Chapter 138: Blushing
After the movie, which ended close to eleven, they went for a late-night snack. By the time they returned to the hotel and finished showering, it was already midnight. You Ruxu lay on the bed, scrolling through her phone, her profile peaceful and serene. She was typing on her laptop, the clicking of the keys light and crisp, a sound Zhou Tianzui heard as soon as she entered the room. She looked at You Ruxu, her eyes filled with warmth, her hair half-dry. She sat down beside You Ruxu and asked, “Working?”
“Almost done.” You Ruxu sent the email and said to Zhou Tianzui, “Are you going to bed?”
Zhou Tianzui smiled, “What else do you want to do?”
You Ruxu said, “Chat?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “We’ve chatted enough today.”
You Ruxu said, “Not really, we still have so much to talk about.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Like what?”
You Ruxu closed her laptop, placed it on the bedside table, took Zhou Tianzui’s hand, and said, “Like, I like you.”
Her gaze was clear and direct, Zhou Tianzui, momentarily stunned, although it wasn’t the first time she heard these words from You Ruxu, her heart still skipped a beat. She turned You Ruxu’s hand over, their fingers interlacing, then, kneeling on the edge of the bed, gently pushed You Ruxu down.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “How much do you like me?”
You Ruxu didn’t hesitate: “A lot.”
Zhou Tianzui leaned down, her lips close to You Ruxu’s, “Is that love?”
You Ruxu, willingly yielding, said, “Yes.”
Zhou Tianzui kissed her softly on the lips, the sweet taste lingering. Her voice lowered slightly, “A Ran, love isn’t just words.”
You Ruxu looked up at her.
Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s actions.”
You Ruxu opened her mouth to speak, but Zhou Tianzui kissed her, a storm of passion, stealing her breath, her senses, her very air, You Ruxu, lost in the moment, followed Zhou Tianzui’s lead, falling deeper and deeper into the world Zhou Tianzui had woven around her.
The wind is gentle, the night carefree, tonight with you is perfect.
When You Ruxu woke up the next morning, Zhou Tianzui was already up and about, having ordered breakfast. Seeing You Ruxu awake, she turned and said, “Go wash up, breakfast will be here soon.”
You Ruxu, rubbing her eyes, went to the bathroom and saw that Zhou Tianzui had even squeezed out the toothpaste for her. She held her toothbrush and called out, “Zhou Tianzui.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her, the sunlight streaming through the window illuminating You Ruxu’s skin, an almost translucent white, a soft warmth filling Zhou Tianzui’s heart, hearing You Ruxu’s playful complaint, “Am I a child? You even squeezed out the toothpaste for me?”
“Don’t you like it?” Zhou Tianzui walked over to the bathroom door, “I can brush your teeth for you too.”
You Ruxu chuckled, “No, thank you.”
Zhou Tianzui, a playful lilt in her voice, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” You Ruxu bantered with her as she brushed her teeth. Zhou Tianzui, watching her, found her adorable, like a little rabbit. She leaned in and kissed You Ruxu on the cheek. You Ruxu turned to her, and Zhou Tianzui coughed, “Hurry up and brush.”
She left the bathroom.
You Ruxu soon finished washing up. Breakfast was on the table, millet porridge, pumpkin cakes, steamed buns, and tea eggs, “My mom said she’ll make me some tea eggs tonight,” You Ruxu said.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Going to your parents’ place today?”
You Ruxu nodded, “Yes, my mom invited you to stay for a couple of days.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Okay, then let’s buy some gifts at noon.”
You Ruxu said, “Just some fruit will be fine.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Let’s still buy something else.”
You Ruxu, seeing her insistence, nodded, “Okay.”
After breakfast, You Ruxu went to the TV station, while Zhou Tianzui went to a meeting. You Ruxu informed her team leader about the fishing boat case and her decision to accept the assistant position, then went to find Ji Changan.
Ji Changan didn’t seem surprised to see her, getting straight to the point, “I’ve seen your work journals from Jindu, you’re truly outstanding. You know, in this profession, after a while, your judgment can become clouded, your perspective skewed, but not you.”
Every news story she had covered, each one a storm of public opinion, yet she had withstood the pressure from her superiors, the pressure from the families involved, the victims’ families, it was something not everyone could do.
Actually, they rarely transferred reporters from other teams to the Criminal Investigation Department, it was too dangerous, and those without proper training, they couldn’t handle it, but after seeing You Ruxu’s files, he knew she could.
He had even considered transferring her permanently to his department.
He asked for her opinion.
You Ruxu said, “Team Leader Ji, I apologize, but after this case, I’m returning to Jindu.”
“You’re going back?” Ji Changan was surprised, “Didn’t you just come back from there?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, but for personal reasons.”
Ji Changan looked at her, a hint of regret in his sharp eyes, for so many years, countless reporters had wanted to transfer to the Criminal Investigation Department, despite the dangers, there were always many enthusiastic applicants, most of them rejected every year, it had been almost five or six years since they had actively recruited anyone.
You Ruxu was an exception.
Of course, he was also prepared for rejection, even if it wasn’t because she was returning to Jindu, the risks involved might also deter her.
It was truly a pity.
Such a promising talent, her sharp intuition, her sensitivity to news, her calm and composed demeanor, her unwavering determination, she was perfect for the Criminal Investigation Department.
