Burn Out - Chapter 76

Tonight, Qiu Dan insisted on her coming home to eat the crayfish, which was already a bit unusual. She thought it was because Qiu Dan had discovered her relationship with Tan Yucheng. However, from the moment they entered the house until now, Qiu Dan hadn’t shown any other signs. She thought she was overthinking it, only to realize that her assumptions were just misdirected.

A mother knows her daughter best.

Did Ji Ting not understand Qiu Dan’s sudden actions? Mainly, it was because last time Ji Ting had tested Qiu Dan, and Qiu Dan was worried that Ji Ting might be genuinely interested in the “Tan Yucheng” type of man and might act recklessly, so she decided to take the initiative first.

After all, something similar had happened before. Two years ago, when Tan Yucheng went on a business trip to Haicheng, a girl from the cooperating company pursued him all the way to Li City, giving up everything she had in Haicheng to settle down here.

At that time, the incident caused quite a stir. Tan Yucheng personally intervened to ask the cooperating company to find a way to persuade her to leave. Both families were aware of the situation, and Qiu Dan had remarked on how bold the younger generation was.

Ji Ting looked at the photo with a wry smile. She lifted her gaze to Qiu Dan and said, “Mom, it’s not impressive.”

Qiu Dan was waiting for her response and, upon receiving such an answer, immediately said, “Take a good look. Doesn’t meet your standards? This time, it’s introduced by your Uncle Gan. He’s his nephew, works at a bank, and I’ve checked everything about him. He has a gentle personality and is very family-oriented.”

Ji Ting smiled, propped her chin up, and did not respond.

Tan Yucheng leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, observing her responses and behaviors. His long legs inadvertently brushed against her high heels under the table. Although he remained silent, his presence was very strong.

Seeing Ji Ting like this, Qiu Dan felt helpless. She turned to Tan Yucheng, handed him the phone, and said, “Yucheng, take a look and persuade her a bit, at least give him a chance.”

Tan Yucheng looked up.

The man in the photo was wearing a white casual suit, smiling at the camera. It wasn’t a broad smile but a standard one, with a hint of familiarity.

In the next moment, Tan Yucheng’s eyes narrowed as he remembered—he was very similar to Zhou Hui, which meant that Aunt Qiu’s ideal son-in-law was someone like Zhou Hui.

Tan Yucheng almost laughed in frustration.

By comparison, Lu Hai also had a bit of this feeling.

He looked at the photo for a few seconds and then turned to Qiu Dan, “Aunt Qiu, what position does he hold at the bank?”

Seeing that Tan Yucheng was serious rather than dismissive like Ji Ting, Qiu Dan responded, “He’s a client manager.”

“Which bank?”

Qiu Dan provided the name of the bank.

Tan Yucheng nodded and said, “Client managers at the front desk have a tough job. They need to develop clients and market products, with specific targets. Being honest and family-oriented doesn’t guarantee success, but they must be good with words.”

Qiu Dan was momentarily taken aback by this.

She glanced at the photo and then at Tan Yucheng. “Being good with words is still a good thing, at least it makes communication easier.”

Tan Yucheng smiled.

But Qiu Dan felt uneasy. A man who is so articulate and looks like that is not necessarily unfaithful, but he will definitely attract many admirers. She squeezed her phone and turned to Ji Ting, saying, “Your Uncle Gan wouldn’t deceive you. At least give him a chance to interact.”

Ji Ting sighed and took Qiu Dan’s hand. “Mom, let it be for now. Can’t I have a break?”

Qiu Dan stared at her for a few seconds before turning to Tan Yucheng. “Yucheng, there are fruits in the kitchen. Could you help bring them out?”

It was a clear signal to get him out of the way.

Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow, stood up, and glanced at Ji Ting. When their eyes met, Tan Yucheng walked past her and into the kitchen. Qiu Dan pulled the chair next to Ji Ting and asked, “The person you mentioned last time, is he real?”

Ji Ting’s heart raced.

