Starlight Descends - 49
Heartbeat
"Young President Yu, what do you think of the venue and schedule for the launch event?"
"This is our rough plan. About an hour and a half for a full product presentation, thirty minutes for spokesperson interaction, and another thirty minutes for media questions. Do you have any suggestions, Young President Yu?"
"...Young President Yu?"
The repeated calls finally pulled Yu Jiashu back to reality.
The soft, gentle voice lingering in his ears faded away. He sat quietly for two seconds, lifted his eyes without betraying an emotion, and quickly skimmed the contents displayed on the conference room screen.
"Looks fine overall." Resting an elbow on the armrest, he leaned back in his chair. "Run a host rehearsal two days in advance and see how it plays out. Make sure the script is memorized. Once the invitations and guest list are finalized, send them to my email."
"President Yu will be in Australia for meetings at the end of the year. Report anything directly to me."
He wrapped up the remaining prep work in a few brief sentences, then picked up his jacket, rose lazily to his feet, and said in an offhand tone, "Meeting adjourned."
"Why does he seem distracted today? Even ending the meeting in such a hurry." As the tall figure disappeared into the distance, the conference room gradually buzzed with noise.
The youngest staffer at the far end packed up his things and muttered to the person beside him, "Think he's dating someone?"
"Hard to say." The other lowered their voice conspiratorially. "A friend of a friend of my mom knows the boss's wife's floral-arrangement teacher. Apparently she heard some rumors. Seems like they’re setting him up with someone.”
"Hey, what about that Weibo post he made yesterday? It came completely out of nowhere. People online are saying it was a response to Qi Yao. Is that real?"
"God, you actually follow his Weibo? That's dedication."
“I followed him way before he ever showed up here. My online persona has no shame, okay?"
"That rumor's obviously fake. People online ship anything. They hear a little wind and immediately assume there's rain. Is there anyone they won't pair up?"
"But the timing is way too coincidental. Remember that casual photo he posted before? You could see her reflection in it. He normally only reposts company updates, that was the first personal photo he'd ever posted."
"You are way too invested. The boss's future daughter-in-law isn't going to be you anyway."
"I know! Can't a person be curious?"
...
In reality, Qi Yao didn't hear about any of it until the next day.
Once someone became famous, even the tiniest things get paraded across the trending topics. Sometimes it happened organically. Sometimes brands or production teams paid for publicity. It was as if their lives had become completely transparent, lived under the public eye.
As long as it wasn't something seriously negative that would alert her company, Qi Yao generally didn’t go out of her way to look.
Unless someone sent them directly to her.
The following afternoon, just as she finished reading her script and set down her pen after the last note, Ye Qingman tossed a screenshot into their chat.
Qi Yao tapped it open.
Nothing unusual. Given her level of popularity, whenever no major news broke, she typically hovered around second or third place on the entertainment trending list. The topic this time was:
#Qi Yao Once Used Invisible Ink to Confess in High School#
The timestamp in the upper corner showed a little after eight at night, probably from the previous evening.
Her fingertip paused for two seconds.
Completely baffled about what Ye Qingman was trying to tell her, she hadn't even had time to ask when a barrage of messages exploded onto the screen.
[Ye Qingman]: What the hell is going on with you two???
[Ye Qingman]: I saw it last night but I was too sleepy to properly interrogate you
[Ye Qingman]: How is this any different from a public relationship announcement?!
[Ye Qingman]: Does that man have no self-restraint whatsoever?! You aren't even officially together yet. Why is he rushing to ruin your innocent reputation?!
Qi Yao: "...?"
She frowned, tapped the screenshot open again, and looked more closely. Only then did she notice there seemed to be two linked topics sitting right next to each other on the list.
The number one trending spot was followed by a “Viral” tag, and the topic was #The Story’s Protagonist Responds#
"Qi Yao Once Used Invisible Ink to Confess Her Feelings in High School."
"The Story’s Protagonist Responds."
One after the other, like a flashback telling the beginning of an unfinished story.
Her breath caught for an instant.
Her fingertip hovered over the screen. After a long pause, Qi Yao pressed her lips together. Ignoring Ye Qingman's flood of messages, she switched to Weibo and checked the topic about herself first.
It was probably bought by the production team. The topic consisted of a short clip from an interview discussing her student years.
The exact segment Yu Jiashu had watched.
