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Chapter 12 – Mid-Autumn Festival

◎ Some hearts wander ◎

The project Lu Shiyin was working on, thanks to Lu Zhengguo’s efforts, was approved by the board, and she was given full responsibility for it.

By the time everything was finalized and her team was assembled, it was already Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Lu family had always been somewhat scattered, and Lu Zhengguo had long planned to go on a snow mountain trek along the Sichuan-Tibet line with some old friends. The old man was still in great shape and had picked up several new hobbies in his later years.

Before he left, the Lu family had a rare reunion dinner before the Mid-Autumn Festival. The meal was harmonious.

Shiyin’s project was gradually getting on track, improving the board’s opinion of her. Even Lu Zhengguo became more amiable towards her.

Lu Qisheng, as always, remained unchanged. When he learned about her project, he raised a toast to congratulate her.

His son, Lu Qianren, was still studying abroad and couldn’t come back, so he just video called the family.

Only Lu Qisheng’s wife, Wang Qunying, seemed unwell. She looked listless.

Shiyin hadn’t seen her aunt in a while, but she seemed much more haggard than last time. She sat silently in a corner, rarely speaking. When someone mentioned her, she would just smile faintly.

Shiyin didn’t have a deep impression of her aunt but still appreciated how she had once explained how to use sanitary pads to her back when she was in school.

During the dinner, Shiyin went to the bathroom and saw her aunt smoking in the corridor on the way back.

She remembered that Wang Qunying never smoked.

“Auntie,” Shiyin greeted her and was about to walk past.

“Yinyin,” her aunt called out and stubbed out her cigarette. “Are you doing well lately? I think Cheng Jinghe treats you quite nicely.” She had observed clearly at the dinner table—Cheng Jinghe had his eyes on Shiyin and was very attentive.

Shiyin smiled. “I’m doing great, Auntie.”

Her aunt forced a rather awkward smile. Since they usually didn’t talk much, she didn’t know how to continue.

Shiyin noticed her hesitation. “Is something wrong, Auntie?”

“I wanted to ask… your uncle’s been really busy lately. Do you know what kind of project he’s working on? I’m not very familiar with your company matters and can’t help much. I’m just worried I might be dragging him down.”

“Auntie, don’t say that. You’ve already worked so hard keeping this household together.” Shiyin was stunned for a moment. It seemed like her aunt’s eyes glistened with tears, but they vanished quickly.

Her aunt gently placed a hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Thank you. Come visit me when you have time.” She had heard at the dinner table that Shiyin was now managing a project on her own and probably didn’t have much time. “Oh, look at me. I forgot. You’re a grown woman now, busy with your own life.”

“It’s okay, Auntie. I’ll visit when I can. Don’t worry about Uncle—take care of yourself. You’re the most important one.”

The two chatted for a bit and returned to the private room together. Lu Zhengguo teased, “Look at them, getting along so well.”

Only Lu Qisheng gave his wife a deep look before turning away.

—

After the Lu family dinner, on Mid-Autumn Day itself, Shiyin and Cheng Jinghe went to the Cheng family’s old house.

The Cheng home had more warmth and family spirit, which Shiyin appreciated. This time, she went shopping early with Uncle Qian to buy gifts and didn’t let Jinghe pay.

That afternoon, after lunch, she played mahjong with Jinghe’s grandmother, Cheng Jingzhi (his cousin), and Cheng Jingzhi’s mom, Cheng Shu.

Shiyin was a beginner and kept losing badly. The small bills she had withdrawn from the bank earlier were almost all gone.

The others laughed and teased her. Midway through, Jinghe came over to join the fun.

Cheng Shu was winning big and laughed heartily. “Congcong, your girlfriend’s losing terribly! Came to be the God of Wealth for us!”

Jinghe paused at hearing his childhood nickname “Congcong,” glancing at Shiyin. “Auntie, I’m too old for that name now.”

Cheng Shu laughed behind her hand. “He’s embarrassed!”

Cheng Jingzhi added, “Why be shy? Shiyin already knows your nickname.”

Jinghe pretended not to hear and sat beside Shiyin to look at her tiles. Shiyin had no attention to spare for his nickname—she was focused on how to win.

After another losing round, she pouted, “This is too hard. I can’t win.” Looking at her dwindling cash, she added, “I’m almost broke.”