The kitchen was right behind her, and Tan Yucheng could come out at any moment. Fortunately, she had already prepped Tan Yucheng. Ji Ting propped her face on her hand and said to Qiu Dan, “Yes, he’s real. I was just slightly testing you. You gave me some advice, and I’m still considering it, so please don’t try to set me up with anyone else for now.”

Qiu Dan looked into Ji Ting’s eyes and said softly, “Mom is just worried about you.”

“I know.”

Ji Ting squeezed Qiu Dan’s hand.

Qiu Dan looked at the photo again, with Tan Yucheng’s words echoing in her mind. In the end, she didn’t send the photo to Ji Ting. The mother and daughter sat in silence for a few seconds until Tan Yucheng came out of the kitchen with the fruit and placed it next to Ji Ting. As their arms brushed lightly, Ji Ting met his gaze. He had a slice of watermelon in his mouth and shot her a glance.

This man had a temper.

Ji Ting picked up a fork and ate a piece of apple dipped in salad.

After eating the fruit and helping Qiu Dan clear the table, Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng called for a chauffeur to take them back to the apartment. In the black car on the road, Tan Yucheng held Ji Ting’s waist, pulling her onto his lap, ignoring the chauffeur in the driver’s seat. Ji Ting, caught off guard, braced herself on his shoulder with her hair falling over it.

In the dim backseat, Ji Ting’s knees rested on the seat as they gazed at each other.

Ji Ting looked into his eyes and asked, “Are you angry?”

Tan Yucheng held her slim waist and replied, “Obviously.”

Ji Ting whispered, “But didn’t I refuse?”

Tan Yucheng leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on her. The light played over his throat as he spoke in a low, lazy voice, “It’s a good thing you refused.”

Otherwise, he wasn’t sure what he might have done.

Ji Ting smiled, looking down at his eyebrows and eyes. She suddenly asked a rather unusual question, “Tan Yucheng, what would you do if I really married someone else?”

Tan Yucheng glanced up, observing her eyes, which were emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance—a blend of subtle perfume and the apartment’s incense.

He pressed her waist and entangled his gaze with hers. “I’d go crazy.”

Ji Ting was somewhat surprised.

Tan Yucheng pulled her directly into his embrace.

Ji Ting was momentarily stunned but then wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Tan Yucheng’s arms tightened around her waist, and they embraced each other.

The chauffeur, initially startled by the scene in the backseat, had been worried they might do something inappropriate. However, seeing that they were just hugging, he glanced at the rearview mirror, met Tan Yucheng’s cold, sharp gaze, and immediately looked away, focusing on driving.

Upon reaching the apartment’s underground garage, Tan Yucheng paid, took the car keys, and led Ji Ting upstairs.

As soon as they entered the apartment, Tan Yucheng unbuttoned his shirt, holding Ji Ting’s waist. Ji Ting draped her arm over his shoulder and locked eyes with him. After a few seconds, Tan Yucheng lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.

Ji Ting tilted her head back, standing on tiptoe.

Aside from Aunt Qiu’s unexpected visit, tonight was a good night. The two of them had just made their relationship public, and the effects of the alcohol seemed to return. Tan Yucheng buried his head in her neck, kissing it passionately.

His beige shirt was unbuttoned, revealing half of her pale shoulder.

Ji Ting helped to unbutton his shirt.

Ultimately, they didn’t make it to the master bedroom, collapsing onto the sofa instead. Tan Yucheng held her long legs, kissing her lips and pressing on.

Only a lamp on the sofa table was lit, casting a circle of light over the sofa. Shadows danced in the living room, silent except for the occasional soft sound, making the late-night atmosphere particularly alluring.

Ji Ting’s long hair was soaked. After it was dried, Tan Yucheng carried her back to the master bedroom. She was extremely tired, pulled up the blanket, and fell asleep. Tan Yucheng tucked her in, adjusted the bedside lamp while shirtless, and then left the master bedroom. He picked up the phone from the coffee table, it had four or five missed calls from Xiao Xi, which had lit up earlier while he was with Ji Ting.

He hadn’t answered them at the time.

Now, he returned the call while tidying up the mess in the living room.