The comments were what you'd expect: "So even female celebrities go through an awkward phase," "Fame really polishes a person," "Did she have a secret crush in high school too?," "Makes her feel so much more relatable to us ordinary folks."
Everything was perfectly normal, until Qi Yao clicked open the number one trending topic from last night.
The top post belonged to that person.
The account name was simple and direct. The profile picture is a solid black image, clean and solemn, like a stretch of sea no one else could fully fathom.
Three plain words, no explanation, no hashtags attached. Yet enough to launch a non-celebrity straight to the center of public attention.
[XM Chip Developer - Yu Jiashu]: I saw it.
Qi Yao's heart skipped violently.
Her fingertip hung motionless in the air and, for a very long time, she didn't move.
—“Qi Yao Used an Invisible Ink Pen to Confess in High School,” “The Story’s Protagonist Responds.”
—“I saw it.”
Such a simple sentence.
Comments and reposts continued climbing by the second. The top replies were filled with endless speculation. Some were confused longtime followers. Some were gossip-seekers trying to connect the dots. Some accused him of chasing clout and told everyone not to force a connection.
There were even shippers openly crying that their favorite pairing had finally been proven real.
But Qi Yao couldn't focus on any of it.
She paused for two seconds. Vast swaths of text slid mechanically past her eyes, dispersing like mist, never reaching her brain.
All she could see were those three words.
I saw it.
Standing at the center of the storm, her boyfriend had answered in the only way the two of them would understand.
Openly. Without the slightest attempt to hide.
As if he were saying:
With Yu Jiashu, Qi Yao's feelings would always receive an echo.
***
Qi Yao froze for a long while, her thoughts drifting. She even took a call from the production team about the filming start time before finally remembering the 99+ unread messages waiting from Ye Qingman.
[1]: There's actually something I wanted to tell you too.
[1]: I couldn't sleep last night and forgot.
[Ye Qingman]: ?
[1]: ...Well.
[1]: We're together now.
[Ye Qingman]: ...
[Ye Qingman]: ?
[Ye Qingman]: ????????????
[Ye Qingman]: HOLY SHIT. HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT???!!!
[Ye Qingman]: You’ve got wings now, you don’t need your good friend anymore, is that it?
[Ye Qingman]: But the child can't grow up without a godmother! I'll make the sacrifice.
[Ye Qingman]: Have you thought of a name for the baby yet? Which kindergarten will they go to???
"..."
This time, the simple words actually registered.
Qi Yao couldn't help following Ye Qingman's train of thought for a second. The tips of her ears immediately turned red. Shaking her head, she pressed her lips together and typed: "Stop being insane.”
At that exact moment, another message popped up and rescued her from Ye Qingman's relentless interrogation.
[S]: I'm here.
[S]: Waiting downstairs.
Qi Yao paused, blinked, replied with an okay, then went back to the keyboard.
[1]: Gotta go.
[1]: I’m going to see a movie with my boyfriend. Bye!
[Ye Qingman]: ...
[Ye Qingman]: ?
So this is what they call choosing love over friendship?!
***
After getting ready, Qi Yao stepped outside. A low-key yet unmistakably luxurious black Bentley was parked by the curb. The driver's window was lowered halfway, revealing the man's refined profile.
Yu Jiashu had one hand resting on the steering wheel. Hearing movement, he lifted his eyes toward her.
He seemed to laugh softly. One eyebrow rose slightly as he tipped his head toward the passenger seat and drawled lazily,
"Here to receive Your Majesty.”
"..."
Childish.
Qi Yao scoffed quietly. After holding his gaze through the half-open window for two seconds, she looked away and opened the door.
The atmosphere inside the car was very quiet, shutting out the howling wind and the clamor of voices outside. For a moment, no one spoke.
When chatting with Ye Qingman earlier, she'd thrown around the word "boyfriend" with complete ease. But now that she was actually facing him, everything felt strangely awkward.
Qi Yao curled the fingers resting neatly on her lap.
The atmosphere had carried them the night before, words had been spoken, they’d even kissed. Yet seeing him again in broad daylight somehow made the whole thing feel unreal.
...She really had a boyfriend now?
Staring through the windshield, Qi Yao blinked.
"Is it the address you sent me on WeChat?" Yu Jiashu seemed to notice nothing, asking with his eyes still lowered.
Qi Yao gave a quiet “Mm,” still not looking at him, fixing her gaze ahead at the little dog being led across the street by its owner.
