Chapter 139: What Are You Laughing At?
You Ruxu spent the entire morning at the conference, sitting beside Zhou Tianzui, listening even more attentively than Zhou Tianzui herself. Han Shuang nudged the person beside her, “Look, that’s what you call dedication! Not even covering the story, and still attending the conference.”
You Ruxu’s image instantly became even more impressive. She looked down and continued reading the case files.
This fishing boat case was complicated, involving not only Jindu and Yuhai, but also several cities in between. The ringleader was a man in his fifties, surnamed Zhang, Zhang Ping. He used to run a bar as a front for extortion and had been arrested several times. He had kept a low profile after being released ten years ago, resurfacing only recently, and he was very careful, elusive. The police had sent undercover agents twice, but both times, Zhang Ping had seen through them, and they never returned. He was dangerous and cunning, his meticulous plans always allowing him to escape, so this time, they were determined to catch him.
They heard that Zhang Ping had returned to Jindu, so Captain Zhou was going back to investigate.
Fu Guang was naturally going with her.
You Ruxu would be working with Captain Yao.
The suspect she was familiar with was one of the ringleader’s followers, named Sang Qi. He had been one of the masterminds behind the baby trafficking case four years ago. He had been shot twice before being arrested, then jumped into the river and escaped. They had searched for him for a long time, even suspecting he might be dead, but they couldn’t find his body. He had disappeared without a trace, joining Zhang Ping, and now, after four years of silence, he was back.
During lunch, You Ruxu was still reading the files when Zhou Tianzui, displeased, said, “It’s time to eat.”
You Ruxu, startled, looked up at her, an “oh” escaping her lips.
Her sudden docility made Zhou Tianzui smile, “Eat.”
You Ruxu nodded, hearing Zhou Tianzui ask, “When are you going back?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m waiting for Captain Yao’s instructions, I don’t know yet, Reporter Fu is probably going first.”
“Don’t wander off if you go back before me.” Zhou Tianzui handed her the apartment key, “Just stay home and wait for me.”
You Ruxu said, “I know.”
She couldn’t just wander off even if she wanted to. Having been a field reporter in Jindu, many people knew her, or at least recognized her, so she wouldn’t be able to go to the crime scenes this time, only provide information and intelligence.
She said, “I won’t be joining you this afternoon, I’m going to organize the files from the case four years ago, for Reporter Fu.”
Especially Sang Qi’s information, and the clues she had found in Jindu back then, the location of their base, for example, although the police probably had that information, it would take time for them to sift through everything. She would prepare it in advance.
Zhou Tianzui looked at her, slightly reassured, not going to the crime scenes meant less danger.
She looked down, her phone ringing, it was Yu Qiao, she glanced at You Ruxu, “You answer, I won’t say anything.” A lump formed in Zhou Tianzui’s throat, and she answered the call.
Yu Qiao just reminded her to wear more clothes, as the temperature was dropping, and it was going to rain. Zhou Tianzui looked outside, the sky was indeed overcast. She replied, “I know, you too, take care, I’ll probably be back in a week.”
“No rush, take your time, I signed up for a tour with Auntie Liu, just around here, about a week, I should be back just as you arrive.” Yu Qiao said gently. Zhou Tianzui knew about the tour, she had heard Auntie Liu mention it when she was in Jindu and suggested Yu Qiao join her. Yu Qiao hadn’t wanted to, so Zhou Tianzui gave the money to Auntie Liu to book it for her.
Just wanted Yu Qiao to get out more.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Okay, I’ll see.”
After hanging up, she looked at You Ruxu, “It was my mom.”
You Ruxu hummed in acknowledgement.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I booked her a tour.”
Then thinking of their previous plans, to resign together, to take Yu Qiao abroad, it seemed impossible now, Yu Qiao, although not mentioning You Ruxu, not objecting to their relationship, wouldn’t agree to travel with her.
Zhou Tianzui said, “We’ll go on a trip too, next time.”
Not mentioning Yu Qiao.
You Ruxu looked down, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui started to say, “A Ran, my mom…”
“Auntie’s much better now.” You Ruxu looked up at Zhou Tianzui, “It doesn’t matter how she treats me, I can accept it.”
“Zhou Tianzui, don’t feel bad, actually, I feel very happy now.”
She had You Shu and Wu Xiulian, Wu Xiulian, Chen Xiang, Han Shuang, and their friends, she had Zhou Tianzui, they all loved her, in their own ways.
Even Yu Qiao, who hated her, had allowed her and Zhou Tianzui to be together.
She was truly happy.
Zhou Tianzui, hearing her words, nodded and smiled faintly, “Eat your lunch.”
You Ruxu lowered her head. They avoided the topic of Yu Qiao, chatting about things happening at the hospital, Zhou Tianzui mentioning a joke from the meeting earlier, You Ruxu, not understanding, her confused expression, Zhou Tianzui, finding her adorable, couldn’t resist pinching her cheek, You Ruxu reached for her hand, which was caught by Zhou Tianzui, their hands clasped together as they sat there, barely touching their food.
After lunch, they went to the hotel to rest. Zhou Tianzui lay on the bed, trying to coax You Ruxu to join her, but You Ruxu, unmoved, sat in a chair, reading through the case files. Finally, Zhou Tianzui, exasperated, got out of bed and hugged You Ruxu, who exclaimed, “My messages…”
“You can reply to them in bed.” Zhou Tianzui, holding her, “Go ahead.”
