Running Towards You - Chapter 75.1 (End)

After the grand opening, Ji Yin spent almost every day overseeing the new store. There were no major issues, just minor problems.

The new employees were still unfamiliar with the work and moved slowly; some even resigned after just a few days.

Over the past few days, she had been constantly supervising, arranging staff, and providing additional training for the new hires.

She left early and returned late every day. Coupled with Lu Jiahe’s irregular surgery schedule, both of them were extremely busy and could only manage a video call before bed each night.

“Are you free this weekend?” Lu Jiahe asked, lying on the bed. “Want to come over for a meal?”

“I’m not sure if I can make time.”

“Try your best to squeeze it in. Let’s meet on Sunday.”

“Okay.”

“By the way, invite Yanzi and Dong Xiang too. Let’s all have a meal together.”

“Is this your idea or Teacher Liu’s? Did she agree?” Ji Yin pressed.

“Of course, with my mom’s approval.”

“Great!” Ji Yin happily informed Yanzi.

However, on Sunday, both Yanzi and Dong Xiang had shifts and could only spare time for lunch.

Ji Yin, on the other hand, went to pick up Lu Jiahe early in the morning. She arrived so early that Lu Jiahe had just finished breakfast and was about to wash the dishes.

“I’ll do it,” Ji Yin said, heading to wash her hands and taking the opportunity to clean Lu Jiahe’s bowl as well.

Lu Jiahe smiled slightly. “Any plans for today?”

“No plans, I’ll follow your lead. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do,” Ji Yin replied.

“Is there anything you want to do?”

“Why the sudden question?” Ji Yin put the bowl away and turned to look at her. “I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.”

Lu Jiahe tilted her head and asked again, “How about any gifts you want?”

“What gifts?”

Seeing her confused expression, Lu Jiahe chuckled helplessly and flicked her forehead. “It’s your birthday today. Did you forget?”

Ji Yin froze for a moment, glanced at the calendar, and finally remembered it was her birthday.

“This is your first birthday since we got together,” Lu Jiahe said, lifting her head to give her a kiss. “Happy birthday, baby.”

“I haven’t celebrated my birthday in so long,” Ji Yin said, her heart warming as she hugged her happily.

“Go open your gifts,” Lu Jiahe said.

“There are gifts?!” Ji Yin exclaimed in surprise.

“They’re in the study.”

Ji Yin immediately rushed to the study, where several boxes were placed on the desk.

“Which one is it?”

“All of them,” Lu Jiahe replied with a smile, watching her joyfully unwrap the gifts.

“These gloves are so warm,” Ji Yin said, putting them on. The soft fleece against her skin warmed her up instantly.

“In such cold weather, you never bother to wear gloves when you go out,” Lu Jiahe chided, rubbing her hands before taking a tube of hand cream from the drawer and applying it to Ji Yin’s hands.

Ji Yin had always been careless about such things and found gloves troublesome to put on and take off. As long as she didn’t freeze, she didn’t mind.

But now, things were different. She promised, “I’ll take good care of my hands from now on. I want to make you happy.”

Lu Jiahe choked back a laugh, a teasing glint in her eyes as she lifted her eyelids. She took Ji Yin’s other hand, removed the glove, and slowly licked her fingers.

Ji Yin’s heart fluttered, and she eagerly leaned in to kiss her, but Lu Jiahe pressed a hand against her chest to stop her.

“There are more gifts,” Lu Jiahe said with a light laugh.

Feeling restless with anticipation, Ji Yin continued unwrapping the gifts. There were shoes, a scarf, and several sets of lingerie.

Ji Yin held it up against her chest and gestured, “Isn’t it a little too thin?”

Lu Jiahe couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Wear it for me tonight.”

“Do I even need to wear anything at night? I thought you preferred me without clothes.”

Lu Jiahe raised an eyebrow. “Hard to argue with that.”

Ji Yin looked at the last small box and froze for a moment when she opened it.

Inside was a spliced-together photo.

The two people in the photo were around sixteen or seventeen years old. One looked nervous and timid, staring blankly and fearfully at the camera; the other, wearing a school uniform, had a bright smile and was holding the other’s hand.

Ji Yin recognized her own photo it had been cut out from the family portrait on her desk.

