Chapter 78: Invitation

The words hit—Qi Yu’s heart seemed gripped tight. She stared at Jiang Ya, stunned, forgot to look away.
Only when Jiang Ya turned to drive through the intersection did Qi Yu snap back, look away fast.
A full minute before she stopped rubbing her nose without thinking. This time careful—only sidelong glances at Jiang Ya’s profile.
Half a glance—Jiang Ya unchanged, eyes on the road, as if that sentence had been casual.
Qi Yu couldn’t read her. Thought a moment. Curved her lips, feigned casual too: “What do you mean? Serious—or joking?”
“What do I mean? What I said.” Jiang Ya smiled—not shallow, not deep—just enough to be unreadable. One glance at Qi Yu, tossed it back: “You tell me—serious or joke?”
Qi Yu turned to the window, coughed again. “How would I know.”
Jiang Ya: “Not a joke. Serious. So—yes or no?”
Qi Yu: “……”
One blunt line and she was mute.
She’d been pursued before—heard similar words—but never from Jiang Ya’s mouth, past or present.
Qi Yu stared—surprise—and something made her laugh sudden. “You’re serious? You know how to pursue someone?”
Jiang Ya’s face blanked a second—clearly hadn’t expected that.
The pleasure came from nowhere. Qi Yu thought of how Jiang Ya used to blush half a day if she had to initiate intimacy—couldn’t hold back, a teasing laugh reached Jiang Ya’s ear.
Then it stopped.
Jiang Ya smiled sideways at her—one look—but Qi Yu caught the mischief. Slow voice: “Whether I can—you won’t know till you try.”
“You didn’t refuse. I’ll take that as yes.”
“Huh?” Qi Yu blank.
“No take-backs.”
Jiang Ya glared—voice soft, tone steel.
Qi Yu stared, mind in a storm—speak or not speak—wrapped in a wordless awkwardness. Half a day—still didn’t open her mouth.
She chewed her lip unconsciously, brow locked like a hard problem, eyes darting everywhere.
Until the lip cracked—she bit down, turned slightly to the street outside.
On the side no one saw—the corner of her mouth lifted—barely.
.
Back in Nanliu this month—life as usual. Work, daily things—and sometimes invitations from Jiang Ya.
Scenes varied—cinema, library, art museum, mall restaurant, night street stall… At first Qi Yu thought their status would be awkward. After a few rounds the awkwardness faded—more to talk about. What they didn’t finish in person they continued on voice calls at night—two hours. On her birthday the planned group dinner became candlelight for two.
They seemed to circle to the start again—a sheet of glass between them—neither willing to poke it.
Tang Xuejun was dying for them. She wanted to pierce it herself. Obvious to everyone they still wanted each other—why drag?
Qi Yu: “I think this is comfortable. Not too close, not too far—just right. Comfort matters most in a relationship. If you force me to break it—that’s what feels weird, okay?”
Tang set down her glass, exasperated: “Have you thought—what are you two now?”
“Say you’re just friends—you don’t believe it. You clearly still have her, she likes you—and after already being lovers you’re coy now, playing mute?”
She didn’t lower her voice—neighboring table glanced over.
“Keep your voice down—we’re not at your place.” Qi Yu feared her—every drunk outing Tang shouted about this.
“Fine, things take time. Fate matters. If it’s harmonious now—why break the balance?”
“Yes yes, you’re always right.” Tang’s cheeks flushed, eyes hazy. She took hers and Qi Yu’s cups, demo on the table: “Look—you two are like these cups.”
She clinked them—clear ring. “Clearly touching—so close—but a layer between. You can’t melt into one cup of wine. Just two lonely glasses…”
“Why bother?”
Qi Yu squinted at her half a beat, huffed a laugh, took all the cups away. “Enough. Stop drinking. Any more and you’ll become wine yourself.”
“Get lost, I’m not drunk.” Tang sat up lazy, patted her hot face, breathed deep, looked at Qi Yu. “Honestly—I know what you’re thinking.”
Qi Yu’s hand on the cup paused. Looked up.
Tang: “You tangled with her for years—liked, loved, gave up. Now a big circle and you’re friends again—you haven’t let go fully. But you don’t dare step closer—afraid of getting hurt—so you keep distance. Right?”
Qi Yu didn’t speak. Took the cup, sipped.
Tang took silence as yes. Earnest again: “If you can be friends—you don’t want a clean cut. So why worry about what might not even happen?”
“Feelings—follow the heart. I said—you can’t cut the tie, that’s fate. Cherish it—or one day…”
She didn’t finish. Qi Yu’s phone rang.
On the table—both saw the caller—both stiff.
Tang arched a brow, smiled at Qi Yu—got a glare—looked away, ears sharp.
Two lines in—Tang saw Qi Yu’s face go serious. Smile gone. Watched till the call ended. “What happened?”
Qi Yu brow tight, thinking. Then met her eyes. “Something’s wrong. I need to go find her.”
“You… you okay getting home?”
“Fine, I’m fine. Someone’ll pick me up. Go.” Tang sobered a lot, waved.
Qi Yu didn’t wait for more—already out the door.
Tang watched her back, then looked at the cup, poured half again.
Tsk tsk. Says one thing, means another.
Tangle on. Tangle for life.
.
At the pet hospital Jiang Ya was talking with the vet. Qi Yu came behind her and listened.
Finals coming—Jiang Ya busy at work, hadn’t noticed Zaizai for days. Tonight she came home to find him collapsed on the floor, listless, vomit beside him.
