Heart Flutter

Chapter 128

On the Way Back to Tokyo

Tang Yan leaned her head against the car seat, her gaze unfocused as scenes from her long-awaited reunion with Aunt Ji replayed in her mind. Petals had fluttered under the cherry blossom trees, and the person she had dreamed of day and night stood there, real and close. And yet, in that moment, Tang Yan held herself back—maybe out of fear that she’d vanish again, or maybe for reasons she couldn’t name.

“Tang Yan. Tang Yan?” President Chen Yuyan called out a few times from the driver’s seat.

“President Chen…” Tang Yan snapped out of it.

“What’s wrong? You seem distracted,” Chen asked.

Tang Yan shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

Her mind drifted back to Aunt Ji’s words: I’ll be back soon. It had sounded real—and knowing Aunt Ji, who had never been one to lie, Tang Yan believed her.

“Tonight, just follow my lead,” Chen instructed. “The two companies have been partners for years, so things should go smoothly.”

“Got it,” Tang Yan replied.

During the few days in Japan, aside from work, President Chen also took her sightseeing—a bit of a company-funded tour. From Tokyo Tower, they could see the whole city, even the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance.

Tang Yan sent lots of photos to her mom and little brother, promising to bring them abroad someday. Tang Huiyi was proud—her daughter had grown up, become successful, and hadn’t followed in her own old footsteps.

Still, after all these years, Tang Yan had never warmed up to raw sushi. In Japan, the only things she could comfortably eat were ramen, soba, seafood, or steak.

While they were out dining, President Chen noticed Tang Yan hadn’t touched the sushi and asked curiously, “You don’t like this?”

“I’m not used to it,” Tang Yan said with an embarrassed smile.

She could never forget the first time she tried raw fish—it had made her gag and nearly vomit. Aunt Ji, quick as ever, had caught it with her own hands before it hit the table. That memory was burned into her heart.

So many of her “firsts” came from that year with Aunt Ji. The influence was deep and lasting.

“Well, it’s not for everyone. I ordered you grilled eel rice instead,” Chen said with a warm smile.

“Thank you, President Chen,” Tang Yan replied politely.

Back in China, Ji Yuqing had returned as well. One of the main reasons was the sudden deterioration in her mother’s condition. The Swiss nursing home asked if she wanted to continue care there or bring her mother back.

Ji Yuqing thought for a moment—no, she’d take her home. She didn’t want her mother to pass away in a foreign land. China was where she belonged.

It wasn’t that being abroad made her condition worse. The illness was incurable either way. Over time, it would only get more serious. Ji Yuqing had always known this day would come.

Her mother had followed her around all her life but never really enjoyed much. She had never even traveled abroad. Now, in these final days, Ji Yuqing just wanted to give her the best care she could manage.

After settling her mother back into Qingshan Nursing Home, she took a taxi home.

The house was surprisingly clean—as if someone had been maintaining it. She’d expected dust everywhere, but it was spotless.

Yan Yan… she thought. It must’ve been her.

She tidied up a bit, unpacked her suitcase, freshened up with a hot shower, applied makeup, and headed out again—this time to visit an old friend.

She imagined her friend must’ve been livid about her sudden disappearance over the last two years.

“You still remember me, huh?” Zhang Miya greeted her in the courtyard, laughing through happy tears as she half-playfully slapped her shoulder. “You old rascal!”

“It’s my fault,” Ji Yuqing admitted softly. “I brought gifts for you, your husband, and Dou Dou.”

“Gifts for me and Dou Dou are fine. Why give anything to that man?” Zhang Miya huffed, clearly not thrilled with her husband.

“What happened? A lovers’ quarrel?” Ji Yuqing smiled.

Zhang rolled her eyes. “His company hired a fresh graduate as an intern. She’s all sweet and smiley with him—always bringing tea and asking how he’s doing. And get this—she gave him a tie the other day. What kind of normal work relationship includes gifting a tie?!”

