Chapter 140: Cookbook
The two were entangled until seven o’clock before leaving the hotel. You Ruxu was thinking about buying gifts for her family when Zhou Tianzui, as if by magic, produced them from behind her back. You Ruxu was surprised, “When did you buy these?”
“After the conference.” Zhou Tianzui said, “At the mall across the street.”
There was a shopping mall near the hospital, close to the hotel. You Ruxu hadn’t expected her to be so prepared. They went back to You Ruxu’s parents’ place, Zhou Tianzui driving. You Ruxu felt tired as soon as she got into the car, “Didn’t you just sleep all afternoon?” Zhou Tianzui asked.
You Ruxu couldn’t help but retort, “Do you think everyone has your stamina?”
This person really needed to get her energy levels checked, they were superhuman.
Zhou Tianzui chuckled. Years of working in the medical field, not only had she developed mental resilience, but her physical endurance was also exceptional. You Ruxu could usually keep up as well, her years as a field reporter had trained her, but these past few months, between injuries and rest, and occasionally working herself to exhaustion, now that she finally relaxed, she couldn’t compare to Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui adjusted the passenger seat. The car was new, no blankets yet, so she handed You Ruxu a pillow. You Ruxu hugged it, a comfortable sigh escaping her lips, occasionally opening her eyes to watch Zhou Tianzui drive, the lucky charm swaying gently from the rearview mirror, Zhou Tianzui’s hands on the steering wheel, the slender red string bracelet on her wrist, the peach pit charm swaying with the car’s movement, a hypnotic rhythm. You Ruxu’s eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep again.
When they arrived, You Shu wasn’t home yet. Wu Xiulian explained, “Your father’s been busy with a complicated case, he’s been in meetings all day.”
You Ruxu nodded and gestured for Zhou Tianzui to sit down. Although Wu Xiulian had invited her to stay for a few days, Zhou Tianzui hadn’t brought much luggage, just a bag, some fruit, and a gift. Wu Xiulian smiled, “Dr. Zhou, make yourself at home.”
She took the fruit basket from Zhou Tianzui, “Your father will be back later, I’ll go cut some fruit.”
You Ruxu followed her to the kitchen, “Mom, I’ll help you.”
Wu Xiulian turned around, seeing You Ruxu’s bright smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and her heart warmed, “Check on the soup for me.”
Fish soup was simmering in the pot. You Ruxu lifted the lid, a fragrant, sweet smell. She tasted it with a small spoon and nodded at Wu Xiulian, “Mom, the soup’s ready, it smells delicious.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Wash your hands, dinner’s almost ready.”
“Dad’s not back yet,” You Ruxu said, “Let’s wait for him.”
“He might not be back for another half hour, should we make Dr. Zhou wait…?”
You Ruxu, looking at Wu Xiulian’s mother, “Mom, it’s okay, she can wait.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother looked at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu used to be so obedient, so compliant that she seemed almost soulless, like a puppet, agreeing to everything, never objecting, except for choosing her own major in university and going to Jindu after graduation, every other decision made by her and You Shu.
She hadn’t thought there was anything wrong with it.
Until now, looking at You Ruxu, she realized how wrong she had been.
This You Ruxu seemed to have finally found her own soul, vibrant and alive. Although “lively” wasn’t quite the right word to describe a woman in her thirties, she finally seemed like a free spirit.
Crying, laughing, acting spoiled, without reservation.
She said, “Okay, then let’s wait for your father. Go call your aunt.”
You Ruxu smiled, “Okay, I’ll go with her.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother nodded.
Just as You Ruxu turned to leave, she called out, “Ruxu.”
You Ruxu turned around. Under the warm light, her eyes were bright and clear, no longer the subdued calmness of before. She looked at Wu Xiulian’s mother and asked, “Mom, what is it?”
Her tone also different, more affectionate, more trusting,
Not the obedience of a replacement child, but the trust of a daughter.
Wu Xiulian’s mother said gently, “Go on then.”
You Ruxu, acknowledging her, turned and led Zhou Tianzui to Wu Xiulian’s apartment.
Wu Xiulian had just finished showering, her habit after coming home. Wrapped in a towel, she emerged from the bathroom and saw two people sitting on the sofa. Her expression didn’t change, it was either You Ruxu or Wu Xiulian’s mother.
But today was different.
There was someone else.
It was Zhou Tianzui.
“Dr. Zhou?” Wu Xiulian said, “Wait for me for a bit.”
She smiled and went to her room to change. She soon emerged, wearing pajamas, her hair half-dry, a towel draped over her shoulders. You Ruxu called out, “Aunt, dinner’s ready.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Is your dad back?”
