Loving You in Silence - Chapter 12

Meng Yihuai tossed her coat onto the sofa, her brows arching slightly. “Could it be that Teacher Jiang is already asleep?”

“…”

Meng Yihuai hesitated for a second, then said considerately, “Alright then, I won’t disturb you.”

Just as she was about to hang up.

“Meng Yihuai,” a weak voice called out from the other side.

Meng Yihuai froze.

“Could you please not hang up yet?” Jiang Zi gripped the edge of the sofa with her fingertips, teetering on the brink of a breakdown. She tried her best to keep her voice from sounding too strained. “I’ll be very quiet. I won’t disturb you while you do other things.”

The boundless darkness swallowed her reason and composure. A soft, persistent knocking continued at the door, like a patient game of chess. Out of the corner of her eye, the red light of the hidden camera blinked steadily.

Jiang Zi curled into a ball on the sofa, alone.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t faced trouble before. In a foreign country, she had been robbed; her laptop, containing vital thesis data from months of sleepless research, had been snatched away. She had seen American police respond to calls with guns drawn.

She had been maliciously targeted during part-time jobs, faced passive-aggressive remarks from xenophobic Europeans, had her wages withheld, and been harassed by strangers.

Sometimes An Jia was with her, but more often than not, she had walked those paths alone. Jiang Zi thought she had forged a heart of steel, capable of remaining calm no matter what happened.

But tonight, facing a direct threat to her safety, she found she couldn’t stay calm at all. An oppressive fear spread through her. The knocking on the door sounded like it was coming from the depths of hell—cold and sinister.

Holding the phone to her ear, her grip tightening inch by inch, Jiang Zi pressed her forehead against her knees and prayed that Meng Yihuai wouldn’t hang up. Even if they couldn’t see or touch each other, just hearing the sound of the other woman’s breathing gave her a sliver of peace.

Meng Yihuai’s pleasant voice rang in her ear, dispelling a bit of the darkness. “Did something happen, Teacher Jiang?”

Jiang Zi’s eyelashes trembled. At that moment, the knocking stopped. There was the sound of light footsteps, moving from near to far. It seemed the person outside had finally left.

Jiang Zi blinked, not daring to look through the peephole. Her words were tight. “…It’s nothing.”

The other side fell silent. But she didn’t hang up either. There were subtle noises: the sound of walking, the sound of water being poured, even the sound of her swallowing while drinking was clear in Jiang Zi’s ear.

Jiang Zi blinked again in the darkness, a strange sensation welling up within her.

After finishing her water, Meng Yihuai propped her phone on the coffee table and used the remote to close the living room curtains. Then, she began to take off her dress. She was always casual at home, and since no one else was there, she tossed the dress onto the sofa, leaving her in nothing but a set of French lingerie.

Just as she was about to go to the bedroom to grab some clothes, Jiang Zi’s voice came through the phone, barely a whisper: “Teacher Meng, were you just taking off your clothes?”

“Hmm?” Meng Yihuai paused and picked up the phone, her brows raised. “You could even hear that?”

The other person went silent.

Meng Yihuai teased, “Teacher Jiang, you have quite the keen ear.”

“…”

Heat rushed to Jiang Zi’s cheeks. Her brain involuntarily used the sounds to visualize the scene of Meng Yihuai undressing. She felt like a total pervert—Meng Yihuai was completely unguarded, yet she was thinking about such scandalous things.

At that moment, the power in the apartment was restored. The world brightened instantly, and there was another knock at the door.

“Hello, Ma’am? Did you just call the police?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Zi clutched her phone and walked to the entryway. Looking through the peephole, she saw two people in police uniforms.

She let out a sigh of relief and opened the door, saying into the phone, “Teacher Meng, I’m hanging up now. Get some sleep. Goodnight.”

She was the one who asked not to hang up, and she was the one who ended it.

Meng Yihuai: “…”

The police asked for the basic facts and removed the miniature camera, scanning the rest of the room for any others. After confirming she wasn’t hurt, they urged her to be careful especially as a woman living alone.

Jiang Zi nodded and thanked them.

“We will review the surveillance footage and notify you of any developments.”

“Alright, I’ll cooperate at any time.”

As she walked the two officers to the complex entrance, she noticed a car with bright headlights approaching. The glare made her squint. The car pulled up beside them.

