Chapter 44
During this trip to France, besides negotiating with Zhuo Shang, Yu Sui took the opportunity of being temporarily away from Chu Jiayun and her daughter to seriously reconsider her future path. She wondered whether she should remain just a “friend” who co-parents or try to rekindle their past relationship and truly give Xinxin a complete home.
She called Sheng Nanxi, a PhD student in child education, for advice. However, the more details she shared, the harder it became to keep things hidden.
“A-Sui, you’re suddenly asking so many questions about child education. Are you planning to be a stepmother?”
“Who said I’m being a stepmother?”
“You’ve never shown an interest in kids, and the toys you design aren’t for children. Now you’re suddenly interested in the most headache-inducing aspect—education. I can’t think of any other reason.”
It wasn’t that Yu Sui didn’t trust Sheng Nanxi; she knew Nanxi would understand her. But this wasn’t just her business—she needed to discuss it with Chu Jiayun first.
“I met a very cute kid after coming back to China. She’s about to start kindergarten, so I want to learn more. It would be great if I could help out.”
“That kid must be extraordinary to move your ‘Zen-like’ heart.”
Following Sheng Nanxi’s guidance and her own research, Yu Sui bought a limited-edition set of matching parent-child scarves—one large, one small.
Xinxin unwrapped the gift and touched the patterns on the fabric excitedly. The pure cashmere was soft, warm, and comfortable to the touch.
Chu Jiayun looked at the one in her hand, clearly surprised by the gift. She had expected Yu Sui to bring something for Xinxin, likely a special toy since she was visiting Shang Ding Group.
“Thank you for the scarf.”
“It’s still summer, but I checked the historical weather reports. Once autumn hits Licheng, the wind gets very strong.”
Chu Jiayun gripped the scarf tightly, afraid of showing too much emotion. She proactively changed the subject to work.
“Everything is basically settled. We’ll launch five products before the end of the year for a trial run in the European market.”
“Only in Europe?”
Yu Sui felt a bit of regret about that too. “The market is a bit small, but Europe is the most mature market right now. For a trial phase, I can’t demand too much.”
Xinxin didn’t care about “Europe” or market size. She only knew that Auntie Yu, whom she hadn’t seen for a month and a half, was finally back and had brought her a beautiful little scarf.
She pranced around on the sofa, leaning on her mother’s shoulder one moment and scurrying into Yu Sui’s arms the next, expressing her excitement over Yu Sui’s return.
During this business trip, Yu Sui’s biggest fear was growing distant from Xinxin, as children need constant presence. But Chu Jiayun had made sure they video-chatted every day and kept her updated on any special events in Xinxin’s life. Aside from the lack of physical hugs, Yu Sui didn’t feel the distance was that great.
Every Saturday, Yu Sui and Chu Jiayun would take Xinxin out. They had a tacit agreement to keep Saturdays free regardless of how busy work was. Sometimes Yu Sui had to work on Sundays, so she would bring her laptop to Chu Jiayun’s house, revising drafts while keeping Xinxin company.
Xinxin was fascinated by the dazzling designs and colors on the screen. Yu Sui would hold her in front of the computer and explain the nuances of the colors.
But children are active by nature, and Xinxin’s patience soon wore thin; she still preferred being with her toys.
Working while watching a child was definitely less efficient, but Yu Sui no longer showed any signs of irritability. Even when Xinxin suddenly climbed onto her back or covered her eyes with her hands, giggling mischievously.
To Yu Sui, this was far from an ideal working environment, but she never forgot how her one lapse in patience had hurt Xinxin before. She would rather be inconvenienced herself than let Xinxin suffer another blow.
This Sunday, Chu Jiayun didn’t return on time. She called Yu Sui to say a client had changed their meeting time last minute, so she would be home late.
However, by dinner time, Chu Jiayun was still on the road. Thunder and lightning rumbled outside, and a sudden torrential downpour frightened Xinxin so much she hid in Yu Sui’s arms, refusing to move.
Yu Sui stayed at the house with Xinxin, watching the raindrops hammer against the glass, unable to help worrying about Chu Jiayun.
The slow pace of life and simple social relations in Licheng were advantages, but the volatile weather was a drawback. Coupled with the limited educational resources and openness, in a sense, Licheng wasn’t the best fit for the growing Xinxin.
“Auntie Yu, why isn’t Mom back yet?”
The tremor in Xinxin’s voice and her urgent desire to see her mother made Yu Sui hold her tighter. “Mom will be home soon. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
Chu Jiayun hadn’t expected the storm to be this extreme. The road home was much more difficult than usual. A car in front of her stalled, and in times like this, everyone had to help out to get moving.
By the time she reached home, her clothes weren’t even fully dry.
Xinxin finally saw her mother return and couldn’t wait to hug her, but Yu Sui kept a firm hold on her. “Xinxin, Mom is wet from the rain. She can’t hug you yet. Let her clean up first.”
She then urged Chu Jiayun: “Go take a hot shower first.”
But by the middle of the night, Chu Jiayun felt a fever coming on. She struggled to turn on the bedside lamp. Xinxin was sleeping deeply; she only frowned at the dim yellow light and didn’t wake up.
