Chapter 132: Sudden
You Ruxu clearly didn’t believe her. Zhou Tianzui, seeing this, lifted the hem of her shirt. Just then, You Ruxu’s phone rang, the screen flashing in the dim car, illuminating Zhou Tianzui’s face, her side, her waist. From the corner of her eye, You Ruxu saw something on her skin, it seemed to be—a tattoo.
Zhou Tianzui, a tattoo?
It was something so out of character for her. You Ruxu, distracted, answered the ringing phone.
Wu Xiulian asked, “Not coming home for dinner?”
You Ruxu said, “No, Mom, I’m not coming home for dinner, you and Dad eat first.”
Wu Xiulian muttered, “Working overtime again?”
You Ruxu said, “No, I’m out.”
Wu Xiulian asked, “Out? With whom?”
You Ruxu glanced at Zhou Tianzui, then after a pause, said, “A friend.”
Wu Xiulian gave a small “oh,” “Come home early then.”
You Ruxu agreed and hung up. Zhou Tianzui sat beside her, a strange silence between them, neither speaking, a long, heavy pause before Zhou Tianzui asked, “Do you often work overtime?”
“Occasionally.” You Ruxu said, “I just started, still learning the ropes.”
Zhou Tianzui knew how dedicated You Ruxu was to her work, that “occasionally” probably meant she rarely left work on time. She nodded, “Should I drive you back to the hotel?”
“Okay.” Zhou Tianzui looked out the window and rolled it down, the cool breeze blowing in, her jaw tense. You Ruxu glanced at her, her heart a mix of emotions.
Zhou Tianzui seemed to be trying to reconcile.
Although she hadn’t said anything directly, coming all the way to Yuhai, Yu Qiao knowing about it, those ambiguous words, You Ruxu understood, she wanted to get back together.
Understanding was one thing, accepting, another.
Zhou Tianzui had said they should break up, told her not to wait. She had never resented Zhou Tianzui, never blamed her, she understood, if there had been any other way, Zhou Tianzui wouldn’t have said those things, no one knew better than You Ruxu how much Zhou Tianzui valued this relationship.
But it was precisely because she understood, that she was afraid, what had happened, for her to say those things? Her pain was no less than You Ruxu’s, if it happened again, what would Zhou Tianzui do? She was also afraid, afraid of being abandoned.
Afraid of being abandoned by Zhou Tianzui again.
Although it was her own choice, she didn’t know if she could bear being abandoned again, she had finally prepared herself for a life without Zhou Tianzui, finally returned to Yuhai, if it happened again, she didn’t think she had the strength to recover.
And their being together would hurt Yu Qiao.
She had already hurt Zhou Qiming, hurt Yu Qiao for so many years, how could she be so indifferent now?
You Ruxu drove on, the wind blowing in from Zhou Tianzui’s side of the car, but she didn’t feel cold, the car quiet, only the rhythmic swooshing of the wipers and the faint glow of the streetlights, the shadows shifting and dancing.
Zhou Tianzui listened quietly, then as they neared the hotel, she said, “There’s a car accessories shop nearby, want to take a look?”
You Ruxu’s car was bare, and she wasn’t one for decorations, her previous car only having an air freshener, but since Zhou Tianzui suggested it, You Ruxu thought for a moment and said, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui got out of the car and followed You Ruxu into the shop. The staff member was having dinner. The shop was filled with car accessories, from floor mats to small lucky charms, a small, square, red charm with the golden characters for “safe and sound,” and a red tassel, not very big, meant to be hung from the rearview mirror, Zhou Tianzui looked at it for a moment, “This one’s nice.”
The same one You Ruxu had chosen.
They browsed through other items. The staff member recommended seat cushions and pillows, which You Ruxu didn’t need. She heard Zhou Tianzui call out, “Do you like this one?”
There was a tester bottle nearby, very small, You Ruxu took it, sniffed it, a light jasmine scent, “It’s nice.”
The staff member smiled, “We have floral scents, fruity scents, and also natural scents, very suitable for both of you.”
You Ruxu, following her words, looked at the shelves filled with perfume bottles. She picked up a bottle of camellia perfume, just as she opened the cap, Zhou Tianzui leaned closer, her features sharp and defined, so close that You Ruxu could smell the familiar mix of disinfectant and perfume, a scent unique to Zhou Tianzui.
Her favorite scent.
A scent she was so drawn to she wanted to embrace her.
You Ruxu bit her lip, looked down at the perfume bottle, and sniffed it, but she couldn’t smell the camellia, only Zhou Tianzui’s scent. She took a deep breath.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “You like this one?”
You Ruxu returned to her senses and shook her head. She didn’t even register the scent just now. In the end, after much deliberation, they chose a natural scent, light and airy, to neutralize the smell of leather in the car. Zhou Tianzui also hung the lucky charm from the rearview mirror, a small, hidden detail, like a secret between them.
They didn’t get into the car immediately after leaving the shop, but walked towards the hotel, “Want to come up for a bit?”
Zhou Tianzui’s eyes were filled with anticipation. You Ruxu looked at her and shook her head, “It’s getting late, I should go home.”
Zhou Tianzui’s eyes dimmed slightly, she nodded, “Drive safe.”
You Ruxu gave a small “mm-hmm.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Want me to drive you back?”
“No need to drive back and forth.” You Ruxu smiled, “I’ll have to drive you back as well.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “You don’t have to drive me back.”
Her tone was serious.
She could also go to You Ruxu’s place, if You Ruxu was willing.
You Ruxu looked at her and said, “Maybe next time.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded.
She watched You Ruxu wave goodbye and stood there for a long time, until someone approached her, “Excuse me, could I have your number?”
