Running Towards You - Chapter 50

Of course, Ji Yin had no idea who his attending physician was, so she could only relay this little complaint to Lu Jiahe.

“There’s been some trouble between him and his wife, and he’s been hiding in the fire escape every day, smoking to drown his sorrows. If you happen to know which doctor is in charge of him, maybe you could pass it along.”

“Mm.” Lu Jiahe stepped into the elevator and pressed further, “So, what was it he said about your troubles?”

“…” Ji Yin’s mind raced as she answered with perfect composure, “It wasn’t about my troubles. I just happened to mention the plot of a TV drama—the leads had been close friends for years, and their bond was so strong that they couldn’t tell if it was friendship or love. I casually asked for his opinion.”

Lu Jiahe pursed her lips. “You really are desperate for answers if you’re asking a chain-smoker with marital problems for advice.”

“Tsk, you’re right. But it’s not like I have any relationship experts around me.”

“If relationship experts actually worked, there wouldn’t be so many heartbroken men and resentful women in this world. Matters of the heart can only be resolved by figuring them out yourself,” Lu Jiahe said.

Ji Yin had an epiphany, and the other people in the elevator all murmured in agreement.

She glanced back at these eavesdroppers: “…”

Just then, more people squeezed into the already cramped space. Lu Jiahe shifted slightly, shielding Ji Yin’s injured arm from being jostled.

Ji Yin lowered her gaze, watching the silent protection of her wound. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved.

She had drifted through life alone, stumbling forward in society. Apart from the late Chen Yanhua, who had shielded her for a few years, she had never known this kind of care before.

Dr. Lu was her salvation in this crowded space, the guiding light in her solitary journey through life.

How could someone like her dare to entertain the thought of sleeping with Lu Jiahe?

Last night, the moment her brother summarized the situation, Ji Yin’s chaotic heart settled it must just be some inexplicable possessiveness toward a close friend.

She had never once imagined that kind of relationship with Lu Jiahe. Even the thought of it felt far too presumptuous.

Someone as good as Lu Jiahe was not someone as rough around the edges as her could casually taint.

She wanted Lu Jiahe’s happiness more than anyone.

“Let’s go.” Lu Jiahe guided her out of the elevator and toward her car.

“Aren’t we eating nearby?”

“There’s nothing good around here. There’s a Cantonese place about two kilometers away it’s pretty good.”

“Alright.”

“Careful.” Lu Jiahe opened the passenger door for her.

Ji Yin ducked into the car, and the door closed behind her. Her eyes followed Lu Jiahe in a slow circle before the other woman got in. Unable to hold back a laugh, she said, “I actually got to experience what it’s like to be the female lead in a drama.”

“How does it feel?”

“Amazing! No wonder they always film scenes like this, who wouldn’t love it?” Ji Yin leaned back comfortably into the seat. “Just so you know, I didn’t sneak out this time.”

“Then you’d better be extra careful tonight, or the responsibility falls on me,” Lu Jiahe teased.

“No problem.”

When they entered the restaurant, Ji Yin, who rarely ate Cantonese cuisine, left the ordering entirely to her.

When the delicious soup was served, Ji Yin suddenly remembered something: “It’s really unexpected that Teacher Liu Jia asked you to bring me soup.”

“Why?” Lu Jiahe ladled the soup into a bowl and placed it in front of her.

“She saw me fighting. Wouldn’t she think I’m just some good-for-nothing troublemaker?”

“There were extenuating circumstances. It’s understandable,” Lu Jiahe replied.

“But. well, I really am a bit of a good-for-nothing,” Ji Yin admitted with an awkward laugh. “Are all the friends you make like Li Chenyao, Cheng Jingwen, and Le Qin?”

“What kind are they?”

“Educated, successful, with refined hobbies total urban sophisticates.”

“More like urban slaves,” Lu Jiahe chuckled, then suddenly asked, “What do you mean by refined hobbies?”

“You know, watching plays, playing tennis or golf, or reading at home. That’s what Le Qin’s social media looks like.”

