Chapter 38
The flowers on Fenghuang Road covered the entire street. Almost every house along the road had these flowers, primarily the angel’s trumpet. When Li City was chosen to host the Olympics, they made a deliberate effort to improve the appearance of the old town, including floral and other renovations. The most successful of these were the flowers covering the wall, making Fenghuang Road a popular spot for many photography enthusiasts.
From sunrise to sunset, the street had different looks. Similarly, the newly built community next door was quite pricey. With its proximity to schools, universities, and the overall living environment and scenery, the community where Tan Yucheng lived had become a highly sought-after residential area.
Ji Ting turned and walked along the flower-scented path.
Her mood was both relaxed and empty, as if the knife hanging over her head had finally been removed by her own hands.
She had chosen this herself—maintaining a temporary relationship with him, one that was above friendship but below romance, with a clear boundary and a certain retreat.
Some people are destined to meet by fate. Li City is so large, with so many districts. Besides the old town, there are many apartment buildings near Li City University. Across the street, there are even affordable teacher apartments specifically for educators. Yet, Shu Xiao happened to rent a place in the old town, just a street away from where he lived.
You should know that renting in the old town is extremely difficult. Since the renovation, finding a room has been a challenge, and if Shu Xiao managed to get one, it was as if she had been destined to arrange for the flowers.
It seemed that fate intended for her to meet him.
But in that summer, it was they who enjoyed the candy.
One returned from abroad, the other from a business trip. Flights are numerous each day, with thirty days a month and three hundred sixty-five days a year. Yet their reunion seemed to be concentrated in a single day, hour, or even minute, as if some unseen hand was pushing them back together.
And similarly, it also made her let go.
Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental to find that string of fallen red sandalwood in the underground parking garage? Everything seemed to urge her to let go, including her encounter with Shu Xiao in the old town this morning, and meeting him again.
She should believe.
She should also believe in the emotional connection, broken yet mended, in his palm.
Being able to spend that period of time with him—over three months, a quarter from autumn to winter—she was already very satisfied.
Ji Ting looked up at the flowers and walked towards the car parked at the mall.
—
A taxi screeched to a stop next to the bus station. Chen Fei, holding a laptop and some documents, rushed out of the car and ran towards Tan Yucheng. Tan Yucheng, who was smoking, glanced up.
Chen Fei, taken by surprise, hesitated and asked softly, “Brother Tan?”
Tan Yucheng gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing, and turned towards the black car with its hazard lights flashing. Chen Fei hurried to follow but was somewhat cautious. It was clear Brother Tan was in a bad mood, but Chen Fei couldn’t tell why. Could it be that he was too late?
The car door on the driver’s side slammed shut.
Chen Fei’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly got into the passenger seat, where the documents were scattered. He shifted to clean up the mess. The black car started and drove out. It paused briefly as it passed the mall parking lot and then turned right onto another tree-lined path, which was the flowers covering the walls path at the entrance of Li City University.
Chen Fei quickly buckled his seatbelt and looked up, feeling as though he had been photographed.
Damn.
Couldn’t you be less hasty, Brother Tan?
—
Ji Ting originally planned to return to Sunset but she ended up sending a message to Zhang Yang and went back to the supermarket to find Qiu Dan. Today, Ji Lindong was away at the supplier’s, so Qiu Dan was not at the checkout area but was over by the shelves organizing shampoo. There was also a stock clerk in a supermarket uniform nearby.
Qiu Dan picked up a bottle of shampoo and wiped it with a towel, instructing the stock clerk, “Every time you arrange these, remember to check them, especially for any leaks or sticky residues. You mustn’t put them on the shelves. The production dates also need to be checked. Move older dates to the front and newer ones to the back. You need to keep track of how many products are in your area. Also, make sure to introduce the promotional items to customers when they come…”
“I know, I know,” the stock clerk nodded.
Ji Ting quietly approached. As Qiu Dan was talking, she glanced over and saw Ji Ting, then asked, “Did you deliver everything?”
Ji Ting nodded.
The stock clerk turned to look at Ji Ting and was momentarily taken aback, noticing her beauty.
Qiu Dan handed the shampoo and towel to the stock clerk and walked over to Ji Ting. Ji Ting linked her arm with Qiu Dan’s as they walked toward the office. “Did you come back after delivering? Don’t you need to go to the store?”
Ji Ting’s voice was gentle, “I wanted to take a day off.”
Qiu Dan frowned slightly upon hearing this, glanced at her, and Ji Ting gave a slight smile, pulling out the drawing she was holding. “It’s drawn by Xiao Wanzi.”
Qiu Dan looked down at it, “It’s drawn quite well. It looks a bit like you.”
“It’s a bit like the cover of your yearbook.”
Ji Ting paused for a moment and then smiled.
Qiu Dan opened the office door, and they went in. The office had a sofa, an office desk and chair, a printer, and so on. Qiu Dan organized the account books on the desk while Ji Ting stood beside her watching. Qiu Dan glanced at her and picked up the phone to call the manager outside, asking for some fruit and salad to be brought in.
