Chapter 6: That She Was About to Be Crushed to Pieces by the Woman.
The “retribution” for Huai Xing secretly drinking iced coffee for half a month while Chu Wantang was away arrived right on time.
It was probably an issue with her constitution. Even though she had been well-protected since she was young, she had suffered from menstrual cramps since her first period. It was precisely because Chu Wantang knew this that she had strictly required her to be more careful these past few years, forbidding her from touching things like ice water and ice cream.
Perhaps the self-discipline had truly worked, as the severity of her cramps hadn’t been as exaggerated in the past two years.
But this time, while waiting for the medicine to take effect, she felt as if a pair of hands were pulling her lower abdomen downward. The pain caused a layer of cold sweat to break out on her forehead. Her face was drained of color, and her lips were pale.
However, after the morning meeting about the fashion show, their marketing director had piled a lot more pressure on the three teams. More and more work was falling on her shoulders.
She could only grit her teeth and continue with her tasks.
But her pale complexion was too obvious. Gu Rufeng noticed it at once when she came over to assign a task to Ren Jiao.
She then asked with concern, “Xiao Huai, are you having cramps?”
“Yes, Team Lead.” Huai Xing’s voice was low; she had no strength. “It’s okay, I’ve taken my medicine.”
“Our company is quite humane, we’re not that harsh. Besides, do I look like the unreasonable type?” Gu Rufeng said with a helpless smile. “Your health is the most important thing. Go lie down on the sofa in the pantry for a while. Come back when the medicine kicks in.”
Ren Jiao, at the side, strongly agreed. “I told her the same thing, but her dedication to her job is too strong.”
Gu Rufeng patted Huai Xing’s shoulder. “The work isn’t going anywhere. For now, it won’t decrease just because you take a break, but it won’t increase much either. Go on, go lie down for a bit.”
Huai Xing didn’t insist any longer and walked to the pantry with heavy steps.
The aroma of coffee wafted through the air. An unfamiliar colleague was waiting for a new batch of ice from the ice maker. She forced herself to get a cup of warm water, then lay down on the sofa Gu Rufeng had mentioned. Still feeling uncomfortable, she curled up into a ball.
She closed her eyes, the thought of messaging Chu Wantang to tell her about her cramps popping into her head.
The next second, she remembered what Chu Wantang had said the night she returned—don’t come crying to her about cramps. The thought was forcefully suppressed.
It’s better not to say anything. She could take her medicine, endure it, and get through it without Chu Wantang noticing.
And Chu Wantang wouldn’t have to worry.
Most importantly, the design department was swamped, busy not only with the new spring collection but also with the outfits for the models in the fashion show.
Chu Wantang had been working overtime for the past two days, coming home two hours later than her.
But could someone tell her why she was hearing someone on this floor call out “Director Chu”? The design department was clearly upstairs. Was she hallucinating from the pain?
In a daze, Huai Xing squinted her eyes open.
It wasn’t a hallucination. Someone was indeed calling “Director Chu,” but Chu Wantang was merely passing by the pantry. She nodded to everyone, her clothes swaying, her ID badge swinging along with them, looking every bit the professional at work.
Huai Xing breathed a sigh of relief and turned over, hiding herself more securely.
Meanwhile, Chu Wantang had sent a message to Huai Xing and gotten no reply. She found an excuse to go downstairs.
Looking from afar, Huai Xing’s workstation was empty, her computer screen dark, but the familiar box of pills was still on the desk.
Just as she had guessed, Huai Xing’s period had arrived, but she hadn’t come to tell her or send her a message like she used to.
After coordinating her work with someone, Chu Wantang turned to go back. She paused as she passed the pantry and saw a familiar figure on the sofa with her back to her. The corners of her lips twitched, and she schooled her expression before walking away.
She really listens to me, doesn’t she?
…
Dinner was prepared by Auntie Chen—two dishes and a soup.
After eating, showering, and taking her medicine, Chu Wantang still hadn’t returned. Huai Xing lay on her stomach on the bed, holding the jade comb and scrolling through her chat with her sister from the afternoon.
It could hardly be called a chat. Chu Wantang had asked her what she wanted for dinner and reminded her to message Auntie Chen in advance.
At the time, she had been resting on the sofa and had no energy to reply. By the time she did, Chu Wantang’s side had gone silent again. Even now, her message asking what time Chu Wantang would be off work remained unanswered.
The small night lamp on the side table watched her drooping eyes, its light gradually dimming from full to faint.
Huai Xing was so sleepy she closed her eyes, her grip on the jade comb loosening.
Her five fingers were curled, the lines on her tender palm delicate. But because of the lingering pain in her body, her usually pretty brows were now slightly furrowed.
When Chu Wantang returned from meeting the models for the show, this was the sight that greeted her.
She held the doorknob, her expression light.
A moment later, she entered the room, bent down by Huai Xing’s bed, and reached out, touching the girl’s face with the back of her cool hand.
Huai Xing opened her eyes in a daze, then quickly exclaimed in pleasant surprise, “Jiejie, you’re done with work!”
She raised her hand to grasp Chu Wantang’s wrist, turned the woman’s hand over, and nuzzled her face against the palm, staring intently at the person beside her, her almond eyes rich with a smile.
