Heart Flutter

Chapter 143

“So this is where you are! I’ve been looking all over.” Zhang Miya appeared at the Rolex counter, bag in hand. “Huh, checking out watches?”

Ji Yuqing smiled and shook her head, gently putting the watch back into the display and turning to Zhang Miya. “Just browsing to kill time. You done?”

“Ta-da!” Zhang Miya held up her shopping bag, beaming. “Let’s grab something to eat. I haven’t had breakfast.”

“Alright, let’s go,” Ji Yuqing nodded.

They went upstairs to a Western-style restaurant in the same mall. It was a weekday morning, so the place had just opened and was practically empty. They were probably the first customers. Each ordered a steak and sat down. Ji Yuqing sipped on her lemon water, her eyes distant.

“You seem out of it. What’s on your mind?” Zhang Miya asked.

“A lot, honestly. I guess that’s just what happens when you hit a certain age.”

“Hey, hey, hey—what’s with all the melancholy? We’re still young! Not even forty yet. Have you seen how many women in our age bracket are still playing teenage girls in dramas? Even if we’re fifty someday, with good skincare, we’ll still be dazzling.”

Despite her speech, Ji Yuqing didn’t crack a smile, which made Zhang Miya realize something was bothering her.

“Come on, is there something going on? Don’t keep it to yourself. Maybe I can help.”

Ji Yuqing finally smiled faintly and looked down. “It’s nothing big. My mom’s condition is getting worse, and work… well, I’ve been out of the game for three years. I’ve had too much downtime and feel kinda empty.”

“Yeah…” Zhang Miya sighed and gently patted her hand. “Your mom’s illness has been going on for years now. It wears everyone down—young and old.”

“I’m okay, really.” Ji Yuqing looked down, forcing a smile. “Talking about my mom doesn’t hurt like it used to.”

“As for work… I mean, isn’t it great to just enjoy life a bit? You don’t need money. Honestly, with the resources you have, you could start your own business. Why go back to working for someone else?”

“Being your own boss isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’ve still got a million things to stress over,” Ji Yuqing said, waving her hand.

“I don’t think anything can stop you. You used to be a legend—a total workaholic. Back in the day, there wasn’t a deal you couldn’t close. The moment you stepped in, the contract was as good as signed,” Zhang Miya said with conviction.

Ji Yuqing laughed and covered her mouth. “I wasn’t as amazing as you make me sound. I was just like anyone else.”

“Oh come on, don’t be so modest. You’ve always been brilliant. It’s just a pity I’m straight. Otherwise, I—”

“Hey, stop right there.” Ji Yuqing cut her off with mock disapproval. “Say one more word and I’m walking out on this lunch.”

Zhang Miya scrunched up her face dramatically. “Ji Yuqing! Did you just diss me?!”

“Shh,” Ji Yuqing chuckled, completely amused. “Keep it down.”

After lunch, Ji Yuqing suggested they head to the equestrian club for some fresh air. Zhang Miya was terrible at horseback riding—trembling the whole time and needing a trainer to guide her. Meanwhile, Ji Yuqing was like a warrior on horseback, galloping and leaping with effortless grace, drawing everyone’s admiration.

“Does she come here often?” Zhang Miya asked the trainer, her voice shaking as she kept her eyes fixed upward, not daring to look down.

The trainer nodded. “Miss Ji is one of our premium members. But you don’t need to be scared—riding is very safe.”

“Nope. No way. I’m afraid of heights.” Zhang Miya waved her hands frantically.

By then, Ji Yuqing had ridden back to her side. “How’s it going?”

Zhang Miya looked pale. “Not great.”

“Riding can be really fun. Why don’t you learn?”

Her entire face and posture screamed no. “I’m only here for you. Otherwise, I’d never set foot here.”

“That’s a shame. You’re missing out on one of life’s joys.”

“I’m fine missing it, thanks,” Zhang Miya replied dramatically.

…

The two bantered like a comedy duo, full of energy. Ji Yuqing had a genuinely joyful morning.

After lunch, she went home. The house was empty, quiet. For years, she had lived alone and gotten used to it. But now, because someone new had entered her life, the silence suddenly felt a little frightening.

She showered, changed, drew the curtains, closed the door, and curled up in bed for a nap.

Back at work, time slipped by unnoticed. When Tang Yan finally wrapped up her tasks, there were only a few minutes left in the workday.

Her male coworkers were already chatting about their post-work plans—some heading to a gaming café, others going home to play with their cats, some meeting their girlfriends, and a few planning to hit up a BBQ joint together.

