Chapter 41: What Does a Kiss… Feel Like?

That should be the most romantic and gentle touch in the world. Carrying the freshness and warmth of spring, the sweetness and eagerness of summer.

Fang Nianchen was startled by her own overstepping thought, her eyes aching and sore.

After calming down a bit, she let out a long breath.

Yu Wan smelled so nice. Fang Nianchen remembered the silliest time when she’d bought several bottles of daisy-scented perfume online, yet still couldn’t find one that matched Yu Wan’s scent.

Her scent was one of a kind, impossible to replicate. And it wasn’t just the scent—everything Fang Nianchen was obsessed with, Yu Wan’s every smile and frown, her entire being, was unique in the world to her.

A gentle smile bloomed at the corners of Fang Nianchen’s lips. She pursed them, then carefully pulled away from Yu Wan’s side and gently tucked the blanket fully over her.

Yu Wan didn’t seem worried about waking up with a crick in her neck from this position; she continued sleeping soundly. Perhaps she was too exhausted and had finally relaxed—Fang Nianchen’s deliberately light movements didn’t disturb her at all.

At some point, the kittens that had been ignored off to the side had all gathered over. A few were sleeping right up against Yu Wan, fully trusting this two-legged creature they’d only met twice.

Compared to humans, animals were better at discerning good from evil. They could sense the joys and sorrows on a person and feel the goodwill or malice emanating from the heart.

The pets at home had accepted Yu Wan’s presence, which made Fang Nianchen happier than anything. It was like they were telling her: Not bad litter-shoveler, you’ve got good taste.

She sat in the dark room a while longer before suddenly feeling hungry.

She’d had no appetite for lunch at Auntie Liu’s today—it had all been disrupted—and had only eaten a few dumplings, which weren’t filling.

Getting up, Fang Nianchen tiptoed toward the kitchen, feeling for the first time in her own home like she was sneaking around like a thief.

Her place wasn’t big, but there was a partition between the living room and bedroom. Sounds from so far away wouldn’t carry much, so cooking here wouldn’t risk waking Yu Wan.

A few minutes later, Yu Wan woke up too.

Her neck was sore from being propped up so long. She twisted it a few times to ease the ache.

Seeing that the spot beside her was already empty, she realized Fang Nianchen had woken up before her. She wondered what her reaction would be upon realizing she’d fallen asleep leaning against her.

She wouldn’t get startled again, would she?

Yu Wan tried imagining Fang Nianchen flustered as she backed away, worried about waking her—it seemed a bit silly, but also very cute.

She pulled open the living room curtains, and light flooded in immediately. A few kittens sleeping in the sun, displeased by the brightness, buried their heads into the sofa cushions.

It was already six-thirty.

No sign of Fang Nianchen in sight, but noises came from the kitchen. Yu Wan had a guess.

Standing at the kitchen doorway, she saw Fang Nianchen with her back to her, hands moving nonstop. The knife hit the cutting board with steady thuds.

Water bubbled furiously in the pot, gurgling away.

Yu Wan leaned against the doorframe and watched quietly. Fang Nianchen had tied up her hair, her expression serious and focused.

A peaceful, everyday scene—one that only appeared in her dreams.

—

Back when she was in third grade, her parents divorced, and she was awarded to her mother, Shi Yumei. The year after the divorce, Shi Yumei remarried a wealthy merchant who had a younger son.

The little boy was a bit younger than Yu Wan. Spoiled into being arrogant and domineering, he looked down on Shi Yumei and Yu Wan, these two outsiders. With his dad as backup, he treated Yu Wan terribly—stealing her toys, tearing her homework. Even the rare new clothes she got would be scorched by his lighter.

Back then, Yu Wan hadn’t outgrown the age where kids cried easily. The moment she was bullied, she’d run crying to her mom.

But to please the merchant, Shi Yumei would side with the boy, accusing Yu Wan of being a lying brat who caused her own trouble.

She tried again and again, but the results were always the same. Shi Yumei never stood up for her like a mother should. Her nominal dad, the merchant, was even less likely to.

The merchant always emphasized to Yu Wan: “Letting you go to school is already pretty good. Don’t ask for things that aren’t yours.”

Yu Wan didn’t understand—what wasn’t hers?

The house? The car? Or the money?

Eventually, Yu Wan got used to staying silent. When bullied, she’d just endure it quietly and stop seeking help from Shi Yumei.

She told herself that things would be better when she grew up—no more bullying. She stopped crying and complaining, pretending to be strong.

Gradually, the little boy noticed she no longer shed tears or made a fuss. Seeming bored, he bullied her less.

