Chapter 42

◎Let’s meet up.◎

“Wahhh, I can’t bear to leave. I miss my wife TT.”

Chen Yi sat in the departure lounge, tapping out a message on her phone to her online girlfriend.

After two weeks of Fade’s rigorous “training,” she could now proficiently toss out endearments like “wife,” “sis,” and “baby.” Of course, weirder terms like “master” or “mommy” were never even on Chen Yi’s radar.

“I hate business trips!” Chen Yi typed, playing up her pout. “If it weren’t for this trip, we could’ve met up over National Day. I’m crying.”

Yu You’an sat beside her and could tell exactly what she was doing just from her expression. Considering that Xu Yan was seated right behind them, Yu You’an leaned in close and whispered, “Messaging your girlfriend?”

Ever since Chen Yi had come clean to Yu You’an about her online romance a couple of days ago, the other woman had turned into a live romance tracker, constantly prying for updates on Chen Yi and her girlfriend’s every move.

Chen Yi was more than happy to share.

“Yeah.” Chen Yi whispered back. “Just giving her a quick update.”

Yu You’an let out a tsk-tsk-tsk.

Chen Yi teased her. “What’re you doing? Starting up the gas stove?”

Yu You’an sighed. “I’m jealous, okay?”

“When’s it my turn for some sweet romance?”

Chen Yi grinned. “Tomorrow.”

The moment Yu You’an heard that, she waved her hands in mock refusal. “Nah, pass.”

“For the next couple of years, I’d rather focus on work. Romance? It’s way more fun watching other people do it. When it comes to me… well, who knows.”

Chen Yi just smiled at her.

Xu Yan sat in the row directly behind them, a fresh magazine spread across her lap as she flipped through it. The two assistants up front thought they were keeping their voices low, but if Xu Yan cared to listen, she could catch every word crystal clear.

She said nothing, pulling out her phone and shielding it behind the open magazine to reply to Chen Yi.

XYZ: Pat pat.

XYZ: I miss you too.

XYZ: Be safe on the flight. If you feel off, tell the flight attendant. Text me when you get to the hotel.

Chen Yi: Yay!

Chen Yi: I’ll definitely report in to wifey later!

Chen Yi: Wifey, wifey, you always sound like a mom nagging her kid whenever you remind me of this stuff.

XYZ: ^^

XYZ: Is that code for “you’re old and nagging”?

Chen Yi: No!

Chen Yi: Not! At! All!

Chen Yi: It just makes me feel so happy.

Chen Yi: Even though it’s just everyday stuff, hehe.

XYZ: Silly.

XYZ: Boarding time?

Chen Yi glanced at the time and instantly got it. Fade had an even sharper sense of timing than she did. She’d been so wrapped up in chatting that she’d nearly forgotten about boarding.

Chen Yi: Yup yup!

Chen Yi: Heading to board now.

XYZ: Waves.

Chen Yi snapped her phone shut, cleared her throat discreetly, and turned to remind Xu Yan. “Chief Editor Xu, boarding’s about to start.”

Xu Yan closed her magazine and gave Chen Yi a reserved nod. “Got it.”

She stood up.

Seeing this, Chen Yi and Yu You’an hurried over, reaching to grab Xu Yan’s carry-on.

“No need.” Xu Yan said. “Just look after yourselves.”

Chen Yi and Yu You’an chorused, “Okay!”

This business trip had the company booking them first-class seats. Yu You’an was over the moon. She’d never flown first class before! The moment they boarded, she buzzed with excitement. Chen Yi, on the other hand, looked frozen, her smile nowhere to be found.

Who could tell her why her seat was right next to Xu Yan’s? Yu You’an was behind them, paired with a stranger.

Who the hell picked these seats?

Did they even think about the poor workers’ feelings?

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yan noticed she wasn’t sliding into her seat.

Chen Yi demurred. “Chief Editor Xu, why don’t you take the window seat? It’s nicer.”

Xu Yan: “No need.”

Xu Yan never explained her refusals. Two simple words made her stance crystal clear. Chen Yi was at a loss for words. She stowed her small bag in the overhead bin, then hunched over to shuffle into the inner seat.

Xu Yan settled quietly beside her.

A little while later, the plane took off.

Chen Yi had been sitting ramrod straight in front of Xu Yan at first. But once they were airborne, her gaze drifted uncontrollably to the window.

It was an overcast day—no rain, no sun. Clouds piled up like mounds of cotton candy. The plane sliced right through them, emerging on top.

The view outside was stunning.

Chen Yi stared, mesmerized.

Xu Yan pulled out her earbuds from the seat beside her. Just before slipping on her eye mask, the corners of her mouth curved up faintly.

