When Chen Jinyue woke up, it was just past nine in the morning. It took her two minutes to piece together the memories of last night. She remembered Ren Xiaoxiao and Lin Yunsheng at the bar, her own tears, and Lin Yunsheng’s fleeting kiss...
She also remembered Lin Yunsheng saying she hoped Jinyue would wake up and forget everything.
Last night had ended on an ambiguous note. That sudden kiss had left her mind in a state of total disarray. Enduring a hangover-induced headache, Chen Jinyue got out of bed, changed into her loungewear, and stepped out of her room.
Chen Fang, who was busy in the kitchen, saw her get up and told her to wash up quickly and come have breakfast.
By the time she sat down, the bowl and chopsticks were already set. Small wontons floated in chicken soup, and the familiar aroma wafted toward her, feeling exceptionally comforting.
"Where’s Sis?" There were three bowls on the table, but Lin Yunsheng was nowhere to be seen.
"She said she has a last-minute business trip this afternoon. She just went to the car to get some things. She should be back up any minute."
"A business trip?" Chen Jinyue’s brows furrowed. She thought it was far too convenient.
"Yes, she’s very busy with work." Chen Fang picked up a wonton and blew on it as she spoke.
*Click—* The sound of the mechanical lock turned, and Lin Yunsheng pushed the door open. She was dressed in a simple, casual sweater and trousers, her hair tied up loosely, looking as though she hadn't been awake for very long herself. In her hand was the scarf she had previously left in the trunk of the car. After a week, it had finally seen the light of day again.
She unhurriedly changed her shoes and placed the scarf on the living room sofa before coming over to sit down.
"Shengsheng, remember to bring a few extra layers. Beicheng is much colder than here; it just finished snowing a few days ago."
"Okay."
"What time are you leaving? Plane or high-speed rail?" Chen Jinyue asked, her tone not particularly friendly.
"A three o'clock flight," Lin Yunsheng answered calmly.
"In such a hurry? You're flying out today even though it's Sunday?"
"Something came up at the branch office. If I go today, I can head straight into the weekly meeting tomorrow morning." She handled the questioning with ease.
Chen Jinyue popped the last wonton into her mouth, her spoon hitting the bowl with a sharp *clatter*. She was irritated. She felt Lin Yunsheng was doing this on purpose—leaving without giving her an explanation for last night, a literal "flight" from the situation. How could it be such a coincidence that she was notified of a business trip the moment she woke up, only to leave a few hours later?
She didn't leave after finishing her meal. Instead, she sat there scrolling through her phone, occasionally glancing at Lin Yunsheng. The other woman didn't look back, eating her wontons slowly and methodically, seemingly enjoying her breakfast. With Chen Fang present, Jinyue couldn't easily start a confrontation. She clicked her phone screen off, said she was finished and was going back to her room for a nap, and then left.
Of course, it was impossible to sleep while sitting in her room. She pulled back the curtains, letting light flood the space. The only flaw was that it was a cloudy day, lacking sufficient sunlight to warm her chilled heart.
She pouted and turned the heater up another degree. She couldn't understand why Lin Yunsheng always acted this way.
*Knock, knock, knock...* There was a knock at the door—three polite taps, devoid of any sense of urgency. Who else would knock like that but her?
Chen Jinyue was too lazy to walk over and open it. "What is it..." She didn't say "come in," demanding a reason instead.
"I want to show you something," Lin Yunsheng said, her voice carrying a hint of a smile.
"The door's unlocked."
When Lin Yunsheng pushed the door open, the smile was still on her face. Chen Jinyue looked at her with a pout, scanning her up and down. She was only holding a phone, nothing else. Jinyue suspected she was being teased.
"What did you say you wanted to show me?"
Lin Yunsheng approached and handed over the phone. The screen was already open to a chat history.
Group Name: [Business Analysis Family]
08:12 Li Guangsheng: @Lin Yunsheng, Yunsheng, a problem cropped up with the Beicheng branch project. Is it convenient for you to head over there?
