What Xu Yueliang wanted was simple: Lin Qimian’s company, nothing more.
It was just a day off work. Without work, they could do whatever they pleased.
She had thoughtfully taken Lin Qimian’s condition into account, planning only indoor activities to keep her from wandering too far or catching a chill in the wind.
“Let’s go shopping,” Xu Yueliang said, pulling up the map on her phone and showing it to Lin Qimian. “The mall around here is bound to have massive National Day sales.”
Lin Qimian nodded. “Sounds good. Discounts are always nice.”
“By the time we’re done, it’ll be lunchtime,” Xu Yueliang went on. “Plenty of great spots nearby, but ones that are good for you…”
She lapsed into thought, and Lin Qimian chimed in. “I’m feeling better now. Everything should be fine for me.”
Xu Yueliang shook her head firmly. “Nope, we need to build on your recovery. Can’t go by what Doctor Lin says—listen to Xu Yueliang instead.”
Lin Qimian burst out laughing. “All right.”
Xu Yueliang tapped her own forehead. “There are a few places that should work. I’ll run them by you later, depending on what you’re craving when hunger hits.”
“Mm.” Lin Qimian smiled. “Teacher Xu’s plans are perfect.”
Xu Yueliang tilted her chin up, beaming with pride. “What did you just call me?”
“Teacher Xu.”
“Hee hee hee…” Xu Yueliang’s smugness lasted all of two seconds before her cheeks flushed pink. “No one’s ever called me Teacher before.”
Lin Qimian met her eyes. “If you like it, I’ll call you that from now on.”
Xu Yueliang froze.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Qimian asked, glancing up at her. “Any issue with that?”
“No, no…” Xu Yueliang dropped her gaze and flailed her hands. “Chinese culture is vast and profound, haha—mind the phrasing!”
Lin Qimian paused. “Ohhh.”
Xu Yueliang kept waving her hands. “No Teacher, no Teacher! Just call me Moon. Moon~~”
Lin Qimian smiled. “Okay, Moon~~”
She mimicked the way Xu Yueliang’s voice curved upward at the end, letting the word come out soft and drawn out.
Blushing furiously, Xu Yueliang changed the subject. “After lunch, we’ll catch a movie. If you’re tired, we can do a private screening room where we can lie back and relax. If you’re up for it, we’ll hit the big IMAX for the newest release…”
“Sure,” Lin Qimian said.
“Movie ends, and it’ll be about time to head home,” Xu Yueliang continued. “We’ll figure out dinner then—whatever you want, I’ll make it.”
“Sure.”
Xu Yueliang pocketed her phone and grinned up at Lin Qimian. “Then early bedtime tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll buckle down and get back to work.”
Lin Qimian nodded. “So we’ll see each other in the live streaming room.”
“Ahhh… Doctor Lin, you actually watch my streams?”
“Occasionally.”
“But if I know you’re there, I’ll get all shy~~”
“Then I won’t tell you when I’m watching, or which account is mine.”
“!!!”
“Does that mean I’ll be paranoid every single second, worrying about embarrassing myself!!!”
Lin Qimian dissolved into laughter. “Hahahahaha…”
“Go on, guess which one is me. It’ll be fun.”
Xu Yueliang puffed out her cheeks, staring at Lin Qimian with a mix of teary eyes and a reluctant smile. “Doctor Lin, how can you be this kind of person…”
Lin Qimian laughed until she couldn’t breathe.
Relationships were just like Huang Xiaoyi had described: once you needed each other, things settled into a calm, steady rhythm.
Lin Qimian had tugged Xu Yueliang into caring for her, and Xu Yueliang had boldly tugged Lin Qimian into keeping her company. In no time at all, they had defined clear boundaries in each other’s presence—what they could do, what they could say.
With every little test, those boundaries pushed inward.
Lin Qimian was gradually laying her true self bare before Xu Yueliang, who was returning the favor in kind.
When they headed out, Xu Yueliang wore the same hoodie and jeans from yesterday. Lin Qimian opted for something comfortable and casual too.
No fancy getups for either of them—they traveled light and stuck to the plan, hitting the sales racks and clearing out the discount aisles.
Shopping had always bored Lin Qimian before, but now she got it: it was only boring without Xu Yueliang.
Xu Yueliang could always unearth fresh delights. She approached everything with boundless curiosity and slipped effortlessly into the stories stores had laid out, harvesting joys as pure as a child’s.
She adored pretty clothes and was always itching to try them on.
Yet for the most part, trying was enough to satisfy her—she had no urge to own them.
She’d play the store games and quizzes for prizes.
