Chapter 14: A Heart That Calms Like Autumn Waters, Stirred Again by a Few Words

As soon as she finished speaking, she added, “It’s pretty cold with the rain outside. Let’s go upstairs first.”

Qi Yanjing didn’t say anything and followed her into the elevator. Once inside, he finally said, “I came to see you.”

As soon as his words landed, the elevator doors opened. He placed the umbrella by the door and followed her into the apartment.

“Thank you, Mr. Qi, for coming by so early. I’m fine now, though, so you don’t need to worry,” she said, looking at him with a touch of gratitude in her eyes.

Wen Zhixian pulled out a dry towel and handed it to Qi Yanjing. “Here, Mr. Qi, dry off.”

He took the towel, and she continued, “I’m making breakfast. Have you eaten? I made a lot, so feel free to join me.”

Wen Zhixian went to the kitchen and brought out the meal she had prepared in the oven, along with two bowls of wonton soup.

Qi Yanjing glanced at the table, which was set with steamed buns, wonton soup, baked pastries, and a plate of fruit.

“Let’s eat.” She handed him a spoon and chopsticks.

He took them and thanked her.

“Mr. Qi, I should be the one thanking you. You came all the way here, braving the rain so early in the morning,” she said, not even realizing that Qi Yanjing had been waiting downstairs for her.

Qi Yanjing replied, “But you did come down.”

She then asked, “If I hadn’t come down to take out the trash, would you have left without coming up?”

“Yes,” he answered. In that case, he would have accepted it as a fleeting encounter and moved on.

Wen Zhixian smiled at him. “I’m fine now. Yesterday, I was acting impulsively. It’s lucky that it was you I ran into. Everything you said was right. I’m working on changing that impulsive, rebellious part of myself.”

He nodded slightly and then introduced himself properly. “My name is Qi Yanjing. I’m from Yannan, 28 years old, and a university professor.”

He typically just referred to himself as a teacher, but today, he made a point to mention that he was a university professor—he took this introduction seriously.

Wen Zhixian smiled. “I already knew.”

Qi Yanjing looked up at her. “You know me?”

“Yes. You’re the youngest professor in the Chinese department at Hua A University. I even read an article your school published about you.” She praised him, saying, “Mr. Qi, after reading about your accomplishments, I have to say—you really are a genius.”

Skipping grades and receiving academic recommendations seemed insignificant compared to his other achievements.

Qi Yanjing chuckled softly, so that’s how she knew.

Wen Zhixian suddenly let out a small “Ah” as she realized she hadn’t introduced herself yet. “I haven’t told you my name, have I?”

“Wen Zhixian. The ‘Zhi’ from the phrase ‘how many flowers fall,’ and ‘Xian’ from the phrase ‘stealing half a day’s leisure.’ I’m also from Yannan, 26 years old, and I run a café.” That pretty much summed it up.

Zhixian, Wen Zhixian.

Qi Yanjing silently repeated her name in his mind a few times.

After breakfast, they chatted for a while. Wen Zhixian looked him up and down and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Mr. Qi, do you have somewhere to go today? You’re dressed very formally.”

In the past, he also wore suits and overcoats, but there was always a casual air about him. Today, however, his attire was completely different, as if he were attending something important.

Qi Yanjing didn’t reveal his plans. Instead, he began clearing the table, asking, “Should I put all of this in the kitchen?”

“No need, I’ll take care of it.” She got up and gathered the dishes, while Qi Yanjing wiped the table.

By the time she came back, the dining area was already tidied up.

“Thanks,” she said, bringing out the lemon water she had prepared earlier and pouring him a glass.

“Thank you for the trouble,” he said. From the moment he arrived, Wen Zhixian had been busy, and he felt like he had caused her inconvenience.

Wen Zhixian shook her head. “Not at all. I do the same things when I’m at home alone.”

Qi Yanjing crossed his hands, occasionally rubbing his knuckles, appearing somewhat hesitant.

He asked, “Are you clear-headed and rational today?”

The sudden question felt a bit out of place, but Wen Zhixian sensed that Qi Yanjing was concerned about her. Today, he seemed unusually reserved, as if something was weighing on his mind.

“Of course. Yesterday, you talked with me and made me a meal. Also, my friends came over last night, and I called my parents. I’ve cleared things up with them. I won’t let myself feel sad over someone who isn’t worth it anymore.” Actually, it helped that someone was there to comfort her when she was feeling down, which eased her sadness.

And luckily, that person was Qi Yanjing. Otherwise, she might have acted impulsively yesterday.

Hearing her response, Qi Yanjing was reassured. His gaze softened as it rested on her gentle and serene face. “Miss Wen, will you marry me?”

It was the same question she had asked him the day before, and it had been stuck in his mind ever since.

Wen Zhixian froze, her hand holding the glass stiffening, as she stared at him in disbelief.

Her reaction was understandable, and his voice softened. “You don’t have to answer me right away. I know this might seem impulsive. I just hope that you give me a response when you’re clear-headed and rational. Take your time to ask whatever questions you want; I’ll answer them all.”

Wen Zhixian gradually regained her composure, still looking at Qi Yanjing with curiosity and confusion.

He had dressed so formally today, stood outside her building in the rain all morning, and it was all to ask her this question?

Unbelievable.

“Why?” she asked.

Qi Yanjing exhaled slowly. “It’s indeed strange to feel emotions for someone I’ve only met a few times, something I can count on one hand. After you said that to me yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night. You simply need someone to be there for you, to comfort you, and strangely enough, I don’t want to see you cry. My usually calm life suddenly stirred with this bit of impulse, and I accept that.”

“You asked why I didn’t come to find you sooner. We started off as a fleeting encounter, and if I hadn’t waited for you, it would’ve just ended that way.”

His words were calm and measured, spoken slowly but with clarity.

Wen Zhixian’s lips parted slightly. “Do you need this marriage?”

Was it just because he was at the age where family pressure for marriage was inevitable?

Qi Yanjing shook his head, his voice clear. “I only act on my own emotions, nothing else.”

No one could dictate his life or marriage choices.

The impulsive desire for revenge from the previous day was gone, but the heart that was supposed to remain calm had been stirred again by just a few words.

She fell silent. Qi Yanjing didn’t seem awkward, though. He had come here expecting a 50% chance of failure, but since she hadn’t rejected him outright, he continued explaining himself.

“Aside from why I want to marry you, I have a house, a car, and savings of about—”

Before he could finish, Wen Zhixian chuckled. “Mr. Qi, there’s no need to disclose your savings.”

Qi Yanjing raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded. “I live alone, live simply, and have no bad habits.”

After listening to everything he said, Wen Zhixian’s mind felt chaotic. She had just said she wouldn’t act impulsively anymore, but now, thinking about marrying this man in front of her didn’t seem like a bad idea. It would resolve so many things.

She also knew that she wasn’t going to move on from her previous relationship anytime soon. She was afraid that if she didn’t act now, she might forget the pain and be swayed by Gu Yuchen again. A voice inside her urged her to agree, not to leave herself any way back.

Out of nowhere, she found the courage, and she actually agreed.

Qi Yanjing was briefly taken aback by her acceptance.

Seeing his reaction, Wen Zhixian cleared her throat. “Are you going to lecture me again about not marrying someone I’ve only met a few times?”

Qi Yanjing smiled and said, “Today, it’s your turn to lecture me.”

Since last night, he had lost the right to lecture her.