Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 46

Hitting Someone

It’s okay, if you don’t know how, I’ll teach you.

After Du Yuehan and Wei Hui finished discussing business matters and exchanged a few personal words. They weren’t close, previously merely nodding acquaintances. If Wei Hui hadn’t suddenly approached the Du family about participating in the abandoned building project, they probably wouldn’t even be sitting together drinking tea now. However, the chemistry between people is quite mysterious – the more he interacted with Wei Hui, the more he realized she wasn’t as the rumors described: cold-hearted and unscrupulous.

            

In their few collaborations, she had never let him suffer any losses, which was quite remarkable.

Perhaps with admiration, perhaps with some regret, his attitude toward Wei Hui was different from before, adding a touch of brotherly affection, he took the initiative to ask: “Is there anything else I can help with?”

“Don’t forget, I still owe you a favor.”

            

Wei Hui knew he was referring to the abandoned building project, and smiled: “President Du agreeing to the deal is already helping me.”

Du Yuehan shook his head: “I think no one would refuse a deal like this; only a fool wouldn’t accept.”

“So there’s no other way?”

            

Wei Hui lowered her eyes, lifted her cup to take a sip of tea. The water had gradually cooled. She suddenly missed being at home, where the cup in her hands was always warm, and Shiyi took care of her meticulously and thoroughly.

“If there was another way, I wouldn’t have come to you.” Only Wei Hui would attempt such a suicide-like cooperation. She personally offered Du Yuehan five percent of Wei Tian shares, clearly showing him her hand. If Du Yuehan made any suspicious moves, she would truly be beyond redemption. But she trusted her judgment – she had never misjudged people, from Pei Tian years ago, to Shiyi, and now to Du Yuehan. She believed she wouldn’t be wrong about this; some people’s true nature never changes.

Du Yuehan couldn’t help but laugh at her words: “You really think highly of me.”

            

He watched Wei Hui finish her tea and refilled her cup, asking: “How do you plan to handle Vice President Luo?”

Du Yuehan had attended the last board meeting and remembered Luo Zhouping’s aggressive attitude. At Wei Tian, he was the one who most wanted Wei Hui to fail, and the one she needed to guard against most. Wei Hui pondered for a few seconds before saying: “It won’t be easy.”

Luo Zhouping was an old fox, not only did he have deep connections within the company, but he also had his own influence outside. Last time when she used Mr. Du to block his cooperation with Assistant Qiao, it hadn’t completely stopped his company’s development. After all, he had been navigating the business world for nearly thirty years and surely had backup plans, so it wouldn’t be simple to handle.

            

Du Yuehan knew better than to probe too deeply into her company’s affairs, only saying: “If you have any problems, you can contact me anytime.”

Wei Hui raised her cup to him: “Thanks.”

After their chat, Du Yuehan asked: “Want to go downstairs for a while?”

            

They were all Du Yueming’s friends, and Du Yuehan usually didn’t participate – why else would he hide upstairs so early? Although Wei Hui didn’t want to participate either, Shiyi was still downstairs, so she nodded slightly at Du Yuehan’s words: “Alright.”

She stood up, and just as she was about to leave, she turned back to Du Yuehan: “May I borrow a place to make a phone call?”

Du Yuehan gestured toward the rest room behind them. Wei Hui nodded and went in. The rest room wasn’t large but was very quiet. After entering, she walked to the window, pushed it open, and the cool air wrapped with scattered snowflakes blew in, making her narrow her eyes.

            

As soon as the call connected, Su Ziyan’s voice came through: “What’s wrong?”

“Have you thought it through?”

Wei Hui closed her eyes feeling the cool wind brush past her ears, shivering from the cold, increasingly missing the warmth of Shiyi by her side – her warm palms, smiling delicate face, and eyes full of stars. Wei Hui coughed lightly: “I’ve thought it through.”

            

“I won’t do the surgery.”

Su Ziyan was startled: “You won’t?”

“Why?”

            

“I know a four percent chance is very small, but Doctor Bai is acclaimed as a miracle worker in the medical field. He has created many miracles. Huihui, perhaps we could…”

Wei Hui softly interrupted his words: “The risk is too high, Ziyan.”

“Ten years is too tempting for me.”

