Heart Flutter

Chapter 93

As Ji Yuqing stepped out of Tang Yan’s room, she found the living room completely dark—until a soft candlelight flickered to life, illuminating two smiling faces.

A cheerful chorus rang out:

“Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you!”

Throughout it all, Ji Yuqing remained composed. She didn’t react the way people do in movies—overcome with emotion and tears of joy.

“Happy birthday, Aunt Ji!” Tang Yan said brightly.

“Happy birthday, sis!” Pei Wen echoed.

Just then, the lights in the living room came on, brightening the whole space. Tang Yan held an elegant cake in her hands, while Pei Wen walked over from the light switch and grinned, “So? Were you surprised?”

“I… I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Ji Yuqing murmured. “So this is what you two were doing tonight.”

Tang Yan gave a sheepish smile. “Aunt Ji, you’re not mad that I lied to you, are you?”

“No, no, of course not.” Ji Yuqing chuckled awkwardly, still somewhat distracted—her thoughts still lingering on the diary she hadn’t meant to read.

“Come on, don’t just stand there—make a wish and blow out the candles!” Pei Wen urged.

Tang Yan nodded, carefully setting the cake down on the dining table. She looked up at Ji Yuqing and said softly, “Make a wish, Aunt Ji.”

Even though it wasn’t really her thing, Ji Yuqing went along with it. She closed her eyes, made a silent wish with her hands clasped over her chest, and then blew out the candles. “All done,” she said.

She wasn’t someone who cared much about birthdays. Most years, she forgot the day entirely—unless someone else reminded her. To her, it was just a number that changed every year.

Next, Pei Wen stepped forward with a gift. “Here, your birthday present.”

Ji Yuqing nodded and quietly took it, intending to set it aside, but Pei Wen stopped her. “Aren’t you going to open it? I want to know if it fits.”

Ji Yuqing opened the box and found a pair of beautifully crafted high heels. She pursed her lips slightly. “They’re lovely. I really like them.”

“Try them on,” Pei Wen said, beaming. “Let’s see if they fit.”

Ji Yuqing sat down, slipped them on effortlessly, and smiled. “You always give me shoes every year. No wonder you know my size better than anyone.”

At that moment, Tang Yan couldn’t wait any longer. “Aunt Ji, I have a gift for you too!”

“You do?” Ji Yuqing looked up, a little surprised.

“Mm-hmm!” Tang Yan nodded enthusiastically and ran to the entryway. She came back holding a huge bouquet of roses she had hidden there. Ji Yuqing’s eyes followed her, but her heart began to feel strangely heavy.

The deep red roses, under the lights, looked like burning flames—bright, intense, and right in the center of her chest.

She stood frozen, staring at the flowers—yet also not really looking at them. She said nothing. Her face gave nothing away.

The mood suddenly turned tense and awkward. Tang Yan and Pei Wen exchanged a confused glance—neither of them sure what had just happened.

Then, as if trying to salvage the moment, Tang Yan fished out a small gift box from her pocket and held it out to Ji Yuqing. “There’s this too,” she said softly.

Ji Yuqing blinked and slowly came back to herself. She took the box and tried to keep her voice steady. “What’s this?”

“A necklace,” Tang Yan replied.

Pei Wen chimed in, “It cost quite a bit. Tang Yan really put her heart into it.”

Ji Yuqing opened the little square box and glanced inside. There was only one necklace resting in the spot clearly meant for a pair. She asked offhandedly, “Is this a set?”

Tang Yan scratched the back of her head, a little shy. “I thought it was really pretty, so I bought both. One for you, and one for me.”

Ji Yuqing took one more glance before quietly closing the box and setting it aside. Pei Wen raised a brow. “You’re not going to try it on?”

“I’ll leave it for now,” Ji Yuqing said flatly.

Tang Yan stood there fidgeting, nervously picking at her fingers. Something didn’t feel right. Aunt Ji didn’t seem happy. Was she mad that Tang Yan had lied about her plans tonight? Her heart ached.

Pei Wen felt the awkwardness too. The atmosphere tonight wasn’t what she’d imagined at all. She hesitated, then said, “It’s getting late—I should head out.”

