The car sank into a heavy, drowsy silence.
Only the rain, growing steadily louder, drummed against the body of the vehicle with sharp, insistent patters.
Xu Yueliang kept her head buried in the same position, her shoulders shaking in subtle heaves. Lin Qimian couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying.
Either one felt strange. The heartbeat that had only just settled in Lin Qimian’s chest quickened again with tension.
If this kept up, she really would give herself a heart attack.
“Hey,” Lin Qimian said, breaking the quiet. “I’ve already done something that embarrassing. Aren’t you going to react at all?”
Xu Yueliang’s voice came out muffled, a stream of indistinct mumbling. “I am reacting.”
Lin Qimian leaned over and prodded her shoulder. “Let me see.”
Xu Yueliang took her time composing herself before finally lifting her head.
She was crying.
Crying, in fact… very sadly.
Her eyeliner had smeared into a dark smudge, twin trails of foundation-streaked tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes and brows drooped pitifully, and her mouth was pursed in an expression of utter grievance.
“Yo…” Lin Qimian let out a soft sigh of surprise. “Did I scare you that badly?”
Xu Yueliang shook her head, her hands sticking straight up in the air. “Wuwuwu, sorry, Doctor Lin. I can’t wipe my tears right now…”
She really couldn’t—not without smearing a bunch of grime right into her eyes.
Lin Qimian popped open the center console and fished out a wet wipe. “Don’t move. I’ll get them for you.”
Xu Yueliang’s mouth stayed puckered as she let out a small “mm.”
By now, Lin Qimian had something of a routine for wiping away Xu Yueliang’s tears. She started by cleaning off the ruined makeup, then gently dabbed at the teardrops clinging to her lashes with a fresh tissue.
Focusing on the task helped settle the lingering panic in her own heart.
“I’m thinking…” Lin Qimian smiled as she worked. “There ought to be a job out there called ‘professional Xu Yueliang tear wiper.’ I’d be perfect for it.”
Xu Yueliang let out a sudden “pfft” of laughter.
The burst sent another cascade of tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Ah…” Lin Qimian sighed, redoubling her efforts. “This job’s harder than it looks.”
Xu Yueliang managed to hold it together this time. Once everything was wiped clean, she drew in a deep breath and finally wrestled her emotions back under control.
The dome light overhead cast its glow on her face, making her eyes gleam like polished gems.
Lin Qimian gave her handiwork a close inspection before pulling back.
Xu Yueliang spoke at last. “Doctor Lin, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not scared of you. I just… suddenly felt kind of sad.”
Lin Qimian tilted her head. “Sad about what?”
“Sad…” Xu Yueliang’s mouth opened, but the words caught in her throat. “I don’t want to talk about it right now…”
Lin Qimian’s fingertip twitched, but she nodded. “All right. You can tell me later.”
Xu Yueliang blinked rapidly, her expression turning eager in an instant. “But I do have to tell you this, Doctor Lin—thank you. Thank you so much for replying to me. It wasn’t embarrassing at all. I’m just… so touched I could die…”
Lin Qimian smiled. “Mm.”
Xu Yueliang pressed on. “I’m really happy.”
Lin Qimian felt a wave of happiness rise in her too. “Good.”
Xu Yueliang: “I’m also really excited.”
Lin Qimian clenched her fingers. “Mm.”
Xu Yueliang: “Nervous, too. Anxious. And… thrilled.”
Lin Qimian met her gaze, peering deep into her eyes.
This time, she didn’t look away. Neither did Xu Yueliang. Lin Qimian’s reflection shimmered in those dark, lustrous pupils.
Xu Yueliang pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled a long breath. “If I had that heart rate monitor from the escape room on me right now, the needle would’ve flown right off the paper!”
Lin Qimian tilted her head with a smile.
“And you?” Xu Yueliang’s tone turned tentative, cautious. “How are you feeling, Doctor Lin…?”
“The same as you.” Lin Qimian’s answer came without hesitation. She even raised one finger and pressed it to the spot over Xu Yueliang’s heart, repeating herself for emphasis. “I feel exactly the same.”
“Really…?” Xu Yueliang’s face lit up with joy tinged by disbelief.