A woman stepped out. Jiang Zi was surprised. “Teacher Meng.”

The officer asked, “An acquaintance?”

“She’s my friend,” Jiang Zi said, stepping toward Meng Yihuai. “Teacher Meng, why are you here?”

The question was actually unnecessary. It was past midnight; there was no reason for her to leave her comfortable bed and drive back to this dilapidated complex other than out of concern. Jiang Zi regretted her call slightly; she didn’t like being a burden or owing favors.

Meng Yihuai’s gaze swept over the police. “What happened?”

The two officers shared a look, and the female officer gave a brief summary of the night’s events. Seeing Meng Yihuai remain silent, the officer added, “This complex is old and the security isn’t great, making it easy for people with bad intentions. We’ll try to solve this quickly, but there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again.”

She continued, “Single, attractive women are often targeted. Especially with someone secretly installing a camera like tonight. You don’t know what was filmed or what foreign websites it might end up on. I suggest finding a roommate or moving to a complex with better security. It’s for your own safety.”

Jiang Zi: “…”

After the police left, a heavy silence fell. Even though she knew Meng Yihuai wouldn’t laugh at her, it felt awkward to have such an embarrassing and distressing situation witnessed by a colleague she wasn’t that close with. A late-night breeze swirled around them; Jiang Zi, without a coat, shivered slightly.

After a long while, Meng Yihuai spoke. “Teacher Jiang, do you still want to stay here tonight?”

Jiang Zi really didn’t want to. Between the intruder and the camera, she felt a lingering sense of revulsion.

Meng Yihuai suggested, “Why don’t you stay at the school? There are security guards on duty twenty-four hours a day. Strangers aren’t allowed in or out freely.”

After thinking it over, Jiang Zi nodded. “Okay.”

Meng Yihuai smiled. “Then go up and pack a bag. I’ll wait for you down here.”

Watching her walk away, Meng Yihuai leaned against the car door. She pulled a white peach-flavored lollipop from her pocket and bit into it. The sweet taste melted in her mouth, dissolving the tightness and lingering fear in her chest, as well as a small spark of fury that had been rising.

She was glad she came tonight.

After a short wait, she looked up to see Jiang Zi coming back down. Her luggage was pitifully sparse: just a 20-inch suitcase and a white canvas bag. Jiang Zi put the luggage in the trunk, closed it, and turned to find Meng Yihuai watching her quietly.

They locked eyes for two seconds.

“Teacher Jiang, I was really scared,” Meng Yihuai said.

Jiang Zi: “…”

“The police officer’s words were very vivid. It felt like I was listening to a ghost story, but when I realized the protagonist of the story was you, I became terrified.” Meng Yihuai looked down at her, shedding her usual playful demeanor. Her voice was soft. “I was afraid something had happened to you. I was afraid I wouldn’t see you tomorrow.”

Jiang Zi murmured, “But aren’t I perfectly fine right now?”

“But as long as there is even a possibility, I’ll be scared! Do you even understand what I mean…?”

Her tone held a trace of resentment. Jiang Zi nodded. “I understand. I get it.”

Meng Yihuai continued, “If anything like this happens again, you must do exactly what you did tonight—call me immediately.”

Jiang Zi: “Huh?”

Meng Yihuai glared at her.

“…” Jiang Zi sighed and complied. “Alright.”

“You nearly scared me to death.”

Meng Yihuai’s usual composed air was gone. Whether it was the night light or something else, her beautiful eyes seemed to shimmer with a hint of moisture, and her voice sounded somewhat aggrieved.

Jiang Zi didn’t know how to comfort people, so she simply stepped forward and squeezed the other woman’s hand.

Meng Yihuai looked at her.

“I’ll be more careful in the future. You don’t need to worry, Teacher Meng.”

“You’d better be.”

“…Okay.”

There were indeed people at the school security booth. The guard was exhausted, his head nodding as he dozed, but he rubbed his eyes and looked out when he heard the car horn. Recognizing them, he opened the gate.

The car parked below the faculty apartments. Jiang Zi took her luggage and walked forward, noticing Meng Yihuai following her out of the corner of her eye. They entered the elevator together. Jiang Zi tilted her head. “Does Teacher Meng live here too?”

Meng Yihuai replied with a straight face and a steady heart, “Yes.”

