Heart Flutter

Chapter 115

Knock knock knock.

“So late? Who could it be?” Lu Wan, the closest to the door, asked as she looked to the others for a vote on whether to answer it.

“No idea. Let’s just check,” Xia Zihan said.

Lu Wan got out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and walked over to the door. When she opened it, her face lit up with surprise. “Oh! It’s you, Auntie!” she called out, turning her head and shouting, “Tang Yan! Your aunt’s here!”

Tang Yan, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed writing a report, dropped everything and jumped up, her eyes lighting up with joy when she saw Aunt Ji standing at the door.

“I was about to head out for a late dinner,” Ji Yuqing said with a warm smile. “Wanna come with me for some snacks? My treat.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Totally yes!”

The girls lit up with excitement. Everyone scrambled—some jumped out of bed, others rushed to get dressed and put on shoes. The surprise was too sudden, even Tang Yan felt caught off guard. She beamed and said, “I thought… I thought you’d already had dinner.”

Ji Yuqing blinked and accidentally blurted out the truth. “I just woke up. Didn’t realize it was this late.”

So the truth was, Aunt Ji hadn’t eaten dinner at all—and certainly not with the innkeeper’s wife. She’d been lied to. She’d almost misunderstood Aunt Ji because of it. The realization made Tang Yan smile to herself, her heart instantly lighter.

“Auntie, we’re ready!” the girls chorused as they stepped out of the room. The five of them marched downstairs together and exited the inn in high spirits.

It was 9 PM local time—already 11 PM in Huadu—but the streets were still lively. Following the girls’ suggestion, Ji Yuqing brought them to a local barbecue spot. The girls eagerly ordered beer and tried a locally brewed spirit that wasn’t distributed inland but was a favorite among locals. The owner recommended it, saying no trip here was complete without tasting it.

With Aunt Ji’s permission, Tang Yan allowed herself a tiny sip. Everyone else was drinking, and it felt too awkward to sit out during such a cheerful moment.

The drink was sweet, not too strong, and easy to handle—perfect for girls. But that was exactly the danger. You wouldn’t realize how much you’d had until the alcohol snuck up on you, leaving you dizzy and lightheaded.

To cool her flushed cheeks, Tang Yan downed several glasses of beer, hoping to balance out the buzz.

“Why are you just drinking beer? Come on, eat something!” Han Shuang said, handing her a hefty meat skewer. Tang Yan shook her head.

“I’m full. I think I drank too much,” she mumbled, face red, letting out a small hiccup, eyes slightly glazed.

“Lie down and rest for a bit,” Ji Yuqing said from beside her. “No more drinking.”

Even Ji Yuqing didn’t dare have more of that liquor herself—it hit fast and hard. And sure enough, Tang Yan had drunk too much without realizing. But with her classmates present, Ji Yuqing could only wait patiently until everyone was finished so she could take Tang Yan home.

By the time the meal ended, it was nearly midnight. The girls were a little tipsy, cheeks flushed, laughing and singing as they made their way back to the inn. Ji Yuqing walked behind them, supporting the drunken Tang Yan. She couldn’t help but feel a wave of fondness—the girls were in full bloom, youthful and free, radiant in the prime of their youth.

Back at the inn, Zhou Qiluo was waiting at the entrance, as if expecting them. The girls felt a little guilty—it was so late, and the inn had to wait for them before locking up.

“Sorry, Zhou-jie, we made you wait again,” Xia Zihan said sheepishly.

Zhou smiled gently. “It’s alright. Just doing my job. Come in—it’s cold outside.”

As Ji Yuqing and Tang Yan passed by, Zhou called out, “She looks like she had a bit too much. Let me make her something to help sober up.”

“No need. I’ll take care of her,” Ji Yuqing said firmly, holding Tang Yan close and walking past without another glance.

Oddly enough, Tang Yan wasn’t completely out of it. She felt strangely clear-headed. It was just her body that wasn’t cooperating—light and unsteady, as if walking on clouds. If not for Aunt Ji supporting her, she wouldn’t have made it back.

She’d seen the brief moment when Aunt Ji and Zhou faced off. She saw it clearly. And to her surprise… it filled her with pride. That fierce possessiveness surged in her chest. Aunt Ji was hers. No one could take her away.

And when the door shut behind them, Tang Yan knew that Zhou’s glare had drilled right into her back—but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be closer to Aunt Ji. A little closer, a little more intimate. That lie had nearly driven a wedge between them. This was her way of reclaiming the space that was hers.

Up on the second floor, Ji Yuqing turned to the girls. “Tang Yan’s had too much. I’ll bring her to my room. You all get some rest.”

Xia Zihan, already dazed, waved without question and stumbled off to her room. They’d all drunk more than usual tonight. If Ji Yuqing had left Tang Yan in that room, she wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself if anything happened. No one knew Tang Yan’s drunk state better than she did. “Out of control” didn’t even begin to cover it.

After saying goodnight, Ji Yuqing helped Tang Yan upstairs alone. Tang Yan wanted to help, but her limbs were weak and her body was burning. She wanted to take her clothes off, just to cool down.

“Lie down first. I’ll get you some water.” Ji Yuqing eased her onto the sofa.

Tang Yan curled up on her side, eyes fixed on Aunt Ji. Watching her elegant figure move around the room, curves swaying gently, that heat inside her flared up again—stronger, sharper, primal. A raw, human urge began to stir.

“Here, drink some water.” Ji Yuqing knelt in front of her with an unopened bottle, twisted off the cap, and held it out.

In the next instant, the bottle clattered to the floor. Water gushed out, soaking the carpet. Tang Yan leaned forward—and kissed her.

It was bold. Reckless. The most daring thing she’d ever done.

But so what?

At that moment, it was the only thing she wanted to do.

She followed her heart, tossed every doubt aside, and surrendered to the heat and the haze.

Ji Yuqing’s pupils dilated instantly, her mind going blank.

She had never expected Tang Yan to do this.