Chapter 56: Wind Chime Flower

Released on February 22, 2026

Song Wenwei stared in stunned silence. The soft sofa seemed to transform into vines at that moment, wrapping around her body, twining up from her calves to her heart, making her heartbeat uncontrollably accelerate.

She hadn’t expected Lu Nan to be so direct.

According to this, Lu Nan liked her too—even before she did?

When had it started…

Was it that night at the homestay when their eyes met… or even earlier? Lu Nan really knew how to keep a secret.

For Song Wenwei, nothing was more joyful than the person she liked liking her back.

The object of her two-day secret crush had taken the initiative to confess…

She hadn’t even dared to imagine it. Song Wenwei had thought Lu Nan might despise her, that she might find it unacceptable for a good friend to suddenly develop romantic feelings, that after spending so much time together, it would be hard to let go of their bond.

Song Wenwei confirmed she wasn’t seeing things and leaped three feet into the air, rolling around on the bed.

Fortunately, the scenario she’d feared hadn’t happened, or she wouldn’t have known how to face Lu Nan.

“I like you… I like you…” she murmured the two words over and over, unsure how to respond.

—

【I like you】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: Holy crap, she goes straight for the kill? Real or fake?】

Tang Jiu felt her career as a strategist had suffered a major blow. This defied all logic—straight-ball players were terrifying.

【Mosquito: It’s real. She never says anything false.】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: So I’m the only clown here? I’m mad now】

【Mosquito: I’m serious. She doesn’t lie.】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: How do you feel about it?】

【Mosquito: I think I like her too.】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: What do you mean ‘think’? You either like or you don’t. ‘Think’ means you’re hopelessly in love but too stubborn to admit it.

No one wavers like that. Once the symptoms appear, it’s confirmed: lovesick. Discharged!】

A moment later, Tang Jiu sent another message in indignation: 【What kind of pig dares to root up the tender cabbage we’ve raised in Class 2? It’s got a death wish!!】

Lu. Unknown breed of pig. Nan was scratching her head in frustration—why wasn’t Song Wenwei replying to her message?

Why… why?

【Lu Nan: What does this mean? You told me to confess, but she hasn’t replied.】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: Where did I tell you to confess right now? I said familiarize first, then confess. You’re always so impatient—haste makes waste.】

Lu Nan stared straight at the chat log, stuck on her confession. Three minutes had passed—three minutes!

【Lu Nan: But I already sent it. Can’t unsend now. Three minutes have gone by. Do you know how agonizing these three minutes are?】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: Totally normal. Give her some space to think. Not everyone accepts a confession on the spot. Anyway, Strategist Tang really showed off today.】

【Lu Nan: It’s her, not him.】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: What???? What’s the difference (total confusion jpg)】

The difference was one was male, one was female.

【Oh oh oh oh, girlfriend, girlfriend. Sorry, sorry.】

Wait…!

Tang Jiu snapped back to reality! Female? Female?!

As she reeled from the massive shock, another message popped up on her phone.

【Song Wenwei: It feels like a dream.】

Tang Jiu switched back and forth between the two chat windows—the timelines matched perfectly.

She really hadn’t considered that earlier. Could it be Lu Nan and… Song Wenwei?!

…Huh?

She was truly a wonder in the strategist world. Had that earlier chat basically been her talking to herself?

Strategist Tang had a moment of utter disbelief. Had she been a third wheel all these years, tirelessly glowing to light the dark path of their love?

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: Tell me, is the person on the other side Lu Nan?】

【Mosquito: How did you know?】

【Greedy for a Cup of Wine: I’m never speaking to either of you again!】

—

In the midst of the wait, Lu Nan had already thrown on a thin jacket and headed out. She believed confessing over the phone was the least sincere way. To treat a relationship seriously, she had to say it face-to-face.

Even if rejected, it had to be in person.

She stepped into the most famous flower shop nearby, known for its unique aesthetic style and constant shortages.

The clerk spotted her, paused in trimming flowers, and greeted her warmly: “Hello, what can I help you with?”

Under the bright lights, the shop displayed bundles of flowers Lu Nan couldn’t name.

“What flowers do you have for a girlfriend?” Lu Nan scanned the surroundings. It was getting late, and the shop’s stock had already been cleared out once.

“You can look at these: jasmine white roses, red roses, cappuccino…”

Lu Nan glanced up and saw clusters of blooming white flowers. She asked, “What kind of flower is that? Is it okay to give those to someone?”

Flowers often had specific meanings, and Lu Nan didn’t want to mess up with any taboos.

“These are wind chime flowers.” The clerk led her closer and explained: “Of course you can give them to a girlfriend. They have no scent—though some people think they smell a bit stinky.

“Oh, and if you’re concerned about flower language, theirs is: gentle love.”

—

“Hey, are you free to come out?”

“I…”

Lu Nan softened her tone: “I’m downstairs from your place.”

“Wait for me. I’m coming right now.”

The light filtered through dappled tree shadows, with countless insects swarming around the lamp.

Lu Nan’s gaze was fixed intently on the building until the sound of footsteps—clack clack clack—from the stairwell made her look up.

The person hurried down the stairs in slippers, approaching against the light. The scene slowed, like a rendered old film.

She spotted Lu Nan and opened her arms, rushing into an embrace. Her arms were warm.

A frog croaked from the nearby grass, accompanied by cicada song. Song Wenwei still carried the scent of camellia-scented body wash.

From within the embrace came a voice, trembling slightly: “I like you too.”