Xu Yueliang climbed into the car clutching a cup of milk tea, while You Weiwei grimaced, clearly envious.
“You know I can’t eat anything right now, and you’re still tempting me like this.”
Xu Yueliang gripped her milk tea, lost in thought for a moment before taking a sip through the straw. She grinned so widely her eyes vanished into slits. “It’s way more tempting when someone who can’t eat has to just watch.”
“You’re getting a little too full of yourself,” You Weiwei said. “Ever since you came out of Doctor Lin’s office, you’ve been floating on cloud nine.”
“Hehe.” Xu Yueliang let out a goofy grin, pulled out her phone, and refreshed her messages.
Lin Qimian’s reply popped up:
【Sure.】
【I’ll bring a friend too—a girl from No. 1 Middle School.】
Xu Yueliang fired back a quick response: 【Awesome, awesome! We can all hang out together~~】
After sending it off, she took extra care picking out the perfect emoji to follow up, then pocketed her phone.
You Weiwei tilted her head, watching her intently. Xu Yueliang suddenly locked eyes with her and flinched like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“Um…” She waved her phone. “You can dig into something delicious tonight. My treat—for you and Doctor Lin.”
You Weiwei: “？？？？”
Xu Yueliang: “And Doctor Lin’s friend.”
You Weiwei: “？？？？？”
Xu Yueliang explained awkwardly: “I put her through a lot with my tooth extraction last time, and now you…”
You Weiwei: “Doctor Lin’s gorgeous and super competent—who wouldn’t like her? Everyone wants to be her friend. But you suddenly bursting into tears last time, and now suddenly inviting her to dinner? That’s just too weird!”
Xu Yueliang: “…”
You Weiwei: “Of course I’m down for it—free meal’s a free meal. I’m not streaming tonight anyway. You? What time’s the meetup?”
Xu Yueliang fiddled with her phone. “Seven-thirty. I took the evening off.”
You Weiwei: “…”
You Weiwei fell silent for a long moment before saying, “You need to explain this whole thing to me properly. Otherwise, I won’t know what face to put on around Doctor Lin.”
Xu Yueliang’s mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally managed, “Doctor Lin… she’s my Middle School alumna.”
You Weiwei: “！！！！”
You Weiwei cut straight to the chase: “So the classmate reunion you asked about last time—it was about Doctor Lin?”
Xu Yueliang: “N-no, Doctor Lin doesn’t go to those reunions…”
You Weiwei: “You two were close back then?”
Xu Yueliang: “Different grades… we didn’t interact much…”
You Weiwei: “Isn’t that basically the same? Unless it was just a random encounter during your tooth pull.”
Xu Yueliang blinked a few times and fell quiet.
You Weiwei irritably ruffled her own hair. “Sorry, I’m not saying Doctor Lin’s that type, or that you’re bad or anything. I just don’t want things to get awkward…”
Xu Yueliang looked up. “Let’s drop it for now.”
Xu Yueliang: “If anyone asks, just say you work at… a media company. Self-managing your account…”
You Weiwei laughed. “Hey, that’s not even a lie.”
She turned to Xu Yueliang. “So, what’s on the menu tonight?”
Xu Yueliang: “Korean BBQ! When I was hooked up to the IV last time, Doctor Lin mentioned craving it, but she skipped it to change my dressing.”
You Weiwei stared at her for a beat. “You really like Doctor Lin, don’t you?”
Xu Yueliang waved her hands frantically. “No, no! I just feel bad about troubling her so much.”
You Weiwei: “She’s a doctor—that’s her job. No need to feel bad.”
Xu Yueliang: “No, really—she took extra good care of me.”
You Weiwei: “Old classmates look out for each other.”
Xu Yueliang: “No, no—we really weren’t close. We barely even talked.”
You Weiwei: “So you don’t like Doctor Lin? If you don’t like her, why invite her to dinner?”
