Starlight Descends - 39

Embrace

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 “‘A Hundred Years of Happiness’ is here!”

"And here, fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice, seeds deliberately left in. I'm calling this one ‘May You Be Blessed With Children Soon.’”

“And this dish,” Yang Rou announced proudly, “is my newest invention. Chicken soup stewed with fo-ti root. I’ve decided to name it ‘Till Death Do Us Part.’”

Yang Rou had the last dish brought out and sat down across from them, face alight with excitement. "So? Pretty creative, right?"

Qi Yao stared silently at the entire table of wedding-banquet-level blessing dishes for a long moment.

“Do you do this for all your customers?”

“Do what?” Yang Rou asked.

“This.” Qi Yao pointed at the dishes on the table, lingering especially on the fo-ti chicken soup, then fell silent again. “Giving random names to your new dishes.”

"How could I? I only do this for you two." Yang Rou laughed, her eyes curving into crescents, flashing a brilliant grin.

A moment later, as though she’d suddenly remembered something, her smile faded slightly and her expression turned serious.

“The year we graduated, I went and asked our Chinese teacher.”

The air stilled for two seconds at the sudden shift of topic.

“She said she never told me my essays had any spark.” Yang Rou looked at Qi Yao and asked quietly, "So it was you who thought that, wasn't it."

It had been so many years ago. Qi Yao never expected her to still remember it, let alone actually go verify it afterward. After a long pause, she pressed her lips together and nodded.

“I knew it.” Yang Rou lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. “I don’t say this often, but I’m really grateful to you.”

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have made up my mind to seriously study for high school entrance exams. And my restaurant never would’ve blown up because of my copywriting.”

“Who knows? Maybe I’d really be stuck somewhere living some ordinary, directionless life right now, never figuring out what I actually wanted.”

"Thank you for pushing me forward, so I could meet the right person and do the things I want to do."

"Alright, enough of that." She raised her brow and glanced at them with a smile. "Today's meal is on the house, full private service. You don't need to thank me too much."

Her gaze lingered meaningfully between them. Leaving behind an entire table of “wedding banquet dishes,” Yang Rou bent down, scooped up Xiao Bai, and walked out.

The inner courtyard grew quiet.

Birds chirped noisily from the banyan tree outside.

Even halfway through the meal, Yang Rou’s words still lingered in Qi Yao’s ears.

She hadn't really done anything, really. She'd only spoken some honest truths within the small scope of what she could do. Yet at certain turning points in life, without even realizing it, she had unknowingly altered another person’s course of life.

Small. Gentle. But important.

Following that thread of thought: hadn't her own life been changed by another person too?

Because of him, she found the determination to aim for a better high school.

Because of him, she studied twice as hard, trying desperately to catch up to his pace.

High school. University. Even her acting career.

In the end, they were all just paths she took to become someone better.

Just so that one day, she could stand a little closer to him.

Even if they never intersected at all.

Just… a little closer.

Qi Yao slowly lifted her eyes.

The man sat beside her now, posture relaxed but straight, nose bridge and brow sharp and elegant, jawline cleanly defined, neck long and striking. Even the way he held his chopsticks looked effortlessly attractive.

A dream she never dared to dream for all those years ago.

Suddenly, the man beside her spoke, his Adam's apple shifting lazily, pulling her back from her thoughts.

“You’ve been staring at me for ten minutes.”

Yu Jiashu lifted his eyes to look at her. There was a trace of a smile in his eyes, his tone casual and lazy.

His eyes were dark as obsidian, as though he could see straight through every emotion she was trying to hide, deliberately joking around to ease her mood.

“Keep looking and I'll start charging.”

Qi Yao paused briefly before finally snapping out of her wandering thoughts.

“……”

She turned her head away and clicked her tongue softly.

Yu Jiashu laughed. Then, as though suddenly remembering something, he tapped his fingers lightly against the table and looked sideways at her with exaggerated seriousness, like he was asking a deeply important question.

