The One Who Runs to You

At that moment, the little cat Qiuqiu, who had earlier bolted away in a flash after being held down to trim its claws, ran back again.
It circled around Yu Qingkong’s legs, rubbing against her repeatedly, meowing nonstop, a soft purring rumbling in its throat.

Unknowingly, Qiuqiu had grown quite a bit.
Though its appearance had changed, its nature remained the same—it still preferred Yu Qingkong.
Lin Wanzhao was almost beginning to feel jealous of it, as if she were an outsider between the two of them.

“You.”
Yu Qingkong’s voice was light.
Yet the moment that single word left her lips, Lin Wanzhao’s eyes widened instantly, her fingers tightening as she struggled to steady the emotions surging through her heart.

“Weren’t you the one who said earlier that it was too late to come over?”
Lin Wanzhao glanced at the cat weaving around their feet, then tilted her head slightly and spoke softly.
“So what’s changed?
It’s not too late anymore?
Or did you really just miss Qiuqiu so much that you came all this way just to trim its claws?”

As if aware they were talking about it, Qiuqiu lifted its tail high and continued pacing back and forth, meowing for attention.

Yu Qingkong looked at the cat, then at Lin Wanzhao’s exquisitely delicate profile.
She reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair aside, withdrawing her hand, her long lashes lowering slightly.
“So then, do you want me to leave right now?”

Lin Wanzhao froze briefly, then turned to look at her.
Under the lights, Yu Qingkong’s face appeared flawless and striking.
This woman was truly too beautiful.
And at every moment, she carried a different charm.
It was impossible for Yu Qingkong to tear her gaze away.

“If President Lin wants me to leave now, of course I can.”
After saying that, Yu Qingkong actually turned and took a step toward the door.

“Wait.”
Suddenly, Lin Wanzhao turned and grabbed her arm, shaking her head.
“No… I don’t want that.”

“Hm?”
Yu Qingkong glanced at the hand gripping her, then into her beautiful eyes.
“What is it?”

“I just think…”
In an instant, Lin Wanzhao leaned forward slightly and smiled faintly, dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth.
“Since you’re already here, how could you not stay a little longer?
Right?
Besides, it’s been a long time since we were face to face like this…”

Before she could finish, Yu Qingkong interrupted softly, “Yes.”

Lin Wanzhao curved her lips again, tilting her head as she continued looking at her.

“That does make sense.”
After a moment, Yu Qingkong met her gaze steadily and nodded.

Lin Wanzhao clasped her hands lightly, glanced down at the white cat on the floor, then stepped closer.
“So you—”

“Hm?”

“So actually, you didn’t just miss Qiuqiu.
You missed me too, didn’t you?”
Her eyes lifted from the cat and locked into Yu Qingkong’s deep gaze.

“What do you think?”
Yu Qingkong’s lips curved slightly, her voice lowering.
“Otherwise, why would I be here?”
At this hour, coming over like this—of course she had come for her, not for the cat.

She realized that her longing for Lin Wanzhao was growing stronger.
Perhaps before it had only been a faint yearning.
Now it felt as though a single day apart stretched into three autumns.

“I missed you too.
Really.”
Lin Wanzhao looked at her, lips parting slightly, each word deliberate, her smile blooming like a flower.

Yu Qingkong studied her.
“Why are you looking at me like that, President Lin?”

Lin Wanzhao tilted her head, mischief flickering in her eyes.
“What do you think?”

“What do I think?”
Yu Qingkong gazed at her for a moment, then raised a clean, elegant brow.

After letting her gaze travel slowly over Yu Qingkong’s face, Lin Wanzhao stepped forward.
“You still owe me from last time.”

“Oh?”
Yu Qingkong’s brow lifted slightly.

“In Yancheng, you owed me—”
But before she could finish, Yu Qingkong cut her off.

“You’re saying I owe you?”

“Of course.
I’ve kept track of every debt, you know.”
Lin Wanzhao smiled faintly.
“So this time, don’t try to wriggle out of it again.”

“Me, wriggle out?”
Yu Qingkong let out a low laugh.
“If you’re capable, then use your own ability to make me obedient.”

