Three months flew by just like that.
During her time studying in San Francisco, Tang Yan had grown significantly—her listening and speaking skills had improved, and she was now able to carry on basic conversations on her own when out and about. On the final day of training, she and her coworkers agreed to have one last dinner together at a well-known local Chinese restaurant. After the meal, everyone would head back to China.
Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing, however, weren’t flying back with the others—they’d postponed their flight by a day. There was still one thing they both wanted to do but had never gotten the chance to.
The night before flying home.
Ji Yuqing personally did Tang Yan’s makeup—a bold, full club look. Staring at her reflection, Tang Yan barely recognized herself. She looked like a completely different person. She reached for a cotton pad, ready to wipe off some of the lipstick, but Ji Yuqing caught her in the act.
“No wiping!”
“But… don’t you think it’s too much? I’m not used to it.” Tang Yan frowned and tilted her head side to side, inspecting herself.
Ji Yuqing leaned in close, looking at her through the mirror. “Have some confidence. Look how beautiful you are.”
Tang Yan’s cheeks flushed. “That’s just your makeup skills…”
In the mirror was a hot club girl—nowhere to be found was the low-key, minimalist STEM student.
Ji Yuqing clipped on a pair of earrings, grabbed her purse. “Ready?”
“Yup.”
“Then let’s go.���
Their destination that night was a famous lesbian bar in San Francisco. It was the last place on their list to check off before leaving—not to cruise or seek out excitement, but just to experience the atmosphere.
Honestly, both of them were curious—Tang Yan, for sure, but Ji Yuqing too.
In the taxi on the way, Tang Yan suddenly asked, “Have you ever been to a place like that before, Aunt Ji?”
“You mean just bars in general or the kind we’re heading to?”
“Both…” Tang Yan was dying to know.
“I’ve been to regular bars. That was years ago though, when I was younger. Went with some friends, but I didn’t like how noisy it was. Haven’t been back since.”
“Oh…” Tang Yan nodded, trying to sound casual. But in her heart, she breathed a sigh of relief. If she’d learned Aunt Ji had been to places like that before, she would’ve felt jealous—past or not.
They arrived.
The bar had a distinct look, and most of the people coming and going were visibly women. Tang Yan felt unexpectedly nervous—it was her first time in a bar, ever.
“Want to go in?” Ji Yuqing asked.
“Of course! We’re already here, there’s no reason not to!” Tang Yan puffed up her chest and marched ahead boldly.
Ji Yuqing followed with a grin.
At the entrance, staff checked IDs—only 18 and up allowed. Tang Yan was glad she’d passed that milestone a while ago and was waved in with no issue.
Inside, the colorful lights were dazzling. In the center, people were dancing—pole dancing, to be exact. Tang Yan figured this place wasn’t like regular bars. For one thing, all the patrons were women.
As they made their way further in, she even spotted some women passionately making out in the corners—nothing subtle about it. She nearly covered her eyes and ran out.
“Hi~” A Black woman brushed Tang Yan’s shoulder, trying to flirt.
Startled, Tang Yan instinctively grabbed onto Ji Yuqing’s arm and introduced, “This is my girlfriend.”
The woman gave a disappointed pout and walked off. Tang Yan let out a deep breath.
“Women here are so bold,” she whispered.
“That’s why you better stick close,” Ji Yuqing said playfully. “Wouldn’t want some hot older woman to steal you away.” She headed for the bar and sat down.
“Two Bloody Marys, please.”
Tang Yan quickly followed and took the seat beside her. Soon, the bartender served them two red drinks.
“Can I drink this?” Tang Yan asked, waiting for permission.
Ji Yuqing smiled. “Tonight, I approve.”
It was rare to do something this wild at their age. Ji Yuqing didn’t want rules or routines holding them back.
Tang Yan took a sip—sweet and tangy, with only a mild hint of alcohol. She looked around. Turns out there were quite a few couples like them, just drinking and chatting.
“Hey, wanna dance? I love your dress. You’re really pretty!”
