An Airport Departure

The moment Yu Qingkong heard those words, her heart seemed to stop for a fraction of a second before pounding rapidly against her ribs. Her grip tightened on her phone as she abruptly turned her head to look directly at Lin Wanzhao.

Lin Wanzhao had only felt a tiny bit of apprehension when she first blurted out the question. However, seeing Yu Qingkong stare at her like that caused her minor anxiety to amplify a thousand times over, making her feel as though the sky were about to collapse. Yu Qingkong’s complete silence only made every passing second of waiting feel like an endless, agonizing torture.

“I was just joking,” Lin Wanzhao finally chickened out, rushing to fill the silence. “I mean, don’t characters in novels always act like that? You know, two women spending too much time together and suddenly developing feelings out of nowhere. I’ve just been reading too many web novels lately, so it slipped out. Don’t take it to heart.”

Yu Qingkong stared at her blankly for a moment. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing and simply offered a slight nod.

Seeing this, Lin Wanzhao felt a massive weight lift from her chest, and her tightly coiled nerves finally relaxed.

“Do you actually read web novels, President Lin?” Yu Qingkong asked after a beat.

“Yeah… after all, Girls’ Love content is pretty rare, so I have to go looking for it myself.” Lin Wanzhao pursed her lips.

Yu Qingkong nodded, her eyes remaining fixed on her. “What kind of novel?”

“It’s called Elated, on Jinjiang, written by Meigu.” Lin Wanzhao threw out a relatively familiar author’s name on a whim.

“Isn’t that the author who always flaunts her relationship and showers her readers with public displays of affection online?” Yu Qingkong noted. “My friend Wang Min mentioned her before. She said every time she sees that author feeding people romantic fluff, she just wants to bash her head in.”

“Haha… I wouldn’t know about that… Oh, it’s almost my turn.” Lin Wanzhao glanced at the queue ahead and stood up, preparing to go in for her examination. Fortunately, they had made it just before the hospital’s lunch break.

“Give me your bag,” Yu Qingkong said, reaching her hand out toward her.

“Oh! Here you go!” Lin Wanzhao slipped the strap off her shoulder and handed the bag over.

“Alright, go on in.” Yu Qingkong adjusted the straps of the bag and tilted her head toward the door.

“Okay, I just need to mentally prepare myself first!” Lin Wanzhao took a deep breath.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Qingkong looked up at her.

“When I was just a little past eighteen, I injured my foot in an accident. It… it could never be fully restored to how it originally was. It’s always been slightly flawed, and my dream back then was completely ruined because of it. At first, I didn’t think it would matter much, but reality proved otherwise… So ever since then, I guess I’ve always felt a lingering sense of dread whenever I have to visit a hospital.” Lin Wanzhao let out another slow breath. She left out the part about gaining weight afterward; that entire period was a deeply unpleasant memory, and she despised having flaws disrupt her life.

“It’s going to be fine, don’t worry,” Yu Qingkong reassured her, gently patting her arm. “Take a deep breath and relax. You’re the best!”

“Phew…” Lin Wanzhao nodded vigorously. “Mmh!”

With that, Lin Wanzhao stepped inside. Yu Qingkong sat alone holding the bag, alternating between staring at the door and pacing around the waiting room, entirely unable to sit still.

After a thorough examination, the doctor assured them there was nothing wrong. Even so, Yu Qingkong didn’t truly settle peace of mind until that afternoon, when the CT scan results came back and officially confirmed that Lin Wanzhao was perfectly fine.

Once cleared, they hailed a taxi to head back toward the hotel. By this time, the daytime sports events had long since concluded.

During the ride, Lin Wanzhao thought it over before turning to Yu Qingkong. “By the way, you were so anxious about me today, carrying me on your back and running off like that. Aren’t you worried the people at the company will gossip?”

Lin Wanzhao had a point; prior to this, Yu Qingkong had always maintained a distant, professional boundary whenever they crossed paths at work, acting as though they shared nothing more than a standard superior-subordinate relationship.

“Who has time to care about that in an emergency?” Yu Qingkong countered, looking at her side-on.

Lin Wanzhao offered a quiet “Oh,” dropping her gaze as a soft smile pulled at her lips. She turned her head toward the window, her expression practically glowing with secret delight.

Staring at the passing scenery, Lin Wanzhao let out a gentle sigh. “I feel like the weather is really lovely today.”

“Do you truly think the weather is nice, President Lin? The temperature is freezing, and it’s incredibly windy outside,” Yu Qingkong observed, glancing out the window with a soft chuckle.

“Oh? Is it?” Lin Wanzhao twirled a strand of hair around her finger, acting surprised.

