Running Towards You - Chapter 57

The moment Ji Yin saw the glimmer of anticipation in Lu Jiahe’s eyes, she knew it was over, she had enjoyed it too much.

“Ah ” Ji Yin’s cheeks were pinched, and it hurt terribly.

“No more biting from now on. I’ll just pinch you like this instead see if you’ll ever change,” Lu Jiahe said sternly.

Ji Yin whimpered twice and quickly admitted her mistake, “I’ll change, I’ll change! I promise I will! But it takes time, you know? I can’t just wake up one day and suddenly become a model of high moral character, right?”

“Fine. I’ll take my time helping you change,” Lu Jiahe said, releasing her grip and grabbing her bag to get out of the car.

Ji Yin watched as she walked into the building, rubbing her sore cheek, and couldn’t help but smile.

It had been so long since she’d felt this mix of affection and discipline, she was practically reveling in it.

That afternoon, she made calls to suppliers from her office and then went to inspect the supermarket. Passing by the oral care section, she suddenly stopped, studying the products with unprecedented seriousness.

That bite from Lu Jiahe had opened up a whole new world for her.

She was a little curious now, what would it feel like to kiss Dr. Lu?

“Hey, I need to talk to you about something,” Yanzi ran over, interrupting her daydream.

“What is it?” Ji Yin instantly put on a serious face.

“Dong Xiang said you’re making him the manager of the new store. Can you not transfer me there? Just let me stay at this one,” Yanzi pleaded.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to see him day and night it kills the excitement. I’m so sick of it already,” Yanzi grumbled.

Ji Yin looked at her with amusement. “Aren’t you two dating? Don’t you want to be together all the time?”

“That’s only during the honeymoon phase. We’ve been together for years there’s no passion left,” Yanzi said.

“Is that what happens when you’ve been together for a long time?” Ji Yin asked.

“Of course! If you had to look at the same person from morning till night, wouldn’t you get tired of it?”

“Not at all.” Ji Yin would love nothing more than to see Lu Jiahe all day, every day. Lu Jiahe was so beautiful. After a moment’s thought, she concluded, “Then it must be because Dong Xiang isn’t handsome enough.”

“Even the hottest person gets boring after a while!” Yanzi insisted.

“You just haven’t had the good stuff yet,” Ji Yin couldn’t help but gloat.

“…” Yanzi sulked. “You’ve never even been in a relationship, what do you know? Reality is nothing like imagination!”

Ji Yin thought about it. As far as she was concerned, she was in a real relationship, how could she not know?

“Alright, alright. I wasn’t planning to transfer you anyway. Once the new store opens, the manager will split time between both locations, and I’ll need you to keep an eye on things here.”

“Fine. But you’ll have to give me a raise.”

“Sure. I’ll take you gold shopping one of these days consider it your dowry.” Ji Yin figured their wedding was probably just a year or two away.

They didn’t have parents, so as the older sister, she had to start preparing early. Yanzi couldn’t just get married without a proper dowry.

“Yay! You’re the best!” Yanzi threw her arms around her excitedly. “I want to be your sister again in my next life!”

Ji Yin couldn’t stand sentimental talk and quickly pushed her away. “Okay, okay, let go. People will think we’re being silly.”

Yanzi looked up. “Huh? Were you about to call me an idiot just now?”

“No. I said silly.”

Yanzi laughed, “What’s up with you? Why doesn’t your mouth stink anymore?”

“Yours is the one that stinks. You should fix that habit too,” Ji Yin retorted with an eye roll before turning to pick up a bottle of mouthwash. “Have you used this before?”

“Yeah.”

“How was it?”

“Not bad. Why the sudden interest?”

“I’m afraid my mouth might stink.”

Ji Yin couldn’t help but lick her lips, the lingering pain was still there. If Lu Jiahe hadn’t bitten her like that, she wouldn’t be lost in wild fantasies now.

Every time she had a free moment, her mind wandered to imagining what it would be like if the two of them kissed.

“When you guys kiss, do you uh, I mean.” Ji Yin hesitated, trailing off.

