Chapter 135: Verification
You Ruxu looked down at the patch of skin, unsure if Zhou Tianzui was deliberately blocking her view, but from this angle, it was shadowed and unclear, and with Zhou Tianzui in the way, she couldn’t make out the pattern.
The more she couldn’t see it, the more curious she became.
Zhou Tianzui’s teasing gave her curiosity a valid excuse.
Take off her clothes.
Then she would see it.
She gripped the hem of Zhou Tianzui’s shirt and looked at her. Zhou Tianzui, no longer lost in the passion of the kiss, seemed to be enjoying her flustered state, a leisurely amusement in her eyes.
You Ruxu could almost hear her soft laughter.
The familiar tingling sensation spread through her again, she bit her lip, and after a moment, pulled up Zhou Tianzui’s shirt.
Was that, a sun?
You Ruxu, surprised, looked up at Zhou Tianzui, her eyes wide with disbelief. She opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat, a long pause before she finally asked, “When did you get this?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “When you went back to Yuhai.”
You Ruxu’s grip on her shirt tightened, her eyes burning, she blinked back tears, “Touched?”
Zhou Tianzui said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, “Are you touched?”
You Ruxu, who had been feeling a surge of emotion, wanted to laugh, hearing this. She glared at Zhou Tianzui, but her eyes were still watery, blurring her vision. She was about to wipe them when Zhou Tianzui stepped closer, “Close your eyes.”
You Ruxu closed her eyes.
Zhou Tianzui leaned down and kissed her eyelids, her eyelashes trembling slightly. You Ruxu kept her eyes closed as Zhou Tianzui half-carried her to the bed. It was an unfamiliar room, an unfamiliar environment, but the familiar scent, the familiar touch, Zhou Tianzui pulled the blanket over them.
A few pieces of clothing fell to the floor.
You Ruxu’s soft moans filled the room.
Uninhibited, unrestrained, her voice rising slightly with pleasure, like a melody, and Zhou Tianzui, following the rhythm, responded with unrestrained passion. You Ruxu’s face was buried in the pillow, Zhou Tianzui’s arm around her, her chin resting on You Ruxu’s shoulder, her lips gently biting the back of You Ruxu’s neck.
The intensity of the moment, like a dream.
You Ruxu wasn’t sure if she was dreaming, she whispered, “Zhou Tianzui.”
Her voice fragile, a hint of a sob, and Zhou Tianzui, releasing her hold, responded with a soft “mm-hmm,” pulling You Ruxu back to reality. She turned, burying her face in Zhou Tianzui’s embrace, holding her tightly, until there was no distance between them.
Their bodies intertwined beneath the blanket, You Ruxu’s hair spread across the pillow like a net, encasing them, their passion unrestrained.
They forgot about dinner.
Forgot about leaving the bed.
When the alarm rang, You Ruxu was startled. Zhou Tianzui held her close, “A phone call?”
You Ruxu said, “It’s the alarm.”
Zhou Tianzui: “What time is it?”
You Ruxu said, “1:30.”
Zhou Tianzui paused, “Is your phone broken?”
You Ruxu, puzzled, then realizing, her face flushed crimson, “No, we’ve been in here for a while.”
“A while?” Zhou Tianzui said, “Five minutes, maybe?”
You Ruxu: …
Zhou Tianzui said, “Your phone’s definitely broken.”
You Ruxu: …
She ignored Zhou Tianzui, pushed her slightly, and sat up, “I have an interview this afternoon.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Can’t you interview me?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
Zhou Tianzui, slightly annoyed, “Why not?”
You Ruxu bit her lip, which was slightly swollen and sore, she winced and said, “You’re not serious.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “So interviewing is serious?”
You Ruxu looked at her skeptically.
Zhou Tianzui stood up, pulled You Ruxu, who was half-dressed, to the edge of the bed. You Ruxu sat down, and Zhou Tianzui leaned against her, her brow furrowed. You Ruxu, about to push her away, noticed her expression and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”
“It hurts.” Zhou Tianzui said.
You Ruxu’s playful mood vanished, “Where does it hurt?”
