Heart Flutter

Chapter 127

Tang Yan’s Rising Star

Winning the award didn’t just bring glory to Tang Yan—it brought pride to her university, her department, her year, and even her class. Her course instructor would also receive a commendation thanks to her success.

This girl who had once been a quiet nobody on campus had suddenly become the school’s rising star. Her photo accepting the award now graced the cover of the campus magazine. And lately, whenever she walked across campus, she was often stopped by students asking for selfies.

“Senior, my cousin’s kid is also in the computer science department. Their whole family loves you. They’re so jealous we go to the same school. Can I take a picture with you?”

“You’re Tang Yan, right? I saw the competition video. You were amazing! Can I get a selfie?”

“Wow, you’re even prettier in person than on the live stream. Who knew the CS department had such a beautiful girl?”

“I’m a senior about to graduate. Compared to you, I’m seriously ashamed of myself. You young ones really are something.”

And so on.

But aside from the attention, Tang Yan’s routine hadn’t changed much. She still went to class like clockwork, buried herself in the computer lab, practicing coding, training both her hands and her brain. All the buzz and popularity didn’t seem to affect her at all.

The only real difference was that the school now valued her even more. Her instructor saw her as a key student to develop and frequently checked in with her both in and outside of class.

Being famous on campus wasn’t all fun, though. On her way to class or standing in line at the cafeteria, she was often stopped by people asking for autographs or photos. It annoyed her a bit, though her roommates teased that she didn’t know how lucky she was.

“You wouldn’t believe it—during my elective class today, so many people asked me if I was your roommate. I felt so proud! My girl is amazing!” Xia Zihan said smugly.

Tang Yan sighed inwardly. Since when did I become her girl…?

“Yeah, even me,” Han Shuang chimed in. “The lunch lady asked if I was your roommate too. Probably saw us eating together last time. She even gave me an extra meatball! Your fame is benefiting all of us!”

Tang Yan twitched a smile. Seriously? That’s… ridiculous.

“And lately, several guys from other departments have come to me asking for your contact info,” Lu Wan added with a wink. “Looks like your single days are numbered~”

“…Can you just turn them all down? I’m not interested in dating right now.”

The room went quiet for a second before her roommates exchanged knowing looks.

“No way, Tang Yan. Are you really planning to go all four years of college single?”

“Yeah, don’t you want at least one sweet memory before you graduate?”

“You’re hot property now. You could date in a heartbeat. I’ve got a list of guys waiting on your reply.”

Tang Yan laughed awkwardly, grabbed her bag, and said, “I’m heading to the study room.”

Her roommates watched her leave, stunned, as if they were looking at a living embodiment of ‘emotionally unavailable.’

On the way to the study room, Tang Yan ran into a girl jogging toward her. Her outfit was a little outdated—reminded Tang Yan of how she looked when she first moved to the city from the countryside.

“Hi, senior! I’m a first-year in computer science. I really admire you! I’ve had a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, but… I’m from the countryside. I wasn’t sure if you’d mind.”

Tang Yan smiled and replied, “Why would I? I’m from the countryside too. As long as you work hard, village kids are no less capable than city ones.”

The girl’s face lit up, her eyes suddenly filled with confidence.

“I’m heading to the study room right now,” Tang Yan added. “Add me on WeChat—I’ll help you out later.”

The girl nodded eagerly and thanked her over and over. For Tang Yan, it was a small gesture—no trouble at all. If others could benefit from her experience, she was more than happy to share.

A few days after the award ceremony, a sudden deposit of 10,000 yuan hit Tang Yan’s bank account. The next day, the department confirmed it was a prize from the school. The senior who took first place received even more. The administration encouraged them both to keep working hard and be role models for the rest.

Tang Yan shared the good news with her mom, who was thrilled and proud. She praised her over WeChat but couldn’t come to Huadu—her younger brother had just started school, and she had to drive him back and forth every day.

Tang Yan didn’t mind. She was grown now and had her own views. Ever since she reconciled with her mom, she had come to terms with a lot. She told her to focus on spending time with her brother and not leave any regrets.

But she still missed Aunt Ji deeply—her voice, her presence. It had been over two years since they last saw each other. Time really flew.

In those two years, Tang Yan stayed busy on purpose. It was the only way to keep herself from thinking. She worked so hard time just flew by. She was 21 now—when had that happened?

Recently, she’d received an invitation from the senior who won first place in the national competition to join his small R&D group—a team of computer enthusiasts who liked building and designing projects together.

Tang Yan, having finished her coursework ahead of time, welcomed the challenge. The senior, Wei Yufan, was sharp and articulate, great at logical problem-solving. He was the team’s natural leader, and everyone respected him. Tang Yan didn’t act any different from the guys—she didn’t waste time chatting about things unrelated to their work.

