Heart Flutter

Chapter 61

Tang Yan asked quietly, “Did I… know her?” Somehow, she had a feeling that it involved her.

Shen Yuyin turned her head to look at the ground, absently fiddling with some dried grass at her feet. “You don’t just know her. You actually live in her home.”

The moment she said that, Tang Yan was taken aback. She never imagined that the person linked to her senior would turn out to be Aunt Ji. Then, recalling the story Aunt Ji had once told her, a bold guess took shape in her mind. “You… wouldn’t happen to be the younger half-sister Aunt Ji mentioned, would you?”

It was almost too unbelievable, and it made her realize just how small the world could be.

No wonder Tang Yan had felt a vague sense of familiarity when she first met her senior. They even shared a slight resemblance to Aunt Ji.

“Who would have thought she’d tell you about all that?” Shen Yuyin asked. “Did she ever mention anything about me?”

Tang Yan shook her head. “No.”

She still hadn’t fully recovered from her shock. So, her senior’s mother had been the same woman who broke up Aunt Ji’s family all those years ago. And her senior herself was that sister Aunt Ji mentioned—the one who was suddenly brought into the family home. Tang Yan’s mind was a tangled mess.

With a bitter smile, Shen Yuyin went on, “Tang Yan, there’s something I need to be honest about. At first, I only got close to you because I wanted to figure out your connection to… that person. But as we spent more time together, I realized you’re an incredibly simple and genuine person. Being around you, I didn’t feel any of those darker motives—just pure friendship without any hidden agendas. It’s been so long since I felt that way.”

Tang Yan glanced at the lake before them and said softly, “I think that between people, it’s best to keep things straightforward, clear, and simple.”

“Tang Yan?” Shen Yuyin suddenly called her name.

“Hmm?” Tang Yan turned her head to look at her.

Shen Yuyin gazed at her with a faint smile on her face. “So, would you like to be my girlfriend now?”

“Huh?” Tang Yan was startled. She didn’t know how to respond, and a moment of panic flickered in her eyes.

From that look in her eyes, Shen Yuyin already knew the answer. She quickly waved her hand, acting like she didn’t care. “Ah, I’m just kidding. Look at you, falling for it a second time today.”

Tang Yan offered a sheepish laugh. “I’m so gullible.”

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s head back. If the dorm supervisor locks us out, we’ll have to find a room off-campus. And I’ve been drinking tonight, so I can’t guarantee I won’t do something when I’m alone with you.”

“Senior, you’re joking again.”

Laughing, Shen Yuyin braced a hand on Tang Yan’s shoulder to help herself stand.

Tang Yan got up as well, and the two walked back to the dorm together.

They arrived at 10:29 p.m.—one minute before the doors locked. The supervisor auntie stood at the entrance, keys in hand, and scolded them, warning that next time she would not let them in if they came back so late.

Finally, Friday arrived. There was only one class in the afternoon, so Tang Yan gathered her things and went to the classroom. After class, she headed straight for the campus gate. Instead of going home right away, she took a bus across from the school entrance to the same supermarket Aunt Ji had once brought her to. It was actually her first time going alone. She pushed a shopping cart in slow, tentative movements, afraid she might bump into someone if she wasn’t careful.

She didn’t know how to make anything fancy and certainly wasn’t up to banquet-level cooking. All she could manage were simple everyday dishes—the ones she knew well. But she thought about how hard Aunt Ji had been working, so it felt right to do something helpful, something within her power to lighten Aunt Ji’s load.

Besides, cooking for the person she liked sounded like a beautiful thing.

Tang Yan headed to the produce section and picked out fresh bell peppers, potatoes, and celery. Stopping by the yogurt aisle, she remembered the brand Aunt Ji liked and put several cups into the cart. After paying, she walked to the bus stop across the street. By then, it was around 4 p.m. She still had enough time.

Buses were especially crowded on Fridays, so Tang Yan had to stand the whole way. Fortunately, her physical stamina had improved, and even though she was carrying heavy bags, she managed the swaying ride home. By the time she arrived, her palms were red from the weight of the bags. She entered the passcode at the gate and opened the door.

