When the Male Lead Finds Out I’m the Transmigrator Trying to Win Him Over - Chapter 52

Han Qi searched many places, restraining himself with great effort so that his search didn’t turn into a spectacle. He checked every place Yun ruo usually went—but she was nowhere to be seen.

Night had completely fallen, and with December approaching, the temperature was dropping sharply. A gust of wind blew past the pedestrians, who hurriedly wrapped their coats tighter around themselves.

Han Qi even went to the place where Yun ruo had once had an accident. The neighborhood remained the same, though the tenants had changed many times. A corner of the pavement was cordoned off with a warning sign: Municipal Maintenance – Watch Your Step.

Yun ruo wasn’t there either.

Han Qi turned the car around and drove away.

It was already 8 p.m. Han Qi wandered aimlessly, and the longer he searched, the more restless he became. He dared not imagine what he would do if Yun ruo disappeared for another four years.

Before, he had only liked Yunruo—but now…

The sound of a wind chime rang out. Yun ruo emerged from the store carrying a thermal box. The old chef waved energetically as she left.

“Hurry, hurry, I’m closing!” he called.

Yun ruo smiled wryly. She had only learned a few dishes from him, but he seemed to despise her for it.

She had paid him for the lessons.

“No one learns cooking while making a cake! You’re not serious!” the chef scolded, chattering away.

Yun ruo smiled apologetically. “If I didn’t do both, I wouldn’t have time.”

“You said you’d come at 2 p.m., but it’s already 5.”

“My child at home has a birthday,” she replied.

Upon hearing this, the chef fell silent. He tapped the thermal box twice and pointed at it. “Is this for your child?”

Yun ruo glanced down. The box was small, holding a four-inch cake, same as last time.

“No, he’s already had his cake,” she said.

The chef frowned, confused. “Then why make it?”

Yun ruo tightened her grip on the box. “Someone hasn’t had any yet.”

The chef waved her off. Once the shop door closed, he began to clean up.

Yun ruo could only leave with the box.

She had found this old shop online to learn a few dishes and share them with Han Qi. Given how carefully Han Qi treated today, she felt it was important to take it seriously.

She had lingered a bit at the Meng residence, so by the time she arrived at the shop, she had no choice but to cook while learning.

She insisted on a cake for every celebration—it was her sense of ritual.

Taking out her phone to check the time, she realized it had run out of battery. She had forgotten to charge it last night, and after leaving He Xitong’s place in the morning, it was already half-dead. The time at the Meng residence further drained it, and by the time she started cooking, it completely died.

She had watched her phone die.

Focusing too much on learning the dishes, she missed several calls from Han Qi. Finally noticing, her phone was dead.

Yun ruo put the phone away and continued walking along the road, turning from a narrow alley into a wider street. The view suddenly opened up; the sounds of the bustling night echoed, people laughing and chatting.

She walked alone for a while.

Stopping, she sighed, surprised at herself.

Perhaps it was because everyone around her had company? She wasn’t exactly alone—just that the right person hadn’t arrived yet.

Being sentimental at this moment wouldn’t help.

The system warned her again: [Only 5% left. Don’t mess up.]

[If you slip again, there really won’t be a next time.]

Yun ruo paused before moving again. Yes, she couldn’t afford to soften her heart.

Turning another corner, the street became emptier, a subtle quiet surrounding her. She stopped to check her direction, usually certain when driving, now a bit unsure on foot.

“I’m not lost.”

“There’s a convenience store ahead. Let’s go in, charge your phone, and rest a bit.”

[Charge your phone and sit a while.]

Yun ruo chuckled. The system clearly feared she’d soften again, preventing her from falling into an abyss. It even tried to correct her with one line of guidance.

Charging meant her phone could ring—Han Qi could contact her.

“Maybe he’ll find me soon.”

[The city is so big—even in a drama, it’d take him two more hours to find you.]

The system didn’t even need a phone to know the time. Yun ruo didn’t realize it also knew the weather forecast: no snow tonight, still some time before midnight.

Amid the worry, the sudden anxiety, and a sense of fate, the two hearts, upon seeing each other, calmed. Just as the first snow of the season began to fall, the two protagonists drew closer, embraced tightly, and shared a passionate kiss.

“Yun ruo?”

“Yun ruo!”

Burying her head, Yun ruo’s lips twitched.

“It really found me,” she thought.

The system, previously scolding over melodrama clichés, went silent.

Han Qi looked a bit disheveled.

“Yun ruo!” Another call came from behind.

Yun ruo held her box tightly and turned. Han Qi stood a few meters away, wearing the coat she had given him. His hair was messy—maybe not just his hair.