            

If it was before meeting Shiyi, perhaps she would have given up everything, willingly trying just once. But after having Shiyi, she became cowardly and withdrew instead. A four percent chance was too small – so small that she feared not seeing Shiyi grow up. She would rather keep these false ten years, watching her become stronger step by step. She was willing to use these ten years to watch her become independent.

Su Ziyan’s throat felt stuffed with cotton, unable to swallow or speak, and despite being a grown man, his eyes turned red: “Have you really thought this through?”

“If we miss this chance, there won’t be another.”

            

“You only have ten years left, maybe…”

Maybe he couldn’t even guarantee she had ten years left. If her condition worsened now, if the artificial heart transplant wasn’t successful later, if there was rejection – there were too many possibilities. He really couldn’t guarantee anything.

Wei Hui’s light laugh came through the phone to Su Ziyan’s ears: “It’s enough. Even without ten years, it’s enough.”

            

“Ziyan, thank you.”

“I forgot to say, Happy New Year.”

Happy my ass! Su Ziyan hung up the phone, gripping it tightly, his eyes completely red, clenching his teeth without making a sound.

            

Wei Hui took two deep breaths, blinked her eyes, closed the window, and after a while, she turned and left the rest room.

Downstairs was still lively, several groups of people had already rotated around Shiyi, looking at her with either envy, jealousy, or curiosity. Some girls asked directly: “How did you and Wei Hui actually get together?”

Others held their breath waiting for Shiyi’s answer, but this silent gourd [mèn hú lu – meaning someone who doesn’t talk much] just shook her head and smiled, not making a sound. Du Yueming sat beside her acting as spokesperson: “It’s because she’s beautiful! If you’ve got what it takes, try being as beautiful as her, and see if Wei Hui falls head over heels for you!”

            

“That’s true, who wouldn’t be moved by such beauty?”

Xiao Zhu sat beside Du Yueming, but unlike others, her attention wasn’t on Shiyi. She kept looking upstairs, saying softly: “Why has President Wei been up there so long?”

Du Yueming, who was already angry with her, sneered at her words: “What? You want to chat with President Wei?”

            

Xiao Zhu didn’t catch the displeasure in her voice and said quietly: “No, it’s just rare to see her, I’m just curious.”

“It’s not your place to be curious.” Du Yueming raised her chin towards Shiyi: “The main consort [zhèng gōng – traditional term for principal wife/legitimate partner] is right here.”

Everyone laughed at these words, while Xiao Zhu’s face darkened. Among those sitting here, who hadn’t fantasized about Wei Hui? But everyone had just witnessed Wei Hui and Shiyi’s interactions. The smart ones had already abandoned their wishful thinking and came to build relationships with Shiyi instead. Only a few blind fools still thought themselves special and wanted to attract attention.

            

Xiao Zhu was just such a person, and the crowd’s gazes grew more mocking as they looked at her.

Embarrassed and angry, she said: “I’m going to the bathroom first!”

Only when she reached the bathroom door did she stamp her foot in frustration. Someone was walking out and greeted her: “Miss Xiao?”

            

It was Shen Suqing.

Shen Suqing came today with a mission. Since her marriage, she hadn’t participated in any gatherings. The reason was simple – she married someone without money or power, and she couldn’t face these sisters. In the past two years, Wang Yongshun’s business had improved, and just when they were about to make a fortune from the abandoned building project, Wei Hui had snatched it away. So she harbored a deep hatred for Wei Hui, but could do nothing about it. If even the Shen family couldn’t touch Wei Hui, she – could do even less.

She came today on her mother’s orders to look around. Shen Hao had reached marriageable age. Previously, because of his engagement to Wei Hui, there hadn’t been any rush, but since the engagement was broken, Shen Hao had been out carousing every day, sometimes not even coming home. Her mother couldn’t stand it anymore and asked her to keep an eye out and quickly find a match for Shen Hao to help him settle down. That’s why Shen Suqing turned her attention to this gathering.

            

Everyone attending this gathering was a young lady from a good family, many matching the Shen family’s social status. She had already identified several prospects and was about to leave when she unexpectedly ran into Xiao Zhu.

Xiao Zhu was the entertainment industry’s new favorite, had acted in films and won awards. Previously, Wang Yongshun had wanted her to endorse a product, but was politely refused. Shen Suqing had kept this in mind, and now seeing Xiao Zhu, she asked: “Miss Xiao, do you have time for a drink?”