A bag of candy was reward enough; she’d wave brightly to the clerk, then loop her arm through Lin Qimian’s and whisper, “Not even cheaper than the official site, huh.”
Xu Yueliang encountered a doll handing out flyers that no one was paying any attention to. Not only did she take a flyer, but when the music started playing, she danced in perfect sync with the doll, drawing a large crowd to surround and watch them.
When she saw someone raise their phone, Xu Yueliang hurriedly grabbed Lin Qimian and ran off, giggling, “I’m famous now! If this gets posted online and someone recognizes me, Yun Jie will kill me!”
Lin Qimian asked, “Who is Yun Jie?”
Xu Yueliang replied, “She’s my agent at Orange. She was urging me to go live this morning, and I told her a friend was sick and I couldn’t get back…”
Her voice trailed off smaller and smaller. When she glanced up at Lin Qimian, her eyes were sly and mischievous.
Lin Qimian nodded, indulging her without a ripple of emotion. “Mm, she really is sick. If Yun Jie needs it, Doctor Lin can issue Doctor Lin an admission certificate.”
Xu Yueliang burst out laughing. “Hahaha, no way do I want Doctor Lin to be hospitalized!”
They finished shopping and went to eat. After dinner, they went to watch a movie.
Deep down, Lin Qimian wanted to enjoy a private world for just the two of them in a space with no one else around. But Xu Yueliang was clearly very interested in the new National Day blockbuster.
So Doctor Lin chose “I’m better now, not tired, crowds are fine.”
The two of them hugged their popcorn and cola as they entered the theater. The seats in front and behind were almost all filled. There were couples cuddling in the back row, and kids running back and forth up front—it was both lively and annoying.
Xu Yueliang slowly popped one kernel of popcorn after another into her mouth. “Didn’t the parents read the synopsis? They actually brought kids here.”
Lin Qimian said, “I didn’t read it either. You picked the movie—I didn’t even see the full title.”
Xu Yueliang sneaked a laugh and leaned close to Lin Qimian’s ear. “Doctor Lin will be fine watching it, but the kids are gonna get scared and cry.”
Her warm breath all puffed against Lin Qimian’s neck.
Lin Qimian clenched her fingers. “Not necessarily. I’m scared of it too.”
Xu Yueliang set her food and drink on the other side, lowered the armrest between them, and patted her belly. “If Doctor Lin is scared, just hide in my arms.”
Lin Qimian replied, “I don’t know who’s more scared—you hanging off me like a sloth.”
Xu Yueliang: “!!!”
Xu Yueliang turned her face away, not looking at Lin Qimian anymore.
She ate her popcorn and waited until the theater ads started and the lights went out before whispering, “Doctor Lin still remembers…”
“Of course I remember,” Lin Qimian’s voice was also very soft, requiring effort to make out clearly. “The video is proof.”
Xu Yueliang twisted her body. “The movie’s starting, starting~~”
Lin Qimian turned to look at her and couldn’t stop smiling.
The film Xu Yueliang had picked was thrilling and captivating.
The plot was full of ups and downs, the visuals violent and bloody. When the monster burst out from inside a person’s body, the kids in the theater finally couldn’t hold back and burst into collective wails.
After that, the people in the movie ran and screamed, and the people in the theater ran and screamed too.
It seemed like one kid had pooped their pants—the parent picked them up and carried them out of the theater, leaving a waft of stench in the air.
Lin Qimian: “…”
Xu Yueliang, who had been eating: “…”
Lin Qimian: “…Cough.”
Xu Yueliang gripped her popcorn box tightly. “Doctor Lin, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Lin Qimian said with a smile. “Let’s finish watching.”
They did finish the movie. Squeezed into the chaotic crowd heading out, Lin Qimian reached back with one hand, and Xu Yueliang grabbed hold of her sleeve cuff.
They stayed loosely linked like that all the way out of the theater, and Xu Yueliang didn’t let go even then.
The two got into a taxi heading back to Lin Qimian’s place. The smell inside the cab wasn’t great, so Xu Yueliang rolled down the window.
Traffic was jammed up, but when they got near Lin Qimian’s home, the driver turned onto a small road, and things quieted down.
Tall sycamore trees lined both sides, their canopies interlacing overhead so that sunlight flickered down only through gaps in the leaves.
Xu Yueliang gazed out the window and murmured, “Autumn really has come.”
“Yes,” Lin Qimian agreed with her. “The leaves are turning yellow, and the sky feels higher.”
Xu Yueliang said, “Spring and autumn are so nice—flowers blooming and leaves falling, perfect temperatures, just too short.”
