Gloves - Chapter 5

An Chujie’s Perspective on Shang Zhuoxi

In psychology, it is often said that we tend to develop a dependence and infatuation towards the person who first makes us feel safe. When I read this statement, the only image that came to my mind was Shang Zhuoxi looking down at me, her hand reaching out, adorned with pristine gloves.

Six years ago, An Chujie, at the age of 16

That night, I came home and cried my heart out. The indifference of my family had never made me feel so miserable. Since then, I have deliberately kept my distance from Yi Heng, because getting even a little closer to him would remind me of that painful night.

I resisted the urge to go and find Shang Zhuoxi, but I couldn’t help myself from staring at her number on my phone, over and over again. I missed her, her appearance, her scent, and the way she spoke… Lying in bed, tossing and turning, I kept telling myself to endure and let it pass.

At first, I held some resentment towards Shang Zhuoxi, but as time went on, I found myself unable to control my thoughts about her, especially at night, like now.

“The class monitor, a senior student is looking for you,” my desk mate hurriedly informed me. Thinking it was Yi Heng, I asked him to tell them that there was still homework to be done, and I continued to pretend to study while my mind wandered to Shang Zhuoxi.

Soon enough, someone tapped my shoulder. When I turned my head, I saw the familiar sight of the white gloves. I looked up at the person who touched me, their image reflected in my pupils. My heart started pounding fiercely. It was Shang Zhuoxi.

She was wearing a hat and a white shirt. No wonder people mistook her for a senior student~

“Come with me,” she said.

My mind couldn’t come up with any other reaction. I foolishly stood up and followed her outside. I walked behind her, completely oblivious to the various gazes around us. Shang Zhuoxi didn’t wear high heels, but she still looked tall. I watched her figure, smelling her scent. The fact that she came to find me was enough to prove that I was worth her time. All the previous complaints had vanished into thin air. Just by walking behind her, my whole body began to heat up. I followed her to a deserted area behind the teaching building. It was secluded, and I couldn’t see very clearly, but I knew.

She stopped, and I stopped too. She walked up to me, and I was too nervous to move. This situation was completely beyond my control. The dim light covered half of her face. She lightly pinched my chin, and I enjoyed the sensation of her glove against my skin.

“Miss me, don’t you?” Her tone was…

I looked at that face that drove me crazy every day, but quickly replied with false words, “No.” I didn’t want her to know my true thoughts.

She moved closer, and I could feel her breath against my skin. My brain started to spin, feeling dizzy.

“You’re the class monitor, aren’t you? I’ve heard them call you that. You should be a good student, a well-behaved child. So why did you sneak out during evening study time to be with me?” She reached out and pulled me into her embrace, her lips curling into a smile. This was the first time, the first time I saw Shang Zhuoxi like this. The real sensation of her embrace made my breath quicken.

Shang Zhuoxi was so wicked. It was her who called me out, I was the passive one, yet she portrayed it as if I was the one taking the initiative. I felt a bit indignant and was about to argue back when she silenced me with a kiss. Her scent filled my nostrils, her breath echoed in my ears. Suddenly, my mind went blank, everything was spinning. Shang Zhuoxi was kissing me. My body trembled uncontrollably, and her other hand gently supported my head. Being treated so tenderly, I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. But I also felt a twinge of fear. After all, we were still in school. Subconsciously, I placed my hands on her shoulders, the sensation of being kissed felt electric. I slowly learned to respond to her.

Unnoticed during the quiet evening study time, there was a small flame burning somewhere on the school campus. Shang Zhuoxi, I like you so much. What should I do?

—————————————————————————————————————————

The first time I cried, the first time I skipped class, the first kiss… so many firsts were given to Shang Zhuoxi. If love is like a balance scale, then I was constantly adding weight to it. But looking back now, I realize I was playing with fire. However, it was just a small flame, without any destructive power, and it even brought warmth.

