◎”Maybe he doesn’t miss you enough.”◎
At nine-thirty that evening, Lu Ying returned from the café. The first thing she said upon entering the door was, “Try it.”
Lan Yan: “Huh?”
“The air conditioner! The new air conditioner!”
She pressed the remote control, and the air outlet baffle lifted. Lu Ying struck the pose from The Shawshank Redemption where Andy successfully escaped and spread his arms to welcome the downpour: “Don’t you feel like the wind from the new air conditioner smells better?”
“…No.”
“Have you made up with Liang Jingchuan?” After all, the weather wasn’t hot, so Lu Ying turned off the air conditioner once she had experienced it.
“…He said no.”
“Huh?”
“He might have something wrong with his brain.” Lan Yan had thought about it all night and could only come to this conclusion.
“Could you please tell me the full story from beginning to end?”
Lan Yan found it a bit hard to speak up, mainly because she had said too many bad things about Liang Jingchuan to Lu Ying. Now, reviewing recent events felt like slapping her own face to exonerate him.
The gossip session moved from the bedroom to the bathroom. Lu Ying paused while rubbing her facial cleanser. “…Wait a second.”
“Hm?”
“He gave you a painting, and then all the subsequent events happened, right?”
Lan Yan fell silent.
“So, why did he give you the painting in the first place?”
“It must be because our sibling relationship is so good that even when he goes on a business trip, he still remembers to bring me a souvenir.” Lan Yan said irritably.
Lu Ying burst out laughing.
Water splashed onto her face, and Lu Ying’s voice became muffled. “There are only two answers, and Liang Jingchuan has personally ruled out the other one. What other reason could there be? Haven’t you already figured it out?”
At eleven-thirty, the bedroom lights went out.
Lan Yan tossed and turned several times before lying on her side.
Because she liked gradually brightening natural light to wake her up, the blackout curtains in the bedroom weren’t the one hundred percent light-blocking kind.
At that moment, the outlines of objects in the room were faintly visible, including the air conditioner mounted on the wall near the window.
There was a term called “heart anchor,” which referred to a conditioned reflex that triggered certain emotions, memories, or psychological states through specific stimuli, such as actions, words, or objects.
/
“Lan Yan, is the mounting for Z2459’s repair piece done? If it is, I’ll notify the client to come pick it up.”
Sister Rong didn’t just handle client reception; she also took on the role of project manager, checking progress in the mounting room every day so she could answer any client questions with full knowledge.
The calligraphy from Liang Jingchuan had all its restoration and mounting work completed the day before yesterday.
“…It’s done. Sorry to trouble Sister Rong to contact him for me. I’m tied up right now.” Lan Yan had already started working on restoring the silk painting that Chu Lansun had brought back. Today, she was doing the tedious and boring “puzzle” work.
Sister Rong was very efficient. Not long after, she came back to tell her that Liang Jingchuan said he would come pick it up the day after tomorrow.
“You’re going on a business trip to Suzhou with Wenshu the day after tomorrow, right? Should we ask him to change the time? What if he wants to thank you in person…” Sister Rong said.
“No. No need.” Lan Yan smiled. “He’s an acquaintance of mine. If he wants to thank me, he can just tell me privately.”
“Got it.” Sister Rong understood. So, no hope of reconciliation.
At noon, Lan Yan still ate with Xue Mengqiu and Zhou Wenshu.
They ordered three stir-fried dishes at the small restaurant, with free soup and rice. After eating there so many times, it felt like entering a university cafeteria.
Zhou Wenshu: “I thought Master would send you on the business trip, Senior Sister Mengqiu.”
Xue Mengqiu: “Who’s going to do that grunt work? There are so many paintings to carry back and forth—that’s a lot of labor.”
“So I’m just manual labor, huh.”
“You know it. Clumsy as you are, even after graduating, you nearly tore the silk while removing the mounting paper.”
“That’s because I don’t restore silk paintings often, and you don’t teach me step by step.”
“Do I have to chew the food and feed it directly into your mouth too?”
“Heh heh, that would be too embarrassing.”
Lan Yan had no time to enjoy the studio’s E-person duo’s crosstalk routine today because she received a new WeChat message.
It was from Liang Xiaoxia in the family group chat.
【Liang Auntie: Is everyone coming home for Mid-Autumn dinner? @blueblue @ljc】
Lan Yan glanced at it and set her phone aside without replying for the moment.
Moments later, Lan Junwen sent a photo of ice-skin durian mooncakes placed in the fridge. Her favorite brand.
【Lan Gong: Supplies are in position.】
Lan Yan’s note for Lan Junwen was “Lan Gong.”
When Mom was still alive, she often teasingly called him that, mimicking his factory colleagues, and Lan Yan had followed suit without any formality.
Lan Yan slowly chewed, scooped a few bites of rice, sighed, and finally picked up her phone to reply.
【blueblue: Yes.】
【Liang Auntie: Bringing your boyfriend?】
【blueblue: I’ll ask.】
She was about to switch apps when the group member who hadn’t spoken yet chimed in.