Lin Qimian watched her. Xu Yueliang had her head tilted back, gazing up at the sycamore treetops.
“Driver, stop up ahead,” Lin Qimian said to him. “Zhang’er Kou.”
Xu Yueliang pulled her head back in and asked Lin Qimian, “We here already? Why stop here?”
“Pretty much,” Lin Qimian said. “We were cooped up in that stuffy theater too long. Let’s get out, walk around, and get some air.”
“Ohhh, yeah, the movie was such a mess to watch,” Xu Yueliang said, full of guilt but also eager anticipation. “Walking around sounds great!”
The car stopped, and the two got out.
A gust of wind blew by, sending a few leaves fluttering down unsteadily. Xu Yueliang chased after them and actually caught one, laughing happily.
Lin Qimian waved her over, beckoning her back.
Beside them stood a bright vermilion gate, flanked by a few snack stalls.
“See anything you want?” Lin Qimian asked.
“Ah…” Xu Yueliang snatched a leaf from a nearby tree and pointed with it. “Cotton candy!”
And so, at the cotton candy stall, aside from one child patiently waiting, there were just Lin Qimian and Xu Yueliang.
The shop boss had real skill, spinning the sugary fluff into colorful little animals of all shapes. When Xu Yueliang picked a rabbit and the boss asked for the color, she glanced at Lin Qimian, her eyes curving into delighted crescents. “Pink!!!”
“You got it! Pink!” The shop boss chuckled warmly. “Little girls always love pink!”
Xu Yueliang kept her gaze on Lin Qimian, her words loaded with meaning. “That’s right! Little girls just love pink!”
What could Lin Qimian say? She had no intention of explaining. No need to tell her that all those pink treats were prepared just for her, or that in her eyes, Xu Yueliang was a soft, pink little rabbit.
Or perhaps a kitten. Or a puppy. Or any other image of pure cuteness.
Clutching her cotton candy, Xu Yueliang’s joy soared even higher. She practically skipped through the park gate, bouncing along for a bit before suddenly pausing. She turned to Lin Qimian. “Isn’t this the place you can see from the window of your side bedroom?”
Lin Qimian nodded. “It is.”
Xu Yueliang beamed. “I’m so smart! I recognized it!”
Lin Qimian smiled. “You certainly are.”
Xu Yueliang sighed happily. “There are so few people here. It’s so peaceful~”
Lin Qimian explained, “It’s an old park. They haven’t renovated it or added any new attractions, so it doesn’t draw crowds.”
Xu Yueliang halted, spreading her arms wide and tilting her head back for a deep breath. “The scent of nature right in the heart of the city. Doctor Lin, you really know how to pick a place to live.”
Lin Qimian smiled and led her deeper inside. They passed a grove of ginkgo trees with leaves turning yellow, then a small hillock blanketed in a thick layer of fallen foliage.
Withered lotus leaves dotted the lake, while at the gazebo in the center, young women in flowing Hanfu dresses posed for photos.
A short path later, they reached a grassy clearing perfect for picnics.
A few people had set up a small tent there, spreading out a picnic blanket laden with food and drinks. Children crawled in and out, the scene radiating cozy contentment.
Xu Yueliang stared at the tent, twisting her fingers together.
Lin Qimian’s gaze followed, and Xu Yueliang ducked her head. “I’m sorry…”
Lin Qimian tilted her head. “Why apologize again?”
Xu Yueliang mumbled, “Because I am sorry. I could say it a hundred times and it still wouldn’t be enough…”
Lin Qimian took in her dejected expression and suddenly understood what was weighing on her.
She didn’t brush it off with a casual “it’s fine.” Sometimes those words fell too lightly, only deepening the other’s guilt.
If there was regret, then the way to heal it was to make amends.
Lin Qimian said, “I’ve figured out tonight’s menu, but I’m worn out. I don’t feel like going shopping.”
Xu Yueliang blinked. “Huh?”
Lin Qimian added, “The supermarket delivery wasn’t fresh enough…”
Comprehension dawned on Xu Yueliang’s face. She pointed dramatically at the sky. “I’ll go buy it!!!”
Lin Qimian laughed. “Perfect.”
She rattled off a list of ingredients—choosing the trickiest ones to find.
She marked out several locations for Xu Yueliang, all scattered in different directions. It would take some time.
But Xu Yueliang didn’t complain for a second. She nodded eagerly, like a bobblehead, pulling out her phone to jot everything down with meticulous care.
As they left the park, Lin Qimian raised a hand. “Head this way—you’ll hit the seafood market right after the bend.”
