The weekend arrived in no time.
Li Wanqiu had promised her mother that she would come home for dinner, so that evening, she drove back to the family estate, having carefully selected gifts before setting out.
In her early childhood, her parents had been completely consumed by their business ventures, constantly shuttling between various cities. They came home on only a handful of occasions. Raised almost entirely by her grandmother, Li Wanqiu rarely saw either of them.
Most of what she knew of them came from a few photographs kept in the family albums.
Later, when her grandmother passed away from illness, Li Wanqiu was already in middle school. Her parents’ business finally stabilized, giving them the time and inclination to step into their daughter’s life and meddle with her studies and career path.
That was precisely when the rifts began to form.
Li Wanqiu’s passion for painting ran completely counter to her parents’ expectations. Believing that her artistic pursuits were the result of their own lax parenting, they meddled even more aggressively. Friction mounted, and before long, the conflict reached a boiling point.
Faced with this belated parental affection, Li Wanqiu felt torn between cherishing something so hard-won and instinctively wanting to flee from its suffocation. After countless bitter arguments, she ultimately moved out of the family home and seldom returned.
All told, it had been at least two months since her last visit.
Li Wanqiu pulled her car into the courtyard. The moment she stepped out, Auntie Zhang came forward to greet her. Having looked after Li Wanqiu since she was a little girl, Auntie Zhang shared a deep bond with her: “Our A-Qiu is back!”
Her voice brimmed with genuine delight. “Have you been very busy lately? You should come visit more often; we’ve all missed you dearly.”
“All right,” Li Wanqiu smiled, a warmth blooming in her chest. “I’ll do as Auntie Zhang says.”
“I brought you a gift,” she said, popping the trunk to retrieve the boxes. Glancing across the courtyard, she suddenly caught sight of an unfamiliar car parked nearby. “Auntie Zhang, do we have guests today?”
“Yes, yes, there’s a guest,” Auntie Zhang nodded. “Though, A-Qiu, you know her as well.”
Li Wanqiu frowned slightly in bewilderment. “Who is it?”
Before Auntie Zhang could answer, the front door swung slowly open. Looking up, Li Wanqiu saw a woman standing in the soft glow cast by the entrance lights.
Recognition hit her instantly: “Guan Chun?”
Guan Chun nodded in acknowledgment, a gentle, poised smile gracing her features: “A-Qiu, it’s been so long.”
Li Wanqiu: “?”
Guan Chun and Li Wanqiu could practically be considered childhood friends.
Their mothers were close friends who had been inseparable since youth. Not only had fate placed them in the same high school and university, but both women had even given birth to their daughters on the exact same day.
Naturally, Li Wanqiu and Guan Chun had been tied together from the cradle.
Yet Li Wanqiu had gleaned little joy from that association. Instead, she had consistently served as the foil—frequently singled out and compared to Guan Chun just to highlight how remarkably accomplished Guan Chun was.
That lingering feeling was utterly suffocating.
So, even though she knew full well that Guan Chun was blameless, Li Wanqiu had instinctively distanced herself over time. As the years slipped by, the gap between them widened into polite estrangement. Later, when Guan Chun went abroad, the two lost touch entirely.
Running into her here tonight was entirely unexpected.
“A-Qiu is here?” Before the two could exchange another word, Mother Li’s voice drifted out from the entryway. “Hurry on in! What are you all doing standing out in the cold?”
“Your father knew Chun-chun was coming today, so he personally went into the kitchen to whip up several dishes.” Mother Li gave Li Wanqiu a pointed wink. “Aren’t your father’s dishes your absolute favorite? Come inside, quickly.”
With that, she took Guan Chun affectionately by the arm and guided her indoors, her smile radiant and effortless.
Watching their retreating figures, Li Wanqiu felt an uncomfortable knot tighten in her chest. Hesitating for a second, she carried her parcels inside. “Mom, I brought gifts for you and Dad—”
“Just leave them over there,” Mother Li cut in without looking back. “Come sit down first.”
“You and Chun-chun haven’t seen each other in ages, have you?” Mother Li remarked cheerfully. “I bet you didn’t even know she had returned to the country.”
“Mm,” Li Wanqiu acknowledged quietly. “I really didn’t know.”
“I only got back recently and hadn’t had the chance to let A-Qiu know,” Guan Chun chimed in gracefully. “Please don’t take offense.”
“Of course not, she knows now anyway.” Mother Li beamed, patting Li Wanqiu’s hand before continuing, “Actually, there’s another piece of news I haven’t shared with you yet.”
Li Wanqiu looked up: “What is it?”
“Chun-chun has decided to stay in City C for the time being,” Mother Li announced. “She’s joining your father’s company.”
Li Wanqiu froze, momentarily failing to process the words: “What do you mean?”
“What do you mean, ‘what do I mean’?” Mother Li countered, scoffing slightly. “Exactly what I said.”
“Chun-chun’s university major aligns perfectly with the business, and she’s hardworking and ambitious. Joining the firm is an ideal fit,” Mother Li said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Besides, her parents passed away early; it’s only right that we take care of her.”
“As for you, you should learn a thing or two from Chun-chun,” Mother Li sighed dismissively. “Wasting your days on frivolous nonsense. You’re lucky you’re my daughter, otherwise—”
Before she could finish the sentence, Li Wanqiu abruptly stood up.
