Burn Out - Chapter 81
It was late at night.
The two fathers finally stopped playing chess. They played all evening without a clear winner.
When they stopped, it was past ten in the evening. The others had already taken their baths, and the two fathers went to bathe as well. Ji Ting felt a bit sleepy, so she told Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan that she was going back to the master bedroom. As she walked to the door, her phone rang.
She opened the message.
A black avatar had sent a message.
Tan: Don’t lock the door.
Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat. She looked back and saw him in the living room dealing with work. His sleeves were rolled up, and he had just put down his phone. He glanced at his tablet without looking in her direction.
Ji Ting withdrew her gaze and entered the room.
She paused for a moment but didn’t lock the door.
She planned to wash her face and brush her teeth in the bathroom when her phone rang again. It was a call from a Beijing number, and it was her mentor. Ji Ting was taken aback. She hadn’t contacted her mentor in a long time. After graduation, she didn’t pursue a career in finance, so their topics of conversation had dwindled. However, her mentor had been very kind to her during her school years.
He was also Zhou Hui’s teacher.
Ji Ting answered the call and gently said, “Professor Liu, good evening.”
“Ji Ting, you’re still up?” Professor Liu asked warmly.
Ji Ting smiled and replied, “Yes, I am, Professor.”
“Good, I was worried I might disturb you.”
“You’re not, Professor.”
Professor Liu nodded and said, “Last time, before Zhou Hui went to Li City, he mentioned he would visit you.”
Ji Ting responded, “Yes, Senior Brother did visit me.”
“Yes, he told me afterward. Ji Ting, do you have time? Could you go check on Zhou Hui for me?”
Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat when she heard this. “Professor, what happened to Senior Brother?”
“He was socializing in Li City, drank too much, and ended up with a bleeding stomach. He’s in the hospital now,” Professor Liu sighed. He treated Zhou Hui like a son. Zhou Hui stayed in Beijing largely because of Professor Liu. The professor’s wife passed away early, and they had no children, so Zhou Hui was like a son to him.
Ji Ting was stunned.
She thought Zhou Hui had returned to Beijing. She didn’t expect he would have to go back again.
She guessed the negotiations hadn’t concluded yet.
She stepped out of the bathroom and said to Professor Liu, “Professor, I’ll go see him. Please send me the hospital address.”
“Okay, Ji Ting, thank you.”
Ji Ting said it was no problem.
After receiving the information, she picked up a small bag and opened the door.
Outside, Tan Yucheng was walking toward the corridor. Their eyes met, and Tan Yucheng glanced at the small bag in her hand. “Where are you going this late?”
Ji Ting paused and told the truth, “I’m going to see Senior Brother. He’s in the hospital.”
Tan Yucheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Zhou Hui?”
Ji Ting nodded.
Tan Yucheng rolled up his sleeves, glanced at his watch, and looked up at her. “Do you know what time it is now?”
Ji Ting replied, “I know.”
Tan Yucheng’s face darkened. They stood face to face in the softly lit but somewhat dim corridor, clearly seeing the emotions in each other’s eyes. Ji Ting explained, “It was my mentor who called. You know how well he treated me back then, and besides, Senior Brother has no friends in Li City.”
Tan Yucheng’s expression remained cold. “It’s his business if he has no friends. What does that have to do with you?”
Ji Ting looked up at him, slightly furrowed her brows.
He was being sarcastic again.
“What’s your problem?”
Tan Yucheng didn’t respond.
He had expected that the next time Zhou Hui would appear would be at their wedding, but now he was still lingering around. After Ji Ting finished speaking, she didn’t wait for his response and was about to leave with her bag. Tan Yucheng grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Their eyes met, and after a few seconds of silence, Tan Yucheng spoke, “Which hospital?”
Ji Ting provided the hospital’s name.
Tan Yucheng took her hand and said, “I’ll go with you.”
He then led her outside. Ji Ting looked at his tall figure and quietly asked, “Are you jealous?”
“Shut up.”
His voice was lazy as he said this. He guided her through the corridor towards the entrance, grabbing the car keys on the way. Meanwhile, Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan, who were tidying up and talking in the small living room, looked at them in shock. Xiao Xi was stunned, while Qiu Dan was in a daze. The sound of the door closing echoed.
Ji Ting stepped forward and instinctively wrapped her arm around his.
The two figures walked out the door.
Bang.
