Burn Out - Chapter 62

Ji Ting remained silent.

Xiao Zhou brought a cup of coffee over to her. Ji Ting took a sip of her hot latte, which was quite warming. Shu Xiao looked at Ji Ting’s coffee and asked, “Ji Ting, what flavor of coffee do you like?”

Ji Ting put down her cup and replied, “Latte.”

“Why is that?”

Ji Ting raised an eyebrow and said, “Because it has milk.”

Shu Xiao tightened her grip on her iced Americano and asked softly, “Would you change your taste for someone?”

Hearing this, Ji Ting glanced at the iced Americano in Shu Xiao’s hand and replied, “No.”

Shu Xiao’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup.

She smiled and then changed the topic. “I’ve moved back to the school dormitory.”

Ji Ting was surprised and asked, “When did you move back?”

“Just recently. There were available beds in the graduate dormitory, so I moved there. It’s a bit remote, next to the mountain, but the air is quite good. Staying in a hotel all the time wasn’t very convenient.”

Ji Ting listened and responded, “That’s good. The graduate dormitories at Li University have a great environment and good security.”

Shu Xiao nodded.

Noticing her response, Ji Ting asked, “May I ask, does that person still message you? Do you know how things are going on his end?”

Shu Xiao looked up, smiled slightly, and said, “My mom got someone involved. He’s now restricted and can’t leave New York. His parents have people watching him.”

Ji Ting sighed with relief and nodded. “That’s good. You can focus on your work at Li University.”

“Mm.”

Shu Xiao smiled.

She took another sip of the bitter iced Americano while Ji Ting sipped her latte. The sky outside had changed; a streak of red clouds covered half of the sky. Shu Xiao noticed it and turned her head to look. When the red clouds appeared, many people noticed and briefly stopped their hurried steps outside the café, looking towards the sky.

The magnificent sunset after the rain spread across the sky, attracting many people who took out their phones to capture the scene.

Xiao Zhou wiped his hands and moved closer to the glass window to take photos.

Ji Ting simply enjoyed the view.

After a while, Shu Xiao withdrew her gaze and said to Ji Ting, “Ji Ting, I still have some work to prepare for tonight. I’ll head back now.”

Ji Ting looked at her, nodded, and said, “Be safe on your way.”

Shu Xiao nodded, stood up with her iced Americano, and Xiao Zhou, standing by the door, opened it for her. Ji Ting took another sip of her coffee, gazing absentmindedly at the rare red clouds.

As she looked at the red clouds among the layers of clouds, Ji Ting suddenly remembered.

The graduate dormitories at Li University are located in a remote area, next to the mountain. Li University itself is large, and the graduate dormitories are in a direction opposite to where Tan Yucheng lives, unlike the old apartment on Fenghuang Road, where it was only a street away from Tan Yucheng’s place.

Unconsciously, it seemed like something was changing, and that sense of destiny was being broken.

Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, the phone on the counter vibrated. Ji Ting walked over to the counter, and the red clouds almost enveloped the entire café. She placed her cup on the table, reached into the counter drawer, and took out her phone. A message from the black avatar appeared.

Tan: There will be a meteor shower tonight. Let’s go watch it together.

Ji Ting hesitated for a moment.

Looking at the red clouds filling the sky, she replied.

Ji Ting: Don’t you have to work overtime?

Tan: Taking a break for the night.

Tan: See you at 9:30.

Ji Ting paused for a second and then replied: Okay.

In the evening, many photos of the sunset appeared on social media, with everyone’s friends’ circles filled with pictures of the twilight sky. The restaurant was quite busy, with more dine-in customers than usual. Additionally, water stains had formed on the glass windows, so Xiao Zhou and Xiao Wan were wiping them down outside. Inside the restaurant, only Ji Ting and Zhang Yang were working, so things were a bit hectic. After finishing the last delivery, Ji Ting closed the platform orders and set up reservations for the next morning.

She then arranged for everyone to get off work.

Xiao Zhou and Xiao Wan had already made plans to watch the meteor shower together, and Zhang Yang’s phone had buzzed a few times, probably with his girlfriend reminding him. It was a good time to let them off work.

The bouquet of 999 roses was still vibrant. Ji Ting went to the lounge to get her bag, brushing her fingers over the petals. She then closed the lounge door and stepped out, immediately spotting a tall man in a suit standing outside the glass window, smoking a cigarette. The wind blew, ruffling his collar. Xiao Wan and Xiao Zhou walked out, linking arms, and upon seeing him, they grinned and winked mischievously at Ji Ting.

Ji Ting pressed her lips together.

As Xiao Zhou and Xiao Wan passed by Tan Yucheng, they greeted him. He took the cigarette out of his mouth and responded casually, his posture relaxed with broad shoulders and long legs.