A few seconds later, Xiao Xi answered. She immediately asked, “Son, what does that information in your Moments mean?”

Tan Yucheng pulled the sofa cover out to the balcony, tossed it in, and threw in the laundry pods. He replied, “It means exactly what you saw.”

“I like Ji Ting.”

Xiao Xi was stunned for a moment. The next second, she nudged Tan Hui beside her. “I said that’s what it meant, but you said it wasn’t. How could he easily post Ji Ting’s photo on Moments if it wasn’t? He posted it with such ambiguous words—this is a confession, isn’t it?”

Tan Hui, leaning against the headboard, was still somewhat dazed.

Tan Yucheng was patient, leaning against the washer-dryer, listening to his parents’ conversation. After Xiao Xi’s excitement subsided, she remembered Tan Yucheng and immediately asked, “Does Ji Ting know?”

“Mm.”

Xiao Xi knew there was a chance now.

She was about to ask more questions when Tan Yucheng spoke up, “About aunt Qiu, I need your help.”

Xiao Xi was momentarily stunned and asked, “Does Qiu Dan not know?”

Tan Yucheng’s voice was very low. “No.”

“Ji Ting tested her, but Aunt Qiu didn’t give in.”

Xiao Xi was about to ask for reasons.

The next moment, realizing her son’s numerous romantic entanglements and understanding Qiu Dan’s perspective, Xiao Xi knew where the problem lay. As a longtime close friend, she often expressed regret that the two kids couldn’t be together. However, Qiu Dan had never shared that regret. Every time Xiao Xi brought up the topic, Qiu Dan wouldn’t engage in the conversation. When their families were together and met outsiders, Qiu Dan introduced the two children as siblings.

She made it very clear: Tan Yucheng was not her ideal son-in-law.

Xiao Xi sighed, “Son, I need to ask you seriously—are you really serious about this?”

Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

Hearing this, Xiao Xi felt reassured and said, “I suppose you wouldn’t dare to take this lightly.”

Although she couldn’t control Tan Yucheng’s actions, she knew he was very principled and would never joke about such matters. Besides, he genuinely cared for Ji Ting. If he weren’t in love with her, he wouldn’t treat her so seriously. She remembered an incident from that year at the pool in Nan’an. Ji Ting had just learned to swim and got a cramp, choking on water.

Tan Yucheng had come that day only to bring a book to Xiao Xi.

When Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan saw Ji Ting choking on water, they were extremely anxious and were about to jump in, but Tan Yucheng was already in the pool. Wearing only a shirt and long pants, he entered the water and lifted Ji Ting by her waist to get her out.

His watch, shirt, and pants were soaked through.

After bringing Ji Ting to the shore, he stood up, dripping wet, and half-squatted beside her, scolding her for being so foolish.

That was the first time he had ever scolded someone.

Ji Ting glared at him, spitting out the water.

Tan Yucheng went inside, grabbed a clean towel to wrap Ji Ting in, and carried her away.

Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan could only follow behind.

Those past events were vivid in her memory.

Snapping back to reality, Xiao Xi smiled and said, “Don’t act impulsively. I’ll handle things with Qiu Dan.”

Tan Yucheng responded, “Okay.”

Xiao Xi was a bit excited, ready to end the call, when she suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, does Qiu Dan know about your Moments?”

Tan Yucheng walked from the balcony into the living room, tidying up the messy carpet, and casually replied, “It’s covered.”

Xiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

“Right, it needs to be covered first.”

“Goodbye, son.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

After exchanging goodnights, Tan Yucheng put down his phone, turned on the vacuum cleaner to clean the carpet, and then went to the bathroom to wash his hands. Returning to the master bedroom, he found Ji Ting sound asleep with her long hair spread out on the pillow. The room was warm. Tan Yucheng sat on the edge of the bed and watched her for a few seconds, then leaned down, braced himself on his shoulders, and kissed her lips.

Ji Ting felt ticklish and turned away, but Tan Yucheng laughed and buried his face in her neck. He pulled up the blanket, lay down, and held her close as he fell asleep.