Heart Flutter

Chapter 153

Zhang Miya said this dinner was a welcome party for Ji Yuqing and Tang Yan, mostly inviting mutual friends around their age. Apart from the kids, Tang Yan was probably the youngest there. She recognized a few faces from a gathering four years ago—still faintly familiar.

“Welcome home~” As soon as the two walked in, they were met with an enthusiastic cheer. Applause and shouts nearly shook the place.

Ji Yuqing yawned repeatedly, looking visibly exhausted. “So everyone showed up, huh…”

“Of course we did. Come on, sit down.” Zhang Miya led the two to the last two empty seats at the table.

Tang Yan still looked a little reserved. After all, most of the people here were friends of Aunt Ji and Aunt Zhang—she barely knew them beyond a brief hello once.

No sooner had they sat down than the teasing started.

“So when did this happen? None of us knew anything. Ji, you’re really something—keeping secrets!”

“Yeah! Some of the guys here were even eyeing you, you know. And now you’re suddenly taken?”

“…”

Ji Yuqing looked a little awkward. Sensing that, Zhang Miya quickly jumped in.

“Alright, alright, enough gossip. Today’s about welcoming them back, and—more importantly—I’ve got some good news to share.”

That finally brought a small smile to Ji Yuqing’s face. She looked at Zhang Miya and asked, “Right, what was the good news you mentioned on the phone?”

“Yeah, Aunt Zhang, we’re super curious,” Tang Yan added.

Zhang Miya cleared her throat and played it up a bit, clearly enjoying the suspense. Then she motioned for her husband beside her to stand up.

“Well, we’re planning to have a second baby.”

“What? Are you pregnant already?” Ji Yuqing asked in surprise.

Zhang Miya nodded shyly and placed a hand on her stomach. “Just hit the three-month mark. Basically since you left the country.”

“That’s amazing, congratulations! It really is great news.” Ji Yuqing paused, then added, “I came back in such a hurry, I didn’t even prepare anything for the baby.”

“Prepare what? It’s not even born yet. You can get all the gifts you want after—it’s not like the godmother’s late or anything.”

Someone at the table chimed in, “Hey Zhang, does this count as a high-risk pregnancy?”

“Of course it does,” Zhang Miya said with a pout. “The doctor gave me a whole list of warnings at my checkup. Way more complicated than when I was pregnant with Dou Dou.”

The evening went on with food, drinks, and conversation. Before they knew it, it was midnight.

Both Ji Yuqing and Tang Yan were drained. As they got up to leave, Zhang Miya insisted on walking them to the hotel door.

“Come on, don’t bother. It’s windy out, and it’s already autumn. Don’t catch a cold—you’ve got a baby now.”

“I’m fine, really.” Zhang Miya smiled, cradling her belly as she insisted on seeing them into the car before heading back.

“Can’t believe Aunt Zhang is already having her second kid,” Tang Yan said with a smile as she drove.

“Yeah, time really flies.” Ji Yuqing leaned back in her seat. “I still remember how happy she was when she found out she was pregnant with Dou Dou. Said it was the best gift heaven ever gave her.”

Tang Yan snuck a glance at her. “Do you like kids too, Aunt Ji?”

Ji Yuqing gave a faint smile. “What’s with that question out of nowhere?”

Tang Yan pouted. “Well, if you do like them, we could have one of our own.”

Ji Yuqing burst out laughing. “How exactly would we do that?”

“There’s so much high-tech stuff these days. If you really want a child, I could be the one to carry it. Having a baby’s tough on the body, after all.”

“You silly girl,” Ji Yuqing said, reaching over to hold Tang Yan’s free hand. “I don’t want a child. I just want you.”

Tang Yan kept one hand on the wheel, driving slowly down the road home.

That night, the two of them—without much talk or fuss—showered quickly, climbed into bed, and fell asleep in each other’s arms. No extra words, no extra actions. Just quiet rest, resetting their rhythm, recharging.

Back at work after her training, the first thing Tang Yan got was a promotion and raise. A few days in, she was already looking forward to her first National Day break since going full-time.

On the evening of September 30th, the two were curled up on the couch, browsing travel spots. Then, out of nowhere, a phone call came in—completely unexpected.

It was Tang Huiyi calling Ji Yuqing’s phone. Ji glanced at Tang Yan, then answered, and the room instantly went silent. Tang Yan held her breath.

“Yuqing, is Tang Yan home? I tried calling her, but her phone’s off,” came the voice on the other end.