Zhou Tianzui pointed at her chest.
You Ruxu, exasperated, pushed her away. Zhou Tianzui, ever the opportunist, After getting dressed, they left the room, it was already past five. They hurriedly ate two cups of instant noodles, Zhou Tianzui still trying to convince You Ruxu, “Interview me instead?”
You Ruxu was unmoved.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then I’ll give the interview to someone else, Han Shuang? Or that other reporter who said she’s interested in me…”
You Ruxu covered her mouth with her hand.
Either annoying her or making her jealous.
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, her eyes bright and gentle. She took You Ruxu’s hand, their fingers interlacing. You Ruxu looked down at their joined hands, a peaceful calmness settling over her.
She was in charge of interviewing the doctors from City Hospital that afternoon. Zhou Tianzui also had an interview, not with Han Shuang, but with another TV station. Their schedules didn’t overlap. While You Ruxu was busy, Zhou Tianzui was in a meeting, and while Zhou Tianzui was being interviewed, You Ruxu was in the conference hall, Han Shuang, holding a stack of documents, complaining, “I’m dying, I hate all this medical jargon.”
You Ruxu smiled faintly.
Han Shuang said, “Have you finished your meeting notes?”
You Ruxu said, “Almost.”
Han Shuang said, “How are you so fast? Did you secretly work during lunch?”
You Ruxu blushed slightly, but her tone remained calm, “No, I didn’t.”
“I don’t believe you.” Han Shuang said, “You’re always working whenever you have free time.”
You Ruxu wanted to retort, then remembering what she and Zhou Tianzui had been doing in the hotel room, which was also a form of “work,” she pursed her lips. Han Shuang chuckled, “See, I was right, wasn’t I?”
You Ruxu looked down, changing the subject, “Isn’t your team leader here this time?”
Just as Ji Lanfang had a strong impression of her, she also had a strong impression of Ji Lanfang, who she remembered attending the summit last time, Han Shuang said, “The team leader? No, she’s not here, she’s going on a business trip.”
You Ruxu nodded.
Han Shuang said, “Guess where to?”
Although phrased as a question, her meaning was clear. You Ruxu said, “Jindu?”
“Smart!” Han Shuang said, “Yes, Jindu, to interview Dr. Zhou’s mother.”
You Ruxu’s expression changed slightly.
Han Shuang said, “Huh, didn’t Dr. Zhou tell you?”
She had asked Zhou Tianzui for Yu Qiao’s contact information, on behalf of Ji Lanfang, who, after contacting Yu Qiao, had received her consent for an interview, on the condition that it would be after Zhou Tianzui returned, so Ji Lanfang was currently preparing for the interview.
You Ruxu shook her head: “She didn’t mention it.”
Han Shuang said, “She probably doesn’t know either, the team leader just announced it, it’s confirmed.”
You Ruxu, remembering they had been together the entire afternoon, and Zhou Tianzui hadn’t received any calls, figured she probably didn’t know yet. She looked towards the front, Zhou Tianzui’s seat was empty.
She paused for a moment, Han Shuang’s phone vibrated. She handed You Ruxu the document she was holding, “I have to step out for a bit.”
You Ruxu watched her leave the hall.
Han Shuang brushed past Zhou Tianzui at the door.
Zhou Tianzui had just finished her interview. Han Shuang, on the phone, her brow furrowed as she spoke in hushed tones, nodded apologetically as she walked past Zhou Tianzui, who returned the nod and entered the hall.
Before returning to her seat, she went to where Han Shuang had been sitting.
Han Shuang was sitting next to You Ruxu. You Ruxu, noticing someone approach, was about to comment on how quickly she was back, when she saw Zhou Tianzui, who was slightly taller than Han Shuang, she looked up. Zhou Tianzui sat down beside her.
The cameraman on You Ruxu’s other side greeted her, “Dr. Zhou.”
