Back to Auntie’s School Days - Chapter 51

It was nearly eight o’clock by the time Tan Yanqing arrived at the restaurant. As soon as she walked in, she saw Shao Jiu sitting by the window.

With her wavy curls and beige sweater under the warm glow of the lights, Shao Jiu appeared as soft and inviting as candlelight. Seeing her, Shao Jiu waved. “Yanqing.”

Tan Yanqing nodded and walked toward her.

She wore a gray wool overcoat and a matching scarf of an unknown brand wrapped around her neck. It served to highlight her already pale, cool complexion, making her look like a radiant cloud emerging from behind dark ones.

Some people are simply like that—the moment they appear, they command everyone’s attention. The patrons in the restaurant all noticed Tan Yanqing, and as Shao Jiu watched her approach, the corners of her mouth curled upward with pleasure; her vanity was immensely satisfied.

the gentle restaurant lighting softened Tan Yanqing’s habitually “iceberg” features. However, beneath her deep-set brow, her rimless glasses only partially obscured the sharp edge in her eyes; she still radiated an aura of unapproachable distance.

It was a face like a peerless work of art carved by the heavens; once your gaze fell upon it, it was impossible to look away.

It wasn’t until Tan Yanqing sat down in front of her that Shao Jiu finally managed to pull her gaze back. Her eyes swept over the scarf that partially hid Tan Yanqing’s chin. “That scarf suits you very well,” she said.

Though it covered a third of Tan Yanqing’s face, it only served to pique curiosity. Having seen the perfect eyebrows, eyes, and nose that remained visible, one couldn’t help but want to look past the scarf to see her lips—to see what her entire face looked like.

Tan Yanqing had just unwound the scarf. Her straight hair, scattered around her neck, still carried the chill of the outside air. As the scarf shifted, the metallic scent of the cold, mingled with a faint, elusive fragrance from Tan Yanqing’s body, drifted into Shao Jiu’s nostrils.

Shao Jiu looked up and saw Tan Yanqing’s eyes crinkle slightly behind her lenses, as if she were smiling.

She was momentarily stunned.

Strange.

Was this scarf special to Tan Yanqing? Tan Yanqing smiled just because she complimented it? For a polite compliment, a smile might be common courtesy, but Tan Yanqing… this woman was cold to the point of being impolite.

Of course, she didn’t mean Tan Yanqing lacked manners; she would still nod and smile at ordinary people. What she meant was that toward pursuers or former pursuers, Tan Yanqing traditionally never offered any signal that could provide room for their imagination. Because to them, even a random smile might be interpreted as a signal of ambiguity.

Tan Yanqing used to be quite polite to them, but later—likely because someone’s persistent pestering became too much—she wouldn’t give a single unnecessary glance to anyone who showed interest in her.

But what Tan Yanqing didn’t realize was that her aloofness—that “no matter what you do, I will never love you” attitude—was exactly what attracted them most.

Shao Jiu smiled and opened the menu, handing it to Tan Yanqing. “See what you’d like to eat.”

Tan Yanqing gave an “Mhm” and asked politely, “Have you been waiting long?”

“No~ I just arrived myself. I was just about to organize some materials when you showed up.”

Tan Yanqing told the waiter her order. Once the waiter left, she turned to Shao Jiu. “Can I take a look at the materials?”

Shao Jiu nodded. “Of course.” She took a tablet from her bag, opened the files, and handed it to Tan Yanqing.

Tan Yanqing took it and began reading intently, as if the only reason for this dinner was work. And isn’t it? Shao Jiu thought with a bitter smile. The only reason she could successfully invite Tan Yanqing to dinner was that her department was collaborating with the police force. Previously, her various attempts to invite her out had been rejected with the excuse of work; she never expected that she would finally succeed because of work.

Success and failure both owed to the same cause.

Tan Yanqing read the materials very seriously. It reminded Shao Jiu of their school days, when she had passed by the door of Class 2 countless times or made up excuses to talk to someone in that class, just to see Tan Yanqing sitting by the window. Most often, she would see Tan Yanqing working on her assignments.

Just like now: the perfectly straight back, the slender white neck.

The two silhouettes overlapped; except for her hair being down and the black frames replaced by rimless ones, Tan Yanqing hadn’t changed a bit.

Shao Jiu propped her chin on her hand, her gaze resting steadily on Tan Yanqing’s face. “When the editor-in-chief mentioned collaborating with the police, I didn’t even ask which department it was. I just immediately volunteered for the project.” Because she thought that by collaborating with the force, she might get to see her at the bureau.

“I thought I might run into you, but I didn’t expect it would actually be with your department.”

Tan Yanqing finished reading the materials, handed the tablet back, and said, “The internet has developed rapidly these past few years, and cyber fraud methods are becoming more sophisticated. The bureau wants to work with journalists to produce a series of news reports. I’ve looked through your materials; they look good.”

The reason Shao Jiu used for the invitation tonight was: I’ve organized the materials, but I’m not sure if there are issues. I also have a few professional questions I’d like to ask you. Shall we have dinner together?

