Fang Nianchen said, “Let’s head back.”
“Already?” Luo Xi sounded reluctant.
She was really enjoying walking the dog with beauties.
“Flounder is tired too. Let’s take it back to rest, recharge for tomorrow’s full day of work.”
Luo Xi shrugged. “Alright then.”
On the way back, they caught the sunset, the evening sky dyeing the village red.
Midway, Luo Xi got a call and took Flounder to find the event organizer. Apparently, they were checking that her boss hadn’t shown up and planned to cancel the time slot for her boss’s activity.
Under the setting sun, the shadows of the two people and the dog stretched long.
Fang Nianchen walked slowly, savoring the leisurely atmosphere, each second stretched into endless moments.
“I remember back in university… I invited you to a butterfly exhibit once.”
Suddenly asked about something from so long ago, Yu Wan paused slightly. “Yeah, I remember.”
Fang Nianchen recalled that day—it must have been a Saturday.
In the overcast afternoon, she lay on her dorm bed. Homework was done early, the first draft of her paper handed to the teacher but not yet graded. Bored out of her mind.
Her roommates were excitedly discussing where to go play.
She happened to overhear them mention a “butterfly exhibit.”
She, who never initiated conversation, asked for once, “Where is it?”
Her roommates looked startled, staring at her before snapping back. “At the natural history museum. Haven’t you heard?”
Jiangqing City’s cultural and entertainment scene was more advanced than North City’s, always full of events and exhibits. There had even been a famous singer’s tour concert last time, with the school partnering officially to get student discounts for their pupils.
This time was no exception—full price was ten yuan per ticket, but with a Qingyuan University student ID, entry was free.
Her roommates thought Top Student Fang was finally “descending to earth” to sheep-wool with them and happily sent her all the exhibit info.
After thanking them, Fang Nianchen—who didn’t know where the whim came from—immediately WeChatted Yu Wan: [Museum? Butterfly exhibit?]
She seemed accustomed to these very friend-like invitations, casually sending it out, her hidden intentions undetectable.
She was particularly addicted to that feeling back then.
Yu Wan went along with her style and promptly replied: [Let’s go].
Fang Nianchen packed up and headed out at her fastest speed ever, shocking her roommates for the second time—they’d thought she was always unflappable…
Downstairs, a light rain started. Fang Nianchen waited at Yu Wan’s dorm door.
It was peak summer, and she remembered Yu Wan wearing a loose gray T-shirt, white shorts, and a high ponytail. Her side profile was perfection, the rain adding a hazy beauty. That day, Fang Nianchen was utterly captivated by her fresh-faced charm.
She walked with secret glee, her eyes exceptionally bright against the gloomy sky.
It was a national touring exhibit, held at Jiangqing City’s natural history museum, which repurposed half the insect hall for display.
Of course, Jiangqing’s natural history museum was top-tier nationwide, with rare specimens ranking high across the country.
So touring the exhibit wasn’t limited to butterflies—there were all sorts of birds and beasts.
But butterflies carried romantic connotations for the world. Following the trend was clichéd, yet denying their romance wasted a perfect excuse.
So that day, Fang Nianchen tackily treated the exhibit like a date.
She was thrilled, thinking Yu Wan was just as happy.
“Actually that day… were you pretty uncomfortable? With all those bugs.” A strange regret filled Fang Nianchen’s chest.
If there was ever a time Yu Wan didn’t like her, it must have been her own doing.
Making decisions without knowing the other’s preferences, thinking it was oh-so-romantic, when really it just troubled her.
Truthfully, Fang Nianchen had no special fondness for insects—just “not afraid.” Even she got the creeps from the wall of butterfly specimens that day.
Only years later did she realize Yu Wan might not like them, maybe even feared them.
“Actually…” Yu Wan hesitated. “I’m more afraid of live bugs. Dead ones… are okay.”
If she had to say, she had a special fear of butterflies, always associating them with their larval stage—fat green caterpillars.
“Sorry. I should have asked if you wanted to go first.” Fang Nianchen deflated.
How could it not be important?
She didn’t want to leave Yu Wan with any bad impression.
She aimed for perfection but always overlooked unexpected details.
“It’s not your fault. If I’d felt bad, I would have told you.” For some reason, Yu Wan wanted to pat her head and comfort her so she wouldn’t feel so down. “Actually, I was really happy you asked me out that day.”
Where they went or what they did didn’t matter—she just loved spending time alone with Fang Nianchen.
If choosing again, even live bugs, she’d say yes.
Because it was with Fang Nianchen.
Fang Nianchen nodded, still looking downcast, though she said, “Got it.”
After that, Yu Wan noticed her enthusiasm stayed low, talking much less.
Knowing her stubborn streak had kicked in, she probably saw herself as a selfish character in her mind by now.
Country life followed a regular schedule. After dinner around seven-something, everyone busied themselves. By bath time, it was past eight.
Yu Wan and Fang Nianchen’s place had a small courtyard. They brought out little stools to sit, stars visible overhead.
A night breeze dried their hair perfectly as they sat out.
Luo Xi dropped by again midway, but Fang Nianchen had gone to shower with her stuff, leaving only Yu Wan and Pan-fried Dumpling.