He grinned. Zhou Tianzui extended her hand, her fingers brushing You Ruxu’s chest as she shook the cameraman’s hand. You Ruxu, a little flustered, straightened her back, trying to put some distance between them, but Zhou Tianzui’s scent, a mix of perfume and disinfectant, surrounded her. She turned slightly, hearing the cameraman whisper, “Dr. Zhou is really beautiful, isn’t she?”
Although the compliment wasn’t directed at her, You Ruxu’s heart fluttered with a strange sense of pride, “Yes, she is.”
Her phone vibrated.
You Ruxu looked down.
It was a message from Zhou Tianzui, who was sitting right beside her.
[What are you talking about?]
You Ruxu couldn’t believe Zhou Tianzui was messaging her when she was right there. She bit her lip and replied: [Talking about how ugly you are.]
Zhou Tianzui: …
You Ruxu’s mood improved considerably.
She ignored Zhou Tianzui’s reply and focused on the conference, taking notes diligently. Zhou Tianzui wanted to speak to her, but seeing Han Shuang return, she went back to her own seat.
You Ruxu watched her go, then looked down at her notes, a name scrawled on the page.
—Zhou Tianzui.
She erased the name, but it remained etched in her heart, every stroke, every character.
The afternoon session was long, dragging on until seven o’clock. The attendees emerged, yawning and rubbing their shoulders, exhausted. You Ruxu was also tired, but she was used to maintaining a composed facade in public. Han Shuang gave a thumbs-up, impressed, “As expected of a field reporter.”
You Ruxu packed her bag, hearing the cameraman ask, “Reporter You, are you going back to the station?”
You Ruxu said, “No, I’m not, you go ahead.”
After the cameraman left, You Ruxu finished packing and glanced at Zhou Tianzui, who was still discussing something with a doctor. She left the hall, the cold wind biting at her face as she stood at the entrance, she put on her hat, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stood up straight. Zhou Tianzui, coming out, saw her immediately, a young girl huddled nearby, rubbing her hands and blowing on them, the temperature had dropped in the afternoon, her breath misting in the cold air, the chill palpable even before stepping outside, yet You Ruxu’s expression was calm, her posture elegant, the wind slightly ruffling her hair, she brushed her bangs aside, and turning around,
Her eyes met Zhou Tianzui’s.
Zhou Tianzui walked over to her, took her bag, and said, “Don’t wait for me outside next time.”
You Ruxu said, “It’s easier to find me here.”
It was easier to find her, but it was also cold. Zhou Tianzui didn’t want her standing out in the cold. They walked towards the parking lot, and You Ruxu said, “I heard from Han Shuang that your mother agreed to be interviewed.”
“Yes.” Zhou Tianzui turned to her, “My mom, she…”
“I’m fine.” You Ruxu said, “Zhou Tianzui, whether or not she reveals my identity, I’m fine, even if she doesn’t forgive me, it’s her right.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her, thinking of Yu Qiao, then without saying anything, reached out and ruffled You Ruxu’s hair, the smooth strands becoming slightly disheveled. You Ruxu pushed her hand away, but Zhou Tianzui persisted, switching to her other hand when You Ruxu grabbed her left. You Ruxu leaned away, her usually calm and composed, ready-for-TV demeanor crumbling, a slight frustration in her expression.
“Don’t worry.” Before getting into the car, Zhou Tianzui said, “If my mom wanted to say something, she would have already.”
You Ruxu sat in the car: “I’m not worried.”
She wasn’t worried about herself, but about Wu Xiulian and You Shu. Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “Liar.”
You Ruxu said, “I’m not.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Not what?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m not lying.”
“Then I wouldn’t know, would I?” Zhou Tianzui, pulling on her seatbelt, looked at You Ruxu, “Unless you let me verify it.”
You Ruxu started to say, “I…”
Zhou Tianzui leaned closer, her lips brushing against You Ruxu’s, a soft, fleeting touch.
Zhou Tianzui said, suppressing a smile, “I apologize, I was wrong, you’re definitely not a liar,” then added, “Very soft.”
You Ruxu’s face flushed crimson in the dim light of the car.
—-
Zhou Tianzui: Teacher You, just a kiss and you’re blushing?
You Ruxu: How can I shut her up?
