Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 53
by Little PandaStarting Over
If life could start over, how wonderful that would be.
Wei Hui spoke correctly, Shiyi had indeed grown up. Her growth was the most obvious and prominent. Although she had always been quiet before, walking with her head down beside others, that was to minimize her presence, movements hesitant, not wanting to be noticed. Now it was completely different – she held her back straight, unafraid of being stared at, unafraid of strange looks, her expression natural, behavior proper.
The difference in her temperament was obvious. When she first entered the Wei family, she was timid, not daring to speak loudly. Now she had learned to be steady. From the school path to the dining place, her expression showed not the slightest displeasure, her eyes radiating calmness. But as soon as the old professor went in, she couldn’t hold back anymore – in front of Wei Hui, she didn’t need to pretend.
A string of questions burst forth, and Wei Hui smiled: “My little girl has grown up.”
Shiyi paused upon hearing these words, her face showing rare shyness unseen for long, cheeks slightly reddening as she said: “You, you don’t try to change the subject.”
It was always like this – whenever her health was mentioned, she would always ambiguously deflect. Seeing her plan wasn’t working, Wei Hui had to confess: “I arrived yesterday.”
Yesterday?
Wasn’t that when she had sent her a message, and she was already here? Why didn’t she say anything?
Shiyi held her breath, feeling inexplicably wronged. Just as she was about to speak, Wei Hui’s hand rested on her shoulder: “But I needed rest.”
“Shiyi, I arrived yesterday afternoon, rested at the hotel for the evening, then went to give the lecture.”
“I didn’t tell you because I was worried you’d worry.”
Shiyi stared at her with bright eyes, her gaze full of displeasure. Wei Hui coughed twice, saying in an unnatural voice: “I wanted to surprise you.”
She had never done anything like this in her life, never thought about giving anyone surprises. Before coming, Pei Tian and Su Ziyan found it unbelievable – it completely went against her usual way of doing things. Even she found it unbelievable, yet she did it anyway.
Wanting to make her little girl happy.
But clearly, it hadn’t achieved the result she wanted.
When Shiyi heard her words, the grievance in her heart melted into tenderness, her chest feeling like warm water flowing through it. She suddenly realized the person standing before her was Wei Hui, the Third Miss whom all of Jiang City tried to please. Preparing surprises for others – surely she had never done such things before.
But she did it for her.
Shiyi bit her lip: “I’m not unhappy either.”
Du Yueming was right – how could she not be happy having such an amazing person as her girlfriend? But at the time, she had been too worried about her health, so she suppressed the joy rising in her heart. After all, they hadn’t seen each other for four months – she had looked at the photos on her phone so much she could draw them from memory, how could she not miss her?
“But don’t do this next time.”
She raised her head with bright eyes, expression serious: “You being able to come is the biggest surprise for me.”
Wei Hui’s heart fluttered meeting those eyes. She pressed her fingertip to Shiyi’s lips, quietly saying: “Alright, next time I’ll tell you when I come.”
After speaking, she shook her head helplessly – when had she become so thoroughly wrapped around her finger?
In front of her, having the final say seemed to have become a joke.
Wei Hui lowered her eyes – never mind, as long as Shiyi was happy, let it be a joke then.
Shiyi nodded: “Next time when I go back, don’t come over. I don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”
“Did you bring your medicine? After talking for so long, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
“Should we go for a check-up after eating?”
As she mumbled on and on, Wei Hui listened to the familiar nagging with long-missed contentment filling her heart. At the empty hotel entrance, she reached out and embraced Shiyi, holding her tight.
It seemed once improper behavior began, it would continue straight on.
Shiyi was caught off guard by the embrace, her hands suspended in mid-air. Only after several seconds did she regain her senses, placing them on Wei Hui’s waist. The slender waist was soft, carrying a fresh fragrance she hadn’t smelled for long, seeping into her bones. Unable to resist, she tilted her head and gently bit Wei Hui’s neck.
