Heart Flutter

Chapter 98

“Susan, have all the meetings with Lawyer Wang been arranged? Okay, got it. I’m heading over now.” Ji Yuqing ended the call as she hastily grabbed her leather handbag off the table, slinging it over her arm as she walked out of the room.

She bumped into Tang Yan, who had just come out of her own room still in her pajamas. Tang Yan quickly asked, “Aunt Ji, you’re not having lunch at home?”

“Mm.” Ji Yuqing nodded without saying more and was already at the front door. Tang Yan craned her neck, trying to catch a glance, but by then, she had already changed shoes and walked out the door.

It had been like this for two weeks now. Tang Yan silently reassured herself that it was nothing. Aunt Ji was busy with work—she couldn’t possibly have time to be around all the time. After all, growing up meant learning to deal with things on your own.

Lunch alone was pretty simple. Tang Yan used whatever ingredients were in the fridge to make her go-to dish: stir-fried eggplant, potatoes, and string beans. It was something she learned growing up in the countryside—the first dish she mastered, and the one she made most often. As for those more “sophisticated” meat dishes that Aunt Ji cooked, Tang Yan didn’t know how.

She cooked just enough rice for one bowl, plated it with her vegetables, and set them neatly on the dining table. Even though she was alone, she still treated lunch like a small ceremony.

The dining area faced a large window, and the living room had north-south ventilation. Sunlight poured in—it was a beautifully clear day.

She didn’t cook much to avoid wasting food and finished everything on her plate. Afterward, she got up, cleaned the dishes at the sink, and put everything away.

Meanwhile, on her way to meet the lawyer, Ji Yuqing received a call from Shen Yuyin. Her message was brief and straight to the point: “I won’t take much of your time, but I’ve got something that might be useful to you.”

They met at a nearby café that Ji Yuqing had never been to. Shen Yuyin was already there waiting. It was their first time meeting like this, just the two of them, and it felt awkward. Aside from their resemblance, the two couldn’t have been more different—in demeanor, in personality.

Shen Yuyin sat deep inside the café and had already ordered drinks for both of them. When Ji Yuqing arrived, she pulled out a chair and sat across from her. The atmosphere was stiff. To break the tension, Shen Yuyin didn’t waste time. She opened her bag, took out a thick envelope, and slid it across the table.

“I’ve collected these things over the years, mostly by accident. If you’re planning to sue my mom, you might find them useful,” she said.

Ji Yuqing, skeptical, reached for the envelope and flipped through it casually. The contents surprised her more than she let on. She quietly closed it again, face unreadable, and asked, “Why are you helping me?”

Shen Yuyin shrugged, feigning indifference. “Let’s just say I was bored.”

After a pause, she pulled out some cash, put it on the table, and called to a passing server, “Check, please!” Then she stood up, slung her purse over her shoulder, and didn’t even look Ji Yuqing in the eye. “I’ve got somewhere to be.”

And with that, she strode out of the café without a backward glance.

Ji Yuqing sat there holding the envelope, lost in thought. Then, without another word, she tucked it into her bag and left. On the drive, she called the lawyer she was scheduled to meet. “Something came up—I might be ten minutes late. But I’ve got something big. Something that could completely change the game.”

She never expected Shen Yuyin to help her. Just bored? Who would believe that? The envelope was full of photos—clearly the result of long, deliberate effort. But why she did it, Ji Yuqing couldn’t figure out yet. For now, she just needed to move forward. Time wasn’t on her side.

For Tang Yan, weekends were usually her favorite time—what she looked forward to most. But without Aunt Ji around, the hours dragged painfully.

Minutes ticked by until finally, it was 5 p.m. After finishing her homework, Tang Yan looked at the clock. Aunt Ji should be getting off work by now, right?

Feeling excited, she grabbed her phone and sent a message:

Tang Yan: Aunt Ji, what would you like for dinner? I’ll cook.

One minute. Two minutes. Three…

She sat there holding her phone, the excitement slowly giving way to disappointment. Aunt Ji hadn’t been replying to her messages much lately—either she’d respond late at night, or days later. Tang Yan felt firsthand how being fond of someone meant they could tug you along at any moment.

At 7:25 p.m., Tang Yan’s phone lit up with a reply from Aunt Ji.

She eagerly opened it, only for her smile to freeze the moment she read it.

Aunt Ji: Eat on your own tonight. I’ve got work.

Tang Yan pressed her lips together, set the phone down, and wandered out to the living room. The thought of cooking for one again wore her down, so she gave up on dinner and retreated to her room.

At 7:30, the silence in the house was broken by a phone call.

“Xiaoyun?” Tang Yan’s gloomy face lit up a little.

“Have you eaten? Let’s grab a bite. I’m nearby,” Zhao Xiaoyun said while scanning the street, trying to cross.

“…Sure. I’ll head out now.” Tang Yan agreed without hesitation.

“Wait, aren’t you supposed to report to your Aunt Ji first? Why are you saying yes so quickly today?” Zhao Xiaoyun teased on the phone.

Tang Yan gave a sheepish laugh. “I’m alone tonight. Aunt Ji’s busy and hasn’t come home.”

“Oh, I see. Alright, meet you at the usual spot.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

After hanging up, Tang Yan took a deep breath, quickly tied her loose hair back, grabbed her phone, and left the house.

When they met, Zhao Xiaoyun did a double take. “Whoa, what are you wearing? You came out like that?”

Tang Yan scratched the back of her head. “I didn’t go out all day, and it’s already late. I didn’t feel like changing.”

“You can’t just wear pajamas out! You’re a girl—can’t you put in a little effort?” Zhao Xiaoyun scolded.

Tang Yan laughed, gave her shoulder a playful push, and said, “Come on, let’s eat.”

Late spring turning into early summer meant the evenings were cool and pleasant. Sitting by the roadside, eating chilled cucumber, edamame, and a few small dishes felt cozy—and the prices were great.

Zhao Xiaoyun poured herself a beer and grumbled, “Just one bottle, or my girlfriend will get mad.” Tang Yan grinned and asked curiously, “So things are still going well with your girlfriend?”

“Y-yeah, we’re good.” Zhao Xiaoyun suddenly blushed and buried her face in her food.

Tang Yan didn’t press further and quietly focused on her meal. After a long pause, Zhao Xiaoyun looked up at her and asked, “Yan, is it just me, or are you acting weird today?”

“Really?” Tang Yan popped a peanut into her mouth. “I feel fine.”

“You sure you’re not hiding something?”

“What could I be hiding? I’m thriving. No worries at all.” She forced a laugh.

Anyone else might’ve believed her, but not Zhao Xiaoyun—she knew her best friend too well.

“Oh right, did you know?” Zhao Xiaoyun suddenly changed the subject. “I heard from Shen Yuyin that your Aunt Ji is busy dealing with family matters.”

Tang Yan paused, surprised. “Family matters?” She had always thought that house was a sore spot for Aunt Ji—she didn’t even dare bring it up usually.

“Yeah. I also heard… well…” Zhao Xiaoyun hesitated, “I think Aunt Ji’s father—Shen Yuyin’s dad—is not doing well. Probably the usual rich family inheritance drama.”

That’s when it all clicked. So that’s why Aunt Ji had been so distracted lately. Tang Yan felt a small surge of relief—it wasn’t that Aunt Ji was avoiding her.

“Why are you smiling?” Zhao Xiaoyun suddenly noticed the strange look on Tang Yan’s face.

“Nothing,” Tang Yan replied quickly, plastering on a neutral expression.