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墨書 Inktalez
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered on the other end.
Junxi stared at the darkening screen, unsure if Zhou Xuanyu had not seen it or was deliberately ignoring her. After she had impulsively suggested they take a break and have some space, he must have been very angry.
But was she feeling any better?
This anxious and distrustful atmosphere was truly unbearable.
When Junxi arrived at the company, she didn’t see Zhou Xuanyu all morning.
Zhou Ziyan, however, had come back after several days away from work. As soon as he arrived, he drew a crowd, with everyone surrounding him and asking questions. He seemed in good spirits and patiently entertained them by recounting his experiences during those two days at the police station, making everyone laugh heartily.
Seeing him like this brought Junxi some comfort.
Indeed, no matter how difficult things may seem, they will eventually pass and turn into stories that can be told with a smile.
“Junxi,” Zhou Ziyan suddenly called out to her. “Jun Xuan is about to have winter break, right?”
Junxi nodded; Zhou Ziyan’s words reminded her that Jun Xuan had called a couple of days ago asking her to pick him up from school today.
“He called you too?” Junxi asked.
Zhou Ziyan smiled. “No, I just noticed that other kids were on break, so I thought I’d ask.”
“I’m going to pick him up this afternoon.”
Zhou Ziyan replied with a simple “Mm” and turned away, leaving the conversation at that.
By the time afternoon rolled around, Junxi still hadn’t seen Zhou Xuanyu at the office. She heard from someone in the General Affairs Office that the president was unwell and hadn’t come in. There were also rumors that he had gone on a business trip, but no one could provide any concrete information.
Junxi thought, it shouldn't be an illness. Just last night, he was lively and energetic at the entertainment venue with beautiful girls. How could he be sick today?
Could it be that she was actually right... No way, that couldn't be possible.
When it came to maintaining a clean reputation, no one could do it better than Zhou Xuanyu. She was very confident about this.
Junxi needed to pick up Jun Xuan and didn't have time to wait for Zhou Xuanyu any longer.
She wasn't willing to call him again. She had already softened her stance once; he should have responded to that.
Did he expect her to keep begging and chasing after him to call?
The one in the wrong wasn't her.
After her shift, Junxi went straight downstairs. As she reached the entrance, she saw Zhou Ziyan's car pull up in front of her.
"Get in the car," he said, lowering the window with a smile.
"What are you doing?" Junxi replied irritably. "Don't you have work this afternoon?"
"I'm also going to pick up Jun Xuan," he said confidently.
"What does that have to do with you? I can go pick him up myself. It's your first day at work, and you're skipping out—this isn't good..."
"If you don't get in, I'm leaving for the school," Zhou Ziyan interrupted her, rolling up the window as if to drive away.
Junxi stood still, not moving.
Zhou Ziyan lowered the window again. "I'm really leaving!"
Junxi lifted her chin defiantly. "Go ahead."
Zhou Ziyan, feeling frustrated, quickly got down to open the car door for her, pulling her inside. "My dear aunt, come on, come on! I'm begging you to get in!"
Junxi, now seated in the car, still seemed reluctant. "What exactly are you doing at Hengfu Group?"
Zhou Ziyan swiftly buckled his seatbelt and leaned over to help Junxi with hers, but she snapped it on herself with a decisive click, cutting off his intentions.
"You really don't give me a single chance to show my courtesy," Zhou Ziyan said, playfully patting her head with a smile that was both indulgent and helpless.
"Are you here at Hengfu Group just to be courteous?" Junxi blurted out, immediately regretting her words as she wished she could take them back.
She recalled that postcard.
Ever since that postcard appeared, it seemed impossible for her to face Zhou Ziyan without a hint of awkwardness. His careful handwriting would occasionally pop into her mind, disrupting her thoughts.
Zhou Ziyan started the car, and amidst the roar of the engine, she heard him say, "You'll soon find out why I'm at Hengfu Group."
The school entrance was crowded with parents picking up their children. Not only were cars unable to enter, but even bicycles struggled to make their way through.
Zhou Ziyan parked the car on the street opposite the school, and he and Junxi walked over to pick up Jun Xuan.
Jun Xuan had been standing at the entrance, looking around eagerly. Junxi spotted him first and waved from a distance.
"Jun Xuan!"
Hearing his name, Jun Xuan turned around. The moment his gaze landed on Junxi, he broke into a smile. "Sister!"
As Junxi approached him, she noticed how much he had grown since they last met; she had to look up at him now.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Not bad," Jun Xuan said casually as he ruffled Junxi's hair, then turned to Zhou Ziyan. "Zhou Ziyan, I knew you would come."