The door shut.
Xiao Xi felt a chill.
Qiu Dan snapped back to reality and looked at Xiao Xi. “Aren’t they a bit too close?”
Close enough to hold hands?
Xiao Xi returned to her senses and met Qiu Dan’s gaze. Unable to discern Qiu Dan’s expression clearly, Xiao Xi coughed, her heart racing, and said with a smile, “Is it? It’s probably okay. They’ve always been this close.”
Qiu Dan’s eyes were filled with confusion.
At that moment, Ji Lindong finished his bath and called for Qiu Dan at the door. Xiao Xi immediately pushed Qiu Dan and said, “Old Ji is calling you.”
Qiu Dan put down the cloth in her hand, turned, and walked toward another corridor. Upon seeing Ji Lindong’s refined face, she couldn’t help but scold, “Why are you calling? Can’t you see we’re busy in the living room?”
Ji Lindong looked a bit helpless. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Qiu Dan finished speaking, pushed past Ji Lindong, and entered the bedroom.
Her mind was a mess.
Xiao Xi noticed Qiu Dan’s reaction and sighed with relief.
Qiu Dan had a temper, as evidenced by how she treated Ji Lindong. This kind of temper was rarely seen and usually appeared only in extreme situations. Xiao Xi had been on the receiving end of Qiu Dan’s ire before. If it hadn’t been for Ji Lindong just now, she might have been the target.
Xiao Xi cleared her throat.
—
The black car pulled out of the garage.
Ji Ting sat in the passenger seat, her eyes on the man driving beside her. Tan Yucheng gripped the steering wheel, and the occasional passing headlights illuminated his hand. His black shirt looked quite stylish.
Tan Yucheng’s voice was low and lazy. “What are you looking at?”
Ji Ting paused, realizing he had noticed her gaze. She replied softly, “Nothing.”
Tan Yucheng turned to look at her.
Their eyes met. Ji Ting’s gaze was gentle, with a glimmer of warmth.
Tan Yucheng’s irritation eased somewhat.
He shifted his focus back to driving.
Ji Ting, thinking about what to bring for a patient with a bleeding stomach, stopped by a fruit shop near the hospital and bought a basket of fruit. She soon arrived at the ward where Zhou Hui was staying.
Zhou Hui was in the middle bed.
As soon as she entered, she saw him.
Zhou Hui looked up and, seeing Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng beside her, was momentarily stunned. “Ji Ting, what are you doing here?”
Ji Ting approached and looked at Zhou Hui’s pale face. She said gently, “Senior Brother, why didn’t you tell me you were in the hospital?”
Zhou Hui smiled at her beautiful face and replied, “It’s nothing serious, just that I drank too much at a social event.”
Ji Ting stood by the bed and said, “You should still have let me know.”
Zhou Hui nodded with a hint of resignation.
His gaze shifted to Tan Yucheng standing beside Ji Ting. Tan Yucheng nodded at Zhou Hui, placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, and said in a casual tone, “How are you feeling, Senior Brother Zhou?”
Zhou Hui looked up and smiled, “Much better now. I appreciate you coming all this way.”
“It’s no trouble.”
Tan Yucheng’s tone was steady as he placed the fruit basket and leaned against the empty bed next to Zhou Hui’s. His black shirt looked relaxed and casual, his arms crossed, and his collar slightly open.
Zhou Hui’s gaze shifted.
He noticed the new tattoo on Tan Yucheng’s collar. It wasn’t there last time.
From this angle, it was clear that it said “Ting.”
He looked at Ji Ting.
It was her name, “Ting.”
Ji Ting pulled up a chair and sat down, saying, “Professor Liu is very worried about you.”
Zhou Hui smiled, “I figured it must be the professor who contacted you.”
Ji Ting looked at Zhou Hui and said, “So you need to take good care of yourself.”
“Got it, got it.”
Zhou Hui continued to smile at Ji Ting.
Tan Yucheng, standing behind, narrowed his eyes.
The exchange between them was intensely noticeable.
Tan Yucheng’s long legs shifted slightly, inadvertently brushing against Ji Ting’s chair. The movement was subtle, but Ji Ting could feel it. She looked up to see Tan Yucheng staring back at her, his expression unchanged but his eyes deep, subtly urging her.
Ji Ting withdrew her gaze and turned back to Zhou Hui. She asked, “Senior Brother, have you hired a nurse?”
