Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 9
by Little PandaMisunderstanding
She is eager to explain.
After going upstairs, Shiyi took a shower. Standing under the cold water, she completely calmed down and realized she might have been overreacting. To outsiders, her situation probably looked like she was being “kept” (meaning being financially supported by someone in a relationship), and even though she knew that wasn’t true, others didn’t. So why should she feel upset?
She shook her head, letting the cold water splash onto her forehead, the icy sensation clearing her mind. She remembered how in other households, she was always hungry, poorly dressed, and constantly cautious to avoid mistakes, guarding against the male owner like a thief. But now, the Thid Miss had brought her back, providing good food, drink, and shelter. Just because of a few idle gossip, she felt stifled. Truly, she was being overly sensitive. With this thought, Shiyi let go of her irritation, turned off the cold water, and switched to warm water to wash again.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, there was someone else in the room, standing by the bed, looking at something. Shiyi walked over and called, “Zhang Ma?”
Her voice was always soft and a bit shy, and even though she was just wronged downstairs, she didn’t take it out on anyone. Zhang Ma turned around, her face without a smile, and said, “I knocked, but you didn’t respond, so I came in.”
Her address had changed from “miss” to “you”.
Shiyi didn’t care about that; she just noticed that Zhang Ma’s attitude towards her had changed. In the morning, she was gentle, speaking with a smile, but by the afternoon, her demeanor turned cold and indifferent. Shiyi bit her lip and said, “I was in the shower.”
Zhang Ma nodded, “Okay, drink some milk.”
Shiyi took the cup she handed over, drank it down, and then called out as she returned the cup, “Zhang Ma.”
She gripped the cup tightly and asked, “Did I do something wrong?”
Zhang Ma glanced at her, noticing her uneasy expression. She opened her mouth to speak but then recalled the ring she saw in Shiyi’s pocket that afternoon. The design and style were clearly valuable and not something someone of Shiyi’s status should have. Coupled with the talk about theft, she suspected that Shiyi had stolen it.
She had been with the Wei family for almost ten years and genuinely cared for Wei Hui like her own child. If Shiyi were just a regular girl and the Third Miss had such a hobby, she could have turned a blind eye. But now, finding out Shiyi was a thief was something she couldn’t tolerate.
Xiaocui was right; having someone like that around made her skin crawl, especially near the Third Miss. It was bound to be trouble sooner or later!
Seeing Shiyi still watching her, Zhang Ma changed her words at the last minute and said, “How could the Miss make a mistake? If there’s any fault, it’s ours, the servants.”
“Don’t take to heart what you heard downstairs just now. They were just chatting idly, no harm intended.”
“The Third Miss has always been kind and generous,” Zhang Ma said. “So please, keep your hands clean and don’t drag the Third Miss into this.”
These words made Shiyi’s face turn a bit pale. It was hard to explain the stealing, and her relationship with Wei Hui was misunderstood by everyone. She wasn’t good at talking, and now being misunderstood, she could only keep repeating, “Zhang Ma, I didn’t—”
Zhang Ma turned her head to look at her, took the cup from her hand, and said coldly, “You didn’t what? You didn’t steal?”
Shiyi was tongue-tied, with words stuck in her throat that she slowly swallowed down, feeling a bitter taste lingering in her chest, so uncomfortable she wished she could punch that stuffy spot. Seeing this, Zhang Ma shook her head, “Miss, take care of yourself.”
As the door closed, Shiyi sank down on the edge of the bed. She reached for the clothes at the foot of the bed and took out a ring from inside.
The servants at home misunderstood her, and Zhang Ma thought of her that way too. What about the Third Miss?
Does the Third Miss see her like that as well?
If she really thought Shiyi was a thief, why would she bring her home?
Does she hate her now?
Maybe it was because she was just upset, but Shiyi clutched the ring and ran to Wei Hui’s room, eager to explain something. She had been fine with misunderstandings so many times before, but the thought of Wei Hui misunderstanding her without knowing the truth made Shiyi feel like she had to explain.
