Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 5

Makeup

Don’t know how to apply makeup?

Shiyi remained motionless for a long while because of Wei Hui’s words. She had guessed that coming here, her situation would certainly be different from her previous household where she only needed to be a servant, but she hadn’t expected things to be more serious than she had imagined.

Wei Hui sat on the sofa, looking up at Shiyi’s troubled little face. Those clear eyes were full of shock, her face pale, lips trembling – the appearance of someone extremely frightened.

After all, she was just a child who didn’t know how to hide her emotions when terrified, completely different from her cleverness at the Wang family. Now, she was being overly honest. Panic, worry, fear, and nervousness were all displayed on her face. Wearing loose sportswear, her already frail body appeared even more delicate against her pale complexion. Even Wei Hui, someone not known for being sympathetic, felt somewhat reluctant to proceed, and it was no wonder Su Ziyan had called to question her about this.

Outside, sunlight poured in generously, leaping into the spacious living room. Wei Hui sat on the sofa wearing a light blue work suit, crisp and stylish. Her slightly curled brown hair cascaded over her back and chest. Her features were deep-set and delicate, with sharp brow bones that gave off an unapproachable air. She glanced coldly at Shiyi. The sunlight danced on her face, highlighting her white skin and red lips. Long earrings hung from her ears, the pendants swaying slightly with her head movement, falling against her beautiful collarbones and reflecting a cold gleam.

Shiyi stood by the tea table, accidentally meeting those cold, stern eyes, extremely nervous. She felt as if the surrounding air had solidified (meaning the atmosphere became extremely tense). Her heart ached when breathing. She bit her lip corner, reopening the scab from yesterday. The taste of blood crept into her throat. She coughed lightly, her pale face gaining an unnatural flush, her frightened eyes carrying a pleading look.

“Third Miss,” her weak voice floated to Wei Hui’s ears in the empty living room.

“Could you please not take my eyes?”

Wei Hui laughed softly at these words, her lips curving into a perfect arc, the indifference in her brows replaced by amusement. Her cold features suddenly became radiant. She spoke softly, “When did I say I was going to take your eyes?”

Shiyi’s expression froze, staring blankly at Wei Hui. As their eyes met, Shiyi swallowed, gulping down the bloody taste in her mouth. “Then you…”

“I want something else,” Wei Hui stood up, the smile disappearing from her face, returning to her cold, proud expression. “Do you drink alcohol?”

Shiyi didn’t understand how the topic had suddenly changed. She replied, “A little.”

Wei Hui brushed past her: “Rest well this afternoon, you’ll go out with me tonight.”

A clean fragrance passed under Shiyi’s nose as she nodded bewilderedly, “Okay.”

After lunch, Wei Hui was taken to the company by Pei Tian. Before leaving, Shiyi could still hear something about the Wang family and Shen family. She quietly lowered her head, sitting in the living room for a while. Servants passed by, examining her with curious glances. Zhang Ma had just entered the kitchen when she heard chattering.

“Do you think she’ll steal from Third Miss?”

“How could she? Even with ten times the courage, she wouldn’t dare!”

“But you never know, having a thief around gives me the creeps.”

“Me too.”

“Keep an eye on Third Miss’s room later.”

Zhang Ma entered the kitchen, put down the things in her hands, and asked, “Is it true what you’re saying about that young lady being a thief?”

The girl sorting vegetables, not believing Zhang Ma’s doubt, pulled her arm to stand beside her: “Zhang Ma, you don’t believe it? Sister Wu said her relative is the gatekeeper at the Wang family, and yesterday she personally heard Madam Wang talking about the theft incident. She even hit her. You saw how she was yesterday.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ma peeked through the kitchen gap again and saw Shiyi sitting on the sofa, her back straight as a rod, looking very proper and well-behaved.

After a moment of silence, she walked out of the kitchen and said to Shiyi, “Miss, would you like to go upstairs and rest?”

Shiyi was about to decline, but then remembered Wei Hui telling her to rest well before going out in the afternoon, so she nodded: “Alright.”

Her voice was timid, her demeanor shy. Zhang Ma led the way, and while going upstairs, she asked, “Miss, what did you do before?”

Shiyi followed behind her and replied, “A servant.”

Zhang Ma had actually noticed some clues. When Shiyi first arrived, her clothes were filthy, she was bloodied, and she wanted to help in the kitchen – completely unlike the young ladies she had seen before. But Zhang Ma truly couldn’t understand why Third Miss would bring a servant home, especially one who might be a thief.

Thinking about the company’s confidential documents that might be in Third Miss’s room, Zhang Ma’s gaze darkened. She led Shiyi to the guest room door and said with a smile, “Miss, please go in and rest.”

“If you need anything, just call for me.”

Shiyi lowered her head: “Thank you, Zhang Ma.”

Zhang Ma frowned as she looked at Shiyi, who appeared obedient and sensible on the surface. Her lips moved several times as if wanting to say something, but finally only said, “Would you like me to help you tidy up inside?”

Shiyi had already opened the door and was looking in from the doorway. Everything was arranged exactly as it had been yesterday, even the blanket was folded neatly, and the items on the table were organized orderly, not messy at all. Shiyi shook her head: “No need.”

Seeing this, Zhang Ma could only say, “Then please go in and rest.”

Shiyi lowered her eyes as she entered the room. The door closed softly behind her. She sat on the bed’s edge, holding the bag from the hospital containing several ointments and clean gauze. After looking at them briefly, she carried the bag to the dressing table. In the mirror, she saw someone wearing ill-fitting sportswear, with a pale complexion and jet-black pupils. Perhaps from biting her lips for too long, there were faint teeth marks at the corner of her mouth. She pressed her eyelids with her hand, thinking of what Wei Hui had said.