One winter, the boy got good grades on his finals. The merchant was thrilled and promised to take him skiing. To Yu Wan’s surprise, he even thought of her this time.

The four of them went to Finland’s most famous ski resort, where the merchant rented a villa.

Suddenly in a foreign country with unfamiliar food, the kids weren’t adjusting well. That first night, Yu Wan and the boy both spiked high fevers.

The merchant and Shi Yumei panicked, urgently calling a local doctor and taking him to the boy’s room.

The doctor was Chinese. After examination, he said it was just a cold from the chill. He prescribed medicine and warned against skiing with the boy for the next few days.

Relieved the boy was fine, the merchant thanked the doctor profusely and had someone escort him back.

To show off, Shi Yumei stayed by the boy’s bed all night, wiping his body. When he whined for egg custard, she cooked it for him in the middle of the night.

She played the mother role perfectly—except she forgot her own biological daughter was sick too, tormented by the fever.

Thanks to the medicine she’d brought and her strong immune system, Yu Wan barely made it through the night.

The next day at breakfast, everyone just looked surprised before quietly eating. No one asked how she’d gotten through it, and no one apologized for neglecting her.

That time, Yu Wan finally understood: in this world, what didn’t belong to her was concern and love. In this family, she didn’t deserve concern or love.

So before age sixteen, her only birthday wish was: that there would be someone in the world who treated her well.

Just one person, and she’d be happy.

Later, she got greedier: someone who was good only to her. That gentleness would belong solely to her.

Later, the obsession deepened. Even as an adult, she often dreamed that such a person really appeared in her life.

That person’s back was blurry, but every time she saw Fang Nianchen, everything seemed to take shape.

—

“You’re awake?” Fang Nianchen tossed the veggies into the pot to stew, then turned and saw her at the kitchen door.

“What’re you making?” Yu Wan had just woken, her voice lazy. “Smells so good.”

“Creamy stewed veggies.”

“Feels like it’ll be delicious.”

“Of course—this is my specialty. Back in the UK, Yin Chi-jie said mine was even better than the restaurants’.” Fang Nianchen beamed proudly, completely missing how Yu Wan’s expression turned subtly odd at the mention of “Yin Chi.”

“Really?” Yu Wan raised a brow. “Need help?”

“Um… the broccoli still needs chopping.” Fang Nianchen gave her an easy task.

Yu Wan nodded and walked over, reaching out to her. “Can I borrow a hair tie again? My hair’s getting in the way.”

Fang Nianchen still had the one Yu Wan had returned on her wrist. Hearing the request, she immediately took it off and handed it over, her eyes sparkling.

Finally, this utterly ordinary thing was about to take on special meaning again.

“Is my hair too long?” Yu Wan said as she gathered it up. “Maybe I should just cut it.”

It sounded like musing to herself, but afterward, she glanced at Fang Nianchen.

Spotting the look, Fang Nianchen reacted: “No way—long hair looks so good.”

What she loved most was Senior Yu’s silhouette with long hair swaying as she walked, her figure graceful. Short hair would be another kind of pretty, but it lacked that charm.

Hearing this, Yu Wan smiled faintly. “If you like it, then I won’t cut it.”

What do you mean, if I like it, you won’t cut it…

Fang Nianchen was suddenly speechless.

Seeing Yu Wan smiling, she knew she was teasing on purpose.

A bit sulkily, Fang Nianchen clamped her mouth shut and turned to check the pot.

So easy to tease…

Yu Wan shook her head helplessly with a soft laugh.

Not their first time cooking together, they worked in sync. Soon, the creamy stew was ready.

As Fang Nianchen had said, the milk fragrance overflowed, mingled with veggies, chicken, and cooked tuna. The colors were vibrant too.

After taking a bite, Yu Wan’s expression turned intriguing.

“Not tasty?” Fang Nianchen found it unbelievable. She’d been using this recipe for years now; the results should have been very stable.

Could it be the ingredients weren’t fresh? That shouldn’t be either… The salmon and vegetables were bought just yesterday.

“Very tasty—on par with the restaurant’s, for sure.” Yu Wan chuckled. “Don’t be nervous. I’m just worried I might not get to eat it again in the future.”

Fang Nianchen let out a breath of relief, her expression relaxing. “If you want to eat it, just tell me anytime. If you don’t feel like cooking on the weekends, you’re welcome to come over to my place for a free meal anytime.”

“This is something Xiao Ning asked you to do too?” Yu Wan’s gaze sharpened with insight.

“She…” Fang Nianchen hesitated. “She did tell me to look after you, but… aren’t we friends as well? You coming over to a friend’s place for a meal has nothing to do with her, right?”

“I see…” The corner of Yu Wan’s mouth curved up slightly.

