Running Towards You - Chapter 24.2

As they entered a tunnel, Lu Jiahe found herself staring at Ji Yin’s reflection in the rearview mirror, completely mesmerized.

When they emerged, the sudden change in light and the rush of warm, free-spirited wind sent a surge of dopamine through her. Unable to contain herself, she let out a scream: “Ah !”

Ji Yin rode onto a large bridge and pulled over to the side.

Lu Jiahe reluctantly got off, removing her helmet. “Why’d we stop?”

“To show you the view from the bridge. Have you seen it before?” Ji Yin paused, then gently wiped her finger near Lu Jiahe’s eye.

Lu Jiahe blinked in surprise.

“Did I scare you to tears?” Ji Yin teased.

“It wasn’t fear the wind was just too strong,” Lu Jiahe protested. She had alternated between cheering and crying the whole way, a mix of emotions she couldn’t help.

“Why didn’t you pull down your goggles?”

“I wanted to feel it properly.” Lu Jiahe touched her hair. “Did it get flattened?”

Ji Yin reached over to tousle it. “Nope. Looks stunning.”

Lu Jiahe laughed. “You don’t even blink when you compliment someone, do you?”

“I’m too enchanted to blink.”

“…”

Sometimes, Lu Jiahe really wanted to tell her, could you stop saying such flirtatious things with such a serious tone?

Feigning nonchalance, Lu Jiahe looked toward the distance. The low-rise houses along the riverbanks were dotted with warm lights.

On the opposite side of the bridge, towering skyscrapers pierced the clouds, their dazzling lights adorning the cold, massive structures, the most breathtaking nightscape the city had to offer.

“I’ve driven past here so many times, but I’ve never stopped to really take in the view,” she said.

“You’re a local. Scenes like this aren’t new to you,” Ji Yin remarked, gazing at the distant high-rises. “The first time I accidentally stood here, I knew this was the city I’d come to next.”

Lu Jiahe asked curiously, “Was it the scenery that drew you in? Or the bustling cityscape across the way?”

“It’s these houses,” Ji Yin pointed out. Lu Jiahe followed her gaze to the aging buildings on either side. The living conditions weren’t great, but their proximity to the CBD across the street and low rents made them a top choice for many young people from out of town.

“I was standing right here that day, looking at the promise of the CBD ahead and the safety nets on either side,” Ji Yin said. “If I failed in my endeavors, at least I wouldn’t end up sleeping under a bridge again.”

The evening breeze lifted her hair as she turned to smile. “Though I’m used to drifting from place to place, I don’t actually like that feeling, it’s completely rootless, like I only belong on the road. So, I decided then to give myself ten years to see if I could settle here. Even if I failed, I’d stay and look for other opportunities instead of moving to another city like before.”

“What if you still haven’t settled after ten years? Would you leave then?” Lu Jiahe asked, studying her face.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’d keep searching for another way out, or maybe I’d be too old to bother and just resign myself to being a couch potato. Who can say what the future holds?” Ji Yin replied.

Lu Jiahe stood quietly in the wind, suppressing the urge to ask her to stay. She didn’t dare voice that thought, nor did she have the right to. What surprised her more was that her first instinct had been to want Ji Yin to remain in this city.

“I don’t know how things will unfold, but I think my decision back then was absolutely right! Meeting you in this city, Dr. Lu, has been wonderful!” Ji Yin said cheerfully.

“Just as friends,” Lu Jiahe remarked curiously. “And that makes you so happy?”

“I’ve been in this city for years and never made a true friend until now,” Ji Yin said solemnly so solemnly that Lu Jiahe felt her heart soften.

“If you ever need help with anything, just let me know.”

“Really?!” Ji Yin pressed her luck. “Then can you go to work for me?”

Lu Jiahe smiled faintly. “Don’t make me slap you.”

“Would you?” Ji Yin turned around, leaning against the railing to face Lu Jiahe directly. She leaned in, eyes crinkling mischievously. “Would someone as gentle as Dr. Lu really hit someone?”

A few strands of hair brushed against Lu Jiahe’s face, tickling her. She reached up and pinched Ji Yin’s cheek. “Why don’t you test that theory?”

“Ow!” Ji Yin quickly shook her head. “No, no, I won’t.”

They rode their bikes back, but this time, Ji Yin didn’t hear Lu Jiahe’s screams. When they arrived, she couldn’t resist asking, “Dr. Lu, has the novelty worn off already?”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t scream at all.”