【ljc: Going out of town with Chen Boyu to meet investors. Might not make it back.】
【Liang Auntie: Don’t the investors celebrate Mid-Autumn?】
【ljc: American investors.】
【Lan Gong: [Laughing]】
Lan Yan opened Chen Boyu’s WeChat.
【blueblue: You’re going on a business trip for Mid-Autumn?】
【Chen Boyu: Yeah. Was just about to tell you. Please pass on my regards to Uncle and Auntie. I’ll visit for dinner when I’m free.】
【Chen Boyu: Sent a Mid-Autumn gift box to your house. Should arrive today or tomorrow. Remind Uncle to pick it up.】
Lan Yan replied that it was fine.
Two days later, Lan Yan went to Suzhou with Zhou Wenshu. They spent two days screening all the paintings at Ink Cultivation Studio, selecting half a truckload and hauling them back to the studio.
These paintings served multiple purposes: blank areas on the painting hearts could be cut for patching material, and damaged painting hearts could be used by newcomers and interns for restoration practice.
In the blink of an eye, Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
Even with only three people celebrating, Lan Junwen took it very seriously. Liang Xiaoxia said he had gone to the supermarket early in the morning to buy live shrimp, live fish, and live crabs.
Hot oil and fumes mingled in the kitchen. In the living room, Liang Xiaoxia asked Lan Yan to help review new product designs.
Liang Xiaoxia’s profession was uncommon: she was the design lead for an independent bag brand. The brand was niche but had a high-end vibe, with strong user loyalty, mostly among working women with decent incomes.
“We’re thinking of slightly lowering the target user age group and launching two new bags aimed at younger women before Chinese New Year this year,” Liang Xiaoxia said. “Yanyan, help take a look. Which designs would you like if you were the customer?”
Lan Yan took the tablet from Liang Xiaoxia and swiped left and right to browse.
There were six designs in total, rendered very realistically from all angles. The brand’s signature was minimal or no heavy lining, preserving the leather’s natural softness and casualness, so the products looked light and relaxed.
After carefully examining and comparing them, Lan Yan said, “I like this white underarm bag. It would look great with a red sweater or coat during New Year. This light grass-green tote is perfect for commuting in early spring—gentle color that lifts the mood.”
Liang Xiaoxia listened attentively, nodding frequently. “What about the others? Reasons you don’t like them?”
“It’s personal preference. I don’t like bags with all-metal chain straps or overly deep brown leather.” Lan Yan handed the tablet back to Liang Xiaoxia with a smile. “Auntie, you should survey others. I mostly carry canvas bags, so I don’t have much say on leather ones.”
“That’s exactly why we need to make products that users like you would buy.” Liang Xiaoxia smiled and patted her arm. “Yanyan, you have great taste, that’s why Auntie asked you. You can style any outfit with your own flair.”
Lan Yan wasn’t used to such direct praise and just smiled.
They sat a bit longer before dinner started.
The crabs didn’t have much roe this time, so Lan Junwen made crab-fried rice cakes. His cooking was impressive; Liang Xiaoxia took a bite and gave a thumbs up.
They opened a bottle of red wine, and Lan Junwen poured Lan Yan a little, telling her to drink if she wanted or leave it if not.
Liang Xiaoxia said, “It’s from a brand made by a friend of mine. Low tannins, sweet taste. Yanyan, you can try it.”
Lan Yan raised her glass.
Liang Xiaoxia and Lan Junwen followed suit. “Let’s toast together.”
Lan Yan took a sip. Liang Xiaoxia watched her, eagerly awaiting feedback.
Lan Yan: “It’s good.”
Liang Xiaoxia beamed. “Great! Take a bottle with you. You can sip some before bed. Mixes well with soft drinks or sparkling water.”
“Thanks, Auntie.”
At that moment, Liang Xiaoxia’s phone, placed nearby, rang. Lan Yan guessed it might be a video call from Liang Jingchuan.
It was indeed.
She kept her head down eating as a somewhat weary greeting voice came from the phone: “Mom. Uncle.”
Liang Xiaoxia: “Have you eaten?”
Liang Jingchuan: “Not yet.”
Liang Xiaoxia: “We’re eating now.”
“What dishes? Let me see.”
Liang Xiaoxia switched to the rear camera and raised the phone, panning around. “See?”
Liang Jingchuan chuckled faintly. “How did I miss such a feast.”
Lan Junwen: “I’ll make it again when you’re back from your trip.”
Liang Jingchuan: “Thanks, Uncle.”
After a bit of small talk, Lan Junwen said, “Jingchuan, keep busy but take care of your health. Go eat.”
“Okay. Hanging up now. Enjoy your meal. Happy Mid-Autumn.”
Dinner ended, followed by mooncakes. The three then went out to see the lantern festival.
It wasn’t far from home—less than two kilometers on foot. The big square was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, more people than lanterns, but it had a festive atmosphere.
After wandering for a while, perhaps due to the red wine’s alcohol content, Lan Yan gradually felt dizzy. She wanted to take a cab back to her rental, but her bag was at home, so she had to turn back.
Once home, she could barely hold on. She greeted Lan Junwen and Liang Xiaoxia before heading to her room and lying down—the bedsheets were always freshly washed, whether she stayed overnight or not.
