Where the Moon Sets, My Heart Finds Peace - Chapter 9

He Zi’an paced circles in the living room, her anxiety mounting as her fingers tightened into balls. Jiang Jingyue was taking forever in the shower. What if something had happened? She hesitated, shuffling toward the bathroom door. But just as she raised her hand to knock, the door swung gently open.

Jiang Jingyue stepped out, wrapped in a pale apricot nightgown. Her obsidian-black hair was loosely bundled in a towel, and a few stray, damp strands clung to the side of her neck, accentuating skin as fair and flawless as jade. In her hands, she carried a basin of steaming hot water. The vapor softened her features, melting away her usual icy composure into something tender.

As her gaze landed on He Zi’an, Jiang Jingyue’s voice softened like warm water, yet carried an unmistakable authority: “Go sit on the sofa.”

He Zi’an froze, utterly incapable of defying her. She scrambled over to the sofa and sat up perfectly straight, her spine stiff as a taut string and her breath held tight, looking for all the world like an elementary schooler waiting to be scolded by the teacher.

Jiang Jingyue walked over. Draping a clean towel over one arm, she reached down with her other hand and gently cradled He Zi’an’s foot. The sudden warmth of the contact startled He Zi’an so much she nearly shot off the cushions.

“J-Jiang Lao shi… Teacher Jiang, I—I can do it myself…” she stammered, panic fluttering in her chest.

Jiang Jingyue tilted her head up slightly, her dark eyes locking onto her with a quiet, stubborn intensity. “Call me by my name.”

“Jiang… Jiang Jingyue. I really can wash it myself.” He Zi’an’s cheeks burned hot. Unable to meet those eyes, she nervously twisted the hem of her shirt, the tips of her ears turning crimson.

Jiang Jingyue’s expression darkened a fraction, her voice taking on a sterner edge. “Sit down. Don’t move.”

The sheer seriousness in her tone left He Zi’an with no room for resistance. Deflated, she sank back into the sofa, though her eyes remained helplessly glued to Jiang Jingyue.

She watched as Jiang Jingyue dipped the towel into the warm water, meticulously wiping away the blood and dirt from her feet. Her touch was incredibly light, treating the wounds as if they were fragile glass, terrified that a fraction too much pressure would cause her pain. Once clean, Jiang Jingyue turned to fetch cotton swabs and a medical kit, carefully applying ointment to every scratch—not even missing a tiny scrape on the back of her hand. Every time the older woman’s fingertips brushed against her skin, a faint, electric tingle rippled through He Zi’an, making her heart flutter.

When she finally finished, Jiang Jingyue packed up the medical kit, her voice softening once more as she urged, “Go to sleep. I only have one double bed.”

He Zi’an instantly caught her meaning. Her heart did a sudden, joyous flip, but she forced her face into an expression of calm composure, her lips uttering the exact opposite of what she wanted: “Then… I’ll just sleep on the sofa.”

Jiang Jingyue glanced at the cramped sofa, her tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s too small. You won’t sleep well.”

With that, she led He Zi’an into the bedroom, pulled a loose nightgown from the closet, handed it to her, and quietly stepped out, closing the door behind her.

Holding the nightgown—which carried Jiang Jingyue’s faint, clean scent—He Zi’an felt her cheeks grow even hotter. She quickly shed her crumpled, day-old clothes and slipped it on. It was long, falling nearly to her ankles, enveloping her in a familiar fragrance that brought an overwhelming sense of peace. She crawled into the blankets, instinctively tucking herself against the inner side near the window, leaving the spacious outer side completely open.

A moment later, Jiang Jingyue pushed the door open. Seeing He Zi’an curled up tightly on the inside, blankets pulled all the way up so only a fluffy head of hair and a pair of bright, sparkling eyes were visible—like a well-behaved little kitten—her eyes softened with genuine warmth.

He Zi’an felt the mattress dip slightly beside her as Jiang Jingyue slipped into the empty space. Her heart betrayed her again, racing wildly, forcing her to keep her breathing incredibly shallow. The space beneath the covers was filled with Jiang Jingyue’s unique scent—subtle, fresh, and soothing. The tension that had gripped her nerves all day finally began to dissolve.

Thinking back to how uncharacteristically shaken Jiang Jingyue had been earlier that evening, He Zi’an worried she might have nightmares. After a long hesitation, she spoke up in a small voice, “Jiang Jingyue… if you want to, you can hold me.”

Hearing those words, a sudden wave of warmth rushed through Jiang Jingyue’s chest, making her eyes sting slightly. In truth, she desperately wanted to pull this brave, endearing girl into her arms. But she had already shown too much vulnerability tonight; her pride simply wouldn’t let her give in. Resisting the urge, she replied softly, “No need. Go to sleep.”

“Oh, okay. Goodnight then.” He Zi’an felt a tiny pang of disappointment, but she didn’t push. She closed her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching upward into a hidden smile.

