Heart Flutter

Chapter 176 [Extra 6]

After the ceremony, Tang Yan finally got a chance to speak with her mother. Holding her hand tightly, she said with heartfelt emotion, “I really didn’t think you’d come.”

“Silly girl,” her mother replied, “you’re my only daughter. If I didn’t come to your wedding, people would talk—and frankly, I’d never forgive myself.”

Tang Yan let out a teary laugh. “You should stay a few more days in Huadu. We’re not leaving for our trip just yet.”

“Yeah,” Ji Yuqing chimed in. “It’s not often you visit. And Xuanxuan’s grown up so much—let’s take him around and enjoy the capital together.”

Tang Huiyi looked at her husband. “They’re asking so nicely, how could we say no?”

Mr. Wang grinned. “Exactly. How could we refuse?” He seemed more at ease now, far less reserved than when he’d first met Tang Yan.

Tang Yan felt genuinely touched—like she was slowly becoming part of this family.

Over the next few days, Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing played hosts, showing the family around Huadu. They went to all the tourist spots, tried everything. Little Wang Yixuan boasted that he’d have plenty to brag about to his classmates when they got back.

Before they left, Tang Huiyi privately mentioned that things weren’t going great for Tang Jun back home. Tang Yan didn’t say much—just smiled and saw them off at the airport.

On the way back, Ji Yuqing asked casually, “What was your mom talking to you about earlier?”

Tang Yan smiled, shaking her head. “Nothing important. Old stuff. Let’s go catch our flight.”

Their honeymoon took them across the equator to Australia. A full month abroad—just the right length.

They completed the legal marriage registration there. When Tang Yan held their marriage certificate in her hands, she was so overwhelmed she immediately posted a picture on Weibo. To her surprise, the post went viral and even landed on the trending list—not in the top three, but high enough.

People online were touched by their love story finally coming to fruition. Many praised their courage as a queer couple and envied the joy they shared.

Two days before they were due to return, Tang Yan began to lose sleep. She kept dreaming about her childhood—memories she hadn’t thought about in years. Maybe it was because her mother had mentioned it.

In those dreams, her uncle scolded her cousin Tang Yawen for bullying her. When she was punished and denied meals, her uncle would secretly sneak her food, whispering that she had to eat it quietly so her aunt wouldn’t find out.

Ji Yuqing must’ve sensed something was off, because the night before they flew home, she asked to talk.

Tang Yan finally opened up, sharing what was on her mind. She didn’t want to involve Ji Yuqing in anything related to her extended family—not after everything that had happened. But she also knew that if her wife asked, she owed her honesty.

After hearing everything, Ji Yuqing sighed and looked troubled. “If that’s how you feel, we should go back and visit after we return.”

“No, no—it’s fine,” Tang Yan said quickly, waving her hands. “I just haven’t been sleeping well lately. You don’t need to go out of your way.”

Ji Yuqing looked her in the eyes and said softly, “Do you know why you’re not sleeping well?”

“…Why?”

“Because there’s something unresolved in your heart. If you want to go, let’s go. Otherwise, if something were to happen later, it might become a lifelong regret.”

And just like that, they found themselves on a long-distance bus heading home.

The roads back in her hometown had been repaved—no more potholes. The new asphalt was smooth, and they’d even added landscaping. So much had changed.

Tang Yan sat by the window, watching familiar scenes roll by. It had been years. She remembered walking this same road alone, backpack and acceptance letter in hand, heading for a future she couldn’t yet imagine. And now, she was back.

The bus stopped at the village entrance. Tang Yan got off, holding Ji Yuqing’s hand and carrying several bags.

“You grew up here?” Ji Yuqing asked, gazing ahead with curiosity.

Tang Yan tilted her head. “It’s pretty rundown. Do you mind?”

“Of course not. Let’s go.” Ji Yuqing squeezed her hand reassuringly.

They met a few villagers along the way. Most of them didn’t recognize them at first, though some sharp-eyed folks did a double take.

“Hey, isn’t that Tang Yan? The smart one from the Tang family!”

“Yeah, I heard she’s running a company now. Must be making big money. What a success.”

