Heart Flutter

Chapter 167

The two of them left the cemetery and headed toward Ji Yuqing’s car parked by the roadside. Tang Yan wiped her sweaty palms. “Let me drive.”

“Better if I do it. You’re probably more nervous than I am right now,” Ji Yuqing replied.

Tang Yan ended up obediently taking the passenger seat. She nearly forgot to buckle up, still struggling to understand why her mother had said what she did on the phone—asking the two of them to come home. What was she planning?

Ji Yuqing was just as anxious, though she didn’t show it. Tang Yan was already visibly uneasy, and if both of them panicked, the situation would spiral. Someone had to stay calm.

On the way back, Tang Yan’s mind was playing out a full drama—an intense showdown about to unfold.

She was mentally prepared to fall out completely with her mother for the sake of being with Aunt Ji. As they pulled up in front of the building, Tang Yan took a deep breath and held Ji Yuqing’s hand tightly.

“Let’s go up,” Ji Yuqing said.

“Wait a minute… let’s wait a bit more.” Tang Yan took another deep breath, trying to calm herself. “I’ll go in first.”

She hadn’t brought her keys when she left, and since she rarely went out, she didn’t even know where the spare key was. So the two of them had no choice but to knock on the door.

Tang Huiyi answered and simply turned around, walking back to the sofa without a word.

Tang Yan’s heart pounded like crazy—Ji Yuqing could feel her clammy hand.

“Sit,” Tang Huiyi gestured calmly. Her voice was composed, but void of emotion.

Tang Yan felt thrown off. She had braced herself for a fierce confrontation, but everything was… calm?

“Let’s sit,” Ji Yuqing whispered.

The two of them sat across from Tang Huiyi in silence, waiting for her to speak first.

“I read the diary you wrote in that app,” Tang Huiyi finally said, her head slightly lowered.

Tang Yan was stunned. Then she remembered she had left the computer on in her rush. “Oh,” she mumbled.

Ji Yuqing looked completely confused—What app? What diary?

Tang Huiyi sighed deeply. “I didn’t realize how important she is to you. More important than your own life.” There was a flicker of jealousy in her voice. As a mother, she had never held that kind of place in her daughter’s heart.

Ji Yuqing glanced curiously at Tang Yan, who blushed.

“I also realized,” Tang Huiyi continued, “even if I could control your body, I can’t control your heart. So I’ve decided to let go.”

Tang Yan’s eyes widened. She tightened her grip on Ji Yuqing’s hand. They both turned to look at Tang Huiyi.

“Mom… what do you mean?” Tang Yan asked cautiously.

Tang Huiyi gave a weary smile. “I’ve been moved by your love. I can’t bring myself to be the cruel mother who tears you apart. And… I don’t want my own daughter to hate me for the rest of her life.”

Joy lit up Tang Yan’s face. She looked over at Aunt Ji, who also wore an expression of disbelief. It felt like everything had taken a turn they never dared to hope for.

Then, turning to Ji Yuqing, Tang Huiyi said, “You’re the light in her life. And I, as her mother, just can’t bring myself to extinguish that light.” She paused. “So… you win.”

“Thank you, Mom!” Tang Yan stood up to hug her, but Tang Huiyi dodged and turned her back, wiping her eyes.

“You two should go now. I’m afraid I’ll change my mind if you stay another second.”

“Mom…” Tang Yan hesitated.

But Tang Huiyi cut her off. “I already packed your things. You can leave now. I’ve booked my ticket home—leaving in a little while.”

Tang Yan looked at Ji Yuqing, her heart mixed with gratitude and sorrow. Ji Yuqing quickly spoke up, “At least let us see you off.”

“No need. Just go,” Tang Huiyi said from the window, her back still turned. Her tears began to fall freely.

Maybe it would take a long time to heal this wound, but since she had finally made the decision, she wanted to stick with it.

“Mom… thank you.” Tang Yan’s eyes were red as she bowed deeply.

Ji Yuqing also bowed. “Senior, thank you for giving us your blessing.”

She knew it wasn’t easy. She was truly grateful—and deeply moved.

“Let’s go,” Ji Yuqing said.

“Yeah.”

They each took a suitcase from the room. Before leaving, they called out a goodbye, but Tang Huiyi didn’t respond. She just stood silently by the window, unmoving.

Some time later, she spotted the two of them downstairs through the window. Her heart twisted. One hand clutched the curtain, the other pressed to her chest as she bit her lip.

Yanyan… I haven’t been the best mom. But if there’s anything I can give you, anything I can do for you—it’s freedom. And the chance to be happy.

Tang Yan got into the car. When she looked up at the window, no one was there anymore.

“What is it?” Ji Yuqing asked, gently patting her head.

Tang Yan forced a smile. “Nothing.” Then her smile faded. “I’m just… a little worried about her.”

“Don’t worry. Your mom will be okay. She just needs time to adjust. Okay?”

Tang Yan nodded.

As the car slowly pulled away, Tang Huiyi began packing her own luggage. She called her husband.

“My flight’s this afternoon. I should land at the provincial airport around five-thirty. Can you come pick me up?”

He sounded surprised. “Didn’t you say you’d stay longer? Everything’s resolved already?”

Tang Huiyi took a deep breath. “More or less. It’s time for me to come home.”

“Great! I’ll drive to the airport to meet you.”

She finally smiled. “Has Xuanxuan been good at home?”

“He’s been very well-behaved. He just keeps asking for his mom.”

Tang Huiyi chuckled softly. “Alright. I better go—I still need to catch a cab to the airport.”

As their car merged onto the main road, the earlier drizzle suddenly cleared. The sky turned blue and cloudless.

Tang Yan looked out through the windshield. “The rain’s stopped,” she said in surprise.

Ji Yuqing smiled faintly as she drove. “Yeah. The weather finally cleared.”

That month of winter rain had finally come to an end—just like the storm in their lives.

Tang Yan pulled out her phone and sent her mother a message on WeChat:

“Travel safe.”