Heart Flutter

Chapter 76

Tang Yan and Xiaoyun had agreed to meet at a conveyor-belt hot-pot place in Xihuating. Tang Yan arrived first and waited outside. The cold wind reddened her cheeks; hands shoved deep in her pockets, she stood there, hunched against the chill.

After ten minutes or so, Zhao Xiaoyun came running up. “I missed the earlier bus, otherwise I’d have gotten here sooner.”

“No worries—I haven’t been waiting long.”

“Where exactly are we going after this?” Xiaoyun asked.

“I’m not entirely sure. Senior Shen sent me an address.” Tang Yan opened her messages and pulled up the map pin.

“Maybe I shouldn’t tag along,” Xiaoyun hesitated. “Why don’t we reschedule? You go ahead…”

“It’s fine—think of it as me introducing you to a new friend. Senior Shen’s great; she once helped me beat up Tang Yawen.”

At the casual mention of that incident, Xiaoyun’s eyes lit up. “Really? When was that?”

During the ride across town, Tang Yan recounted the whole story. Xiaoyun grew more and more excited. “She sounds amazing—like a heroine straight out of a wuxia novel.”

“She’s easy-going; you two will probably hit it off,” Tang Yan said with a smile.

Xiaoyun was full of eager anticipation—until she saw who it was.

The restaurant Shen had chosen was another hot-pot place, but a far ritzier one: average cost per person over three hundred yuan. Cold weather makes hot pot popular—steaming broth, lively atmosphere, instant warmth.

Tang Yan expected a crowd, as was usually the case, but when they arrived they found only Senior Shen Yuyin at the table, quietly tending the boiling pot.

Following Tang Yan inside, Xiaoyun’s first glimpse of the woman made her heart jolt. Small world… Before she could collect herself, Tang Yan stepped forward. “Senior!”

Xiaoyun froze; her mind buzzed.

There was no time to warn Tang Yan—reality was right in front of her.

“You made it,” Shen Yuyin said, rising. The moment she saw Xiaoyun, her smile stiffened; disbelief flickered across her face.

“Senior, this is my best friend, Zhao Xiaoyun,” Tang Yan said, utterly unaware of the undercurrent. “Xiaoyun, this is the senior I told you about—Shen Yuyin.”

Introductions done, the two women simply stared at each other, neither speaking.

Awkwardness settled over the table. Tang Yan finally asked, “Um… did something happen between you two?”

Xiaoyun, realizing the tension, forced a thin smile and waved. “Hi…”

Shen Yuyin regained her composure first, nodding lightly. “Come on, sit down. The broth’s already boiling.”

Tang Yan glanced at Xiaoyun, then sat beside her. “Senior, is it just us tonight?”

Shen Yuyin grinned suddenly. “Of course. Who else were you expecting?”

“I thought maybe some people from the club…”

“This dinner’s my treat; it has nothing to do with them,” Shen said coolly.

Xiaoyun sat with her head down. Then what does it have to do with me? she thought. I should have bailed… this is painfully awkward.

“Tell your friend to order whatever she likes. No need to hold back,” Shen added.

“Xiaoyun,” Tang Yan prompted.

Xiaoyun nodded frantically, desperate not to be singled out again.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Shen offered another distraction. “Drink?”

Tang Yan waved both hands. “I can’t handle alcohol—water’s fine. Xiaoyun?”

“Me?” Xiaoyun’s mind was blank. Before thinking, she blurted, “I can drink.”

“Great.” Shen summoned the waiter and ordered a fruit juice and two bottles of liquor.

Xiaoyun really could hold her liquor—years of working away from home had trained her. Tang Yan wasn’t worried, yet she couldn’t tell whether bringing Xiaoyun tonight was good or bad. The vibe between the two women felt… unpredictable.

After two rounds, Xiaoyun loosened up; the conversation between her and Shen turned animated. Catching bits and pieces, Tang Yan realized they must have met before—and something had happened. But tonight was not the time to ask. She kept quiet, nibbling food and sipping juice.

Seeing them chat so comfortably, she finally relaxed.

An hour later, Tang Yan received a WeChat message from Aunt Ji.

Aunt Ji: Still eating? When will you be home? Need a ride?

Tang Yan: No need—it isn’t far. I’ll catch a ride soon; we’re almost done.

Aunt Ji: All right. If taxis are scarce, call me.

Tang Yan: Will do.

She slipped her phone away. By then the two bottles were empty, and both drinkers were flushed, laughing loudly. Shen called for two more, but Tang Yan stopped the waiter. “No, thank you. They’ve had enough.”

“Where’s the booze?” Shen muttered, chin on the table like a sulky child.

“Maybe the waiter fell asleep,” Xiaoyun slurred.

Feeling they inhabited different worlds now, Tang Yan went to the counter and paid. The bill shocked her—nearly a thousand yuan, half of it the liquor. Thankfully Aunt Ji had transferred five thousand to her days ago; otherwise she wouldn’t have known how to end the night.

She hauled the two drunks out of the restaurant. Shen slung an arm over Xiaoyun’s shoulders. “I’ve got vintage baijiu and top-shelf wine at my place—let’s keep drinking.”

“Great… great…”

Shen had driven there; she fished out her keys and beeped open a red car at the curb. Tang Yan hurried over. “Senior, you can’t drive like this. Let me hire a chauffeur.”

She took the keys. They’d crash before leaving the block.

“I can drive—why won’t she let me drive?” Shen mumbled, pointing at Tang Yan, who was already on the phone.

Xiaoyun chimed in, “Yeah… we’re not drunk.”

Soon a female chauffeur arrived, folded her little e-bike, and stowed it in the trunk. Tang Yan handed over the keys—but didn’t know Shen’s address, and the senior was too muddled to give it. Shen had collapsed into the back seat; Xiaoyun followed, managing to give her own rental address. The chauffeur looked uncertain; the women inside urged her to start the car, while Tang Yan insisted they wait. She was texting club members, trying to find Shen’s apartment.

She also tried to coax Xiaoyun out, offering to take her home herself, but Xiaoyun refused to budge.

Resting an elbow on the window, the chauffeur said, “No problem. I’ll run two trips—drop each off separately.”

“Thank you—sorry for the trouble.” Finally someone sent Shen’s address. Tang Yan passed it along, watched the red car pull away, and felt her stomach twist. Will they really get home safely? Please let everything be okay.

Job done, she checked the time—midnight. No more buses. She’d have to find a cab.

Just then Aunt Ji called; she was still awake.

“Hello, Aunt Ji…”

“Where are you?”

Tang Yan gave her location.

“I’ll come pick you up. Stay put.”

At this hour she couldn’t refuse without being unreasonable. Ten minutes later Aunt Ji’s car pulled up. She rolled down the window. “By yourself? Where’s Xiaoyun?”

“She already caught a ride home,” Tang Yan mumbled.

“Got it—hop in.”

Tang Yan stayed silent, fearing a scolding for being out so late. Yet Aunt Ji said nothing, focused on driving.

Then the chauffeur called. Tang Yan answered, pressing the phone to her ear.

“Miss Tang… I’ve run into a bit of a problem.”

Her heart lurched. “What happened?”

“I dropped Miss Zhao off, but Miss Shen insisted on getting out too. Now they’re inside together and locked me out. I can’t take Miss Shen home.”

Relief, then fresh worry, washed over Tang Yan. “All right. Thank you—you’ve done more than enough.”

Hanging up, she saw Aunt Ji glance over. “Everything okay?”

“Y-yes. Xiaoyun’s home safe.”