All My Colleagues Are Animals 108p1

Epilogue 5: Mom’s Story (Part 2)

After twenty years, Xiao Yu had a special dream again.

In the dream, she returned to that banquet and, with her arm gently around Ye Zhao’s waist, she came to the center of the dance floor.

The light and shadow floated, and their steps were light.

But the difference was that this time, there were no spectators.

The surroundings were dark, and only a low and slow melody was flowing. Ye Zhao, in her arms, tilted her head back slightly, her features gentle.

Xiao Yu took the opportunity to lower her head, and a cherished kiss landed on the corner of the woman’s lips.

…

Xiao Yu’s eyes suddenly flew open, and her breath was heavy and rapid.

Her scattered gaze gradually focused, and she looked out the window, and a bright moon hung high in the lonely night sky.

She moved her legs and felt a hidden, familiar dampness.

As a woman in her thirties, she no longer felt the annoyance or embarrassment of her youth.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yu took a pink packet from her drawer and slowly opened it.

Her breath was held back, and a thin sweat gradually soaked the bedsheets.

…

Early morning.

Xiao Yu got up early.

After an hour of working out, she showered, ate breakfast, and got dressed, and then drove to work, refreshed.

She pushed open the office door, and Sheng Ruofeng, who was sitting on the sofa, reading a document, immediately looked up.

Her eyes showed a certain amazement, and she said with a slight surprise, “Xiao Yu, you’re in full display?”

“Mhm.”

Xiao Yu was dressed in a flamboyant manner, her expression calm and composed. “I’m planning to change my style every day and see which one Teacher Ye likes.”

Sheng Ruofeng burst out laughing, unable to contain herself.

Sheng Ruofeng, that is, the former Xu Zhaodi, had watched Xiao Yu endure humiliation and plan for the future, and had gradually climbed to the top.

She had seen Xiao Yu in her most difficult times, dejected and unhappy, and had heard her say that she felt the bright moon was high and unreachable.

She had also seen Xiao Yu feel the other’s pain and had stood in front of the closed “A Leaf Pet Hospital,” her thoughts in a daze.

And now that her friend had finally, after all her hardships, begun to pursue her initial dream, Sheng Ruofeng was naturally pleased for her.

After she had finished laughing, she said sincerely, “Sister, I wish you success.”

…

At noon.

Xiao Yu arrived at “A Leaf’s Taste” restaurant on time.

Standing in front of the agreed-upon private room, she took several deep breaths before she slowly pushed the door open and greeted her with an air of composure:

“CEO Ye.”

Ye Zhao looked up, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. “CEO Xiao.”

She watched as Xiao Yu elegantly sat down across from her, her beauty unparalleled, and quite pleasing to the eye.

For a moment, she was slightly lost in thought.

Ye Zhao had had dealings with some of the Xiao family members before, and they were all hypocritical and greedy, and liked to go back on their word. She had no good impression of them and had almost never cooperated with the Xiao family.

But that night at the ball, she had, as if guided by some whim, and for the first time ever, been willing to dance with a strange Xiao Yu.

And the experience had been very good.

And even when Xiao Yu had almost stepped on her and had faintly shown a cute expression like a dejected little puppy, the experience had been even better.

Ye Zhao thought that she was getting older, and seeing a young woman eight years her junior shining in their circle had filled her heart with a certain kind and affectionate pleasure.

Today’s lunch was to discuss a private collaboration—to establish a foundation to sponsor girls’ education.

At first, Ye Zhao did not speak much, mainly listening to Xiao Yu’s ideas.

She propped her chin up lazily and found that although Xiao Yu was much younger than her, both her insights and her conversation were quite mature.

Ye Zhao asked, “You seem to know a lot about this. Have you personally gone to investigate?”

Xiao Yu said, “I myself studied at Hope Middle School.”

When she said this, she was frank and at ease, but her gaze was like a puppy that had been caught in the rain, looking a little pitiful.

Ye Zhao was immediately reminded of the rumor that “Xiao Yu was treated coldly by the Xiao family, just because she was a girl.”

After a moment of silence, she chuckled lightly and said gently, “Mhm, but you are now the one who is building Hope Middle School.”

Xiao Yu also began to laugh.

