casual with the allocated budget. They’d never had such a grand setup with both the boss and vice president participating, so they were all excited, frequently glancing back at Wei Hui.
Shiyi also looked at Wei Hui every few steps, but unlike the others’ curious glances, her expression was worried. However, with so many watchful eyes around, she didn’t know how to ask about it and could only look at Wei Hui anxiously.
As if knowing what was on her mind, Wei Hui turned and said: “Give me the water.”
Shiyi immediately handed over the mineral water, even opening the cap for her. Wei Hui noticed this small gesture and slightly curved her lips, finally saying: “Don’t worry.”
“This little exercise isn’t a problem.” Although she was ill and couldn’t do intense exercise, she still maintained regular workouts, mostly conducted at the hospital where she needed constant monitoring. Shiyi didn’t know about this, and in her eyes, Wei Hui seemed like a patient who could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Hearing this, Shiyi’s worried expression didn’t ease. Instead, she whispered: “How about this, Third Miss, let’s wait a while.”
“I’ll carry you up on my back.”
She spoke very softly, afraid others might hear, and the two were standing close together. Wei Hui turned her head and saw beads of sweat rolling down Shiyi’s cheeks, glistening like her bright eyes.
Wei Hui felt an inexplicable stirring in her heart, her chest warming slightly, but she refused: “No need.”
Du Yueming, who had already walked ahead, hurriedly ran back when she saw the two falling behind. Standing in front of Shiyi, she said: “What’s this, having a romantic moment?”
Shiyi choked on her words: “No, no.”
Du Yueming saw her slightly reddened face and chuckled: “Oh my, someone’s being shy!”
Her tone was quite teasing. Wei Hui cast a cold glance at Du Yueming, displeasure evident in her eyes. Du Yueming was naturally afraid of strong personalities – both her brothers were like that, and now there was Wei Hui too. She immediately shrugged: “Just chatting! No need to be so stingy just because you have a girlfriend!”
She let out a cold snort and joined the group of secretaries not far away. Shiyi said awkwardly: “Miss Du likes to joke around.”
Wei Hui laughed lightly: “She always talks nonsense.”
Shiyi’s previously good mood inexplicably darkened after hearing these words, her eyes becoming clouded. Wei Hui continued walking forward with her usual calm expression, seemingly unaware of Shiyi’s mood change.
Luo Zhouping was the first to give in.
After walking for just over ten minutes, he collapsed on the steps. His assistant kept saying from behind: “President Luo, we’ll be there in ten minutes.”
The secretaries watched him while giggling, whispering among themselves: “He’s already worn out after just a few steps.”
“He’s gotten fat, look at his figure.”
“Lacks exercise.”
“You don’t understand, it’s because he’s weak!”
This comment made everyone laugh. They looked at Du Yueming, as only she dared to say such things – who else wouldn’t be afraid of being reported to management?
As they were chatting, Wei Hui and Shiyi walked up. She saw Luo Zhouping sitting on the steps, his face covered in sweat, chest heaving heavily, his fat belly expanding and contracting – an indescribably comical sight.
The phrase “trapping oneself in a cocoon of one’s own making” probably described him perfectly.
Wei Hui rarely showed kindness, but now asked with concern: “What’s wrong, Vice President Luo?”
“If you really can’t make it up, why not go back down?”
“After all, the downhill path is easier to walk.”
Luo Zhouping looked up. Wei Hui was dressed lightly with her long hair tied behind her ears, revealing a face with light makeup, looking refined and beautiful. Though they had climbed up together, her face showed no signs of dishevelment or sweat, maintaining her usual composed demeanor.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of illness.
If the intelligence hadn’t come from his own people, he would have suspected being deliberately fooled.
Moreover, Wei Hui’s recent words carried a double meaning – ostensibly about mountain climbing, but actually referring to the company. Luo Zhouping adjusted his composure, stood up, and patted the dust off his bottom: “Thank you for your concern, President Wei, but I’m someone who enjoys challenges, especially uphill paths.”
Everyone from the secretary’s office fell silent hearing their exchange. Even Shiyi, who considered herself the least clever, could sense the hidden meaning in their conversation.
The air turned frigid, as if hit by a cold front. After Luo Zhouping’s words, a low pressure descended over the area. Du Yueming was the first to break, asking: “Are you going up or not?”
This single question broke the frozen atmosphere. Wei Hui smiled: “Shiyi, let’s go.”
She then led Shiyi upward, leaving Luo Zhouping behind. He narrowed his eyes, staring unblinkingly at Wei Hui, gritting his teeth!
After less than ten minutes, they reached the mountainside – though it was called the mountainside, it was actually only a third of the way up. Hotels and inns were located here, along with the barbecue feast arranged by Luo Zhouping. Having just climbed up, several people were exhausted, walking together in groups. Luo Zhouping, who had initially led the way, was now at the very back, while Wei Hui and Shiyi were at the front.
The car they had arrived in was parked at the hotel entrance. The driver, a rather kindly person, smiled and said to them: “Good work, come get your luggage first.”
Just as Shiyi was about to move, Wei Hui held her back: “Pei Tian will get it. Stand still and let me lean on you for a while.”
Although she exercised regularly, walking for so long was still tiring. Earlier, with the secretaries around, she had been forcing herself to maintain composure. Now that they had dispersed, she noticed her heartbeat had become almost abnormally fast. Shiyi let her lean against her body and whispered: “Third Miss, should I take you to your room to rest first?”
Wei Hui said softly: “Let me catch my breath.”
Her tone was different from usual. Afraid others might become suspicious, Shiyi actively snuggled closer into Wei Hui’s embrace. To onlookers, it appeared as if she was acting coy with Wei Hui.
Suddenly finding a soft, fragrant form in her arms, Wei Hui had no choice but to hold Shiyi while trying to stand upright. The person in her arms seemed boneless, incredibly soft.
Though their posture was intimate, no one dared to comment. Du Yueming, who had just retrieved her luggage and was about to talk to Shiyi, clicked her tongue twice with an expression of mock embarrassment.
Pei Tian approached carrying three suitcases, his expression normal as he said: “Third Miss, I’ve got everything.”
Luo Zhouping hadn’t arrived yet, but hotel staff were already distributing room keys. When it came to Wei Hui and Shiyi, the staff handed them separate room cards. Du Yueming laughed: “You two are getting separate rooms? Never mind, Shiyi, we’ll use your room to store extra luggage.”
Laughter erupted around them as the room card was snatched from Shiyi’s hand. She tilted her head to look at Wei Hui, seemingly seeking her opinion.
Wei Hui lowered her eyes and handed her room card to Shiyi, saying softly: “Let’s go.”
Behind them, Pei Tian, dragging three suitcases, showed astonishment in his eyes.
Third Miss was actually willing to share a room with someone?
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