Heart Flutter

Chapter 172 [Extra 2]

It was the Saturday evening after Ji Yuqing’s 40th birthday.

Tang Yan sat cross-legged on the living room sofa, flipping through a travel magazine. Every photo was like a painting, each one calling out to her in its own way. She couldn’t make up her mind—one moment she wanted to go here, the next, somewhere else entirely.

Ji Yuqing, with time to spare, brought over a fruit platter. She kicked off her slippers, curled her legs up, and sat beside Tang Yan. Leaning in, she asked, “Still haven’t decided where to go?”

Just as Tang Yan was about to respond, Ji fed her a piece of fruit. Tang Yan instinctively opened her mouth and bit down, cheeks puffed out. “They’re all so beautiful, it’s too hard to choose.”

Ji laughed. “It’s okay. There’s no rush to plan the wedding trip. Take your time.”

Tang Yan closed the magazine with a snap, tilted her head, and asked, “Are we really… never going to have kids?”

That made Ji chuckle. “Why? You want to be a mom? Pregnancy and childbirth are no joke.”

Tang Yan quickly shook her head. “No, not me. I just worry that you might want that, and if we never have a child, you’ll regret it.”

Ji raised an eyebrow, smiling. “Do I seem like that kind of person?”

“No.” Tang Yan pouted. But then she perked up. “Let’s get a cat. Or a dog! That way the house won’t feel so quiet. When I’m swamped with work, it can keep you company. And when you’re out on business, I’ll have it with me too.”

Ji thought about it seriously. “I’ve never raised a pet before. I’m not sure I’d be good at it…”

Tang Yan held her breath, bracing for a rejection.

Then Ji spoke again. “But I’d be willing to try.”

“Really? You’re okay with it?”

Ji nodded. “Tomorrow’s Sunday. Let’s take a drive and look around. If we find the right one, we’ll bring it home.”

“Deal!” Tang Yan beamed.

Honestly, this wasn’t a new idea for her. She’d been following a blogger on Weibo who often shared adorable moments with her girlfriend and their cat, Mijiang. Even the name was ridiculously cute. Tang Yan had been secretly longing for a pet like that ever since.

Sure, they had decided not to have children—but that didn’t mean they couldn’t add new members to their home.

That night before bed, Tang Yan lay in bed glued to her phone, browsing all the popular pet stores, dog breeders, cat shelters in Huadu. She also read a ton of guides on pet care. She knew full well that raising a pet wasn’t just about feeding it—being a proper “poop-shoveling officer” meant being a caregiver, a companion, and a friend.

The room was dark, quiet enough to hear only breathing.

The glow of Tang Yan’s screen was the last bit of light.

Ji Yuqing turned over, half-asleep, and wrapped an arm around Tang Yan’s waist. “Still not asleep…”

“Almost.” Tang Yan hurried to finish one last article, turned off her phone, and curled into Ji’s arms, finally drifting off.

In her dream, white mist swirled everywhere. She ran through it, laughing, chased by a swarm of puppies—yellow, black, white, long-haired, curly-haired, short-haired…

Then she tripped and fell. The puppies and kittens pounced, licking her face and hands. She woke up smiling.

When Tang Yan opened her eyes, Ji was already at the vanity, tying a silk scarf around her neck, perfectly styled and polished. She turned to smile, her voice soft. “You’re up.”

Tang Yan rubbed her eyes. “What time is it? Did I sleep in?”

“It’s only eight. You looked so happy in your sleep—you were smiling the whole time.”

“Really?” Tang Yan blushed.

“Hurry up and get ready. We’re heading out for breakfast.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Tang Yan jumped out of bed without hesitation. In her world, Aunt Ji’s words were law—non-negotiable.

Other people’s suggestions, she might weigh and consider. Ji Yuqing’s? Always obeyed.

Her morning routine was simple and fast. Within half an hour, she stood in front of Ji, ready to go. “I’m done!”

Ji smiled helplessly and stepped forward to fix her flipped collar. “You’re always this careless.”

