Chapter 18
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At that moment, Chi Yin’s smile froze on her face.
Qiao Ziman caught a glimpse of a fleeting look of regret in her eyes, followed by unmistakable disappointment. Qiao Ziman opened her mouth, trying to say something, but Chi Yin didn’t give her the chance. Silently, she pushed the door open and left.
The iron door let out a creak, and then the room returned to stillness.
Qiao Ziman jumped out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and rushed to the door. She quietly cracked it open, peeking outside. The stairwell was pitch black, and Chi Yin was already gone. She locked the door, checked the gas and electrical appliances, making sure everything was off, then crawled back into bed, wrapping herself tightly in a thin blanket.
After finishing everything, her thoughts drifted back to Chi Yin.
She wondered… was Boss Chi really angry just now? Anyone would probably be upset after their kind intentions were repeatedly rejected, right? Qiao Ziman thought that if it had been her, she would’ve blown up by now.
But then…
Qiao Ziman glanced at her bed. It was narrow and hard; it would be difficult for another person to even turn over in it. Was it really worth the trouble? After all, she was just worried that Chi Yin wouldn’t be comfortable. Or maybe, she didn’t want to cause her any more trouble.
Qiao Ziman turned over, adjusted her pillow to a comfortable position, and reached for her phone on the bedside table. She checked the time. Then, she called Chi Yin’s work number.
She gave herself a reasonable excuse for being the one to reach out—she was a little worried Chi Yin might be afraid of the dark. The phone rang, “beep, beep, beep,” as the seconds slowly passed. Qiao Ziman grew increasingly anxious, her heart pounding.
Just as she was about to hang up in frustration, Chi Yin’s voice came through from the other end. A simple, “Hello.”
Qiao Ziman’s grip tightened on the phone, and her heartbeat quickened without her realizing it. “Did you make it home?”
“Not yet.”
Chi Yin’s voice was completely emotionless, and for a moment, Qiao Ziman didn’t know what to say.
Silence. It spread between them like an invisible fog. Qiao Ziman slowly slid down in her bed, burying her chin into the blanket, which made her voice sound even more muffled. She said, “Then I’ll keep you company.”
“Is your cold getting worse?”
Qiao Ziman froze, then pulled the blanket down a bit, revealing her nose and mouth. “No, I feel much better after taking the medicine. So… thank you again for today.”
She had just pushed Chi Yin out, and now she was thanking her again. Even Qiao Ziman felt this “thank you” lacked weight, but it was genuinely what she wanted to express at that moment, whether Chi Yin believed it or not.
“Qiao Ziman.”
Hearing her full name made Qiao Ziman’s heart tighten. She had an odd feeling that Chi Yin was about to say something accusatory. Sure enough, Chi Yin added, “This is the third time you’ve thanked me tonight.”
Qiao Ziman: “…”
Why did it feel like Chi Yin wasn’t done speaking? As if she was about to add something like, “Do you have any sincerity left?”
This woman!
“So, what’s the purpose of your call? Do you think I’d be scared?” Chi Yin chuckled softly. “Or did you think I’m like you?”
Qiao Ziman, surprisingly, didn’t argue back. Instead, she quietly admitted, “Yes, I’m scared.”
I just…” She paused, then softly added, “wanted you to stay with me for a while.”
Chi Yin was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “Qiao Ziman, your way of cheering someone up is quite unique.”
Qiao Ziman was taken aback, her face suddenly warming. She gritted her teeth and snapped, “Who said I’m trying to cheer you up?!”
On the other end of the line, Chi Yin’s laughter grew deeper. “Are you worried about me?”
Qiao Ziman fidgeted with her fingers, sliding back under the blanket again, her voice muffled. “Yes. I regret it—I shouldn’t have let you leave. My place is too small, there are too many mosquitoes, and I have a cat that likes to jump on the bed…”
Qiao Ziman’s explanation for not letting Chi Yin stay over sounded more like an apology, and it effortlessly dissolved whatever bit of bad mood Chi Yin had left. But Chi Yin replied, “I don’t mind. I can get used to it.”
Qiao Ziman: “???”
Why did this feel a bit strange? Like she was eagerly hoping to stay?
What was she supposed to say now?
After a brief silence, Qiao Ziman reluctantly added, “Next time… if there’s a chance.”
Chi Yin, serious as ever, replied, “Okay.”