Maybe it’s because Wei Hui holds a special place in her heart that’s different from others.
Wei Hui was the one who rescued her from the tiger’s cage, treated her well, and protected her outside.
Shiyi quickly walked to the door, opened it, and took a few quick steps forward. She saw Wei Hui standing at the doorway, with Zhang Ma holding a glass of milk. After Wei Hui drank it, she coughed twice. Zhang Ma asked with concern, “Third Miss, did you catch a cold?”
Wei Hui’s voice was cool and clear: “I caught a bit of wind on the way back.”
Zhang Ma looked worried, “Should I make you some ginger tea?”
Wei Hui waved her hand, saying, “No need.”
She handed the cup back to Zhang Ma and softly said, “A night’s rest will do.”
Seeing Wei Hui’s slightly pale face and light cough, Shiyi suddenly remembered the time in the car when she had a high fever, her small face all scrunched up. Now that Wei Hui wasn’t feeling well, it was best not to disturb her.
Thinking this, Shiyi quietly stepped back two steps, but Wei Hui had already noticed her.
Wei Hui turned her head and saw Shiyi in a white nightgown, her long hair damp and draped behind her. It seemed she had just taken a bath, as even her eyelashes had droplets on them. The light reflected off them, giving a shimmering glow. Under her long lashes were still those clear and beautiful eyes, with jet-black pupils and a bright gaze.
She spoke, “Shiyi?”
Shiyi didn’t expect to be noticed and instinctively put her hands behind her back, pressing her finger against the ring, which hurt.
Wei Hui glanced down and saw Shiyi’s bare feet, her delicate ankles, and her toes curling back nervously. She blinked and asked, “Is there something you need?”
Her tone wasn’t as icy as it was in the car, but there was no warmth either. Her question was calm, carrying a sense of authority. Shiyi just stared at her, then glanced at Zhang Ma beside her, biting her lip, “No, goodnight, Third Miss.”
With that, she turned and went into her room.
The door closed softly, and she leaned against it, bringing her hands from behind her back to her chest. The ring sparkled brightly under the crystal light, shining brilliantly. Zhang Ma was right.
She was a thief.
So what reason did she have to explain herself?
Shiyi squatted by the door, hugging her arms, her shoulders shaking. A draft came through the half-open window, chilling the room and sweeping away all its warmth.
Outside, Zhang Ma’s expression darkened, and she said to Wei Hui, “Third Miss, you should go inside and rest if you’re not feeling well.”
Wei Hui just took her medicine and felt too weak to fuss about things. Even though she could tell that Shiyi had something to say, she didn’t have the energy to listen, so she nodded in agreement with what Zhang Ma said, “Okay, you can go.”
Zhang Ma responded, “Alright.”
Back in her room, Wei Hui took off her robe and coughed twice, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness. She leaned against the bed, opened the locked cabinet by the bedside, found her medicine inside, and took two pills. Her heartbeat slowly returned to normal, and the flush on her face faded, leaving an unusual paleness.
Wei Hui held the medicine bottle up in front of her eyes, staring at the words on it for a while before putting it back in the cabinet and locking it.
Nine o’clock was her fixed bedtime, come rain or shine, but tonight, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She wondered if it was because of her recent episode. Her mind was a bit unsettled, so after thinking for a while, she got up, walked to her desk, and picked up her phone to call Su Ziyan.
The call was answered, and Su Ziyan’s cheerful voice came through, “At this time, aren’t you supposed to be resting?”
“Yeah.” After a nonchalant response, Wei Hui asked, “Has the child’s report come out?”
After she spoke, she coughed lightly, feeling weak, and simply sat by the desk, resting her head in her hand. Her vision blurred for a moment, and Su Ziyan’s voice seemed to come and go: “It’s out, tomorrow…”
With pauses in between, Wei Hui got the gist of it, though her ears were buzzing. After sitting to rest for a few minutes, her vision became clear again, and she heard Su Ziyan asking, “What’s wrong?”