Before Xu Yueliang could protest, You Weiwei pinched her voice and mimicked her: “No, no~ Why would I ever dislike Doctor Lin~~~~”
Xu Yueliang: “…”
You Weiwei burst into laughter, her teasing turning Xu Yueliang’s entire face beet red.
The two returned to their apartment, and even as they parted ways, the tips of Xu Yueliang’s ears were still flushed pink.
You Weiwei called after her: “No stream tonight anyway—grab a nap after dinner. Nothing beats a good complexion, makeup or not.”
“Mm!” Xu Yueliang nodded vigorously.
It was a rare stretch of free time.
Usually, she was either live-streaming, building her fanbase, or squeezing in dance lessons and practice.
Any time off was for unavoidable emergencies.
But right now, there were no pressing issues, no must-do tasks.
Xu Yueliang’s head got hot with impulse, and she firmly set up the dinner date. She even took passionate leave from work for it. The moment she opened her room door and saw the lazy sunlight filtering through the gaps in the curtains, she finally felt like she’d truly given herself a break.
A vacation called for a joyful mood, brimming with anticipation.
Even if that anticipation left her on edge, her heart pounding uncontrollably—that was still something she yearned for deep down, something she welcomed.
She had thought that accompanying Weiwei today would probably be the last time she ever saw Lin Qimian.
She wanted to show up looking her best, exchange a few normal words, and let her know she wasn’t afraid of her.
That would be enough.
But things turned out completely beyond her expectations.
It was as if heaven had dropped a gift right into her lap. Lin Qimian had brought her to her office and opened up about the past.
She said it was okay.
She’d even wiped away her tears.
She was perfect… indescribably perfect.
Xu Yueliang yanked open the curtains, flooding the room with light.
Humming a little tune, she pulled ingredients from the fridge and whipped up two simple stir-fried dishes for herself, pairing them with a glass of fresh-squeezed juice.
After eating, she had planned to catch a beauty nap, just like Weiwei suggested.
But as she lay on the sofa, sunlight gliding across her closed eyelids, sleep was the last thing on her mind.
Her thoughts raced, stuffed full of bubbly joy.
She pictured Doctor Lin’s way of speaking, replaying every detail—real or imagined.
She imagined what Doctor Lin would look like tonight, like a gift box waiting to be unwrapped.
In the end, she simply sat back up.
She tidied the room, then picked out an outfit perfect for the evening.
She applied exquisite makeup, the kind that looked flawless even up close.
Thank goodness these past years she’d put real effort into learning this stuff. She was pretty damn good at it now.
At least it prettied up her looks enough that she wouldn’t feel embarrassed showing her face.
At six o’clock, Lin Qimian’s car pulled up downstairs from Huang Xiaoyi’s company.
The second clock-out time hit, Huang Xiaoyi bolted out of the building and made a beeline for the parking lot.
She yanked open the car door and let out a “Whoa!”—her whole body jumping with excitement, her head nearly smacking the roof.
“Seen a ghost or something?” Lin Qimian asked.
“Holy shit, I’ve just laid eyes on a goddess!” Huang Xiaoyi stared at Lin Qimian, eyeing her up and down. “Stunner, you finally decided to get all dolled up! Oh man, I’ve never seen you go this hard. I’m legit shocked—like, I open the door and for a second I think I’ve stumbled into a celebrity’s ride…”
Lin Qimian glanced over at her. “Too much?”
Huang Xiaoyi’s heart fluttered under the gaze of those perfectly made-up eyes. “If we’re talking needing an oxygen tank, yeah, it’s over the top.”
Lin Qimian furrowed her brow just a touch. “I’m being serious. Is it too flashy? Too obvious? Does it make me seem unapproachable?”
Huang Xiaoyi grinned. “Totally out of my league.”
Lin Qimian gripped the wheel. “Then I’ll head back and take it all off.”
Huang Xiaoyi yelped, “Whoa, hold up! No way! Being approachable is all about your vibe, not your face. Picture this: you roll up with that regal, glamorous look, and then bam—you open your mouth and you’re all warm and sweet. The contrast? Total killer. People would lose their minds.”