Yanzi, however, cut straight to the point. “Yeah, we do.”

“You know what I’m asking?”

“Aren’t you just asking if we use mouthwash?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Of course we do. If he doesn’t rinse after eating, I won’t let him kiss me. A quick peck is fine, though,” Yanzi said.

Ji Yin immediately turned and pointed at the row of mouthwashes. “Which one tastes better?”

“The cherry blossom one, maybe?”

Ji Yin grabbed a large bottle of mouthwash and was about to leave when Yanzi stopped her.

“Take this too,” Yanzi said, shoving a box of breath freshener into her hands.

“Isn’t one bottle of mouthwash enough?”

“What kind of normal person brings a giant bottle of mouthwash on a date?!” Yanzi shot back.

“Oh.” Ji Yin took the breath spray from her and huffed proudly. “Who said anything about a date?”

“Come on, you’ve been acting weird lately. Did you think we wouldn’t notice? Something’s definitely up!” Yanzi grinned, having suspected for a while but only now confirming it. “Too bad the outfit I prepared for you got taken by Dr. Lu. Otherwise, you wouldn’t just be leaving with mouthwash today.”

“…” Ji Yin flicked her forehead.

Rubbing her head, Yanzi laughed. “Since you’ve got someone you like, make the most of it. I can’t wait to meet this brother-in-law of mine. I’m so curious about who could actually make you fall for them.”

In the evening, Ji Yin went out for dinner with a client, bringing Dong Xiang along to help with the drinking.

After the meal, she accompanied the client to the supermarket, discussing business while checking out the products. By the time she saw the client off, it was almost 11 p.m.

She looked down at her phone and sent Lu Jiahe a message.

[Ji Yin]: Did you finish dinner with Li Chenya?

[Lu Jiahe]: The main guest didn’t show up, so we didn’t eat together.

[Ji Yin]: I was the main guest?

[Lu Jiahe]: Yeah, my leading lady.

Ji Yin touched the corner of her mouth, realizing it had curled up without her noticing. Her mood soared, and she couldn’t wait to see her.

[Ji Yin]: I’ll come return your car.

[Lu Jiahe]: Sure, I just bought some apples.

[Ji Yin]: But you don’t even like apples.

[Lu Jiahe]: But my leading lady does.

Ahhhhhhh!

Ji Yin jumped up and down on the spot.

Driving back, she felt like the car was moving too slowly, if only she could sprout wings and fly straight to her!

She pulled into the parking lot and saw Lu Jiahe waiting by the spot. After hastily parking, she didn’t even bother to close the car door before rushing over and throwing her arms around her. “I missed you so much!”

“We just saw each other this morning,” Lu Jiahe chuckled.

“That was all from this morning.”

Lu Jiahe smiled and patted her on the back, then glanced at her car and asked, “Now that the car’s returned, are you leaving?”

Ji Yin froze for a moment before countering, “Aren’t you going to invite me up for a drink?”

“But I haven’t cleaned my room yet it’s a complete mess.”

Why did that sound so familiar?

Seeing the mischievous grin on Lu Jiahe’s face, Ji Yin knew she was teasing her. She chuckled awkwardly, “No, no, your place is nothing like my pigsty. Dr. Lu, I’m so thirsty.”

“Then come up for some hot water,” Lu Jiahe said, stepping forward to close the car door.

“Great!” Ji Yin eagerly followed her into the elevator. It was already late, and the elevator was empty. Staring at their reflections in the mirror, Ji Yin quietly reached for her hand.

As they reached the door, Lu Jiahe entered the passcode and suddenly asked, “Did you remember it?”

“Remember what?” Ji Yin blinked in confusion.

“My door code.”

“I wasn’t looking,” Ji Yin replied honestly.

“Then watch again,” Lu Jiahe said, inputting the code once more before pushing the door open. “If I’m not home next time, you can just let yourself in.”

Ji Yin’s eyes widened in delighted surprise. “Really? I can do that?”

“Of course. You’re my girlfriend if not you, then who?” Lu Jiahe smiled.