“Yes,” Yu Qingkong nodded.

“How strange,” Lin Wanzhao murmured, wrinkling her nose playfully. “I don’t feel cold at all today.”

Yu Qingkong played along. “And why is that?”

“Ah, I know why!” Lin Wanzhao turned around fully to face her, her eyes blinking softly before she delivered a stunningly sweet smile. “It’s probably because I’m with you.”

Yu Qingkong caught her breath slightly. “That’s a rather biased way of looking at it…”

“It’s Lin Wanzhao’s way of looking at it,” she countered with an adorable grin before turning back to look out the window.

Watching her smile, Yu Qingkong felt a profound softness wash over her entire being, and an involuntary smile curved her own lips.

When they arrived back at the venue, the female employee who had accidentally hit Lin Wanzhao immediately rushed forward. Clutching the hem of her shirt, her face flushed red with an intense desire for survival as she apologized frantically.

To her absolute shock, Lin Wanzhao merely smiled, told her it was no big deal, and gently reminded her to be more careful in the future. The girl stood frozen in place. Isn’t she supposed to be a terrifying, unapproachable boss?! How can she be this gentle?!

Shortly after, the banquet transitioned into the presentation and employee recognition segment. The managers of each department were expected to speak, and Yu Qingkong was no exception.

While the average employee usually found these speeches incredibly tedious, Yu Qingkong had structured her notes exceptionally well. Surprisingly, the moment she took the stage, even the staff members who had been completely checked out gradually shifted their focus toward her.

She led with a series of striking data points paired with highly encouraging examples of internal promotions, which immediately commanded the room’s attention. When she wrapped up by asking the crowd if they had the confidence to improve their skills, hit their target monthly income, and elevate their performance over the coming year, a resounding chorus of “Yes!” echoed through the hall.

Watching from the side, Lin Wanzhao’s lips curved into a proud smile. Yu Qingkong possessed an effortless ability to command a room when it mattered most, projecting a natural leadership aura. If Yu Qingkong had started from the same position as me, she would likely be far more successful than I am right now, Lin Wanzhao couldn’t help but reflect.

Once the formal presentations wrapped up, the atmosphere shifted drastically as the talent performances began. The female employees grew noticeably more enthusiastic, and the room instantly livened up.

Yu Qingkong took her seat, took a sip of water as the host introduced the next act, and looked over at Lin Wanzhao, who was sitting at the same table.

Lin Wanzhao was currently entirely engrossed in a conversation with someone who had walked over to speak with her. She looked elegant, sophisticated, and carried an undeniable presence that naturally made those around her act a bit deferential.

As Yu Qingkong sat tracing the rim of her glass while watching her, Zhang Xue suddenly tapped her on the shoulder.

“What is it?” Yu Qingkong turned to her.

“Nothing, I just wanted to ask if you got your guitar tuned up okay?” Zhang Xue asked.

“Yeah, I took care of it this morning,” Yu Qingkong nodded.

“Oh, awesome. I can’t wait,” Zhang Xue grinned, throwing a casual arm over Yu Qingkong’s shoulder in a thoroughly comfortable gesture of friendship.

On the other side of the table, Lin Wanzhao finished her conversation and turned around, only to see Zhang Xue and Yu Qingkong laughing together with their arms slung around each other. A faint wave of jealousy instantly washed over her. Look at how natural they are with each other. To make matters worse, Yu Qingkong didn’t mind the contact at all, even leaning in to whisper something close to Zhang Xue’s ear. Zhang Xue blinked in surprise before playfully punching Yu Qingkong’s arm.

Even though Lin Wanzhao knew with absolute certainty that they shared a purely platonic friendship, she still couldn’t stop the proprietary ache from tightening in her chest.

Eventually, the performances reached the halfway mark.

After taking a quick drink of water, Yu Qingkong heard the host announce her name and slot.

She immediately set her glass down, picked up her guitar, and walked briskly up to the stage. At the same moment, Lin Wanzhao instantly perked up. Her eyes went wide and bright as she focused entirely on the stage, her ears straining to catch every sound, eager to finally hear her sing and play. After all, she still remembered exactly what Liu Ting and Lu Xiaoxiao had bragged about previously.

Yet, right as Yu Qingkong sat down and adjusted the microphone stand, a sudden, sharp cramp hit Lin Wanzhao’s stomach. Her expression twisted. Though she desperately wanted to stay and listen, the discomfort became unbearable, forcing her to stand up and rush toward the restrooms.