"Why's that?"
"Because you're my sister's little shadow," Jun Xuan replied with a laugh.
"Who are you calling a little shadow? Who, who, who..."
Zhou Ziyan rushed forward, grabbing Jun Xuan by the neck with one hand while tickling him with the other. Jun Xuan laughed even louder, dodging and retaliating as the two "big boys" made a ruckus at the school entrance.
"Alright, let's go home and make dinner."
Junxi pulled them apart.
With their tall frames, their antics were quite disruptive to traffic.
"Okay, okay, no more messing around!"
Zhou Ziyan withdrew his hands, and Jun Xuan stopped his antics as well. Just like that, the storm passed quickly, and they resumed walking together as if nothing had happened, arms slung over each other's shoulders.
"Zhou Ziyan, have you gotten into trouble again recently?" Jun Xuan asked in a tone that suggested he was all grown up.
"How could that be?" Zhou Ziyan denied it without hesitation.
"How could it not be? There have been so many news reports in Qingcheng saying you got arrested. I was worried sick at school," Jun Xuan said earnestly.
Zhou Ziyan, who had been joking around, seemed touched by Jun Xuan's concern. He sobered up and sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
"As long as you're fine, that's all that matters. Otherwise, my sister would definitely lose sleep over it," Jun Xuan replied, glancing back at Junxi. "Isn't that right?"
Zhou Ziyan turned to look at Junxi, his gaze filled with a hint of expectation and intrigue.
"How could that be? How could I possibly not sleep?"
"How could it not be? You were worried sick when Brother Zhou Ziyan got into a fight at school and received a punishment. Not to mention being caught by the police."
Jun Xuan spoke with a serious tone, causing Zhou Ziyan to break into a smile.
"I was almost forgetting about that. Come on, Brother-in-law, tell me how your sister was worried about me." Zhou Ziyan tightened his grip around Jun Xuan.
Jun Xuan quickly pulled his hand away.
"Cut it out, who’s your Brother-in-law? Did my sister agree to be your girlfriend? Stop trying to pull family ties, okay?"
Zhou Ziyan laughed heartily, leaning in closer to whisper something in Jun Xuan's ear.
Jun Xuan froze for a moment, then asked, "Really?"
Zhou Ziyan made a shushing gesture and hurriedly walked away with Jun Xuan, as if they were discussing some secret matter...
Before heading home, Junxi made another trip to the market.
Zhou Ziyan and Jun Xuan followed him inside, but the two of them stayed behind Junxi the entire time, not contributing any opinions.
It was unclear what Zhou Ziyan and Jun Xuan were talking about, but Jun Xuan kept asking him thoughtfully, "Really? Are you sure?"
Zhou Ziyan replied earnestly, "Really. I'm sure."
"What a bizarre conversation," Junxi thought, feeling completely lost in their exchange.
She picked out a few dishes that Jun Xuan liked and a couple that Zhou Ziyan enjoyed, but she deliberately left out her own preferences. She didn't want to prepare too many dishes that would ultimately go to waste.
After leaving the market, they headed straight to Junxi's place.
As Junxi got out of the car, carrying several bags filled with groceries, a gust of wind blew into her eyes.
"Ouch," she exclaimed.
Jun Xuan was busy retrieving luggage from the trunk and didn't hear her.
"What's wrong?" Zhou Ziyan asked as he walked over.
"My eyes are filled with sand," Junxi replied, tightly closing her eyes and afraid to blink because it hurt too much.
"Let me take a look," Zhou Ziyan said, leaning closer. He gently lifted her eyelid with his finger and blew softly into her eye socket. "Is it better now?"
Junxi shook the bags in her hand, really wanting to reach up and rub her eyes.
"It seems like it's still there."
"Don't move," Zhou Ziyan said, getting even closer, almost close enough to kiss her eyelids.
He blew into her eyes a few more times.
"Try again."
Junxi cautiously rotated her eyeballs.
"All good. It doesn't hurt anymore," she said.
Zhou Ziyan still held Junxi's face, their proximity unbroken. In that moment, he knew it wasn't the right time, but he couldn't bear to part from her.
"Let go," Junxi pushed Zhou Ziyan slightly.
"I don't want to," he leaned in closer, almost ready to embrace her.
"You..."
"Uncle Xuan Yu," Jun Xuan suddenly called out.