The sudden sense of belonging and acceptance overwhelmed Ji Yin with joy. She was so thrilled she nearly forgot to sanitize her hands, until Lu Jiahe dragged her back to thoroughly disinfect them.

“Here, this is the key to my apartment,” Ji Yin fumbled with her keychain before pulling one off and pressing it into Lu Jiahe’s hand. “You’re welcome anytime too.”

“Good. I’ll visit often,” Lu Jiahe said, hanging the key up before washing a few apples. “Should I slice them?”

“No need, I’ll just bite into one.” Ji Yin picked up a big, red apple and took a hearty bite.

Lu Jiahe sat beside her, chatting idly. Watching her eat with such relish, she chuckled, “Seeing you enjoy it so much makes me want one too.”

“Go ahead, they’re super sweet,” Ji Yin said, handing her another.

Lu Jiahe weighed it in her hand. “It’s too big, I might not finish it.”

“No worries, just eat what you can. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Alright, then.” Lu Jiahe managed half before giving up.

“Pass it here.” Ji Yin, having just finished hers, took the half-eaten apple and polished it off in no time, leaving only the core.

Lu Jiahe laughed. “You’ve got quite the appetite.”

“Can’t let it go to waste. Hand me the tissues, please?” Ji Yin pointed to the box near her.

Lu Jiahe passed them over. After wiping her hands and tossing the used tissue, Ji Yin leaned back comfortably.

“You missed your mouth,” Lu Jiahe reminded her.

“Huh?” Ji Yin licked her lips no stray juice there. Still, she obediently grabbed another tissue and scrubbed vigorously before puckering her lips. “Better now?”

“Much.” Lu Jiahe gazed at her slightly reddened lips, then leaned in and kissed her.

Ji Yin stiffened, staring at her with flushed cheeks, heart racing.

Lu Jiahe blinked, holding her gaze, then cautiously closed the distance again, pressing their lips together once more.

Lips touching, eyes locked neither moved an inch further.

After a long moment, just as Lu Jiahe licked her lips and was about to go further, Ji Yin suddenly jerked back and fled into the bathroom in a fluster.

Lu Jiahe sighed, had she been too hasty and scared her?

Inside the bathroom, Ji Yin, flushed and heart racing, pulled out a breath freshener, tore open the packaging, and quickly sprayed it into her mouth. She exhaled, but couldn’t detect any cherry blossom scent, so she sprayed a few more times, unsure if it was working.

She bared her teeth at the mirror, confirming there were no food remnants, then stepped out of the bathroom with shy hesitation, only to find Lu Jiahe was no longer on the sofa.

“What are you doing?” she asked, walking into the study.

“Picking out some books for you to read,” Lu Jiahe replied calmly.

“Huh?”

“Take these back and read them first.” Lu Jiahe selected a few books and handed them to her.

“Oh, okay.” Ji Yin hugged the books, staring at her serious expression. The earlier intimate atmosphere had vanished it seemed she no longer wanted to kiss her.

Ji Yin pouted. “I’ll definitely read them when I have time.”

“Good.”

Ji Yin pouted again. “I’m free tomorrow night. Want to have dinner together?”

“I have surgery tomorrow. Not sure if I can leave on time, so don’t wait for me.”

“Fine.” Ji Yin nodded, still pouting.

“What’s with the cute act?” Lu Jiahe chuckled.

Ji Yin: “…”

Aghhh!

Dr. Lu completely missed her hints!

Then she’d just have to take the initiative.

She quickly pecked Lu Jiahe’s lips.

Lu Jiahe’s eyes curved into a smile as she cupped Ji Yin’s head and kissed the corners of her mouth and her nose.

Ji Yin was thrilled. Just when she thought Lu Jiahe would take things further, the other woman let her go.

“It’s getting late. You should head back and rest.”

Seeing she wasn’t in the mood, Ji Yin didn’t dare push further. She touched the breath freshener in her pocket and consoled herself there’d be more chances!

Today, the corners of her mouth tomorrow, inside it!