Ji Yuqing let out a quiet breath. “She’s here. One sec, senior.”

She handed the phone to Tang Yan and mouthed that it was for her. Tang Yan hesitated, then reached out and took it.

“Hello? Mom?”

“Yan Yan, why couldn’t I reach you?”

“Oh, my phone died—it’s charging in the room. I’m in the living room watching TV with Aunt Ji. What’s up?”

“Nothing much,” Tang Huiyi chuckled softly, her tone gentle. “It’s the National Day holiday, right? Your office gave you time off?”

“Yeah,” Tang Yan replied.

“Why not come home for the break? I miss you. And your little brother keeps bugging me about visiting you, asking when we’ll go see his sister.”

She paused and added, “What do you think? Come home?”

Tang Yan realized she didn’t really have a good reason to say no. She and her mom had already resolved most of their issues. Maybe it was time.

“Come home, sweetheart. I really want to see you.”

Unable to resist that kind of warmth, Tang Yan gave in. “Okay.”

“Really? I’m so happy! Let me know once you’ve booked your ticket so we can come pick you up from the station.”

“I will.” Tang Yan nodded, then chatted a bit longer before ending the call.

Ji Yuqing had been sitting quietly the whole time. After Tang Yan hung up, she asked, “Everything okay?”

“I told my mom I’d go back for the break.” Tang Yan sighed.

Ji Yuqing chuckled. “That’s not a bad thing. Why the long face?”

“I was hoping we’d spend the holiday together… I’d already been looking at travel plans with you,” Tang Yan admitted, a little guilty.

“Well, how about I go with you this time?” Ji Yuqing offered. “I’ve always wanted to see your hometown anyway.”

Tang Yan was surprised. “But… what if my mom finds out about us?”

She wasn’t scared—just worried Ji Yuqing might get hurt.

“Don’t worry. She won’t. And even if she suspects something, it gives us a chance to feel things out. If the time’s right, maybe we tell her the truth.”

“Yeah.” Tang Yan nodded, gripping her hand tightly. “Let’s go back together.”

If Aunt Ji wasn’t afraid, then what was there to fear? That day was bound to come—early or late, it was coming. What mattered now was facing it side by side.

That night, they skipped the train and booked a flight instead. But flights were nearly sold out by then. Desperate, Ji Yuqing contacted an old friend who worked at an airline, asking her to keep an eye out for cancellations.

They waited into the night until a call came in—an elderly couple had canceled two first-class seats due to a sudden hospitalization. Ji Yuqing booked them instantly. Price didn’t matter—what mattered was having a way home.

Earlier, Tang Yan had been refreshing train apps non-stop, using ticket snatching tools, anything to get back. She’d never forgotten the first time she took a twenty-something-hour train ride to Huadu, all alone.

Now, four years later, she was finally heading home again. Her emotions were a mess of nerves, excitement, and something she couldn’t quite name.

They got up early, packed carefully, double-checked everything. With time tight, Ji Yuqing decided to just buy some gifts at the airport—no way was she showing up empty-handed on her first visit.

Tang Yan didn’t know what to buy either. She figured she’d just give her mom a generous sum of money, then take her brother shopping for toys.

Waiting at the gate was pure torture. Tang Yan’s nerves were all over the place. Just last night she’d been happily planning a trip with Aunt Ji—who’d have guessed her mom would call and change everything?

Watching passengers rush by and planes on the tarmac beyond the glass, her palms were damp with sweat.

What if their relationship got exposed? What would she say? How could she convince her mom?

That question had been haunting her.

Ji Yuqing glanced over at the silent, tense Tang Yan and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’ll be fine. Don’t overthink. Everything will work out.”

Tang Yan nodded. No matter what, she didn’t want Aunt Ji to be hurt—not because of her. That was non-negotiable.

After sending over their flight info, Tang Huiyi quickly replied.

Tang Huiyi: Flying back, huh? Then you should be home tonight. There’s no train to the county, so once you land, you’ll have to take a three-hour train and then another hour by car. Your uncle and I will meet you at the station.

Tang Yan: Got it.

Tang Yan: Oh right, Mom—Aunt Ji’s coming with me.

Tang Huiyi: Really? What a rare guest! I’ll have to buy more groceries. I’m glad she’s going with you—I feel more at ease. Call me if anything happens, alright? Travel safe.

Tang Yan: I will.

She put down her phone and took a deep breath.