Tang Yan heard it all and couldn’t wait to clock out and head home to cuddle up with Aunt Ji.

She texted her, but there was no reply even after she left the office. She figured Aunt Ji must be busy and didn’t think much of it.

Unfortunately, the evening rush hour traffic was brutal. A fender-bender on her usual route had the police redirecting cars. What was supposed to be two lanes had become one. It took forever to get through.

By the time she got home, it was already past six. The sun had set. She opened the door into a dark house—no lights on in the living room.

“Aunt Ji, I’m home,” she called as she changed her shoes.

No answer. Maybe she wasn’t home?

Tang Yan made her way to Aunt Ji’s bedroom and knocked on the door. “Aunt Ji? Are you there?”

“…Yan Yan?” came a sleepy voice from inside.

Hearing her voice, Tang Yan turned the doorknob. The room was even darker than the rest of the house—completely sealed off from light. “Were you sleeping?” she asked softly.

“Mm… overslept,” Ji Yuqing muttered as she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

“I’ll go make dinner,” Tang Yan said.

“No, I’ll do it. You’ve been at work all day. Go sit down and rest.” Ji Yuqing got out of bed and put on her shoes, flipping the lights on as she did.

“I’ll just put my stuff away first, then come help,” Tang Yan offered.

“Go ahead.” Ji Yuqing smiled.

After she left, Ji Yuqing washed up in the master bedroom bathroom. She’d slept so deeply her eyes were still puffy, and her double eyelids had morphed into exaggerated creases that looked oddly out of place.

Meanwhile, Tang Yan dropped her bag on her desk and immediately spotted the watch box. Her mind stirred with thoughts.

In the kitchen, Ji Yuqing quietly started prepping dinner—washing, slicing, and chopping vegetables. But her thoughts kept drifting back to that watch. Did Yan Yan accept it or not? If not, that was good. But if she had… what then?

She didn’t know.

It left a bitter feeling in her chest. She knew she could afford to buy Yan Yan things ten times more expensive than a Rolex, but what she truly cared about was Yan Yan’s attitude, her choice.

She chuckled bitterly while chopping, amused at herself—who would’ve thought a woman her age could still get jealous over a young girl?

Tang Yan sat on the edge of her bed for a while before making up her mind. She took a deep breath, grabbed the little box from the table, and walked out of her room.

In the kitchen, Aunt Ji was still cutting vegetables. Tang Yan approached slowly, hesitant to speak.

“You don’t need to help. Just sit down and rest,” Ji Yuqing said with a smile. “I napped all afternoon—time to stretch out a bit.”

“Aunt Ji,” Tang Yan called softly.

“Hmm? What is it?” Ji Yuqing didn’t look up.

“I need to talk to you about something,” Tang Yan said seriously.

That made Ji Yuqing pause. She set down the knife, wiped her hands, and turned around calmly. “What is it?”

Tang Yan brought her hand from behind her back and revealed the delicate box with the unmistakable Rolex logo.

Ji Yuqing pretended not to recognize it. “Is that… a Rolex?”

Tang Yan nodded, then shook her head. “I don’t really know these brands… but I felt I needed to tell you everything. I don’t want to keep secrets from you.”

Hearing that made a wave of relief wash over Ji Yuqing. She felt a deep sense of comfort.

“Alright. I’m listening.”

Tang Yan bit her lip, took another deep breath, and silently prayed that this wouldn’t upset her.

“I actually got this yesterday. I just didn’t know how to explain it to you… It’s from my boss, President Chen. I tried to refuse—I really didn’t want to take it. But she insisted and shoved it into my hands. By the time I ran after her, she’d already driven off. I was planning to return it at work today, but I overslept and forgot to bring it in my rush. That’s it. I promise, I’m not hiding anything.”

She blurted it all out in one breath, too anxious to pause, afraid Aunt Ji would misunderstand or be hurt.

When she finally finished, she looked up cautiously, trying to read her every expression.

Ji Yuqing had been quiet, but her serious expression suddenly softened into a smile. All those wild thoughts from earlier evaporated in that instant. Of course—Yan Yan had never let her down.

“I believe you,” she said softly.

“You’re… not mad?” Tang Yan asked tentatively.

“Of course not.” Ji Yuqing raised her hand and gently caressed Tang Yan’s cheek. The touch made Tang Yan feel like a jolt of electricity had run through her.

“I’m long past the age of petty jealousy.”

These days, she approached things with calm maturity—no more shouting matches or cold wars like when she was younger.

Tang Yan was overwhelmed with joy and grateful for her understanding. She immediately leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on Aunt Ji’s hand.