Qiao Ziman: “…”
She just said it casually—did Chi Yin really take it to heart?
Right on cue, Chi Yin said, “I’m home.”
Qiao Ziman quickly responded, “Alright, I’ll hang up—”
But before she could finish, Chi Yin interrupted, “Since you’ve taken cold medicine, don’t take melatonin tonight.”
“How did you know?”
Glancing over, Qiao Ziman noticed the medicine bottle on her bedside table. She sighed—of course, it was obvious enough for anyone with eyes to see. “Got it,” she replied.
The sound of running water could be heard on the other end, followed by Chi Yin’s voice, “Having trouble sleeping?”
Qiao Ziman dimmed the lights and closed her eyes, trying to summon some sleepiness. “Old habit. I used to work late a lot, got used to it, and now I can’t fall asleep easily.”
“Oh, right.” Qiao Ziman suddenly remembered what Chi Yin had said to her twice before, right before she’d dozed off in the car. On a whim, she wanted to test something. So she asked, “Could you say something to me?”
Chi Yin: “Hmm?”
Qiao Ziman: “You say, ‘If you’re tired, go to sleep.'”
Without asking any questions, Chi Yin simply repeated, “If you’re tired, go to sleep.”
That sentence, like a spell, gradually pulled her consciousness into a deep slumber. In her last moment of wakefulness, Qiao Ziman murmured, “Don’t tell my mom about what happened today.”
A soft, “Okay, goodnight,” whispered in her ear, and Qiao Ziman completely drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Qiao Ziman was awakened by the blinding sunlight. For once, she’d had a restful sleep—no dreams, just peace and comfort. Stretching, she felt light and relaxed. She sniffed the air and, to her amazement, realized her severe cold from yesterday had miraculously disappeared.
It was all thanks to Chi Yin. She remembered talking to Chi Yin on the phone last night, but… what happened after? She couldn’t recall a thing.
Thinking about it, Qiao Ziman reached for her phone. As soon as she unlocked the screen, a message from Chi Yin popped up:
[Looks like you won’t need melatonin anymore. Take tomorrow off and rest well at home.]
The message was sent just before 10 PM last night, which meant she had fallen asleep that early? Surprised, a smile slowly spread across Qiao Ziman’s face. Her fingers leisurely tapped the screen as she typed a message and sent it after a moment.
[That’s all thanks to you, Boss Chi. It seems you’re truly skilled at everything, including helping people fall asleep.]
Chi Yin replied: [Glad to be recognized.]
Not exactly modest, huh?
Qiao Ziman turned off her phone and got out of bed to start her day.
In the morning, she made a trip to the police station, filed a report, and provided evidence. She also communicated with the lawyer that Chi Yin had arranged. By the afternoon, Qiao Ziman began looking for a new apartment.
After what happened yesterday, she decided to speed up her plans to move. Setting up a small table on her bed, she opened her laptop and started searching for apartments with good value. Once her finances loosened up after this month, she could rent a place that was closer to the office. She was looking for something affordable, with good transportation access, and, most importantly, solid security measures.
After filtering through the listings, only two suitable apartments remained. One of them, however, didn’t allow pets.
As Qiao Ziman was communicating with an agent through the rental app to arrange a viewing, she received a voice call request on WeChat from Ji Yun. She pressed the answer button and barely said, “Hello,” before…
Ji Yun’s loud voice burst through the phone, making Qiao Ziman’s ears ache. “Qiao Qiao, where are you? Why didn’t you come to work today? And where’s Boss Chi? Is she with you? Are you two together?!”
A string of rapid-fire questions left Qiao Ziman’s head spinning, and it took her a moment to catch the most important one. “Boss Chi isn’t at the office either?”
Ji Yun sounded a bit disappointed. “Oh, so you didn’t know?”
“Should I have known?”
Though she said that, Qiao Ziman’s thoughts inevitably drifted to Chi Yin. Where had she gone during work hours?
“Qiao Qiao, are you listening to me? Hello? Hello?”
Qiao Ziman snapped back to attention. “Yes, I’m listening!”
Ji Yun continued, “Alright, so it’s settled.”
“What? What’s settled?”
Ji Yun let out a “hey” sound and said, “I told you, I’m waiting for you at the Starbucks near your place.”
“Got it.”
After agreeing, Qiao Ziman quickly tidied up and headed out to meet her.
