Fog Returns to the Capital

Chapter 34 reveals a subtle pity in his heart.
……

……

Shen Yichen's drama is scheduled to start filming after the New Year.

Since there wasn't much time left before the Lunar New Year, Sister Xin didn't get any new jobs for Li Wu.

That night, New Year's Eve.

Amidst the family's joy, Li Wu spent her time alone in Zhou Jinghuai's house.

Because Zhou Jinghuai had told her in advance that he wouldn't be there during the Chinese New Year.

Li Wu nodded obediently, indicating her understanding.

After witnessing Xu Lao's attitude towards Zhou Jinghuai that day, Li Wu knew that Zhou Jinghuai's identity was not just that of a rich man.

But she didn't dare ask.

So Li Wu only learned later that Zhou Jinghuai's status was actually that high.

If only I had known... But there are no "ifs".

Because she didn't ask the aunt to stay or have Jinyuan deliver food, Li Wu cooked a meal herself that day.

The meal consisted of two simple dishes and a soup, with the only meat dish being steamed fish.

Li Wu still hoped that she would have enough to eat every year, at least enough to ensure that she could have something to eat.

However, I might have been a little distracted that day, and the sauce I made wasn't very tasty.

Li Wu ate slowly by herself for a very long time, and only ate a very small portion.

Outside the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, the lights of thousands of homes stretch endlessly, creating a dazzling and prosperous scene.

The TV show was full of witty lines and jokes, and the laughter of the audience echoed through the empty living room.

When she saw something really funny, Li Wu, who was curled up on the carpet watching it alone, also slightly curved the corners of her lips.

It was almost midnight.

Li Wu found the first contact in the list and was about to make a call.

But after clicking in...

Li Wu's fingers suddenly paused, then she changed to sending a text message instead, which wouldn't be a bother.

Mr. Zhou, Happy New Year!

Li Wu remembered waiting for a while, but it seemed she didn't receive any reply. Later, as she waited, she couldn't help but fall asleep.

I don't know if Zhou Jinghuai replied later.

The first snowfall in her dream did not give Li Wu an answer.

……

Zhou Jinghuai returned the next morning.

Strictly speaking, it was the Zhou family that finally allowed him to return at that time.

If it weren't for Old Master Zhou's intervention, it probably would have been even later.

The room was silent.

The living room lights were off, with only a hazy, diffused light seeping in, creating a soft, hazy glow.

He took a few steps forward.

Zhou Jinghuai spotted a small figure huddled in the corner of the sofa. In the dim light, she was almost invisible.

Quiet and petite.

Zhou Jinghuai walked over quietly.

Looking down, I saw Li Wu curled up into a tiny ball like a cat.

Her fair and delicate face was slightly turned towards the sofa, and she was not covered at all. Her loose and soft long dress was slightly piled up, faintly revealing her pale and slender arms and ankles.

Soft, dim light enveloped her, making her look thin and fragile.

Zhou Jinghuai took a blanket and prepared to cover Li Wu with it.

Closer.

Zhou Jinghuai then realized that she was still tightly holding something in her arms—

It was one of his white shirts.

A small, still-wet water stain had seeped through the collar of the shirt.

Zhou Jinghuai suddenly stopped in his tracks as he was about to cover her with a blanket.

……

Li Wu wasn't sleeping soundly. When she sensed something approaching her, she groggily opened her eyes.

Upon seeing Zhou Jinghuai, Li Wu instinctively leaned towards him as she stood up, saying softly, "You're back." Her voice was gentle and still drowsy from just waking up.

Zhou Jinghuai reached out and pulled her into his arms, his warm fingertips gently stroking her slightly reddened eyes.

The eyelashes from crying haven't completely dried yet.

Zhou Jinghuai's heart sank slightly.

Why are you sleeping here?

Zhou Jinghuai looked down at her and spoke gently.

Perhaps because she had spent an empty night alone in the large apartment, Li Wu felt particularly vulnerable at this moment, and unconsciously wanted to get closer to Zhou Jinghuai when she heard his voice.

Li Wu reached out and wrapped her arms around Zhou Jinghuai's waist, gently resting her head against his warm, broad chest. The familiar, cool scent made her feel especially dependent, and her soft, gentle voice was like a murmur, "I fell asleep while watching TV..."

Zhou Jinghuai paused slightly as he held her hand.

He could imagine what it must have been like for her to be alone in this empty house last night, without her having to explain.

I hugged her silently for a while.

Zhou Jinghuai then took out a wrapped red envelope from his suit jacket and handed it to Li Wu.

"Red envelope?!"

Li Wu's eyes suddenly brightened, as if they had been filled with tiny glimmers of light.

Just as I was about to go and get it.

Li Wu suddenly paused again.

She looked up at Zhou Jinghuai, whose face was gentle and refined, and hesitated before speaking, "I'm already an adult."

In their area, once you reach adulthood, you generally won't receive red envelopes during the Lunar New Year.

"It's just for good luck," Zhou Jinghuai said gently.

The red envelope was very thick.

Li Wu could clearly feel its weight when she held it in her hand.

"I haven't received a red envelope in a very, very long time," Li Wu said softly.

The lights inside were still off, with only the dim light from outside seeping in through the window, creating a faint, indistinct glow.

She hasn't accepted any since her mother left.

Li Wu looked down, not really able to see the cover of the red envelope clearly, but she gently and slowly stroked it, feeling it very seriously. "But I remember one year, I received a total of seven red envelopes."

talking.

Li Wu smiled at Zhou Jinghuai, "That year was the year I received the most red envelopes."

Although the total amount of the seven red envelopes may not even equal the amount of one of them.

But at that time, she was still very happy.

Hear the words.

Zhou Jinghuai didn't speak, but simply hugged her tighter. His warm fingertips gently caressed her delicate cheeks, the touch so delicate and soft that even the finest silk could not compare.

Li Wu's body trembled slightly.

With those slow, tender movements, Li Wu could sense his subtle pity.

She raised her head in Zhou Jinghuai's arms.

At this moment, it seemed as if only she existed in his dark, deep eyes.

It was almost out of control.

Li Wu tilted her head back and cautiously tried to kiss him.

Her soft lips gently pressed against his lips, which still seemed to carry the scent of the first snow.

Li Wu's heart trembled slightly. Her movements were clumsy, yet she seemed to be bewitched, cautious yet bold.

Li Wu tried to grasp things little by little, stumbling and faltering, but she could never quite get the hang of it and could only test the waters on the edge.

But with Zhou Jinghuai, it was like starting a fire everywhere, threatening to spread like wildfire. In a short while, he reached out and cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

It felt as if a tiny, weak electric current passed through my lips and spread to my brain, leaving it completely blank.

Li Wu's body trembled slightly uncontrollably, and she almost unconsciously reached out and wrapped her arms around Zhou Jinghuai's neck.

His embrace was broad, strong, and warm, making her almost completely dependent on and infatuated with him.

The faint, hazy glow was dim and enigmatic.

Li Wu's legs were gently parted...

……

(End of this chapter)