Lin Qimian tilted her head. “Cute, huh?”
Huang Xiaoyi shot back, “Hit me with some of that warmth and let’s find out.”
Lin Qimian: “…”
Huang Xiaoyi whipped out her phone. “Ha, that deadpan face? Super relatable. Lemme snap a pic—gotta capture this… Damn, what good deed did my phone do to deserve shooting a beauty like you…”
Lin Qimian: “…”
Huang Xiaoyi’s hyper energy was giving Lin Qimian a headache, but she played along until the photos were done.
When Huang Xiaoyi shoved the phone under her nose, Lin Qimian studied the shots, a little unsure.
They looked good—great, even. But would they be the kind of thing Xu Yueliang would like?
Xu Yueliang had complimented her looks during her streams, saying her vibe drew in guys and girls alike. But did that “girls” include her?
“You like it?” Lin Qimian asked, lifting her eyes to Huang Xiaoyi.
That single glance sent Huang Xiaoyi’s soul flying. “Real talk: if you ever get over Xu Yueliang, think about me. Ahem, I’m straight right now, but for you? I’d bend over backwards… cough cough…”
“There’s no straight or bent about it,” Lin Qimian said as she pulled the car out onto the road.
Huang Xiaoyi blinked. “Where we headed?”
Lin Qimian: “The restaurant.”
Huang Xiaoyi: “You’re not dropping me home first to wash my hair and change? You look like a million bucks, and I’ve been grinding at work all week—greasy hair, don’t care…”
Lin Qimian: “No time.”
“Isn’t the appointment at seven-thirty? It’s only six-ten now.”
“Traffic.”
Huang Xiaoyi checked the address earlier. “It’s not that bad.”
“Better early than late.”
Huang Xiaoyi nearly laughed in exasperation. “What more prep do we need? We’ve been texting all afternoon…”
Lin Qimian pulled up to the meeting spot well ahead of time anyway.
After parking the car, she turned to Huang Xiaoyi. “Those two things I emphasized…”
“Got ’em memorized. One: no mentioning Moon’s job. Two: wingwoman duty’s fine, but Moon’s comfort comes first.”
“Good. Thanks.”
Huang Xiaoyi gave her arm a reassuring pat. “Loosen up. You’re too tense.”
Lin Qimian pushed open the door and stepped out. “I’m not tense.”
Trailing behind her, Huang Xiaoyi said, “We’ve got nearly an hour. Wanna scout some other spots first? Those two shops I picked—one’s on the fifth floor, the other’s just two hundred meters away…”
“Let’s check the restaurant first.”
Huang Xiaoyi shrugged. “Restaurant’s solid. Moon picked a good one—famous for the food, decent prices, packed even on weekdays. Bet it’s a zoo right now…”
“Yeah. Let’s go see.” Lin Qimian was insistent.
“Fine. We can grab a number early, but Moon might feel weird about it since she’s the one treating…”
Her words faded as they stepped into the mall. The restaurant was right there, packed as expected, with a line snaking out the door.
The waiting crowd spilled onto small tables outside, where people cracked sunflower seeds, popped candies, fiddled with phones, or played cards.
Right in the middle sat a strikingly pretty girl.
Her light golden hair fell straight and smooth, unadorned save for a single pearl hairpin tucked behind one ear.
She wore a simple white dress that made her look, amid the bustling crowd, like an innocent little white flower untouched by the world.
She sat ramrod straight, and even playing on her phone, she managed to look more poised and elegant than anyone else.
Huang Xiaoyi swallowed the rest of what she’d been about to say. Glancing at Lin Qimian, she whispered, “That’s… Moon, right?”
Lin Qimian had frozen the moment she spotted Xu Yueliang. Staring at the girl who’d arrived early to queue, she curved her lips into a smile. “Yeah.”
Huang Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow. “You figured she’d beat us here?”
“Didn’t figure.” Lin Qimian paused. “Just didn’t want her waiting.”
