Running Towards You - Chapter 31

After settling Lu Jiahe’s bill, Yanzi watched her leave before turning to Ji Yin, who was still gazing in that direction. “She’s long gone. What are you still looking at?”

“None of your business,” Ji Yin reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

“It’s almost mealtime. Why didn’t you just invite Dr. Lu to dinner?”

“I did! She said she had to go home for dinner, something about needing to bring soy sauce back for Teacher Liu Jia.”

“Who’s Liu Jia?”

Ji Yin smirked proudly. “Don’t know, do you? She’s a journalist who’s interviewed tons of celebrities. I’ve read so many of her magazine pieces and sometimes watch her interview videos. She’s incredible.”

“So? What’s her relationship with Dr. Lu?”

“Mother and daughter.” Ji Yin walked over to help bag items, lowering her voice. “Don’t spread it around. I don’t want to cause trouble for Dr. Lu.”

“Seriously? It’s not like she’s some viral celebrity. Even if word got out, hardly anyone would know her.”

“Don’t you have any respect for intellectuals? Teacher Liu Jia is way more impressive than those internet stars, full of wisdom. Watching her interviews has taught me so much.”

Yanzi clicked her tongue in amazement. “Seems like it really worked. You’re even using idioms now.”

Ji Yin grinned so wide her lips nearly curled up.

“Still going out for inspections tomorrow?”

“Nope.”

After running around for over a month, Ji Yin hadn’t found a suitable location. The neighboring cities were all similar to Jianwu, purchasing power overly concentrated in downtown areas, with saturated markets. The surrounding regions couldn’t match the salaries or spending power.

“Let’s just focus on our city,” she said. “Tell Dong Xiang to keep an eye out for any good storefronts.”

“Opening a branch locally sounds great. Easier to restock, no need to travel so far,” Yanzi agreed.

“Mm. By the way, about that makeup class you mentioned go ahead and sign up.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If you want to do something else, go for it. You don’t have to stick with me doing these odd jobs. There might be better opportunities out there.”

“Oh, I never really thought about that. I just like dressing up and looking pretty,” Yanzi said.

“That’s fine too, as long as you enjoy it.” Ji Yin suddenly leaned in and sniffed. “Why aren’t you wearing perfume today?”

“Who wears perfume to work? Do I look like I have money to burn, or do my coworkers deserve to smell my expensive fragrances?” Yanzi retorted haughtily.

Ji Yin paused, then asked, “So what kind of person would deserve to smell your perfume?”

“Someone important, obviously! Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste it!” Yanzi had barely finished speaking when Ji Yin burst into laughter, covering her mouth, her grin practically reaching her ears.

“What’s so funny? You scared me!”

“Not telling.” Ji Yin was practically glowing with delight, unable to suppress her smile.

“Is your perfume expensive?” Ji Yin asked.

“Some cost hundreds, others over a thousand. Why, you want to buy some?”

“Have you noticed the scent Dr. Lu wears? How much would that kind of perfume cost?” Ji Yin couldn’t help but inquire.

“I didn’t really smell it. Perfume fades quickly, and the scent doesn’t last long. I didn’t pay attention to what she smelled like. Even if I did, I might not be able to guess which one it was. If you want to know, just ask her directly,” Yanzi said.

“Forget it. You don’t know anything. I’m not talking to you anymore,” Ji Yin turned and walked away.

“Tch, such a dog-like temper.”

After dark, Ji Yin was about to go out for dinner when she received a message from Dr. Lu, a freshly taken photo of a dining table set with three dishes and a soup, looking incredibly tempting.

The chat history had finally updated.

Ji Yin couldn’t contain her joy and bounced on the spot a couple of times.

“What are you doing?” Yanzi was startled by her sudden movement.

“Let’s go back and eat at home,” Ji Yin said.

“Who’s cooking?”

“Of course, it’s you two. Come on, let’s go eat at your place. That’s what makes it feel like home!” Ji Yin pushed them forward.