At the entrance of Starbucks, Ji Yun waved at her while pulling along a suitcase. “Here I am, over here!”
Qiao Ziman eyed the suitcase suspiciously. “What are you doing with that?”
Ji Yun let out a hiss, teasing, “Qiao Qiao, has your memory gotten that bad? I told you on the phone already—our company’s focusing on expanding overseas in the second half of the year, so they’re sending key staff from each branch to visit and learn from big companies abroad.”
She glanced away nervously and added, “Boss Chi is going too.”
Qiao Ziman’s attention was completely drawn to the last part of Ji Yun’s sentence, missing her unnatural expression. “Why didn’t she mention it?”
Then it hit her—there wasn’t really any reason for Chi Yin to tell her. So she quickly followed up with, “When is she leaving?”
The two of them walked into the cafe while talking.
“The flight is the morning after tomorrow.”
“Alright, then dinner’s on me tonight,” Qiao Ziman said to the cashier, “A medium Americano, half a cup of ice, no sugar, with double cream, please.” She then turned to Ji Yun, “What about you?”
Ji Yun shot her a puzzled look and said, “Qiao Qiao, your taste has gotten pretty specific lately. Aren’t you worried about catching a chill?”
Qiao Ziman: “…”
What could she say? That she accidentally ordered something exactly the way that woman liked it because it was stuck in her mind?
“I’ll have a mocha,” Ji Yun said, then paused, stepping closer to Qiao Ziman and studying her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re distracted today?”
Qiao Ziman picked up her coffee and found a seat in the farthest corner of the cafe. As she sat down, she quickly came up with a reasonable excuse for her unusual behavior. She said, “I’m in the process of moving. I’ve been focused on finding a new place.”
Ji Yun raised an eyebrow in confusion. “But isn’t your lease still valid? Why the rush?”
Qiao Ziman took a slow sip of her coffee, then calmly explained what had happened the day before, adding at the end, “But don’t you dare tell my mom.”
“What?!” Ji Yun slapped the table in anger. “That scumbag! Good thing Boss Chi was there. I didn’t expect her to have such impressive skills.”
Qiao Ziman raised an eyebrow proudly. “Of course, Boss Chi is amazing.”
Another serving of dog food. Ji Yun, not hiding her reaction, rolled her eyes dramatically as Qiao Ziman lowered her head to take another sip of coffee. “So, are you inviting Boss Chi for dinner tonight?” Ji Yun asked, catching Qiao Ziman off guard.
Qiao Ziman had thought about it, but her original plan was just the two of them. Now that Ji Yun brought it up, she couldn’t help but reconsider. After a brief hesitation, she looked up and asked, “Do you think it’s appropriate?”
Appropriate? Ji Yun had long seen through the little act between these two “lovebirds.” She threw another eye roll her way.
“Alright,” Qiao Ziman reluctantly pulled out her phone and dialed Chi Yin’s number. This time, Chi Yin picked up quickly.
Qiao Ziman gathered her thoughts, cleared her throat, and said, “So, um, do you have time later? I’d like to treat you to a meal. Oh, and Ji Yun will be there too. If you prefer, I can invite you alone next time.”
Ji Yun: “???” Excuse me? So I’m just a third wheel, huh?
Ji Yun muttered, “Let’s invite Tang Xiaoxiao too. The more, the merrier.” That way, at least she wouldn’t be the most glaring third wheel.
Chi Yin replied, “Sure, the usual place.”
Qiao Ziman’s first thought was Chunsheng Restaurant. But wait—they’d never eaten there together. Since when did they have a “usual place”?
Qiao Ziman absentmindedly stirred her coffee, glancing up to see Ji Yun’s teasing expression. She turned slightly, covering the phone with her hand, and whispered, “You need a reservation to get in.”
Ji Yun’s inner monologue was filled with sarcastic disbelief.
Chi Yin chuckled, “Just give them my name.”
Qiao Ziman’s eyes lit up, trusting Chi Yin completely. She genuinely praised, “Our Boss Chi really is amazing!”
Ji Yun smiled, “Please stop showing off. Someone here’s already feeling shattered, you awful lovebirds!”
Chi Yin replied, “Then be good and wait for me.”
Qiao Ziman glanced at Ji Yun and turned to the side again, lowering her voice. “Where did you go?”
Just then, a mechanical voice came through the phone: “Would Miss Chi Yin, patient number 58, please proceed to consultation room 3.”