Junxi turned her gaze and saw Zhou Xuanyu's car parked at the corner of the alley. He leaned against the front of the car, and she couldn't tell how long he had been there or how long he had been watching.
Zhou Xuanyu walked over to them.
"On break?" he asked Jun Xuan, his tone not too cold.
"Yes," Jun Xuan replied obediently, then asked, "Are you here to see my sister?"
Zhou Xuanyu shook his head. "Just passing by, stopped to buy something, was about to leave."
Junxi glanced into Zhou Xuanyu's car; on the passenger seat lay a bouquet of vibrant red roses, identical to the one he had bought for her at One World that day.
"Alright then, come over for dinner next time. Try my sister's cooking."
Zhou Xuanyu remained silent, merely curling his lips into a slight smile, leaving it unclear whether that counted as an agreement to Jun Xuan's invitation.
"I'm leaving now." Zhou Xuanyu patted Jun Xuan on the shoulder and turned to walk away.
"Wait!" Junxi stuffed the bags she was holding into Zhou Ziyan's hands and said to both him and Jun Xuan, "You two go ahead; I'll be right there."
After saying that, she disregarded Zhou Ziyan's expression and hurriedly ran towards Zhou Xuanyu.
"Wait a moment," Junxi said, gripping Zhou Xuanyu's arm.
Zhou Xuanyu paused and turned to look at her.
"You came to find me, didn't you?" Junxi stated with certainty.
Zhou Xuanyu averted his gaze, coldly looking elsewhere. "Why did you call me?"
"I..."
"If it was to show me that warm scene from earlier, fine, I've seen it."
"Why are you acting like this again?" Junxi felt a headache coming on from frustration. "Aren't you here to make up with me?"
"Make up? Whether we reconcile or not is up to me."
"Zhou Xuanyu, I don't want to argue with you right now." Junxi made a pause gesture and pointed casually at the flowers in the car compartment. "I just want to know if that bouquet in your car is for me."
"No," he replied without hesitation. "I'm giving it to another woman."
Seeing his awkward demeanor, Junxi couldn't help but laugh.
"I don't believe you."
"Believe it or not, I don't care!" Zhou Xuanyu snapped as he turned away. "I have things to do, I'm leaving."
"Wait a moment," Junxi tugged at his sleeve.
"Speak," Zhou Xuanyu said impatiently.
"I really want to talk to you. Can we find some time to chat? Hmm?" Junxi shook his hand lightly, softening his tone in a playful manner.
Zhou Xuanyu maintained a stern expression, showing no signs of being swayed.
"Check my schedule," he replied haughtily.
"…"
Junxi went to the kitchen and prepared several delicious dishes, which Jun Xuan and Zhou Ziyan devoured completely.
After finishing the meal, Zhou Ziyan mentioned he had things to attend to and needed to leave.
Before departing, he called Jun Xuan outside, whispering for quite a while before they finally dispersed.
When Jun Xuan came back in, Junxi was still washing the dishes.
"What were you two talking about so mysteriously?" Junxi asked as she turned her head.
"Nothing much."
Jun Xuan avoided her gaze and went over to pour himself some water.
"Oh, so you have secrets from me now?" Junxi shot a glare at her brother.
"I can't say because I promised Brother Zhou Ziyan," Jun Xuan replied seriously, appearing particularly principled.
Junxi smiled. "Alright, I won't press you. Besides, I'm not that curious about the secrets between you two anyway."
After saying that, she continued washing the dishes, while Jun Xuan lingered nearby, holding his cup of water and leaning against the counter beside her.
"Sister, what does Uncle Xuan Yu want with you?"
"I'm not telling."
Jun Xuan clicked his tongue. "Why are you being so stingy?"
"I'm just this stingy. It's a secret between him and me, just like the secrets you have with Zhou Ziyan."
"You say you don't care, but deep down, you really want to know what Brother Zhou Ziyan and I talked about," Jun Xuan said with a knowing look.
Junxi splashed some water from her hands, laughing even more heartily.
Her brother was back, and the house instantly felt lively again. Even this playful banter made her feel particularly happy and gave her a strong sense of belonging.
"When are we going to invite Uncle Xuan Yu over for dinner?" Jun Xuan's topic still revolved around Zhou Xuanyu.
"Sure," Junxi nodded. "But why do you suddenly like him so much?"
"I never said I didn't like him," Jun Xuan replied, his face slightly awkward. After a pause, he continued, "Actually, ever since the last time we changed dorms, Uncle Xuan Yu has been coming to check on me often because he was worried I wouldn't adapt well at school and might face some difficulties."