“…It really does feel like home. I’m starting to feel like a mom!”

After Yanzi and Dong Xiang finished cooking, Ji Yin took a photo and sent it.

[Ji Yin]: I made this.

[Lu Jiahe]: 6.

[Ji Yin]: Actually, Yanzi and Dong Xiang made it.

[Lu Jiahe]: Doesn’t matter. As long as you’re the one eating it.

Ji Yin collapsed onto the sofa, hugging her phone and laughing.

Yanzi and Dong Xiang exchanged glances before tapping Ji Yin’s bowl. “Eat up. What are you staring at your phone for?”

Ji Yin managed to eat with one hand while still playing with her phone, multitasking effortlessly.

Yanzi turned to Dong Xiang. “Have you ever seen her like this before?”

“Nope,” Dong Xiang shook his head.

“I have. Back when I was young and in love, I acted just like this.”

Dong Xiang gasped. “Wasn’t I your first love?”

“…” Yanzi buried her face in her food. “This rice is so… rice-y!”

“Yeah, this aroma is so… aromatic,” Ji Yin chimed in without looking up.

Dong Xiang: “…”

Ji Yin finally found time to finish reading two books and sent her reflections to Lu Jiahe on WeChat. Her words were simple but sincere.

Lu Jiahe read every word carefully, then couldn’t help but go back and read it again, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

Through the text, she could almost picture Ji Yin’s serious expression as she typed.

“What’s got you smiling so happily?” Li Chenyao asked.

The two had plans to go out for dinner later, but Li Chenyao was still at home grading assignments.

Lu Jiahe smiled and put her phone away, glancing at the stack of papers, dozens of densely written essays.

“Just read a very heartfelt little essay,” Lu Jiahe replied.

“Who wrote it?”

“Ji Yin.”

“Why’s she writing essays?”

“Her thoughts after reading a book.”

“Oh, interesting. Let me see? As a Chinese teacher, I can grade it for her.”

“No way. It’s already a masterpiece no need for your grading.”

Li Chenyao grumbled and went back to grading papers.

Ji Yin received a voice message in reply. She tapped to listen.

“Your reflections are very well-written. You put a lot of thought into it that’s great. Keep it up.”

Ji Yin listened once, then played it over and over, grinning so wide she could barely contain herself, feeling like she was floating.

When Yanzi went to the office to find her, she saw Ji Yin leaning by the window, clutching her phone and listening to something, her toes tapping restlessly against the floor, a picture of pure, lovesick bliss. If her old homeroom teacher saw her like this, they’d definitely be hauling her in for “early dating”!

“Sis, are you in love?” Yanzi asked.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Ji Yin shot her an annoyed look. “I’m just listening to Dr. Lu’s voice message.”

“Look at you does that look like the face of someone listening to a serious voice message?”

“Ugh, you can insult me, but don’t you dare insult Dr. Lu.” Ji Yin tapped the message and turned up the volume for Yanzi to hear.

“See? I finished the book, and Dr. Lu is praising me!”

Yanzi shrugged. “Alright, fine, it really is her voice message. I almost thought you were secretly dating someone. You’re this happy just because she praised you?”

“Of course! And no one’s ever praised me for studying hard before.” Ji Yin had always struggled academically. Given her family situation, she never had the peace of mind to focus on school, and the lack of encouragement only made her lose interest in learning altogether.

“If I’d known Dr. Lu back when I was in school, maybe I would’ve actually tried harder,” she muttered before looking up. “Did you need something?”

“The girls want to have dinner tonight and asked me to check if you’d like to join.” A few close coworkers were planning a get-together and had sent Yanzi to ask Ji Yin.

“Hold on.” Ji Yin turned and called Lu Jiahe. “Dr. Lu, when are you free? I’d like to return the book.”

“I’m free tonight. Want to come over?”

“Sure! Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. Let’s have dinner together.”