“Who’s the woman with her? Never seen her before.”

Tang Yan didn’t flinch. She boldly slipped her arm around Ji Yuqing’s waist and introduced her to everyone, “This is my wife. We’re married now.”

Then she strode on, leaving behind a trail of stunned faces.

“Two women getting married? That can’t be legal.”

“Crazy, right?”

“What a sight…”

They reached her uncle’s house, and from outside the gate, they could already see a bent figure stacking bricks by the wall, working alone.

“Uncle?” Tang Yan called out.

The man froze in surprise, then turned around quickly. The moment he saw her, tears welled up in his eyes. “Yan Yan? What are you doing here?”

“I… I came to visit.” She looked around. “Has my mom been here recently?”

Tang Jun frowned. “She came by and brought a bunch of stuff. You can take it back for her—I don’t want it.”

Ji Yuqing hurried to bring their gifts into the house. The place was in disrepair—cracked walls, clearly decades old.

“She brought it, you should just accept it,” Tang Yan said gently.

Truthfully, one of the reasons she’d avoided coming back was because she didn’t want to see Tang Yawen. But there was no sign of him—or her aunt.

After asking around, they learned what had happened.

Years ago, after her uncle brought Tang Yawen back to Huadu, it didn’t take long for him to get in trouble again. He stabbed someone at a construction site with a fruit knife during an argument. The family couldn’t afford a lawyer or pay compensation, so he was sentenced to prison.

Not long after, her aunt ran off with what little money they had left and never came back.

Tang Jun had been living alone ever since. He survived by picking up odd jobs—fixing fish ponds, hauling bricks—barely scraping by. Once a man in his prime, he looked years older than his age.

Tang Yan listened in silence, heart aching with guilt and sadness. How had she not known any of this?

Ji Yuqing was quietly distressed too—but mostly, she just felt for Tang Yan.

After a moment, Tang Yan opened her bag and pulled out a bank card. “There’s 100,000 yuan in here. Take it, Uncle.”

Tang Jun immediately refused. “I can’t take your money. I’m not dead or crippled. People would laugh at me.”

“Just take it. Look at your life right now. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find a good wife to share the days with. You can’t live like this alone forever.”

Tang Jun sighed. “After Yawen went to jail and your aunt ran off, I stopped caring about living. Every day’s just another day to survive.”

Tang Yan shoved the card into his hand. “Take it as a gift from your niece. Back then, when things were hard, my aunt treated me badly and Yawen bullied me—but you always stood up for me. I never forgot your kindness. If you don’t accept this, you’re rejecting me as your family.”

“Girl… why go through all this? You work hard for your money.”

Tang Yan smiled. “I have my own business now. I’m doing well. Don’t worry about me. Oh—and let me officially introduce you: Ji Yuqing is now my wife.”

Ji Yuqing blushed instantly. She hadn’t expected that announcement.

Tang Jun looked overwhelmed, taking a while before he stammered, “…That’s… that’s good. That’s real good…”

“Uncle, have you thought about moving into the county? This place is falling apart. It could collapse at any time.”

Tang Jun glanced up, then shook his head. “This is my home. I’ll die here. But you, kid—you’ve made something of yourself. Your mom must be so proud. Not like me… I raised a disgrace to society.”

“Don’t say that. Yawen turned out the way he did because your wife spoiled him rotten.”

Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing had hoped to stay longer, but her uncle had to go help out in the next village—an 80-yuan gig. Tang Yan didn’t want to stop him.

Before leaving, he still refused to take her bank card, patting her hand. “It’s enough that you came back. If you have time in the future, just visit more often.”

On the bus ride back, Tang Yan finally broke down, crying softly. “He’s had such a hard life… and I can’t do anything about it.”

Ji Yuqing gently rubbed her back. “He’s proud. He won’t accept help that easily. But don’t worry—I left some money while you two were talking.”

Tang Yan looked up, eyes wide. “You did what?”

“Of course. Around 20,000 yuan in cash. I withdrew it yesterday. By the time he finds it, we’ll be long gone.”

Tang Yan couldn’t help laughing through her tears, throwing her arms around Ji Yuqing’s neck. “You’re the best.”