Unfortunately, the restroom was packed. Lin Wanzhao stood in the queue, completely miserable. By the time she finally made it back to her seat, Yu Qingkong had already finished her performance and stepped down, currently chatting and laughing amiably with a few nearby colleagues.

“Manager Yu already finished singing?” Lin Wanzhao asked blankly as she sat down.

“Reflecting back, it seems I was the only one missing out on a treat,” Lin Wanzhao sighed, taking a sip of water. After a moment’s thought, she looked back at Yu Qingkong. “You’ll have to let me hear it sometime when there’s an opportunity.”

“Of course, when the timing is right.” It wasn’t possible right now, given that other people were currently performing on stage; she couldn’t do something so rude as to steal the spotlight from her coworkers.

“I’m holding you to that, no backing out later,” Lin Wanzhao added, smoothing back her hair.

Yu Qingkong stared at her, her gaze softening. “Mmh.”

Lin Wanzhao beamed.

In the blink of an eye, the annual meeting drew to a close. Yu Qingkong didn’t manage to win a single raffle prize, leaving empty-handed. She didn’t mind much, though; perhaps her good fortune was simply waiting for her elsewhere. One had to keep an open mind about these things.

Once the annual event concluded, the spring break slow rolled in.

The previously bustling company building emptied out overnight, turning entirely silent even during daylight hours. Lin Wanzhao walked down the deserted corridors alone, her footsteps echoing crisply and emphasizing her isolation. She was likely the last person to leave—not because she had an overwhelming amount of work to finish, but simply because she had nowhere else to go if she left the office.

Her parents had already jetted off on an international vacation a few days prior to catch a performance by a famous artist, and her friends had all returned to their respective hometowns to spend the holidays with their families or spouses. She was entirely on her own.

Meanwhile, Yu Qingkong, Liu Ting, and Lu Xiaoxiao shared their final pre-holiday meal together in Chengcheng. After spending a few hours singing at a karaoke lounge, Yu Qingkong finally made it back to her apartment.

The moment she finished washing up, she immediately set to work packing the rest of her belongings. Most of her luggage was already sorted, save for a few daily essentials she had needed over the past couple of days.

Once everything was securely packed, she sat down to rest with a glass of water when her phone buzzed with a message. Opening it, she saw it was from Lin Wanzhao: “Have you finished packing your luggage?”

Yu Qingkong glanced over at the oversized suitcase and the black backpack resting on top of it before typing her reply: “Just finished up.”

“What time is your flight tomorrow?” Lin Wanzhao asked next.

“Tomorrow morning,” Yu Qingkong sent back.

“Exactly what time?” Lin Wanzhao pressed.

Yu Qingkong smiled as she typed: “10:30 AM. Why do you ask so specifically, President Lin? Are you planning to see me off at the airport?”

“As if…” Lin Wanzhao shot back a second later.

Yu Qingkong chuckled out loud. * Sudenly feeling bold, she sent: “I was just kidding. Why are you still awake so late, President Lin?”

“Aren’t you awake too?” Lin Wanzhao countered.

Yu Qingkong cleared her throat quietly and typed: “I was out having a farewell dinner and doing karaoke with Ting and Xiaoxiao. By the time everything wrapped up, it was already past midnight. Going to sleep shortly.”

Lin Wanzhao fell silent for a short while before sending another message: “You seem to have a blast whenever you’re hanging out with them. You lose all track of time and don’t seem to care about getting to bed early at all.”

Yu Qingkong blinked in surprise at the slight edge in the message. “That’s not it. This was a special occasion since it’s our last gathering before the holidays. Naturally, I had to bring some energy even if I was tired.”

The next second, Lin Wanzhao fired off a response, only to instantly recall it a moment later.

Even so, Yu Qingkong’s eyes were quick enough to catch the text before it vanished.

Lin Wanzhao had written: “Clearly they’re more special to you. You only thought to gather with them before the holidays, without ever asking if I wanted to spend time together too.”

Following that, the status indicator at the top of the chat screen toggled between “typing…” and blank over and over again, yet no further messages came through for a long time.

Yu Qingkong stared at her screen in contemplation before taking the initiative to type out a query: “Did you want to hang out, President Lin?”

On the other end of the line, Lin Wanzhao looked at the message and felt a sudden surge of irrational grievance, her temper flaring slightly. “Who on earth would want to hang out with you.”

Yu Qingkong stared at the screen for a second, nodding to herself as she typed back: “Alright then.”

This time, Lin Wanzhao replied instantly: “What do you mean ‘alright then’…”

Yu Qingkong stared at her phone, completely at a loss for words. It wasn’t as if she could invite her out for a gathering at this hour; it was already two in the morning.