“Fine.”
In that instant, Lin Wanzhao’s competitive spirit ignited like blazing fire.
She turned and walked upstairs.
Yu Qingkong followed closely behind.

*****************************

Night deepened.
Everything gradually quieted.

Some time later—

“By the way…”
Lin Wanzhao brushed her hair lightly and turned her head.
“Was tonight’s late-night snack satisfying?”

“Mm.”
Yu Qingkong opened her eyes.

“And the taste?”

“I liked it very much.”
Her voice was soft.

Lin Wanzhao lifted a brow slightly and pressed her lips together.
She loved Yu Qingkong’s embrace.
It always made her feel deeply comforted.
It also gave her the feeling of being in love.
Though sometimes she wondered if she was simply overthinking everything.

“Then… good night.”

“Good night.”

***********************************

The next morning at seven-ten, the sky outside was still pitch-black.
Winter.

Yu Qingkong had not slept well again.
After checking the time, she sat up and rubbed her head, glancing to the other side.

Lin Wanzhao had pulled the blanket up to her chest, but both arms were exposed outside.
She wasn’t covered properly.
Yet her sleeping expression was peaceful.

Seeing it was still early, Yu Qingkong chose not to wake her and got out of bed quietly.

Concerned that washing up in the bathroom might make too much noise, she went instead to the shared restroom in the living room.

She was already familiar with the layout from her previous visit.
She knew exactly where the disposable toothbrushes were placed.

After washing up, she went into the kitchen.
Opening the refrigerator, she took out a bag of toast, two eggs, a tomato, and some bacon.
Soon, she prepared several simple but filling sandwiches.

After that, she pan-fried a few small octopus sausages and heated two cups of milk.

Once breakfast was set on the table, she returned to the bedroom.

Lin Wanzhao had somehow wrapped herself entirely in the blanket like a cocoon.

Yu Qingkong slipped her hands into her pockets, smiling faintly at the sight.
She walked over and patted her gently.
“President Lin, time to get up.
Breakfast is ready.
And you need to get ready for the annual meeting.”

The blanket shifted.
Eventually, Lin Wanzhao poked her head out, breathing in.
“Oh…”

Seeing she was awake, Yu Qingkong went downstairs.

While waiting, she opened Q and meant only to change Lin Wanzhao’s remark name.
Instead, she accidentally entered her page.

It was sparse—only one blog post, one album, and a few status updates.

Since she was already there, she opened the album titled “Carnival Before Graduation.”

It contained photos of several people eating and traveling together.
Likely her university roommates.
There were solo photos and group shots.

But none of Lin Wanzhao.

There was, however, a girl with twin ponytails wearing a denim short-sleeved shirt who looked oddly familiar.
As though Yu Qingkong had seen her somewhere before—perhaps more than once.

University?
She couldn’t quite remember.

Maybe she was mistaken.

**************************

After breakfast, Yu Qingkong left first.

Sheng City’s winter had no snow this year, yet it was still piercingly cold.
The sky was always pale and bleak, the sunlight distant and indifferent.
The entire city resembled a gray steel beast hibernating.

When Yu Qingkong arrived at the company building, it was exactly eight-fifty.
A group had already gathered outside, including Zhang Xue.

Spotting her from afar, Zhang Xue waved enthusiastically.

“You brought the guitar?”
Yu Qingkong glanced at the guitar case on her back.

“Yep.
Here.”
Zhang Xue handed it over.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.
But I’m a total newbie, so I don’t know if it’s tuned right.
You’d better check later.”

“Alright.”

“Hey, the boss is here.”

Yu Qingkong followed her gaze.

Lin Wanzhao, deliberately arriving separately, walked toward them.

Fully dressed up, she shone brilliantly.
Her hair was swept to the right, revealing the graceful line of her left neck.
Her makeup was clean, her features refined, her figure impeccable, her legs long and straight.

Zhang Xue sighed beside her.
“President Lin is absolutely stunning.
Her partner must be so lucky.”

