Heart Flutter

Chapter 63

At seven o’clock the next morning, Tang Yan woke up on time and turned off her alarm. She folded the quilt on her bed into a neat, square shape and placed it carefully at the head of the bed. She noticed that her hair, which had been draped over her shoulders, had grown longer without her realizing it. So, she tied it back into a clean, crisp ponytail. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she studied her fresh, unadorned face in the mirror and hesitated briefly. Then, recalling something, she smiled shyly, returned to her room, dug out her cosmetics, and tried putting on makeup for the first time, imitating how others did it.

She did not dare to apply too much or anything too heavy, fearing it would look overdone and unattractive. Although she had never paid much attention to these things, she had occasionally seen photos online of poorly applied makeup. She did not want that, so she only tried a light base and a bit of eyebrow shaping, finishing with a pale lipstick.

Her face in the mirror suddenly looked much healthier and more radiant. Satisfied, she put everything away and stepped out of her room. She quietly went to the kitchen to make breakfast for Aunt Ji. Tang Yan had never used the toaster before, but she remembered seeing Aunt Ji use it. She decided to give it a try, frying eggs in a pan and retrieving a box of shredded pork floss from the fridge. She spread the pork floss on a slice of freshly toasted bread, placed a fried egg on top, added another layer of pork floss, and covered it with a second slice of toast. Then, she cut it diagonally to form a simple sandwich.

While she was warming milk, Ji Yuqing came out of her bedroom, still looking a bit drowsy. She greeted Tang Yan, saying, “Yan Yan, why are you up so early?”

“Isn’t today the day we go to the hospital for your follow-up? I already made breakfast, Aunt Ji. Please come eat,” Tang Yan replied with a smile.

“Alright,” Ji Yuqing answered cheerfully. “Give me a moment; I’ll go wash up.”

Tang Yan placed the sandwiches on serving plates and decorated them with two small tomato slices. She set the warmed milk to the side. Everything was ready, waiting for Aunt Ji to sit down and enjoy.

After washing up, Ji Yuqing came out of her room without any makeup. Her skin looked smooth and wrinkle-free. She wore a crew-neck sweater and black fitted pants that showed off her slender, straight legs and well-maintained figure.

Tang Yan hurried to pull out a chair for her and helped her sit down, propping the cane beside them before taking a seat on the opposite side of the table.

Both surprised and delighted, Ji Yuqing remarked, “Our Yan Yan can make sandwiches now.”

“I’ve bought them at the school cafeteria before. They didn’t seem too hard to make, so I tried it today. How do they taste?” Tang Yan asked, keeping her composure despite the praise.

Holding the sandwich, Ji Yuqing gave a slight nod. “Not bad. You fried the egg just right—nice and soft.” She reached for the glass of milk next. “It’s still warm.”

“Yeah, since the weather was cold, I thought it would be good to drink something hot,” Tang Yan said.

“You’re so considerate,” Ji Yuqing said with a smile.

“It’s nothing, really,” Tang Yan replied, acting calm as she ate her sandwich.

After breakfast, Tang Yan waited while Aunt Ji went back to her room to tidy up and do her hair. Meanwhile, Tang Yan fiddled with her phone and managed to book a car ride. Just as she finished, she looked up to see Ji Yuqing stepping out of the room wearing a pink shawl over a long, dark pleated skirt that reached her ankles. Her hair was parted into two braids, one hanging over each shoulder. Smiling, she held the two braids and asked, “What do you think? Do I look like a student?”

“You look positively youthful!” Tang Yan praised her without hesitation, making Ji Yuqing beam with delight and even show a hint of shyness.

“Oh, you child, what a sweet talker. Well, let me act young for a day,” she joked.

“It’s really pretty, and I mean that,” Tang Yan insisted.

When they went outside, they saw a black Hyundai parked at the door. The driver had gotten out and was checking his phone. Hearing her phone ring, Tang Yan did not bother to answer right away. Instead, she said to Ji Yuqing, “Look, the car is already here.”

Still surprised, Ji Yuqing watched as Tang Yan ran over to greet the driver. The child was really giving her one surprise after another; the rate of her growth was astonishing.