Some of the guys in the group had crushes on her but didn’t dare act on it. To them, Tang Yan was more intimidating than most men—too focused, too rational. It was like she wore a sign that said: “Not here for love. Come talk tech.”

People started calling her “Wei Yufan 2.0” because the two were so alike. When she found out, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

By the second half of junior year, their team had built a software prototype that caught the eye of a top-tier tech company. They offered a high price to buy the rights. Tang Yan earned her first real paycheck—over half a million yuan. She had never seen that kind of money before.

Of course, only she and Wei Yufan, the top contributors, got such a large cut. The rest of the team each received close to 100,000 yuan.

That’s how Tang Yan earned her first bucket of gold through collaboration and hard work.

Unfortunately, Wei Yufan was about to graduate. He had already accepted an offer from a Fortune 500 company. Everyone admired him. Tang Yan hoped to follow a similar path.

With his departure, their team disbanded. But just before the semester ended, Tang Yan got her own surprise—an internship offer from the industry’s top company. If she passed the internship, she’d get a full-time role after graduation.

She didn’t hesitate. She accepted immediately.

News of the offer spread like wildfire—especially among students in her year. Everyone envied her. That company was a dream employer for CS students, but offers were rare—like winning the lottery.

As senior year began, her roommates gradually moved out. The once-lively dorm became quiet. Since Tang Yan had completed her credits early, the department approved her for off-campus internship during the first semester of senior year. She packed her bags and left her dorm of three years, a little sentimental.

“Tang Yan, don’t forget us when you make it big!”

“You’ll come back for graduation, right?”

Tang Yan hugged each of them. “Of course. We still have to take our graduation photos.”

The company she was joining was located in the center of Huadu, far from Aunt Ji’s place. Without a car, commuting would’ve been tough. So she opted to live in a company-arranged apartment nearby.

Standing in Aunt Ji’s home—where she’d once spent a whole year—she couldn’t bear to leave. She didn’t pack everything, only what she needed. As long as Aunt Ji hadn’t returned, this would remain her waiting place.

She cleaned the house again, double-checked the windows and power, and finally closed the door with her suitcase.

Waiting outside was Ms. Zhang, the HR rep—a warm and friendly woman.

She glanced at the building and said, “So this is where you live? This neighborhood’s crazy expensive.”

Tang Yan gave a sheepish smile. “It’s not really my place. I’ve been staying with my aunt.”

“Oh, I see. Then your aunt must be doing really well to afford this place. So lucky.”

“Can I get in the car?” Tang Yan asked calmly, already heading to the backseat.

Ms. Zhang blinked, then snapped out of her thoughts. “Sit up front—it’s just the two of us. Let’s go.”

During the ride, Ms. Zhang chatted non-stop. “You know, you’re the only undergrad intern our company broke the rules to accept this year. Even a lot of recent grads didn’t get in. President Chen personally recommended you. If I had to guess, you’ll probably be working directly under her.”

Tang Yan just nodded, not saying much.

“You CS kids are all so quiet. Most of the programmers in our office are too shy to say a word.”

At last, they arrived. It was a mixed-use building, just a five-minute walk from the office. The company dorms were standard two-person rooms, fully furnished. As she toured the room, another girl emerged from the bathroom.

Probably her future roommate?

“Hey, you must be the new intern. I’m xxx—”

Tang Yan barely registered what she said. The girl casually took off her coat in front of both Tang Yan and Ms. Zhang, standing there in just her bra, changing clothes without a care.

Tang Yan quickly turned away. Even though they were both girls, it felt… wrong. Like she was betraying Aunt Ji just by looking.

In the end, she chose not to stay in the dorm. She rented a one-bedroom apartment nearby—her second biggest expense since buying that necklace for Aunt Ji.

“You silly kid. You gave up free housing just to rent your own place?” Ms. Zhang didn’t get it.

But Tang Yan didn’t explain. She couldn’t exactly say, I can’t share a room with another girl. It was worth the money. She’d earn it back.

When she met President Chen, she found her to be a strong, capable woman—probably around Aunt Ji’s age, but already high up in a massive company.

Normally, interns were given menial tasks. But Tang Yan was immediately assigned to the core tech department under President Chen. She was technically just an assistant, but already doing real work.

On her first day, President Chen told her, “See them? They earn 50k to 100k a month. Do well, and you could earn even more. That’s how this industry works.”

Tang Yan took those words to heart.

Halfway through her internship, she got a surprise—President Chen told her she’d be accompanying her on a business trip to Japan next month. Their company had ongoing collaborations there, but Tang Yan didn’t know why she was chosen.