Since it involved work, Tan Yanqing hadn’t refused. Aside from that, there was another reason.

Shao Jiu was a journalist, and after Tan Yanqing learned she had joined the “Search for Missing Loved Ones” column after graduation, she had once asked her for a favor. Now, she asked: “Is your department’s column for finding missing relatives still running?”

“It is. Quite a few people have found their families through us over the last few years.” Shao Jiu smiled as she spoke, but when she looked at Tan Yanqing, her eyes were full of apology and concern. She looked down and said, “But regarding Jian Lai… there’s still no news.”

“No need to look anymore.”

Tan Yanqing’s voice reached her ears softly.

What? Shao Jiu looked up in surprise.

“Why? Even if there’s no news, you’ve been searching for so many years. Why give up now?” Shao Jiu’s brow furrowed.

Even though she knew this Jian Lai was her romantic rival. No, she couldn’t even be called a rival, because a rival implies mutual competition for affection; Tan Yanqing had never harbored a single romantic thought about her, so how could she be Jian Lai’s rival?

Tan Yanqing’s entire heart was devoted to this person named Jian Lai. From senior year until now.

She often told her friends: Tan Yanqing is a fool! A lovestruck fool! She hated that Tan Yanqing loved someone so much, and she hated that she only loved this one person. This woman who seemed the most cold and heartless was actually the most devoted. Her deep affection was almost unbelievable—the person in her heart was someone she had known for barely two months.

Because of Jian Lai, Shao Jiu had learned a saying: Some people only need to appear for one minute to dazzle the rest of your life.

But even knowing that, she had spent a long time unable to understand why a person who appeared for only two months could haunt Tan Yanqing for seventeen years.

That was, until she saw a child beside Tan Yanqing who looked almost identical to Jian Lai. Tan Yanqing said the resemblance was because the child was related to Jian Lai. Not only did they look alike, even their names were similar: Jian Hao.

Then she understood.

Tan Yanqing couldn’t forget even if she wanted to, because Jian Hao’s existence was a mirror, constantly reminding her of Jian Lai. It seemed like the cruelest thing in the world. It was like walking barefoot through a thorn-filled rose garden; the more Jian Hao clung to Tan Yanqing, the deeper the thorns would scratch Tan Yanqing, and the roses would grow more hauntingly beautiful as they were watered by the blood flowing from Tan Yanqing’s wounds.

Shao Jiu had once worried that Tan Yanqing would project her love for Jian Lai onto Jian Hao, pouring seventeen years of suppressed affection onto a single girl. But luckily, in their few interactions, she hadn’t seen anything unusual from Tan Yanqing. It seemed Jian Lai was Jian Lai, and Jian Hao was Jian Hao; Tan Yanqing distinguished between them very clearly.

So now, when Tan Yanqing took the initiative to say there was no more need to search for Jian Lai, was it because hope was too dim? No, Tan Yanqing had persisted for so many years; how could she give up just like that? But then she remembered that Tan Yanqing had indeed mentioned the search less often in recent years, as if she had forgotten the matter entirely. Shao Jiu bit her lip. “Is it… because she was found?”

She tried to think positively. But when she saw Tan Yanqing nod slightly, her body still stiffened for an instant. Soon, however, she felt genuinely happy and smiled at her. “Congratulations. You’ve finally got your wish.”

Tan Yanqing’s face, without makeup and framed by thick brows and lashes, showed a smile so faint it almost wasn’t one. “Mhm.”

Shao Jiu had helped post many missing person notices for Jian Lai in the newspapers, so she was naturally curious. “So where has she been all these years? Did you find her, or did she come back on her own?”

Tan Yanqing said nothing.

Shao Jiu assumed she was still trapped in the past seventeen years and unable to move on. She paused, then asked cautiously: “So… are you and her… going to be together?”

Although she felt that Tan Yanqing’s search for Jian Lai wasn’t necessarily just to be with her, this was the question she cared about most. Because… she had loved Tan Yanqing for twenty years. Since Tan Yanqing stood on the stage as the freshman representative in their first year of high school.

Tan Yanqing shook her head. “No. She has already left.”

Shao Jiu was shocked. “Left?!”

“Mhm.”

“Did she tell you where she went this time?”

Tan Yanqing said softly, “She already has her own life.”

Shao Jiu stared at her face, looking into those calm eyes, and a deep bitterness rose in her heart. She asked herself why—how could Jian Lai treat Tan Yanqing like this?! She asked why Tan Yanqing’s beloved didn’t love her back. Why torture Tan Yanqing like this?! She felt a surge of heartache and wanted to offer some comfort, but at this moment, it seemed best to say nothing at all.

Until the meal ended, Shao Jiu didn’t ask about Jian Lai again, only discussing work with Tan Yanqing.

After eating, as she was putting on her coat to leave, Shao Jiu suddenly noticed the scarf Tan Yanqing was wrapping around her neck. “I thought it looked familiar just now. You wore this scarf the winter before last, didn’t you?”

Tan Yanqing gave an “Mhm.”