He had heard she graduated from Yuhai University.
How did they miss such a talent, why didn’t they keep her in Yuhai back then?
Ji Changan sighed, a rare display of emotion. His team members were curious, “Boss, is this Reporter You really that good?”
“Let me put it this way,” Ji Changan said, “If she joins our department, in ten years, she could be sitting in my chair.”
His team members were stunned, “But I heard she was just a field reporter in Jindu.”
Not even a team leader.
“Everyone has their own aspirations, position doesn’t mean everything.” Ji Changan said, “Have you seen her reports?”
His team members shook their heads.
Ji Changan said, “Take a look when you have time.” Then he asked, “Have you contacted Fu Guang?”
His team member said, “Yes, she’ll be here soon.”
Fu Guang was the undercover reporter being sent to Jindu. She had been following the fishing boat case since the beginning, constantly running between the police station and the TV station. You Ruxu had seen her professional photo before, wearing a beige suit, her hair neatly styled, her makeup impeccable, glasses perched on her nose, a very professional image, completely different from the person in front of her now, wearing a long dress, her brown hair long and wavy, her makeup a little heavier.
Fu Guang smiled and extended her hand, “Hello, Reporter You, I’m Fu Guang.”
You Ruxu also extended her hand: “Hello, I’m You Ruxu.”
Although surprised, her expression remained unchanged, calm and composed, as if she had expected Fu Guang to look like this, which, in turn, surprised Fu Guang.
Usually, people would react, at least show some surprise, especially since her appearance was so different from her professional photo.
Last night, after hearing from Ji Changan about You Ruxu, she had asked him to send her You Ruxu’s files. Today, she had deliberately dressed differently to meet You Ruxu.
Although she often butted heads with Ji Changan, she had to admit, he had a good eye for talent.
This You Ruxu, calm and perceptive, was indeed promising.
Fu Guang said, “Have a seat, how much do you know about this case?”
You Ruxu said, “Not much, just some basic information about the suspect.”
Fu Guang nodded, sat opposite her, handed her a file, and said, “I compiled this last night, ask me if you have any questions, and from now on, keep your phone on 24/7, I might be going to Jindu with Captain Zhou in a few days to assess the situation, you should familiarize yourself with the case details this week, and when Captain Yao contacts you, you’ll go with him.”
Captain Yao was the team leader in Yuhai.
You Ruxu nodded: “Okay.”
Fu Guang continued, “I’ll contact you if I have any questions, you were a field reporter in Jindu, so you must know quite a few people there, I’m hoping you can stay behind the scenes this time, just provide intelligence and support.”
You Ruxu nodded: “I understand.”
Fu Guang extended her hand again: “Let’s have a successful collaboration.”
You Ruxu shook her hand, her hand cold, probably from being outside, You Ruxu looked down, “Reporter Fu, you should wear more clothes.”
Fu Guang touched her nose, “But then I won’t look as good.”
You Ruxu looked at her for a moment, then smiled.
Some friendships are formed in the strangest ways, a single sentence bridging the distance. You Ruxu had already handed over her current news story, so she didn’t need to go back to the hospital. Zhou Tianzui, hearing this during her break, sat in her chair, leaning back, the people around her coming and going, to the restroom, or chatting with each other, many of them glancing at Zhou Tianzui, seemingly waiting for her to finish her call, but her phone was glued to her ear.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “So you’re not coming over anymore?”
You Ruxu said, “There’s another reporter covering for me today.”
Zhou Tianzui looked around and saw a new reporter beside Han Shuang, someone she hadn’t met before, talking to the cameraman, she seemed experienced, “Then are we still meeting for lunch?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, what do you want to eat? I’ll make a reservation.”
To avoid another long queue like yesterday.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “What are the options?”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll send them to you.”
Zhou Tianzui received a few messages on WeChat, restaurants and food recommendations, she chose the second one and sent it to You Ruxu, then heard her ask, “Where’s Dr. Li?”
“Dr. Li has an interview this morning.” Zhou Tianzui had just finished speaking when she paused, turned around, and saw You Ruxu standing at the doorway.
You Ruxu was carrying several cups of coffee, which she handed to Han Shuang and her colleagues, then carrying two cups, walked over to Zhou Tianzui and asked softly, “Is this seat taken?”
Zhou Tianzui, suppressing a smile, “It’s free.”
You Ruxu sat down beside her, handed her a coffee, and heard Zhou Tianzui ask, “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming this morning?”
“As a reporter, I didn’t need to be here,” You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, her voice lowering to a near whisper, “But as your girlfriend, I wanted to come.”
Zhou Tianzui wanted to laugh, her heart melting at her soft voice, a gentle warmth spreading through her, her eyes crinkling slightly with amusement, she repeated, “As your what?”
You Ruxu turned to look at her, didn’t answer, just took a sip of coffee, her ears and neck turning pink.
Zhou Tianzui’s fingers twitched, curling slightly, then clenching into a fist, struggling to resist the urge to touch You Ruxu’s face, she looked down and said casually, “Let me try the coffee your girlfriend bought.”
You Ruxu’s face flushed crimson.
————
Zhou Tianzui: Coffee bought by my girlfriend just tastes…
You Ruxu: Shut up.