“So who’s more handsome, me or that Zhang Heng Li Heng whatever-his-name-is?”

“……”

Qi Yao couldn't be bothered to correct him that it was Gu Heng—he probably wouldn't remember even if she did. She was just a little surprised.

“He was covered up like that. You only glanced at him once and still recognized him?”

Yu Jiashu arched one brow in an expression that clearly said: I'm not blind.

Qi Yao paused, suddenly and inexplicably guilty, and then quietly explained, “I wasn’t planning to meet him. He suddenly called and said he was outside the complex and wanted to see me.”

Yu Jiashu gave a light mm.

Meaning: Continue.

He leaned lazily against the chair, loose and careless, every inch the indolent young master.

Qi Yao: “……”

So arrogant.

“He apologized to me. Said this whole thing was his fault, that he’d already reflected on it and talked things through with his ex-girlfriend. He asked if I could make a public statement saying I forgive them.”

Yu Jiashu raised a brow. “And did you?”

Qi Yao shook her head. “I refused.”

Her expression and voice both calm.

“This whole mess had nothing to do with me in the first place. It was a farce between the three of them. I have no right to forgive anyone on somebody else’s behalf. And I'm not the one he should be apologizing to."

“As for the part where I got attacked for days on end because of it…” She paused slightly. “I don’t want to forgive that.”

Her words came short and crisp, carrying a rare trace of childish stubbornness.

Yu Jiashu watched her for a moment and laughed. "Good."

“You can do whatever you want.”

“You’re a princess, remember? Spin around a pillar once, and someone will present treasures to you with both hands.”

Qi Yao: “……”

This man was so annoying! 

“So?” Yu Jiashu rested his long fingers against his chin and brought the topic right back around. "Is he more handsome, or am I?"

Why was he still stuck on this?

Qi Yao opened her mouth.

The answer came immediately to her lips without even needing thought, but once she looked into his eyes, heat crept into her ears and she suddenly couldn’t say it aloud.

After a moment, she looked away and mumbled softly, “He was a top-tier traffic star, at least."

Meaning: obviously he was handsome.

Yu Jiashu scoffed. His pale lids drooped lazily. He pulled his elbow off the table and leaned back carelessly. “Got it.”

"I'm just a little fatty."

"..."

Earlier, Yang Rou had asked if he was the little fatty standing in the center of that old class photo, the one who used to exchange letters with her. He'd shown no reaction at the time, so Qi Yao had assumed he hadn't heard.

Turns out he’d been waiting for this moment the whole time.

“I kindly took photos for you, and this is how you repay me? Calling me a little fatty.”

He said it lazily, without much emotion, but somehow managed to sound deeply wounded.

“Forget it.”

Yu Jiashu picked up his phone, swiped at it a couple times, and looked down to read his messages.

He wasn't really reading.

The screen was full of work notifications and random chats from friends, muted icons lined up across the side. Like drifting smoke, nothing really enters his mind.

The air fell quiet again.

Just as Yu Jiashu rolled his throat slightly, thinking he might’ve teased her too far and preparing to say something,

A red notification dot appeared.

The friend with the Cinnamoroll profile picture suddenly jumped to the top of the message list.

[1]: ...

[1]: You're more handsome

Yu Jiashu’s fingers froze above the screen.

Then Qi Yao’s soft voice rose beside his ear, shy and quiet as she added in a tiny voice,

“You’re the most handsome of all.”

His heart slammed heavily in his chest without warning.

A moment later, a low laugh sounded through the air.

Deep and quiet, the lingering note settling into Qi Yao’s ears.

The corner of Yu Jiashu's mouth curved. He lifted his eyes and saw the red burnished into the tips of the girl's ears.

***

After the meal, they sat in the courtyard chatting in the sunlight, watching Yang Rou harvest vegetables for a while before finally getting up to leave.

“I’ve realized animals really like you,” Qi Yao remarked, looking at Xiao Bai curled around his feet.

