Heart Flutter

Chapter 159

Seeing that Ji Yuqing hadn’t turned around for a while, Tang Yan raised her voice and repeated, “I quit my job!”

Still facing away from her, Ji Yuqing let out a quiet breath. Her emotions were mixed. She asked softly, “Why did you suddenly quit?”

Tang Yan didn’t answer right away. She walked forward slowly, wrapping her arms around Ji Yuqing from behind, threading her fingers together at her stomach. She buried her face in Ji Yuqing’s hair, inhaling her familiar scent deeply, then closed her eyes and murmured, “No real reason. I just wanted to.”

The warmth of her breath on the back of Ji Yuqing’s neck made her giggle. “Come on, wash up. Let’s eat.”

“Okay!” Tang Yan nodded.

Even if Tang Yan didn’t say a word, Ji Yuqing understood everything. She was just surprised—surprised that Tang Yan would give up such a great job for her. But no matter what, she respected her choice. Losing a job wasn’t the end of the world. With how capable she was, there was no way she’d go unnoticed for long.

At the table, Tang Yan lit up when she saw the beautifully presented dishes. “This is pure happiness.”

“Silly girl.” Ji Yuqing handed her a bowl of rice.

“I must be the happiest person on earth.” Tang Yan started digging in with big bites, clearly enjoying herself. Ji Yuqing just sat and watched her, smiling. This kind of quiet, simple happiness—it was everything.

That evening, neither of them mentioned the company again. After dinner, Tang Yan cleaned up, and the two of them curled up on the couch to watch some TV before heading off to shower and sleep.

The next morning, Tang Yan woke up naturally, long past her usual working hours. She lay in bed, still groggy, noticing that Aunt Ji had already gotten up. Tang Yan rubbed her eyes and groaned. Just then, her phone rang—it was Chen Yuyan.

Without hesitation, Tang Yan hung up. The call came again. And again. Finally, she blocked the number.

Peace, at last.

Knock knock knock.

The door opened slightly, and Ji Yuqing peeked in. “I made you a love-filled breakfast. Want some?”

Tang Yan stayed in bed with a mischievous grin, holding out a hand dramatically. “Nope. I suddenly lost all strength. I need a kiss to revive me.”

Ji Yuqing saw through her act immediately, but she still walked over and kissed her on the cheek. “That good enough?”

Tang Yan, still eyes closed, grinned wider. “One more—here.”

Ji Yuqing obliged, and Tang Yan suddenly bounced out of bed. “I’m back to full power!”

Ji Yuqing was startled and chuckled, watching her with amusement. This kind of youthful energy—she couldn’t keep up with it anymore.

“Go get ready, I’ll wait outside.” Ji Yuqing said with a smile as she left the room.

While brushing her teeth, Tang Yan suddenly realized… she was unemployed now?

It was a strange feeling. She had gone straight from college into her internship, and since then, had never really stopped working. This sudden break—it felt like someone had pulled the plug on a machine that had been running nonstop. That disorientation, that aimlessness… that was exactly how she felt now.

“Yan Yan, are you ready?” Ji Yuqing called, since she’d been in the bathroom a while.

“Almost!” Tang Yan hurried to finish brushing.

Ji Yuqing had made a carefully crafted, colorful, and nutritious breakfast, beautifully plated.

“Whoa, this is amazing.” Tang Yan couldn’t help but praise it as she sat down.

“Try it and see,” Ji Yuqing smiled.

Tang Yan picked up her chopsticks, then suddenly looked a little downcast. “I… I’m unemployed now, and you still make me something this fancy…”

“So what if you’re unemployed? I’m unemployed too,” Ji Yuqing joked. “Work isn’t the core of life—it’s just one part of it. And it’s replaceable.”

Even though she said it casually, Tang Yan could tell it was to comfort her. She lowered her head. “I’ll go job hunting right after breakfast.”

“Hey, don’t.” Ji Yuqing interrupted gently. “Didn’t you tell me back in Xinjiang you wanted to learn horseback riding? I booked a lesson for you today. A coach I know—super experienced.”

