Chapter 40

*The Moon Runs to Me*
“Xiaochen.” Chen Zhiqin arrived late. Before going in, he saw Xie Yuncheng standing outside alone. He asked as he patted his shoulder, “Why aren’t you going in?”
Xie Yuncheng’s gaze was clear as he looked toward the distance. Under the hazy light, that slim silhouette had only appeared for a brief moment; the window was empty again, leaving only the stretched-out monstera leaves trembling slightly in the night.
He withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice, “Came out to get some air.”
Chen Zhiqin smiled kindly. “What you said at the venue today—everyone heard it. So? You really have a girl you like?”
Xie Yuncheng’s throat moved. He didn’t deny it.
Chen Zhiqin raised his eyebrows. “Oh? So it’s true. Is it the girl you brought today?”
Chen Zhiqin didn’t usually follow outside news, much less the entertainment industry’s new celebrities. At the conference he’d only taken a distant look; from that far away he couldn’t see clearly. He only knew she seemed to have a standout presence—likely a pretty, quiet girl.
Xie Yuncheng hummed. A faint smile surfaced on his usually cool face, but the moment he thought of her instinctive avoidance, thought of the way she’d been holding back her crying, that smile vanished. His eyes dimmed; it felt as if something tugged at his chest.
Chen Zhiqin found it rare and, after a moment, sighed. “Looks like your shimu’s plans are going to fall through today.”
Madam Chen didn’t have any particular agenda—once she got older, she simply liked matchmaking. And Xie Yuncheng’s conditions were indeed outstanding in their institute: good-looking, young, capable. If not for being implicated by his father’s mess, he would’ve been promoted before long. With such a profile, he was clearly a hot commodity.
Madam Chen had screened quite a few girls with good backgrounds and matching families, hoping to set him up. But Xie Yuncheng always brushed it off and pushed it away.
Today, knowing Xie Yuncheng was coming to the seminar, she insisted on keeping him for a meal no matter what.
At first Chen Zhiqin thought his wife was meddling too much. Whether to date or not was Xie Yuncheng’s freedom; for outsiders to fuss so enthusiastically—speaking bluntly—was overstepping.
But after a long time, even the younger people in the institute—if not married—at least had someone suitable to date. Only he didn’t.
Chen Zhiqin worried that if this continued, the kid would truly end up alone. After all, he was a student Chen had trained with his own hands; naturally he hoped he’d live well.
Chen Zhiqin sighed with feeling and advised him: “You can’t be like a sealed jar. Girls have to be pursued with care. Among you brothers, you’re the odd one out—your whole mind is on work. Work is important, sure, but you can’t delay your normal life because of it.”
“Why live so dull at your age?” Chen Zhiqin joked. “You’re not some old man like me. When I’m free, I ask a young lady out for a movie or a date. You should make some plans for your love life too.”
Xie Yuncheng’s eyes swept over the now-empty windowsill. His voice was hoarse. “Mm. You’re right. I should be more proactive.”
“That’s more like it.” Chen Zhiqin was pleased. “A guy needs a thicker skin. Pursuing someone means showing sincerity. Don’t make the girl uncomfortable—pay attention to method. If you put even half the seriousness you put into work into this, it won’t fail.”
“Back when I pursued your shimu, I relied on sheer persistence,” he added. “At first she didn’t like me either. But over time—even if she were ice, she’d warm up. The difference is whether you’re willing to put in the effort, whether you can set aside unnecessary pride. Feelings aren’t like a set of data with rules to calculate by. A calculation error can still be corrected; one wrong step in love, and you might never recover. Don’t wait until she’s gone cold before you regret it.”
Chen Zhiqin spoke earnestly, afraid the kid wouldn’t take it in. His student was excellent in every way, except in matters of love—truly worrying. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to pursue; he simply didn’t care. Over the years, plenty of girls had chased him. He hadn’t liked a single one; he didn’t even leave them room to approach, rejecting them cleanly and completely.
Just then, Chen Zhiqin’s phone rang. One glance at the caller—his wife—and he knew. He sighed. “Come on. Your shimu and the others are probably here.”
They called it a dinner, but in truth it was a matchmaking banquet with ulterior motives, and everyone else was only there as decoration.
Penny Song had just returned to the country, and she was single, so she’d been targeted as well. She couldn’t refuse outright and could only come for the meal. Qin Sang couldn’t leave early either. She’d driven that morning; Penny only had an international driver’s license and couldn’t drive in China. Qin had had a bit to drink too, so later they would likely have to call a designated driver.
Qin felt dizzy and light-headed. On the excuse of taking a call, she’d gone out for some air. She hadn’t expected that as soon as she stepped out, Xie Yuncheng came out after her. When she saw him standing downstairs, and their eyes met, her heart seemed to miss a beat; she instinctively hid in a blind spot.
