Heart Flutter

Chapter 141

“Are you driving yourself or riding with me?” Chen Yuyan asked gently. She didn’t sound like a boss at all—more like an old friend.

“I drove here myself,” Tang Yan replied.

“Oh?” Chen Yuyan raised an eyebrow. “A fresh grad who already owns a car? Impressive. Or… did your girlfriend get it for you?”

“She did… I couldn’t afford it on my salary yet,” Tang Yan admitted with a sheepish smile.

“She must really care about you, then. That’s quite the gift.” Chen Yuyan said as she walked ahead, leading the way to the B2 level of the underground parking garage. Tang Yan followed.

“She does treat me very well,” Tang Yan said with a nod.

“Which one’s yours? Let me see,” Chen Yuyan asked with a teasing curiosity.

Tang Yan stepped forward and pointed to a sleek black car.

Chen Yuyan looked genuinely surprised. “That’s the newest Benz—easily close to a million. Your partner must be doing really well. What line of work is she in?”

Tang Yan scratched her head, unsure how to explain. “She used to be the sales director at a company… but she’s been taking a break recently.”

“Ah, I see.” Chen Yuyan changed the subject with a smile. “We should get going. You’ve got the address, right?”

“I’ve got it.” Tang Yan nodded, set it in her GPS, and followed Chen Yuyan’s car.

The restaurant Chen Yuyan booked was a fancy buffet where the average per person ran about five hundred. It had everything—lobster, abalone, sashimi, sushi—you name it.

Colleagues from their department arrived one after another, all in great spirits. They joked about how they were lucky to get a free meal thanks to Tang Yan. She didn’t know how to respond—after all, it was Chen Yuyan footing the bill. She felt grateful but also a bit guilty.

There was even a live band playing smooth saxophone melodies. Everyone sipped champagne, chatted, and relaxed.

Tang Yan quietly filled a plate with her favorites and sat in a corner, eating in peace, not really joining the group.

The restaurant sat atop a central tower in the city, offering a full 360-degree view. Below was the dazzling cityscape of Huadu, bathed in colorful lights. The nighttime view from above was breathtaking.

“Hiding out here by yourself?” Chen Yuyan came over with a drink in hand and sat down across from her.

Tang Yan smiled awkwardly. “The stuff they’re talking about… I don’t really follow or care about, so I couldn’t chime in.”

Chen Yuyan glanced back at the group. “Yeah, we’ve got way too many guys in this department. We really need more young women like you. But if it were tech talk, I bet you’d be in the mix.”

Tang Yan nodded. “I still have a lot to learn from the seniors. I’ll keep working hard.”

“That drive in you—that’s what I like.” Chen Yuyan rested her chin in her hand, swirling her champagne with a soft smile. Her gaze lingered on Tang Yan with a dreamy look.

Tang Yan instinctively avoided her eyes and quickly focused back on her food.

Being alone with her boss like this—when it wasn’t work-related—just felt awkward. Luckily, two colleagues passed by on their way to grab more food and spotted her.

“Tang Yan! What are you doing over here? Come hang out with the rest of us!”

Tang Yan quickly stood up. “Coming now.” She paused and turned to Chen Yuyan. “Excuse me, President Chen…”

“No worries, go on. Tonight’s dinner is for you, after all—you’re the guest of honor.” Chen Yuyan smiled.

“Thanks for saving me just now,” Tang Yan whispered to the colleague who’d called her over.

“No problem. Anyone would feel awkward sitting alone with the boss like that,” the male colleague joked.

Back with the group, someone had started a drinking game. Tang Yan watched from the side, remembering Aunt Ji’s strict rule—no alcohol, not even a drop.

“Hey, Tang Yan, you’re the star tonight. Come play a round!”

“I can’t,” she said, waving them off. “I drove here—no drinking for me. I’m good just watching.”

…

Time passed unnoticed.

Ji Yuqing was home alone, having had a casual dinner. She’d showered, done laundry, and put everything away. When she stepped back into the living room, it was already 10 p.m., and Yan Yan still hadn’t come back.

