Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Hearing the vixen's shameless declaration of calling her every night, a sweetness spread through Chi Jia's heart, but she still remained curled up on the sofa, fiddling with the plush toy in her arms, her tone nonchalant. "Whatever, as long as you're happy."
Jing Rui sighed inwardly at Chi Jia's usual response. How much longer did she have to wait for Miss Chi to take the initiative? Chi Jia always claimed that Jing Rui was the one seducing her, but Jing Rui was more than eager for Chi Jia to seduce her. But with Miss Chi's stubborn personality, even admitting her feelings was difficult, would she ever take the initiative?
Assistant Wu, who was scrolling through her phone, noticed from the corner of her eye that her boss was smiling non-stop while on the phone. Thinking it was her imagination, she looked again, and her boss's good mood was indeed undeniable. Assistant Wu was relieved; she had been quite apprehensive about this business trip, having noticed her boss's recent low spirits. Although Jing Rui never let her personal emotions affect her work, her cold demeanor made her subordinates nervous.
Jing Rui continued chatting with Chi Jia, then finally hung up reluctantly. As her assistant approached to report on their itinerary for the next few days, Jing Rui was still smiling.
After hanging up the phone, Chi Jia lay on her back on the sofa, letting her mind wander to Jing Rui. She used to only allow herself to think about Jing Rui when drunk, having drowned her sorrows in alcohol countless times because of her.
What choice should she make? Chi Jia had already taken a step forward; whether she would take a step back or continue moving towards Jing Rui, it was more likely the latter. Chi Jia closed her eyes; although she hadn't agreed to Jing Rui yet, she still felt the pressure.
It was like falling for someone you shouldn't, trying to escape, only to fall deeper, finally giving in to the overwhelming desire.
Caught between her ideals and reality, there was no perfect solution. Chi Jia sighed, hoping… for a smoother path ahead.
The next day, at 9 PM, Chi Jia was still working overtime at her desk, completely focused. Chi Jia might seem unreliable in other aspects, but when it came to work, her dedication was impeccable.
In the office, among her fellow overtime workers, those with partners were different; they had someone to pick them up after work. Chi Jia occasionally felt a pang of envy, and at times like these, she would think of Jing Rui, as if whenever she longed for someone's care and attention, that person would always be the vixen.
She must be very busy now, Chi Jia thought.
Having interacted with Jing Rui more, Chi Jia realized that Miss Jing wasn't as idle as she thought; when Jing Rui was busy, it was far beyond what a small-time employee like her could imagine.
Five minutes later, the instant noodles were ready.
Chi Jia held the steaming cup of noodles, warming her hands. Instant noodles, the staple food of overtime workers.
The next moment, her phone buzzed.
Chi Jia reached for her work phone. Were she and Jing Rui telepathic?
President Jing was calling right on time to complete her "daily mission."
"What did you have for dinner tonight?" As soon as Chi Jia answered, she heard Jing Rui's playful question, the same boring question again.
But a phone call, a simple greeting, could be incredibly comforting when working overtime alone at night. Chi Jia, who had been feeling lonely just moments ago, felt a warmth spread through her heart at Jing Rui's call.
"Spicy beef…" Chi Jia looked at the flavor label on the cup and read it out loud to Jing Rui.
Jing Rui, knowing Chi Jia's habits, frowned. "Why are you eating instant noodles again?"
"No other options." Chi Jia said, taking a loud slurp of the noodles.
Hearing the sound, Jing Rui pictured Chi Jia's eating habits and suddenly felt an urge to return to L City, to cook her a table full of her favorite dishes, and watch her eat every last bite.
"From now on, I'll cook for you whatever you want, no more instant noodles."
After talking for a bit, Chi Jia sensed something different in Jing Rui's voice. "How much have you been drinking?"
Jing Rui suddenly fell silent.
Chi Jia waited for a few seconds, then asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Miss Chi, this is your first time actively caring about me." Jing Rui's voice was slightly slurred, a contented sigh. "I'm happy."
Chi Jia: "..."
"I'm in a good mood, so I had a few more drinks tonight."
Chi Jia had drunk with Jing Rui countless times and had never heard her slur her words; it couldn't possibly be just "a few more drinks." "What do you mean 'a few more drinks'? You're drunk."