Wang Yongshun had a new product recently, and perhaps she could negotiate this endorsement deal.

            

Xiao Zhu glanced at Shen Suqing, and although her heart was full of displeasure, she put on a smile: “No need, my manager is waiting for me outside. I’ll make another appointment with Mrs. Wang next time.”

As Shen Suqing watched her lower her head to enter, she suddenly spoke: “Shiyi.”

Xiao Zhu stopped in her tracks and turned: “What?”

            

Shen Suqing: “Miss Xiao, aren’t you unhappy because of Shiyi? I’ll give you something to be happy about. Let’s go have a drink, what do you say?”

Xiao Zhu thought for a few seconds: “How will you make me happy?”

Shen Suqing smiled and strode away from the bathroom. Xiao Zhu thought for a few seconds before hurrying after her. In the living room, people were still gathered around Shiyi asking questions, with all sorts of flattery. Shen Suqing walked over with a faint smile, sat beside Shiyi and said with a smile: “Shiyi, long time no see.”

            

When Shiyi heard this voice, her back straightened, her hands clenched, and her expression became unnatural. Throughout the entire party, she had been praying that Shen Suqing wouldn’t come over. And true to her prayers, Shen Suqing hadn’t spoken to her. Just as the party was about to end, she came over to greet her. Shiyi forced a smile: “Mrs. Wang.”

Shen Suqing sighed: “My ring, are you still comfortable wearing it?”

Shiyi’s expression froze, while whispers spread around her: “What ring?”

            

“Ring?”

“When did she ever take Sister Shen’s ring?”

Just as Du Yueming was about to speak with furrowed brows, Shen Suqing continued: “I almost forgot to introduce her to you all. Shiyi used to be our family’s servant, but was driven out for stealing. Third Miss Wei has a kind heart and took her in. Who knew her methods would be so sophisticated that she even learned to climb into beds.”

            

Hearing her words, Shiyi bit her lip hard. The wound on her forehead had long healed without even leaving a scar, but now it felt burning hot. Her face flushed red as she heard Shen Suqing say with a laugh: “I’m quite curious too, how exactly did you climb into Third Miss’s bed? Why don’t you tell us?”

The entire living room fell silent for a few seconds, completely quiet. Just as Du Yueming was about to speak, Shiyi grabbed her hand. She looked up at Shen Suqing and said: “I…”

“What are you saying?” A voice came from behind the crowd. They all turned to see Wei Hui standing behind them, her expression slightly cold, wearing a red long dress – stunning yet carrying an icy air. As the low pressure descended, everyone consciously moved apart. Wei Hui, with sharp eyebrows, swept her gaze across everyone. She walked behind Shiyi, placing her hand on the shoulder of the one sitting on the sofa, and repeated: “What are you saying? Let me tell you.”

            

Shen Suqing didn’t dare meet Wei Hui’s piercing gaze and looked away. Wei Hui said: “Climbing into bed?”

“Mrs. Wang is mistaken. I was the one who climbed into bed. I coveted Shiyi’s beauty, coveted her young body, coveted her vitality. I took the initiative to climb into bed. Are you satisfied with this answer?”

With each sentence Shen Suqing’s face grew paler, until finally cold sweat ran down her cheeks. She tried to sit up straight to show her authority, but before Wei Hui, just one look made her lose all righteousness. She muttered sullenly: “Sat…satisfied.”

            

“If you’re satisfied, why haven’t you apologized?” The tone was gentle, slightly low, but Shen Suqing felt utterly humiliated. Make her apologize to Shiyi? To a servant? To a thief? She looked up at Shiyi, but couldn’t bring herself to say sorry. Unlike before, Shiyi was no longer keeping her head down. She raised her eyes to meet Shen Suqing’s, bright and spirited. They looked at each other for several seconds before Shen Suqing gritted out: “I’m… sorry.”

Wei Hui ignored her apology and turned to ask: “Shiyi, do you accept her apology?”

Shiyi bit her lip. Wei Hui nodded: “It’s okay if you don’t accept it. Have you ever hit someone?”

            

Shiyi paused: “No.”

Wei Hui smiled: “It’s okay.” She placed her hand on Shiyi’s hand, raised it, and lightly slapped Shen Suqing’s face: “If you don’t know how, I’ll teach you.”

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