Huang Xiaoyi sighed. “Okay, now I’m thinking you don’t need me at all.”
Lin Qimian laughed.
Huang Xiaoyi tilted her head up at her. “Look at that face, that smile—so warm and friendly. Way nicer than how you treat me. We heading over?”
“Yeah.”
“Then let’s go.”
Lin Qimian turned. “Anything off about me? Clothes? Makeup?”
“You’re all off.”
“I mean the outfit and look.”
“Fairy. You’re perfect. And get this—you’re both in white. Matches like a dream. Happy now?”
“Yep.” Lin Qimian strode forward.
She’d barely taken a few steps when Xu Yueliang looked up.
Perhaps some unspoken connection sparked between them. Their gazes locked for a beat—then they both broke into smiles.
Xu Yueliang slid off her stool and stood, trotting over to them.
Her knee-high riding boots left a glimpse of slender, pale leg beneath the hem of her dress. As she ran, the skirt fluttered in a way that evoked those endlessly lingering shots from the movies.
Huang Xiaoyi’s eyes went wide. Xu Yueliang reached them in seconds.
A bit shorter than Lin Qimian, she had to tilt her head up, sending strands of hair cascading down and making her eyes sparkle all the brighter, her cheeks seem all the smaller.
Soft and delicate, sweet as could be, she called out, “Doctor Lin,” her voice lilting with undisguised delight.
Huang Xiaoyi was floored. Unable to help herself, she leaned toward Lin Qimian’s ear and murmured, “I get it now.”
Xu Yueliang turned to her, eyes crinkling into crescents. “What’s this pretty young lady whispering to Doctor Lin?”
“!!!”
Huang Xiaoyi flailed her hands. “N-nothing! Nothing at all!”
Lin Qimian smiled. “She’s saying how cute you are.”
“????!!!”
“Ah…” Xu Yueliang dipped into a bow. “Thank you, thank you!”
Huang Xiaoyi bowed right back. “No, thank you—you’re really cute.”
Xu Yueliang bowed again. “You’re cute too~”
Huang Xiaoyi bowed deeply. “You’re the cute one.”
Lin Qimian grabbed her by the collar and pulled her upright. “Enough, you two. Stop blowing smoke up each other’s asses.”
Huang Xiaoyi straightened up, her face flushing as red as Xu Yueliang’s.
Lin Qimian made the introductions. “Moon, this is Huang Xiaoyi, my Middle School desk mate.”
“Hello, Senior Sister Xiaoyi!” Xu Yueliang said brightly. “I knew you looked familiar. If you’re in the same class as Doctor Lin, we must’ve crossed paths before.”
“We have, we have,” Huang Xiaoyi replied. “Hi, Moon.”
Lin Qimian turned to Xu Yueliang. “That’s right. Now you know—Xu Yueliang.”
Huang Xiaoyi chuckled inwardly. Heh heh heh. Straight to the point.
Xu Yueliang picked up the thread seamlessly, leading the pair into the restaurant. “Doctor Lin and I ran into each other at the hospital. She’s incredible—she pulled my tooth and I didn’t feel a thing.”
Huang Xiaoyi glanced at Lin Qimian. “Heh heh. Incredible, incredible.”
Lin Qimian quickened her step to fall in beside Xu Yueliang.
Xu Yueliang’s cheeks were perpetually flushed a soft pink. “This place is packed. No reservations, but I got here early, so my number’s coming up any minute.”
Lin Qimian tilted her head. “What if it gets called and I’m not here yet?”
“Ah…” Xu Yueliang glanced away, hesitating for a beat. “Then they just let the next person go ahead.”
Lin Qimian’s lips curved into a smile. “Thanks. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”
Xu Yueliang shook her head vigorously. “No trouble at all!”
They reached the entrance just as a server called out, “Number 169!”
Xu Yueliang fumbled in her bag and yanked out the ticket. “Right here!”
She jogged over, handed it off, then spun back to Lin Qimian with a grin. “Doctor Lin, talk about lucky! You show up and boom—it’s your turn.”