The little cat was even pawing at his pant leg, tugging lightly like it didn’t want him to leave.

“Do they?” Yu Jiashu answered casually, lowering a sunhat onto her head. “Should I drive the car over, or are you walking with me?”

“Together.” The wide brim blocked her vision, Qi Yao had to tilt her chin upward slightly just to see his face. “I ate too much. I should walk more.”

“Alright.” Yu Jiashu laughed softly. Watching her tilt her face up to put on her mask, the lower half of her face bright in the sun, looking even more languid and content than the kitten sunbathing—he couldn't help himself. He curled a finger and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

His long fingers were cool, barely grazing the curve of her ear.

Qi Yao’s breathing stopped for a second. Her motion of putting on the mask froze completely.

At that instant, it felt as though every nerve in her body had gathered around her ear. The place he touched burned silently beneath her skin.

“You eat even less than Xiao Bai, Yaoyao-jiejie.”

After a two-second pause, Yu Jiashu withdrew his hand and said that casually.

“……I told you to say it once, not keep saying it.” Qi Yao buried her face in adjusting her mask, waved at Yang Rou, and followed him out the door, mumbling.

“What should I call you then?” Yu Jiashu walked leisurely beside her, asking with exaggerated patience.

“Yao-mei like your fans? Goddess like Zhou Qi? Or should I follow that Heng guy and call you Teacher Qi?”

Qi Yao: “……”

Here he goes again.

This man is never letting this go!

“How do you know he calls me Teacher Qi?” Qi Yao narrowed her eyes sharply. “Did you watch my livestream?”

Yu Jiashu: “……”

He paused for two seconds and kept walking. “Guessed.”

“No way!” Qi Yao sped up to catch him. “You definitely watched it! Zhou Qi said you hide in the study secretly watching my livestreams. Is that true?"

Yu Jiashu didn't answer, his long legs somehow moving even faster.

“It’s not even embarrassing! What’s wrong with admitting it? You even sent me gifts and spammed all those comments praising me…”

Like some devoted little fan.

Her relentless pestering finally got to him, Yu Jiashu—who rarely, if ever, found himself at a loss—abruptly stopped walking, turned around, and lowered his eyes, blocking her path completely.

“Yes.”

His voice was low and clean, admitting it directly.

Now that he’d admitted it so straightforwardly, Qi Yao was the one who froze instead. Her chest rose and fell. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Yu Jiashu raised a brow as if asking: Why’d you stop?

Qi Yao stayed silent.

Yu Jiashu laughed, looking down at her. "Running and interrogating at the same time. Aren't you tired?"

Qi Yao: “……”

Listen to him! That superiority complex.

So what if your legs are long?!

"Who told you to walk so fast." she muttered under her breath, looking away.

Her gaze drifted across the surroundings. Past an old street and a guardrail, she caught sight of a green sports field.

Qi Yao paused.

The city center was only so big. The streets tangled together in every direction, all roads leading eventually to the same places. Of course the walk from Yang Rou's little courtyard to the nearest parking lot would take them past No. 1 High School.

From afar, the school stands looked grand beneath the fluttering five-star red flag. The teaching buildings stood square and bright beneath sunlight, school emblem and motto printed clearly against spotless windows.

Even the wind blowing through seemed full of youthful energy.

Yu Jiashu lifted his gaze and followed her line of sight.

“Want to go take a look?”

he asked.

***

It had been many years since either of them last came here.

In the first two or three years after graduation, everyone was still enthusiastic about class reunions and visiting their old teachers. Later, worn down by life, revisiting these places only left behind nostalgia.

In the world of the young, everything was black and white, all hearts blazing with ardor.

But what about afterward?

Qi Yao and Yu Jiashu walked side by side along the small path on the street outside the school, peering through the fence at students chatting in groups of twos and threes beneath the shade of the trees. Her thoughts drifted aimlessly.

Could someone really grow up to become exactly the person they imagined during their school days?