At that time, she truly believed Wei Hui wanted her eyes.

Shiyi lowered her head and took out the ointment from the bag. Though she hadn’t read many books, she knew common characters. Su Ziyan, seemingly worried she wouldn’t understand, had written each character neat and clear. Her heart warmed slightly at this as she opened the ointment and applied it to her face.

After everything was properly arranged, she lay down on the bed. The soft mattress, sheets with their fresh fragrance, and fluffy pillows – everything around her was beyond what she’d ever dared to dream of. An overwhelming sense of unreality washed over her as Shiyi tried to close her eyes.

Due to her weak constitution and barely sleeping the previous night, Shiyi had only intended to rest briefly but ended up sleeping until dark. Zhang Ma knocked on the door outside, calling, “Miss.”

With no response from the room, Zhang Ma raised her voice slightly: “Miss.”

Shiyi’s eyes suddenly opened, her eyes bright as stars in the darkness.

“Coming,” she got up from the bed and opened the door. Zhang Ma stood at the doorway holding a bag. Shiyi froze: “Zhang Ma?”

Zhang Ma handed her the bag: “Third Miss wants you to change into these. She’s waiting downstairs.”

Shiyi instinctively looked down and saw someone sitting on the sofa, their slender back mostly hidden in it. Seeing Shiyi’s hesitation, Zhang Ma urged: “Quickly go change.”

Then she added: “These are cosmetics.”

Shiyi was handed a box of makeup, looking somewhat bewildered. Zhang Ma said nothing more and turned to go downstairs. Shiyi wanted to call after her but felt too shy to speak. Finally, she lowered her head and went back into the room with the clothes and cosmetics.

Downstairs, Pei Tian stood by the sofa: “Third Miss, are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you?”

Wei Hui took a sip of tea and raised her eyelids. Having changed into a long dress, she appeared even more elegant and graceful. She said, “No need. You arrange a meeting with Director Zhao.”

Pei Tian’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed: “Director Zhao?”

Wei Hui nodded: “The Shen family wants a piece of the pie. Go test the waters first.”

Pei Tian pondered for two seconds before understanding: “Alright.”

“But you alone…”

“Shiyi will accompany me,” Wei Hui coldly interrupted. Pei Tian’s brows furrowed even more: “But that child doesn’t understand anything.”

Wei Hui smiled faintly: “As long as she can drink, it’s fine.”

Pei Tian wanted to advise further, but considering that with Wei Hui present, others would only dare to offer a few courtesy drinks (referring to polite, minimal drinking), there shouldn’t be any problems. He nodded: “I understand.”

Just as they finished speaking, they heard movement at the stairs. Pei Tian and Wei Hui looked up to see Shiyi wearing a yellow dress with her hair down, her head lowered so her expression couldn’t be seen. She was quite thin, without much flesh on her body, and even though Wei Hui had gotten the smallest size dress, it was still slightly big. Fortunately, with the belt tied around it, it looked reasonably fitting.

Just that walking posture—

In all her life, Shiyi had never worn high heels, let alone stilettos. She was unsteady even on flat ground, not to mention going down stairs. With each step on the stairs, she had to cling to the banister for several seconds, her posture both comical and awkward.

Pei Tian, usually serious-faced, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. Wei Hui gave him a cold look, and he lowered his head: “Then, Third Miss, I’ll take my leave.”

Wei Hui responded with a low “mm.”

Still clinging to the banister, Shiyi heard their conversation and glanced at Wei Hui, meeting her gaze which seemed displeased. Under Wei Hui’s light but penetrating look, Shiyi’s nerves tensed. She instinctively straightened up, but as soon as she took a step down, her heel wobbled, and she grabbed the banister again.

Stifled laughter came from around her. Shiyi’s face burned with shame. Finally making it to the bottom of the stairs, a pair of red high heels entered her view.

Fair skin, delicate ankles, long straight calves with smooth, taut muscles without an ounce of excess flesh – Shiyi thought these were the most beautiful legs she’d ever seen. She didn’t dare look higher, stopping at Wei Hui’s rounded knees. Wei Hui stood before her with arms crossed, her red lips parting to say: “Look up.”

Her voice was as cold as yesterday.

Shiyi nervously gripped her dress hem and slowly raised her head. Her face was bare of makeup, the bandage on her head had been replaced with a white adhesive bandage hidden under her bangs, barely visible. Her pretty face was still pale, her lips lacking color, her expression apprehensive, like someone caught wearing their master’s clothes. Wei Hui’s stern eyebrows knitted after staring at her for a few seconds: “Don’t know how to apply makeup?”

The person standing before her shook her head. Wei Hui called out: “Zhang Ma.”

Zhang Ma responded with a quick “Ai” and stepped forward, hearing Wei Hui say: “Go to her room and bring the cosmetics.”

“Yes, Third Miss.”

Zhang Ma quickly went upstairs and entered the guest room, seeing the makeup box on the dressing table had been opened but everything was still inside, untouched. She closed the box and was about to turn around when, at the doorway, she suddenly remembered their conversation about Shiyi being a thief. She pondered for two seconds and went back to the dressing table, glancing around to see nothing on the surface. She opened the drawers – also empty. Just as she was about to sigh in relief, her gaze fell on the neatly folded clothes by the bed.

A few minutes later, Zhang Ma came downstairs with the makeup box, her expression gloomy.

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