“Goodnight,” Jiang Jingyue murmured. Her voice was barely a whisper against the dark room, gentle enough to melt in the night air.

Perhaps because the previous day had taken such a massive toll on their nerves and energy, both of them slept exceptionally deeply the next morning. It wasn’t until past ten o’clock that the jarring ring of a phone jolted them awake.

Drowsily, He Zi’an fumbled for her phone and answered. It was the police department. The suspects had been apprehended in the early hours of the morning, and they needed both of them to come down to the station to assist with the follow-up paperwork.

Not daring to delay, they quickly got ready. Finding herself without any clean clothes, He Zi’an borrowed a large T-shirt and loose shorts from Jiang Jingyue. However, Jiang Jingyue’s shoes were a size smaller than hers. Realizing her feet wouldn’t fit into the sneakers, He Zi’an had no choice but to slip into Jiang Jingyue’s sandals and shuffle out the door behind her.

When they arrived at the station, the officer on duty greeted them with a warm smile. “We caught them in the middle of the night and interrogated them straight away. The chubby kid spilled everything before we even pressed him, though Liu Yang took a bit more effort.” He handed a phone over. “This is yours, right? Found it in his car.”

Jiang Jingyue took the phone and gave a quiet nod.

The officer continued, “Liu Yang is being held for attempted sexual assault. To make matters worse, another female student from your university came forward this morning to report that he had molested her in the past. Rest assured, he will face the full weight of the law for what he’s done.”

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of September. With the National Day golden holiday just around the corner, the university campus was alive with the restless energy and anticipation of the upcoming break.

Liu Yang’s case had wrapped up smoothly. The investigation revealed he had blackmailed and molested as many as eight or nine female students. Facing multiple charges, he received a heavy prison sentence. The university also formed an independent committee, verified the severe misconduct, and immediately terminated his employment.

Ever since the night He Zi’an had risked everything to save her, the dynamic between them had shifted subtly. It was no longer just He Zi’an tentatively initiating contact. Jiang Jingyue would occasionally reach out first, cooking all sorts of delicious meals and inviting her over. Every time she ate Jiang Jingyue’s food, He Zi’an was so blissfully happy she could barely think straight, her heart practically dripping with sweetness.

Meanwhile, He Zi’an’s three roommates treated her like an absolute hero. Every time the incident came up, they showered her with praise, calling it a classic case of a hero rescuing the damsel in distress, while thoroughly cursing Liu Yang as a monster who hid his true colors behind a respectable facade.

Li Xin even leaned into He Zi’an’s space one afternoon, teasing playfully, “Student He Zi’an, honestly, if I were Teacher Jiang, I’d probably be so moved I’d have to marry you to repay the favor.”

He Zi’an’s face instantly flushed scarlet. Secretly, her heart echoed the sentiment—she wanted nothing more. But the problem was, she still couldn’t read whether Jiang Jingyue was interested in men or women. She didn’t dare cross that line, terrified that a reckless confession might shatter the fragile closeness they had built, leaving them unable to even remain friends.

Jiang Jingyue hadn’t told her family about any of this. She wanted to spare her mother and brother the worry, and more importantly, she didn’t want them pressuring her to move back home. She hadn’t told her friend Du Qiaoxi either. Liu Yang was behind bars, and she hadn’t sustained any lasting harm; as far as she was concerned, the chapter was closed.

The long holiday was starting the next day. A few days prior, He Zi’an had asked Jiang Jingyue if she was traveling home. Jiang Jingyue had simply noted that her hometown, H City, would still be humid and stifling in October, whereas L City was crisp and dry, so she preferred to stay put.

He Zi’an, however, had to go home. October marked the peak harvest season for L City’s apple orchards. Her father was rostered for shifts at work, and her mother was tied up with her property management job, leaving neither of them with time to spare. Ever since her grandparents had grown too elderly to manage the heavy lifting, the burden of the harvest had fallen entirely on her shoulders.

They usually hired a few hands to help pick the fruit, but He Zi’an had to handle the negotiations with the wholesale buyers. At night, she also had to keep her grandfather company, guarding the orchard. The trees sat right along the village’s main road, and during peak season, people would frequently drive by to steal the harvest. Once, they had lost several hundred pounds of apples in a single night, making a night watch absolutely essential.

Her grandparents owned several acres of orchard. Out of concern for their advanced age, He Zi’an’s parents had tried to convince them to lease the land out to other villagers, but the old couple refused to part with the trees they had nurtured with their own hands.

The thought of leaving Jiang Jingyue behind for the holiday filled He Zi’an with a deep reluctance. They had finally grown close; what if a long separation made things awkward between them again? She desperately wanted to invite Jiang Jingyue back to her grandparents’ village, but she couldn’t figure out the right way to frame it. Inviting her just to sightsee felt like it might be rejected, but asking her to come help with the hard labor felt unfair when the older woman finally had a chance to rest.