Wei Hui calmly replied, “It’s nothing. I went to a gathering tonight and had a couple of drinks.”
After saying that, she moved the phone away from her ear a bit, and sure enough, Su Ziyan’s voice came through, slightly raised, “Are you crazy?!”
“How are you feeling now? Are you uncomfortable? Should I come over?”
Wei Hui softly replied, “No need, I’m fine. I just took some medicine.”
Hearing that she had taken her medicine, Su Ziyan made a sound of acknowledgment but still worriedly advised, “Call me if anything happens.”
“No, you should come over tomorrow for a check-up anyway.”
Wei Hui’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, “No need.”
“Come on, you missed last month’s check-up, and you can’t delay it again this month. Aren’t you getting the kid’s report tomorrow? Just bring the kid along, and if anyone asks, I’ll say it’s for the kid’s check-up.”
Wei Hui gripped her phone, her facial expression hardening. After a few seconds, she finally spoke, “Alright, I got it.”
Perhaps worried she might not show up, Su Ziyan issued an ultimatum: “By nine at the latest. If you don’t come, I’ll find you at work.”
Knowing this was his final boundary, Wei Hui softly replied, “I know.”
After putting away her phone, Wei Hui coughed lightly again. Her hand on her forehead still felt traces of a fever. Meeting Su Ziyan tomorrow would undoubtedly lead to a lecture.
Thinking about what he might say made her already aching head hurt even more.
She barely slept that night, and at dawn the next day, she was already awake. It had been a while since she last experienced insomnia, and waking up left her in a bit of a daze. Waiting for her discomfort to subside, Wei Hui sat up, did a quick wash-up, and went downstairs. She saw Shiyi sitting on the sofa, looking rather frail.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Shiyi turned her head and saw Wei Hui standing there in light-colored loungewear. Perhaps due to her illness last night, her face didn’t look good, slightly pale with faint dark circles under her eyes. Shiyi quickly stood up and called, “Third Miss.”
Wei Hui glanced at her and nodded, calling out, “Zhang Ma.”
Zhang Ma immediately came out from the direction of the kitchen, “Third Miss, you’re awake.”
Wei Hui rubbed her temples, “Pour me a glass of water.”
Zhang Ma replied with a quick “Okay” and was about to pour the water when she saw Shiyi turn around and hand over a clear glass of water from the coffee table, softly saying, “Third Miss, freshly poured, it’s warm.”
Wei Hui didn’t take it; she just lifted her eyelids to glance at her. Zhang Ma quickly took the glass from Shiyi’s hand, “Third Miss doesn’t like using cups that others have used.”
“I’ll get you a fresh one.”
Shiyi’s hands hung by her sides, wanting to say that she knew Wei Hui would drink a glass of water before breakfast. She had washed this cup many times, even estimating the water temperature just right, but her clumsy tongue wouldn’t cooperate. Under Zhang Ma’s quick words, the courage she mustered twice to speak was swallowed back down.
“Zhang Ma,” Wei Hui spoke up, “bring it to me.”
Zhang Ma was stunned for a few seconds, “Third Miss, I’ll get you a…”
“No need,” Wei Hui said calmly, “just bring it to me.”
Zhang Ma had no choice but to hand the glass to Wei Hui, then turned to glance at Shiyi, whose expression was one of surprise, her eyes lowering slightly.
Shiyi watched as Wei Hui took a sip from the glass. Sunlight bounced over the sofa, landing on her, making her pale skin almost appear transparent. When she tilted her head back, her graceful swan-like neck and perfectly contoured collarbones were revealed. The surprise in Shiyi’s eyes slowly faded, changing into another expression.
Wei Hui was willing to accept her water.
Willing to accept her gesture of goodwill.
Does this mean that maybe she doesn’t dislike me that much after all?
The author has something to say:
Wei Hui: I didn’t dislike before, and I’ll like even more in the future.
Little Cutie: QAQ
Raise your hand, my dear readers, let’s see how many familiar faces are left.
0 Comments