Heart Flutter

Chapter 177 [Extra 7]

Tang Yan’s Weibo followers had skyrocketed again, and even Aunt Ji—whom she had marked as a “Special Follow”—was gaining traction. It probably had something to do with the software Tang Yan had developed years ago and that viral marriage certificate post from six months back. Ever since then, people kept following the story of this couple.

One day, some folks claiming to be from a production crew came to their office, asking specifically to interview Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing.

They introduced themselves, explaining that they were working on a documentary-style show approved by the TV station, and it would be released gradually across various online platforms. The theme? Touching love stories of all kinds.

Tang Yan, never fond of being on camera, declined politely. “I don’t think our story is anything extraordinary. It’s just a very normal kind of love. Maybe you should find someone else.”

But the team came back. Not once, but three times—each time sincerely and warmly. After discussing it privately, Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing eventually agreed to the interview.

To help them feel comfortable and natural, the crew decided to shoot the documentary right in their everyday office space. That way, it would all feel more genuine.

Since it was a documentary, they didn’t need to do much talking. The focus was more on capturing the everyday life of this unique couple. All they needed to do was just be themselves.

The shoot took just a day, and after editing, their episode ended up being just over twenty minutes long. But once it went live, it immediately stood out.

Ironically, the previous episode had featured a couple married for sixty years, and the next one was about a pair with a thirty-year age gap. Yet somehow, Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing’s story gained the most attention and engagement. On the very night it aired, it blew up on social media.

That night, Tang Yan was lying in bed, scrolling through the trending topics, teasing, “Oh no, oh no. We’re about to go viral. What do I do? Should I hire a PR team to package my brand or something?”

Ji Yuqing was beside her reading and chuckled. “Look at you, getting all excited.”

But just a few days later, they got another call—this time from a producer at Huadu TV, inviting them to join a talk show.

Tang Yan was hesitant at first, until the producer added, “I’m a huge fan of you two! I seriously envy your love story. Please say yes!”

After some thought, they agreed. Having been on camera once before helped ease Tang Yan’s nerves a bit.

The next day was the recording, and Tang Yan suddenly felt like switching up her look. Truthfully, she’d been considering it for a while now—over a year, in fact.

“I need to head out for a bit,” she said, grabbing her car keys and rushing out.

Ji Yuqing chased after her, spatula still in hand. “You’re not staying for dinner?”

“Go ahead without me! No need to wait!” Tang Yan shouted as she got in the car and sped off.

Ji Yuqing stared after her, confused. What’s this girl running off for in such a hurry?

Driving through the evening-lit streets at 7 PM, neon signs glowing on both sides, Tang Yan finally spotted a hair salon. She parked nearby and took a deep breath before stepping inside.

“Would you like a haircut, miss? We also offer the latest in perm and dye treatments—”

“I just want a haircut,” Tang Yan cut off the salesperson’s pitch.

The stylist, who introduced himself confidently as Tony, showed up scissors in hand.

Tang Yan quickly laid out her instructions to prevent any “creative liberty.” “Just cut it to here. No more, no less.”

“OK! No problem!” Tony gave her a peace sign, brimming with confidence.

A girl walking by, shampooing supplies in hand, glanced at Tang Yan’s hair and sighed. “You’re cutting it all off? That’s such a shame.”

Watching her long hair fall away in the mirror, Tang Yan didn’t feel much regret. Long hair was a hassle to maintain—especially in her line of work, where brainpower and overtime were daily fare. Her hair had been falling out in chunks from stress, and she’d had enough. Most of all, the daily struggle of tying it up every morning took way too long. She figured, better to just chop it off and be done with it—fresh and breezy.

With Tony’s scissors snipping away enthusiastically, half an hour later, Tang Yan emerged with a brand-new look.

As she looked at the chin-length bob in the mirror, a random thought popped up: Why do I look like a schoolgirl from the Republic era?