08:27 Lin Yunsheng: Today?
08:27 Li Guangsheng: Ideally today. They’re doing a post-mortem during the weekly meeting tomorrow morning.
08:35 Lin Yunsheng: Alright.
08:35 Li Guangsheng: Thanks for the hard work. @Xu Cheng, help Manager Lin book a flight to Beicheng for this afternoon.
08:36 Xu Cheng: Copy that. Manager Lin, I’ll message you privately in a bit. @Lin Yunsheng
08:36 Lin Yunsheng: Thanks.
The few lines of chat took only seconds to read. Lin Yunsheng waited for her, saying nothing.
Chen Jinyue handed the phone back, looking away. "It's not like I said anything..."
"Is that so? Then I must have overthought it." Lin Yunsheng tilted her head, searching for Jinyue's eyes, forcing her to look back.
Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze, Jinyue lowered her head to look at her slippers, the edges of her ears turning slightly red. "When are you coming back?" she asked softly.
"I should be back Tuesday night."
"Oh..."
"Want to come with me?"
"...What?"
"Xiao Jin, your socks are so cute." Lin Yunsheng followed her gaze to the slippers, only to have her attention stolen by her younger sister's fluffy socks—they had a sweet little bunny pattern with ears that stood upright.
"Oh... if you like them, I'll buy you a pair too."
"No, why are you changing the subject? What did you just say?"
"I said your socks are cute." After saying this, Lin Yunsheng couldn't help but laugh.
"Lin Yunsheng!" Chen Jinyue glared at her. This woman was infuriating, forcing her to ask again.
"I said, do you want to come with me?" She tucked her smile away, speaking each word slowly. Even though she surely knew the answer already, she asked with gravity and sincerity.
"Okay..." Jinyue’s emotions were stirred by the invitation. Before she could react further, she forgot her previous displeasure and her need for restraint. Her eyes followed Lin Yunsheng, who prepared to leave the room now that she had her answer.
"Pack your bags. I'll book your ticket. We leave at one," she reminded her, hand on the doorknob.
"Okay... do you have all my ID info?" Chen Jinyue was asking something she already knew the answer to—it was incredibly childish, and she knew it.
"What do you think?" Lin Yunsheng didn't linger, pulling the door open and stepping out.
Lin Yunsheng went to the kitchen and spoke to her mother, saying she was taking her sister to Beicheng for a couple of days. She asked if her mother wanted to join.
"So sudden! I can't go; I've already made plans to play cards with my friends."
"Then take good care of Yueyue. Don't let her interfere with your work."
"I know, it'll be fine." Lin Yunsheng picked up the scarf from the sofa and turned back to her own room.
When it was time, Lin Yunsheng dragged her small carry-on suitcase and knocked on Jinyue's door. This time, the door opened quickly, revealing Lin Yunsheng in a change of clothes.
A black coat, casual trousers, and black leather boots. The only splash of color on her was that scarf Jinyue had given her, draped loosely around her neck. Her hair was down, cascading over her back. Seeing her wearing the scarf, Chen Jinyue stared at her, dazed.
"Let's go. Stop daydreaming."
"Wait for me, just a second." She went to her wardrobe, found her own scarf, and wrapped it gently around her neck.
Though they hadn't been bought together, they were the same brand and the same pattern; the slight differences in design from different years were negligible. Her mood became exceptionally bright. It felt like returning to the night she had gifted the scarf—the night she had resolved to buy one for herself once she grew up and earned her own money.
"Let's go," Chen Jinyue said in a light tone, reaching out to take her sister's arm.
There were still many questions in her heart that remained unanswered, but at this moment, she didn't care to dwell on them.
Time differences and physical distances could be overcome. What mattered was that a wish spanning seven years had finally been realized; this was a good beginning.
More importantly, at this moment, Lin Yunsheng was looking at her and smiling.
***