Chu Jiayun had a splitting headache and felt weak all over. She took some medicine, but still felt terrible. She had been sick before and usually just gritted her teeth and powered through.
But tonight, her thoughts had changed. She didn’t know if it was because she felt worse or because she knew there was someone she could ask for help. After hesitating, she called Yu Sui.
Yu Sui had told her she could call anytime. Chu Jiayun had never proactively troubled her before, but tonight, she suddenly felt vulnerable and wanted Yu Sui’s help.
The phone rang for a while before being answered. Yu Sui was clearly asleep, her voice muffled.
Chu Jiayun endured the discomfort: “I’m sorry to wake you so late. Can you do me a favor?”
“What favor?”
“I have a fever. I’d like you to come over and look after Xinxin for me.”
Yu Sui’s voice snapped awake instantly. Chu Jiayun didn’t hear any unnecessary words, only a simple, powerful reply: “I’m coming right now.”
Those four simple words were more effective than the medicine she had just taken; the discomfort seemed less overwhelming.
Yu Sui threw on a coat and rushed over, not even having time to change out of her pajamas. When she saw Chu Jiayun, the woman had just finished vomiting and looked exhausted.
“Did you catch a cold from the rain?” Yu Sui reached out to touch her forehead; the temperature was high.
Chu Jiayun turned away to keep her distance, afraid of infecting her. “Probably. Plus, my health hasn’t been great lately, so my resistance is low.”
“Xinxin is in her room. Please look after her tonight. I’m afraid of passing it to her.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll sleep in the study.”
There was a sofa bed in Chu Jiayun’s study where she occasionally napped when tired from work. The guest room had a bed but had remained empty; she almost never slept there.
Yu Sui grabbed her. Her wrist was scorching hot, burning Yu Sui’s fingertips. That temperature and that touch… it felt just like that summer.
“You’re sick. You should sleep in the bedroom. I’ll take Xinxin to the study.”
“The bed in the study is very narrow.”
Yu Sui ignored her and pulled her toward the bedroom. “Xinxin can understand; she’s a sensible child. Instead, why are you, the mother, being so unreasonable?”
Chu Jiayun was left speechless. Perhaps she was so dizzy from the fever that she had no strength left to argue.
Xinxin was scooped out from under the covers by Yu Sui, wrapped in a small blanket. She looked bewildered, her eyes half-squinted as if she were dreaming—otherwise, why would Auntie Yu be in front of her in the middle of the night?
“Xinxin, Mom is sick. Let’s give the big bed to Mom. You come sleep in the study with Auntie Yu, okay?”
Xinxin nodded sleepily at first, then shook her head. “Xinxin wants to stay with Mom.”
“Mom’s illness is contagious. It wouldn’t be good if Xinxin got sick too.”
Chu Jiayun didn’t dare get too close to them. Children at this age get sick easily, and she really didn’t want to face the dilemma of both of them falling ill.
Yu Sui carried Xinxin toward the door, turning back to look at her. “I’ll take good care of Xinxin. You go to sleep.”
Chu Jiayun felt she must be truly ill; she was acting like a child, obediently doing exactly what Yu Sui said.
In the morning, Yu Sui first put a pot of porridge on the stove and then went back to the study to check on Xinxin. The child hadn’t woken up yet and the porridge wasn’t ready, so Yu Sui hesitated for a moment before entering Chu Jiayun’s room.
The scent of roses lingered in the room, making Yu Sui’s heart race. Mooching meals here had become commonplace, but she rarely had a chance to enter the bedroom.
She checked Chu Jiayun’s temperature. The fever had broken, but her hair was still damp at the ends. Yu Sui’s gaze moved from her forehead to her brows, past the tip of her nose, and onto her lips. They were a bit dry and looked frail. The sick Chu Jiayun made one want to care for her, to protect her.
Yu Sui thought of her frequent vomiting that Xinxin was so used to, and her gritting through the fever. It was hard to imagine how Chu Jiayun had navigated these years alone with a child.
But if she thought about it carefully, it wasn’t impossible to understand. The more Yu Sui learned about the hardships of parenting, the more her heart ached for Chu Jiayun.
Suddenly, Chu Jiayun woke up. Sensing someone nearby made her alert instantly.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Yu Sui, whose eyes were full of pity. Chu Jiayun was stunned. They were very close, eyes meeting, neither speaking.
A faint scent of ebony gradually emerged amidst the rose fragrance—distant and familiar. Chu Jiayun’s heart suddenly constricted.
Since that summer, she only reacted to the scent of ebony.
Yu Sui didn’t know what she was thinking; she just instinctively wanted to get a little closer, just a bit more.
Just as Yu Sui was about to touch her, Chu Jiayun suddenly turned her head away. Her voice was hoarse, her lips dry. “I’m sick.”
Yu Sui realized her lack of composure and immediately sat up straight, bracing her hand against the headboard. “I made porridge. You can have some when you get up.”
“Where’s Xinxin?”
“She’s still sleeping. I’ve prepared her milk as well.”
“Thank you.”
Yu Sui turned to look at her. “Don’t apologize to me, and don’t say thank you. I am doing this willingly.”
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