Heart Flutter

Chapter 131

Ji Yuqing still drove through the night to the nursing home. Her mother’s illness had always been her greatest burden over the years. No matter where she went or what she did, it was the one thing she could never set aside. She knew there was no cure, and she had long prepared herself for the day her mother would leave her. The only thing she could do now was make the time left as comfortable and painless as possible.

By the time Ji Yuqing arrived, her mother’s condition had stabilized. She’d been given a sedative and had fallen into a peaceful sleep. Lying there with such a calm expression, you’d never guess that just over an hour ago, she’d been so agitated and violent that the medical staff had been at a total loss.

That was the nature of this disease. When it flared up, it couldn’t be controlled—and it usually hurt the people closest to the patient the most.

The attending physician pulled Ji Yuqing aside. Hands folded in front of him, calm and solemn, he said gently but firmly, “Your mother’s condition has been going on for many years now. There are some things I think you should start preparing for.”

Ji Yuqing gave a quiet nod, her eyes drifting to the side. “I understand.”

After a pause, she asked, “How long does she have?”

The doctor was silent for a while before finally answering, “Probably a year or two. We’ll do our best to make sure she doesn’t suffer too much when the time comes.”

“Thank you,” Ji Yuqing replied.

…

After the conversation ended, Ji Yuqing stood alone by the window at the end of the corridor for a long time. Though she was well past thirty and had long grown into someone calm and steady, when it came to matters of life and death—especially those of her loved ones—she still found it hard to bear. Under the moonlight, her figure looked thin, lonely, and worn.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind her—each one crisp and clear. Ji Yuqing turned around, and when she saw who it was, her eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of joy flashing through her heart.

“Yanyan? What are you doing here?”

Tang Yan had gone home, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt she should come. She’d seen how lonely Aunt Ji looked in hospitals before. No matter what was going on now, she felt she should be by her side.

“I came to be with you,” Tang Yan said without hesitation.

Ji Yuqing smiled gently. “Silly girl. Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

Tang Yan bit her lip. “You’re more important than work.”

In that instant, Ji Yuqing felt something stir in her heart. She quickly turned her face away to avoid Tang Yan’s burning gaze.

“You’re still running from me,” Tang Yan said. “And there’s only one reason to run—because you’re afraid.”

“I’m not,” Ji Yuqing said, but even to her own ears, her voice lacked conviction.

“Then look at me,” Tang Yan said, grabbing her wrist and forcing her to face her. They locked eyes and held the gaze for a long moment.

“I know this might not be the right time, but running away won’t solve anything,” Tang Yan said, her eyes lowering for a beat. “If there’s even the slightest place for me in your heart, then nothing else matters. I’ll face everything with you. But if you can honestly tell me that you’ve never had feelings for me, that everything you’ve done for me is just because I’m my mother’s daughter—then I’ll never bother you again.”

As much as she said it, she was terrified it might be the latter.

Ji Yuqing’s eyes flickered with hesitation and uncertainty. “I know your mother. She would never accept the idea of us together. The gap between us isn’t just about age—it’s like a canyon.”

Tang Yan shook her head furiously, then took Ji Yuqing’s hand and pressed it to her chest. “I’m not afraid. If I’m with you, I’m not afraid of anything. To me, you mean far more than my mother ever could.”

Ji Yuqing’s eyes widened. She never expected Tang Yan to say something like that—never imagined she held such a place in her heart.

“You know,” Tang Yan said with a smile, “you were my guide for so many of my ‘firsts.’ And to me, you’ve always been the ideal partner. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love anyone else. All my hard work, my studying—it was all to catch up to you. To one day stand beside you, to one day be the one to protect you and have your back.”

Ji Yuqing was stunned speechless. This girl—just how much more was she hiding in her heart?

“I like you. No— I love you. That won’t change. Life is long, and I want to walk it with you.”

Ji Yuqing was quiet for a long time, her heart torn with guilt and inner turmoil. “Yanyan… this isn’t fair to you…”

“There’s no such thing as fair or unfair,” Tang Yan said. “In love, it’s just whether you do or don’t.”

“I’m so much older than you…” Ji Yuqing started again.

“So what?” Tang Yan cut in. “I was afraid you’d find me too young. Not mature enough. But being with you makes me fearless. What are you afraid of?”