There were no lights on inside—just silence. Tang Yan carried her groceries inside and closed the door behind her. She called out tentatively, “Aunt Ji? Aunt Ji?”

No one answered. Perhaps Aunt Ji was still at work or taking an afternoon nap somewhere else. Tang Yan set the groceries on the kitchen counter. Then she took her backpack to her room and returned to Aunt Ji’s bedroom door, knocking lightly.

“Aunt Ji, I’m back.”

Unexpectedly, the door swung open a crack. The bed was neatly made, and there was no sign of anyone inside. Aunt Ji was not home. Tang Yan felt a pang of disappointment, but she rallied quickly. It didn’t matter—she would simply cook and wait for her to return.

She rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands thoroughly, and got to work washing, chopping, and stir-frying.

After all, she had done this plenty of times in that former household of hers. Cooking had been a daily chore she never did willingly. But it was different here. If she could, she wanted to cook for Aunt Ji every single day. Just thinking about it made her heart swell with warmth and anticipation.

At around 5:10 p.m., Pei Wen was still giving her work report to Ji Yuqing in the office. Glancing at the time, Ji Yuqing cut in, “Pei Wen, let’s leave the rest for next week. I’m leaving work now.”

“Leaving work?” Pei Wen looked surprised, about to ask why.

Before she could, Ji Yuqing explained, “Tang Yan came home for the weekend today, so I want to get back early.”

“Oh…” Pei Wen drew out the word and smiled, closing the folder in her hands. “Shall I drive you back, then?”

“Yes, please.”

Tang Yan was finishing up her last dish when she heard the front door open. She peeked out of the kitchen just as Pei Wen and Aunt Ji walked in. Excited, she greeted them, “Aunt Ji! Pei Wen!”

“You’re home so early,” said Ji Yuqing, leaning on her cane as she changed her shoes at the door.

“I bought some groceries and made dinner,” Tang Yan replied.

Once Ji Yuqing slipped on her slippers, she looked up at Pei Wen in surprise. “Why don’t you stay and join us for dinner before you head out?”

Pei Wen glanced at Tang Yan, then waved her hand dismissively. “Thanks, but I have plans tonight. I’ll take a rain check on trying Tang Yan’s cooking.”

“Alright. Drive safely,” Ji Yuqing said.

“Got it. I’m off, then. Bye, Tang Yan!” Pei Wen stood by the door and waved.

“Bye, Pei Wen!” Tang Yan raised her hand high in return.

With only the two of them left in the house, Ji Yuqing walked over to Tang Yan, a lingering smile on her face. “What made you decide to come back so early and cook for me?”

“I only had one class this afternoon… and I wanted to cook for you, Aunt Ji.” Tang Yan felt unexplainably nervous, her heart pounding.

“What did you make? It smells great.”

“Just some regular, everyday dishes,” she mumbled.

“Everyday dishes are my favorite—I love them.”

Setting her cane aside, Ji Yuqing allowed Tang Yan to help her to the table. Tang Yan pulled out the chair for her and even served her a steaming bowl of rice, being as attentive and considerate as she could.

“That’s enough fussing over me,” said Ji Yuqing. “Sit down and eat with me.”

“Okay!” Tang Yan nodded eagerly, taking a seat across from her.

She snuck a glance at Aunt Ji, hoping for some reaction to her cooking. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat.

“This is delicious,” said Ji Yuqing.

Tang Yan beamed in surprise. “Really?”

Unable to stop herself, Ji Yuqing took another bite of rice and vegetables. “There’s something about your cooking that reminds me of home. I love it.”

If only I could cook for you every day!

Tang Yan didn’t dare say that out loud. Instead, she expressed it in a roundabout way. “If you like it, Aunt Ji, I’ll cook more often whenever I have time.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Ji Yuqing smiled up at her. For a split second, Tang Yan thought her heart might melt.

Why was Aunt Ji so gentle, so lovely, and so charming? Even the slightest smile from her left Tang Yan spellbound, her heart beating wildly.

“Silly child, why are you staring at me? Eat,” said Ji Yuqing, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.

“O-oh!” Tang Yan blushed as well, immediately dropping her gaze and scooping food into her mouth.