Heart Flutter

Chapter 110

This wasn’t their first hug, but for Ji Yuqing, it was the most unforgettable and the most special one yet. She didn’t even know how to describe the way she felt in that moment—complicated, overwhelming. When Yanyan threw herself into her arms and hugged her tightly, Ji Yuqing felt like her heart might explode. Thump thump, thump thump. It just kept racing faster and faster.

The sound of a car door closing echoed from the front. Startled, Ji Yuqing looked up—it was Zhou Qiluo. She had gotten out of her car and taken a few steps forward before stopping at a comfortable distance.

Tang Yan turned too, surprised to see who it was. She let go of Ji Yuqing and looked back in confusion.

The innkeeper, Sister Zhou? What was she doing all the way out here? Tang Yan’s face was full of questions.

Zhou Qiluo clasped her hands awkwardly in front of her, her expression twitching a little as she forced a stiff smile. “So this is where you’ve been. Everyone’s been really worried.”

Tang Yan didn’t quite understand. She tilted her head to look at Aunt Ji, as if to ask what that meant. Ji Yuqing gave her a pat on the shoulder, signaling her to let her handle it, then politely and distantly said, “I’m truly sorry for all the trouble we caused.”

Tang Yan still didn’t fully grasp the situation but followed Aunt Ji’s lead. “Sorry for the trouble, Sister Zhou. And thank you for coming all this way so late.”

Zhou Qiluo smiled faintly and waved it off. “It’s no bother.” She then looked at Tang Yan and asked, “Shall I take you two back?”

Though her words were addressed to Tang Yan, she was really speaking to Ji Yuqing.

Tang Yan was just about to answer when Ji Yuqing beat her to it, placing a hand on Tang Yan’s waist to stop her. “That won’t be necessary. Yanyan said she wanted to stay here with me tonight.”

Tang Yan froze. Wait, when did I say that? She didn’t recall ever saying such a thing…

Zhou Qiluo smiled again, doing her best to mask her disappointment. But the bitterness in her expression still seeped through. “Alright then. I’m just glad you’re both safe. I’ll head back and let everyone know.”

Tang Yan might have been confused, but she had been closely observing Zhou Qiluo’s every gesture and expression. That look of heartbreak on her face… she had worn it herself before. And she got it.

Watching Zhou Qiluo’s lonely figure walk back to her car, Tang Yan mumbled, “She looked really sad…”

Ji Yuqing hesitated for a moment before gently squeezing Tang Yan’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go inside. It’s cold out.”

Tang Yan nodded, turning to follow, but couldn’t help glancing back one last time. Zhou Qiluo’s car was still there, unmoving. After that, she didn’t look back again.

Inside the car, Zhou Qiluo sat still, watching the two figures disappear into the village. The tears she had been holding back finally streamed down. She refused to believe what she saw—she couldn’t believe it. Yuqing must be doing this to get back at her. It had to be revenge. There’s no way she’d fall for another woman—anyone other than her.

But why… why wasn’t she so sure anymore?

Ever since they reunited after more than ten years, Zhou Qiluo had believed they had a chance—hope of rekindling what they had. But seeing how Yuqing treated that girl tonight, she suddenly felt like that hope was slipping away.

It was past midnight.

He Xu called again. Zhou Qiluo answered, asking what he wanted.

He was worried. When was she coming back? Did she need help? Zhou Qiluo said no—she’d return soon. Then she hung up, started the car, and turned back.

The village didn’t have streetlights. Their only illumination came from the glow of nearby houses.

Ji Yuqing and Tang Yan walked side by side. Tang Yan didn’t know where they were headed, but she didn’t care. As long as she was with Aunt Ji—even if they had to sleep outdoors—she was willing.

That’s why she went through all the trouble to find her.

“Why didn’t you stay at the inn? Why did you come all the way out here?” Ji Yuqing asked.

Tang Yan blushed. “I was… worried about you, Aunt Ji.”

“Is that really the only reason?” Ji Yuqing pressed.

Tang Yan didn’t know how to answer. Instead, she shot back, “Then why are you in Xinjiang, Aunt Ji? Didn’t you say you were going on a business trip? And you and Sister Zhou… you know each other, don’t you?”

Ji Yuqing was caught off guard. Yanyan’s rapid-fire questions made her head spin.

She took a while before replying, “Which one do you want me to answer first?”

“In order,” Tang Yan said proudly, lifting her chin.

“I came to Urumqi for work. Company assignment.”

Before she could continue, Tang Yan interrupted, “So it was a business trip… Then why didn’t you tell me?” Her tone carried a trace of hurt and frustration—though she didn’t voice the question that weighed on her the most: Why didn’t you ride with me? Why didn’t you even say goodbye?

“I…” Ji Yuqing faltered, fumbling for an excuse. “You had your classmates, I had my responsibilities. I didn’t want to interfere with your trip.”