When she asked, Chen said, “Because I see potential in you. You remind me of my younger self. I’m lifting you up because I believe you’ll go far in this field. Don’t thank me—just treat me to dinner when you get promoted.”

Chen helped her through the whole visa process. It was Tang Yan’s first time doing anything like that. She finally got to see what an embassy looked like.

From the start, President Chen had looked out for her, giving her opportunities to grow. Tang Yan was grateful.

The day before flying out, Tang Yan video-called Peiwen. That’s when she learned Peiwen had also switched jobs after Aunt Ji left—her salary had doubled.

“I’m so happy to see you doing so well,” Peiwen said. “If Yuqing knew, she’d be proud.”

“Have you… heard anything from her lately?” Tang Yan asked softly.

“Still nothing. It’s been over two and a half years. You’d think she’d check in with people who miss her.”

Tang Yan pressed her lips together, steeling herself. “It’s okay. I’ll just keep working hard—and keep waiting for her.”

Even if it took another three years, or six, or nine… she would keep waiting.

—

After several hours of flying, they arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport just after 1 p.m. A private car sent by the Japanese partner company picked them up. President Chen was busy the whole ride, on calls and reviewing files. Tang Yan sat in the back, stunned. She had only dozed off briefly—how had she ended up in a whole different country?

The city sped by outside—clean streets, modern towers, a mix of kanji and kana signs. Tokyo was dazzling.

After an hour, they reached the hotel. Her room was right next to President Chen’s.

“Ugh, getting old. I need a nap,” Chen said. “There’s a dinner event tonight—be ready by seven.”

Tang Yan nodded, watched her disappear into her room, and went into her own.

She sat for a bit, connected to Wi-Fi, then knelt to unpack her suitcase—only for her phone to suddenly ring.

It was Peiwen.

“You won’t believe this. She’s in Japan too!”

Almost three years. Finally—a sign.

Tang Yan’s heart raced. “Where?”

“I just sent you the location. I found it on accident. She posted something on Instagram and accidentally tagged the location. I screenshotted it before she deleted it. Looks like she’s in Kyoto. Are you in Tokyo?”

Tang Yan didn’t hesitate. She started throwing things into a bag. “If I leave now, I might still catch her.”

She missed her so, so much.

“Go, then! Be careful. You might miss her if you’re too late.”

It would take two hours each way—four total. But if she moved fast, she could make it back by seven. She messaged President Chen on WeChat to let her know she’d be stepping out and where she was going.

Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto. Named after its pure spring, founded in 778. The oldest temple in the ancient capital.

Ji Yuqing never expected a slip-up on Instagram would give away her location—let alone lead to a sudden reunion.

Tang Yan, breathless from running, arrived just as Ji Yuqing was stepping out of the temple. One minute later, and they might have missed each other again.

She had so many things she wanted to say—but in that moment, she was silent. Just staring at her.

Ji Yuqing looked back at this girl—no, this woman—who had grown and matured in the years they’d been apart. Elegant, confident, beautiful.

Though she’d followed her updates online, seeing her in person was something else entirely. Yan Yan had really grown up.

“…Aunt Ji,” Tang Yan said softly.

“What are you doing here?” Ji Yuqing asked.

Tourists passed by, but they stood still, a small distance apart. Tang Yan had wanted to throw her arms around her—had dreamed of it countless times—but held herself back.

“My boss… brought me here for work.”

Ji Yuqing nodded, then smiled faintly, purposefully distant. “You look great. Your mom must be really proud.”

Tang Yan looked up. “Aunt Ji… when will you come back to Huadu?” she asked, then quickly added, “Everyone misses you.”

Ji Yuqing smiled, her eyes still as lovely as ever. Time had only added to her grace.

“Soon,” she replied.

Tang Yan felt some relief.

As they exchanged awkward, stilted words, another figure approached quietly.

She parked her car and called out.

“Tang Yan!”

Tang Yan turned, startled. “President Chen…?”

What was she doing here?

In front of Ji Yuqing, President Chen walked over and gently brushed a leaf from Tang Yan’s hair. Tang Yan instinctively flinched.

“I told you we had a dinner at seven. Why’d you leave without a word and come all the way out here?”

Tang Yan kept her head down, quietly accepting the scolding.

“I’m not mad,” Chen said in a softer tone. “Come on, let’s go back.”

Tang Yan turned around, but Aunt Ji was already gone.

Her eyes searched frantically.

“Who are you looking for?” President Chen asked.

“No one,” Tang Yan whispered.

From her hiding spot, Ji Yuqing watched Tang Yan get into the car and drive away. She clenched her hand tightly, her heart aching.