Yu Qingkong tightened her grip slightly on the guitar strap.
Not partner.
But yes—especially in bed, she was even more alluring.
And among everyone here, only she had seen that side.

“Is everyone here?”
Lin Wanzhao asked the planning team leader, Yu Tao.

“Everyone except those on leave.”

“Alright.
Let’s go.”

As she turned, her gaze briefly met Yu Qingkong’s.
Yu Qingkong nodded subtly.

The annual meeting schedule was packed.

During the day, there would be a fun sports meet at Xinyuan Stadium—long-distance running, sprints, tug-of-war, and more.
Everyone had to choose at least one event.

Lunch and the evening banquet would be held at Wanying Restaurant nearby.

There would be speeches about company performance, awards, and future goals, complete with individual report PPTs.

Then department group performances, two solo acts, a lucky draw, and finally free time.

Most people, however, cared only about the lucky draw.

Yu Qingkong, who genuinely enjoyed sports, participated in several events—long-distance running, high jump, tug-of-war, and basketball.

She quickly became a highlight on the field.

Lin Wanzhao did not participate.
She simply watched from the sidelines.

When Yu Qingkong scored a beautiful basket, ran forward with a clenched fist, high-fived a colleague, and wiped her sweat, Lin Wanzhao smiled and nodded.
No matter what she did, she always did it flawlessly.

“C’mon!”
Lin Wanzhao cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.

No one realized the cheer was meant solely for Yu Qingkong.

When Yu Qingkong turned and smiled at her, Lin Wanzhao suddenly recalled the past.

Back then, she had only dared watch from the shadows.
Now, she could stand in the sunlight and meet her gaze openly.

The world had not treated her too poorly after all.

Then—

A basketball slipped from someone’s hand and arced sharply toward Lin Wanzhao.

Yu Qingkong’s face went pale.
She sprinted forward, shouting, “President Lin, watch out!”

Too late.

The ball struck Lin Wanzhao squarely on the head.

A sharp pain spread instantly.
She clutched her head and crouched down.

The crowd was stunned.
The girl who threw the ball trembled in fear.

Yu Qingkong rushed over, gripping her shoulders.
“Does it hurt?
Are you injured?
Is there ringing in your ears?
Do you feel pressure?”

She had not realized how frantic she sounded.

Lin Wanzhao only hissed softly, unable to respond.

“I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Yu Qingkong crouched and turned her back.
“Get on.”

Lin Wanzhao hesitated, then wrapped her arms around her neck.

“I’ll handle things here,” Yu Qingkong told Yu Tao before rushing off.

In the taxi—

“How do you feel now?”

“A little dazed.”

“We’ll get it checked.
Don’t worry.”

Traffic stalled.

“Two kilometers left,” the driver said lazily.

Yu Qingkong frowned.

“Cold?”
She took Lin Wanzhao’s hand.
It was icy.
“Please turn the heat up,” she told the driver.

Then softly, “It’ll warm up soon.”

At the hospital, she completed registration and procedures efficiently, anxiety evident despite her silence.

“I’m fine,” Lin Wanzhao tried to reassure her.
“I can still do a somersault and watch you play this afternoon.”

“Whether you’re fine isn’t up to you,” Yu Qingkong replied.
“We’ll let the doctor decide.”

Later, Lin Wanzhao noticed Yu Qingkong searching on her phone.

“What’s the probability of becoming mentally impaired after being hit by a basketball?”

She deleted it.

“What’s the probability of becoming stupid after being hit by a basketball?”

Deleted again.

“What possible aftereffects can occur after a heavy blow to the head?”

She finally pressed search.

Lin Wanzhao laughed helplessly.
“So worried about me?”

Yu Qingkong stiffened.

“I saw what you searched.”

She closed the tabs.
“I was bored.”

“That’s still worrying about me.”

After a pause, Yu Qingkong nodded.
“Yes.”

Lin Wanzhao beamed.
“But why are you always so worried about me?”

Yu Qingkong looked at her briefly, fingers tracing the edge of her phone, silent.

Lin Wanzhao poked her shoulder lightly.
“Yu Qingkong… did you start catching feelings for me while we were… doing it?”