A second later, Lin Wanzhao sent another text: “Are you really excited to be heading home?”

Yu Qingkong smiled gently and replied: “Yes, I’m really looking forward to seeing my parents and my little sister soon.”

Reading the response, Lin Wanzhao bit her lip. “That’s wonderful.”

Looking around her empty apartment, she felt like she was the most pitiful person left in the city—though no one would ever believe her if she said it out loud.

Seeing the time, Yu Qingkong typed out a final message: “President Lin, it’s already two in the morning. I really need to get some sleep, otherwise missing my flight tomorrow will be a massive headache.”

“Oh. Well, goodnight then,” Lin Wanzhao replied.

Yu Qingkong sent a quick “Goodnight” in return, locked her phone, and lay down. It didn’t take long for her to drift off into a deep sleep.

Lin Wanzhao, however, found herself completely plagued by insomnia.

She lay flat on her back, idly stroking Qiuqiu as the soft glow of her phone screen illuminated her face, reflecting in her wide, glassy eyes.

After a while, she opened her clock app and set a succession of multiple alarms before finally tossing the device aside, cutting the lights, and burying her face beneath the duvet.

A moment later, her slender arm reached out from beneath the covers, scooping up a protesting Qiuqiu and dragging the cat under the blanket with her. Though Qiuqiu initially attempted to wriggle free, the sheer warmth and softness of the blankets quickly won her over, and she settled down with a contented purr.

The next morning, Yu Qingkong woke up right at 7:00 AM. Checking her notifications, she noticed a message from Lin Wanzhao sent exactly ten minutes prior: “Are you awake?”

Yu Qingkong rubbed the sleep from her eyes and typed back: “Just woke up, about to wash up. Why are you awake so early?”

She waited for a few minutes, but no response came through. Setting her phone aside, she threw on her clothes, completed her morning routine, and grabbed her backpack. Pulling up the handle of her suitcase, she hurried out the door.

As she stepped out of the building and reached into her pocket for her phone, a sweet, clear voice called out from the side.

“Qingkong!”

Yu Qingkong froze in surprise. She looked up from her screen toward the sound of her name. A sleek white car was parked by the curb, and standing right beside it was Lin Wanzhao. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat paired with a matching black overcoat, her statement earrings complementing her muted rose lipstick to give her a distinctly vintage charm.

“President Lin, why are you…” Yu Qingkong stopped dead in her tracks.

“I’m seeing you off at the airport, obviously! What, am I not allowed?!” Lin Wanzhao jogged over to her with quick, light steps, stopping right in front of her with her hands clasped behind her back, her chin tilted up slightly.

“No, it’s just… I didn’t expect you to… and it’s so early…” Yu Qingkong still found it hard to believe.

“I set eight different alarms!” Lin Wanzhao held up her fingers to demonstrate, but her brain short-circuited for a second, accidentally flashing seven fingers before quickly correcting her hand gesture.

“Honestly…” Yu Qingkong let out a soft sigh, a helpless smile forming on her face.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not happy someone came to see you off?” Lin Wanzhao huffed, giving her a mock glare.

“Who said that,” Yu Qingkong looked down at her suitcase handle. “I’m just worried it’s too exhausting for you. Going to bed later than a dog and waking up earlier than a rooster…”

“Really?” Lin Wanzhao’s eyes instantly lit up at the words.

“Of course it’s true, why would I lie to you about that?” Yu Qingkong met her gaze.

Lin Wanzhao pressed her lips together to hide a joyful smile, then eagerly reached out to grab the handle of the suitcase. “Let’s put this in the trunk first, I’m driving you!”

“Don’t, let me handle it. Just unlock the trunk for me. This thing is incredibly heavy, you won’t be able to lift it,” Yu Qingkong said, gently blocking her hand.

Lin Wanzhao reluctantly walked around to the rear of the vehicle to pop the trunk, shooting her a sideways glance. “You’re doubting my strength.”

“I wouldn’t dare, how could I…” Yu Qingkong rolled the suitcase over, retracted the handle, and hoisted the entire weight smoothly into the trunk before closing the lid with a firm click. She clapped the dust off her hands. “I’m simply stating a factual observation…”

“Hmph, whatever,” Lin Wanzhao muttered playfully, walking back to the driver’s side and slipping into the seat.

Yu Qingkong smiled, opened the passenger door, and sat down beside her.

“Have you had breakfast yet?” Yu Qingkong asked as she buckled her seatbelt.

Lin Wanzhao shook her head. “No, the moment I got out of bed I rushed straight over to your place. Where would I find the time to eat?”