They stood frozen, staring at each other for several minutes, as if confirming each other’s reality.

After a long moment, Han Qi finally took a step forward. Tall, with long legs, it took just a few strides to reach Yun ruo.

One meter apart.

Han Qi reached out and brushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. His palm felt the icy temperature, and he shivered slightly.

It was her.

“Yun ruo,” he said.

Yun  ruo finally reacted, smiling gently as always. “What’s wrong?”

Seeing Han Qi like this, she guessed he had searched for her for a long time. He might be angry next, but not yelling—Han Qi wouldn’t. Maybe just a sharp question about where she had been.

Her mind wandered wildly—then Han Qi stepped closer and gently hugged her.

“Glad you’re okay.”

Han Qi exhaled, relieved to hold the real Yun ruo, not a phantom. She hadn’t disappeared; she hadn’t been harmed. This was enough.

Leaning against his chest, Yun ruo blinked.

Surprisingly, he didn’t blame her at all.

The thermal box pressed between them, slightly restricting space. Han Qi released her and noticed the box.

“What’s this?”

Yun ruo handed it to him. “A cake.”

Recalling her long absence, Han Qi realized: “You spent the last few hours making a cake?”

Yun ruo nodded. “And some dishes. I learned a few to cook for you.”

Back home.

Those two words sank in. His anxious heart finally had a place to rest, no longer adrift like a rootless leaf.

He took the box in one hand, held Yun ruo’s hand with the other. “Good. Let’s go home.”

The car was nearby. Inside, they noticed a parking ticket on the windshield. Yun ruo wisely didn’t ask and got into the passenger seat. Even a fool would know the ticket was for finding her.

Han Qi, after aimlessly circling the city, finally spotted her. Even a single back view was enough to raise his heart. He knew it was her and immediately chased after her.

Now he finally had the chance to ask where she had been.

Yun ruo shook her head, annoyed. “Phone dead. I went to learn cooking from a chef, but when I left, my phone died. The chef closed early. I just looked for a place with a power bank to sit.”

“What time is it now?”

Han Qi: “Just 9 p.m.”

“Already so late?” Yun ruo scratched her head. “Guess dinner’s now supper.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Han Qi squeezed her hand, then quickly let go. “I’ll help you in the kitchen. We’ll eat in under an hour.”

Yun ruo nodded and asked if he had worried about her for long.

“I wanted to call but didn’t remember your number.”

“Memorize it when we get home,” Han Qi interjected. “I’ll check.”

Yun ruo said, “Okay. Then you…”

He knew what she meant. Smiling, he didn’t mind the worry.

“Finding you is enough. As long as you’re… okay.”

Han Qi’s private wish: to have Yun ruo by his side.

Yun ruo didn’t pursue it.

At home, she quickly placed the cake in the fridge, worried it would melt.

Han Qi found an apron for her. Most were too large, but it fit her just right. On him, it would look comical.

“Why learn to cook?” Han Qi asked while prepping ingredients. He remembered she could cook, as Meng Tingmo once boasted online.

“Just a few dishes,” Yun ruo replied, laying out the ingredients. The nearby supermarket had closed, so she had to make do with what was left at home. “You really value today, right?”

Han Qi paused, looking at her.

A faint curve appeared on Yun ruo’s lips. “Not just you. He Xitong and the others might also feel today is special.”

“I… I don’t feel special, or maybe I do, but I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Her fingers were cold from taking items out of the fridge. She rubbed her cheek against Han Qi’s.

“Still, you worried about me,” she said.

Han Qi had looked for her for so long. He warmed her hand in his palm.

“Instead of treating today so cautiously, why not turn it into a celebration?”

Han Qi held her hand tighter.

“A celebration?”

“Yes.” Yun ruo leaned closer, smiling. “A new birthday. If it’s a festival, we should eat well and drink well.”

“Non-Han’s birthday, my new birthday? Doesn’t that seem off?” she wondered.

“Nothing wrong. It’s truly your new birthday. Had lunch with Fei Han already. Tonight is your day.”

Han Qi was happy to go along with her wish to forget the pain of this day.

Looking down, he said ambiguously: “But tonight, only I celebrate it with you.”

Yun ruo blurted out: “Only you is enough.”

Han Qi unconsciously tightened his grip.

Once said, Yun ruo no longer hesitated. “You’re here with me now. So this festival is just for us.”

Han Qi stared at her, pondering the meaning of “new birthday.” Perhaps a bit self-indulgent, but the thought pleased him.

“Not just eating and drinking well—you can make wishes too.”

She held his arm gently, lowering her voice. “We’ll wish for each other. Whatever we wish today will come true.”

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