Seeing Yu Wan at the door, Luo Xi didn’t hide her delight. “Miss Yu, some dried fruit snacks for you. Eat if you’re hungry.”
Yu Wan took them. “Thanks.”
Not one to take advantage, she gave Luo Xi some drinks from that morning.
After delivering, Luo Xi naturally claimed a stool, pretending to stargaze.
But soon her gaze fell on the person beside her.
Under the moonlight, Yu Wan had a cool aura, less distant than daytime. Hair loose over her shoulders, she sat serene and poised, back straight.
Luo Xi stared blankly, then hesitantly spoke. “Um… Miss Yu, can I add your WeChat?”
Maybe it was Yu Wan’s unapproachable vibe, or Luo Xi still recovering from the afternoon’s sharpness—either way, she seemed cautious.
“I don’t keep dogs.”
“I know, it’s just…” Luo Xi started picking at her fingers. “You’re really pretty. I like hanging with beauties.”
Yu Wan had heard lines like that plenty, usually from guys leading to dirty jokes. But from a girl, she had more patience.
Patience didn’t mean agreement, though.
Meeting Yu Wan’s shrewd eyes, Luo Xi’s little schemes had nowhere to hide.
Luo Xi came clean. “I don’t know your take on lesbians, so no beating around the bush.”
“You’re super pretty, just like Quan Cige—that super popular actress lately. I’ve… liked girls since I was little, so I wanted to add you first. See if there’s a chance, or even just friends.”
Pretty honest.
Yu Wan appreciated the straightforwardness, but alas.
“Sorry.” Yu Wan put it mildly. “I probably don’t need more friends right now.”
“Ah…” Luo Xi didn’t hide her disappointment at all and let out a long sigh. “Sigh! I’m still not competitive enough! No worries, rest assured, I won’t harass you. You don’t have to feel too uncomfortable either.”
“At worst, we’ll just consider this a chance encounter. Once the event is over in a couple of days, we can forget each other in the rivers and lakes.”
Her frankness and straightforwardness weren’t something Yu Wan would have accepted in the past, but now she thought Luo Xi was better than that certain little rascal.
She wouldn’t even say “I like you,” yet she always teased her heart into pounding.
In this kind of relationship, even if she was jealous, she couldn’t say it outright. She was enduring it quite hard.
Yu Wan smiled. “Thank you for understanding.”
Luo Xi was dazzled by her smile and scratched her face embarrassedly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first. Get some early rest. Good night.”
“You too. See you tomorrow.”
Luo Xi opened the door and left, just in time to run into Fang Nianchen returning from her shower.
With a towel draped over her shoulder, Fang Nianchen gave her a puzzled look and stopped her. “You… do you need something from me?”
Running to someone else’s place in the dead of night was inevitably suspicious.
“Nothing, I just brought some snacks for you two. Miss Yu accepted them on your behalf.”
“Oh…” Fang Nianchen looked at her. “Then you’re heading back?”
“Yeah, I had a great chat with Miss Yu.” Luo Xi’s happiness was obvious to the naked eye, her mouth split in a silly grin. “We’ll chat again another day.”
Had a great chat…
Fang Nianchen’s smile faded as she said goodbye to her and closed the door.
Yu Wan was sitting in the courtyard. Seeing her return, she didn’t stand up and smiled as she asked, “Back from playing in the water?”
Fang Nianchen’s hair wasn’t fully dried, messily draped over her shoulders like a large dog that had just jumped out of the pool, shaken off the water, and climbed ashore.
Hearing her speak, Fang Nianchen asked curiously, “Why are you sitting outside? Aren’t you afraid of mosquito bites?”
“I’ve already been bitten.”
“You could spray some repellent.” As she spoke, Fang Nianchen walked over to her side.
Once beside her, Yu Wan looked up at her. “Didn’t bring any.”
As expected of the boss, making inadequate preparation sound so righteous.
Fang Nianchen said nothing, removed the towel from her neck, hung it on the outdoor clothes rack, and went inside.
She turned on the light, unzipped her suitcase, rummaged for a bit, and came out with a small bag.
She spread it out on the small table in the courtyard. Only then did Yu Wan realize it contained not just mosquito repellent spray, but also mosquito coils, mosquito lamps, and anti-itch creams.
“Prepared so much.” Yu Wan sighed in admiration first, then asked with a laugh, “Are you planning to exterminate the mosquito clans?”
“Isn’t it common knowledge that there are lots of mosquitoes in the mountains?”
Yu Wan paused before drawling back, “Are you saying I lack common sense?”
“No…” Fang Nianchen laughed with relief. “Why do you always twist my words?”
It wasn’t the first time. Now she felt Yu Wan was doing it on purpose.
Just like every nitpicking annoying boss.
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to dislike Yu Wan; she just got all nervous and oversensitive from her sudden remarks.
“Fine, my bad.” Yu Wan chuckled lightly. “I won’t misunderstand you anymore from now on.”
“Do you always prepare so thoroughly?”
“Better safe than sorry.” She always liked standing in the position of being all-knowing and omnipotent, even if others had hyped her up to it.
So whenever she heard something like “you’ve thought of everything,” just like Yu Wan was praising her now, she felt deeply satisfied.