She knew Chen Yi loved watching clouds.

Loved the window seat on flights.

She knew all these things.

~~~

After arriving in France, their first order of business was checking into the hotel. This trip was centered in Paris: fourteen days total, with ten in the city. The remaining few were free time for Chen Yi and Yu You’an.

The two had planned it out ages ago.

Once they wrapped up work with Xu Yan, they’d hit the surrounding areas together. Chen Yi was footing the bill—after all, France was practically her second home. She’d studied here for years.

It was Yu You’an’s first time, and everything felt fresh and thrilling. Hearing French on the streets or spotting live street performers made her light up.

Chen Yi was in high spirits too.

She surreptitiously snapped photos and videos with her phone the whole way, planning to share it all with Fade once they got to the room and shook Xu Yan.

The hotel rooms were just as booked: Xu Yan in a suite by herself, Chen Yi and Yu You’an sharing a standard double.

Since Xu Yan didn’t speak French, Chen Yi had to stick by her side the whole trip. She’d crammed fashion-world vocab ahead of time.

Yu You’an handled the work schedule—reservations, coordination with the home office. Her English was solid enough for France.

Maybe it was the change of city, the different vibe. After days of nonstop hustling, Yu You’an wasn’t wilting—instead, she was more pumped than ever.

“Chen Yi! This is the job I dreamed of!”

She said it while they were previewing the show venue’s setup and design.

Chen Yi was genuinely happy for her.

Unlike Yu You’an, she couldn’t muster much interest in it all. Sinking into Paris’s glittering world of fame and fashion? Nah, she’d rather hole up in the hotel chatting with her girlfriend.

But her girlfriend had been swamped lately too.

Fade mentioned she was working through National Day, so replies came slow. Plus the time difference. Their chats had big gaps lately.

The more this went on, the more Chen Yi missed her.

The more she missed her, the stronger the urge to see her once they got back from the trip.

After grinding through ten hectic days, Xu Yan finally cut them loose.

Chen Yi had planned to drag Yu You’an around nearby cities, but one message from Fade blew it all up.

XYZ: You still in Paris?

Chen Yi: Yup.

XYZ: [Picture]

Chen Yi didn’t catch the implication at first. But when she opened the photo…

Holy crap!

Wasn’t that the airport?!

Chen Yi’s mind exploded.

Chen Yi: Aaaah??

Chen Yi: !!!!!

Chen Yi: Wifey, you’re in Paris?!

XYZ: Mhm.

What did they call that feeling when a person shatters into pieces and spirals upward in euphoria? Chen Yi felt exactly like that right now—dizzy, bewildered, stunned, overjoyed. A wild, uncontainable glee mixed with disbelief.

Chen Yi: Whoa!!

Chen Yi: Wifey, why didn’t you tell me!

XYZ: /rubs face

Chen Yi: You by yourself?

XYZ: Yeah.

Chen Yi’s heart started racing.

She typed cautiously: Want me to come pick you up?

Chen Yi: My French is decent! I can help!

No immediate reply.

Chen Yi perched on the edge of the hotel bed, clutching her phone, nerves jangling like she was waiting for exam results.

Yu You’an was beside her, watching some variety show. Out here abroad, she even had to VPN back to domestic streams.

From the corner of her eye, Yu You’an saw Chen Yi growing more anxious, her leg shaking like she had Parkinson’s. Concerned, she asked, “Chen Yi, Little Yi, you okay?”

Chen Yi: “I am.”

Yu You’an: “What happened?”

Chen Yi spelled it out syllable by syllable. “My girlfriend’s in France.”

Yu You’an blinked, processing. Then it hit her, and she bolted upright.

“What!?”

“She came for you?!”

Chen Yi: “I don’t know—”

“Then go find her!”

Chen Yi: “I asked, but she hasn’t replied.”

“And aren’t we heading out to the burbs tomorrow? I’m thinking if we meet up, leaving her alone again might not be great.”

Yu You’an rolled her eyes hard. “What are you even thinking!”

“At a time like this, you obviously ditch me and go play with your girlfriend!”

“But we planned it first—and she knows—”

Yu You’an clapped her hands over her ears. “La la la, not listening!”

“No way, just ask her if she’d be willing to join us?” The words were barely out of Yu You’an’s mouth before she regretted them. “Forget it, forget it. I love a good gossip, but I don’t have a thing for playing third wheel.”

“How about this—you meet her first. Meeting up is the most important part, right? Once you’ve sorted it out, just let me know. I’m good with whatever.”

Chen Yi agreed, her eyes glued to the phone screen.

She waited like a prisoner awaiting judgment.

Finally, after a few tense moments, a message from Fade popped up.