You Ruxu said, “Not yet, Mom said his meeting will be a while longer.”
Wu Xiulian nodded, “I just came from your place, your mom said your dad wouldn’t be back soon, so I came back to take a shower. Dr. Zhou, don’t be so formal, you’ve been here before, make yourself at home.”
She offered Zhou Tianzui a tangerine.
Zhou Tianzui took it, “Thank you, Aunt.”
Wu Xiulian smiled, looking at Zhou Tianzui and You Ruxu, although You Ruxu had said they broke up, she didn’t believe it. She hadn’t witnessed their relationship firsthand, but knowing them both, she knew that they couldn’t live without each other.
During their separation, although You Ruxu hadn’t said anything, she could see how much she missed Zhou Tianzui. If they had just continued their relationship secretly, without telling Yu Qiao, they wouldn’t have had to suffer so much, but they didn’t, even though You Ruxu dreamt of Zhou Tianzui every night, she wouldn’t initiate contact.
Their love was accompanied by a rare courage and integrity.
She wasn’t surprised that Yu Qiao finally relented, just felt a deep sense of guilt, so when Wu Xiulian’s mother suggested that You Ruxu return to Jindu, she had agreed without hesitation, they had suffered enough, anything to lessen their pain, she was willing to do it.
It was her way of atoning.
She couldn’t apologize to Yu Qiao directly, so she would let Ruxu do it for her.
She wasn’t as good as these two children.
Wu Xiulian finished drying her hair, You Ruxu handing her a hair tie. Wu Xiulian casually tied up her hair and asked, “Do I look good, Xu Xu?”
You Ruxu paused, then nodded: “You look good.”
Wu Xiulian pinched You Ruxu’s cheek and said to Zhou Tianzui, “Dr. Zhou, don’t mind her, this child has always been quiet and reserved, just like my sister, very serious, you have to coax her to get any sweet words out of her.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded, looking at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu’s face flushed slightly. She opened her mouth, about to retort, then realized her aunt was right, she had always been quiet and reserved. She pursed her lips, and Zhou Tianzui, beside her, chuckled softly.
After Wu Xiulian finished getting ready, they went downstairs. You Shu happened to be arriving home as well, they met at the doorway, Wu Xiulian’s mother, seeing them together, asked, “Did you plan this?”
You Shu said, “We just ran into each other at the entrance.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother, not really caring, “Wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”
You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui went to the kitchen to get the bowls and chopsticks. You Shu went to wash his hands. Wu Xiulian sat at the table, replying to messages on her phone. Wu Xiulian’s mother was serving the soup. You Ruxu glanced at Zhou Tianzui and smiled faintly.
Zhou Tianzui, as she took the chopsticks from You Ruxu, brushed the back of her hand, a light pinch, and You Ruxu looked up, giving her a playful glare. Zhou Tianzui calmly placed the chopsticks on the table. The family sat down for dinner, and Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Dr. Zhou, it’s just home-cooked food, I hope it’s to your liking. Let me know if you have any preferences, I’ll buy them tomorrow.”
Unlike the first time, the polite formality now replaced by a deeper meaning.
Treating her like family.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I love home-cooked food, I’m not picky, thank you, Auntie.”
“Not picky, that’s good,” Wu Xiulian said, “Our Xu Xu is also not picky, a good habit.”
Zhou Tianzui turned to You Ruxu and smiled.
You Ruxu suddenly remembered that night, Zhou Tianzui holding her in various positions, asking which one she liked, and before she could answer, Zhou Tianzui saying, “You probably like them all, A Ran has a good appetite, not picky at all.”
Now, hearing those words, not picky.
She felt a strange twist in her stomach.
Hearing Zhou Tianzui’s laughter.
The feeling intensified.
You Ruxu lightly kicked Zhou Tianzui under the table. Her slipper-clad foot, the rounded toe, the gentle force, it didn’t hurt at all, but Zhou Tianzui still paused, then continued eating, her head lowered.
During dinner, You Ruxu said, “I’ll be going on a business trip soon, to Jindu.”
You Shu looked at her, “Soon?”
Wu Xiulian’s mother was also surprised, “A business trip to Jindu? Weren’t you preparing to resign?”
You Shu’s expression was calm, Wu Xiulian’s mother must have told him about the resignation and her moving to Jindu, You Ruxu said, “I’ll submit my resignation after this case is closed.”
Wu Xiulian frowned, “A case?”
You Ruxu said, “The recent fishing boat case.”
You Shu’s expression changed, “That case is a big deal, why are you involved?”
