Chapter 13: Chance Encounter

Seeing Jiang Ya slow to answer, Zhou Lin was not rushed—changed the question. “Not necessarily *like*—any boy you feel okay about?”
“No.” This time Jiang Ya reacted, firm.
But Zhou Lin was naturally suspicious. Jiang Ya kept avoiding her eyes—she pressed again. “Really none?”
“If there is, don’t worry about other things first—you can tell us?”
“No.” Jiang Ya met her gaze, faint curve at the lips. “Really none, Mom. Don’t worry.”
Zhou Lin: “Mom’s just caring, asking.”
“Also, at school—I know the place—hardly any male teachers your age…”
“None is fine. Your dad has a friend’s son—very nice.”
Jiang Ya was about to take dishes and stand—Zhou Lin’s line pinned her back.
First day of her period—weak, no energy. So much running around—truly dizzy now.
The heavy air—one more second felt like suffocation.
“Mom… I’m really tired. I want to rest in my room.” Mentally drained.
But Jiang Sheng allowed no negotiation, picking up Zhou Lin’s thread. “Wait. Let me finish then you rest.”
“Uncle Wang—you’ve met him? His son quit out of town two months ago, decided to work back here.”
“Thirty. Designer. I’ve seen photos—refined look, probably good personality. I thought you’d suit each other. Uncle Wang and I could introduce you—get acquainted.”
“…Dad.” Jiang Ya’s brow knit. Half a beat before reply—voice very low, heavy.
Deep sigh—like holding something down.
“I’ve been busy at work. No time, no mood for this.”
“I’m not asking you to date him tomorrow—just meet, right?”
Jiang Ya pressed lips, eyes down on empty bowl on the table.
Jiang Sheng silent with her a moment, tone suddenly heavier. “I only ask you meet someone—you won’t even do that?”
“I taught too—how busy can you be? Your mother and I married in our twenties, had you—our careers were fine after.”
“Right age, right things. Career yes—but family at the right time matters too.”
“Enough enough, why so serious?” Zhou Lin smoothed between them—a scene Jiang Ya knew by heart.
Zhou Lin soothing beside her, echoing Jiang Sheng’s counsel—Jiang Ya barely heard.
She only lifted her eyes to Jiang Sheng.
The man across seven-tenths like her—in memory always solemn, strict.
Father by blood—but she had always treated him as teacher.
From childhood he taught, guided, drove her… not to be defied, not to be crossed.
Twenty-six years the same—this time no exception.
“Dad. I understand.”
No argument. She had never planned to argue.
Expressionless she gathered bowls and plates. Under Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin’s silent watch—kitchen, then bedroom without a word.
Then closed the door.
Cut off from the world.
.
This Saturday Qi Xuan was hyper all day.
Simple reason: relatives in the village held a housewarming feast. Qi Wenping and Qi Li gone two days—only she and Qi Yu home.
No supervision—free as could be.
Both promised Aunt yesterday—up on time, breakfast—but this morning slept till noon together.
Dawdled—no breakfast, lunch hour passed too.
Qi Yu could not stand Qi Xuan tagging and begging—took her to the mall nearby for bullfrog, clothes, boutique… whole afternoon.
Qi Yu sighed—young people. Qi Xuan still full of energy after walking all afternoon. She stop-start like an eighty-year-old.
Qi Xuan’s stamina exceeded imagination.
On the e-bike heading home—idea on the spot—soft pleading in her ear to turn around for the supermarket.
Qi Yu had no defense.
One thing she did not get—
“You have a supermarket near home. Why drive extra to the school area?” Qi Yu parked, took off helmet, spoke to the person behind.
Past six in the evening—not late—but nights fell early lately. Street lamps on, light on passersby.
Supermarket near No. 1 High beside the mall—busy on weekends. In the crowd Qi Xuan said: “Ours has nothing to browse. This one’s good.”
“We often come before evening study.” Qi Xuan turned, bright smiling eyes. “You never browse here—you don’t know—the egg tarts here are cheap and good, one yuan each…”
Chatter nonstop.
Qi Yu listened to the monologue, did not reply.
So this was why she insisted on coming here?
Qi Yu listened a while, could not hold back. “What supermarket doesn’t sell the same stuff—you just like the detour.”
“I know you—you don’t want to go home yet.”
“I do not!” Caught out—voice shot up. “This one’s newer—I just like browsing here… don’t you want to?”
Qi Yu: “…Just find it annoying.”
She really did not want to come.
Besides unnecessary detour—another reason.
Flickered inside—she did not dig deeper.
Honestly this chain supermarket beat the one downstairs—by the mall, cross the plaza first.
They crossed the open space before the mall entrance—traffic behind, pedestrians talking, square dance group in formation not far off.
Sound from every direction—busy, lively.
Qi Yu hands in hoodie pockets, mask against wind, clear brows glanced at Qi Xuan.
Phone in hands—grin nearly to her temples.
“What’re you looking at?” Qi Yu curious peek.
Qi Xuan showed openly. “Hahaha my deskmate said she’s at tutoring—I said I’m shopping—she rage-voiced me and the tutor walked in and heard—hilarious.”
“……”
Qi Yu arched a brow at the vivid face—did not get kids’ humor—but wanted to laugh anyway, faint smile lines under her eyes.
Night wind brushed face—she quickened steps. “Stop laughing. Walk. Freezing.”
“Okay… hey wait for me.”
One after the other quick toward the supermarket entrance.
Passing the mall west-side restaurant floor-to-ceiling windows—Qi Xuan behind slowed, stared into the clear glass.
Qi Yu did not notice she fell behind—distance grew.
“Cousin—”
Ten meters—Qi Xuan caught up, pulled her.
“What?” Qi Yu looked at the tugged clothes.
“Look there—” urgent voice, pointing. “Is that Teacher Jiang? Looks like her.”
Qi Yu looked.
Window-side booth—a woman and man facing each other. Plates on table, roses in a vase—elegant, romantic.
Man with slicked-back hair, suit, talking with a smile. Woman opposite refined air, head down cutting food, long hair hiding part of her profile—only a blur.
Even so Qi Yu knew at once.
Too familiar.
“Cousin, it is Teacher Jiang—what luck running into her here.” Qi Xuan still staring boldly. Seeing no answer, nudged her.
Qi Yu still silent—calm eyes on Jiang Ya at the table—did not move a long while.
Until the other seemed to sense it and slowly turn toward them—Qi Yu startled—heart yanked into wild beat.
Not close—not even clear face—but she could feel Jiang Ya looking at her too.
She should leave.
But the moment eyes met—feet rooted, mind terrifyingly empty.
Another gaze on her—she gave the man one glance, woke at once.
No expression—pulled still-hesitating Qi Xuan forward. Cold: “Don’t look. Walk. Still shopping or not.”
“I am—don’t walk so fast…” Pulled two steps—almost tripped.
“You wanted the supermarket—why dawdle here?”
“I’m not…” Glared into silence, aggrieved—no idea why cousin suddenly snapped.
Qi Xuan caught up—Qi Yu sighed deep, passing the window area swept one fast glance aside, steps faster.
A short way—phone vibrated in pocket.
Qi Yu took it out—stopped—face dazed in place.
From Jiang Ya. Two lines.
【Don’t go】
【Wait for me. I’m coming to find you】