Zhou Hui shook his head with a smile. “No, Ji Ting, really, it’s nothing serious.”
Ji Ting noted that despite Zhou Hui’s pale complexion, he seemed to be in decent condition. Professor Liu must have waited until the most critical period had passed before informing her. From what she saw, Zhou Hui was recovering well.
Not hiring a nurse didn’t seem to be a big issue.
She nodded. “Well, you said it’s fine.”
Zhou Hui nodded in agreement.
Despite being in a hospital far from home and his work not going smoothly, seeing Ji Ting here was a comfort. When Ji Ting chose to return to her parents in Li City and not pursue a career in finance, and he stayed in Beijing to work for Fengxing Holdings, their paths had diverged. Even if there had been some feelings, they wouldn’t have led to anything.
Sometimes he indeed missed the days in university when their relationship was teased.
Tan Yucheng, observing Zhou Hui’s increasingly gentle demeanor, spoke up, “What’s on your mind, Senior Brother Zhou?”
Zhou Hui snapped back to reality and met Tan Yucheng’s gaze.
Tan Yucheng, leaning casually against the neighboring bed, looked relaxed and somewhat rebellious in his black shirt and pants, evoking the nonchalant dominance he once had on the basketball court.
Zhou Hui concealed his emotions with a smile. “Nothing much.”
Seeing that it was getting late, Ji Ting stood up and said, “Senior Brother, you should rest. I’ll come see you again in a couple of days. Remember to call Professor Liu.”
Zhou Hui replied, “No need, I’ll be discharged soon. Ji Ting, you go busy with your business.”
Ji Ting assured him it was no problem.
Without his glasses, Zhou Hui’s features appeared more approachable compared to his usual elite demeanor when wearing them. Seeing that he looked okay, Ji Ting turned to leave. Tan Yucheng had already taken a step forward and turned back to take her hand.
Ji Ting met his gaze and linked her arm with his.
Tan Yucheng glanced at Zhou Hui and nodded slightly.
Zhou Hui looked at their joined hands and nodded in return.
As they exited the ward, the hospital corridor was bustling with people, even at this hour. Nearby, there was a beautiful elevated bridge.
While getting into the car, Ji Ting noticed it.
Tan Yucheng glanced down at her. “Do you want to go?”
Ji Ting looked up and asked, “Go for a walk?”
Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow and led her up the pedestrian bridge. They walked down the bridge and continued forward for about two hundred meters, where they reached the elevated road. The bridge was illuminated with a star-shaped pattern of lights, and a gentle breeze blew. Ji Ting leaned on the railing, enjoying the breeze and looking at the lit-up houses in the distance, while Tan Yucheng leaned against the railing with his hands in his pockets.
The night air was quite refreshing.
Ji Ting was somewhat lost in thought, primarily thinking about Zhou Hui. During college, she knew Zhou Hui came from a single-parent family and worked hard, taking on many projects to earn money. His hospitalization due to excessive drinking at social events was likely part of this pattern.
Tan Yucheng tilted his head, observing her in a daze, and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Ji Ting turned to look at him.
Given his earlier jealousy, it was difficult for her to admit she was thinking about Zhou Hui’s family. She shook her head. Tan Yucheng, noticing the breeze gently tousling her hair, recalled Zhou Hui’s recent hesitantly gentle demeanor, which clearly seemed intentional. Zhou Hui must have enjoyed the rumors about their relationship during college.
Tan Yucheng’s voice was low. “Did you ever like Zhou Hui?”
Ji Ting was taken aback. She looked up and said, “You’ve asked this question before. No, I didn’t.”
Tan Yucheng, leaning against the railing, responded, “Is that so? Then who did you like?”
Again with this question.
Ji Ting looked at his handsome face and was reluctant to answer.
Tan Yucheng, noticing her reluctance, became a bit irritated.
“Let me ask in another way: if we were to get married, would he come?”
Ji Ting looked at the distant scenery.
Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Yes, he would.”
To be the groom.
Tan Yucheng sneered.
He nodded slightly.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her away from the railing. He bent down and picked her up in a face-to-face embrace. Ji Ting was startled but held onto his neck tightly, looking down. Tan Yucheng glanced at her and said, “Let’s go home.”
Ji Ting buried her face in his shoulder, holding her small bag, and whispered softly against the wind, “Mm, let’s go home.”