“Oh, look at your 55 body ratio. You don’t even know how to raise your skirt a bit to make your legs look longer. And you, with your big chest, shouldn’t wear this kind of neckline. Ah, you really make this handsome man’s nerves suffer…”

…

Since Tu Yi joined the First Hospital, the surgical duty room has become particularly lively. For example, now, he made the nurses stand in a row while flipping through magazines and commenting on the innocent little nurses.

“Looking at our hospital, Director Shang is quite easy on the eyes. Actually, my Lily is not bad either, so silly and cute. Hey, what about Xiao Li?” As he said that, his phone rang.

“Hey, little Luo Luo, finally willing to give me a call.” Yang Yiluo heard that provocative and slightly flirtatious tone and knew she didn’t dial the wrong number.

“Want to go out tonight?”

“What? I’m a busy little angel now, you know. Are you suggesting a date?” Tu Yi leaned his shoulder against the phone and quickly checked the duty roster. Seeing that he didn’t have the night shift today, he secretly rejoiced.

“The usual place, waiting for you.”

“I can’t stand the smell of smoke and alcohol. Besides, I’m an angel now, I should uphold proper behavior. You want me to go to that kind of place…” Tu Yi said while adjusting his white coat.

“Speak human language!” Yang Yiluo knew Tu Yi too well.

“A date~”

As the group listened to the phone call, their brows furrowed in confusion. But one thing was undeniable: Tu Yi was quite popular with these ladies. After hanging up the phone, it was almost time for him to finish work.

“Darlings, this angel will be temporarily leaving for a bit. Don’t miss me too much, alright? Oh, and if my Lily comes looking for me, tell her to give me a call.” After saying that, Tu Yi changed into his own clothes and walked to the door, not forgetting to wink at the nurses.

“What happened with your lawsuit? I told you not to sign that company, but you didn’t listen to me. That boss didn’t look decent at all. What a mess! Not listening to a beautiful woman’s advice only leads to losses and regrets.”

Yang Yiluo took a sip of the lackluster orange juice, smacking her lips.

“Would I ever tell you anything good that happened to me from childhood to adulthood?”

“Well, it looks like it worked out. Hey, Yiluo, why did you bring me to this place? Why is it so bright here?” The people passing by the dessert station couldn’t help but linger their gaze on Yang and Tu, the two big models. Tu Yi felt the uncomfortable stares from the crowd and realized that being watched, even in a fashion show, wasn’t so natural. Immediately, he took out a mirror and started touching up his makeup, afraid of being seen or photographed from an imperfect angle. While he busied himself, he responded to Yang Yiluo’s words.

“You said you wanted to go to a place without the smell of smoke and alcohol. You didn’t like the dirtiness of the bar.”

“Oh.”

“You didn’t want the noise of the coffee shop.”

“Oh.”

“And now you’re complaining about the brightness of the dessert shop?”

“Right…Oh! By the way, Yiluo, let me tell you, that Director Shang at our hospital is really, really, really attractive. I think she must be over 180 cm tall even without wearing shoes. Oh, I was so excited the first time I saw her.”

“Which hospital? I only know the First Hospital with the hospital director, Shang Zhuoxi. That’s not the point. The point is, why did you become a nurse?”

Yang Yiluo couldn’t quite understand.

“Shang Zhuoxi is the hospital director?! Then I must firmly stay as a little nurse in her hospital. You know, as models, our careers and age are inversely proportional. When we get older, who would choose expired meat over fresh meat? So, that’s why I didn’t even finish high school. I studied nursing for 5 years and got a qualification certificate. It’s not for nothing.”

“You’re actually quite clever,” Yang Yiluo teased, looking at Tu Yi with a hint of admiration.

“Tsk, it’s all forced by life. Look at my name, Tu Yi, a life of suffering. I had no choice…no wonder my life has never been smooth since birth.”

“I’ll treat my lawyer to a meal one day. You should come too.”

