novelraw Chapter 721: Drifting North
Chapter 721: Drifting North
4:00 p.m.
Shen City, Qianhai Free Trade Zone.
Tang Yi Precision Innovation Center.
Winter sunlight slanted in, tinting the broad, steady space with a wash of gold.
Ouyang Xianyue leaned over her desk. Scattered across the wide tabletop were technical roadmaps for Xuanji Optical World, global supply chain compliance reports, and a memorandum of key points for the board.
But she was not looking at the screen. She had her head bowed, writing line after line of flowing cursive on A4 paper with a fountain pen.
"...A colored thread lightly coils around the red jade arm, a small talisman tilts against the green-cloud hair. Lovers meet after a thousand years."
When she reached the final line, her wrist paused slightly.
Behind her, it felt as if that warm, broad chest had pressed against her back again.
Hot breath fanned the side of her neck. A large hand wrapped her wrist, guiding it to roam freely across the rice paper...Her heartbeat quickened just a tad.
The noblewoman's lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile she herself had not noticed.
For a brief moment she seemed like an embarrassed young girl harboring a crush.
But the next instant she snapped back to composure;
the smile vanished, her usual poise restored.
She pinched her brow, realizing she had been distracted far too often today.
Since last night, when she had been "forced" to reveal herself in front of Su Yu, she had used Zheng Qiudong's all-too-capable mouth to quietly but precisely send out the signal that she intended to come forward.
Jin Meixiao, Mo Xiangwan, Wu Kezhi.
They probably all knew by now.
Right now, those people were surely frantically guessing her motives, urgently assessing the chain reaction this power shift might cause.
Exactly the result she wanted.
She had taken the initiative.
Next, it depended on how Jin Meixiao would respond.
From appearances, it seemed she had already accepted.
That meant she could now boldly do things that previously would have been inconvenient.
"Ring—"
The desk phone rang, slicing through her thoughts.
She pressed the answer key.
Secretary Chen Jing's steady voice came through: "Ms. Ouyang, Qin Yingxue from Smile Holdings and Ms. Anne Kate from Kate Trust have arrived. They're waiting in the downstairs VIP reception room."
Ouyang Xianyue gently closed the file and replied in an even tone, "Please bring them up."
A few minutes later.
There was a soft knock on the office door.
Secretary Chen led in two figures whose presences were completely different.
Leading the way was Anne Kate.
Today she wore a tasteful light-gray business suit with a white silk blouse underneath, though two buttons at the collar were casually undone, revealing a rich, dazzling cleavage of snow-white skin.
Her striking golden hair flowed like seaweed. Her green eyes flashed bright light, full of unapologetic aggressiveness.
Qin Yingxue followed behind, her steps calm, expression gentle.
"Ouyang." Anne opened first, her voice carrying a faint huskiness of sex appeal, "It took me a while to see you. You really are a busy woman. I tried to get you for a drink yesterday, but you were unavailable."
"Apologies." Ouyang Xianyue rose to greet her, wearing a composed smile. "The summit tied me up with trifles. My apologies, Anne."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Ouyang." Qin Yingxue inclined her head politely.
"Good afternoon, Yingxue. Please, sit."
After brief pleasantries, the three seated themselves in the reception area.
Secretary Chen personally served top-grade Zhengshan red tea, then bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door.
Anne lifted her cup, blew on the steam, but did not drink.
Her sharp gaze fixed on the noblewoman opposite as if trying to see through her clothes.
"What's wrong?" Ouyang Xianyue smiled lightly. "Did I spill something on my face?"
"No." Anne set her cup down and leaned forward. "I just heard, because of Su Yu, you've found your 'second spring'? I always thought women of your oriental noble class would have no interest in romance anymore."
Hearing such blunt, rude words, Ouyang Xianyue's stocking-clad calf tightened slightly, but her face remained unreadable.
She replied calmly, "Sometimes people are not masters of their own hearts."
"Heh." Anne laughed lightly, no attempt to conceal the sarcasm, directly accusing the other of hypocrisy.
After all their interactions, Ouyang Xianyue always projected a lofty, chaste saintliness that made people assume she would never fall for worldly desires.
Yet when Tang Song mentioned wanting to go into Xuanji Optical World, she immediately revealed her tail and began vying for him.
For Anne Kate—outspoken and never hiding her desires—that Eastern subtlety and hypocrisy was truly intolerable.
Still, she understood the bigger picture and would not bluntly expose everything.