Shao Jiu looked closer and saw the scarf was pilling. Up close, the material was clearly coarse, not the luxury brand one might expect. However, no matter the quality, everything looked high-end on Tan Yanqing. As the internet saying goes: She’d look good in a burlap sack.

She remarked, “You really are sentimental.”

Because Shao Jiu had invited her, she went to pay the bill, only to be told Tan Yanqing had already paid. She turned to her, and Tan Yanqing said, “You spent all that time helping me look for her, yet I only ever treated you to one meal back then. Let me treat you this time.”

Shao Jiu paused for a few seconds, then shrugged with a smile. “I wanted you to stay in my debt, but look at you, so eager to settle the score.”

Tan Yanqing lowered her gaze and said nothing.

The two emerged from the restaurant. There was a subway station nearby, and many people were heading east from the station. Shao Jiu said, “There are New Year’s Eve festivities over at the central square nearby. Interested?”

Tan Yanqing immediately thought of the message Jian Hao had sent her. It was nine o’clock; the commuter students at school would be finishing their evening self-study around now. But with so many people at the square, it was unlikely she would run into Jian Hao—though you never knew. Who was Jian Hao spending the night with? Was it that classmate who liked her and had waited by the road with her? Or someone else?

Seeing Tan Yanqing hesitate, Shao Jiu sensed an opportunity and proposed: “But it’s still a bit early. We could look around the nearby mall. It’s your birthday soon; let me get you a gift?”

Tan Yanqing said softly, “A gift isn’t necessary. I haven’t gotten you anything, either.”

Shao Jiu smiled and said, “Your wish has been fulfilled. The days ahead are a new beginning. Aren’t you ready to meet someone new?” Knowing Tan Yanqing had found Jian Lai and that Jian Lai had left, Shao Jiu was angry on one hand, but on the other, she felt this was her chance.

Tan Yanqing understood her meaning. She let out a soft laugh and said, “No.”

With that, having been undecided about the square, she turned slightly, took her right hand out of her pocket, and gave a small wave. “I’ll be going. Stay safe on your way back.”

Shao Jiu was stunned for a moment, then gave a soft smile. “Goodbye. Let’s do this again sometime.”

“Mhm.”

Watching Tan Yanqing’s retreating back, Shao Jiu knew how difficult it would be to invite her to dinner again… or perhaps, she wouldn’t be able to invite her at all. Otherwise, Tan Yanqing wouldn’t have given her that single smile. Until Tan Yanqing disappeared from view, she exhaled and finally started walking in the opposite direction.

Once in her car, Tan Yanqing didn’t start the engine immediately. She wavered between going to the central square and going home.

She didn’t like crowds, but she thought of the New Year’s countdown—among the thousands of people shouting “5, 4, 3, 2, 1,” Jian Hao would be there too. Tan Yanqing felt a slight urge to go.

But—what was she doing?

She shouldn’t have such thoughts about Jian Hao. Even if she was the only one who knew, she had to restrain herself from harboring feelings she shouldn’t have.

She thought of the message Jian You had sent her a few days ago: 【I can’t control her anymore! She insists on being with you! I have no idea why! You started this fire, so you’re responsible for putting it out. If you can’t put it out, I’ll have to put you out!】

Whether from Jian You’s perspective or her own, Jian Hao was simply Jian Hao—the child they watched grow up. She couldn’t be anyone else.

Even though… she had known since Jian Hao was thirteen that she was Jian Lai.

After sitting in the car for five minutes, Tan Yanqing’s chest rose and fell slightly. A faint sigh appeared unnoticed on this busy New Year’s Eve, then vanished quietly. Tan Yanqing stepped on the gas and drove home.

There were no night markets or large malls around her western-style house, but Nanqing was developing rapidly, and high-rises were everywhere. Even in the cold of winter, the route home was quite lively.

But the livelier it was, the lonelier she felt. One part of her heart grew increasingly empty as the neon lights along the road flashed by. Especially when she parked in front of her house and saw the windows were pitch black while the other houses showed light behind their checkered windows, the feeling intensified.

However, Tan Yanqing was used to it. She had lived this way for twenty years.

She used her key to open the door, closed it, turned on the light, and changed her shoes. She stepped inside—

And stopped.

Tan Yanqing froze.

On the living room sofa, wearing a thick padded coat with her cheeks as rosy as a New Year’s doll, Jian Hao sat hugging a pillow like she was clutching a treasure.

Seeing that Tan Yanqing had noticed her, Jian Hao tossed the pillow aside and stood up. She strode toward Tan Yanqing with valiant steps, looking up to scrutinize her face.

Tan Yanqing: “?”

After being observed for three seconds like a biological specimen, Tan Yanqing said: “You—”

“Hmph!”

Jian Hao interrupted her, locked eyes with her for a moment, then turned around and marched straight toward the first-floor guest room like Tom the Cat.

Thump!

The door closed—not too heavily, but enough to make a sound—sending a clear message to Tan Yanqing:

I’m angry! Be smart and come coax me!