Lin Qimian smiled and asked, “Where’s Weiwei?”
Xu Yueliang dashed back to her side. “She ran off to grab milk tea. I wasn’t expecting you guys so soon, and I didn’t want it sitting out and going flat, so I told her not to get any for you.”
Lin Qimian raised an eyebrow. “What about yours?”
Xu Yueliang patted her stomach sheepishly. “I chugged a bunch of tea earlier, so I skipped the drink.”
Lin Qimian nodded. “Well, if you get thirsty later, we’ll go buy some together.”
Xu Yueliang bobbed her head enthusiastically. “Sounds great! We’ll see how Weiwei’s tastes first. If it’s good, we’ll grab some too, haha.”
Huang Xiaoyi: …
Huang Xiaoyi: Aren’t they hitting it off just fine?
Huang Xiaoyi: What does any of this have to do with me?
Huang Xiaoyi: Hello? Does anyone see me standing here?
Lin Qimian glanced back. “Xiao Yi, keep up.”
“Right, right, coming!” Huang Xiaoyi hurried after them.
The server led the trio inside. Lin Qimian deliberately hung back a step, and Xu Yueliang matched her pace.
That left Huang Xiaoyi in the lead. The server enthusiastically rattled off the house specialties as they passed through the bustling dining hall, where tables groaned under sizzling grills and the air was thick with mouthwatering aromas.
Xu Yueliang had snagged a private booth. They climbed the stairs, parted a bamboo curtain, and stepped into a much quieter space.
Two rows of six seats each. Huang Xiaoyi slid into the nearest one. The server handed her a menu when an arm suddenly snaked in from the side, thrusting a bag at her. “Hold this for me.”
Huang Xiaoyi blinked. “???”
Lin Qimian shot her a sly wink.
Fine, you win. Dirty trick, but effective.
Huang Xiaoyi took the bag and set it beside her, silently claiming the seat.
Lin Qimian gestured for Xu Yueliang to take the spot opposite, then smoothly settled in right next to her.
Huang Xiaoyi got the picture now. That whole “keep up” bit had been a setup for this exact moment.
The sting of being used. Huang Xiaoyi smacked her lips and resolved to take some initiative, show she wasn’t totally useless.
As Xu Yueliang peered at the menu and asked, “Doctor Lin, any foods you can’t eat?” Huang Xiaoyi cut in. “Moon, you still calling her Doctor Lin?”
Xu Yueliang looked up, frozen.
“Doctor Lin this, Doctor Lin that—it makes my teeth ache just hearing it,” Huang Xiaoyi said. “Half my dental work came from her tender mercies. Don’t tell me you’ve…”
She grinned teasingly. “Been so long you’ve forgotten her name?”
Lin Qimian’s hand paused mid-reach for her teacup.
She turned to Xu Yueliang, whose blush bloomed across her cheeks like a ripe peach.
“I haven’t!” Xu Yueliang blurted. “I remember!”
Lin Qimian’s heart gave a little flutter. Xu Yueliang couldn’t meet her eyes, staring fixedly at Huang Xiaoyi instead. “Lin Qimian. ‘Turning toward the vermilion pavilion, low silken casements, sleepless in the moonlight…'”
She trailed off, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt under the table. Her voice rose on the final line, then dropped in a shy rush, fading almost before it began.
“It’s… describing the moon.”
Describing the moon.
Lin Qimian broke into a smile.
A poem everyone knew by heart, recited and sung a thousand times over.
Before meeting Xu Yueliang, Lin Qimian had never paid much attention to the peculiarity of her own name. But after their encounter, on countless nights, she lay awake thinking that this must be a fated gift from the heavens.
A gift from the heavens deserved to be cherished.
Lin Qimian gazed at Xu Yueliang. The moment her eyes drifted downward and she stole a furtive glance back, Lin Qimian caught her gaze, sealing this destined connection between them.
“Yeah, it’s a description of the moon,” Lin Qimian said. “Xu Yueliang, what a coincidence.”