Remembering Meng Yihuai’s expensive apartment, Jiang Zi felt that living in the faculty dorms was a bit of a downgrade for her, but following her principle of not prying into others’ privacy, she didn’t ask further.

The two parted ways at the door.

After a long night, Jiang Zi finally got some rest. The room was well-stocked with daily necessities. She took a shower, finished her skincare routine, and lay down in bed. That was when An Jia finally called back.

After a brief explanation, An Jia was also horrified. She checked repeatedly to make sure Jiang Zi wasn’t hurt, and once satisfied, she reached out through the screen as if to pet her head.

“Were you terrified too?” she asked.

Jiang Zi hadn’t cried when she was facing the pervert alone, but now, being watched with such tenderness and comfort. And thinking of Meng Yihuai’s words, her eyes suddenly stung.

“I’m alright. It’s just building my courage,” Jiang Zi feigned a yawn. “I’m tired. I want to sleep.”

Realizing how late it was there, An Jia was considerate. “Then get some rest.”

Tomorrow is Sunday; there was no need to wake up early.

Jiang Zi didn’t set an alarm and went to bed.

Her sleep had always been light, but perhaps because she had been so shaken up tonight, the clatter and commotion in the hallway the next morning didn’t wake her.

The clock pointed to 10:30 AM when Jiang Zi woke up naturally. As she got up to wash her face, she could hear faint movements outside her door. The residents of this building were all female teachers, so she wasn’t worried. After drying her face, she casually pulled the door open to take a look.

In the spacious, bright hallway, Dai Ruyue was clutching a microwave in her arms and holding a brand-new pot in her other hand. She was struggling toward the opposite door, muttering through gritted teeth as she walked: “Meng Yihuai! You’ve really turned me into a pack mule. A famous host like me, coming over here to move your pots and bowls… where is my elegance! Where is my dignity!!”

A leisurely voice rang out from behind her: “Be careful not to drop them; they’re very expensive.”

Dai Ruyue kicked open the opposite door, huffing and puffing: “You absolutely have to pay me for this labor!”

“Ten yuan an hour.”

“Black-hearted capitalist!” Dai Ruyue turned her head, intending to snap back at Meng Yihuai, but her gaze shifted and landed on Jiang Zi. The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

The next moment, Dai Ruyue set everything down on the floor, brushed the dust off her clothes, and curled her lips into an elegant smile. She gracefully extended her hand: “Ms. Jiang, long time no see.”

“I am Dai Ruyue. Do you remember me? It’s okay if you don’t; I can re-introduce my—”

Before Dai Ruyue could finish, Meng Yihuai, who had been strolling along behind her, suddenly appeared in front of her. She was holding only a few bowls and looked incredibly relaxed. With her back to Dai Ruyue, she looked at Jiang Zi across the hall and said, “Ms. Jiang, did we wake you up?”

“I couldn’t help it; Yue is just too chatty,” Meng Yihuai smiled. “I’ve already scolded her. Please don’t mind her, Ms. Jiang.”

Dai Ruyue: “?”

Dai Ruyue whispered at her side: “Are you sick or something—”

Without turning around, Meng Yihuai’s empty palm accurately covered Dai Ruyue’s mouth. She ignored Dai Ruyue’s wide-eyed muffled protests and simply looked at Jiang Zi, smiling gently: “Ms. Jiang, we’re making chicken soup for lunch. Would you like to come over and have a taste?”

Jiang Zi stared blankly at their interaction. Hearing the invite, she hesitated: “May I? Would it be too much of a disturbance?”

“Not at all.”

“Then I’ll come help, too.” She looked at the mess in the hallway.

“No need. You’re in your pajamas, Ms. Jiang; it’s not convenient for moving things. We can handle it,” Meng Yihuai said.

Once Jiang Zi closed her door, the hallway returned to silence. Meng Yihuai let go, and Dai Ruyue leaned against the wall with a huff.

Meng Yihuai looked at her.

Dai Ruyue pointed to her own shirt and trousers, sneering: “These two pieces together cost 188,000 yuan.”

Meng Yihuai arched an eyebrow: “So?”

Dai Ruyue: “Aren’t they more ‘noble’ than Ms. Jiang’s pajamas?”

“Oh—” Meng Yihuai clutched her bowls and turned to open her door, saying nonchalantly, “If you’re worried about getting them dirty, I’ll just pay you back the money.”