Ji Yuqing stood to walk her out, but Pei Wen quickly waved her off. “No need, no need. Really,” she said, glancing meaningfully at Tang Yan. “Didn’t you leave something in my car earlier?”

Tang Yan caught on immediately. “Oh, right! I’ll come get it!”

The two stepped outside together to talk privately.

“I feel like Aunt Ji’s upset. Do you think she didn’t like my gift?” Tang Yan asked, uncertain.

Pei Wen rested her chin on her hand, just as confused. “I don’t think that’s it. I know her—she’s not the kind of person to act like that. And things at work have been fine lately… I honestly can’t figure it out. For now, don’t worry too much. Just see how things go.”

It was the best comfort she could offer.

Tang Yan nodded. “Still, thank you for today. For spending so much time helping me shop.”

“Oh, stop it. I really hope things work out between you two,” Pei Wen said, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Alright, I should go. You don’t have to walk me out.”

Tang Yan stayed under the eaves, watching Pei Wen’s car drive away before heading back inside.

Ji Yuqing was tidying up the cake when Tang Yan returned. “She left?” she asked.

Tang Yan nodded, then hesitated. “Aunt Ji… you’re not going to have any cake?”

Ji Yuqing paused. “I don’t really like sweet things at night. I’ll put it in the fridge and have some tomorrow. Want a slice?”

Tang Yan shook her head. “Aunt Ji, did you eat dinner?”

“Just had something simple,” she replied. “You?”

“I did too!” Tang Yan said quickly. In truth, she hadn’t eaten anything. She’d been running around all evening, but she didn’t want to trouble Aunt Ji by making her cook this late.

Ji Yuqing gave a small nod. “Well, if there’s nothing else, go take a shower and get some rest.”

She turned to put the cake away and head to her room.

Tang Yan spotted the necklace box still sitting on the table. “Aunt Ji, your necklace—”

Ji Yuqing stopped, turned back, and silently picked it up. She walked to her room in slippers without looking back.

Tang Yan stood frozen in place, lips pressed together, brows furrowed, a bitter ache rising in her chest. So… liking someone could feel this sour.

Why was Aunt Ji like this tonight? She’d never been like that before. She was always warm, always kind, always smiling.

Later, Tang Yan went back to her own room. She sat stiffly at the end of her bed, frustration and confusion bubbling up inside her. She tugged at her hair, asking herself over and over—What went wrong? Where did I mess up?

What scared her most was the thought that maybe… Aunt Ji would never smile at her the same way again.

Just then, a message came in from Pei Wen, asking how things had gone.

Tang Yan typed her reply slowly, her heart too heavy to feel happy.

“It didn’t work. I think Aunt Ji doesn’t like me anymore.”

Pei Wen replied quickly:

“Don’t think like that. Don’t overthink it, okay? Maybe something’s going on with her. Give her some time. Don’t panic.”

It was all they could hope for now.

Tang Yan sighed deeply and set her phone aside. She went to her backpack to look for her journal—but it was missing. She hadn’t written anything all week at school. Maybe she’d left it at home?

She rushed to her desk, pulled open the drawer, and there it was.

Right. She’d left it here.

The cover felt slightly damp, but she didn’t think much of it. She quickly flipped to the latest page, grabbed a pen, and started writing down everything that had happened that night—along with all her emotions.

Back in her room, Ji Yuqing stared at the necklace box in her hand.

After a pause, she bent down and opened the bottom drawer of her dresser, tucked the box inside, and didn’t look at it again.

She grabbed her pajamas and walked into the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she slowly removed her top. The necklace on her collarbone came into full view—delicate, familiar.

She reached for the pendant.

It was the same necklace that had been brought to the house when Mia and Tang Yan first visited. Somehow, she had worn it all this time without ever taking it off.

She ran her fingers over the intricate pattern on the charm, the other hand pressed to her chest.

Then she closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath.

Everything that had led up to this moment… she had played a part in it too.

She couldn’t explain it to Hui Yi. So from this moment forward, she would put a stop to it herself.

With that thought, her eyes flew open—and she reached up and yanked the necklace from her neck.