She stayed outside for a long time. Only after the call ended did she return to the private room. She tried her best to reduce her presence, sneaking back like a student slipping into class after skipping. But her seat was in an awkward position. As she squeezed in, head lowered and body bent, she tripped and nearly fell.
Someone reached out to steady her. The hand held her arm; the warmth of the palm pressed against her skin. The thin calluses on his fingertips brushed lightly, leaving a faint itch.
She looked up.
The man’s eyes were deep as ever. The strength of his hold was just right. That faint mint scent was like a shot of stimulant, brushing her nose. His voice was low, slightly hoarse. “Careful.”
She swallowed and answered vaguely, “Thanks.”
It was a touch that ended as soon as it began. No one noticed the little incident. Qin lowered her lashes. She didn’t see the fleeting emotion in his eyes as he withdrew his hand.
After she sat down, Penny—seated diagonally across—had seen the brief contact clearly. “Feel better?”
“Mm?” Qin’s gaze was slow. With alcohol on board, the warmth of that touch seemed to make her thoughts even more sluggish; her cheeks were a little red.
Penny smiled. “It’s nothing. I thought you’d gone out and figured things out.”
After all, she and Xie Yuncheng had left one after the other. Penny had thought they’d talked it through outside.
But looking at Qin now, it seemed they hadn’t. Or maybe it was close. Her cousin was always hard-mouthed and soft-hearted. Besides, she really did like him—if she liked him, how long could she hold out?
Penny sighed silently, lowered her voice, and handed her a cup of honey grapefruit tea. “Don’t drink anymore. Too much, and the hangover will be miserable.”
Qin was about to thank her, but Penny interrupted. “You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t order this for you.”
Qin froze. As if she sensed something, she looked up.
Across from her, the man sat slightly turned, listening to someone beside him speak. His profile was sharp and clear. His sleeves were rolled up casually; the lines of his arms were clean and defined. He looked indifferent—not because he meant to be, but because he simply wasn’t invested in listening.
Qin held the glass. The fresh scent of grapefruit eased her nausea a little. The stuffy feeling in the room also seemed to fade. The tea was warm; she didn’t drink it, only held the cup wall, her mood complicated.
Suddenly, the woman sitting beside Chen Zhiqin spoke up. “Xiaochen, your teacher said you’ve decided to come back and work at the institute. You’re not planning to resign, right?”
Xie Yuncheng’s gaze paused. “Mm. Still waiting on the investigation result.”
There still wasn’t a conclusion to Xie Zhenting’s case, so Xie Yuncheng couldn’t avoid being implicated. The institute valued talent and hadn’t decided how to handle him; they only told him to take leave for now, rest for a while, and wait for the results before making a decision.
Madam Chen comforted him. “Don’t worry. It should be fine. I know your father. He may be reckless, but he wouldn’t be that muddleheaded.”
Xie Yuncheng tugged at his lips and didn’t respond.
Madam Chen quickly changed the topic. She rubbed her cup and tested the waters. “Xiaochen, I remember you’re three years younger than Xiao Zhou, right? Xiao Zhou just turned thirty, so you should be… twenty-seven this year, yes?”
Xie Yuncheng neither confirmed nor denied. “Shimu, you have a good memory.”
Madam Chen narrowed her eyes with a smile. “Twenty-seven—shouldn’t you be considering finding a girlfriend? Look at your shifu; he got married at your age.”
“It’s a coincidence,” she continued. “I have a niece about your age with great conditions. She graduated from Peking University and now works at Capital TV as the host of a legal program. Pretty and hardworking. If you’re interested, how about I arrange for you to meet?”
It wasn’t the first time she’d tried to introduce someone. Xie Yuncheng’s conditions among the younger generation were truly outstanding. Even her niece, who was always picky and sharp, had softened after seeing his photo, begging her aunt to help sound him out.
“Stop fussing,” Chen Zhiqin said helplessly. “Xiaochen already has someone he likes.”
Madam Chen was startled. “Xiaochen, you have someone you like?”
Almost the instant she asked, the entire room went quiet. Everyone looked at him. After all, at the seminar he’d already hinted at his feelings in public, but the occasion hadn’t been right and no one could press. Now that Madam Chen asked, everyone perked up, ears pricked to hear clearly.
Xie Yuncheng admitted calmly, “I do.”
In the corner, Qin Sang’s heart began to race; her mouth went inexplicably dry.
She pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes to drink water. She didn’t know if it was her illusion, but when he said it, she felt as if he glanced toward her—the man’s gaze landing on her, subtle yet deep.
Madam Chen was even more surprised, sizing him up in disbelief. “Really? You’re not fooling me, are you? Whose girl is she? Why have I never heard you mention her?”
Xie Yuncheng smiled with a composed expression. “I’m still pursuing her.”