“Pei Wen, isn’t there a company project that needs someone to travel to northern Xinjiang? Let the project lead know—I’ll take it,” Ji Yuqing said as she made the call herself.
“To Xinjiang? Sis, why do you suddenly want to go there? Honestly, most of the senior staff here avoid that assignment. The climate’s rough, and it’s a tough gig. We’ve mostly been giving it to the new hires to toughen them up.”
“Then it’s perfect. I’ll lead the way for them. I’ve got experience,” Ji Yuqing insisted.
“But Sis… I don’t get it.”
“You don’t need to. Just do what I said and make the arrangements.”
Pei Wen didn’t ask further. She knew it was pointless—Yuqing always had her own rules, and no one could change her mind.
After hanging up, Ji Yuqing quickly opened the ticketing site. There were still seats available on Tang Yan’s train. Without hesitation, she booked one and paid.
She just couldn’t relax otherwise.
That Saturday night—the eve of their departure—the group chat of the four girls from Tang Yan’s dorm was buzzing.
Xia Zihan: I’m too excited to sleep. What do I do?!
Han Shuang: I’ve never been to Xinjiang in my life! It’s got beautiful land, amazing people, and so much fresh fruit. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Lu Wan: The guys and girls there are all gorgeous too.
Xia Zihan: Time for a summer romance~ Your little sister is still pure, okay?
Lu Wan: Ugh, give me a break.
Han Shuang: But seriously, why aren’t we just flying there? That train ride’s going to take forever.
Xia Zihan: Ahem, clearly you don’t get it. The best part about taking the train to Xinjiang is the scenery. You can’t see those views anywhere else in the country—it’s something you’ll remember forever.
Han Shuang: I’d rather skip the view, tbh. Q.Q
Tang Yan didn’t say a word in the chat, just watched quietly. Maybe she was the only one who felt differently. While everyone else was focused on the journey, she couldn’t stop thinking about how long she’d be apart from Aunt Ji. The thought left her restless and unable to sleep.
She was hopelessly in love. There was no denying it.
—
Sunday, departure day.
Just as Tang Yan walked out of her room, dragging her packed suitcase behind her, she bumped into Aunt Ji—who was also coming out, luggage in tow. The two of them froze, staring at each other in surprise.
Before Tang Yan could even ask, Ji Yuqing spoke first. “Yanyan, listen. The company suddenly sent me on a work trip, so I won’t be able to take you to the train station.”
“Oh?” Tang Yan’s response was filled with mixed emotions—surprise, disappointment, frustration, disbelief.
She pursed her lips and forced a smile. “It’s fine. You go take care of work. I’ll be okay.”
Twice she said “It’s fine.” Which probably meant, deep down, it wasn’t.
But what could she do? She was just someone quietly harboring feelings. She didn’t have the courage to ask for more.
“I asked Pei Wen to take you. She’ll be here soon.”
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
“That’s probably her now,” Ji Yuqing said.
Tang Yan stood frozen in the living room, feet glued to the floor like they were made of lead. Ji Yuqing opened the door. Pei Wen stood outside, grinning.
Just as she was about to say something excitedly, Ji Yuqing rushed to cover her mouth and dragged her outside.
“Shh! Don’t say a word.”
Ji Yuqing was terrified that one slip would blow her entire plan.
That’s when Pei Wen finally understood. Why would someone like Ji Yuqing—a top executive with assistants at her side—suddenly volunteer to run a field assignment? Now it made perfect sense.
“Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll get the girl to the station safe and sound,” Pei Wen promised.
Ji Yuqing nodded calmly. “Go inside now, or she’ll start getting suspicious.”
Then it was Tang Yan and Pei Wen standing at the door, watching Ji Yuqing place her luggage in the trunk and drive away. As the car disappeared from view, Tang Yan finally sighed and mumbled, “I didn’t think… Aunt Ji wouldn’t even see me off. That’s kind of sad.”
Pei Wen stifled a laugh and said smoothly, “Alright, let’s get going too.”
Tang Yan frowned a little. “You’re being weird. Normally by now, you’d be overanalyzing the situation with me.”
Pei Wen scratched her lip nervously. “Would I?”
Tang Yan let it go. Compared to Aunt Ji, this was nothing.
—
On the way to the station, Pei Wen focused on driving. But Tang Yan couldn’t hold back her curiosity.
“Why would Aunt Ji suddenly go on a business trip? She didn’t mention anything the last few days.”
Pei Wen’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Lying really wasn’t her strong suit. But this was a mission—a sacred one.
Putting on her best casual tone, she said, “It’s pretty normal. With her position at the company, some contracts really require her personally. Last-minute travel isn’t unusual.”
Tang Yan looked at her, wide-eyed. “Does that happen a lot?”
Pei Wen blushed and quickly looked away. “Yeah, all the time. And I don’t mind giving you a ride either.”
Tang Yan didn’t respond. She just turned to the window, silent. Pei Wen couldn’t see her expression, and that made it even harder to guess what she was thinking. She glanced at her several times, tempted to spill the truth—but in the end, she held it in.
Better to let it be a surprise.
Soon they arrived at the station. Tang Yan had a lot of luggage, and Pei Wen helped her carry it to the security check area.
Tang Yan gave a little wave. “You can stop here. I’ve got it from here.”
“Bye-bye!” Pei Wen waved back energetically.
It wasn’t Tang Yan’s first time at Huadu Station, but being here again brought back a flood of memories. She could still picture the first time she saw her—Aunt Ji—so beautiful and graceful, with that quiet, captivating smile. It had left her completely spellbound.
“Hey! Earth to Tang Yan! We’ve been calling you for ages!”
Her roommates’ voices snapped her out of it, and someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around to find all three of them already there.
“What are you doing standing here? Didn’t we agree to meet at the designated spot? If Han Shuang hadn’t seen you, we wouldn’t have known you were already here,” Xia Zihan scolded.
“Sorry,” Tang Yan said, flustered. “I was just… wondering if I forgot something important.”
“You just need to bring your brain,” Xia Zihan teased. “We’re counting on you to write our group’s report later!”
When it was time to board, Tang Yan felt strangely empty. She moved stiffly with the crowd, dragging her suitcase like her limbs weren’t listening to her. Xia Zihan noticed and tried to comfort her.
The four of them had sleeper tickets—two upper and two lower bunks. Tang Yan had an upper bunk. After stowing her suitcase, she climbed up and immediately messaged Aunt Ji.
Tang Yan: Aunt Ji, I’m on the train now.
At the same moment, Ji Yuqing quietly boarded the same train. She found her compartment, sat down, and replied:
Ji Yuqing: Got it. Be safe on the road.
As if nothing was out of the ordinary at all.