It was a quarter hour later when they went in to eat. Several school leaders were present, along with the old professor who had come up with them earlier. When they saw Wei Hui and Shiyi enter hand in hand, they showed no unusual reaction, continuing their pleasant conversation. During the meal, Wei Hui was repeatedly urged to drink, but Shiyi blocked these attempts by saying she was experiencing some difficulty adjusting to the local environment. However, since these were school leaders, they couldn’t completely refuse to be courteous, so Wei Hui still drank two cups. Shiyi watched as Wei Hui, who never touched alcohol, broke her abstinence again for her sake, feeling pained in her heart.
She wanted to become more capable, stronger, so Wei Hui wouldn’t need to do such things for her anymore.
The thought in Shiyi’s heart grew increasingly firm.
After the dinner gathering, while Wei Hui was talking with several school leaders, Shiyi went out to get her a cup of warm milk. When she returned to the private room carrying it, most others had left. Shiyi placed the cup on Wei Hui’s table and asked: “Where are they?”
Wei Hui glanced sideways. Her alcohol tolerance was poor, and with her health issues, she almost never touched alcohol. Now after drinking two cups, while there was no obvious discomfort, she just felt slightly dizzy. Hearing Shiyi’s question, she replied: “They had school matters to attend to, so they left first.”
The old professor hadn’t left yet. Seeing Shiyi return, he asked: “Your leave period—”
Shiyi thought for a few seconds: “Professor, I won’t be taking leave anymore.”
The professor was stunned, then nodded: “Very well, I’ll cancel your leave request.”
After the professor left, Shiyi looked down at Wei Hui, seeing her cheeks slightly flushed, eyes glistening. That Wei Hui who was always serious, sharp, and imposing in public was now no different from ordinary people after drinking, showing signs of tipsiness. Shiyi placed the milk in her hands: “Drink some to warm your stomach.”
Wei Hui held the milk cup, still warm. She suddenly remembered when Shiyi was at home, the cups in her hands were always this temperature. After Shiyi went abroad, she had taken a long time to get used to its absence.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” Shiyi lifted the cup and took a sip: “It’s not too hot anymore.”
Wei Hui watched her action and inexplicably curved her eyes in a smile, saying: “You feed me.”
Shiyi froze for several seconds: “What?”
With only the two of them in the private room, Wei Hui spoke as if it was the most natural thing: “I want you to feed me.”
Shiyi blinked: “How do I feed you?”
Wei Hui lifted the cup: “I’ll teach you.”
She tilted her head back for a sip, grabbed Shiyi’s wrist, pulled her close, and turned to kiss her, passing the sweet milk into Shiyi’s mouth. The milk’s fragrance was rich, and though Shiyi swallowed, she didn’t let go of Wei Hui.
She missed her too much, dreaming of her at night, and now with Wei Hui initiating closeness, she couldn’t hold back. With this mouthful of milk, she gradually deepened the kiss, the milk in their mouths sweet as preserved fruits, sweetness reaching both their hearts. Shiyi’s nimble tongue moved freely, carefully savoring every taste.
Only when Wei Hui’s slight gasping could be heard did she release her. Both their lips were slightly swollen, eyes misty. Shiyi embraced her: “Want to drink more?”
Wei Hui smiled: “Let’s drink in the room.”
Her room was on the hotel’s second floor. Shiyi followed behind carrying the milk, sharing some amusing school stories along the way. They didn’t seem like long-separated lovers, but rather like an old married couple chatting about daily life. At the door, Wei Hui swiped her card and entered first. Shiyi lowered her eyes to look at the milk, and after entering, she saw Wei Hui remove her high heels, her profile still flushed, earlobes bright red. Her hand tightened on the cup as she closed the door behind her.
Wei Hui had just turned her head when Shiyi pressed her against the entryway. She called softly: “Shiyi?”
Shiyi’s right arm encircled her waist as she said: “I want to feed you here.”
