Chapter 40

The starlight was dim, and a layer of gray mist shrouded the sky.

Even on a summer night, the city’s late lights carried a faint, indifferent coldness.

Perhaps the air conditioning was set too low.

Yun Huizhi quickly pulled herself out of her sentimentality, used the remote to raise the temperature by two degrees, and continued gazing out the window.

The nighttime view of Xiacheng reminded her of Chu Ruoyou. Although she thought of Chu Ruoyou constantly these days, her thoughts were deeper and more intense at night.

Because her first impression of Chu Ruoyou was exactly like the feeling of admiring the city under the night sky right now.

She was dazzling, grand, exquisite, and tolerant, yet simultaneously gave off an untouchable distance, coldly scrutinizing the solitary traveler who had fallen into her.

After Yun Huizhi arrived in Xiacheng, her schedule became packed and full. The leisure of the small town was gone; she was practically pushed forward by a flurry of consecutive events.

She had no spare time to photograph flowers and plants or manage her social media account. When she got busy, she couldn’t even play games for days.

But she didn’t feel tired. When running along with everyone else’s fast pace, she fantasized that the person she wanted to see was waiting for her up ahead.

The other party wouldn’t wait long, only glancing back occasionally, and soon wouldn’t want to look anymore.

Therefore, she had to run even harder, and she had to run with a smile.

To make her mother and uncle happy, Yun Huizhi had been staying at their home these days.

She hadn’t been very warm toward them before, even resisting contact, but now she wanted to make them happy. It seemed like she had become more mature. But filial piety and politeness were superficial; the gap caused by raising without nurturing was hard to erase.

The premise for Yun Huizhi wanting to make them happy was that they made her happy, and could help her live comfortably in Xiacheng.

It was very pragmatic.

Mutually providing emotional value, wasn’t that it?

Aside from her own tasks, Yun Huizhi took her younger sister to hobby classes every day and occasionally helped the elementary schooler with her homework in the evenings.

Though they had hired a tutor, Yun Huizhi liked chatting and laughing with her. Cute girls were like angels.

Unlike her blurry childhood memories of her parents always fighting, the family atmosphere here was very good.

Although Yun Huizhi still felt like an outsider, no one treated her like one.

At that dinner gathering the other day, someone said, “Muhai, you have such a grown-up daughter?”

Her uncle grinned proudly and replied, “I made her. Not bad, right? Isn’t she beautiful?”

Yun Huizhi had smiled at that, but she noticed her mother’s gaze flicker over, faintly tinged with worry, as if afraid she would be angry.

She shook her head, signaling it was fine, that she found it endearing.

Although she understood that Cheng Muhai was only being good to her out of affection for her mother, wanting to set her mother’s heart at ease.

Because of this, Yun Huizhi hadn’t planned on staying at someone else’s house long-term. If her work and life in Xiacheng could stabilize, she wanted to buy her own apartment.

What was stressful was that Xiacheng was a metropolis; housing prices were even higher than she’d imagined. Even buying a small place outside the bustling areas would require gritting her teeth and scraping everything together.

And after buying, her wallet would be empty. She’d have to scrimp, save, and obediently work her job.

Her mother’s suggestion was that they would help her pay for an apartment in full, as a gift.

She disagreed. Her uncle’s business had grown significantly in recent years, but he was self-made; earning money wasn’t easy.

She wasn’t his biological daughter. She appreciated the goodwill, but she couldn’t accept an apartment.

Her mother, seeing she couldn’t convince her, came up with another idea: “Then I’ll contact Yun Yong and have him contribute half, co-gifting you a place. This is your first proper job; what’s wrong with him preparing an apartment for you?”

Yun Huizhi blinked. A sudden windfall. Although she felt awkward about taking it, refusing it would be insanity.

Her mother complained, “All these years, he’s only cared about his own freedom, barely managing you. He should pay for your apartment. Otherwise, why should you even call him Dad?”

Yun Huizhi thought about it. Her father had money and was generous; he’d probably agree right away.

It was just that he definitely wouldn’t be happy about her moving to Xiacheng; he might even argue with her mother.

But buying an apartment wasn’t urgent. Her luggage could stay here for now. The school was a boarding institution and had teachers’ apartments available.

Tomorrow she’d go choose a dorm room. Before the semester started, she also had to undergo training with the other new teachers.

Her mother said she’d send her.

On her first day in Xiacheng, she’d been taken to see cars, but she didn’t want one.

There were several in the garage; she could just drive one as a runabout. She wouldn’t need one much once work started.

She declined the car and the apartment. Cheng Muhai thought she was being distant and earnestly persuaded her:

“Uncle prepared these long ago. You’re my daughter; why be so polite? Raising just Yunyun, one girl, hasn’t cost your mom and me much these years. Your mother must give you everything you deserve, nothing less.”

Yun Huizhi was moved. “I know Uncle truly sees me as his daughter. I’m not being polite; I just temporarily don’t need a car or apartment. I don’t want them sitting idle.”

Cheng Muhai thought seriously for a moment, then his eyes lit up, as if he’d become the person who understood her best in the world. “I get it! Young people these days are pursuing this… low-material-desire, minimalist lifestyle, right?”

Completely missing the point.

Yun Huizhi chuckled helplessly and nodded along. “Yes, yes, you’re so trendy.”

“I’m better than your mother at this. I interact with young people often, love to learn. She doesn’t get it.”

“You’re impressive, you love learning. The clients and employees at my shop aren’t any older than your company’s people.”

Yun Huizhi was tickled by the middle-aged couple’s banter.

Her suitcase was already packed. She hadn’t brought much, planning to first see how big the dorm room was before buying things.

Now that it was time, she couldn’t sleep tonight.

Tomorrow morning she had to report to the school. She wasn’t nervous because of her own abilities.

She had prepared; recently, an experienced English teacher had been guiding her.

Under their arrangement, she’d even gone to summer remedial classes and voluntarily taught a few trial lessons.

It was just a matter of experience. Diligence and responsibility could always get things done well.

What made her nervous was that she couldn’t guarantee Chu Ruoyou wanted to see her.

After things were settled, she’d had thoughts of fleeing several times. It was just paying breach of contract fees anyway.

But in the end, she didn’t give up.

If Chu Ruoyou hadn’t spent half a month living with her in Jianjia, hadn’t eaten and lived with her like a couple, hadn’t promised to meet again in Xiacheng, hadn’t left in a silent huff, hadn’t left her extra money, hadn’t sent and deleted those two suggestive photos, hadn’t called to ask about her injury…

Then she wouldn’t have fallen in, wouldn’t harbor foolish hopes for this chance encounter.

As long as she knew she was a completely unwelcome person, she wouldn’t dare intrude on someone else’s life.

But all these accumulated bits and pieces had built a high platform. She had been led up step by step—was she supposed to retrace her steps now?

Even though she’d received the bank account number, even though her last contact method was blocked, even though Yun Huizhi could only rely on photos to ease her longing and felt like crying again when aggrieved…

Still, she wanted to try.

She felt she had a sense of propriety. She’d try just once. If it didn’t work, she’d retreat, absolutely not causing Chu Ruoyou any trouble.

After all, she was just on a contract, and Xiacheng wasn’t her hometown. Coming and going was simple.

Early the next morning, Yun Huizhi headed to the school, driven by her mother.

As the car drove toward the school, Rong Min had a feeling that Yun Huizhi was still a child being taken to her studies.

Then it occurred to her that Yun Huizhi had long grown up; she was going there to be a teacher.

She felt an immense surge of pride.

Ever since the divorce, she had set Yun Huizhi aside, busy striving for her career. Later, she remarried and formed a new family, never going back much.

She’d always carried guilt in her heart, like a wound that wouldn’t heal, with no chance to make amends.

Fortunately, Yun Huizhi came here. She obediently accepted the arrangement, living in Xiacheng, doing a relatively stable job, seemingly never leaving.

At her age, one becomes greedy. In her youth, she wanted to escape the shadow of marriage, to carve her own path freely and without restraint; everything could be abandoned.