Tang Yan blinked in surprise, her heart warming. “I quit and you’re not scolding me… and you’re taking me to learn horseback riding?”

Ji Yuqing smiled. “Being unemployed isn’t some crime, right? No matter what happens, you still have me. Even if you never work again, I can support us.”

“No, no, no way! If I don’t work, I’ll be a kept woman! I don’t want that!” Tang Yan turned red, flailing her hands.

Ji Yuqing laughed. She knew Tang Yan’s pride well.

“Alright, alright. Eat up so we’re not late for your coach.”

“Okay!” Tang Yan nodded obediently.

Right before they left, Ji Yuqing got a call from an unfamiliar number. Thinking it was the riding coach, she answered without checking.

To her surprise, it was Chen Yuyan.

“Sorry to call you,” Chen said, “I couldn’t reach Tang Yan. Her phone’s not going through.”

The smile on Ji Yuqing’s face faded. “Is there something you need?”

Tang Yan had just come out from the room, but seeing Ji Yuqing on the phone with a serious face, she stayed quiet.

“Just wanted to let you know she didn’t collect her paycheck. I’ll ask finance to transfer it within the week.”

Ji Yuqing glanced at Tang Yan, then said calmly, “Anything else?”

Chen paused, trying to keep her tone light. “No, that’s it. I wish you both well. Goodbye.”

After hanging up, Tang Yan couldn’t help asking, “Who was that?”

“Your boss,” Ji Yuqing replied. “Your former boss.”

Tang Yan flinched at the mention. She still hadn’t recovered from last night’s trauma. “Why’d she call?”

“About your salary.”

Tang Yan instantly rejected it. “I don’t want it. I don’t want anything to do with her.”

Ji Yuqing reached out and gently stroked her cheek. “Silly girl, why not take it? You earned it. Don’t worry—she won’t bother you again.”

She had worked with Chen Yuyan briefly in the past. That woman was proud. Whatever happened last night, she clearly took a big hit. She wouldn’t be calling again anytime soon.

Tang Yan still felt uneasy. But… she trusted Aunt Ji. She never lied to her.

They drove to a local equestrian club. Since it was a weekday, it wasn’t crowded. Her assigned coach was already waiting, dressed and ready. Ji Yuqing paid the tuition upfront.

A five-figure fee swiped on her card just like that. She didn’t even blink. Tang Yan, still unemployed, felt a little guilty.

“Now’s the perfect time to learn,” Ji Yuqing said confidently, patting her shoulder.

Tang Yan had some basic experience, so she wasn’t nervous. Under the coach’s guidance, she got up on the horse in one smooth motion, looking pretty cool doing it.

“Hey, not bad! You’ve ridden before, haven’t you?” the coach asked, surprised.

Ji Yuqing stood by the fence, filming with her phone. She grinned. “Not too bad, huh?” Her voice was full of pride.

Sitting tall on the horse, Tang Yan felt like the whole world opened up. “Can I run with it?”

“Absolutely not,” the coach said firmly. “Not on your first day. Let it walk a few laps first.”

While Tang Yan trained, Ji Yuqing wasn’t idle either. She messaged Zhang Miya to meet for dinner and karaoke that evening. Then she reached out to Shen Yuyin. Their age gap had once created distance, but after their father passed, the old grudges slowly faded.

She knew Tang Yan would be feeling the pressure of unemployment. So she was already planning ways to help her unwind.

They spent the whole day at the club, where food, drinks, and entertainment were all available. As the sun went down, Tang Yan thought they’d head home.

But Ji Yuqing had other plans. “It’s still early. Want to catch a movie?”

Tang Yan, halfway buckling her seatbelt, blinked. “A movie? What movie?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Ji Yuqing said. “As long as we watch it together.”

That simple reply made Tang Yan blush bright red.

It had been so long since they’d gone to a movie together.

“Yeah! Yes!” she nodded enthusiastically.