"Do you feel bad for me?" Jing Rui pressed on, her voice playful. "Hmm… do you?"
At this moment, Jing Rui really wanted to hear Chi Jia admit it.
Chi Jia was speechless, a mixture of worry and amusement. Such a mature woman usually, acting so childish when drunk. After a moment of hesitation, she asked softly, "Are you back at the hotel?"
"Yes…" Jing Rui hummed.
"Get some rest."
"I miss you," Jing Rui continued softly. "Sing me a song, okay?"
Jing Rui's unexpected words made Chi Jia's heart race. She looked around and lowered her voice. "I'm working overtime at the office, you're drunk, go to sleep."
"I want to hear you sing."
"How can I sing at the office…"
"I'll let you off the hook this time. When I get back, sing for me, just for me." Jing Rui's tone was demanding, her usual domineering self. "Do you hear me?"
Chi Jia mumbled, "We'll see."
"Promise me first. Chi Jia, promise me…"
So Miss Jing could be this persistent, even more difficult to deal with than her. Chi Jia, unable to refuse any longer, gave in. "Fine, I get it, now go to sleep. My noodles are getting cold…"
Jing Rui rubbed her forehead. "Don't work too late, go home early."
"I'll be going soon."
"Text me when you get home."
Nothing was more heartwarming than knowing you were thinking of someone, and they were thinking of you too. That was exactly how Chi Jia felt right now. She didn't want to disturb Jing Rui's rest. "Stop nagging."
Jing Rui sighed, her voice seductive. "It's because I miss you…"
Chi Jia froze. "I'm getting goosebumps."
Jing Rui laughed again, and hearing her laughter, Chi Jia could almost picture her, and honestly, she missed her a little.
Jing Rui's words tonight had been incredibly suggestive. Chi Jia didn't know if she was drunk or doing it on purpose, but if they continued like this, she wouldn't be able to focus on her work. The vixen truly was a vixen, even her phone calls were seductive.
"Behave yourself and go to sleep." Chi Jia urged Jing Rui again. "I still have work to do, I'm hanging up now."
Having felt tired earlier, Chi Jia now felt a surge of energy as she looked at the design drafts and her cup of noodles. A male colleague, seeing her sudden change in mood, leaned in and asked playfully, "Xiao Jia, something going on?"
"Why are you, a man, more gossipy than a woman?"
"Tsk, it's written all over your face."
Chi Jia took out a small mirror and checked her reflection. Was it that obvious?
Looking at herself in the mirror, Chi Jia's mind wandered back to her conversation with Jing Rui. She had always cared about Jing Rui, she just hadn't wanted to admit it, always feeling awkward whenever she showed a little concern, perhaps because she was so used to being contrary with Jing Rui.
No matter how busy she was these days, Jing Rui would always call her before 10 PM.
Waiting for Jing Rui's call had become a part of Chi Jia's daily routine. She rarely contacted Jing Rui on her own, and besides work-related calls, the only time she had initiated contact was when she was drunk, telling Jing Rui she wanted to sleep with her.
Jing Rui had been waiting for Chi Jia to take the initiative, and it finally happened, sooner than she expected.
Perhaps people only learned to cherish something after losing it.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chi Jia sat at her desk, distracted. Jing Rui had said she would contact her when she returned to L City, but after waiting all afternoon, there was no news.
5:30 PM, time to leave work.
Chi Jia sat at her desk, touching up her makeup, waiting for the call. She had even worked overtime the past few days to finish her work early, just so she could leave on time today.
Another twenty minutes passed, still no news.
Chi Jia was annoyed; had surnamed Jing forgotten about their date tonight? She had said she had a gift for her, and now she was nowhere to be seen.
As time ticked by, Chi Jia finally couldn't take it anymore and called Jing Rui.
"The number you dialed is currently unavailable."
Chi Jia tried calling several times, the same message every time.
No reply to her messages, and now her calls weren't going through.
Chi Jia clutched her phone, a sense of unease washing over her. It was already this late; Jing Rui should have been back in L City by now.
Then, seeing a news notification on her phone, Chi Jia's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. Jing Rui wouldn't have… had an accident in Y City, would she…?
Não sei
ReplyDelete