But now, her mother was gone. Her two daughters, connected to her by blood, were her most important people. She couldn’t bear to let go of either one.

Wensheng Middle School was in Xiacheng’s new district, a bit far from the city center, but the buildings were newer and better planned.

In the last decade or so, Xiacheng had intentionally shifted its development focus here. The school, the high-speed rail station, the library, the sports center—all were built in this area.

Compared to the city center, the roads here were wide and uncongested, so they arrived even earlier than planned.

The teacher who came to receive them had been met at that previous dinner. He was close with Cheng Muhai and called Rong Min sister-in-law.

Arriving early, Yun Huizhi successfully got the right to pick her dorm first. As she walked into the elevator, she asked, “Teacher Li, do all teachers live here?”

“Not all. This building is all female teachers. The male teachers’ apartments are a distance away, a bit closer to the student dorms.”

Yun Huizhi finally settled on an empty dorm room on the ninth floor, because a high floor was quiet.

Mainly, Li Duoshan told her this was the only empty room on this floor, and the other female teachers either had families and didn’t stay overnight here, or were quiet and good-tempered loners, and definitely wouldn’t disturb her.

Entering, she found the apartment small, but it had new renovations and all the essentials.

She was quite satisfied; having an independent space was enough.

Before coming, she’d been especially afraid of having to share with someone. Unless her roommate was Chu Ruoyou, it would be very unpleasant.

Rong Min helped her make the bed and gave a long list of instructions before leaving. Humming a tune, Yun Huizhi diligently tidied up the room—disinfecting, scrubbing, buying supplies.

For example, a gardenia-scented air freshener.

A meeting was scheduled for 2 PM. The school was large. By the time Yun Huizhi, cutting it close, found the conference room, everyone was basically there.

Li Duoshan was waiting for her. He called her over and said to Chu Ruoyou, “This is Teacher Yun. She’ll be teaching your class English next semester.”

“Hello, Teacher Chu. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me.”

She extended her hand, her smile bright and clear.

Having already seen the name list and mentally prepared, Chu Ruoyou was expressionless. Facing that familiar face, her attitude was extremely cool. In a purely businesslike tone, she greeted, “Teacher Yun.”

She was dressed even more plainly and conservatively than in Jianjia. Despite the hot weather, her shirt sleeves went past her elbows, paired with long trousers and flat nude leather shoes.

Her black hair was meticulously coiled up, without a single piece of jewelry on her body.

Two words radiated from her entire being: old-fashioned.

Three words: not to be trifled with.

Yet her beauty wasn’t diminished by this. Her cold, pale skin, showing no signs of a summer tan, was enviable. Her upright posture, slender neck, and beautiful eyes when looking coldly at someone all stirred fondness in the heart.

It had been too long. Seeing her again, Yun Huizhi still felt the same as the first time—her eyes lit up hopelessly, as if she’d fallen into a mountain stream, choking her, making her want to jump.

The difference was, at that first meeting, Chu Ruoyou was more restrained; her gaze hadn’t been this coldly stern.

Back then, Yun Huizhi could still happily admire her looks. Now, her heart was pounding, afraid Chu Ruoyou would scold her on the spot.

So she smiled at her nervously, trying to be cute, which earned her a cold glare, and then she was ignored.

She’d lost the upper hand!

Yun Huizhi was frustrated. Clearly, she was the one who’d schemed for so long, emerging from the shadows—so why was Chu Ruoyou still the calm and composed one?

The meeting started, following the agenda, dull and tedious.

At first, Yun Huizhi found it novel, but later, every second felt like an eternity. She desperately wanted it to end quickly so she could talk to Chu Ruoyou.

After it ended, a teacher next to her chatted: “I’ve never heard the surname Yun before. Your parents were really thoughtful; the name is so poetic.”

Chu Ruoyou smirked coldly to herself. That classic topic again.

She got up to leave, unwilling to endure it any longer.

After finishing her chat, Yun Huizhi followed her. Reaching the bottom of the apartment building, she called out, “Teacher Chu!”