“Deal!” Ji Yin hung up and turned back. “I’ll skip the dinner. I’ve got plans.”

Meanwhile, on the other end, Li Chenyao looked up. “Unless I misheard, did you just cancel on me right in front of me?”

“Yeah. What, you wanna come along?” Lu Jiahe asked.

“No way. I’d rather keep my company with these test papers.”

“Good call.” Lu Jiahe chuckled and didn’t linger, quickly heading back home.

As she reached the entrance of her neighborhood, she spotted an elderly flower vendor and bought a bouquet.

A message from two minutes ago sat in her phone, Ji Yin was already on her way.

She was debating whether to grab some fruit in the meantime when a voice called from behind, “Jiahe!”

Turning around, she saw Cheng Jingwen jogging toward her, catching her off guard. “What are you doing here?”

“My company has a project in this area, and I specifically requested to join it. From now on, I can visit you more often.” Cheng Jingwen’s expression was brimming with the joy of reunion.

Lu Jiahe was silent for a moment before asking, “Did you not understand what I said last time?”

“I understood, and I can’t argue with it. But we’re not kids anymore. Life gets complicated as we grow up. You can resent me for never reaching out, but you can’t blame me for being busy. I don’t have a family like yours, I had to rely entirely on myself. When I had nothing to offer you, where would I find the courage to pursue you again?”

Cheng Jingwen’s heartfelt words left Lu Jiahe stunned.

Just then, Ji Yin arrived.

“Dr. Lu!” The moment Ji Yin stepped out of the car and saw Lu Jiahe at the gate, she rushed over, her excitement unmistakable, until she noticed Cheng Jingwen, and her smile vanished.

Cheng Jingwen eyed her warily, her expression shifting as well.

“Dr. Lu, she’s not joining us for dinner, is she?” Ji Yin slowly sidled up to Lu Jiahe and whispered in her ear.

But there was no one else around, and her words fell clearly into Cheng Jingwen’s ears.

Cheng Jingwen watched their intimate posture and the words they exchanged, everything reflected how close their relationship was.

Lu Jiahe shook her head and said to Cheng Jingwen, “We’re going to grab a meal first. Let’s talk another day.”

“Okay.” Cheng Jingwen noticed her tone had softened slightly, which made her feel somewhat happy. But then she realized Lu Jiahe was taking this woman home for dinner, and the smile on that woman’s face was truly grating.

“Zaozao!” Cheng Jingwen called out loudly.

Lu Jiahe and Ji Yin both turned around, only to hear her say, “I like you, I liked you before, and I still like you now!”

If this had happened in the past, Ji Yin might not have been so quick to pick up on the meaning behind her words.

But not long ago, she had witnessed two women kissing, so her mind immediately made the connection.

It wasn’t until they entered the elevator that Ji Yin finally asked in a hushed voice, “Dr. Lu, what she said… does it mean what I think it means?”

“Yes,” Lu Jiahe replied, lowering her gaze to the floor.

“She likes you?” Ji Yin pressed.

“Mhm.”

“Then, Dr. Lu, you.” Ji Yin hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

Lu Jiahe turned to look at her flickering gaze and said, “Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

The elevator doors opened, and Lu Jiahe stepped out first.

Ji Yin stared at her in a daze. Seeing the doors about to close, she hurriedly stepped out and chased after her, her voice nearly cracking from shock: “You actually like her too?!”

Lu Jiahe stumbled, bracing herself against the wall, and gave her a deadpan look. “What I meant was like her, I also like women.”

Ji Yin was stunned for another moment, but after a brief pause, she simply followed her into the apartment without another word.

Lu Jiahe watched as Ji Yin calmly sprayed disinfectant and couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised. “You accepted that fact so quickly?”

“Mhm.”

“Not even a little shocked?”

“Well, I was a bit surprised, but compared to the idea of you liking her, this doesn’t seem so hard to accept,” Ji Yin said.

Lu Jiahe: “…”