After a lunch, Ye Zhao felt a bit more pity and admiration for Xiao Yu.

The conversation was happy and satisfying.

But—

She had clearly and secretly instructed the manager several times to lower the air conditioning temperature, from 25 degrees to 20 degrees, and now it was at the lowest, 17 degrees.

How was it that Xiao Yu’s forehead was still constantly covered in a thin sweat, and it would reappear after she had wiped it away?

Is this child so afraid of the heat?

In reality, Xiao Yu, on the surface, was speaking with an air of nonchalance, but in reality, her back was already covered in a cold sweat.

So useless.

Seeing the woman she had admired for so long sitting across from her, her smile warm and charming in the light, and her chin propped up as she listened intently to her ideas, and from time to time, she would coax her in a gentle voice, as if she were patting a little puppy’s head.

She was both moved and nervous, and her whole body was hot, and she was constantly sweating.

But the air conditioning was inexplicably getting colder and colder, and with the coolness of the thin sweat, her whole body was so cold that her limbs were almost numb.

In the end, when she came out of “A Leaf’s Taste,” Xiao Yu felt that she had shed a layer of skin.

Her assistant got into the passenger seat and, looking back at CEO Xiao in the back seat, couldn’t help but her eyes widen.

Their CEO Xiao was swift and decisive, and her aura was extremely strong, and she had always made her negotiation partners break out in a cold sweat.

How was it that after a lunch, she was so weak—

CEO Xiao was now tightly wrapped in a fluffy little blanket, resting with her eyes closed, and her delicate nose was covered in a thin sweat, and her trembling lashes looked innocent and fragile, a complete and shattered beauty.

The assistant was shocked.

That renowned Ye Zhao seemed a little too beautiful and cold.

…

After meeting with Ye Zhao several times for the project, Xiao Yu gradually recovered.

She began to get used to Ye Zhao being very close to her; she was used to that gaze that had never stopped for her before, and that would sometimes be focused and gentle on her, and would only hold her.

She was used to Ye Zhao smiling at her, and she was also used to Ye Zhao, like a friend, inviting her for a walk after dinner, and when they were chatting, they would look up at the long contrails in the evening glow together.

She was used to Ye Zhao, as a mature older sister, generously expressing her admiration for her, a junior, and guiding and taking care of her in her career and life.

When the initial discomfort and nervousness had dissipated, a greedy desire had begun to grow wildly, dark and damp.

But, waiting and lying in wait had always been what Xiao Yu was best at.

Even though she had already used up a whole drawer of finger cots behind her back, Xiao Yu’s face was still bright and clear, and she did not take the initiative to show a single improper thought.

Sheng Ruofeng was watching on the side and was really anxious.

“At our age, if we don’t fall in love, we’ll be menopausal.”

“What are you still waiting for? Just go and chase her!”

Xiao Yu was unhurriedly putting on her cufflinks and, hearing this, she chuckled lightly.

“At our age, no little tricks will work.”

In middle age.

With success and fame, and money and power in hand, it was really hard to be moved.

When it came to love, the various pursuits and admirations that Ye Zhao had received were countless, and she must have been used to it.

When it came to money, how could Ye Zhao be lacking?

Xiao Yu chose to proceed at her own pace.

There were no tricks, only a sincere heart.

That night, she and Ye Zhao attended a banquet together.

The banquet food was not to her taste, and only the wine was not bad, and she barely used it to pass the time.

Ye Zhao’s brow did not even furrow, but Xiao Yu could see at a glance that she was not enjoying her meal.

This villa was remote, and there would be a ball later. She did not know how long it would be until the banquet was over.

The owner of the villa happened to be a good friend, and Xiao Yu made a phone call and came to the side building, and wearing a noble and unparalleled gown, she slipped into the kitchen.

At the main hall banquet, Ye Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly, and she felt the wine in her stomach turn sour.

Her expression was a little cold, and so the people at the table did not even dare to breathe.

She casually swept her gaze over those who were clearly and repeatedly sizing her up, and who were both in awe and wary, and Ye Zhao felt more and more uncomfortable.

The only one by her side who was as fresh as a spring flower and could always make her feel at ease and relaxed, Xiao Yu, was nowhere to be seen.

As she was thinking, a staff member suddenly leaned in and said:

“CEO Ye, CEO Xiao is asking you to come over.”

Ye Zhao’s gaze moved slightly.

She stood up and was led by the staff out of the main hall and to the side building.

She saw Xiao Yu, who was wearing a cat apron that was a little out of place with her gown, and her delicate, white nose was stained with a drop of oil, and in her hand, she was carefully arranging two plates on the table.

Ye Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

The woman looked up at her, and her smiling features were as beautiful as a painting. “Jiejie, I secretly made a small meal. If I pull you along, it won’t count as me leaving the table alone and being impolite, right?”

Ye Zhao smiled and pursed her lips lightly.

“You really are…”

The restaurant was comfortable and quiet, and the lights were leisurely, and the room was filled with a clear fragrance.

“Is it good?” Xiao Yu asked.

Ye Zhao was chewing lightly, and her fair cheeks were puffed up a little.

She could not speak and just nodded seriously.

Xiao Yu propped up her chin and, for a moment, was lost in thought.

Compared to the powerful CEO Ye, she preferred the woman’s cute and everyday details like this.

Noticing that the person across from her was staring at her without a moment’s pause, Ye Zhao returned her gaze.

After swallowing unhurriedly, she was about to speak, but she suddenly couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

—Xiao Yu’s magnificent gown was still covered by a cat with a mischievous expression, and paired with the woman’s face, which was completely unaware of this, and was innocent and stunning, it looked cute and comical.

Xiao Yu blinked her eyes a beat later. “What is Jiejie laughing at?”

The next second, she looked down, and her whole body froze.

It’s over.

For this gown, she had carefully chosen for a full half a month, and had also repeatedly consulted Sheng Ruofeng’s advice, and had been teased by her friend that she was going to be in full display again.

And all of it was just to bloom brilliantly in front of Ye Zhao tonight and to charm the woman.

But now, every time Ye Zhao thought of this night, her mind would probably just be filled with the image of her wearing a cat apron!

The corners of Xiao Yu’s lips were slightly pursed, and she once again showed that dejected, puppy-like sad expression.

Ye Zhao laughed even more and couldn’t stop.

So very cute.

That night, after the banquet was over, they walked by the villa’s lake.

Perhaps from the haziness of the wine, Ye Zhao looked up at Xiao Yu’s flying hair and, with a carefree air, she suddenly reached out her hand and patted her fluffy head.

Xiao Yu’s heart felt a hot, and a vigorous joy burst forth.

She let the woman pat her a few times before she said, as if dissatisfied, “Jiejie has never heard that you can’t touch a tiger’s head?”

After speaking, she very rebelliously stopped Ye Zhao and held the hand that was patting her head.

Then she took the opportunity to hold it in her hand and did not let go.

Ye Zhao did not seem to notice this action, and her hand was warm and soft in her palm, and she chuckled lightly.

“A tiger’s head?”

“Mhm.”

Xiao Yu’s heart was pounding, and she held Ye Zhao’s hand and walked slowly.

It was only a five-minute walk to the parking lot, but she had dragged it out to twenty minutes.

She remembered that that night, Ye Zhao had laughed many times, and her clear and light laughter and her soft hair had blown over with the night wind, and the tips of her ears had been flushed red.

…

From that night on, holding hands seemed to have become a common thing.

Xiao Yu had accidentally bought a villa in the residential area where Ye Zhao lived and had happened to become her neighbor.

On every free night, they would arrange to walk together, and Ye Zhao had never refused her hand.

After a long time, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but become greedy.

That day, she deliberately did not take the initiative to hold her hand.

She and Ye Zhao were walking side by side by the artificial lake in the residential area, and on the surface, they were talking and laughing.

But in reality, her hand, hanging by her side, was so empty that it was gradually getting cold, and her heart was getting tighter and tighter, and it was pounding with a muffled sound.

The smile on her lips was also a little stiff.

The walk was almost over, and Jiejie had not remembered to hold her hand, as if she didn’t care at all.

But the next moment, a gust of wind blew.

And with the wind, a soft hand slipped into her palm.

Xiao Yu’s breath was ragged, and for a moment, her heart was pounding.

Her consciousness instantly scattered, from where to get married, to where to be buried together in the future…

In the end, she managed to rein in her thoughts.

