“I’ll send the candidate profiles for these two positions to your email later. Please take your time to select.”
“Yeah, I’ll look later. First find someone for the assistant spot, put them to work at the hotel for a bit to see how they are.”
Jin Yizhu slowed her voice, amusement brimming.
“Be thorough with the driver search. Driving isn’t a small matter.”
“I understand. I’ll definitely find you someone professional and reliable.”
Mary knew her concerns. The matters Jin Yizhu handled in Hong Kong had upset many people’s interests. A driver position meant entrusting one’s life to another; caution was essential.
“Rest assured. Times have changed. We don’t do the family ties thing anymore.”
Wei Shuyu, in the driver’s seat, had been paying attention to the back. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
Jin Yizhu heard her laugh, met her eyes in the rearview mirror, and gently shook her head, her lips unable to suppress a smile.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of Uncle He’s apartment.
Jin Yizhu lifted her chin, signaling him to get out.
Uncle He’s lips moved, but he got out, packed his luggage, and slunk back to Hong Kong dejectedly… even his son’s future gone…
He wanted to say something, but what could he say? He had just tried throwing the blame on Zhao Qianlin to salvage a chance for his son, but in the end…
“Uncle He,” Wei Shuyu said politely, “get out. You’re not needed here anymore.”
Uncle He looked up. The usually quiet woman rested one hand on the wheel, staring at him intently, her gaze like a sharp blade.
No wonder… no wonder this woman could get together with Jin Yizhu… These two were clearly two of a kind!
“You usually drive me,” Wei Shuyu laughed, “today counts as me seeing you off.”
As soon as he stepped out, laughter erupted from inside the car.
Uncle He turned his head back, but Wei Shuyu had already closed the car window. The Maybach’s engine roared, blasting him in the face with exhaust fumes.
“So two-faced,” Jin Yizhu slumped in her seat, arm draped over her eyes, her tone weary but laced with obvious amusement. “You’re going to give him a heart attack.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Wei Shuyu said flatly. “His mental tolerance is just too weak.”
“An old man who’s done plenty of bad deeds but hasn’t suffered much— what tolerance could he possibly have?”
Jin Yizhu let out a scoff and leaned over the seatback.
“Wei Shuyu, you look pretty handsome driving the Maybach.”
Dressed in a white skirt, delicate like a jasmine flower, with an expression as mild as her demeanor, the woman paired with the speed beast that was the Maybach created a strange chemical reaction.
Jin Yizhu found it pleasing to the eye and snapped another photo of her.
“Sit properly. That’s dangerous.”
Wei Shuyu said helplessly. Jin Yizhu’s hand was nearly brushing her shoulder, though she didn’t mind, but they were in a car.
“Rest for a bit. I’ll call you when we get there.”
Jin Yizhu refused. “Driving alone is so boring. Let me keep you company and chat.”
“I won’t fall asleep,” Wei Shuyu laughed. “Rest up. We’ll be home soon, and then we can eat.”
Jin Yizhu hadn’t felt anything off before, but hearing her say that stirred something unusual in her heart.
It was hard to describe the feeling… Her heart tingled with a tingling, numbing sensation, like being soaked in warm water, every wrinkle unfolding, her nerves that had been taut to the extreme finally relaxing, as if she had finally found a place to belong.
A person in constant tension wouldn’t feel tired, but once they relaxed, exhaustion would crash over them like waves.
Before Jin Yizhu could figure out her exact mood, she succumbed to sleepiness and dozed off against the seat.
At a red light, Wei Shuyu stopped the car and glanced over.
Sure enough, Jin Yizhu was asleep.
This wasn’t the first time she had seen Jin Yizhu’s sleeping face. Last time, in Uncle He’s car, Jin Yizhu had fallen asleep too, but back then, even in her dreams, her brows had furrowed slightly, fingers curled, as if ready to wake at any moment.
But now, Jin Yizhu’s face held no particular expression, just the usual calm of someone deep in sleep.
Tonight, she should be able to get a good night’s rest.
Wei Shuyu didn’t drive often, but her skills were solid.
Even in Tokyo’s evening rush hour, she drove steadily all the way into the apartment parking garage.
“Jin Yizhu, we’re here.”
After turning off the engine, she called softly first. No response from Jin Yizhu.
Wei Shuyu got out, opened the back door, and carefully examined Jin Yizhu’s sleeping face.
So beautiful. Really so beautiful.
Her golden long hair curled slightly, falling over her shoulders, outlining her pale neck and exquisite features. Asleep, Jin Yizhu lost her usual oppressive aura and gained a touch more gentleness.
“Jin Yizhu?”
She leaned in slightly, gazing at her. Without lipstick, her lips showed a pretty pink, the upward curve at the corners enough to make one’s heart race.
“Time to get up.”
Wei Shuyu’s voice wasn’t loud, but in the empty parking garage, it was clear enough.
Perhaps she was too tired, but Jin Yizhu still didn’t wake.
No helping it. You wouldn’t wake up yourself.
Wei Shuyu’s lips curved up. She reached out and gently poked Jin Yizhu’s cheek.
The touch was soft, just as she had imagined—skin fine and warm, like fine porcelain.
As she debated poking again or just pinching outright, Jin Yizhu’s eyes opened. She grabbed Wei Shuyu’s wrist and looked at her with a smiling gaze.
Jin Yizhu asked, “Wei Shuyu, what are you doing?”
She was smiling, of course not angry. Wei Shuyu, caught red-handed, felt a bit guilty.
“Noth… nothing.”
Wei Shuyu’s gaze darted everywhere—from the car roof to the floor—avoiding her eyes.
“Just waking you up.”