Ouyang Xianyue sipped her tea with elegant composure, ignoring Anne’s provocation and turning her attention to the one who delivered the real message.
"Yingxue, Director Jin asked you to make a special trip. There must be something important. Speak plainly;
I have a transnational call soon."
Anne leaned back, casually crossing her astonishingly long legs under her suit pants, adopting the posture of a spectator enjoying a show while looking at Qin Yingxue.
Qin Yingxue opened her briefcase, took out a neatly bound document, and placed it gently on the tea table.
Her voice was as steady as ever: "Ms. Ouyang, I'm here on behalf of Director Jin to convey her intent regarding the disposition of equity in Qingning Technology."
"Oh? Qingning Technology's equity?" Ouyang raised an eyebrow and reached for the document.
Qin continued: "Director Jin has decided to transfer all the 7% of Qingning Technology shares held in her personal name into a special trust fund she is initiating, without compensation. The sole beneficiary of this fund will be Ms. Liu Qingning. She wishes to hear your opinion as an important shareholder before formally executing this."
Ouyang Xianyue's pupils contracted slightly.
Qingning Technology was no longer a startup;
it had become one of the highest-valued super-unicorns in the global AI sector.
Tang Yi Precision's strategic development in recent years had revolved deeply around AI technology.
Seven percent represented astronomical interests—an immense, staggering sum.
Jin Meixiao was willing to give it up voluntarily?
And she was giving it to her romantic rival, Liu Qingning?
That image did not match Ouyang Xianyue's impression of the intensely possessive Jin Meixiao.
In an instant Ouyang's mind raced and she pieced together part of the other party's intent.
But she kept her face composed and asked, "This is unexpected from Director Jin. Yingxue, do you know why she chose to do this?"
Qin answered plainly: "Director Jin feels remorseful about some past actions. Especially after being provoked by Ms. Su Yu, Ms. Jin caused certain wrongs to Ms. Liu. Director Jin feels deep guilt. Now that Ms. Liu is gradually taking operational control of Qingning Technology and has been very active lately, Director Jin decided to facilitate things and make amends to Ms. Liu."
Ouyang's fingertips circled the warm teacup as her gaze flickered.
"Su Yu's wrongdoing"—what a line!
That phrase shoved all blame onto Su Yu, making Jin Meixiao appear as someone who, provoked, erred and now feels contrite.
If anyone had reason to feel owed, Su Yu was first on that list.
But Jin Meixiao's involvement was far from negligible: Professor Wang Chang, Liu Qingning's college acquaintances—all bore traces of her influence.
That's why when Su Yu last met Liu Qingning, she painted Jin Meixiao as the mastermind behind the scenes.
If Jin Meixiao now publicly established an "amends" trust, when the truth finally came out later, Su Yu would eat the consequences and be morally ruined.
And Ouyang...had only just formed an "alliance" with Su Yu last night.
Wouldn't that mean both she and Su Yu might be lumped into the "debtors" column?
At least on Liu Qingning's emotional ledger, Jin Meixiao had seized the initial advantage.
Ouyang inhaled slowly and resumed her composed smile: "I understand. Director Jin's intention is well meant. This is good for Qingning;
I have no objections."
Anne Kate, who had been silent, caught the subtle change in the noblewoman's expression and curled her lips into a smile of eager expectation.
She added at the opportune moment: "Now, let me introduce the trust institution."
"Our Kate Trust will be the exclusive manager of this special fund. It's registered in Guernsey using the most complex VISTA structure to ensure absolute separation and confidentiality between beneficiary rights and management rights."
"I've even thought of a very apt name—'Moonlight Trust.'"
She looked at Ouyang Xianyue and smiled like a golden fox. "What do you think? The name is perfect—Lime and Moonlight sound so compatible, don't they?"
"If others also wish to make amends, Kate Trust would be delighted to offer the same bundled preferential services."
Ouyang lightly smiled, raised her teacup and replied: "Oh? Anne, how about you? Are you willing to put your three percent of Qingning Technology into the fund as well?"
Anne's eyelid twitched. She shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't feel indebted to anyone. I've never had any tedious romantic attachments. I'm just a businessman who does things with money."
"Is that so?" Ouyang's tone was laden with meaning.
"Of course." Anne answered candidly, but her crossed legs shifted imperceptibly and her gaze lost some of its edge.
Ouyang did not press further and turned back to the document, moving slowly enough to steady her inner ripples.
Jin Meixiao was clearly forcing her and Su Yu to join in "making amends."
Especially Su Yu.
Back in early 2018 when Qingning Technology was founded, Su Yu enjoyed favored status.
Tang Song had not only given her four percent personally, but had also allowed her to hold a three percent stake through Stellar Convergence, totaling seven percent—about equal to Jin Meixiao's share.
Even Ouyang herself held only five percent personally.
Before Tang Entertainment's listing, Tang Song had even had Su Yu hold eighteen percent on his behalf;
in addition, Su Yu had held many scattered assets for Tang Song.
Su Yu's true net worth far exceeded the public 5 billion.
That explained why, though merely a celebrity, her stature in the core circles was unusually elevated.
As for whether to comply, Ouyang had no real choice.
Her public image was one of rules, trustworthiness, and the most dignified "lady."
If Jin Meixiao had acted and—having admitted yesterday that she also had feelings for Tang Song—then this debt had to be acknowledged.
Su Yu might resist inwardly, but she would surely follow.
This would quietly weaken Ouyang and Su Yu's influence within the family office system over the AI industry, while greatly strengthening Liu Qingning.
It was a straightforward, open stratagem.
Magnificent and grand—rather in keeping with Ouyang's own style.
Clearly, Miss Smile understood her well.
A clever move: yield now to advance later.
After a moment she looked up.
"This Moonlight Trust looks excellent. Yingxue, tell Director Jin that my personal five percent will also be transferred in. As for Su Yu, I will discuss personally with her, but only her personal four percent;
the three percent held by Stellar Convergence is company property and is not included."
"Of course." Qin Yingxue nodded.
Anne immediately brightened and, as the trust manager, began discussing the complex asset injection procedures with Ouyang.
Half an hour later, with details set, the meeting was nearing its end.
Just as Qin was about to put away the documents,
Ouyang initiated a new topic herself:
"Since Director Jin is sorting out past arrangements, there's one more thing I'd like you to relay to her."
Qin straightened with a start and focused: "Please go ahead, Ms. Ouyang."
"Nebula International Group will, with support from the Pan-Entertainment Fund, launch a new round of overseas expansion and listing."
"To coordinate the listing, the group needs a thorough consolidation and cleanup of its equity structure. You know that in earlier years, to avoid risk, Nebula International's equity became scattered among many individuals and institutions, which is unfavorable for modern corporate governance and future capital operations."
Qin nodded: "Understood."
Ouyang smiled and continued, "Wen Ruan has now officially entered the core sequence of the Tang Jin family office and will have more important arrangements ahead. Rather than letting these shares stay scattered, before the listing we should gather them and transfer them to her name. I have already initiated the acquisition process and moved my controlled 5.1% over. Su Yu has agreed to transfer the eight percent she controls as well. This will clarify the ownership structure and be more conducive to future market value management and globalization, won't it?"
Qin's brain raced.
Ouyang was essentially kicking Director Jin's tentacles out of Nebula International.
Everyone knew Nebula International was effectively a downstream asset of Tang Entertainment and within Su Yu’s sphere of influence.
Director Jin had long tried to infiltrate it to suppress and monitor Su Yu from the flanks.
As Qin knew, through personal funds and proxy holdings, Director Jin controlled over eleven percent of Nebula International.
Ouyang's objective was far more than paving the way for Wen Ruan.
Next, they would likely target the newly created Pan-Entertainment Fund.
That fund was where Director Jin, Su Yu, and Wen Ruan's interests were most entangled.
The original intention was probably to bring Su Yu into the family office.
She looked up at the magnificent woman opposite and nodded: "Understood, Ms. Ouyang. I will notify Director Jin immediately."
"Mm." Ouyang nodded.
...
Yancheng, Shengyuan Fine Neighborhood, townhouses.
Basement-level fitness area. A thorough strength training session had just finished.
The air still carried the pheromonal scent left after sweat evaporated.
Wen Ruan took a hot shower and changed into comfortable home clothes.
A pure white fitted T-shirt paired with gray high-waisted sweatpants outlined her sculpted hourglass figure painstakingly honed.
She grabbed an ice-cold bottle of sugar-free electrolyte drink from the fridge and gulped two large swallows.
Then she let out a satisfied "Ah—".
She collapsed into a soft sofa.
She picked up a fascia gun, switched it on, and began moving it across her taut muscles.
"Vrrrr—"
Half-closed eyes, she swept from shoulder to arm, then idly along the firm inner thigh.
The post-workout soreness eased under the steady vibration, mixed with dopamine-induced pleasure that relaxed her fully.
At that moment:
"Ring—"
Her phone, tossed across the sofa, suddenly rang.
Wen Ruan set the gun down, stretched for the phone, and answered.
Caller ID: Su Yu.
She picked up quickly, "Hey? Su Yu."
"Good evening, Wen Ruan. Hope I'm not disturbing you?" Su Yu's voice came through, sultry and languid.
"No, not at all. Hearing your voice is a pleasure." Wen Ruan laughed. "By the way, big star, I've prepared your room. The sheets and duvet are the silk set you like;
come whenever you please~"
"Wonderful. I can't wait."
"Me neither, hehe." Wen Ruan's voice unconsciously took on a flirtatious lilt. "After all, few people have the fortune to sleep beside a superstar."
To be honest, Su Yu possessed a top-tier charisma that pierced gender. Even a straight woman like Wen Ruan found it hard not to be moved.
Too bad she was also a woman, otherwise she would have simply taken Su Yu by force.
Su Yu chuckled, "Thanks for letting me stay at your place. To repay your generosity, I prepared a gift."
"Oh? What gift?" Wen Ruan teased, "Speak up—if it's too cheap I won't accept."
"Rest assured, it's substantial. I'm planning to transfer the eight percent of Nebula International Group shares I personally hold into your name."
Wen Ruan froze mid-drink.
She blinked her flirtatious peach-blossom eyes and burst into delighted laughter: "Haha! Fine! I won't be polite then. With Nebula's current valuation, that eight percent is worth at least a billion or so, right? Thanks, big star. From now on I'm yours. Screw Little Song, I'm with you!"
She assumed Su Yu was joking;
the amount was absurd.
But Su Yu's voice on the line suddenly turned serious: "Wen Ruan, I'm serious. Lawyer Luo Bin will arrange and coordinate with you personally. Not only that, Ms. Ouyang will transfer her covertly held 5.1% to you as well. Call her later and thank her. If possible, meet her and express your gratitude in person."
Su Yu paused and laced her tone with mischief: "As for Jin Meixiao, she holds quite a bit too—around eleven percent, I suspect she'll gracefully give you some as well for appearances."
Bang—
The bottle in Wen Ruan's hand slipped and crashed onto the carpet.
"Hey! Superstar, you're not joking, are you?!"
Her voice trembled.
"Of course it's real."
"This is... outrageous. Give me a moment... Why? Are you making me shoulder some huge hidden responsibility?"
"A burden?" Su Yu sounded puzzled. "No. Nebula International's internationalization and listing are about to launch. To face stricter overseas compliance and capital market requirements, Ms. Ouyang proposed cleaning up the equity and consolidating scattered shares to core management for better corporate governance..."
Su Yu's voice continued, but Wen Ruan's mind already blurred.
She knew Nebula International planned a listing and the need to tidy equity.
She never expected Su Yu and Ouyang Xianyue to give her those shares for free.
Eight percent... 5.1%... plus Jin's eleven percent...
If all those ended up in her hands, Wen Ruan would control over forty percent.
Even with later dilution for overseas M&
A or strategic investors, she would still be the absolute majority shareholder of this soon-to-be-listed entertainment conglomerate.
A media group projected at hundreds of billions in market value would have her as its major owner.
Her chest heaved as her heart pounded.
Her brain went blank under the sudden flood of information.
She did not even remember how she hung up.
She only vaguely recalled Su Yu blowing her a flying kiss over the line.
...
After some indeterminate time, the phone rang again.
Caller ID: Director Jin.
"Holy—!!!"
(QIQ)
Seeing those two characters on the screen made her jolt. She sat bolt upright on the sofa.
Her eyelids fluttered wildly. She inhaled deeply several times and slapped her face to steady herself before answering.
"Hello? Director Jin, good evening."
"Good evening, Wen Ruan." Secretary Jin's voice bore a faint, enigmatic smile. "Have you eaten?"
"No, I just finished training."
"Heh, no wonder your figure is so good;
very disciplined."
"You're too kind. Just a habit."
After small talk, Secretary Jin asked lightly: "Has anyone contacted you about Nebula International's equity consolidation?"
Wen Ruan's heart leapt: "Um... yes, Su Yu just called me."
"Heh, she's still petty but quick to act." Secretary Jin shrugged it off, then said: "But Ms. Ouyang is right. Since Tang Song wants to cultivate you into the media core, the shares should indeed be more concentrated. That makes things easier to manage."
"Director Jin... that's not necessary! I—"
"Stop. This is already decided." Secretary Jin cut her off, then shifted tone. "Also, a small surprise Tang Song arranged for you in advance."
"A surprise?" Wen Ruan's pulse raced again.
"As the future controlling person of Nebula International Group, your resume is still a bit thin. So he arranged a new title for you: Visiting Scholar at a prestigious university."
That phrase sent Wen Ruan's heart into overdrive.
"Visiting Scholar" might be an academic label to ordinary people, but she knew its weight and symbolism.
Paired with a world-renowned university, her name would appear in their databases;
it would add a shining line to media reports, resumes, and company filings;
it would let her introduce herself as "Visiting Scholar" at international conferences or in interviews.
Secretary Jin continued: "I called to ask your preference: Oxford or Cambridge? Harvard Business School would leave heavier traces, so not recommended. I personally suggest the Saïd Business School at Oxford. Our Tang Jin education foundation donated a building to their Asia research center last year. Under the name of Sino-European business-cultural exchange, we can arrange a Visiting Scholar title formally and quickly."
"This... okay, thank you, Director Jin..."
"You're welcome. Also..." Secretary Jin seemed to recall something and added, "The head of the program is an old friend of my father. I'll arrange a doctoral student team for academic support so that during your tenure you can publish at least two substantial signed pieces in outlets like Harvard Business Review or The Economist under your name."
Wen Ruan was overwhelmed by the sequence of superlative gifts;
her heart pounded and her mind froze.
She could not parse the deeper implications and could only stammer, "Thank you, Director Jin."
After hanging up, her breathing was rapid and her chest heaved.
The white tight T-shirt accentuated her curves.
She sank slowly back into the sofa and placed the fascia gun on her thigh.
"Chug-chug-chug—"
The high-frequency, intense vibration traveled into her nerve endings.
She pressed her thighs together, savoring the tingling stimulation as her face flushed.
The strong physical sensation finally resurrected her brain from shock.
Holy—this was palace-struggle escalation.
Something big had happened that she didn't know about!
Wen Ruan spread a wide grin, revealing neat white teeth.
And yet, having carried so many burdens, she had finally hit the jackpot!
(MVN)
At that moment,
"Ring—" the phone rang a third time.
Wen Ruan flinched, thinking it was another big player, and checked the screen.
Caller ID: Zhang Yan.
She relaxed, turned off the fascia gun, and answered.
Her voice instantly returned to the familiar languid, affectionate older-sister tone. "Hey? Yan Yan, what's up? Missing your sis?"
On the other end, Zhang Yan's voice was shy and nervous: "Wen... Wen Ruan sis... um... I wanted to ask if our accommodation in Yancheng is arranged by the company or should I book my own hotel?"
"Huh? Your lodgings?" Wen Ruan blinked her flirtatious eyes and teased, "You're going back to Yancheng to see Tang Song, and you're asking if the company will reimburse your hotel?"
"No, no, it's not like that!" Zhang Yan hurriedly explained. "I—I'm just asking. I'll book my own, no need for company reimbursement!"
"Alright, stop worrying. I was only teasing." Wen Ruan laughed. "Don't waste money on hotels. Call Tang Song—he'll arrange it. If he doesn't, I'll sort it."
There was a pause on the line. Zhang Yan's voice went even softer: "I... understand. Thank you, Wen Ruan sis."
Wen Ruan playfully said: "No need for thanks. If you ever need help, promise me you'll lend a hand when I need it."
Zhang Yan immediately replied earnestly: "If I can help, Wen Ruan sis, just say the word."
"Hehe, deal." Wen Ruan softened her tone. "The plane's tomorrow;
sleep early tonight and rest up. When we go from Yancheng to the Imperial Capital, I'll accompany you personally."
"Okay."
...
Yangcheng, Liwan District, Lanxin Garden Community.
Outside the window the sunset turned the sky a warm orange-red.
Zhang Yan hung up energetically.
Wen Ruan's teasing still seemed to echo in her ears. Her fair cheeks flushed like a ripe apple and she didn't know where to put her hands.
Tomorrow morning she would leave for Yancheng.
She had been busy preparing all day.
Her suitcase had been opened and closed multiple times.
Her favorite Tang-style dress was carefully folded on top.