She smiled, declined politely, and went back to the hotel.
The bright lights of the lobby a stark contrast to the dark night outside. Zhou Tianzui entered the elevator, watching the floor numbers light up as it ascended, imagining, like before, You Ruxu would be waiting for her when she opened the door.
But that was impossible now.
You Ruxu sat in her car, motionless, just sitting there quietly, the new car’s scent still lingering, a light and refreshing fragrance, but she felt she could still smell Zhou Tianzui, even with her eyes closed, the scent so strong, so vivid, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for the ignition, then started the car, the engine roaring to life. She looked at the lucky charm hanging from the rearview mirror.
She knew Zhou Tianzui had just wanted to spend more time with her, hence the detour to the school, and the car accessories shop, they hadn’t gone on many dates before, so Zhou Tianzui’s excuses were clumsy and transparent.
But it was this clumsiness.
That made her heart ache.
You Ruxu rested her forehead on her arms, her hands gripping the steering wheel, her head lowered, the cold leather against her skin, her conflicting emotions only subsiding when she heard a knock on the window, she turned, and Captain Zhou was standing outside.
“What a coincidence.” Captain Zhou said, “What are you doing here?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m working on a story, what about you?”
“I’m here at the hospital for an investigation.” Captain Zhou said, “Still working so late?”
The City Hospital was nearby.
You Ruxu shook her head.
Captain Zhou asked, “Have you had dinner yet?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, you?”
Captain Zhou said, “Not yet,” leaning closer to the car window, smelling the perfume, “New air freshener?”
“I was going to give you one, thank you for driving me around these past few days.”
You Ruxu smiled, “You’re welcome, Zhou Tianzui bought it.”
Captain Zhou’s expression faltered, “Dr. Zhou? She’s also in Yuhai?”
You Ruxu’s tone was casual, “Yes, she’s one of the doctors attending the training program.”
Captain Zhou knew about the program at the City Hospital, but she hadn’t known Zhou Tianzui would be there, Back in Jindu, although You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui hadn’t explicitly stated it, she could sense the unusual atmosphere between them, and after You Ruxu revealed her identity as Shi Ran, she naturally knew about the past, she had assumed they would break up, never contact each other again.
It seemed she was wrong.
Captain Zhou said, “It smells nice, Dr. Zhou has good taste.”
You Ruxu nodded, “Yes, she always has.”
Captain Zhou, looking at You Ruxu, understood, “Then be careful on your way back, I’m going to grab some dinner.”
You Ruxu smiled, “Goodbye.”
Captain Zhou looked at her for a few seconds, “Goodbye.”
You Ruxu started the car and drove home. Wu Xiulian’s mother was watching TV. Hearing her enter, she turned around, “Ruxu, you’re back?”
You Ruxu nodded and called out, “Mom.”
She asked, “Have you and Dad eaten yet?”
“We have,” Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “There are some pears, I just cut them, go wash your hands and have some.”
You Ruxu took a slice and ate it, Wu Xiulian’s mother chuckling, “This child…”
She could sense that You Ruxu had become more affectionate since returning, which made her happy, You Shu, wearing his pajamas, came out of the bathroom, “You’re back.”
“Yes.” You Ruxu said, “Dad, Mom, I’m going to my room.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Don’t work too late, make sure you rest.”
You Ruxu said, “I will.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother shook her head, cut some more fruit, and took it to You Ruxu’s room, the crystal chandelier casting a warm glow, You Ruxu sitting at her desk, her computer on, looking at the screen. Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “How long will you be working tonight?”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll be done soon.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother asked, “Going out with friends for dinner later?”
You Ruxu nodded, looking at her, “It’s Zhou Tianzui, Mom.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother paused, “Dr. Zhou?”
You Ruxu gave a small “mm-hmm.” Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “That’s good. You work then, I’ll leave you to it.”
She turned to leave, You Ruxu calling out, “Mom.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother turned around.
You Ruxu started to say, “If…”
The suppressed emotions threatened to break free, she knew she shouldn’t, she shouldn’t even think about it, let alone say it, yet the words were on the tip of her tongue.
She still hadn’t let go of Zhou Tianzui.
Not even for a moment.
That was why, at the slightest hint of reconciliation, she had become so flustered, clinging to the possibility of them being together again.
She looked at Wu Xiulian’s mother.
Her phone vibrated. She looked down, it was her team leader asking for today’s report. Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Focus on your work.”
You Ruxu nodded, watching Wu Xiulian’s mother leave the room.
The door closed, and she sat at her desk, typing. After sending the report, the clicking of the keyboard stopped, the room quiet again. You Ruxu, before closing the file, saw the photos she took that afternoon, mostly of the conference, but she had also captured Zhou Tianzui, with a group of doctors, her back to the camera.
She remembered the photos she took at the basketball court, transferring them to her computer, zooming in, Zhou Tianzui’s features clear and sharp in the dim light, her fingers unconsciously tracing the screen, when her phone buzzed with a notification, startling her, she quickly withdrew her hand.
It was a message from Zhou Tianzui.
Asking: [Are you home yet?]
You Ruxu replied: [I am.]
Just a simple greeting, yet her heart raced.
Perhaps it was because she had been looking at her photos, but it felt as if Zhou Tianzui was talking to her, the message on the screen carrying her voice, asking: [Is that teddy bear at your place?]
You Ruxu, thinking of the teddy bear hidden in her closet, replied: [Yes, why?]
Zhou Tianzui: [No reason, I just suddenly miss her.]
You Ruxu sat there, staring at the message.
You Ruxu: You miss her that much? You can have her.
Zhou Tianzui: …
