“Vacation time!”
With a chorus of cheers, Xia Zihan burst through the dorm-room door. Right behind her, Tang Yan followed with her backpack, in high spirits even though she looked perfectly composed.
She had packed most of her things the night before; all that was left was a quick tidy-up—store whatever she didn’t need to take home and keep the dust off it.
“Xia Zihan, how did you do on the exams? Think you’ll at least pass?” Han Shuang asked while stuffing clothes into her suitcase.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. I’m just praying I don’t flunk anything. Heaven knows what gave me the nerve to wish for an eighty.” Xia Zihan clicked her tongue.
“Tang Yan gave you that courage—ha ha ha …”
Tang Yan froze for a second, baffled that she’d been dragged into the conversation in such a way, then stared into space for a couple of beats.
“Tang Yan doesn’t even need to try—she’s definitely our dorm’s top scorer,” Xia Zihan called over. “Right, Tang Yan?”
Tang Yan smiled shyly. “I-I’m not so sure yet.”
“Oh, stop being modest. You were first in the class at midterms. You’re a lock to keep the crown this time.”
Knock, knock…
Everyone in the room turned. Ji Yuqing was standing there in a long black coat over an ankle-length, cream turtleneck sweater-dress. The stark black-and-white palette set off her tall, cool elegance.
“Aunt Ji!” Tang Yan’s eyes lit up.
The others greeted her politely as well. “Hello, Auntie.”
Ji Yuqing nodded, every gesture gentle and refined. “Hello, everyone.”
She walked straight to Tang Yan’s bunk. “I’m here to carry your things. All packed?”
Tang Yan nodded. “All set.”
One suitcase and two bags—Tang Yan handed the lightest one to Aunt Ji and took the heavier bag and the suitcase herself.
The moment the two of them left, the previously silent dorm erupted.
“She’s so classy,” Xia Zihan whispered, hands cupped around her face. “She just looks expensive.”
“And what a figure,” Han Shuang said, squeezing the flesh around her own waist. “Here we are, eighteen and can’t hold a candle to someone in her thirties. Shameful, shameful.”
“A woman that gorgeous and elegant is still single? Impossible.”
“Maybe she enjoys being single. When you have money and looks, why let some lousy man ruin it?”
The gossip flew in every direction.
Downstairs, after they stowed the luggage in the trunk, Ji Yuqing walked around to the driver’s side. Pausing with the door half-open, she looked at Tang Yan. “There’s something I’d like to tell you.”
Tang Yan blinked, hurried around, and got into the front passenger seat.
The car’s heater kicked in. Compared with the winter air outside, it felt wonderful; with the windows closed, Tang Yan almost forgot she usually got carsick. She buckled her seat belt and waited quietly.
Instead of speaking right away, Ji Yuqing reached into the console, pulled out a steaming cup of milk tea, and handed it over. “I bought this on the way. The line was huge, so I figured it must be good. Try it.”
Surprised, Tang Yan accepted it. The cup warmed her palms. Did Aunt Ji really stand in line just to buy this for her?
She wasn’t big on sugary drinks, but if Aunt Ji bought it, she’d finish every drop.
“Well? How’s the taste?” Ji Yuqing asked eagerly after the first sip.
“It’s delicious,” Tang Yan said, lips curving.
Satisfied, Ji Yuqing started the car—and completely forgot what she’d meant to say.
Only after they’d driven off campus and onto the main road, with Tang Yan nearly full from the milk tea, did she finally ask, “Aunt Ji, you said you had something to tell me. What is it?”
Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, Ji Yuqing answered, “Your mother is coming to Huadu.”
If she’d still been drinking, Tang Yan would have choked. Annoyance flared in her voice. “Why?”
“To see you, of course.” Ji Yuqing’s tone was matter-of-fact.
Why now, of all times…
Truth be told, Tang Yan didn’t want her mother to come—didn’t want her peaceful life upended, and definitely didn’t want her feelings for Aunt Ji exposed.
“You don’t look… happy,” Ji Yuqing said, curious.
Tang Yan shook her head. “It’s not that. I’m just… caught off guard. She didn’t even see me off when I left home, and now—”
“Yan-yan, I understand how you feel. You’re still young, and there’s a lot you don’t know. Your mother has her own burdens, but she does love you.”
Love?
Tang Yan could hardly believe it; she’d seldom felt a mother’s love. Her nose stung, eyes misting. “I haven’t seen her for almost a year. Last time, she brought my little brother to the county hospital and dropped by my school, told me to work hard for the college entrance exam.”
On the day of the exam she got nothing but a text message. When her scores came out, another text—congratulations. When it was time to leave for university, Tang Yan had been the one to call; her mother never showed. Motherly concern had become a luxury she’d learned not to expect—eighteen years of it.
And now, just when she was happy at last, sheltered and accompanied by Aunt Ji, that woman wanted to appear again?
Ji Yuqing’s heart ached. She lifted one hand from the wheel to squeeze Tang Yan’s shoulder in silent comfort.
A moment later she said, “Her flight gets in tomorrow. Will you come to the airport with me?”
Tang Yan stayed quiet for a long while, then finally nodded. “Okay.”
Almost home, Tang Yan’s phone rang. Zhao Xiaoyun.
“I’m all set. Where are we meeting tonight?”
Tang Yan glanced at Aunt Ji, then spoke into the phone. “Hold on, let me ask Aunt Ji.”
“What is it?” Ji Yuqing asked.
“Xiaoyun wants to have dinner with me tonight,” Tang Yan said, clearly asking permission.
Ji Yuqing hesitated a second, then smiled. “Go. Good friends should get together and keep the bond strong. You’re on holiday, and after exams you need to relax. On one condition…”
Before she finished, Tang Yan chimed in, perfectly in sync. “No alcohol!”
“That’s my good girl,” Ji Yuqing laughed.
Once home, Tang Yan carried her luggage to her room. She didn’t need much unpacking; a quick fix of her tousled hair in the mirror, phone in hand, she was ready to head out.
Ji Yuqing was busy in the living room and called after her, “Won’t you let me drive you?”
“No need—it’s close. I’ll walk.”
“Then you two be safe. Come back early, and call me if anything happens.”
“I will!”
Tang Yan had barely reached the main road and was still getting her bearings when another urgent call came in.
“Tang Yan, what are you up to? Free for dinner?” Shen Yuyin asked.
“Uh, Senior, I’ve already made dinner plans with a friend…”
“No problem—bring your friend along. I’ll text you the address.”