She couldn’t sleep, so she sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Every channel had the same dull soap operas. She switched around a few times, but they were all just as boring. Tired of sitting upright, she hugged a pillow and lay on her side—it was more comfortable.

No matter how hard she tried not to think about it, her mind kept drifting to what Yan Yan might be doing out there. She missed her terribly… but still forced herself to act indifferent and pretend otherwise.

And now, here she was, alone in the house and wide awake.

The place was eerily quiet, save for the sound of the TV.

Back at the restaurant, the group was ready to keep the night going. Someone suggested karaoke, and since the KTV was conveniently downstairs, the idea stuck. Tang Yan had originally planned to decline. She’d promised to get home early. But her coworkers insisted—if she left, it would ruin the mood. As the star of the evening, she had no choice but to stay.

The KTV room was full of chaotic, off-key singing. Tang Yan wasn’t used to it, but she told herself she needed to adjust. Maybe this was just part of post-grad life. You had to learn to deal with the world—to stop shutting yourself away.

“Tang Yan, your turn!” someone handed her a mic.

She took it with a smile. “Okay, I’ll sing a Faye Wong song—‘Mortal World.’”

“Already queued it up for you!”

She still remembered the first time she heard that song. She was sitting in Aunt Ji’s car. It was a beautiful afternoon, windows down, breeze drifting in.

Oddly enough, when she started singing, the noisy room fell completely silent. Not even whispers. Probably because President Chen was standing there recording her with her phone. Everyone got the message and listened quietly.

As she sang, her mind was filled with images of Aunt Ji—her smiles, her tears, every single memory carved into her heart.

By the time the song ended, her eyes were misty.

Applause erupted, startling her and yanking her back from her emotions.

“Whoa, Tang Yan! Not only are you a great coder, you can sing too?”

“I was completely blown away—sing another one!”

“That was amazing!”

…

Tang Yan waved her hands shyly. “No more, no more. Let you guys sing.” She handed off the mic to a nearby colleague and slipped out of the spotlight.

She wiped the corner of her eyes, unaware that Chen Yuyan had been watching and was already handing her a tissue.

“Why’d you go and make yourself cry?”

Tang Yan laughed and waved her off. “It’s nothing. That song just reminded me of a lot of old memories. Got a bit sentimental.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Chen Yuyan asked, concerned.

“Really, I’m fine.” Tang Yan smiled. And she meant it. She was just a little emotional. Time really flew. She’d changed so much over the years, grown so much. All she wanted now was to treasure every moment she had left with Aunt Ji.

By the time everyone wrapped up and said their goodbyes, it was past midnight.

Tang Yan headed to the parking lot and found her car. After saying goodbye and telling everyone she’d see them at work tomorrow, she got in.

But just as she shut the driver’s door, the passenger side opened.

Startled, she turned. “President Chen?!”

Chen Yuyan slid into the seat and flipped on the overhead light. “I got you a little gift.”

Tang Yan’s first instinct was to refuse. “No, no, you’ve already spent so much on dinner and karaoke. I can’t accept a gift too.”

But Chen Yuyan had already pulled out the box and opened it in front of her. “It’s a women’s Rolex. Here—do you like it?”

Tang Yan shook her hands, flustered. “No, I can’t take it! That’s way too much. Please take it back.”

“It’s not that expensive—only a hundred grand,” Chen Yuyan said nonchalantly, glancing around the car. “Still cheaper than the car she gave you.”

Tang Yan felt awkward and didn’t know how to respond. How was she supposed to get her boss to take the watch back?

“Just take it. It’s a little graduation gift from me,” Chen Yuyan said—and then added firmly, “If you don’t take it, I’m not acknowledging you as my employee tomorrow.”

…

Tang Yan was cornered—there was no easy way out.

“Alright, I’m heading out. Long day. I need a shower and sleep.” With that, Chen Yuyan stepped out and shut the door before Tang Yan could protest again.

“President Chen, wait! At least take the watch—” Tang Yan rushed out, but Chen Yuyan was already back in her car and driving off.

Tang Yan stood there, watching her disappear… still holding the watch she’d practically been forced to accept.

Looks like she’d have to return it at the office tomorrow.