Candlelight and a Familiar Silhouette

However, the one who stepped out of the car was Yan Qing.

She flashed a bright smile.

“Oh my, isn’t this Huairen? Where are you headed? I’ll give you a ride.”

“You don’t even know where I’m going. How is it on the way?” Qin Huairen laughed.

“I’m just driving around. Anywhere counts.”

Yan Qing did not give her a chance to refuse.

She jogged over, took her hand, and said, “Your hands are freezing. Get in first. If you feel bad about it, we’ll just schedule a few big meals together.”

Qin Huairen was not good at dealing with excessive enthusiasm.

Before she knew it, she had been ushered into the car.

Inside was the familiar woody agarwood scent.

The passenger seat must be Wen Yuzhi’s usual spot.

The exterior looked new, but Qin Huairen remembered seeing this car many times back in high school and university.

It had been around for years.

The interior smelled faintly of freshly brewed coffee, steam still rising from a cup.

Perhaps afraid she might get out, Yan Qing locked the doors as soon as she entered.

When she learned their destination was Qinhuai Renjia, her eyes lit up.

“That place is excellent.”

“I heard it’s ranked number one on the must-eat list,” Qin Huairen replied.

Yan Qing hummed and focused on driving.

In the past, Qin Huairen had only ever seen the car from afar.

She had never imagined sitting inside and examining it closely.

The interior was luxurious and pristine.

Even someone who knew nothing about cars could tell it was expensive.

The front and rear seats were completely separated.

The back seemed spacious enough to lie down in.

It might as well have been a mobile bedroom.

The thought reminded her of high school, when she had sneaked out and seen Wen Yuzhi board an even larger luxury van in the woods.

She had known then that Wen Yuzhi was wealthy.

But how wealthy, she had never truly grasped.

In university, she had often seen different luxury cars picking Wen Yuzhi up.

This Mercedes appeared most frequently.

The last three digits of the license plate were her own birthday.

Impossible to forget.

At a red light, Yan Qing glanced at her smartwatch and suddenly asked, “How’s work lately?”

“Cultural relic restoration,” Qin Huairen said honestly.

“It sounds glamorous, but mostly it’s sitting still all day. Some people would call it boring.”

Yan Qing nodded.

“Why did you suddenly double major in restoration and conservation? Finance and relic repair are worlds apart. You topped the class in both. That’s impressive.”

“I just wanted to learn it,” Qin Huairen replied casually.

Anyone can do it if they study hard enough.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Yan Qing did not press further.

When they arrived, a valet approached, but Yan Qing waved him away.

She walked Qin Huairen to the entrance.

Only after watching her turn inside did she linger briefly before stepping into the restaurant herself.

Several minutes later, she returned to the car.

The sliding partition between the front and back seats opened.

Wen Yuzhi sat in the rear, a laptop before her and a cup of coffee beside it.

Her fingers paused mid-typing.

Without looking up, she said lightly, “You’ve grown bold.”

Yan Qing blinked, confused.

“What do you mean?”

Wen Yuzhi cast her a sideways glance.

“You’re quite brave now. Holding another girl’s hand so casually.”

Yan Qing felt a jolt.

Was she… jealous?

Her heart pounded.

She steadied herself and declared solemnly, “President Wen, rest assured.”

Wen Yuzhi lifted her coffee.

“Rest assured about what?”

“My heart belongs to you alone.”

“Cough!”

Wen Yuzhi choked on her coffee.

A few drops splashed onto the seat.

Yan Qing scrambled for tissues, continuing earnestly, “I am absolutely loyal—”

Wen Yuzhi shot her a sharp look.

Yan Qing immediately fell silent.

“Get out.”

Yan Qing sighed in relief.

Better scolded than ignored.

She quickly delivered her report.

Qin Huairen and Xu Jianing had reserved the Sichuan-themed private room.

It was Valentine’s season.

Most of the rooms were decorated for couples.

Xu Jianing had even arranged a violin performance at 9:30 p.m.

With a sharp snap, Wen Yuzhi closed her laptop.

Yan Qing jumped.

After finishing her report, she was dismissed.

“Should you really stay here alone?” she asked cautiously.

“It’s just to invite Huairen to collaborate. No need to overdo it.”

“Get out,” Wen Yuzhi repeated, tossing a tissue packet at her.

As Yan Qing left, she reassured herself that her boss was not impulsive.

She must simply be tired.

Inside the private room, Qin Huairen stopped Xu Jianing from pouring more wine.

“You’ve had enough.”

“I’m not drunk,” Xu Jianing insisted, swaying slightly.

“I could kneel and apologize if you want.”

“No one wants you kneeling.”

Qin Huairen pressed her back into the chair.

“I’m not mad. Stop drinking.”

“Really?”

Xu Jianing grabbed her hand and pressed it against her chest.

“Can you feel my heartbeat?”

The question felt strange.

Qin Huairen tried to pull her hand back.

Xu Jianing would not let go.

“Renen… Renen…”

Her voice softened, almost pleading.

“I have something to say.”

“Okay.”

Xu Jianing’s face flushed.

She hesitated.

“I…”

Knock.

The door sounded.

Qin Huairen turned to answer it, but Xu Jianing pulled her back down.

“Close your eyes. I have a surprise.”

The lights were switched off.

The room fell dark.

The door opened slightly.

A soft violin melody drifted in.

Candlelight flickered.

Xu Jianing emerged with a large bouquet of flowers.

Behind her, framed in the doorway, stood a tall, elegant figure.

Long dark hair cascaded down a slender waist.

Each movement of the bow was poised and graceful.

The silhouette shimmered in candlelight like mist in autumn dawn.

As Qin Huairen’s vision adjusted, the figure grew clearer.

Too familiar.

Xu Jianing knelt beside her with the flowers.

But Qin Huairen staggered toward the doorway instead, head spinning with wine and disbelief.

Her voice trembled.

“Wen Yuzhi?”