God, Tang Yan loved it when Ji talked to her in that gentle-yet-stern tone. She could listen to her nag forever.

“I did it on purpose,” Tang Yan said, blinking playfully. “I was waiting for you to fix it.”

Ji paused mid-motion, then pinched her nose with a smile. “Little rascal.”

Tang Yan clung to her arm. “Let’s go.”

They had no specific breakfast place in mind. Their unspoken tradition was: eat at the first place they saw.

Tang Yan was already too excited, wondering what little cutie they’d bring home today.

As for whether to get a cat or dog, what breed—they had no fixed decision. Ji had said it should be the one they felt the most connected with.

After a 30-minute drive, they arrived at the largest and most reputable pet store in Huadu. Cats and dogs of all breeds filled the place. It was spotless—and expensive.

The store was bustling. Sales staff couldn’t keep up with every customer. Tang Yan was instantly overwhelmed by all the adorable furballs, recalling the dream from the night before.

“Can we get one cat and one dog?” she asked hopefully.

“Nope. Not for now,” Ji replied firmly. “Let’s start with one. Once we get used to it, we can talk about another.”

Tang Yan sighed—Ji was right. But still, she couldn’t help dreaming.

Every pet was cute in its own way. Some were aloof, ignoring humans completely. Others were so enthusiastic they nearly leapt out of their pens for cuddles.

Just as Tang Yan was torn with indecision, Ji called her over.

She ran over, and Ji pointed at a little white Bichon. “How about this one?”

The pup sat quietly, wagging its tail and gazing at them with a half-open mouth that looked like a smile.

Tang Yan melted instantly. They’d both picked the same one.

“This is the one. Let’s bring her home.”

Ji nodded with a smile. For someone who’d been hesitant about getting a pet, she now refused to let go of the puppy.

They left the shop with arms full of supplies: carrier, crate, food, bed, leash—you name it.

On the drive back, Tang Yan was at the wheel. Ji sat in the passenger seat, constantly turning to peek at the pup inside the carrier.

Tang Yan could tell how smitten she was. “We need a name.”

Ji thought seriously. “How about… Xiaobai?”

Tang Yan burst out laughing. “Hahahaha! Seriously?”

“She’s white and cute. Why not?” Ji smiled.

Tang Yan composed herself. “Let’s call her Naiqiu—like ‘milk puff.’ Soft, round, sweet. Just like her.”

Ji’s eyes softened. “Naiqiu… that suits her.”

As they turned into their neighborhood, Tang Yan spotted a cardboard box on the roadside. At first, she ignored it—probably just trash. But something about it caught her eye. Was it… moving?

She hit the brakes.

“What is it?” Ji asked.

“I think something moved in that box. I’ll check.”

It was fate.

Inside was a tiny abandoned kitten—blue eyes, blue-and-white fur, meowing pitifully. It couldn’t have been more than a month old. Who knew how long it had been there?

“If we don’t take her, she won’t make it,” Tang Yan said, looking at Ji with pleading eyes.

Ji didn’t even hesitate. “Get in. She looks hungry. Good thing we bought extra milk formula.”

Tang Yan was surprised—but quickly scooped up the kitten and hopped back in.

They hadn’t planned on it, but now they had both a cat and a dog.

And they got along! Naiqiu even gave up her new bed to let the kitten sleep beside her.

Tang Yan snapped a photo of the two snuggled up together and prepared to post it on her Moments feed.

“Hey, Aunt Ji,” she said, “You name the kitten.”

Ji gave it real thought. “If she’s Naiqiu, then this one’s… Maoqiu.”

Tang Yan snorted. “Maoqiu? You seriously named them Milk Puff and Furball?”

But they stuck with it.

Tang Yan uploaded the photo with the caption:

Welcome to the family! Left: Naiqiu (3 months). Right: Maoqiu (1 month).

Ji Yuqing, browsing her feed, saw it immediately. She was the first to like it and left the first comment:

Our twin girls.

And then came the replies:

“Wait… ‘twin girls’? Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Bro, this is clearly cross-species romance!”

“So much love… I’m sobbing.”

“…”