“Maybe she’s just trying to impress her boss?” Ji Yuqing offered, not quite believing Zhang’s husband would do anything shady.

“That’s even worse! What if she sleeps with him to get promoted? I’ve been fighting with him for days over it. Sure, I’m not as young as I once was, but I used to be the campus belle too, you know. Had plenty of men chasing me. Whatever—if it comes down to it, I’ll take Dou Dou and live on my own.”

As they walked inside the villa, Ji Yuqing chuckled helplessly. “You’re unemployed and totally out of sync with the job market. How are you going to survive on your own with a kid?”

“I’ll manage. I’m not letting that girl win so easily,” Zhang said stubbornly.

“You’re just being defensive,” Ji Yuqing teased. “Whether it’s love or marriage, what matters most is trust. Your husband’s been in the company for years—seen plenty of people. I doubt he’d toss away his family for a random intern. As for the tie, maybe there’s more to the story. You should really sit down and talk with him.”

Zhang brought her a cup of coffee and plopped onto a nearby armchair. “If it really is what I fear, then… whatever. Time will tell.”

“Where’s Dou Dou?” Ji Yuqing asked.

“She’s in kindergarten. She’s grown a lot since you left! But now that she’s out of the house, I’m just so bored. And when I’m bored, I start suspecting my husband,” Zhang said with a laugh.

Ji Yuqing smiled faintly and set down her coffee. “I’m off work now too. How about we sign up for a flower arranging class, or some baking, tea ceremony, or yoga? Fill the time.”

“Sounds perfect! I’ve been dying for a playmate!” Zhang paused, then changed the subject. “But seriously, why’d you quit your job so suddenly? And disappear abroad for years? I almost thought you ran off with a woman!”

Zhang Miya had known Ji Yuqing the longest—knew her history well. Before Ji could reply, Zhang blurted out, “Don’t tell me this has to do with your ex, Zhou Qiluo?”

“Of course not.” Ji Yuqing forced a smile.

“But I heard from someone at the hospital that Zhou Qiluo eventually woke up… though she’s still basically a vegetable. Doesn’t speak or smile. Just sits there all day while her parents care for her. I mean, if she knew this would happen, why bother making all those selfish choices?”

“She… woke up?” Ji Yuqing blinked in surprise.

“Yeah, but you’ve been overseas so I guess you didn’t know. Either way, she’s not worth your time. She hurt you so bad—up and married someone else after years of being with you. And now she wants to come crawling back? Please. She’s too arrogant.”

“It’s in the past. Let’s not talk about it,” Ji Yuqing said quietly.

After spending half the day at Zhang’s place and sharing a meal, Ji Yuqing went to visit Peiwen next—another close companion and former colleague. She had gifts for her too, collected from various countries.

Peiwen happened to be off that day and invited her over to her new place—a spacious, well-located two-bedroom, a huge upgrade from her old apartment.

“I heard you’re doing great at your new job. I’m so happy for you,” Ji Yuqing said.

“It’s all thanks to your mentorship. I learned so much from you. After you left, I didn’t want to stay at the old company anymore.” Peiwen paused. “So… you’re really back for good this time?”

Ji Yuqing smiled gently. “This time, I’m staying.”

While she wasn’t looking, Peiwen sneakily messaged Tang Yan on WeChat.

[She’s here. When are you flying back?]

Tang Yan was at the hotel, frantically packing her suitcase when she saw Peiwen’s message.

[My flight’s tonight.]

[Good. I already asked her. She said she’s not leaving again. You better move fast—I’m worried for you!]

Peiwen typed with one hand while keeping up the conversation with Ji Yuqing. It was exhausting.

“Tang Yan, are you ready?” President Chen called from outside the room.

“Coming! I owe you dinner when we get back—my boss is rushing me,” Tang Yan texted back quickly, tossed her phone in her bag, grabbed her suitcase, and ran out the door.