“You’ve been checking her social media?”

“Yeah, I was a little curious.”

“Curious about what?”

Of course, she was curious about what they had eaten yesterday and whether they had gone to see a play together. But she wisely kept her mouth shut.

“Curious about what kind of person she is?” Lu Jiahe pressed.

“That too,” Ji Yin admitted. Since Le Qin was Lu Jiahe’s blind date, she felt she ought to know what kind of person she was.

“And what did you figure out?” Lu Jiahe asked, smiling, though her gaze made Ji Yin shiver slightly.

“Just that she’s an urban sophisticate,” Ji Yin answered truthfully.

“An urban sophisticate do you like that type?”

“What does it matter if I like her?” Ji Yin blurted, then quickly covered her mouth. Seeing no sign of a slap coming, she relaxed and added, “It’s about whether you like her.”

“I don’t,” Lu Jiahe said.

“Really?” Ji Yin immediately looked at her. “You don’t like Le Qin?”

“Do you want me to like her?”

“No, no! I’m just surprised. She seems perfect in every way. Otherwise, Li Chenyao wouldn’t have introduced her to you. I thought you were interested in her.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“Didn’t you go to dinner together yesterday and then see a play?”

“We parted ways after dinner. She probably went to the play alone.”

Ji Yin couldn’t help but grin. “Really?”

“Really. Happy now?”

“Happy,” Ji Yin nodded eagerly, then froze and shook her head vigorously. “No, no, I’m not that happy. I really do hope you find someone you like.”

“Mhm.” Lu Jiahe lowered her head to suppress a smile, finished peeling the crab in her hands, and placed it in Ji Yin’s bowl. “Eat slowly.”

“Don’t just peel for me eat some yourself,” Ji Yin said, picking up the meat and putting it back in Lu Jiahe’s bowl.

“Can you even peel it yourself?” Lu Jiahe picked it up again and fed it directly to Ji Yin’s mouth. “Eat. Say ‘ah'”

“Ah ” Ji Yin took a bite, savoring the tender crab meat with delight. “You should eat some too.”

“Mhm.” Lu Jiahe picked up a piece of steamed pork rib.

As Ji Yin watched her bring the chopsticks to her lips, it belatedly occurred to her that those were the same chopsticks that had just fed her.

Didn’t Dr. Lu have a cleanliness obsession?

Ji Yin’s mind began to wander into forbidden thoughts. Distracted, she absentmindedly picked up some food and accidentally dropped it into Lu Jiahe’s bowl.

“You’re quite the sharer,” Lu Jiahe remarked.

“Don’t be polite eat up.”

“I don’t eat chicken butts.”

” Ji Yin took a closer look, let out a startled “holy shit,” and quickly picked it out with her chopsticks. “Why is there even a chicken butt here?”

“Some people like them,” Lu Jiahe said, glancing sideways. “Twice now.”

“What twice?”

“Swearing. Twice.”

“You’re actually keeping count? Don’t tell me there’s a punishment too?”

“There is. A one-time punishment after you recover.”

“What kind of punishment?” Ji Yin pressed.

“Haven’t decided yet, but I won’t let you off easy.”

Ji Yin groaned, offering all sorts of excuses and explanations, begging for mercy.

But she had overlooked one simple fact all along, Lu Jiahe wasn’t her parent or her teacher. She didn’t have to listen to her, much less endure her punishments.

At this thought, Lu Jiahe’s eyes curved into a smile as she gazed at Ji Yin. “If you don’t want to be punished, you can write a 1,000-word self-reflection instead.”

“What?!” Ji Yin was stunned. “It’s been years since I’ve written anything like that!”

“Perfect time to revisit it, then.”

“No way, I can’t write a single word!”

The meal lasted a long time. With only one hand free, Ji Yin alternated between picking up food and sipping soup, making a bit of a mess. Fortunately, Lu Jiahe was there to help, occasionally feeding her bites.

At first, Ji Yin was a little self-conscious, but she gradually grew accustomed to it. They fell into a smooth rhythm, taking turns feeding each other with seamless coordination.