The movie starred one of her friends from the industry. She'd been invited to the premiere but couldn't make it because of work, so they’d given her two tickets and said she absolutely had to show some support.
Qi Yao decided to invite him to go with her.
"Aren’t you forgetting something?" Yu Jiashu casually set his phone on the center console and tossed out the question.
Qi Yao lowered her eyes to check herself. "No."
Yu Jiashu raised an eyebrow, glancing over.
The girl sat perfectly upright in the passenger seat, hands folded together on her lap, posture straighter than usual, staring straight ahead. She looked absurdly tense.
Anyone who didn't know better might think she was in a police car.
The car stayed quiet; nearly a full minute passed without him even starting the engine. Qi Yao blinked slowly twice and finally, a little puzzled, turned her head to look at him.
The man in the driver’s seat had one hand propped on the window frame, knuckles loosely pressed against his temple. His pupils were deep black, returning her gaze calmly.
A few seconds later, as if he'd discovered something amusing, a smile surfaced in his eyes.
There was a leisurely, entertained look on him.
"Qi Shiyi."
"Are you nervous?"
Qi Yao: "..."
She turned her face away. “No.”
Yu Jiashu arched an eyebrow, watching her a moment longer before giving a completely unconvincing “Mm.” If you listened closely, there was even a trace of laughter hidden inside it.
A click sounded. He had unfastened his seat belt.
Before Qi Yao could turn her head, she felt the man lean over, his broad frame pressing in from the side. In an instant, those elegant features were right in front of her.
"You..." Her back stiffened, pressing herself against the seat. She started to speak on reflex but had no idea what to follow with.
Her heart hammered wildly.
Yu Jiashu made no sound.
His eyes were slightly narrow, framed by pale double eyelids. The bridge of his nose high and sharp. His bone structure was unfairly perfect. Combined with the effortless nobility and relaxed confidence he carried naturally, even a casual glance from him was enough to make people fall.
Then a clearly defined knuckled hand reached past her, loosely gripping the passenger-side seatbelt and, click, it snapped securely into place by her hip—
Only then did Yu Jiashu lift his gaze to hers. "...Me?"
One eyebrow rose, he looked genuinely puzzled. As if asking what she thought he had been doing.
Qi Yao: "..."
Silence settled between them again.
"I'm just fastening your seat belt." A teasing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You didn't think I was going to kiss you, did you?"
Even as he said it, however, his gaze drifted downward toward her lips beyond his control. And lingered there for two seconds.
The girl's mouth was small and delicately shaped, but her lips were soft and full, pink as cherry blossom petals damp with dew.
Perhaps not just in appearance.
After a long pause, Yu Jiashu's throat worked visibly. With obvious restraint, he lifted his gaze away and met her eyes again.
Their eyes locked.
They were very close.
The tips of their noses were almost touching, close enough to feel the faint currents of air stirred by each other’s breathing.
It was ticklish, dangerously so.
Both of them froze for a moment.
In the stillness between them, something seemed to crackle quietly to life.
The damp kiss they'd shared in the darkness last night rose vividly back into memory.
The lingering softness.
The dizzying rush that had nearly weakened her knees.
Without realizing it, Qi Yao tightened her grip on the hem of her clothes.
The prominent line of Yu Jiashu's throat moved again, this time unmistakably.
Then he let out a heavy breath and withdrew back into the driver’s seat.
He couldn't kiss her. Not now.
He'd scare her off again.
Lowering his eyes, Yu Jiashu fastened his own seat belt and finally started the car.
Only then did Qi Yao realize how tightly she'd been clenching her fingers. Slowly, she relaxed them.
Turning her head, she looked out the window and took careful, measured breaths.
Of course she knew why the kiss hadn't happened.
Yu Jiashu was someone who only seemed a little roguish at certain moments. He carried a confidence and ease that seemed far beyond most men his age.
But he had never once failed to respect her.
Because he felt he hadn't formally asked her to be his girlfriend, he would rather tell others he was still pursuing her than claim they were together.
Last night, when she'd made up excuses and casually mentioned that maybe things were moving a little too fast, he'd taken it seriously and actually stepped back.
He'd truly intended to slow down and take things one step at a time with her.
But she didn't think it was too fast.
Qi Yao pressed her lips together, wondering how she could explain that to him.