Tan Yucheng, hearing her voice, slightly curved his lips, and some of his irritation dissipated.
On the long elevated road, he walked steadily down.
Ji Ting nuzzled his collar, smelling the familiar faint scent of ebony on him.
They retrieved the car.
Driving back home, they arrived at Tianyu quite late.
Uncertain if it was Xiao Xi or the nanny, they had left a small nightlight on for them. Ji Ting didn’t realize that their departure had been seen by their mothers. At that time, Tan Yucheng had been in front on the left side, and there was a cabinet blocking the view at the entrance. She was being led out by him and hadn’t paid attention.
Once they entered the master bedroom and closed the door, it was locked.
Tan Yucheng sat on the edge of the bed, undoing his buttons.
Ji Ting knelt on the bed and sat on his lap, their eyes meeting.
Ji Ting felt she was becoming bolder.
Having finished the afternoon’s activities, she wanted to start again.
Tan Yucheng smiled and pressed her waist with one hand. “What are you doing?”
He asked deliberately.
Ji Ting’s ears turned red as she thought for a moment and replied, “Going to sleep.”
“Sleeping on top of me?” he asked softly.
Ji Ting’s face turned even redder. As she considered leaving, Tan Yucheng’s arm tightened around her, and he tilted her chin to block her lips with his own. Ji Ting’s heart fluttered, and she embraced his neck, lowering her head to kiss him.
Later, the neckline of her dress slipped off, making it convenient.
Tan Yucheng moved in closer.
Early the next morning.
Ji Ting, still groggy and messy in her loose nightgown, was curled up in his arms. She opened her eyes, checked her phone, and saw it was already past eight. She tapped his arm.
“Aren’t you going to continue?”
Tan Yucheng’s voice was drowsy as he changed his position to bury his face in her neck and said, “We’ll leave at ten.”
Ji Ting responded with a murmur and then drifted back to sleep.
When she and Tan Yucheng woke up again, it was fifteen minutes past nine. After she washed up, changed clothes, and opened the door to go out, the large house was very quiet. Tan Yucheng had taken a shower in the guest room’s bathroom.
He was sitting by the table drinking coffee in a white shirt and long pants and handed her a cup of hot milk.
Ji Ting took it and drank.
Tan Yucheng adjusted his cuffs and said, “Aunt Qiu and Uncle Ji went to the supermarket. My parents went to buy vegetables.”
Ji Ting acknowledged with a “mm.”
At this time, Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong must have gone to the supermarket.
The nanny brought out a plate of rice rolls and congee, placing them on Ji Ting’s table. She thanked her and, having come out late, pulled out a chair and began to eat.
Tan Yucheng finished adjusting his cuffs and responded to messages on his phone while waiting for her by the table.
The nanny smiled at the scene and then retreated to the kitchen.
After breakfast, Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng left for the store in his car.
—
In the supermarket at this time.
The place was bustling with people.
In the morning, the vegetable, seafood, and meat sections were crowded with early shoppers, including local residents and young people. The prepared foods, bread, and bun sections were also very busy.
Qiu Dan, wearing a supermarket apron, was helping out and keeping an eye on things. Ji Lindong was checking the freshness of seafood in the seafood section, and Qiu Dan had removed her disposable gloves, leaning against the counter.
She seemed a bit distracted.
She hadn’t slept well after going to bed last night.
It felt like she had missed something.
She left the counter and began to pace.
A few employees, seeing the boss’s wife observing them, were very cautious and worked more diligently, not daring to slack off even for a moment. Qiu Dan looked up and suddenly saw a couple picking out soy sauce in the sauce section not far away.
She recalled the scene from last night.
She paused, took out her phone from her pocket, and dialed Xiao Xi’s number.
Xiao Xi answered quickly.
Qiu Dan held the phone and asked, “Tan Yucheng’s girlfriend is Ji Ting, right?”
Xiao Xi, who was about to suggest having lunch together, was surprised by the question. She blinked, feeling a bit nervous, and instinctively held the phone a bit further from her ear.
“Ah, what did you say? The signal isn’t very good?”
“Should I call you back later?”
Qiu Dan: “…..”
Click.
So, they are together.
Tan Yucheng and Ji Ting!
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Anonymous
I laughed out loud when jealous TYC asked JT if the guy she used to like would come to their wedding & she said yes. I like her character – smart, independent, & emotionally balanced.