You Ruxu explained, “I’m helping the Criminal Investigation Department, they need an assistant, someone familiar with Jindu, who can provide leads and intelligence, I also have some contacts in Jindu, so I can help.”
Among the reporters in Yuhai, she was probably the most familiar with Jindu, having lived there for four years, and her extensive network of contacts, being able to easily connect with the Jindu TV station, sharing information without delay, Wu Xiulian’s mother asked worriedly, “Is it a dangerous case?”
Wu Xiulian looked at You Ruxu but didn’t speak.
Although she wasn’t involved in the case, she knew something about it, it was more dangerous than other cases, these were desperate criminals, ruthless, each of the ringleaders with several lives on their hands, she had heard they even had a pact, to commit suicide if captured, they would rather die than be taken alive.
You Ruxu said, “Mom, don’t worry, I’m only providing information, I won’t be appearing in public.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother looked at her, “Not appearing in public?”
Wu Xiulian said, “Sis, Ruxu used to be a field reporter, many people know her there, it’s not safe for her to be seen.” She reassured Wu Xiulian’s mother, “This is the best way to protect her.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother relaxed slightly.
You Shu didn’t say anything, just took a sip of his baijiu, his expression grim.
You Ruxu looked at him and called out, “Dad.”
You Shu, hearing his name, was silent for a moment, then poured a small glass of baijiu, handed it to You Ruxu, raised his own glass, and said, “We’ll have a proper drink when you come back.”
You Ruxu nodded, “I will, Dad.”
Wu Xiulian also joined in, “Your aunt also wants to toast you.”
The baijiu was strong and spicy, You Ruxu’s face turning red after just a sip. She sat there listening to them chat, Wu Xiulian talking about work, You Ruxu, her head lowered, replying to messages on her phone, then she stood up, “I have to reply to Reporter Fu’s email.”
They had finished dinner. Wu Xiulian’s mother was about to clear the table, hearing this, she nodded, “Go ahead.”
You Ruxu went to her room. Zhou Tianzui helped Wu Xiulian’s mother clear the table. Wu Xiulian went out to answer a call. You Shu remained seated, looking at You Ruxu’s empty wine glass, Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Dr. Zhou, you go and rest, I’ll do this.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s okay, I’ll help you.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother asked, “Who usually cooks, you or Ruxu?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Whoever is free.”
“That’s true.” Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Your work must be very demanding.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s been alright lately, not too busy.”
“Then rest when you can.” Wu Xiulian’s mother turned to You Shu, who was still sitting there, she hesitated, and Zhou Tianzui, sensing she wanted to talk to him privately, said, “Auntie, I’ll go check on Ruxu.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother nodded.
Zhou Tianzui went upstairs.
You Ruxu’s room wasn’t big, but it was cozy and warmly decorated. The teddy bear she gave You Ruxu was placed by her pillow. A soft warmth filled Zhou Tianzui’s heart. You Ruxu, turning around, hearing the door close, saw Zhou Tianzui enter.
She asked softly, “Where’s my mom?”
“Outside,” Zhou Tianzui said, “Talking to your father.”
You Ruxu nodded.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Did you send the email?”
You Ruxu looked at her laptop, clicked the mouse, “Yes, I did.”
She closed the laptop.
Turning around, she saw Zhou Tianzui holding a book from the bookshelf, flipping through it. You Ruxu walked over and sat on the bed, “What are you reading?”
Zhou Tianzui, having picked a random book, hearing You Ruxu’s question, flipped to the cover page, and You Ruxu froze, it was the same book Zhou Tianzui had asked her to read to her, the one she had brought back home and left on the table, how did Zhou Tianzui find it?
The familiar opening scene, a one-night stand, the words explicit and passionate, a heat radiating from the pages.
You Ruxu’s already flushed face burned even brighter. She looked away, “I’ll get you another one.”
“Why?” Zhou Tianzui said, “Isn’t this cookbook good enough?”
You Ruxu was puzzled: “Cookbook?”
Zhou Tianzui turned a page, her slender finger holding it in place, looked up at You Ruxu, “You should read it too,” her eyes meeting You Ruxu’s clear gaze, “And then make these dishes for me.”
You Ruxu took a deep breath, suppressing a smile, “I don’t know how to cook.”
Zhou Tianzui looked down at You Ruxu’s hands, “It’s okay, I’ll teach you.”
You Ruxu, following her gaze, looked down at her hands, her palms sweating, she clenched them, gripping the bedsheet tightly.
You Ruxu: You better be talking about actual cooking.
Zhou Tianzui: …