Fang Nianchen nodded firmly. “Yeah!”

“Then it’s settled, Chef Fang.”

—

After dinner, dusk was settling in.

Yu Wan said the pipe at her place had been fixed and prepared to take her leave.

Fang Nianchen leashed up Pan-fried Dumpling as well. “I’m heading downstairs to walk the dog anyway. Let me walk you out.”

Yu Wan naturally had no objections.

By the time they reached downstairs, Pan-fried Dumpling was raring to go, tugging Fang Nianchen onward.

It took Fang Nianchen quite some effort to hold it back. She bid Yu Wan farewell. “Text me when you get home.”

Yu Wan nodded, then instructed her with lingering concern. “It’s late—be careful walking the dog by yourself.”

“No worries, I’m just sticking around nearby. I’ll be back soon.”

As they spoke, someone approached from behind Yu Wan. At first, Fang Nianchen thought it was just another resident and didn’t pay it much mind. But then she saw the figure stop right behind Yu Wan without moving another step, and she immediately went on high alert, staring him down.

The dim darkness perhaps lent the man an air of ill intent.

Easing her grip on Pan-fried Dumpling’s leash just a bit, Fang Nianchen demanded, “What do you want?”

Her expression grew solemn as she fixed him with a piercing gaze. Yu Wan noticed her tension and the presence behind her, whirling around on the spot.

“Why are you…” Yu Wan stared at Chen Yuyang in slight shock.

How had Chen Yuyang found this place?

“Ah Wan.” Chen Yuyang spoke up, a smug smile curling his lips. “What a coincidence.”

“Woof!”

Pan-fried Dumpling let out a low bark. In the next instant, both girl and dog positioned themselves in front as a barrier. Yu Wan’s wrist was gently grasped and she was pulled behind Fang Nianchen, who hovered protectively.

In just a few breaths, Fang Nianchen had clenched her fists in vigilance.

“I know him.” Yu Wan patted Fang Nianchen’s shoulder lightly.

She didn’t want a scene here. Chen Yuyang was a tough one to deal with—he might stir up trouble again. More importantly, she needed to figure out how he’d tracked her down.

But the prerequisite for all that was keeping Fang Nianchen out of it.

“His name’s Chen Yuyang, a classmate from university.” Yu Wan continued explaining. “It’s fine.”

Only upon hearing this did Fang Nianchen step aside slightly, though her eyes remained locked on the man.

Pan-fried Dumpling’s leash had been fully released by now. It squatted imposingly between the two parties, guarding its owner as it panted heavily and glared at the man across from them.

Chen Yuyang, intimidated by the large dog, took a few steps back. Once Fang Nianchen moved away, he smiled again. “Yeah, Ah Wan and I go way back. You don’t need to think I’m some bad guy. I just have something to discuss with her.”

“Fang Nianchen, why don’t you go ahead and walk the dog? I’ll chat with him a bit and head home soon.” Yu Wan called her name softly, offering a reassuring smile. “Really, it’s fine.”

Fang Nianchen was only half convinced. A familiar face—even one she wasn’t on great terms with—wouldn’t have elicited that kind of reaction from Yu Wan earlier.

She didn’t look happy. In fact, there had even been… a flash of panic. That was too out of character for Yu Wan.

But with Yu Wan urging her to go like this, she couldn’t very well stick around.

As Fang Nianchen left, she glanced back every few steps. She saw Yu Wan and that Chen Yuyang guy each get into their cars before long, driving off out of the complex.

Pan-fried Dumpling seemed to share her unease, adopting an uncharacteristically defensive stance. It hadn’t gone far when the man’s car passed by—it plopped its butt down on the ground, wrinkling its nose and baring its teeth.

“Alright, Senior Yu said he’s an acquaintance.” Fang Nianchen had to stroke its fur to calm it down. “Let’s head to the park and play a round first, yeah?”

Pan-fried Dumpling snorted from its nostrils, stood up, and picked up the leash dangling by its feet in its mouth, handing it back to its owner.

Fang Nianchen lingered at the park for half an hour. Only when Yu Wan’s [Home safe] message came through did the tension in her chest finally ease.

On the way back, she mulled over everything that had just happened.

Chen Yuyang… The name rang a bell somewhere.

But… when had she heard it?

Rumble—

Distant thunder rumbled faintly.

Fang Nianchen glanced toward the horizon. The moon was shrouded by dark clouds, peeking through with only faint light. Tonight’s wind felt stronger than usual, carrying a chill—harbinger of an incoming storm.

Chen Yuyang…

Fang Nianchen bit her lip, her pupils contracting.

He was the guy from that huge scandal back in the day—Senior Yu’s boyfriend.