You Ruxu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The messages weren’t urgent, she put down her phone and hugged Zhou Tianzui, her heart racing. She suddenly looked up, “Are you nervous?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Nervous about what?”
You Ruxu said, “About going to my parents’ place for dinner tonight.”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “It’s not my first time, why would I be nervous?”
But her heartbeat quickened. You Ruxu didn’t call her out on her lie, just nodded, playing along, “Dr. Zhou has seen it all, of course you wouldn’t be nervous.”
Zhou Tianzui pinched her waist.
She was even teasing her now.
You Ruxu was becoming a bad influence.
She felt it necessary to steer You Ruxu back on the right path, so she spent the entire afternoon “educating” her, until You Ruxu, exhausted, crawled out from under the thin blanket, only to be dragged back by Zhou Tianzui.
She suddenly thought Zhou Tianzui was like a succubus.
The thought amused her, and she started laughing mid-kiss. Zhou Tianzui looked up at her, “What are you laughing at?”
You Ruxu shook her head, “Nothing.”
Zhou Tianzui, her eyes narrowed slightly, leaned over You Ruxu, her hand pressing down, and You Ruxu bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes, she looked at Zhou Tianzui, about to speak, but only a soft moan escaped her lips.
She couldn’t help but say, “You’re so petty.”
Zhou Tianzui, hearing this, chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down You Ruxu’s spine, and following Zhou Tianzui’s rhythm, she closed her eyes, a feeling of euphoria washing over her.
Then pulled back down to earth by Zhou Tianzui.
The twisted sheets entangled them, a warm cocoon. When Zhou Tianzui got up, You Ruxu was still asleep, her face relaxed. Zhou Tianzui gently brushed her hair away from her face, kissed her cheek, whispered “See you tonight,” and left.
You Ruxu slept the entire afternoon.
During that time, she woke up once, thirsty, she saw the thermos on the bedside table, the water still warm, she drank half of it, then, hugging the blanket, drifted back to sleep.
No dreams, she was woken by her ringing phone, she was startled, thinking she was still dreaming.
She looked at the time, it was past five, it was Zhou Tianzui calling, saying she would be done soon, You Ruxu sat up, listening to the rhythmic drumming of rain against the window, it was raining.
What a peaceful sleep.
She got up, tidied the room, changed her clothes, then sat at her desk and continued working on the case files. Fu Guang said she would be leaving for Jindu in three days and asked You Ruxu to prepare the information and send it to her. You Ruxu estimated she could finish tomorrow. Fu Guang sent a thumbs-up emoji, praising her efficiency.
You Ruxu, looking at the compliment, felt a pang of guilt for the first time.
She continued working until Zhou Tianzui arrived, hearing the door open, she looked over, wanting to stand up, but her legs were numb, and she fell back onto the sofa. Zhou Tianzui, taking off her jacket, asked, “When did you wake up?”
She had also said…
You Ruxu ignored her.
Zhou Tianzui, puzzled, called out, “A Ran?”
You Ruxu continued typing, her head lowered.
Zhou Tianzui leaned closer, wanting to kiss her, You Ruxu turned her head away, her fingers gently tracing Zhou Tianzui’s lips, then she started laughing, her eyes crinkling at the corners, her smile bright, her lips a soft pink, her complexion glowing, perhaps from a good night’s sleep. Zhou Tianzui, seeing her smile, couldn’t help but smile as well.
You Ruxu, releasing Zhou Tianzui’s face, asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I don’t know.”
You Ruxu paused, Zhou Tianzui’s answer unexpected, yet strangely pleasing, her mood lifting considerably. She pulled Zhou Tianzui onto the sofa, turned, and hugged her. Zhou Tianzui’s soft cashmere sweater felt like a cloud in her arms, You Ruxu bit her lip, then after a moment, she straddled Zhou Tianzui, their faces close, Zhou Tianzui supporting their weight, the sofa sinking slightly, the springs molding around them.
You Ruxu asked, “What were you about to do just now?”
Zhou Tianzui, surprised by her sudden change, “What do you mean?”
You Ruxu looked into Zhou Tianzui’s eyes, their color beautiful, the room dim from the rain outside, only the rhythmic drumming against the windowpane, like a melody.
You Ruxu leaned down, kissed Zhou Tianzui softly on the cheek, and asked, “Like this?”
Zhou Tianzui, finally understanding, wrapped her arms around You Ruxu’s waist, pulling her closer, You Ruxu’s body pressed against hers.
Zhou Tianzui’s lips brushed against You Ruxu’s ear, her cheek, her jawline, slowly moving upwards, then pressed against her lips, her voice husky, “Like this.”
Her tongue invaded You Ruxu’s mouth, a conquering force, You Ruxu, breathless, tried to pull away, but Zhou Tianzui held her tighter, her mouth opening slightly, her breath stolen by Zhou Tianzui, she wanted to move, but couldn’t, only small, restless movements.
Her body tense, the movements turning into friction.
The rain outside, at some point, had blown in through the open window, dampening Zhou Tianzui’s clothes.
You Ruxu: What are you laughing at?
Zhou Tianzui: You’ll find out.
You Ruxu: …