Lin Qimian: “Mm.”
Xu Yueliang snatched hold of that finger and clasped it tight in her palm, her voice insistent. “Exactly the same? You’re nervous too? Tense? …Excited?”
Lin Qimian paused for a beat. “Yes.”
Xu Yueliang: “I can’t tell at all!”
Lin Qimian: “…”
Xu Yueliang scooted closer. “Really? I seriously can’t tell. You always seem so calm, Doctor Lin. Weiwei even says you’re cold. I don’t think you’re cold, but you really…”
Her words trailed off.
Because Lin Qimian had slipped her finger free, seized Xu Yueliang’s wrist, and guided her palm straight to her own chest.
“Thump-thump. Thump-thump…” The racing heartbeat said it all. The heat said it all.
And if that wasn’t proof enough, Lin Qimian fixed Xu Yueliang with a ravenous stare—the gaze of a wolf gone hungry.
Xu Yueliang froze for a full half minute before pulling her hand back.
She flailed about in panic, like a squirrel scampering wildly in all directions, her hands waving frantically and her eyes darting everywhere.
“Ahhh, this, um, that…” She desperately tried to change the subject. “Doctor Lin, you’ve been waiting so long—are you hungry?”
Lin Qimian tilted her head back, covering her eyes as she burst into laughter. “Starving.”
Xu Yueliang: “Barala energy—transform!”
“Hm?” Lin Qimian parted her fingers and glanced over.
A piece of chocolate appeared before her. Xu Yueliang held it out eagerly, her face a delightful mix of shyness and glee.
“Where’d the chocolate come from?” Lin Qimian took it, unwrapped the foil, and popped it into her mouth.
The chocolate melted smoothly on her tongue, rich and velvety. Xu Yueliang tapped her head. “Right from here.”
Lin Qimian eyed the food-themed hair clips covering Xu Yueliang’s head. “…”
Xu Yueliang: “Hahahahaha, surprised you, huh!!! Ran out of clips, so I started using real snacks. They clip onto the packaging—don’t worry, it’s clean~~~”
“I don’t mind.” Lin Qimian swirled the chocolate on her tongue. “But this isn’t enough. I’ll need to find more of you to eat.”
Xu Yueliang plucked two more candies from her hair and handed them over. Lin Qimian pocketed them without eating right away.
They chatted idly for a while, both tacitly steering clear of any topics that might push them into uncomfortable territory. Xu Yueliang suggested taking Lin Qimian out for a proper dinner, but Lin Qimian declined.
It was getting late. Xu Yueliang hadn’t fully removed her makeup, which wasn’t great for her skin, and she was still in her performance outfit, which wasn’t comfortable at all.
She’d wrapped up a full day of work; just spending this bit of time together was plenty. Lin Qimian didn’t want to burden her on their very first day.
She urged Xu Yueliang to head straight home.
To change out of those heavy clothes, take a nice long bath, and sink into sweet dreams.
And if they were truly in sync, maybe they’d even meet in their dreams.
The car pulled up once more at the entrance to Xu Yueliang’s apartment complex. She fished out her blue umbrella, but before she could say a word, Lin Qimian spoke up. “I won’t need it. I’ll drive right into the underground parking.”
“Oh~” Xu Yueliang grinned. “Makes sense.”
Lin Qimian: “I’ll remember to bring your Little Yellow Duck tomorrow.”
Xu Yueliang: “If you forget, it’s fine. See you tomorrow~~”
Lin Qimian got the hint. The moment Xu Yueliang opened the car door, she grabbed her arm. “You really like having breakfast with me, don’t you?”
Xu Yueliang drew in a deep breath and shared her honest feelings. “I do. Seeing Doctor Lin first thing in the morning makes the whole day feel brand new~”
“Alright.” Lin Qimian smiled. “Tomorrow morning it is. But text me when you get up and head out, or you might miss me.”
Ecstatic at the promise, Xu Yueliang beamed. “Got it!!!”
Lin Qimian released her.
Xu Yueliang popped open her umbrella, waved goodbye over and over, then trotted off into the complex.
Lin Qimian waited until her figure disappeared before turning the car around and calling Huang Xiaoyi.