The contact saved as “Wife Adult” had sent just two words: Sure.

Immediately after: Let’s meet.

In that instant, Chen Yi felt like her phone was burning her hand. She flung it onto the bed and let out a sharp squeal. Worried about disturbing the neighbors, she clamped her hand over her mouth. Yu You’an took one look and knew the meeting was on; she instantly lit up with excitement alongside Chen Yi. The two girls grabbed hands and bounced around the room.

They were really going to meet!

After the rush of joy, Chen Yi immediately started fretting.

“I haven’t picked a spot yet—I have no idea where to meet. And what am I supposed to wear? Ahh—I was planning to bring her a gift from my trip to France, but I haven’t even bought it.”

“Hold on—” Yu You’an placed a hand on Chen Yi’s shoulder, forcing her to calm down. “Don’t panic. We’ll tackle this one step at a time.”

“First, settle the meeting place with her.”

“Should I just go pick her up at the airport?”

Yu You’an shook her head. “You could, but it’d take you half the day to get there. You really want her waiting around for you?”

Chen Yi paused. “…”

“Yeah, good point.”

“That café we passed the other day was nice—did you see it? Super atmospheric.” Yu You’an suggested. “Talk it over with her.”

“As for your outfit—” A grin tugged at Yu You’an’s lips. “Leave it to me.”

Chen Yi’s eyes welled up.

“Yu You’an, you’re my mom. My actual mom.”

Yu You’an burst out laughing at her overdramatic display. Chen Yi’s reaction took her right back to her college days.

Whenever one of the girls in the dorm had a date, the rest of them would scramble into action, helping with every detail.

Yu You’an had always loved putting together outfits back then and often picked clothes for her friends. Their squeals of delight had been just like Chen Yi’s right now.

“Okay, okay, tone it down. I don’t have a daughter as big as you.” Yu You’an shoved Chen Yi toward her phone. “Go message your girlfriend and nail down the spot.” Then she rummaged through Chen Yi’s suitcase, pulling out options to mix and match.

After all the hustle, everything fell into place.

Fade liked coffee, so they’d meet at the café Yu You’an had recommended.

Chen Yi’s outfit was perfect now, and Yu You’an had even straightened her hair with her flat iron. As long as Chen Yi kept quiet, she looked like a effortlessly cool, stylish type from a distance.

With about an hour until Fade was due at the café, Chen Yi decided to wander the area nearby, hunting for a little something as a meeting gift.

Before heading out, Yu You’an clenched her fist and gave her a fierce thumbs-up of encouragement.

Chen Yi’s mind raced through endless rehearsals of what was to come—her self-introduction drafted and redrafted a dozen times. She made it to the hotel lobby only to run smack into Xu Yan.

The smile on Chen Yi’s face vanished in an instant.

Xu Yan eyed her. “Heading out for fun?”

Chen Yi shook her head. “Nope.”

Xu Yan looked her up and down. “Got a date?”

Chen Yi was stunned by how sharply perceptive Xu Yan was.

“Chief Editor Xu, how’d you guess?”

“You don’t usually look like this.” Xu Yan’s gaze lingered on Chen Yi’s carefully styled waves. “Need a hand?”

Chen Yi blinked, caught off guard.

Xu Yan had apparently just returned from some shopping; she casually opened a bag at her side. Nestled inside the fancy packaging was a beautifully soft scarf.

“Try it on? It goes perfectly with your clothes.”

Chen Yi waved her off. “No need, Chief Editor Xu—”

Xu Yan tugged her closer with a firm hand and draped the scarf around her neck. Her fingertips gently swept the freshly styled strands behind Chen Yi’s ear.

“Don’t bother with this next time,” Xu Yan said suddenly, pinching a lock of the hair. “You’re pretty enough as you are.”

With that, the woman turned and walked away.

Chen Yi stood there frozen, her brain short-circuiting for a full three seconds before a bombshell thought hit her.

Holy crap!

Did Xu Yan have a crush on her?!

But she was a taken woman!

Chen Yi bolted out of the hotel, yanking off the scarf. She ducked into a nearby shop for a bag and stashed it inside.

Once she’d bought her gift, she’d swing back by the hotel, return the scarf to Xu Yan, and play it off like her date was already over and the thing had been useless.

If Xu Yan acted weird later—if there really was something there—Chen Yi would lay it all out, turn her down flat. Or just straight-up say she’d gone to meet her girlfriend. Xu Yan was sharp; she’d catch the drift.

Chen Yi’s plan was airtight.

Too bad plans never survive contact with reality.

She’d just picked up her first gift when Fade messaged her a full half hour early.

“I’m here.”