“I cut this from two photocopied photos,” Lu Jiahe said with a smile. “Didn’t you say you wanted a photo of me from high school? This was taken with my parents at my graduation, and it happened to fit perfectly when spliced together. Look, I even got to hold your hand.”

Ji Yin stared at the two hands in the photo, noticing a ring on her own finger.

She took the ring off. “What’s this?”

“A gift,” Lu Jiahe said, taking the ring and slipping it onto her finger. “From now on, when you go out for social events or if some other beauty tries to hit on you, just show them this ring and tell them who gave it to you.”

“It was my girlfriend!” Ji Yin answered instantly.

“Right.”

Ji Yin touched the ring, unable to suppress her smile. “Thank you for the gift.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. I love anything you give me. Even if you gave me nothing, I’d still love it. I love you!”

The two lingered affectionately in the study for a while until Lu Jiahe checked the time and straightened her clothes and hair. “Let’s go, it’s time to head out.”

“Okay.”

“Are you going to let go of me?”

“Don’t want to,” Ji Yin said, holding onto her tightly.

“Alright then,” Lu Jiahe said, stroking her cheek. “We can stay here and take our time. When the food’s ready, my mom can come find us herself.”

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Ji Yin immediately grabbed her hand and hurried toward the Lu family home.

As soon as they entered, the aroma of food filled the air. Ji Yin dashed into the kitchen. “Uncle, Teacher Liu, let me help.”

“No, no, you’re the birthday girl. Just sit back and wait for the feast,” Liu Jia said with a laugh.

“Birthday or not, it’s a rare chance. I’d love to learn a couple more dishes from you,” Ji Yin insisted.

Professor Lu chimed in, “Then how about you help me chop these onions? I’m about to cry my eyes out.”

Ji Yin laughed, took the knife, and chopped the onions with a clatter before running out in tears to find tissues.

All three of them burst into laughter.

“When are your sisters coming?” Liu Jia asked.

“They’re already on their way,” Ji Yin said, checking her phone. She then slipped over to Liu Jia’s side and asked, “Teacher Liu, what made you think of inviting my sisters to dinner?”

“It’s your birthday, and Zao Zao mentioned your sisters might want to celebrate with you too. I thought we might as well have a reunion dinner together,” Liu Jia explained.

“You’ve worked so hard for this,” Ji Yin said, touched.

“Not at all. It’s just two extra bowls. Besides, your sisters have such nice personalities. I like it when the house is lively. It’s usually too quiet when I’m home alone.”

“Then I’ll come keep you company whenever I have time in the future.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Soon, Yanzi and Dong Xiang arrived as well.

Although this meal was meant to celebrate Ji Yin’s birthday, Yanzi still thoughtfully brought several gifts and respectfully greeted the elders.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie! Thank you for inviting Dong Xiang and me to your home for dinnerit’s truly an honor!”

“Why are you sisters so polite?” Liu Jia said with a laugh. “Just make yourselves at home and relax. Zaozao, why don’t you take them to hang out?”

Lu Jiahe, noticing the newly arrived couple’s nervousness, suggested, “Do you guys play video games?”

“Of course we do,” Yanzi replied.

“Dinner will still take a while. How about we play a few rounds first?” Lu Jiahe proposed.

“Great idea!”

The three immediately pulled out their phones and started forming a team. Lu Jiahe glanced at Ji Yin, who seemed to have nothing to do, and asked, “Aren’t you joining?”

“I don’t know how.”

Lu Jiahe was surprised, but Ji Yin was even more astonished. “You know how to play video games?”

“Is that so strange?”

“You don’t seem like the type, and I’ve never seen you play before,” Ji Yin wondered aloud.

“I don’t have time now, but I loved playing back in my school days. On the other hand, you look like someone who’d be really good at it,” Lu Jiahe remarked.

“Well, from elementary to middle school, I had a particularly outstanding aura.”

Lu Jiahe couldn’t help but chuckle.

Ji Yin sat beside her, watching her fluid gameplay and chattering nonstop, “You’re amazing! As expected of you your reflexes are so quick, your strategies are so clear, your leadership is strong, your hands are nimble, and you’re just so beautiful.”

Yanzi and Dong Xiang: “…”