“The little devil actually wants to treat someone to a meal? Is your lawyer a man or a woman?”

“She’s a woman.”

“Is she beautiful? What type is she?”

“……”

“You’re not interested in women, right?”

“Come on, don’t make jokes. I’m just not interested in ordinary women. I’m just concerned about my little Yiluo, that’s all.”

“She’s very pretty, the epitome of restraint.”

“What?! Oh my god, the epitome of restraint!”

…………….

“Get in the car.” These words sounded like a command to An Chujie.

Sure enough, Shang Zhuoxi took her to her own house. After getting out of the car, An Chujie looked at the house in front of her, her nerves starting to tighten. Everything that had happened here in the past made her fearful. An Chujie shook her head and turned to run, but Shang Zhuoxi seemed to know her reaction from the beginning and immediately grabbed An Chujie’s wrist, almost dragging her to the doorstep.

“You better behave yourself. I guess you’re dying to know where your father is, right?” Shang Zhuoxi said as she held onto her and opened the door.

Upon hearing the word “father,” An Chujie’s nose tingled, her eyes starting to well up with tears. She stopped struggling and stood at the doorway, dumbfounded, looking at everything inside. Disgust welled up in her heart, but her body couldn’t move.

Shang Zhuoxi handed her a pair of slippers, giving her a scornful look.

“Go take a shower. I assume you know where the bathroom is and how to use it. Look at you, so dirty.”

Seeing An Chujie’s lack of response, Shang Zhuoxi suddenly felt a surge of anger. She grabbed An Chujie’s face and whispered in her ear, “Why haven’t you made any progress? Be a bit smarter and do what you’re supposed to do.” After saying that, Shang Zhuoxi forcefully pushed An Chujie away.

“Now, can you tell me where my father is?” An Chujie’s voice trembled with a hint of tears. Shang Zhuoxi, satisfied with the obediently showered An Chujie, walked over with a pair of gloves and a towel, gently wiping the dripping hair behind An Chujie’s ear. Her voice was unusually gentle.

“I’ve told you many times before, make sure to dry your hair, or else… ” Before Shang Zhuoxi could finish her sentence, An Chujie quickly walked away.

“Please, fulfill your promise and tell me where my father is?”

However, Shang Zhuoxi ignored An Chujie’s anger and paid no attention to her words.

“Be a good girl and put on the gloves,” the words were gentle, but Shang Zhuoxi’s face showed impatience.

An Chujie grabbed the gloves and threw them at Shang Zhuoxi. “Just tell me, I have work tonight!”

“Work?” Shang Zhuoxi chuckled softly. “Miss An has fallen so low that she has to work at night. Well, then I’ll work with you. How about working at home?” Shang Zhuoxi’s words hit An Chujie like a barrage of bullets.

“Shang Zhuoxi, don’t push it too far!” An Chujie’s heart was pierced by her sharp words, and her lower abdomen began to ache.

Shang Zhuoxi took out a few bottles of champagne from the wine cabinet, pouring them while continuing to embarrass An Chujie with her words.

“Miss An,” Shang Zhuoxi deliberately emphasized the title, “I heard you can handle your alcohol. How about having a few drinks with me?” After saying that, Shang Zhuoxi threw a stack of money onto the coffee table.

“Tell me how much money you want, and I can give it to you. How about that?” Shang Zhuoxi lifted her glass, leaning back on the sofa, enjoying the sight of An Chujie’s reaction. An Chujie, infuriated and embarrassed, was about to pour the drink on Shang Zhuoxi when a sudden sharp pain in her lower abdomen forced her to put down the glass and clutch her stomach with both hands. Her brows furrowed in pain, only An Chujie herself knew that the source of this unusual physical pain was the person sitting on the sofa at that moment, and that everything she was going through was thanks to Shang Zhuoxi.

“I fear you, and I hate you even more. I dread what you’re about to do to me. I despise you for turning my life into a complete mess.” – An Chujie