Ji Ting leaned against Qiu Dan’s shoulder, “Mom, I’m not eating.”
“Eat a little. Are you tired? If you are, there’s a bed inside. Go rest for a while.” Qiu Dan glanced at her daughter, noting that she was rarely so affectionate.
Ji Ting shook her head, “I’m not tired.”
Ji Ting leaned for a while, worried that Qiu Dan might ask her something she wouldn’t know how to answer. She straightened up, returned to the sofa, sat down, moved a pillow to her lap, and continued to flip through the drawing in her hand.
The manager brought in the salad and fruit, which were not yet mixed. Qiu Dan took them, placed them on the coffee table, and began to mix the salad and fruit while giving instructions, “Remember to eat longevity noodles at home tomorrow morning.”
“Okay,” Ji Ting nodded with her chin resting on the pillow and reached for the apple slices.
Qiu Dan handed her a fork, “Use this!”
“Okay.”
Ji Ting took the fork and started eating.
Later, someone outside was looking for Qiu Dan. Qiu Dan told Ji Ting to keep eating and went out. She returned after about ten minutes, and most of the fruit in the bowl had been eaten by Ji Ting.
Qiu Dan said with irritation, “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to eat?”
Ji Ting smiled at her mother with the fork in hand.
“Can’t waste it, right?”
Qiu Dan nodded at her, then sat down beside her. Ji Ting finished the last of the fruit. Qiu Dan watched her and said, “The landlord’s aunt came by earlier. She was here to buy something.”
Ji Ting’s fingers paused for a moment.
Qiu Dan hesitated for a few seconds before bringing it up again, “Don’t think about it too long. We don’t want them to feel like we’re keeping their child hanging. We also have the landlord to consider.”
“Adding as a friend first is fine.”
Ji Ting moved the fork again and responded softly, “Okay, I’ll add him.”
Qiu Dan let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at her beautiful daughter, no mother wants anything less than a good marriage for her child.
After spending the day at the supermarket with Qiu Dan, Ji Lindong was not around, and Qiu Dan was very busy. Ji Ting was like a little tail, following behind her, helping with this and that. However, Ji Ting’s appearance and outfit drew a lot of attention. She wore an orange shirt with gray dress pants, tucked in at the waist without a jacket, a very stylish and bright outfit.
She attracted eyes wherever she went.
Ji Ting helped Qiu Dan with plastic bags and assisted customers in packing their items.
Some customers stared at Ji Ting without blinking, and Qiu Dan, unable to tolerate it any longer, pulled Ji Ting away to handle things herself and sent Ji Ting to get something else.
Ji Ting, feeling helpless, left the checkout area.
In the evening, after Qiu Dan had a two-hour rest, she took Ji Ting to a newly opened, well-known restaurant nearby for dinner. Ji Ting flipped through the menu and said, “Mom, this is the first time you’ve treated me to a big meal.”
Qiu Dan rolled her eyes, “Aren’t the meals I cook considered big?”
Ji Ting quickly reassured her with a smile, “It’s a full-course banquet.”
Qiu Dan said, “Just eat. After dinner, go back and rest.”
“Okay.”
After dinner, Ji Ting accompanied Qiu Dan for a walk, then took her back to the supermarket. Ji Ting went to get her car and returned to the apartment. As night fell, the city was lit up with neon lights. Ji Ting’s car moved through the traffic. The day passed as if she had woken from a dream. Back at the apartment, Ji Ting grabbed her pajamas and went to take a shower. Afterward, she walked to the cupboard and made herself some coffee.
The room was quiet and dim, with few lights on.
It was the most comfortable environment to be alone.
Late at night.
Tan Yucheng opened the door with his laptop and documents. The room was quiet, with no sound at all. He turned on a light in the room, closed the door behind him, changed his shoes, and entered.
He threw the laptop and documents on the coffee table and leaned back, exhausted, against the sofa.
A bit of light illuminated his face, showing fatigue mixed with a hint of sternness. He closed his eyes for a moment, then lifted his hand to pull off his tie, occasionally brushing the collar of his shirt against his Adam’s apple.
After loosening his tie, he unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his shirt, feeling a bit more comfortable.
He rested for a while before sitting up, leaning forward to open his laptop and move it closer.
There were work-related WeChat messages.
The messages had just arrived.
In the dim light, he scrolled with his fingertips and opened a photo sent by the manager of the Fusion Restaurant, showing the setup for a birthday party.
The manager had added: Brother Tan, it’s all set.
Tan Yucheng looked at the photo with an unreadable expression.
After a long while, he picked up his phone from the side, stood up, and went to the high table behind him. Standing there, he poured water into a transparent glass and dialed Ji Ting’s phone number.
The water flowed into the glass.
Tan Yucheng looked down, listening to the music on the other end. After about ten seconds, the call was answered. Ji Ting’s voice was a bit hazy, indicating she had fallen asleep on the sofa.