Xu Yueliang tilted her chin up stubbornly. “I’m taking you home first.”
Lin Qimian shook her head. “I’ll cut through the other side. Five minutes and I’m home.”
Xu Yueliang insisted, “That’s quick, sure, but let me walk you back first. Then I’ll go shopping.”
Lin Qimian frowned, looking thoroughly displeased. “I’m not some fragile flower. I don’t need an escort.”
Xu Yueliang coaxed, “Come on, be good. You’re still recovering, aren’t you?”
With that, she looped her arm through Lin Qimian’s and started tugging her back.
Lin Qimian planted her feet, refusing to budge.
Xu Yueliang tugged again. “…”
Lin Qimian arched a brow. “See? Not so fragile after all, right?”
Xu Yueliang yanked harder, but Lin Qimian didn’t so much as sway.
Xu Yueliang huffed. “…”
Lin Qimian quirked an eyebrow higher. Finally, Xu Yueliang dropped her arm, spun on her heel, and stormed off in a pout. “Lin Mianmian, you’re so weird…”
Lin Qimian watched her retreating figure, the corners of her lips curving upward.
Only when Xu Yueliang rounded the corner and vanished from sight did Lin Qimian finally stir. She turned back toward the park.
There was an outdoor gear shop right on the edge. Lin Qimian stepped inside, stated her needs, and emerged with a massive haul.
The shop boss, seeing a young woman like her, offered to deliver it. But Lin Qimian shouldered what she could carry and hauled the rest, leaving the boss with nothing to do.
“Thanks. It’s just a couple steps away.” Laden down, Lin Qimian stepped out into the breeze. She had to admit, two days of playing the weak and weary role had left her back aching and legs sore.
She hurried back home along the same route, which served as a nice warm-up.
The living room’s layout hadn’t changed at all, but now she could try some new arrangements.
Xu Yueliang dashed from store to store. Worried about Lin Qimian, she pushed herself to shop as quickly as possible.
But the shopping list Lin Qimian had given her was incredibly detailed and complex. Even rushing about and working up a full sweat, Xu Yueliang still took quite a while.
Finally, laden with two large bags, she hailed a taxi that barely made the starting fare worthwhile.
By the time she returned to Lin Qimian’s neighborhood, the sun had set, and twilight was settling in.
Xu Yueliang rushed through the front gate, then took a step back and dashed out again.
Doctor Lin’s home held only a big bouquet of cool white daisies—she needed some vibrant roses, too.
Bright red wouldn’t do; pink was too delicate. Champagne gold was understated yet gentle and elegant, perfect for Doctor Lin.
With another bouquet now cradled in her arms, Xu Yueliang panted her way up to Lin Qimian’s door at last.
Her fingerprint unlocked it—no need to ring the bell.
Xu Yueliang took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart from all the running.
She remembered standing in the exact same spot just a day and a half earlier, filled with anxiety, tension, worry, unease, guilt, and confusion—all negative emotions.
Now, she felt steady, joyful, calm, and brimming with anticipation as she embraced this new friendship. It even felt like she had discovered a new version of herself.
Xu Yueliang let out a long exhale and smiled.
She grasped the door handle. With a soft beep, the lock clicked open.
“I’m back!” Xu Yueliang called out cheerfully, stooping to haul in the outdoor items while keeping the flowers tucked securely in her arms, preserved in their finest pose.
Lin Qimian didn’t respond. Xu Yueliang lowered her voice and hid the bouquet behind her back. “Doctor Lin~~ Are you asleep?”
“No,” came the reply from the living room.
Xu Yueliang slipped off her shoes and ambled toward it. “Hee hee, guess what I brought you.”
Once she had a clear view of the living room, she flashed her brightest smile and thrust the bouquet out from behind her.
“Ta-da~~” she announced.
Just as she’d hoped, Lin Qimian laid eyes on the vivid blooms.
She accepted the bouquet and leaned down to inhale its scent, her long hair cascading forward to brush against the petals.
Xu Yueliang stood there, transfixed. Lin Qimian looked up with a gentle smile and echoed her playful tone. “Ta-da~”
Xu Yueliang beheld a campsite, right there in the coziest room imaginable.
All the space-hogging furniture had been pushed aside. In the spacious living room stood a colorful tent, spread with a picnic blanket and flanked by two outdoor folding chairs. Between them gleamed a massive, beautiful silver telescope.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panorama, capturing the sunset and the city sprawl below.
“Our own Xibai Mountain,” Lin Qimian said. “We can still watch the sunrise and sunset together, along with the stars and the moon.”
“No need to say sorry anymore.”