Jinghe leaned closer. “It’s okay. I’ll teach you. We’ll win it all back.”

Cheng Shu protested, “No cheating! If you help her, what’s the point of playing? Mom, don’t let him.”

Grandma Wenmin was happy to see the young couple getting along. “Let him help. You’ve already won so much—let Yinyin win a bit.”

From that round on, with Jinghe’s help, Shiyin started winning multiple games. She began enjoying herself and laughed more freely, urging everyone to hand over their money.

She laughed so hard she leaned back in her chair. Though it had a backrest, Jinghe stayed alert to prevent her from tipping too far.

The mahjong game lasted until dinnertime. Thanks to Jinghe, Shiyin not only won back all she lost but also made a profit.

When the game ended, she handed him half the money. “I only won this much because of you. Here’s your cut.”

He smiled and shook his head. “It’s yours. I won’t take it.”

She shoved it at his chest. “Take it! I insist.”

He accepted it, walking with her to the dining room while chatting about the game.

Naturally, they stayed over that night. At this point, it didn’t make sense to sleep in separate rooms.

Shiyin sat stiffly on the sofa in his room. “How do we… sleep?”

“You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said naturally, as if prepared.

Though awkward sharing a room with a man for the first time, Shiyin felt she needed to set a mature example and sat on the bed to appear at ease. “Okay.”

Only then did she realize he was standing right next to the bed, tall and looking down at her.

She rubbed her neck awkwardly and stood up. “I’ll go shower first.”

“Okay.”

Water sounds came from the bathroom. Jinghe went to sit on the balcony.

After Shiyin finished showering, she realized with horror that she had forgotten one essential thing: underwear.

Panicked, she squatted on the floor for ages, too embarrassed to stand up. The steam had dissipated, and autumn’s chill filled the bathroom as she stayed crouched in frustration.

Jinghe, hearing no movement for a long time, got worried and knocked:
“Shiyin, are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” she replied quickly.

“Okay.” He was about to leave when—

“Jinghe!”

“Yeah?”

“Um… Can you get Jingzhi for me…”

Soon after, Cheng Jingzhi came to the door. Once Jinghe left, she cracked it open. “Get my underwear from the bag. I forgot…”

Cheng Jingzhi burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. “You called me over this late… for underwear?”

She passed it through the gap. “You should’ve just asked Jinghe!”

Shiyin muttered from inside, “Are you crazy?”

Jingzhi smirked. “Mrs. Cheng, don’t want Grandpa and Grandma finding out, do you? Be nicer to me.”

Shiyin bowed. “You’re my ancestor. Thank you.”

Jingzhi walked away satisfied. At the hallway’s end, she saw Jinghe approaching. He asked, “Is she okay?”

She teased, “Curious, are we?”

He replied, “Not really. I just didn’t want her to feel awkward asking me.”

“She’s fine. Don’t worry. So… how far have you two gotten?” She held back the rest of the question: To the point where she won’t even let you grab her underwear?

“What?”

“Nothing.” Then she added, “Can you step it up a little? Your progress is so slow it’s driving me nuts.”

Jinghe stood with hands in pockets, watching the trees sway outside. “Worry about yourself. We’re fine.”

Then he quietly went to make her a bowl of brown sugar water.

Shiyin looked at it. “What’s this?” Realizing his misunderstanding, she accepted it anyway. The warmth felt nice.

“Thanks, but… actually I’m not on my period. It’s something else.”

He was confused. “What else?”

Shiyin blinked innocently. “Girl stuff.”

No wonder the two cousins got along—they said the same things. He didn’t ask further, set the cup aside, and went to shower.

When he came out, Shiyin was already in bed. He silently made his floor bed and lay down.

The night was long. Someone’s thoughts wandered, distracted by the even breathing in the dark. He couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

Eventually, he dozed off. He was awakened by knocking in the morning. He hurriedly packed away the bedding before opening the door.

It was Grandma Wenmin, who didn’t mean to disturb their sleep, but it was nearly noon.

“Grandma.”

“Go wake up Yinyin and get ready for lunch.” She noticed the door was only slightly ajar, blocking the room from view, and left contentedly.

Jinghe turned to wake Shiyin and found her curled tightly under the blanket, face flushed, with sweat sticking her bangs to her forehead.

When he touched her, her forehead was burning hot.