“You silly girl, aren’t you cold, wearing so little?” Ji Yuqing lifted the back of her hand to Tang Yan’s flushed cheek. To her surprise it felt warm—clearly she had worried for nothing.
Tang Yan shook her head and smiled. “Not cold at all. Your hand is just a bit icy, Aunt Ji.”
“I’m like this all year round,” Ji Yuqing laughed, drawing her hand back. “Even in summer I feel cool to the touch.”
Tang Yan glanced toward the direction the man had fled and could not help asking, “Aunt Ji, who was that guy? Why was he pawing at you?”
“He’s a representative from a company we’re negotiating with. We were meeting over dinner. Men can be like that—drink too much and they grab whatever they can.” She spoke as though it were nothing unusual, but to Tang Yan it was utterly intolerable.
Then another thought struck her: had her outburst ruined a deal and hurt Aunt Ji’s work? Guilt welled up, draining her earlier bravado. “Aunt… Aunt Ji, did I mess things up for you just now?”
Seeing her nervous look, Ji Yuqing rested a hand on Tang Yan’s shoulder. “You didn’t. Without you I’m not sure how I would have shaken him off, especially with Peiwen away. But—” she softened her tone—“try not to act on impulse next time. It can cause you problems.”
Tang Yan nodded, then murmured, “I only… only didn’t want you to be bullied.”
“Silly child, your concern makes me happier than you know. Have you eaten? Let me buy you something warm.”
Tang Yan nodded vigorously. She had already shared skewers with her roommates, but that hardly mattered—any time with Aunt Ji was precious.
Because it was cold, they chose a nearby hot‑pot place. Neither of them was truly hungry; they just wanted a warm corner to sit and talk.
The nine‑section pot boiled, red oil bubbling and steaming, filling the air with heat. Before long Tang Yan was sweating and draped her coat over the back of her chair.
“Why are you still out so late?” Ji Yuqing asked, sipping plain water.
“It’s exam week—no classes. I came out with my roommates, but when I saw you I left them; they were going shopping, and I’m not much for that.”
“That might make you seem unsociable,” Ji Yuqing warned gently. “In time people stop asking you along. Society runs on relationships. Even the ones you dislike, you still have to deal with. Back at university I was the odd one out, too. People even called me withdrawn. Luckily Miya dragged me out of my shell.”
“Miya must have been lively at school,” Tang Yan said with a smile.
“Oh, she was louder than most boys,” Ji Yuqing chuckled, then sighed. “Hard to believe that was more than ten years ago.”
Tang Yan lowered her eyes, stirring the sauce in her dish. After a moment she asked, “Is that how life is—learning to do what we dislike?”
Ji Yuqing sat a little straighter, thought, and answered. “Yes. It’s one of the rules of survival.” Her expression turned earnest. “Remember that.”
Tang Yan nodded, a hint of sadness in her voice. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
“But don’t be too gloomy,” Ji Yuqing added. “Most people get through life that way. Find a bit of joy in the hardship, and you’ll be fine.” She blamed herself a little—was it too soon to say such things to an eighteen‑year‑old? Yet if she waited until Tang Yan graduated, might it be too late? The world is harsh; no one pauses for you to grow.
With her head down, Tang Yan seemed lost in thought. Then she suddenly looked up and broke into a bright, innocent grin. “Then I’ll study even harder, earn good money, and make the life I want.”
A life where she would not have to cater to others, do things she hated, or deal with people she disliked. It sounded like a utopian fairy tale, but she longed for it.
“I’m cheering for you,” Ji Yuqing said, smiling sweetly. “Come on, eat—the beef is ready.” She lifted a slice into Tang Yan’s bowl.
“Thanks!” Tang Yan popped it into her mouth with delight.
Ji Yuqing barely ate, but drank glass after glass of honey lemon water—Tang Yan guessed it was to sober up.
When they left the restaurant, Tang Yan glanced at her phone. Curfew had already passed. Her face fell. “Oh no.”
“What is it?” Ji Yuqing asked as she paid the bill.
“The dorm gates are locked…”
Ji Yuqing checked her watch. “Eleven. Too late to drive you home. I’ll book a room near campus—you can slip back in the morning.”
“Then… what about you?” Tang Yan ventured.
“I’ll stay too,” Ji Yuqing said after a pause. “I wouldn’t feel safe leaving you alone.”
“All… all right.” Tang Yan hid her joy.
The drive took barely ten minutes. Though it was late, the city glittered; nightlife had only begun. Pressed to the window, Tang Yan watched the lights flicker past—so different from the world of her first eighteen years.
Ji Yuqing took a call, steering with one hand and putting in an earpiece.
“Peiwen? I’m fine… We’ll discuss the rest tomorrow. I have something to handle. Bye.”
The hurried call made Tang Yan sit up, anxious that her impulsive act might affect Aunt Ji’s work. Ji Yuqing never complained, and that only tangled Tang Yan’s thoughts more.
Finding a room proved harder than expected. The better hotels were full—exam season meant brisk business. After wandering in circles, they ended up at a shabby guesthouse with one basic room left, deep inside an old residence building. A dim bulb flickered overhead; the corridor smelled damp and stale.
After registering, the landlady showed them the room—tiny, dingy, poorly lit. Ji Yuqing’s face betrayed dismay, but before she could speak, Tang Yan stepped inside and smiled. “It’s fine—and only fifty yuan a night. Saves money.”
“You really want to stay here?” Ji Yuqing looked her up and down.
Tang Yan nodded firmly, and Ji Yuqing gave in.
The radiator barely worked; the room was no warmer than the street. Ji Yuqing argued with the landlady to no avail—“For fifty yuan, what do you expect?” they were told. She could bear the cold, but worried for Yan Yan.
The shower sputtered alternately scalding and icy, so they gave up washing. By now it was past midnight and they were exhausted.
“Let’s just manage,” Ji Yuqing said, spreading her coat over the thin quilt. Tang Yan did the same.
The bed was small; they had to lie close, no space to turn. Hard as it was, Tang Yan cherished the moment—such chances would be rare.
She lay on her side, back to Ji Yuqing, who curled behind her like a shrimp.
“Are you cold?” Ji Yuqing asked softly.
Tang Yan shivered and nodded.
Ji Yuqing scooted forward, slipped both arms around Tang Yan’s waist, and pressed her own body against the girl’s back. “Let’s hold each other for warmth,” she whispered.
“O‑okay…” Tang Yan’s face blazed, her body warmth climbing beyond control.