Tang Yan’s internal sirens blared as a foreign woman approached Aunt Ji to flirt. Her heart practically shot up to her throat—like someone was trying to steal what was hers.
“No thanks,” Ji Yuqing replied politely, smiling. “I just want to enjoy a quiet drink with my partner.”
The woman walked away, disappointed.
“You… you just called me your partner?” Tang Yan asked, wide-eyed.
Ji Yuqing raised a brow. “Was I wrong?”
“No! Not at all!” Tang Yan was beaming inside.
Later, a group of girls came over and found out they were a couple. They started cheering and begged them to kiss—passionately.
Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe the atmosphere, but Tang Yan got bold. Without hesitation, she wrapped a hand behind Aunt Ji’s head and kissed her deeply—for a long, long moment.
They didn’t stay much longer. After finishing their drinks and lounging a bit, they headed out.
Walking down the street, arm in arm, they couldn’t stop laughing about what had just happened.
“Someone tried to hit on you right in front of me! Unreal. I swear I saw a little green light flashing above my head,” Tang Yan teased.
“You know I wouldn’t,” Ji Yuqing said with a wink. Then added, “Didn’t a certain someone get hit on too? By a gorgeous girl?”
Tang Yan burst out laughing. “Never expected it. First time I’ve ever been hit on by a foreigner.”
“Oh? You want a second time?” Ji Yuqing pinched her earlobe.
“No way, no way. I’ve got you—more than enough. I’m just still shocked it happened at all.”
“Not that surprising. Maybe your type is just what they’re into—sweet, clueless little cuties.” Ji Yuqing teased.
“I’m not a little girl anymore! I’m almost thirty!” Tang Yan huffed.
“Okay, okay, you’re a grown woman. But who says they’re almost thirty at twenty-two?” Ji Yuqing laughed, shaking her head.
They walked along the sidewalk for a good while before finally hailing a cab and heading back to the hotel.
After such a wild night, both of them slept like logs. The next morning, they packed slowly, with no rush, and caught their afternoon flight home.
It was another long journey, and when their feet touched the ground again, Tang Yan still felt like she was dreaming. After over a hundred days abroad, she was finally back on home soil. The moment she stepped off the plane, the familiar feeling of home hit her full force.
Their car had been parked in the airport’s underground garage the whole time. The fees weren’t cheap, but it was convenient. Ji Yuqing also used the car whenever she came back to visit her mom—having it ready anytime was better than relying on taxis.
Not wanting Aunt Ji to get tired, Tang Yan offered to drive. From the airport, it’d take at least an hour and a half.
But before they even made it home, Ji Yuqing got a call.
“You here yet? We’re all waiting at the restaurant. I’ll send you the address—come straight here,” said the voice on the other end. It was Zhang Miya.
Ji Yuqing sighed. Seriously? She and Tang Yan just wanted to go home, shower, and pass out. “Can we do it another day? We’re exhausted, still jet-lagged…”
“Nope. Everyone’s here—just missing you two. Plus, I’ve got some big news to share. Hurry up!” Zhang Miya said and hung up without waiting for a response.
Staring at the busy tone, Ji Yuqing ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
“Who was that?” Tang Yan asked curiously.
“Zhang Miya…” Ji Yuqing replied with a defeated look.
“Oh, Aunt Zhang,” Tang Yan smiled. “She want to hang out with you?”
Ji Yuqing shook her head with a tired laugh. “Not just me—us. That woman has the sharpest radar. We literally just got off the plane and she’s already got dinner lined up.”
“Dinner? She’s inviting us over to eat?” Tang Yan asked.
“Yeah.” Ji Yuqing nodded, yawning several times in a row.
Tang Yan saw how tired she was and felt bad. “If you really don’t want to go, we can skip it. Just head home and rest. I’ll call Aunt Zhang and explain.”
“No, wait,” Ji Yuqing stopped her. “Let’s just go. Eat first, then home. She said she has some happy news to share.”
“Happy news?” Tang Yan perked up. “Now I’m curious.”
“Let’s go,” Ji Yuqing said, reaching for her phone. “I’ll reset the GPS.”