Chu Wantang let her, her fingertips tapping lightly and arrhythmically on her cheek. She felt the cool skin in her palm warming up and couldn’t help but laugh. “Remember now that I’m your sister? Why didn’t you remember when you were having cramps?”
“I…” Huai Xing’s eyelashes fluttered. She started to feel guilty again, but her grip on Chu Wantang’s wrist didn’t lessen, as if she were afraid the person would disappear.
Only at times like this could she be so unrestrained.
Chu Wantang silently withdrew her hand. Halfway back, she reached out again, placing it over Huai Xing’s pajamas on her lower abdomen, and began to rub slowly and gently.
“Is it any better, Xiao Xing?” By the faint remaining light, she looked at the shadow cast by the girl’s long lashes, paused, and then bloomed into a gentle smile. “Psychologically, I mean.”
Huai Xing’s breathing involuntarily became lighter, slower.
In the years since she had fallen for Chu Wantang, sorrow and joy had coexisted, but it was mostly torment.
Like right now. Chu Wantang had no idea how treating her like this in such an atmosphere made her heart race, made her feel an unbearable longing.
Chu Wantang’s pressure was just right, but she felt as if she was about to be crushed to pieces by the woman.
Every cell in her body was clamoring, roaring, ecstatic.
The night was deep, the air bitingly cold.
But her heart was experiencing a spring of lush growth and soaring birds.
She could only turn her head slightly, look at the jade comb she was once again gripping tightly, and her lips parted softly. “More than just psychologically, and more than just a little… Jiejie…”
If this was torment, then she didn’t mind.
She was willing.
…
By Friday, the pain in Huai Xing’s abdomen had significantly subsided. She felt fine even without taking medicine.
With ten minutes left until the end of the workday, she sat at her desk, looking at her phone screen.
Jingcheng was still overcast, but it wasn’t raining today, which was a rare good weather for them.
Ren Jiao had already packed her bag and was ready to go. “My lovely weekend, I’ve missed you so much!”
Huai Xing’s eyes curved into a smile as she scrolled through her chat with Chu Wantang. The other person had sent her the license plate number of the business van parked by the roadside.
She had told her to get in and sit down when the time came.
Ren Jiao asked at that moment, “Huai Xing, how are you getting home tonight?”
“I’m going to the airport.”
“Going on a trip?”
“No, I’m going back to Yuncheng for a bit.”
Ren Jiao knew she was from Yuncheng and grinned. “I’ve never been to Yuncheng. I hear the food is great and it’s a fun place. I’ll have to ask you for a guide if I get the chance in the future.”
“Sure.”
As they chatted, the time came.
Huai Xing clocked out with Ren Jiao and they walked out together. There were many elevators in this office building, so the wait usually wasn’t long, but that wasn’t necessarily the case during the Friday evening rush hour.
A full ten minutes passed before Huai Xing finally got into the car.
The car windows blocked the view from outside. After reporting to Chu Wantang, she looked towards the main entrance.
The flow of people was like a woven tapestry. Because it was the start of the weekend, the office workers had bright smiles on their faces. Some were arranging to go to the subway station together, while others were on the phone making plans with friends.
She didn’t have to wait long before Chu Wantang appeared in her line of sight, pulling a suitcase.
They were only going back for two days, so they hadn’t packed much. Just one 22-inch suitcase held both of their things, and Chu Wantang was pulling it.
Chu Wantang was wearing the high heels Huai Xing had given her last week. She was tall with long legs and an exceptional aura, sparkling in the crowd.
From the moment she stepped out of the main entrance, her gaze was locked on the car Huai Xing was in, and she walked towards it.
Huai Xing quickly sat up straighter, her hands on her knees, looking straight ahead.
The driver, wearing white gloves, got out to put the luggage away, then held the door open for Chu Wantang.
Huai Xing’s ears perked up. When she saw Chu Wantang’s face, she couldn’t pretend any longer and immediately called out with a beaming smile, “Jiejie.”
Chu Wantang nodded, sat down beside her, put on the U-shaped pillow she had prepared, then crossed her arms and closed her eyes wearily.
The workload this week had been immense; she was truly exhausted.
Soon, the business van merged onto the main road, joining the stream of traffic and speeding towards the airport.
The last sliver of pale white in the sky gradually dissipated. Flickering lights danced inside the car. Everything was quiet.
Huai Xing didn’t make a sound. She lowered her eyes and chatted with Auntie Wen in Yuncheng.
Auntie Wen was her mother’s good friend in Yuncheng. After the tragedy, Auntie Wen had even asked her to come live with her family. But thinking that Auntie Wen already had two children, she had refused and instead accepted Chu Wantang’s invitation to be family.
Auntie Wen knew they were coming back tonight and had specially arranged for her college-aged son, Xia Yi, to pick them up and take them to the hotel.
It had been a long time since they had seen each other. Huai Xing was about to type out her acceptance when her shoulder suddenly felt a little heavy.
Chu Wantang was resting her chin on her shoulder. She lazily opened her eyes and said, “Don’t.”
“I’ve already arranged for a car. Don’t trouble others.”