"You mean Zhou Xuanyu comes to see you often?" Junxi was taken aback. Why was it that she didn't even know about this? Her sister was being quite incompetent; she was falling behind not only Zhou Ziyan but now even Zhou Xuanyu.
"Yeah. He often brings a lot of delicious food."
"You accepted it?"
"I didn't want to at first. But Uncle Xuan Yu said it was from you. He said you were busy and asked him to bring it over."
"You believed him?"
"I did at first, but now seeing that you don't know anything about it, I realize he was lying to me."
“……”
But being deceived is still somewhat warm, isn’t it?
A wave of warmth surged in Junxi's heart. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. Perhaps she shouldn’t have let Zhou Xuanyu go just now. That contradictory guy, she really wanted to give him a hug.
“Hey, does Xuan Yu Uncle like you?” Jun Xuan suddenly asked.
Junxi was taken aback.
When did her usually carefree brother become so sensitive and perceptive?
“What?”
“Nothing much.” Jun Xuan waved his hand and continued to gossip, “So, who do you like?”
“None of your business!”
“Of course it’s my business! This is about the person who might become my future brother-in-law. For your happiness, I have to keep an eye on things, right?”
Jun Xuan wrapped his arms around Junxi like a little adult.
His tall and sturdy arms already provided enough sense of security for Junxi.
She leaned against her brother's shoulder.
“Jun Xuan, I’m already very happy that you think this way.”
?
After the holiday, Junxi became even busier. Originally, she could just grab something to eat in the morning before heading to work, but with Jun Xuan at home, she had to make him a proper breakfast. She could go hungry or eat something simple, but her brother absolutely couldn’t.
Junxi prepared breakfast for her younger brother and packed some for herself to take to the office. Even with the fastest commute, she nearly arrived late.
When she got to the company, Zhou Xuanyu was already there.
Junxi was eating her breakfast in the pantry when she saw Zhou Xuanyu carrying his laptop to the conference room for a meeting. Galen came in to make him coffee and noticed Junxi devouring her food. She smiled and said, "Slow down. Don't choke."
"Sorry, Manager Gao. I didn't have time for breakfast this morning, so I brought it to eat at the office."
"It's fine." Galen waved her hand dismissively. "Mr. Zhou saw you just now, and he didn't say anything. I can't blame you."
Junxi chuckled and then quietly asked, "Manager Gao, has Mr. Zhou's schedule been tight these past few days?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just noticed he hasn't been in the office lately, and he went straight to a meeting this morning."
Galen seemed not to suspect Junxi's intentions as she replied, "He has been quite busy. He had a stomach issue yesterday and nearly doubled over in pain, which is why he didn't come to the office."
"Really? So what everyone said about him being sick is true?"
Galen winked mysteriously. "What? You didn't know?"
Junxi shook her head. "I really didn't know."
Galen fell silent and turned to pour coffee from the pot into a cup.
"Manager Gao, how can Mr. Zhou drink coffee if he's having stomach issues?" Junxi stepped forward and snatched the coffee pot from Galen's hands.
"I advised him against it, but Mr. Zhou insisted on having it. There was nothing I could do."
Junxi thought for a moment. "I have a solution."
"What?" Galen asked curiously.
Junxi put down the coffee pot and ran to the storage cabinet in the break room. After rummaging through it for a moment, she pulled out a bag.
"Manager Gao, please hand me Mr. Zhou's cup," Junxi said.
Galen complied and handed it over. At the same time, he noticed the words written on the bag that Junxi was holding.
It was Brown Sugar.
Many of the female colleagues in the company often come to the break room to brew a cup of Brown Sugar water to alleviate discomfort during their menstrual periods. Was Wen Junxi planning to make a cup of Brown Sugar water for Mr. Zhou too?
"Brown Sugar is good for warming the stomach," Junxi explained with a smile, as if she could read Galen's thoughts. "Besides, when brewed strong, Brown Sugar water looks no different from coffee."
"Are you really going to serve Mr. Zhou?" Galen looked at Junxi in disbelief. If he didn't know how indulgent Zhou Xuanyu was towards her, he would have been genuinely shocked.
"I'm not serving him; I'm doing it for his own good," Junxi replied confidently.
Without hesitation, she poured the Brown Sugar into Zhou Xuanyu's coffee cup and then added hot water, stirring it until it was mixed well.
"Here you go, Manager Gao. If he complains, just say it was my idea," Junxi said with a sense of righteousness as she patted her chest.
Galen couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright."
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