She struggled to focus all her senses on the present, on the entanglement of their hands, their palms pressed against each other, their fingers brushing against each other.

Bzz-bzz—

A phone vibrated.

Ye Zhao stopped.

Xiao Yu held her hand seriously and waited patiently for the woman to make her call.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Ye Zhao’s tone was gentle to the other end of the line.

Xiao Yu’s brow twitched slightly.

She knew that Ye Zhao had a daughter.

She had known for many, many years.

At that time, she and her mother had returned to the Xiao family and had been bullied.

Every time she couldn’t take it, she would cross half the city to come to the vicinity of “A Leaf Pet Hospital.”

Sometimes, she would see Teacher Ye standing at the door, tying her daughter’s scarf, and then she would lower her head and gently kiss her on the cheek.

Sometimes, she would see Teacher Ye holding a cute, fluffy red panda and patiently combing its fur.

She had never seen the teacher’s partner, so she figured she just hadn’t come to the hospital.

Once, Teacher Ye’s daughter had been riding her bicycle home from school, and the chain had broken on the way.

She had happened to be passing by and had helped her fix it.

“Thank you, Jiejie.”

The girl was as beautiful as a jade carving, and her smile was bright, and she looked like a child who had grown up in a sufficient amount of love.

Teacher Ye had already had a happy family of three humans and one beast.

The young Xiao Yu had secretly cried her heart out several times for this.

She had not yet fallen in love, but she had already tasted the taste of a broken heart.

Later, Xiao Yu had struggled to let go—it doesn’t matter.

Even if the bright moon had already been held in someone else’s arms, its clear white light still shone on her.

That was enough.

But, two years ago, Xiao Yu had discovered that this was just a hypocritical self-comfort.

Because when she had found out that Ye Zhao had no partner for the time being and was suspected to have been divorced, she had been ecstatic.

After she had finished talking with her daughter, Ye Zhao had hung up.

Xiao Yu quietly continued to lead her forward, but she heard Ye Zhao suddenly say:

“Have you heard of parthenogenesis?”

Xiao Yu said, “I’ve seen it in a biology book.”

“I’m talking about humans.”

Ye Zhao chuckled lightly. “It’s quite strange, isn’t it?”

Xiao Yu had a sudden inspiration. “Your daughter…?”

“Mhm.”

Ye Zhao said, “At that time, the technology for parthenogenesis was actually already mature. I just happened to have some connections, and I caught the opportunity, so I had a daughter. But a year later, parthenogenesis was stopped, and the relevant technology and topics were strictly banned.”

“But soon, this technology will see the light of day again,” Ye Zhao said with certainty.

Xiao Yu blinked her eyes.

“Mhm,” she chuckled lightly. “After all, the high-ranking officials are already being replaced.”

“So…”

Ye Zhao stopped. The hand that was not being held was raised, and she patted Xiao Yu’s head.

“CEO Xiao, you have to do a good job.”

The woman’s smile was light, and it was the encouragement and expectation of a senior to a junior.

But it was held in Xiao Yu’s other hand.

“Jiejie, I’ve said that you can’t touch a tiger’s head.”

Xiao Yu looked down at her with an air of leisure and held both her hands firmly.

In this posture, they were naturally face to face.

Ye Zhao’s breath hitched slightly. She looked up and met the woman’s clear and deep gaze.

She seemed to have no sense of danger at all and instead chuckled lightly.

“Is it that whichever hand I use to pat your head will be confiscated?”

“Mhm.”

Xiao Yu stared at Ye Zhao without a moment’s pause and then gently pulled the person closer, and the last bit of distance was gone.

She lightly rested her head on Ye Zhao’s shoulder, forming a simple hug.

She turned her head slightly and, closing her eyes, she sniffed the subtle fragrance of the woman’s neck.

Back then, she had foolishly thought that Ye Zhao already had a partner and had cried sadly in a corner countless times.

Now, she had finally come before Ye Zhao and had learned the hidden truth, and was also intimately pressed against the woman.

The taste of bitter coming to an end was a rich and sour sweetness.

The thin mist that had seeped from her eyes had not gathered into a teardrop.

Xiao Yu breathed lightly and pressed it back.

…