Returning - Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Inner Voice
Under the influence of alcohol, Zhao Yu quickly fell asleep, and slept very deeply.
To prevent Ji Sui from using her phone to contact her friends, she had deliberately turned it off when she went to the bathroom at the bar, but she had set the alarm before powering off.
At 7:30, woken by the alarm, she reached for her phone and turned it on, submitted an emergency leave request for the morning in the system, and then slowly got out of bed.
Ji Sui didn't seem to be around; the living room showed no signs of anyone, and there was no sound. Zhao Yu didn't dare to push open other doors rashly, so she went to the bathroom to freshen up first.
Inside, there were brand-new towels, a toothbrush, and a cup, all for men, suggesting that indeed no women usually visited his place.
Zhao Yu smelled of alcohol all over. She wanted to take a shower but knew it wasn't appropriate, so she could only bear it for now.
After washing up, she returned to the guest bedroom and stripped all the sheets and blankets she had used last night. Just as she carried them out to throw into the washing machine, she saw Ji Sui had come back in through the door.
He was wearing sportswear, sweat trickling down his temples, evidently having just been out for morning exercise.
Their eyes met, and both felt a bit awkward. Finally, Ji Sui spoke first: "Up so early?"
Zhao Yu smiled. "My work alarm wasn't turned off, so I woke up at the usual time."
"Rushing to work?"
"I've already asked for leave. I'll go in the afternoon."
Looking at the sheets in her hands, Ji Sui said, "You don't need to wash those. They're not normally used."
Zhao Yu looked embarrassed. "They're full of alcohol smell, so I'd better wash them."
She paused, then added, "Last night... did I cause you a lot of trouble?"
Recalling the scene last night when she had rubbed against him in his arms, revealing glimpses of skin, Ji Sui shifted his gaze unnaturally and cleared his throat. "No, no trouble. I originally intended to take you home, but I didn't know which floor you lived on, and at that hour Sister Shi Yu was already asleep, so I could only bring you here. Don't mind it."
His ears reddened again.
Zhao Yu couldn't help wondering, how had he resolved things last night? Had he waited for the desire to slowly fade, or had he quietly taken care of himself?
"It should be you who doesn't mind, since I've caused you so much trouble." Zhao Yu pointed to the sheets in her hand and then to the bathroom. "This—can I use the washing machine inside to wash them?"
"I'll do it." Ji Sui stepped forward to take them, went into the bathroom to throw them in the washing machine, and said to Zhao Yu outside, "Wait a moment, I'll make breakfast right away."
He was covered in sweat and surely planned a quick shower. Seeing him go to his room to get clothes and enter the bathroom, Zhao Yu voluntarily went to the kitchen, tied on an apron, and started working.
Ji Sui was indeed fast; in no time, he had finished showering and changed clothes.
Zhao Yu made a simple scallion oil noodle dish and fried two eggs. The fried eggs were just out of the pan when he came out.
"In case you have to rush to work, I just threw something together. I don't know if it suits your taste."
Ji Sui walked into the kitchen to help her carry the bowls and smiled. "It smells very fragrant."
They sat face to face at the dining table and ate breakfast. Although the atmosphere was a bit better than before, neither of them spoke.
Just as they were finishing, Xue Zi'ang called, and Zhao Yu answered it directly in front of Ji Sui.
He must have seen the leave request in the system, because he asked right away, "Are you sick?"
"No, just a bit of a headache. I wanted to rest for the morning before coming in."
"Did you not sleep well again last night?"
"No, I slept fine."
"Then you're still angry with me? You don't want to see me?"
Zhao Yu gave a self-deprecating smile. "What right do I have to be angry with you?"
Xue Zi'ang wanted to say more, but Zhao Yu cut him off. "I'll come to the office this afternoon. Let's talk in person."
After hanging up, she looked sad and just stared blankly at the table. Ji Sui hesitated for a moment before speaking. "If it's always this painful, have you considered... leaving him?"
Zhao Yu stared at him in astonishment.
Ji Sui smiled. "Sorry, I was meddling."
Zhao Yu shook her head. "I'm grateful that you'd say that to me."
At this, she sighed again. "It's not that I haven't thought about it. Actually, even before we got together, I had already considered it. He and I come from different worlds, but unfortunately... what can I do? I've fallen for him."
"You don't know how viciously I was slandered when I first returned to the country and came to headquarters. Just because I had no family or connections, they thought I deserved to be poor and destitute. If I could buy a car and a house, it must be because I was being kept by a man. Even my boss's daughter came to the office to hit me, calling me a vixen for seducing her father."
"At that time, I was on the verge of collapse. He showed up just in time to rescue me and gave me warmth. Since childhood, there have been very few people who truly treated me well. The two people who cared about me have already left this world. Meeting him, I feel very fortunate, and I'm even more reluctant to let go."
"I understand." Ji Sui smiled. "I used to be the same."
"Used to be?" Zhao Yu looked at him curiously. "And now?"
"Now, I'm trying to save myself."
"Save yourself?" Zhao Yu smiled thoughtfully. "I hope I can also have the determination and courage to save myself."
After breakfast, Ji Sui offered to take her home, but Zhao Yu of course didn't want to bother him further. She took a taxi back to her apartment, showered and tidied up, then went to the office again.
As soon as she sat down, Xue Zi'ang sent her a message: Come to my office
Zhao Yu went in, closed the door deliberately, walked up to Xue Zi'ang's desk, and looked at him calmly.
Xue Zi'ang stood up and touched her forehead. "No fever. Does your head still hurt?"
Zhao Yu shook her head.
Seeing that she seemed out of sorts, Xue Zi'ang slowly drew her into his embrace and said softly, "Don't be angry anymore, okay?"
This man rarely spoke with such a tone. Swallowing his pride to apologize to her and coax her like this was probably already his limit.
Zhao Yu knew when to quit while she was ahead. She said in a muffled voice, "Then promise me, from now on, don't treat me like that again. If you're in a bad mood, you can tell me. I'll try my best to help and cheer you up. But don't act like you did the day before yesterday, making me feel like I'm just a tool for your venting."
"Mhm, I promise."
Zhao Yu wrapped her arms around him and coquettishly pounded his shoulder a few times. "Do you realize how scary you were at that moment? Usually when we do it, no matter how rough you are, I can still tell that you care about my feelings. But that day, I almost thought you didn't recognize me anymore. You really scared me."
"I know. It's my fault for drinking too much and losing control. It was my mistake." He kept gently stroking her head. "It won't happen again. I promise."
Zhao Yu finally hugged him contentedly, nestling in his arms and peacefully enjoying this rare moment of warmth and tranquility.
please update sooner 😢
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