When Lu Jiahe went to pay the bill, Ji Yin glanced at the menu and gasped. “Four dishes cost almost 500?”

“There’s also the soup.”

“That soup is worth 250?”

Lu Jiahe stifled a laugh and quickly ushered her out. “You need to replenish your nutrients. Stop letting Yanzi bring you snacks all the time.”

“Fine.” Ji Yin pulled out her phone and transferred 500 yuan to Lu Jiahe, only for it to be refunded. “Just take it, or I’ll feel bad.”

“If you feel bad, go home and write that reflection.”

“No.”

“Stubborn.”

“Extremely stubborn.”

They walked down the street, chatting and laughing under the neon lights. A group of young men and women on skateboards zipped past them from behind. One of them, clearly a beginner, struggled to stay on the board, chasing after it for a while.

As the skateboard rolled near Ji Yin’s feet, Lu Jiahe reached out to pull her aside, only to see Ji Yin step onto it with one foot, effortlessly bringing the other foot up and gliding forward leisurely.

“Hey! Wait!” The skateboard’s owner panted as she caught up. Seeing Lu Jiahe still standing there, she figured the woman would return.

“Are you two friends?” the young girl asked.

“Yeah, don’t worry, she won’t steal your skateboard,” Lu Jiahe said with a smile.

“I know, it’s not worth much anyway,” the girl replied. “Your friend’s pretty good, huh? Even injured, she’s got skills. How long has she been skating?”

“I’m not sure,” Lu Jiahe said, watching Ji Yin’s carefree figure on the board. “No one really knows what else she’s capable of.”

A moment later, Ji Yin turned the board smoothly and coasted back without hurry. “Your wheels are a bit sticky. Had this for a while?”

“Just started learning. Bought it secondhand,” the girl said.

“Be careful out there.”

“Got it, thanks!” The girl hopped back on her board and chased after her friends.

“And here I thought you knew anything about being careful,” Lu Jiahe teased.

“Of course, if I weren’t injured, I’d definitely pull off some fancy moves. But it’s been so long since I last tried, and I’m a bit scared of getting hurt. I was actually pretty nervous up there just now,” Ji Yin said.

“What were you nervous about?”

“Afraid of falling again both embarrassing and sure to earn me a scolding from you.”

“Good that you know.”

The two walked toward the parking lot. Ji Yin asked, “Can I go back a little later? The hospital room is just too boring.”

“No. You’ve been out long enough. Who knows if you’ll actually try some stunt again?”

Ji Yin:

“Get in the car.” Lu Jiahe opened the door.

“As you wish.” Ji Yin obediently climbed in. She tugged at the seatbelt with one hand, pulling several times before managing to extend it a little. As she adjusted the length, a hand reached over from the side.

With a click, Lu Jiahe fastened it for her.

Ji Yin glanced at her, catching the unique scent on her, and softly asked, “Did you wear perfume today?”

“No.”

“Then why do you smell so nice?”

“Maybe your nose is broken.”

“It’s not.”

Lu Jiahe suddenly touched her neck and frowned.

“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

“Feels like something pricked me.”

“Let me see.”

Lu Jiahe swept all her hair to one side, tilting her head to expose her slender neck. The graceful curve stretched as she leaned closer, her delicate skin appearing especially smooth and fragile under the warm yellow light inside the car.

Ji Yin’s gaze carefully traced her neck, her lips parting slightly as a sudden dryness filled her mouth.

“See anything?” Lu Jiahe asked quietly.

“Not really… Should I check the back for you?”

“Okay.”

Ji Yin raised her uninjured hand, smoothing Lu Jiahe’s hair and brushing against the nape of her neck. Her fingertips explored the expanse of flawless skin. “There’s a is this a mole?”

“Yeah. My mom has one here too. Anything else?”

Ji Yin continued her careful search. Their eyes met, lingering as they drew so close their faces nearly touched. She heard the sound of gradually quickened breathing but couldn’t tell whose it was.