Her voice was soft and light.
“Hello?” she said.
The water flow stopped, and Tan Yucheng set down the black kettle, his expression unclear. He asked, “Asleep?”
Ji Ting paused when she heard his voice.
It felt like being unexpectedly jolted after a separation. She replied, “Yes, I accidentally fell asleep on the sofa.”
Tan Yucheng didn’t respond.
Ji Ting held the phone, waiting in silence, unsure of what he wanted.
At this moment, she felt a bit of regret. If it were just a casual friend, she could simply block them.
Tan Yucheng was fiddling with the transparent cup, and after a few seconds, he asked, “Still friends?”
Ji Ting’s heart gave a slight flutter.
After half a second, she replied with a soft “Mm.”
“Since that’s the case, I’ll still help you celebrate your birthday tomorrow night.”
Ji Ting paused and her sleepiness faded away.
She sat up, leaning against the armrest. The air conditioning blanket had slid down to her legs. She bit her lip, clutching the phone tightly. She wanted to refuse, but she had just agreed to be friends.
She remained silent for a moment.
Then she took a deep breath and said generously, “Okay.”
With her agreement, Tan Yucheng’s fingers relaxed on the cup. He picked up the cup and took a sip of water. At that moment, it was exactly midnight. Both sides had digital clocks, and a notification just popped up.
Tan Yucheng set down the cup, his tone is casual, as it had been for the past few years, “Ji Ting, happy birthday.”
Ji Ting held the phone on her end.
At that instant, she felt deeply moved and replied with a smile, “Thank you.”
Tan Yucheng said, “Don’t forget tomorrow night.”
“Okay.”
They both ended the call.
After Tan Yucheng hung up, he lifted his hand to loosen his collar a bit more and pulled off his tie, showing signs of irritation and impatience. He didn’t quite know what was troubling him.
But he seemed to be just this irritated.
On Ji Ting’s side, after ending the call, she pulled up the blanket that had almost slipped onto the carpet and leaned back in the chair, lost in thought. It seemed alright this way, quite nice. Both of them retreated, returning to the position of friends.
The entanglement was just a form of solace for loneliness of being single man and woman.
However, that was the case from the beginning. She believed that when he nodded and said she could stop anytime, he was also very clear about the nature of this entanglement and anticipated its end.
The phone started ringing with notifications.
As soon as it was past midnight, marking Ji Ting’s birthday, messages began to flood in.
The first message was from Yu Xi: Happy birthday, my dear Tingting! May your life be as radiant as summer flowers, with wealth and prosperity coming your way. May your desires come true, and may you get everything you wish for. May you have both money and leisure, freedom and ease, and handsome guys at your convenience. [Kiss]
Ji Ting read the message and smiled, replied: Thank you, Xixi.
Yu Xi: Ahhh, I love you the most, Tingting!!
Ji Ting smiled and sent her an emoji.
Long Kong also sent a message: Tingting, happy birthday! Wishing you peace every year and smooth sailing and good health in the new year.
Ji Ting smiled and replied: Thank you.
Long Kong: I’ll give you the gift tomorrow night! I’m hiding it for a day.
Ji Ting: You’re too kind.
Long Kong: Don’t be polite with me.
Feng Yingying: Ji Ting, happy birthday! Wishing you success every year and joy every day. [Heart]
Ji Ting: Thank you.
Feng Yingying: Winter birthdays have a special feeling.
Ji Ting: It’s just a bit cold.
Feng Yingying: It’s okay~
Meng Jia: Happy birthday!
Meng Jia: [Transferred 5688 to you]
Ji Ting: Thank you, but no need for the red envelope.
Meng Jia: Then I’ll just give you a gift tomorrow night.
Ji Ting: No need.
Meng Jia: Where will the birthday celebration be tomorrow night?
Ji Ting: You’ll find out then.
Meng Jia: [Winking]
Meng Jia was typing a response, but Ji Ting did not receive any new messages from her. After receiving a message from Shu Xiao, Meng Jia became much quieter than before.
Lu Hai also sent a message: Happy birthday, Ji Ting. I remember it’s today, hope I’m not mistaken.
Ji Ting: Thank you, it is today.
Lu Hai: I’ve noticed the store is doing well lately.
Ji Ting: I haven’t thanked you yet. Let’s have a meal together when you’re free.
Lu Hai: Sure.
Lu Hai: Good night then.
Ji Ting: Good night.
There were also some college roommates who remembered her birthday and sent their wishes. Among them was Wen Nanxi, who, despite staying up late watching TV dramas during her confinement period, still found time to wish Ji Ting a happy birthday.
Ji Ting chatted briefly with her, but Wen Nanxi’s phone was taken by Fu Yan, so they couldn’t continue the conversation. Ji Ting smiled, and it was getting late.
There were occasional messages coming in, but she didn’t check them. After finishing her nightly routine, she went to bed.