But it wouldn’t have been interference, Tang Yan thought, biting her lip and lowering her gaze. “And… and you and Sister Zhou…”

“Do you want to know?” Ji Yuqing suddenly smiled.

“Yes.” Tang Yan didn’t hesitate.

“She and I… we used to be in a relationship.”

That sentence hit Tang Yan like a bomb. In just a few words, Ji Yuqing had revealed multiple heavy truths: she was into women, she’d had a past relationship, and that ex was none other than the inn’s owner—her inn’s owner.

What a small world.

Ji Yuqing noticed her silence. “Did that scare you?”

“No… not really…” Though it was just an old relationship, Tang Yan felt incredibly unsettled. Her possessiveness over Aunt Ji was threatening to swallow her whole. She hated the way the innkeeper looked at her. Even their slightest interaction made her jealous.

“We’re here,” Ji Yuqing said, nodding toward a nearby house. She didn’t dwell on the topic—just smiled and moved on.

Tang Yan looked up. “This is where we’re staying?”

“Yep. I was here all afternoon. I forgot to charge my phone last night, which is why it died and caused today’s chaos,” Ji Yuqing explained with a helpless laugh.

They arrived just as the man of the house was about to step out. Seeing Ji Yuqing, he broke into a warm, genuine smile. His Mandarin wasn’t perfect, but he said he was about to go look for her since she hadn’t returned.

Ji Yuqing smiled. “I went to pick up a kid from the village entrance.”

A kid? Tang Yan pouted. Aunt Ji had just called her a kid. (*≧へ≦)

The house was warm from the fire. The temperature here was much colder than in the city. The lady of the house kindly told them hot water was ready upstairs. Ji Yuqing introduced Tang Yan to the family. She couldn’t remember everyone’s names—they were long and complex—but their kind smiles were unforgettable.

“It’s late. Let’s not bother them. Time to go rest,” Ji Yuqing said.

Tang Yan was surprised. “We’re spending the night here?”

Ji Yuqing turned her head with a playful smirk as she climbed the stairs. “What? Would you rather sleep in the desert with me?”

Tang Yan flushed red down to her neck. Was Aunt Ji teasing her? Why did it sound so… suggestive? Still, if sleeping in the desert meant holding Aunt Ji close, she’d do it in a heartbeat.

The hosts had given them their best bed, with fresh sheets and covers. Ji Yuqing sat on the edge, removing her shoes to wash her feet, while Tang Yan stood awkwardly nearby, eyes darting around.

“Not tired?” Ji Yuqing asked, yawning.

“I’m okay,” Tang Yan grinned.

“Youth is wasted on the young,” she teased.

Meanwhile, back on the road, Zhou Qiluo’s drive felt like an eternity. For a moment, she’d even thought of flooring it into oblivion. Her tears had long dried, replaced by exhaustion and a raspy voice.

She arrived at the inn around 1 AM.

He Xu was still up, lights on, waiting for her. When he heard the car, he rushed out to greet her—only to be met with cold indifference.

“Did you find them?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she replied weakly.

“Hungry? Want me to make something?”

She didn’t answer. She walked inside and locked herself in the little room.

He Xu knocked. No response. He gave up. He knew her well. Even if he knocked all night, if she didn’t want to open the door, she never would.

“I’ll head out then,” he said softly, turning off the lights and wrapping himself in a coat as he left.

He now lived in an apartment he bought when they first came to Urumqi. Zhou Qiluo used to go home to sleep. They always slept in separate rooms, but at least they lived under the same roof. After opening the inn, she rarely came back—just for clothes or other reasons.

Tonight, for the first time, He Xu dared to step into her room. Out of respect, he had never entered before. It was tidy—but he knew it hid secrets.

He had chosen to endure, because he owed her. But he couldn’t allow himself to be kept in the dark forever. He needed the truth.

After rummaging through a few drawers, he found a photo album—full of pictures of Zhou Qiluo with another woman.

The woman staying in the VIP room.

And suddenly, everything made sense. She was the one from Zhou Qiluo’s past.

Back at the farmhouse, this wasn’t the first time Tang Yan shared a bed with Aunt Ji. In fact, she was used to it. Like a seasoned couple, she washed up and got into bed, taking the inside spot Ji Yuqing had left for her.

Ji Yuqing lay on her side, facing the wall, back turned. She looked asleep.

Tang Yan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her mind was racing.

I can’t believe Aunt Ji dated Sister Zhou… Does that make her my love rival now?

What would Aunt Ji feel seeing her again? Still have feelings? But Sister Zhou’s married now… though she still seemed to care a lot.

Aunt Ji’s into girls… just like me. I guess I was worried for nothing. Maybe my chances aren’t that bad.

“Yanyan.”

“AH?!?!” Tang Yan jolted in fright.