As she sat at her desk, caught in a swirling storm of indecision, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Jiang Jingyue, brief and direct: “Come over for hot pot tonight.”

The tone was concise, carrying that familiar hint of an order, but it sent a sweet thrill straight to He Zi’an’s heart. Forget it, she thought, I won’t stress over it now. I’ll just bring it up in person tonight and see how she reacts.

In the dorm room, all four girls were packing, their open suitcases cluttering the floor. Bai Zhenzhen was heading out on a trip with her boyfriend Wang Lei, Liu Dongwang was heading straight home, and Li Xin was heading back too—her girlfriend lived in the same hometown, meaning they’d get to spend the whole holiday together. It was enough to make anyone envious.

By 6:30 PM, He Zi’an said goodbye to her roommates and left the dorm. She still hadn’t figured out how to phrase the invitation, so she kept telling herself to just play it by ear.

When she arrived at Jiang Jingyue’s apartment, the hot pot broth was already bubbling softly, and a neat spread of ingredients—all of her absolute favorites—lined the table. He Zi’an offered a sheepish apology, “I lost track of time while packing up my things, I’m so sorry. I’ll handle the dishes later.”

Jiang Jingyue gestured for her to sit down, her voice gentle. “Don’t worry about it. Are you heading home tomorrow?”

He Zi’an picked up her chopsticks, swishing a slice of beef through the boiling broth as she nodded. “Yeah, I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

Hearing this, the light in Jiang Jingyue’s eyes dimmed slightly. A faint, unspoken shadow of loneliness washed over her, and she found herself wondering silently: Is she really that eager to leave? Am I the only one who doesn’t want to say goodbye?

A quiet settled over the table as they focused on their food, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic bubbling of the hot pot. After the meal, He Zi’an insisted on doing the dishes, and Jiang Jingyue let her have her way.

When He Zi’an stepped out of the kitchen after finishing up, she found Jiang Jingyue standing out on the balcony, quietly tending to her plants. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed her figure in a warm, radiant glow, and a soft breeze caught the stray strands of her hair. The scene was so tranquil, so ethereal, that He Zi’an froze in her tracks.

She stood there in silence, a profound warmth expanding in her chest until her heart felt utterly full.

Sensing a presence, Jiang Jingyue turned her head, their gazes colliding instantly. A small smile touched her lips as she asked softly, “What are you looking at?”

He Zi’an snapped out of her daze, her cheeks instantly burning. She rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. “N-nothing… I just thought… this view looked really beautiful.”

Hearing the direct, clumsy compliment, Jiang Jingyue’s smile deepened. A pleasant, fluttering warmth bloomed in her chest.

She walked back inside and settled onto the sofa with a book. He Zi’an clearly had no intention of leaving just yet, but she seemed entirely at a loss for words. She began shifting restlessly around the living room—first tracing the armrest of the sofa, then adjusting the ornaments on the table, before drifting back to the balcony to pat the leaves of the plants.

Watching her frantic movements, Jiang Jingyue couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “He Zi’an, is there something on your mind?”

He Zi’an’s face flushed an even deeper shade of crimson. “Uh… you could tell?”

Jiang Jingyue offered a silent, amused smile, turning a page of her book but keeping her eyes fixed on the younger girl, silently prompting her to continue.

Looking at that smile, He Zi’an found herself mesmerized all over again. When Jiang Jingyue smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons, holding a spark brighter than the sunset on the balcony. Forcing herself to focus, He Zi’an took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of her courage.

“Um… do you have any plans for the holiday? It must be pretty boring staying on campus the whole time. Have you ever been out to the countryside in L City?”

When Jiang Jingyue didn’t immediately answer, He Zi’an bit the bullet and blurted out the rest: “I’m heading to my grandparents’ place tomorrow morning. It’s the peak of the apple harvest, and since my parents have to work, I’m going to be entirely on my own. I… I really want you to come with me. The countryside has scenery you can’t find in the city. Or… you could just look at it as doing me a huge favor. What do you say?”

The words tumbled out in a rushed, disorganized heap. Her eyes were wide with intense anticipation, staring at Jiang Jingyue like a puppy waiting for its master’s approval.

Looking at the sheer earnestness in those eyes, Jiang Jingyue’s heart melted completely. Her fingers traced the edge of the page in her lap. After a long, quiet pause, she let out a soft, tender assent.

“Okay. I’ll go with you.”

He Zi’an’s eyes illuminated instantly, her entire posture shifting into one of pure excitement as she sprang up from the sofa. “Really?! That’s amazing! Can we hit the road at six tomorrow morning?”

Jiang Jingyue looked up at the radiant, joyful expression on her face, her own features softening into a warm smile. “Six o’clock works perfectly.”

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