After Xiao Zhou and Xiao Wan exchanged a few words and left with a chuckle, Ji Ting locked the door and walked toward Tan Yucheng. He extinguished the cigarette as she approached. Ji Ting looked up at him and asked, “Is there somewhere around here where we can watch the meteor shower?”

Tan Yucheng glanced at her and smirked slightly. “Isn’t it simple? The top of the mountain.”

Ji Ting was momentarily taken aback. “Which top of the mountain?”

Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Is there any other top of the mountain here?”

He turned and started walking, with Ji Ting following by his side. As they passed through Zicui Park, Ji Ting realized where he meant and said, “Zicui Mountain, right?”

Tan Yucheng removed his jacket and draped it over his arm, glancing at her. “Yes, the one you climbed with Long Kong.”

His tone was casual, with a hint of sarcasm.

Ji Ting turned her head to look at him.

On the sidewalk of Zicui Park, Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng locked eyes. Ji Ting shot him a glare, but Tan Yucheng’s eyes carried a hint of amusement. After the chaos from last night, she hadn’t avoided him.

That alone was a significant relief.

He enjoyed taking advantage of people and would continue to do so in the future.

Arriving at the foot of the mountain, the path up and down Zicui Mountain was lit up for the night. There were quite a few people out to see the meteor shower, and many were casually dressed, some even in slippers. The mountain wasn’t very high, it was just a leisurely hike.

Ji Ting looked at her own shoes, which had a slight heel but should be manageable. She glanced at Tan Yucheng’s outfit and then back at him, her eyes silently asking, “Are you sure?”

Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow and gestured for her to look ahead.

Ji Ting turned to see that many people hadn’t changed into proper hiking shoes. Some were even wearing slippers, but since the mountain wasn’t steep, it was acceptable.

Tan Yucheng glanced at her and said, “Should I carry you up?”

Ji Ting looked up at him.

There was a slight wind that ruffled his black shirt collar. As they exchanged glances, they both remembered a couple of years ago when they had gone up a mountain with their parents to drink tea. There was a tea house halfway up, and their parents insisted on trying it. On the way down, Ji Ting had sprained her ankle and couldn’t walk. Both families were worried, and Ji Ting’s father, having drunk too much tea, was unable to carry her.

At that time, Tan Yucheng was wearing a black windbreaker. He had squatted down in front of her, allowing her to climb onto his back. Ji Ting had looked at his broad shoulders, her heart racing. Her parents had helped her onto his back, and she had clung to him, trying not to get too close despite the lightness of her clothes.

Ji Ting snapped back to the present, her ears feeling slightly warm.

She walked past him and said, “No need, I can walk by myself.”

Tan Yucheng watched her walk away with a faint scoff, feeling a bit disappointed.

He walked beside her, and the two of them slowly made their way up. Although most people here were not dressed sporty, few were as formally dressed as he was, in a full suit with a coat draped over his arm.

Many people glanced at him as they passed by. The man’s tall and fit physique and handsome appearance drew attention from everyone.

Ji Ting walked in the middle of the group, noticing the looks directed at them. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at him. Tan Yucheng walked casually, his eyes downcast, meeting her gaze. Ji Ting said, “I can’t believe you wanted to see the meteor shower.”

Tan Yucheng’s voice was low and lazy. “You wanted to see it.”

Ji Ting was taken aback.

Suddenly, she recalled something. During her senior year, she and Yu Xi had climbed the highest mountain in the capital city, spending the entire night waiting for meteors but saw none. When they came down, they happened to run into Tan Yucheng and Fu Yan, who had just returned from a competition. Chen Fei, with a grin, had asked what they had been up to, and Ji Ting, leaning on Yu Xi, had said somewhat helplessly, “We wanted to see meteors but we didn’t see it.”

In the years that followed, while busy with starting a business in Li City, she rarely thought about meteors.

In her twenty-seventh year, there were rumors of a significant meteor shower, but that day she was on her period and lay in the apartment all day. Tan Yucheng, who was on a business trip in the capital, knew she was unwell and had messaged her to check on her pain and suggested that Aunt Qiu visit if necessary.

She hadn’t realized he remembered the regret of missing that meteor shower.

Ji Ting watched the mountain path ahead and the people coming and going around them. As her thoughts wandered, she glanced at him again. He was looking down, replying to messages with his handsome features striking.

Ji Ting shifted her gaze back forward.

The two of them reached the mountaintop smoothly. At this time, the top was crowded with people. Several patrollers were stationed nearby. Many people had claimed spots on the rocks behind them, mostly couples, but also some people with friends. Some had already started taking photos. From here, they could see all the buildings near Zhuoyue and Zhouyue buildings, brightly lit.

Ji Ting found a spot and stood still.

Tan Yucheng stood beside her, his cuff buttons undone.