“Scream what?”

“Lu Jiahe.”

It took Lu Jiahe a few seconds to catch on. She lightly bumped Ji Yin’s shoulder with her helmet. “Oh, shut up. The novelty’s still going strong.”

“Is it?”

“Mhm.”

On the way home, Ji Yin opened the red envelope and counted the money inside 2,000 yuan. It was likely meant as disguised payment for her stay. After getting off the bike, she immediately stuffed it into Lu Jiahe’s hand.

“What’s this?” Lu Jiahe looked at the red packet in confusion.

“New Year’s and holiday red envelope no take-backs.”

“What holiday?”

“Today’s Valentine’s Day.”

“…” Lu Jiahe asked slowly, “You’re giving me a Valentine’s Day red envelope?”

“Is that not allowed?”

Mainly, she was afraid that the excuse of a New Year’s red envelope wasn’t enough, so she added another reason holiday gifting.

“Where did you get this red envelope? I saw you counting money earlier.”

“A neighbor gave it to me. Do you mind?”

“I do mind. Take it back right now.” Lu Jiahe stuffed it back into her hands.

Ji Yin tossed the red envelope aside and directly handed her a stack of cash: “How about this?”

“Still mind.” Lu Jiahe chuckled. “Ji Yin, you bring back groceries worth two or three hundred every day from the supermarket. That’s more than enough to cover your lodging.”

Seeing her intentions exposed, Ji Yin wasn’t embarrassed and laughed. “Dr. Lu is so smart. Who else could be my gut worm if not you?”

“Gut worms are parasites. Can’t I be something better?”

“Frogs are beneficial insects, so how about you be my”

“Enough.”

“Princess, then!”

” Lu Jiahe pressed the elevator button. “That transition was surprisingly smooth.”

“I was going to say that all along. A frog can turn into a frog prince, but a princess is always a princess.”

“Stop, stop. I’m getting goosebumps.” Lu Jiahe rubbed her arms.

“Let me see, show me.”

“You’re such a weirdo, wanting to see goosebumps.” Lu Jiahe laughed and dashed out of the elevator.

“Just let me see.” Ji Yin followed behind, watching her running figure, unconsciously slowing her steps, her gaze glued to her, unable to look away.

When Lu Jiahe went to the kitchen, she saw a single rose on the table and asked, “Where did this come from?”

“A little flower-selling girl gave it to me for free. Do you like it, Dr. Lu?”

“Oh, I thought you bought it.”

For some reason, Ji Yin inexplicably detected a hint of disappointment in her flat tone.

“You like roses? Then I’ll give you roses next time,” Ji Yin said.

“Why would you give me roses for no reason?” Lu Jiahe muttered, but still found a vase and placed the wilting flower inside.

Seems Dr. Lu really does like roses, Ji Yin thought.

The next morning, Li Chenyao arrived early. As soon as Lu Jiahe opened the door, she caught a whiff of something delicious. “What are you eating?”

“Beef noodles.”

“You actually eat breakfast at home? I brought bread, thinking we’d eat on the way.”

“Is our schedule so packed that we don’t even have time for breakfast?” Lu Jiahe retorted.

“Not really. I just wanted bread myself.” Li Chenyao walked in and sat down, waiting for them to finish eating.

After the meal, Ji Yin dutifully went to take care of the trash.

“So responsible, truly responsible,” Li Chenyao whispered to Lu Jiahe, her eyes catching the lone flower in the vase on the table. She stepped closer to inspect it. “Where did this sad, wilted flower come from?”

“Ji Yin got it for free.”

“It’s almost dead. Why keep it?”

“It was even worse last night. It’s regained a bit of life today,” Lu Jiahe said, looking at the flower.

Li Chenyao shrugged and got down to business. “Tonight, it’s one single room and one twin. Since you two have been living together for days already, you can share the twin. I’ll take the queen bed, hehe.”

“No, I want the queen bed,” Lu Jiahe said immediately.

“But I barely know Ji Yin. Sharing a room would be so awkward.”

“Wouldn’t it be just as awkward if I shared a room with her?” Lu Jiahe glanced at the person humming in the kitchen and lowered his voice.

“Aren’t you supposed to have a clear conscience?” Li Chenyao whispered even softer.

“Well, now my conscience isn’t so clear anymore,” Lu Jiahe admitted frankly.

Li Chenyao: