However, apart from their initial embrace, the two didn’t engage in any other intimate behavior, and their interactions remained as natural as before, which made Shen Qingtang feel less awkward about the whole situation.
"So now, I and He Xiang know about it. The only one left in the dark is Gu Xiuyuan. Does this still count as an underground romance?" Shen Qingtang asked with amusement, linking arms with Ji Nian.
Ji Nian tugged at the corner of her lips. "As long as Gu Xiuyuan doesn’t find out for now, it counts as an underground romance."
She was joking, of course.
If Gu Xiuyuan knew, Ji Tingzhou would inevitably find out.
Shen Qingtang had acting skills, but Gu Xiuyuan couldn’t pretend to save his life.
"That makes sense."
After a moment of thought, Shen Qingtang nodded in agreement.
Since Lu Jinghuai was still present, and considering certain sensitivities, Shen Qingtang refrained from asking Ji Nian about He Xiang’s thoughts on the matter.
The three of them got into the car and headed to the reserved restaurant to welcome Lu Jinghuai.
Throughout the ride, Shen Qingtang’s gaze repeatedly drifted toward Lu Jinghuai, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Over dinner, they caught up with each other’s recent lives. Shen Qingtang mentioned that after summer break, she wouldn’t be returning to school and would instead prepare to study abroad.
"In that case, for a long time, it’ll just be me and Lu Jinghuai having lunch together," Ji Nian mumbled, resting her chin on her hand.
Shen Qingtang chuckled and nudged her shoulder. "Once I finish my studies and come back, we’ll be able to spend time together again."
Her life path was meticulously planned—clear and unwavering.
Back in middle school, she had sought out Ji Tingzhou on her own and told him that she wanted to work for the Ji family in the future, standing by Ji Nian’s side just as her father had once supported Ji Tingzhou.
Ji Nian was aware of this and had even confirmed that Shen Qingtang had chosen this path entirely of her own volition.
"True."
Ji Nian nodded.
It was also because of this decision that Ji Nian’s own plans to study pharmacology had shifted.
Originally, Ji Nian had intended to stay within her comfort zone and continue studying pharmacology. But in this world, there was little left for her to learn in that field—no one could teach her anything new. It made more sense to step out and explore other subjects that piqued her interest.
Having grown up surrounded by business discussions, she had developed some curiosity about commerce. Besides, although Ji Tingzhou had never explicitly said it, it was an open secret that the Ji family would eventually be passed down to Ji Nian. So, everything fell into place naturally.
After dinner, Shen Qingtang suddenly told Ji Nian that she wanted to try the dorayaki from the shop across the street—the same ones Ji Nian used to bring her after school when they were kids.
Ji Nian’s eyes flickered with understanding, and she replied casually, "Sure, you two wait here for me."
With that, she walked off, leaving Shen Qingtang and Lu Jinghuai alone on the sidewalk.
Shen Qingtang smiled at Lu Jinghuai.
Lu Jinghuai returned the smile. "Do you have something to say to me?"
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"It might be a bit early to say this, but Ji Nian is someone who cherishes memories. She keeps every gift she’s ever received, and if something doesn’t break, she’ll use it until the very end."
"So, as long as you don’t make any mistakes, she might just stay with you until the very end too."
Shen Qingtang’s gaze softened as she looked at the warm glow of the streetlights flickering to life.
"You’re lucky, Lu Jinghuai."
"So lucky that…"
It almost made her a little jealous.
A trace of bitterness flashed in Shen Qingtang’s eyes, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by her usual calm demeanor.
"Take good care of her, Lu Jinghuai. Don’t let her down."
Lu Jinghuai responded with a firm "Mm."
His usual gentle smile faded, replaced by solemnity as he met Shen Qingtang’s eyes. "I will."
Then, shifting back to a lighter tone, he added, "By the way, Ji Nian’s been pretty invested in you and Gu Xiuyuan lately."
The heavy atmosphere dissipated, replaced by the soothing evening breeze.
Shen Qingtang, however, shuddered. "Ugh."
"Who? Me and Gu Xiuyuan?"
The idea was so absurd that she couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.
She even tried picturing herself and Gu Xiuyuan as some kind of ridiculous couple, and the mental image made her recoil.
"Please no… I’ve never understood why Ji Nian keeps thinking that. When have we ever given her that impression?"
Spotting Ji Nian’s figure reappearing across the street, Lu Jinghuai waved at her and chuckled. "No idea."
"But who knows? Maybe it’ll happen."
"Let time decide."
...
As the weather grew colder, Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang met up at a shopping mall.
"Hmm, this one looks good."
The two browsed through a store, chatting as they picked out a down jacket for He Xiang.
In faraway Philadelphia, the temperatures were even lower than in S City. While they could still get by with a single layer at noon, people there were already bundled up in their thickest winter wear.
"Gu Xiuyuan called yesterday and said the atmosphere there still isn’t great—lots of cliques forming," Ji Nian remarked.
Then she quickly added, "But don’t worry about He Xiang. Apparently, he’s been putting people in their place with his grades."
Shen Qingtang burst out laughing.
After settling on a style and size, they asked the shop assistant to pack it up.
They spent a long time shopping, gathering all sorts of daily necessities and snacks to send to He Xiang, planning to mail them along with the package Gu Xiuyuan had recently sent over.
"Well, I’ll be off then. Ji Nian’s in your hands now."
Shen Qingtang waved goodbye to the two, her eyes lingering on Lu Jinghuai, who stood there like a radiant presence.
"Are you cold?"
Lu Jinghuai took Ji Nian’s hand, checking its temperature.
Ji Nian complained that the mall’s air conditioning was sweltering—she was practically sweating.
When Lu Jinghuai held her hand, it was warm, like a little sun.
But he insisted, "Your hands are freezing."
Knowing exactly what he was up to, Ji Nian decided to tease him. "Really? Maybe I should stick them in my mouth to warm them up."
Lu Jinghuai shot her a reproachful look.
Ji Nian grinned mischievously and stuffed her hands into his coat pockets instead. "Fine, I was kidding. They’re actually freezing. I desperately need my boyfriend’s body heat."
Instantly, his expression brightened.
"You always take me places you like. Today, let me show you one of my favorite spots, okay?"
Ji Nian tilted her head, considering their plans for the rest of the day.
Coincidentally, Lu Jinghuai was already looking at her—or rather, his gaze had never left her.
"Sure."
An hour later, they arrived at Ji Nian’s laboratory.
Lu Jinghuai had long harbored suspicions about the identity of the Ji family’s mysterious pharmacist. Now that Ji Nian had brought him here, his heart raced with excitement.
Ji Nian was fully prepared to answer the flood of questions she expected from him.
But the first thing he said after stepping inside was—
"Are there surveillance cameras here?"
Ji Nian: ?
"Yes, but only I have access to the footage—"
Before she could finish, Lu Jinghuai pulled her into an embrace. As the door automatically closed behind them, he pressed her against the wall, one hand covering her lips.
Then he leaned down and kissed the back of his own hand—just a breath away from her mouth.
His lips, soft and faintly pink, curled into a smile. His starry eyes sparkled up close, and the familiar sweet scent of him, combined with his unfairly handsome face, left her dizzy.
"Thank you for saving me back then, Ji Nian."