“Oh~ So you were being naughty while I was asleep, huh?”
Jin Yizhu’s smile deepened. She was used to seeing Wei Shuyu’s calm and rational side, but catching her flustered like this felt oddly cute for some reason.
“Stick your face over here.”
“Hm?” Wei Shuyu startled and looked at her instinctively. “What do you mean?”
“Stick it over. Let me poke you too.”
Jin Yizhu said seriously.
“You just poked my face, right?”
“So petty…”
Wei Shuyu muttered but obediently lowered her head, offering her face.
Jin Yizhu hadn’t expected her to comply so readily and paused for a second, but her fingertip already touched Wei Shuyu’s skin. It was a bit cool but soft and fine, her small white chin fitting neatly into her palm, looking so easy to bully.
“So obedient.”
Her finger pressed a little harder. The flesh of Wei Shuyu’s cheek was pinched, bringing out a childish puffiness that softened her cool demeanor considerably.
Jin Yizhu pinched her cheek, then rubbed it, satisfied as she let go. “So soft.”
Wei Shuyu said softly, “Weird kink.”
The apartment was on the seventeenth floor. Upon entering, a large floor-to-ceiling window greeted them, layout quite similar to Jin Yizhu’s place in Central.
The first thing Jin Yizhu did upon entering was draw open the curtains and gaze at the night view outside.
“How does it compare to Hong Kong?” Wei Shuyu came up behind her and handed her a glass of warm water. “Which do you like more now?”
“To be honest, objectively speaking, Hong Kong is prettier.”
Jin Yizhu took the glass and stared at the brilliant lights outside.
“But I still like it here more.”
She liked the feeling of being able to breathe freely, liked having someone listen to her, liked having a home to return to.
Wei Shuyu watched her silently. Jin Yizhu looked at the nightscape; she looked at Jin Yizhu.
After a moment, Wei Shuyu finally spoke softly. “If it’s the taste of freedom, one day you’ll have that freedom in Hong Kong too.”
Jin Yizhu turned her head, meeting her gaze. “Mm.”
She just wondered if, on that day, the person watching the night view with her would still be Wei Shuyu.
Jin Yizhu wanted to say something but didn’t know what. She wanted to ask if they could stay together forever, but deep down, a voice told her people couldn’t stay together forever.
Could she keep Wei Shuyu by her side with money forever? Jin Yizhu didn’t know.
“Eldest Miss, dinner is ready.”
Ah Jin emerged from the kitchen, set the plates on the table, and interrupted Jin Yizhu’s thoughts.
She was a Filipino maid too, sisters with Ah Hao. Once her visa was sorted, Jin Yizhu had sent her to Japan to look after Wei Shuyu.
“Good. Are you settling in okay here?” Jin Yizhu asked casually. “Anything you need, just tell Miss Wei.”
“Yes, quite well,” Ah Jin replied. “Miss Wei is very kind.”
Wei Shuyu sat across from Jin Yizhu and smiled at her. “You can head out first. We’ll handle it ourselves. Thanks for the trouble.”
Ah Jin nodded, tidied the kitchen, and closed the door softly. She lived nearby, just a few minutes away, ready to come anytime.
“You’re good to everyone, huh,” Jin Yizhu said with a half-smile. “I’m getting a little jealous.”
“You get jealous over anyone. How about some sweet-and-sour ribs first instead?”
Wei Shuyu knew she was joking. No matter how nice she was to Ah Jin, Jin Yizhu wouldn’t actually get jealous of the housekeeper, just like she wouldn’t over Wei Qinglu.
To Jin Yizhu, they were all the same—mere symbols, nothing to mind.
If there was someone who truly made her jealous, she’d probably say nothing and just bottle it up.
“Try it. Ah Jin’s got good skills.”
The perfectly cooked ribs glistened with a caramel glaze, wafting rich aroma as they landed in Jin Yizhu’s bowl. But Jin Yizhu didn’t look at the ribs; she looked at Wei Shuyu.
Wei Shuyu, puzzled by the stare, couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong…”
“Wei Shuyu,” Jin Yizhu asked with keen interest, “do you think this counts as living together?”
Wei Shuyu was mid-sip of milk when the sudden cohabitation declaration startled her into a massive coughing fit.
Seeing her double over, Jin Yizhu hurried over and patted her back gently.
“What’s going on, coughing like that out of nowhere?” Jin Yizhu muttered, puzzled. “I didn’t say anything, did I?”
“Dragging cohabitation out of nowhere isn’t ‘nothing’!”
Wei Shuyu’s cough eased a bit, her voice still hoarse.
“You only stay a few days a year. How’s that living together?”
“Oh, so you have to live together every day for it to count,” Jin Yizhu said lightly, though her words were anything but. “Then wait for me to move in.”
Wei Shuyu was speechless. True to form for a straight girl—nothing short of shocking.
“Then when are you coming?” she asked coolly. “Waiting to roll in the sheets together?”
Straight girl? Everyone’s been one at some point.
“Aren’t I here right now?” Jin Yizhu said with a grin. “Want to take a bath together later?”
…?
A bath? Together? Who with who? Me? With you?
Wei Shuyu’s calm facade finally cracked, shock flickering in her eyes, cheeks faintly flushing.
“This, uh, maybe not…”
She didn’t want to refuse, but wasn’t bathing together a bit too fast? No, they were both women—what was wrong with a bath? Besides, this was Japan; sooner or later Jin Yizhu would invite her to a hot spring anyway.
Wei Shuyu’s mind was a mess, unsure how to respond.
“Aww, look how red your face is.”
Jin Yizhu watched her flushed cheeks and flailing hands, finally satisfied and ready to eat.
“So cute, like a little bunny.”