She rushed him to the hospital—forced calm on the road but guilt and panic wouldn’t stop—so she called Qi Yu. One more person—heart steadier.
Lucky—the vet said gastroenteritis and dehydration, not life-threatening yet—need IV and observation. Don’t worry too much.
Busy till late—back at the apartment building, near midnight.
Side by side on the night road Qi Yu looked at the silent person beside her since they left the clinic. Hesitated—comfort on her lips—swallowed it, looked away, just walked with her.
Jiang Ya’s face heavy. She walked in a daze. Near the elevator she glanced at Qi Yu by accident—and stopped.
“…It was sudden. I was scared. Didn’t think—I just called you… Did I bother you?”
Qi Yu paused, then warm: “Of course not. I was worried too—that’s why I came right away.”
“Mm… good.” Jiang Ya nodded, lashes down, quiet. Moonlight made the shadows on her face especially dim.
Qi Yu looked at her—eyes soft, feeling moving. A sigh. Couldn’t help soft voice: “Don’t worry too much. The vet said—it’s just gastroenteritis. Maybe serious—but no danger now. A few days IV—he’ll be fine.”
“I know… I just…” Jiang Ya’s voice broke. She looked up—tears in bright eyes, fragile, pitiful. “I’m guilty. I adopted him—I owe him responsibility. I felt his spirit and appetite off two days ago—didn’t think—it became gastroenteritis… If I’d noticed earlier he wouldn’t need the hospital…”
“He was scared even for vaccines—always crying. These days in the hospital… will he adapt, will he stress…”
Sobbing as she spoke—each word shook Qi Yu’s heart. Especially when Jiang Ya looked up again—the frost gone from her brows—only soft vulnerability left.
Qi Yu couldn’t stand it—sighed inside—pulled her into her arms without thinking. In an instant Jiang Ya was like a bird with broken wings, tired after injury, leaning on her shoulder, letting her stroke.
“He won’t. Remember—he was so small, in a box, cried so long till we found him. He’s lucky. Won’t just give up.”
“Mm.”
“And you’ve been busy—you can’t watch every second. Pets get sick sudden. Don’t blame yourself. Pay more attention after—avoid this.”
“Mm.”
Every line Jiang Ya answered soft with a small sniff—Qi Yu’s heart melted, didn’t know if she should let go.
“Qi Yu.” Lost in thought—Jiang Ya pulled her back.
“What?” Soft.
Then she felt Jiang Ya hold tighter—like when they were still lovers—face rubbing her shoulder, low: “Tonight… can you stay with me?”
Qi Yu’s breath caught. Blank a moment. “Tonight?”
“Your place?”
“Mm…” Jiang Ya’s nasal voice soft. Pause. “If you don’t want to… forget it. I’ll be fine alone.”
Low, gentle—almost pleasing—going along with Qi Yu completely. Even hesitating, Qi Yu couldn’t say no.
Jiang Ya crying like rain on pear blossoms—heart softened. She agreed.
.
They’d shared a bed before—but their status now was awkward. At night Qi Yu didn’t go to Jiang Ya’s room—waited till she slept, slipped home.
Thought it was once. It was a beginning.
Three days straight Jiang Ya found reasons to keep her—worried about Zaizai, couldn’t sleep—or alone, couldn’t get through the night—same point: don’t let Qi Yu leave.
Qi Yu couldn’t bear to refuse. Three nights with her. Last night Jiang Ya invited her to sleep together—Qi Yu declined—ended on Jiang Ya’s sofa.
Finally—the day to bring Zaizai home.
Afternoon she picked him up, back to Jiang Ya’s apartment, habitually cooked. When Jiang Ya came home at dusk—three dishes and soup on the table.
After cuddling Zaizai Jiang Ya saw the spread—surprise in her eyes. “You made all this?”
“Mm. Try how it tastes.” Qi Yu served her rice, handed chopsticks.
“Don’t need to taste—must be good.” Jiang Ya smiled at her, brows curved, gentle. “Thanks again today—I really couldn’t get away or I’d have picked him up.”
“No trouble. Why so polite?” Qi Yu ate two bites, natural—then paused, looked up at Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya looked back.
“That… right.” Mouth dry. Qi Yu forced the bite down, coughed twice. “Vet said Zaizai’s much better—but watch diet… and…”
“And?” Jiang Ya didn’t look away. Qi Yu felt wrong.
“And.” Qi Yu looked down, away. “Zaizai’s back. I won’t stay tonight… He can keep you company.”
Jiang Ya stopped eating. Stared at Qi Yu. Air froze.
Forced to meet her eyes—Jiang Ya’s grievance, then down. Sudden: “You’re that eager to leave?”
“You hate being near me?”
Qi Yu stiff, tugged her mouth. “No… how could… I just…”
“No? Then why the sofa last night?” Jiang Ya pinned her—soul-level question. Qi Yu’s head empty. Mute.
Stalemate. Jiang Ya broke first—set down chopsticks, quiet: “Fine. I know… you still mind. I won’t force you. Go home tonight.”
“Not forcing…” Qi Yu weak defense. Not quite force—but close with Jiang Ya felt odd—strange she couldn’t name.
“Not forcing—then stay tonight.” In a blink Jiang Ya changed face—eyes locked on Qi Yu, cool and coquettish—one line so suggestive Qi Yu forgot to speak, throat moving silent.