“What do you think? Happy with it? Want it shorter?” Tony asked.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Tang Yan said, waving her hand and standing up. She dusted the hair off her clothes, paid, and left.

As she stepped outside, the breeze lifted her new short hair, brushing her neck with a refreshing coolness. It felt light and freeing. She’d had long hair since high school, and now that it was gone, she didn’t feel the least bit sentimental.

It felt like the start of something new.

She couldn’t wait to get home.

The smell of home-cooked food wafted through the air the moment she stepped in and changed her shoes. “I’m back! Something smells amazing!”

Ji Yuqing poked her head out to glance at her—and froze. If Tang Yan hadn’t spoken, if she hadn’t turned around, Ji Yuqing might’ve thought a stranger had walked into the house.

“So? Is it that bad?” Tang Yan asked nervously, surprised by Ji Yuqing’s shocked expression.

Ji Yuqing walked over, set her things aside, and took a good look. She reached out to touch the fresh short hair and smiled fondly. “You look even younger now.”

“You really don’t hate it?” Tang Yan asked timidly.

“Of course not. I like it—it’s cute, energetic. You look kind of like…”

“A schoolgirl from the Republic era?” Tang Yan finished for her.

“Exactly! That’s what I was gonna say.”

Tang Yan let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Aunt Ji liked it. Otherwise, she really would’ve regretted it.

A few days later, they showed up for the talk show, and Tang Yan debuted her new look to the audience.

Ji Yuqing had also dressed up in formal wear for the show. Since the whole thing was seated with a host asking questions, it wasn’t physically tiring at all.

The format was the usual: host opens with some scripted lines, announces sponsors, then invites the two guests—Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing—on stage. After a quick round of self-introductions, they got into the actual interview.

The host held a card filled with pre-written questions. Saying she wasn’t nervous would’ve been a lie—this was a major TV station, in a real recording studio. Tang Yan’s palm was sweating as she held Ji Yuqing’s hand.

“Everyone knows you’re both successful entrepreneurs now. Mind sharing how you first met? I think we’re all super curious,” the host said with a warm smile.

Tang Yan glanced at Ji Yuqing, who gave her a look that said, Go on, you’ve got this.

Tang Yan cleared her throat. “Well, I wouldn’t go as far as calling us entrepreneurs—maybe just startup founders. Our story is actually kind of cliché. You might not believe it, but at the beginning, I was a guest staying at her place. I’d gotten into Huadu University from a rural town, and I didn’t have a place to stay.”

Ji Yuqing chimed in, “Her mom was my college senior. That’s how it all started.”

The host nodded in understanding, then couldn’t resist adding, “So… who fell for who first? Who confessed? Who chased whom?”

Tang Yan laughed, embarrassed, and raised her hand. “Guilty. That was all me.”

The atmosphere instantly relaxed, and the rest of the interview went smoothly.

The final question from the host was, “As we all know, same-sex marriage has been a big topic in recent years. Everyone admires how you two stayed true to your love despite outside opinions. One thing I’m dying to know—what do you two call each other in everyday life?”

Tang Yan automatically looked at Ji Yuqing and smiled sheepishly. “I call her Aunt Ji, Boss, Leader… and at home, I call her ‘wifey.’”

The camera turned to Ji Yuqing, whose cheeks were slightly pink. “Usually I call her Yanyan, it’s just habit by now. But sometimes I’ll call her ‘wife’ too.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet!” The host squealed, pretending to be overwhelmed by how lovey-dovey they were.

…

After the show wrapped and they stepped out of the TV building, the sky had darkened. The streetlights cast a soft yellow glow.

The two of them walked one behind the other, barely a foot apart.

Then suddenly, Tang Yan called out, “Wifey!”

Ji Yuqing turned, surprised—just in time for Tang Yan to rush up, cradle her face, and kiss her deeply.

Right there under the streetlamp, they kissed like no one else existed. The light bathed their faces, the air thick with romance.

Even the moths hovered nearby, keeping them company.