Silence settled between them.

Then, above her head, Ji Yuqing let out a long breath—like she’d finally surrendered.

“…Alright. You win.”

She almost laughed at herself. The younger one wasn’t scared, and here she was—always trembling. Ji Yuqing was always overthinking, constantly suppressing her feelings. Was it exhausting? Yes. Painful? Absolutely.

She realized she wasn’t as brave or decisive as Tang Yan. Dragging it out would only hurt them both. Over the past three years since she left, she had tried to give up—really tried. Even living abroad, she couldn’t help but check in on her. A heart that had been dormant for years had once again started beating for the girl who had barged into her life.

Yanyan wasn’t afraid—so what was she so afraid of?

Life was too short to tiptoe through it, always holding back. What was the point of living like that?

The moment Ji Yuqing’s voice reached her, Tang Yan thought she was hallucinating.

“Huh?” She looked up in disbelief. “Did you just… say something?”

Ji Yuqing couldn’t help but laugh softly, then quickly composed herself. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You did!” Tang Yan threw her arms around her waist. The distance between them vanished in an instant. “You said it—I heard you! Don’t you dare deny it!”

Ji Yuqing was held so tightly she couldn’t break free. She blushed and whispered, “Let go… This is the inpatient wing. Someone might see.”

“I’m not letting go. Who’s even here?” Tang Yan replied, glancing around suspiciously.

Just then, an old man with a cane rounded the corner, saw them, and quickly turned back around with an awkward cough.

Only then did Tang Yan reluctantly let go. Ji Yuqing straightened her clothes, and the air between them felt a little awkward.

“Hey, you…”

Before she could finish, Tang Yan cut in, “I’m not going back tonight. I’m staying here with you. No matter what you say, I’m not leaving.”

Ji Yuqing couldn’t help but laugh. “I wasn’t kicking you out. I was going to ask if you’d eaten.”

“Oh?” Tang Yan blushed. Maybe she had overreacted. “I did… I ate the dinner you left on the table. I even cleaned up afterward.”

“I’ve been so busy, I haven’t eaten anything…” Ji Yuqing glanced at her. “Come eat something with me.”

“Sure!” Tang Yan agreed immediately.

They walked downstairs side by side, quiet, the only sounds their footsteps echoing through the halls. Their silhouettes overlapped under the soft lights.

Tang Yan felt strange—giddy even. It all seemed slightly unreal, like walking on clouds.

They reached the nursing home’s cafeteria. It was Tang Yan’s second time here. The only impression she had from her first visit was that the food was overpriced.

The place was completely dark—everything closed. Ji Yuqing checked her phone. “I totally forgot. It’s past ten. The cafeteria’s closed.”

“Seriously?” Tang Yan scanned the area, eyes landing on the only lit spot in sight—KFC. “I’ll check over there.”

Before Ji Yuqing could reply, Tang Yan had already dashed off. She wasn’t thinking about anything—just desperately wanted to find food for her tonight.

The KFC was tiny, with a limited menu. They were out of nearly everything. Without wasting time, she ordered the last available burger and Coke, paid, and rushed back.

“This is all they had,” she said breathlessly, holding it out. “We can drive into the city if you want something else.”

“No need. This is fine,” Ji Yuqing said, taking it without complaint.

Tang Yan never imagined that three years later, she’d be sitting on a park bench with Aunt Ji at a nursing home, eating burgers and drinking Coke under the night sky.

It wasn’t the romantic scene she had pictured all those times she imagined confessing—but it brought a deep, quiet peace.

The night breeze lifted strands of Ji Yuqing’s hair, and the gentle scent of her shampoo drifted past Tang Yan’s nose.

If she could sit like this forever, she would.

The whole compound was silent except for the chirping of crickets in the bushes.

Tang Yan leaned back, hands on the bench, utterly content. This must be the power of love. As for the world’s judgment—she didn’t care at all.

“Yanyan,” Ji Yuqing said softly.

“Hmm?” Tang Yan turned to look at her.

Ji Yuqing smiled, her voice tender. “Don’t look at me. Look up—the stars are out tonight.” She pointed to the sky, eyes bright and full of light.

Tang Yan stared, dazed.

No scenery in the world could compare—not even half as beautiful.