Qi Yao turned toward him. “When you were in high school, did you ever think about what kind of person you wanted to become?”

“No.” Yu Jiashu answered without even thinking.

“Really?” Qi Yao sounded genuinely surprised. “Why?”

“I thought top students like you always had really clear goals and life plans.”

Yu Jiashu seemed amused by her wording. One brow lifted slightly, interest flickered in his eyes. “Like what?"

“Like becoming a scientist or something.” Qi Yao couldn’t think of anything specific and just gave a random example. “Accomplish some particular thing by a certain year, complete some project, have some grand, far-reaching ambition."

The alley was narrow, electric scooters occasionally brushing past them. Yu Jiashu reached out and guided her a little further inward, thinking for a moment. "I didn't."

"Maybe because I wasn't quite top-tier enough.” he drawled lazily, teasing her phrasing with casual amusement.

“I just think people can have ideals, but you shouldn’t put limits on your own lives.”

Qi Yao paused. “Shouldn’t put limits on your own lives?”

"All roads lead to Rome. What you want changes at every stage.” The narrow alley opened toward an intersection ahead, red lights blinking amid slow-moving traffic. Yu Jiashu stopped walking and turned sideways to look at her.

“Maybe as a kid you wanted to be a teacher. In middle school you wanted to become a writer. Then in university you chose science and engineering because you wanted to contribute something meaningful to society.”

“If you stick with that all the way through, great.”

“But if one day you realize you prefer the simple pleasures of ordinary life instead, like warm meals, walking your dog after dinner, taking walks in the rain, and just become a average person, there’s nothing wrong with that either.”

"Don't measure your current dreams against your past ones. That's nothing but endless self-erosion. Following what's true for you right now isn’t something shameful.”

His voice stayed calm, the final syllables dragging lazily with that same casual ease.

Even when talking about life choices, even when discussing ideals, he somehow made it all sound like such a small thing.

“So what’s your wish right now?” Qi Yao followed up. "I mean, nothing big. Right here, right now is fine too."

The traffic lights changed.

A scooter suddenly shot out from the alley beside them. Yu Jiashu glanced sideways, expression sharpening slightly and reached out to pull her toward him.

The motorcycle sped past behind them, stirring a gust of wind. Her skirt fluttered through the air, long hair lifting before slowly settling again.

Qi Yao crashed into his arms, breath filling instantly with that familiar cold cedar-and-mint scent.

Her breathing stopped.

Time itself seemed to freeze.

The clamorous surroundings fell away in an instant. Only the heartbeat beneath her ribs pounded, loud and clear.

As though by mutual understanding, neither of them moved away.

His arm circled her shoulders.

Her hands clutched instinctively at the fabric of his hoodie near his waist.

The tip of her nose pressed against his chest.

Amid the deafening sound of her own heartbeat, Qi Yao found herself thinking uncontrollably:

So this is what his embrace feels like.

Firm.

Warm.

"Want to know?" His voice came low and sudden.

Qi Yao’s lashes trembled. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet his dark gaze and saw the slight movement of his Adam's apple against the elegant line of his neck.

His low voice sounded beside her ear.

His low voice rose beside her ear.

"This was my wish just now."

This unexpected, yet somehow inevitable embrace.

Her heart lifted high, then fell, heavy and sure.

The evening sky spread into soft pink-purple hues.

Street vendors shouted over one another. High school students poured out after class in noisy groups. The scent of candied chestnuts and roasted sweet potatoes drifted through the air, warm and comforting.

Over his shoulder, the small alley where she'd once secretly slipped love letters was bathed in the sunset glow. Behind him stood the campus that had carried three years of their youth.

It felt as though after all these years, nothing had really changed.

The world is meagerly real, and yet it is the world.

People remain the same people.

Rivers remain the same rivers

Could someone truly become exactly the person you once hoped for during your school days?

Yes.

Looking into his eyes, Qi Yao thought:

He was, and always would be, exactly what she had always hoped for.

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