“Dating really is…” She chuckled with a hint of humblebrag. “Such a hassle.”
Huang Xiaoyi wailed the entire drive.
Lin Qimian stayed busy half the night, getting only four or five hours of sleep before it was time to rise.
After washing up, she skipped breakfast and stood by the window, taking in the view.
Rain had fallen all night yesterday, but morning brought clear skies.
Thin rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, bathing the city’s buildings in a gentle glow. The streets gleamed damp and clean, the evergreen street trees vibrant and lush.
Lin Qimian’s phone dinged with a new message.
From Xu Yueliang: 【All packed! Heading out now! About forty minutes!】
Lin Qimian: 【Okay.】
She pocketed her phone, shrugged on her jacket, and stepped out.
Despite the clear skies, Xu Yueliang had stuffed two umbrellas into her bag anyway—one pink, one blue. A perfect pair.
The moment she stepped outside, the crisp air tempted her to pause for a deep breath—but she immediately picked up her pace.
She couldn’t dawdle, not when she was on her way to Lin Qimian.
Especially since they’d made plans to meet. Not a single second to waste.
Doctor Lin had probably asked for updates on her wake-up and departure times to sync their arrival perfectly and avoid any waiting around. Still, Xu Yueliang wanted to hurry, make her ride go faster, arrive early—and wait for Lin Qimian.
She wanted to be the one waiting.
She wanted to do for Lin Qimian all the things she’d done back in Middle School, to lay herself bare and offer everything to her.
It seemed selfless, but it sprang from the purest selfishness.
Lin Qimian’s response filled her with shame. When Lin Qimian said, “We feel the same way,” it grounded her all the same.
That sense of reassurance was enough for her to press ahead with her plan, even though her heart harbored emotions that Lin Qimian could never share.
Xu Yueliang kept her head down as she hurried along Route 26, her mind fixed on the conversation she wanted to have with Lin Qimian once they met.
The mere thought of it left her breathless, her heart pounding so fiercely that her head swam.
Lost in her daze, she collided right into Lin Qimian.
It happened just as she stepped out of her residential complex.
That was Lin Qimian’s unique scent—not something a single perfume could capture. It was crisp and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste; it seemed icy at first, but carried the warm, resinous aroma of pine beneath.
Xu Yueliang froze in place, her nose pressed against that comforting warmth.
Lin Qimian’s palm settled gently on her head, patting it with tender care.
“Lost your wits?” she asked. “Not even watching where you’re going.”
“I’ve lost them,” Xu Yueliang replied in a stupor. Those buried emotions whirled back to the surface like a sudden gale, churning her heart into chaos and leaving her utterly undone.
Tears welled up again, impossible to hold back. Luckily, she wore no makeup today—her bare face was the real her, the one she wanted Lin Qimian to see.
She lifted a hand to wipe her eyes. Lin Qimian stepped back slightly and bent down to peer at her.
“What did I do to set you off crying again?” Lin Qimian said. “Maybe we should head to the hospital together and get you checked out.”
Xu Yueliang shook her head, sending droplets flying; she sniffed hard. “It’s not your fault.”
Lin Qimian always kept tissues in her pocket and pulled one out. “Hm?”
Xu Yueliang took it and pressed it to her eyes, holding it there for a long moment. “It’s all your fault~”
Lin Qimian laughed and drew her into a close embrace. “Planning to come find me every morning from now on?”
Nestled in that warm, fragrant hold, Xu Yueliang nodded. “Mm~”
Lin Qimian went on, “Planning to write me letters every afternoon, too?”
Xu Yueliang was on the verge of losing it again. “Mm…”
“Until when?”
Xu Yueliang sounded deeply aggrieved. “…I haven’t figured that out~”
Lin Qimian gave the head in her arms a vigorous rub. “That’s settled, then. You want to see me every morning and write me letters every afternoon. I read your letters and end up longing to see you every evening…”
She smiled. “This really isn’t doing any favors for the city’s environmental efforts. So I’ve checked into the hotel right across from your place. Now we can share breakfast, share dinner, spend the extra time on walks together, chats together. You can keep writing those letters if you like—I’ll answer every question on the spot, and we’ll make every wish in them come true right away.”