Beside it lay several winter work outfits.
Hidden at the bottom was a cotton pajama set with a bit of lace she had bought online.
She had packed many gifts.
For Tang Song: two exquisitely bound poetry collections she had chosen, with her favorite small poems copied on the flyleaves.
For Wen Ruan: a box of authentic Cantonese pastries she had queued for at a long-established shop.
She even bought imported cat treats for Snowball, a cat she had never met.
"Meow—"
Juzi seemed to smell the can and kept rubbing against her legs, making disgruntled noises.
Zhang Yan soothed the cat and walked into the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of braised Cantonese roast.
Her mother Zhou Hui stood at the stove guarding a clay pot glazed with secret sauce, the roast shining with oil.
"Mom, let me." Zhang Yan approached to take the spatula.
"No, no, it's almost done." Zhou Hui laughed and nudged her aside. "Go take out the storage containers and we'll pack it up in a bit."
Zhang Yan bent and pulled out containers of various sizes from the cabinet, all carefully scalded and dried.
Her mother chatted as she explained the tricks of braising roast and said boys liked meat;
if she had the chance, she should cook for Tang Song more often.
Zhang Yan blushed and listened quietly, diligently learning without arguing.
After packing tomorrow's luggage and finishing dinner,
she watched a bit of a domestic drama with her mother until the clock silently passed eight.
"Thump—thump—"
A little rabbit seemed to live inside Zhang Yan's chest, restless and unable to settle.
She told her mother she was going out with the trash and went downstairs.
Early winter in Yangcheng carried a trace of chill at night.
Streetlights cast a dim glow, elongating the shadows of osmanthus trees.
She didn't return home immediately. Instead she walked the winding paths of the complex again and again.
She pressed her lips tightly. One moment her face burned with the thought of the upcoming meeting;
the next it paled with insecurity and self-doubt.
After a long time, the breeze cooled her flushed face.
She exhaled and returned to their modest flat.
She didn't watch TV with her mother again.
Instead she sat at the worn desk in the living room.
From the drawer she took out a stack of plain letter paper and her favorite pen.
Under the dim lamp's halo she removed the cap and let the pen whisper across the page.
She wrote about her 기대 for tomorrow, her longing for Tang Song, and her nostalgia for Yancheng.
She longed for Yancheng's snow, the crisp scent unique to midwinter.
Having stayed in humid Yangcheng, her tongue stubbornly missed the coarse wheat fragrance of northern sesame cakes.
Tomorrow she would set off.
This was not a wandering away from home, but more like a return.
When she finished the slightly messy essay, she carefully folded the paper and tucked it into the diary deep in the drawer—no intention of sending it.
It was her habit.
Besides QQ, she had actually written many letters that were never sent.
She didn't dare express plainly on WeChat, "I miss you," or "I like you."
She didn't even dare ask whether he knew what time her flight was or whether he would pick her up.
Night deepened bit by bit.
Zhang Yan washed up, cuddled Juzi, and lay down.
She opened her phone and tapped Tang Song's chat window.
She felt she had to say something or she would surely be unable to sleep. And with a flight tomorrow, she needed rest.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitated,
typed, deleted, typed again… finally leaving the simplest and most longed-for sentence: "Will you pick me up tomorrow?"
She stared at the green send button, torn and hesitant.
"Meow~"
Juzi, tucked under her, felt a bit squashed and stretched a furry paw, tapping her phone screen.
"Whoosh—" the message went out.
"Ah!" Zhang Yan gasped, her mind buzzing and her face scorching hot.
At that moment,
"Buzz buzz buzz—" WeChat replied instantly.
Tang Song: "Of course. Tomorrow at 12:10 p.m., I'll wait for you at Yancheng International Airport T3 terminal."
Tang Song: [a kiss-and-hug sticker]
Seeing the message and the sticker,
Zhang Yan's cheeks turned crimson as if bleeding.
She scrambled for a sticker and sent a cat nodding obediently.
Then she slammed her phone onto the bed and buried herself in Juzi's fur.
"All your fault! Stinky Juzi..."
Juzi gave a plaintive "meow" and tried to wriggle away, but her owner hugged tighter.
Zhang Yan pulled the thin blanket over herself and the fevered heart and hid in the soft dark.
She closed her eyes but could not sleep.
Outside, the southern night stitched together a tender darkness.
Her heart, however, drifted north.
She seemed to already hear the sound of snowflakes hitting the ground.