They got into the car and headed toward the hospital they had visited before, where it happened that Ji Yuqing’s primary doctor was on duty that day. She went in with her checkup results and stayed for quite some time. Tang Yan waited on a bench outside, watching the many different people passing by. Finally, the door opened from the inside, and Ji Yuqing peeked out. Holding out her hands, she asked, “Notice anything different?”

Tang Yan looked her up and down several times but remained puzzled.

“You silly girl, I have discarded my cane,” Ji Yuqing could not help but announce.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Tang Yan exclaimed excitedly, almost like a husband waiting outside a clinic for news of his wife’s pregnancy—her face radiated joy. Several passersby turned to look at them.

“The doctor said I still shouldn’t do any strenuous exercise for now, but I can already drive,” Ji Yuqing added.

Tang Yan nodded emphatically, her excitement obvious.

As they left the hospital, Ji Yuqing walked slowly, especially on the leg that had been injured. Tang Yan stayed beside her, carefully matching her pace.

“Why don’t we go to the countryside today?” asked Ji Yuqing.

“Sure,” Tang Yan answered without hesitation.

“I want to visit my mother. I haven’t been in a while,” Ji Yuqing said.

“Alright. Should we buy something to bring her?” Tang Yan asked.

“Of course. Let’s go home first and get the car, then we can stop by the supermarket and pick up a few things she likes.”

Tang Yan had not ridden in a car driven by Aunt Ji for a while, and she had missed the feeling. “Aunt Ji, I want to learn to drive.”

Glancing at her in surprise, Ji Yuqing kept her eyes on the road. “That’s great. It’s better to learn early. Later, when you’re busy with your studies, you might not have much free time.”

Tang Yan explained, “That way, whenever we go out, we can take turns driving. Then you can ride as a passenger sometimes and rest.”

“Good, good. I’m glad you thought of that,” said Ji Yuqing. Even from the side, Tang Yan could see the smile crinkling at the corners of her eyes.

After a pause, she asked, “Where do you plan to learn? At your university, or should I find a driving school for you?”

“I’d rather do it at the university. It costs less there, and it’s more convenient for daily practice,” Tang Yan replied.

“Alright. I’ll give you the registration fee when we drop you back at school.”

Tang Yan looked out the window. The car had already taken an overpass leading to the outskirts of the city. There were still a few high-rise buildings scattered around, but the area seemed less crowded.

She rolled up the window, leaving only a small gap. Glancing over, Ji Yuqing asked curiously, “You’re not feeling carsick?”

Tang Yan shook her head. “The breeze is a bit chilly, but the carsickness isn’t too bad. I’ve gotten much better.”

“That’s good,” said Ji Yuqing with a smile, catching Tang Yan’s eye in the rearview. “Over time, you’ll get used to it. Once you learn to drive, you probably won’t feel carsick anymore.”

Tang Yan nodded. Just then, her phone, resting on her lap, chimed twice. She opened it to see messages from Peiwen.

Peiwen: You went for the checkup today, right? Did you go already?

Peiwen: Let me know the results.

Tang Yan typed back: We finished. Aunt Ji no longer needs her cane and can drive again, although she still has to avoid intense exercise.

Peiwen: Good, that’s great. So, what are you two up to? Any weekend plans?

Tang Yan: We are on our way to a care home to see Aunt Ji’s mother.

Peiwen: Alright, I see. You two take care. And remember what I told you last night. If you ever need my help, just call, and I will do my best.

Tang Yan: Thank you, Peiwen.

While driving, Ji Yuqing glanced over and noticed that Tang Yan was messaging someone. “Chatting with your classmates?” she asked, feigning nonchalance.

“No,” Tang Yan replied, putting her phone away. “It was Peiwen. She asked how your checkup went.”

“How are things at school? Getting along well with your classmates?” Ji Yuqing asked casually.

“I get along best with my roommates,” Tang Yan answered honestly. “I don’t see much of anyone else.”

“That’s how college can be. Everyone is pretty independent, and roommates usually stick together. You can always invite some classmates over to our house if you want to grow closer.”

“Alright,” Tang Yan agreed.

With that, the car exited the overpass and merged onto a wide asphalt road. The day felt bright, with clear, azure skies overhead and white clouds drifting by. Such a view easily lifted one’s spirits.

Tang Yan felt that her future was filled with hope and promise. Everything seemed wonderful.