Wei Hui paused at her slightly lowered voice, parting her lips: “Come in…”
Before she could finish, Shiyi kissed her, right arm holding Wei Hui, embracing her tighter, while her other hand holding the cup gently placed it on the entryway shelf. The promised feeding of milk became an excuse for uninhibited kisses, the room’s atmosphere instantly igniting. Shiyi held Wei Hui as they took several steps inside, both falling onto the sofa. Their four months’ separation wasn’t just a reunion, but more like surviving a tribulation. Every moment here, Shiyi had thought of Wei Hui, worried about her illness, her health, afraid that Wei Hui, who had been fine before she left, might not wait until her return. Now with the person in her arms, how could she control herself? Better to embrace her, kiss her, feel this reality.
Wei Hui sensed the timidity and fear beneath her passionate emotions, threading like silk into her chest, bringing a different kind of pain than when she was ill, dense and numerous, as she tried her best to respond and comfort.
After embracing and kissing for half an hour, Shiyi finally released Wei Hui. Their foreheads pressed together as Shiyi asked: “Are you alright?”
Wei Hui smiled: “Shiyi, I’m not that fragile.”
Seeing her cheeks still flushed, phoenix eyes glistening, with no signs of illness or weakness, Shiyi felt relieved and leaned forward: “Then I’ll kiss you again.”
She didn’t kiss for too long, because Wei Hui was exhausted. The morning lecture had drained her energy, and with the dinner gathering added, she could barely fight against the heavy drowsiness despite trying to hold on. Shiyi felt extremely distressed, and disregarding her protests, carried her into the bedroom, forcing her to rest.
The room’s curtains were already closed, the light dim. Wei Hui went to the bathroom to change into pajamas while Shiyi had already gotten on the bed to warm it for her. Shiyi knew her old problem – in winter her hands and feet would get cold, needing a long time to warm up. When Wei Hui came out of the bathroom, she saw Shiyi sitting on the bed holding her phone. Shiyi hadn’t brought pajamas and was wearing hers – red, as she favored vibrant colors, so her sleepwear was mostly in deep shades. Shiyi’s fair skin appeared even more delicate against the red. Wei Hui sat down on the other side of the bed, lifting the covers to ask: “What are you looking at?”
Shiyi turned her head at her voice, putting away the phone: “Nothing, Yueming asked if I’m going back tonight.”
Wei Hui leaned against the headboard, gathering her hair as she asked: “So are you going back tonight?”
Shiyi maintained a tight smile: “Do you want me to go back?”
“I…” Before finishing, Wei Hui shook her head – she was quite something now, already setting traps for her.
Seeing through her little scheme, Shiyi wasn’t upset but turned to embrace her, burying her head in her chest: “Do you want me to go back? Quick, say you don’t want me to.”
She pretended to be fierce, making Wei Hui laugh. She held her hand, bringing it to her lips for a light kiss, saying softly: “I don’t want you to go back.”
“Shiyi, I want to stay by your side, I want to accompany you for a lifetime.”
Shiyi’s playful behavior stopped as she raised her eyes to meet Wei Hui’s deep gaze. She settled down, nestling in her embrace. The room was quiet for a long while until Shiyi’s slightly low, husky voice broke the silence. She said: “If life could start over, how wonderful that would be.”
Wei Hui, half-asleep, heard this and asked in return: “Start over, what would you want to do?”
Shiyi lowered her eyes, taking her hand, stroking each finger: “I want to have met you earlier.”
“I want to study hard, I want to study medicine, I want to become a doctor.”
“Huihui, I want to cure your illness.”
Meeting her earlier, studying hard, learning medicine, curing her illness.
They should have met earlier, ten years ago, but she had missed that chance.
Because she missed it, Shiyi had endured so much suffering, let alone pursuing her dreams.
She owed her, so much, so much.
Wei Hui, leaning against the headboard, had a change in expression, first a muffled cough, then urgent coughing that affected her whole body, the five organs and six viscera beginning to ache.
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