The more she thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. She couldn't exactly say, "I lied yesterday. You can kiss me." But she also didn't want them to retreat to where they had been before. After agonizing over it for a while, she finally sighed.
By then, Yu Jiashu had recovered his composure. He glanced at her through the rearview mirror and raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
“It just feels like we’re dating like elementary school kids,” Qi Yao said.
"I definitely wasn't dating in elementary school." Yu Jiashu corrected her immediately. Two seconds later, he added, "Not in middle school or high school either."
Qi Yao: "..."
Alright, message received!
***
The Friday evening screening wasn't particularly crowded.
Perhaps because they'd spent so long lingering in the car, they arrived just as the movie was beginning.
The theater lights had already gone down.
The opening certification logo appeared on the screen, making it easy for Qi Yao to slip inside unnoticed, find her seat, and take off her cap.
The movie was actually pretty good. Her friend played the supporting female lead with a big twist, and both the role and the performance were stunning, but for some reason, Qi Yao found it a little hard to concentrate.
…perhaps because Yu Jiashu was sitting beside her.
She stole a glance at him. In the shifting darkness cast by the screen, his profile looked sharp and distinct. His head was slightly lowered, appearing completely absorbed in the movie.
Qi Yao shifted her gaze back to the screen and thought, I should watch properly.
What if my friend asks for my opinion afterward?
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Maybe she'd jinxed herself. Her self-control at that moment resembled that of an elementary-school student trying to finish homework after class. Only a few minutes later, her attention wandered again.
This time to the people seated in front of them.
They appeared to be a couple.
As the scene on screen changed, the theater brightened slightly. The light illuminated the backs of their jackets and several large characters stood out immediately.
‘C City No. 1 High School’
Well then.
Not just a couple.
A high-school couple.
Qi Yao observed them as discreetly as possible, watching the two little heads lean close together. Every now and then they’d whisper in each other’s ears, quietly discussing the plot. Whenever they separated slightly, she could glimpse the clasped hands between them.
…High schoolers and already dating!
And holding hands!!!
For the sake of the nation's precious youth, Qi Yao felt a small burst of indignation.
After stewing in silence on her own for a while, she couldn't help lowering her gaze toward the armrest between the seats.
The man’s hand was resting there casually, long fingers extended, knuckles clearly defined.
Whenever the screen brightened, the tendons along the back of his hand became visible.
"..."
It looked very nice to hold.
Pressing her lips together, Qi Yao quietly set her own hand on the armrest.
The girl’s fingers were pale and slender, less than five centimeters from his hand.
She waited a minute. No reaction.
...Did he not notice?
Qi Yao furrowed her brows slightly and, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, edged a little closer.
Her fingertips crept, bit by bit, slowly across the black armrest, until they stopped right beside his hand.
They were almost touching.
Close enough that she could already feel the warmth radiating from him through the tiny distance that remained.
Yet as the seconds ticked by, he still gave no reaction.
“…”
Boring.
Qi Yao was beginning to get annoyed. Just as she lifted her wrist and prepared to pull her hand back, he moved.
Without warning, Yu Jiashu raised his hand, his long fingers curved slightly. Then, with a decisiveness that allowed no retreat, he covered the back of her hand.
Like catching hold of her, the next moment he turned his wrist, his fingertips slipped into her palm. Separating her fingers one by one and threaded them together with his.
Their fingers interlaced.
Perfectly.
The instant their hands fit together, Qi Yao's heartbeat missed a beat.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest.
She stared blankly at their joined hands under the flickering theater light.
...What just happened?
His entire sequence of motions had been fluid as drifting clouds, like a wolf that had been eyeing its prey for ages, yet his face remained perfectly calm.
Meanwhile, his index finger tapped lightly against the back of her hand twice in a silent reminder.
Because in her shock, she still hadn't close her own fingers around his.
Qi Yao’s fingertips trembled slightly as she settled them onto the back of his hand.
Now this was a true interlocking of fingers.
Tight, warm, and full of heart-pounding flutters.
She could almost feel his pulse through the place where their hands met.
As though they had become inseparable.
Before her heartbeat had a chance to settle, she felt the man lean closer.
Yu Jiashu bent lazily toward her ear and whispered in her ear.
"Next time we’re seeing a movie you don't actually need to pay attention to, tell me earlier."
"Then I wouldn’t have to wait so long.”
---
Author's Note:
An adult romance more innocent than high schoolers (?)
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