Ji Ting had climbed Zicui Mountain many times, but this was her first time coming at night. The night view of the mountain was so bustling, with Zhuoyue building standing out prominently. All the lights turned into twinkling stars. Ji Ting took out her phone to take pictures, while Tan Yucheng, with his hands in his pockets, looked down at her as she shot photos. Ji Ting asked, “What time did you say the meteor shower starts?”

“10:20.”

Ji Ting responded with an “Oh” and said, “That’s soon.”

After taking a few pictures.

As Ji Ting put away her phone, she accidentally tapped on his profile, seeing his details. He rarely posted on social media, and the few posts that remained were the same old ones.

She saw his message.

Looking at it, she bit her lip and hesitated for a few seconds. She put down her phone, gathered her courage, and turned to face him.

Tan Yucheng noticed her gaze and turned to look at her. Their eyes met. Ji Ting looked at his features and asked, “What does your WeChat post, ‘The light boat has passed ten thousand mountains,’ mean?”

Tan Yucheng paused briefly, then, after a few seconds, responded casually, “The literal meaning.”

“Reaching today for me is like a light boat passing through a thousand mountains.”

Ji Ting looked at him and said, “We all thought you were waiting for Shu Xiao.”

Tan Yucheng raised his eyebrows slightly, “You all have quite an imagination.”

In her mind, she flashed back to the moment when he helped Shu Xiao down from the wall, their eyes meeting, and how she straightened up, her shoulders sliding down. Seeing them face each other, the fragrance from Shu Xiao’s sleeves and the summer wind carrying hints of candy. Ji Ting looked at him quietly, her clear eyes extremely serious.

Tan Yucheng’s attitude also became serious. He reflexively grasped her wrist, not only to avoid bumping into others but also out of instinct, pulling her closer.

She watched him in silence, then asked after a few seconds, “Have you ever thought about waiting for her?”

Tan Yucheng looked into her eyes and answered earnestly, “Never.”

He suddenly realized that Ji Ting had advised Shu Xiao, thinking they would reconcile. It wasn’t just an assumption but an obsession. He tightened his grip on her wrist, pulling her a little closer, and looked at her with a serious tone, “I only look forward.”

“She shouldn’t be an obstacle between us.”

She.

Shouldn’t be.

An obstacle between us.

You and me. She.

It seemed the positions had shifted.

While Ji Ting was lost in thought.

A large streak of meteors quickly crossed the sky, scattering into her view. Tan Yucheng looked up, and Ji Ting followed, seeing the meteor streak across the sky—fast but beautiful.

There were exclamations of awe around them.

After four years, Ji Ting saw a meteor in Li City.

Many people made wishes on the meteor, but Ji Ting’s eyes sparkled with starlight. She asked a question she had always been afraid to ask then received a new answer, and gained some new courage.

She wondered if there might really be a chance for her and him…

“What are you thinking about?”

Tan Yucheng’s voice came from beside her. Ji Ting turned to look at him and replied, “Why do you care?”

Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow, “The meteors are over. Let’s go.”

Ji Ting said, “Okay.”

There were many people, and after watching the meteors, everyone gradually began to descend the mountain. Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng stayed behind, letting others go first. Ji Ting had only captured a bit of the meteor’s tail, just at the moment it fell, streaking across the sky like an arrow. While waiting for the crowd to disperse, she adjusted the photo, then looked at him and asked, “Send it to you?”

Tan Yucheng glanced at her phone and nodded, “Okay.”

On the way down the mountain.

Ji Ting sent the photo to his phone.

Tan Yucheng kept her in view as he walked beside her. They descended with the crowd and arrived at the base of Ji Ting’s apartment building. Zhuoyue still had a few shops that were open, and some were cleaning up tables and chairs.

Ji Ting turned to him and said, “You should go back early.”

Tan Yucheng had his hands in his pockets, looked at the elevator behind her, and then at her again. “Are you hungry?”

Ji Ting shook her head, “Not hungry.”

Tan Yucheng nodded.

“I’ll see you upstairs.”

“Okay, you should rest early too.” Ji Ting replied, then walked towards the elevator. Tan Yucheng stood still, watching her enter the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, his phone rang. Tan Yucheng picked it up and saw it was Chen Fei asking, “Brother Tan, Professor Chen wants you to call him back. He’s looking for you.”

Tan Yucheng undid his shirt buttons as he walked towards the public parking lot and replied, “I’ll call him back later.”

“Did Sister Ting see the meteor?”

Tan Yucheng got into his car and answered, “Yes.”

Chen Fei responded with a “Heh.”

The day when Brother Tan successfully pursues Sister Ting is just around the corner.

—

Once Ji Ting got home, she poured herself a glass of warm water, then changed into her pajamas and took a shower. After drying her hair, she found it was still early. There had been thunder the night before, and the room hadn’t been tidied up much. She cleaned up the coffee table a bit, then sat on the sofa and moved the tablet over.

The page was still on her Moments feed.

The black avatar had posted a photo.

It was one of the pictures she had taken for him.