After lying there a while, she heard a soft knock.
Lan Yan said “Come in,” and the door cracked open. Liang Xiaoxia asked quietly from the doorway, “You okay, Yanyan?”
“Better.”
“Why don’t you stay overnight tonight? Your dad and I are going out for tea with friends. We’ll have some late-night snacks together later.”
Lan Yan said okay.
“Have you poured water, Yanyan?”
“No…”
Liang Xiaoxia left the door, returned moments later with another knock, came in, and placed a large glass of warm water on her bedside table. “Water’s here. Feel like throwing up?”
“It’s okay, just a bit dizzy.”
“Then sleep it off.” Liang Xiaoxia said, “I won’t disturb you. Rest well.”
Her footsteps and the door-closing sound were very light.
Lan Yan vaguely heard the front door shut, then fell asleep.
She woke to her phone vibrating.
Squinting, she reached for the phone on the bedside table and answered.
It was a video call from Chen Boyu.
“Yanyan.”
Lan Yan yawned and looked at the screen. Chen Boyu’s background was a hotel.
“Done dinner with the investors?”
“The meeting got moved to noon. Finished eating around two in the afternoon.” Chen Boyu seemed to catch her yawn and yawned too. “Drank too much at lunch, planned to nap and catch the evening flight back, but slept straight through till now.”
“You worked hard.”
Chen Boyu smiled. “Not bad. Thinking it’s for our future makes any hardship worthwhile.”
Lan Yan hummed in acknowledgment.
“Why haven’t you turned on the light?” Chen Boyu asked.
“Had some wine tonight. Was sleeping.”
“Can you turn on the light so I can see you? Kinda miss you.”
Lan Yan reached up and flipped the bedside switch.
Light poured in, making her squint.
Chen Boyu propped his head, staring at the camera without a word, just looking at her intently.
“Seen enough?”
“Nope.” Chen Boyu laughed. “If only you were here with me…”
Suddenly, a knock came from the front door.
“Seems like Dad and them are back. I’ll go open the door.” Lan Yan sat up. “You rest. I’m going to shower and sleep soon.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Lan Yan slipped on slippers and left her room. By the time she reached the living room, the knocking had stopped.
Moments later, the sound of a key inserting into the lock rang out.
Click. The door swung open.
Separated by the entryway, Lan Yan froze in place.
The person at the door seemed not to have expected this either. After a slight daze, he revealed a smile. “Are you home alone?”
“They went out.”
Liang Jingchuan nodded. Some discomfort made him clear his throat, but he said nothing. He simply carried his suitcase inside, closed the door behind him, and bent down to change his shoes.
“…Weren’t you on a business trip with Chen Boyu?” Lan Yan couldn’t help but ask.
“Mm.”
“Then why… he didn’t come back.”
Liang Jingchuan looked up at her, as if finding it amusing. “Your boyfriend didn’t come back, and you’re asking me?”
“…”
“Why?” He slipped on the slippers, straightened up, and glanced at her through the dim yellow light of the entryway. “Maybe he doesn’t miss you enough.”
His gaze was very deep, but his tone was very light.
Lan Yan’s heart skipped a beat like a cliff drop.
The startled thump was extremely uncomfortable.
She turned and walked inside, asking indifferently: “Have you eaten? I’ll call my dad to come back.”
“Why disturb Uncle during the holiday?” Footsteps followed. “Is there any leftover food?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Liang Jingchuan had no intention of asking her to heat the food. After saying that, he headed straight to the kitchen.
Lan Yan went to the dining room to pour some water and drink it. She glanced into the kitchen.
Liang Jingchuan opened the fridge door and took out two dishes of leftovers.
Then, his movements stopped.
Lan Yan didn’t understand why.
In that instant, he said: “Your Gold Coin Chocolate will expire if you don’t eat it soon.”
Lan Yan put down her water cup and walked over.
She stopped in her tracks. A faint alcoholic scent from his white shirt wafted over. It was a business-style shirt, wrinkled from the long journey, not entirely neat, which made his whole person look a bit fatigued.
In his hand was the Gold Coin Chocolate she had bought at the supermarket last time. She had forgotten to eat it then, and Lan Junwen had probably put it in the fridge for her.
Lan Yan reached out, snatched it from his hand, took a step back, flipped to the production date, and saw it had more than a month until expiration.
It felt cool in her hand. She tore open the outer packaging, took out a piece, peeled off the golden foil wrapper, and put it in her mouth.
The fridge door closed. Liang Jingchuan stood in place, eyes lowered, silently watching her.
The kitchen light was a faded pale white, giving him a sense of gentle silence.
Only his gaze was profound and bright, like moonlight shining solely on a deep pool.
Lan Yan’s swallowing paused for a moment. She lifted her eyes uncomfortably to look at him. “…You want some too?”
Liang Jingchuan didn’t respond.
She tsked in annoyance at the trouble, took out a small piece, and handed it over.
He reached to take it, but his gaze remained fixed on her face.
After a moment, he pointed to his own lip corner to indicate and said lightly: “It’s on yours.”