Yu Qingkong nodded. “Once we get to the airport, we can grab a quick bite inside, even though airport food is notoriously overpriced and tasteless…”

“Sounds perfect!” Lin Wanzhao didn’t mind in the slightest, her response bright and enthusiastic.

Upon reaching the airport, Lin Wanzhao accompanied Yu Qingkong through the check-in process. Afterward, they headed into a casual beef noodle diner, ordered two bowls, and carried them over to a table in the corner.

By the time they finished eating, it was nearly 9:00 AM.

As they stepped out of the small restaurant, Yu Qingkong glanced down to check the time. Noticing the gesture, Lin Wanzhao spoke up. “Do you need to head through to the departure lounge now?”

Yu Qingkong looked up at her. “There’s no rush. Since we’re already here, let’s walk around for a bit before I go through. Otherwise, sitting inside alone will be quite boring.”

The lingering melancholy of their impending separation vanished instantly from Lin Wanzhao’s heart, replaced by a sudden rush of brightness. She nodded eagerly. “Okay, let’s wander around then!”

“Mmh,” Yu Qingkong agreed, and the two began strolling leisurely through the airport terminals.

With the holidays fast approaching, the airport was vibrant and bustling with travelers. They wandered from one small souvenir shop to another, and though the items on display were standard fare, they took immense pleasure in the activity.

They passed the time poking fun at the local Chengcheng delicacies, labeling them as visually appealing but terrible-tasting junk food; they joked about a celebrity’s awkward endorsement photo on a snack box, claiming it looked hilariously outdated; and they reminisced about their favorite childhood treats. This naturally segued into discussions about old television shows they used to love, their childhood aspirations, and the silly antics they had pulled when they were younger.

One would speak while the other listened intently, switching back and forth as they slowly walked. The conversation flowed effortlessly, one laughing with radiant sweetness while the other offered a warm, gentle smile.

As they walked, Lin Wanzhao checked the time on her phone and let out a soft gasp. “Oh look at the time! You need to head to the security gate right now!”

Yu Qingkong checked her own phone and realized it was already approaching ten o’clock. A slight frown touched her brow as she murmured to herself, “How did time pass so quickly?”

“I know, it went way too fast. I feel like I haven’t even said half of what I wanted to tell you, I still have so much more to say…” Lin Wanzhao sighed, her head tilting as she stared unhappily at the screen.

Yu Qingkong stood quietly, observing the profound disappointment written clearly across her face. She spoke softly, “Yeah… it really was too fast.”

“Oh well, none of that matters now, go through security quickly! Hurry, go, go, go, or you’re going to be late!” Lin Wanzhao urged, wrapping her fingers around Yu Qingkong’s wrist to guide her toward the security gates.

Yu Qingkong looked down at the fair, slender hand gripping her wrist, her lips tightening slightly.

Once they reached the gate entrance, Lin Wanzhao guided her into the proper queue before releasing her grip. Stepping to the side of the barrier, she raised a hand to wave. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Yu Qingkong replied, raising her left hand slightly, her eyes resting quietly on her face.

“Ah, once you get back home, if you have some free time, could you send me a message or give me a call?” Lin Wanzhao asked, her right hand forming the shape of a telephone against her ear as she tilted her head with a blooming smile.

“I will,” Yu Qingkong nodded.

“Well, goodbye then,” Lin Wanzhao said, resting her hands behind her back once more.

“Goodbye,” Yu Qingkong agreed, tightening her grip on her suitcase handle.

“Oh, and I’ll send you a message right at midnight on New Year’s Day! It won’t be one of those generic group texts either; it’s going to be something written completely from my heart. You have to read it, don’t ignore it!” Lin Wanzhao blurted out.

Yu Qingkong stared at her for a long moment before nodding, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Alright.”

“See you next year then!” Lin Wanzhao waved again, her smile remaining brilliant.

“See you next year.” Yu Qingkong kept her eyes on her features for a few more seconds before turning around to check the progress of the line. It was almost her turn to pass through the document check.

She turned back one last time to look toward the barrier. The moment she did, Lin Wanzhao immediately held up her hands, waving frantically in the air.

Yu Qingkong offered a small nod and turned back around to face forward.

Yet, right as she was about to step up to the counter, Yu Qingkong abruptly spun around with her suitcase, walked straight back out of the queue toward Lin Wanzhao, and stopped directly in front of her.

Lin Wanzhao froze in absolute surprise, her eyes locked onto Yu Qingkong as her waving hands gradually slowed to a halt.

Yu Qingkong let out a soft breath, stepped forward, and pulled Lin Wanzhao firmly into her arms, closing her eyes as she buried her face against her shoulder.