Mother Li started, looking up in shock: “What are you doing?”
“I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. I’m leaving,” Li Wanqiu said. Quickening her stride, she walked straight out the front doors and got back into her car.
“A-Qiu!” Guan Chun hurried out into the driveway just as the engine revved. “Auntie didn’t mean it like that, please don’t be angry!”
Li Wanqiu: “?”
Without a word, Li Wanqiu stepped on the gas and sped away into the night.
A rain shower had swept through earlier that day, and the temperature had stayed bitter and raw.
Before stepping into the house, Li Wanqiu had slipped off her coat, and in her haste to leave, she had forgotten to grab it. As icy drafts whipped past the window, she couldn’t suppress a shiver.
Curling into bed would have been far warmer, but in her current state of mind, going home so early felt unbearable. Instead, she parked her car and pushed through the heavy doors of Blue Fire.
Drowning in deafening music and noise felt far preferable to sitting alone with her own thoughts.
Her mood was a chaotic, stinging mess. Weaving through the crowded dance floor, she made her way straight to the bar and ordered a drink. She knocked it back in a few breathless gulps, followed immediately by a second, and then a third.
By the third glass, a haze of drunkenness had begun to cloud her senses.
This time, she didn’t rush to drain the fourth. Holding the glass loosely, she leaned lazily against the barstool, watching the silhouettes sway across the dance floor. Her wandering gaze cut across the throng of bodies until it caught an elusive glimpse of someone.
A woman with fair, radiant skin, a slender waist, shoulder-length raven hair, and lips painted in striking, sensual crimson.
The overhead strobe cast surreal beams across the room, scattering shimmering fractals of light across her dark hair and shoulders. As if possessing an innate magnetism, she seemed to blot out the noise and chaos around her, quietly commanding the attention of everyone in the vicinity.
Like an oil painting drenched in rich, heavy pigment, she was the only figure left in Li Wanqiu’s vision.
Ji Jinyan?
Li Wanqiu couldn’t be certain. The alcohol surged through her veins, making her step falter slightly. Steadying herself against the edge of a nearby table, she pushed forward, instinctively trailing behind that retreating silhouette.
She had no clear idea what she intended to do, yet she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Parting her way through the pulsing crowd, she followed the path all the way to the foot of a staircase.
There was no one there. A dead end.
Li Wanqiu lingered, wondering if her drunken eyes had deceived her. After a quiet beat, she slowly turned around. Just as she was about to take a step, a voice called down from above:
“Aren’t you going to look up?”
Li Wanqiu blinked, lifting her gaze toward the landing.
“Ji Jinyan,” she murmured under her breath. “It really is you.”
Then, as if an afterthought struck her, she quickly tacked on, “It’s outside of working hours right now. I don’t have to call you President Ji.”
She had clearly indulged in quite a bit of alcohol; looking up, her cheeks were flushed with a soft, undeniable rose.
Ji Jinyan curled her lips into an amused smile, her tone gentle: “Are you drunk?”
“No,” Li Wanqiu shook her head adamantly. “I’m definitely not drunk.”
“What about you?” She countered. “Why are you here?”
“You said it yourself, it’s outside of working hours,” Ji Jinyan replied smoothly, tossing Li Wanqiu’s own words right back at her. “Why shouldn’t I be here?”
“I thought,” Li Wanqiu trailed off, clamping her mouth shut. She stood there obediently, lowering her eyes into silence.
Descending the stairs with measured grace, Ji Jinyan came to a halt right in front of her. “What did you think?”
“What kind of person am I in your eyes?” She asked with a soft, teasing chuckle.
Li Wanqiu blinked slowly. Her muddled mind wasn’t in any condition to answer such a loaded question. Instead, she mumbled softly, “I’m a little cold.”
Without hesitation, Ji Jinyan slipped off her tailored overcoat and draped it over Li Wanqiu’s shoulders. “Still cold?”
“Not anymore.” Li Wanqiu shook her head, yet even as she said it, she took two cautious steps backward. “I can’t accept this.”
Ji Jinyan arched an eyebrow: “And why not?”
“I don’t like owing people favors,” Li Wanqiu muttered.
Lowering her head, she fumbled with her sleeve for a moment, finding the elastic band around her wrist and giving it a gentle tug. “I haven’t even returned this to you yet.”
She was referring to the hair tie Ji Jinyan had used on her hair the other day.
At the sight of her earnest stubbornness, Ji Jinyan couldn’t help a quiet laugh. “No need to return it. It’s yours.”
“Oh.” Li Wanqiu nodded, stroking the band thoughtfully. After a brief pause, she added in a small whisper, “Thank you.”
Once the words left her mouth, she stood completely still for a long time—saying nothing, making no move.
Ji Jinyan had no choice but to break the silence: “Do you want to head home? I can drive you.”
Li Wanqiu shook her head: “Don’t want to go back.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“Don’t know.”
After a quiet pause, Ji Jinyan reached out and gently patted the top of her head. “Then come with me.”
“Where to?” Li Wanqiu looked up, her gaze locking onto Ji Jinyan’s face, her eyes glistening bright and clear.
Ji Jinyan considered it for a fleeting second, the corners of her lips curving up into a captivating smile.
“Let me buy you a drink.”