Burn Out - Chapter 82 - Hui Translations

Entering the store at 10:30, which is a busy time for takeout, the croissants just out of the oven were still fragrant.

Xiao Zhou and the others were packing takeout and croissants. Ji Ting put down her phone and went over to help. Zhang Yang came out with a large plate, which included not only croissants but also two servings of mousse.

The newly launched matcha mousse was popular among nearby office workers.

Orders had started coming in early.

These two servings needed to be packed immediately.

After helping with the packing and handing over a few cups of coffee to the delivery person, Zhang Yang approached Ji Ting with a laptop, pointing out errors found in the inventory data from yesterday.

Ji Ting sat down with him at the table to sort through it.

They were busy for over half an hour. By around 11:00, Ji Ting had ordered a meal for Zhou Hui.

She also sent a message to her mentor, updating him on Zhou Hui’s situation.

Professor Liu, not much of a typist, sent a voice message: “Ji Ting, thank you.”

Ji Ting replied: No need to be polite, Professor.

Zhou Hui also texted her: Thanks, Ji Ting.

Ji Ting responded with an emoji.

Then she took a screenshot of the page and sent it to Tan Yucheng on WeChat.

Since her phone and tablet were synced, if this man came back to the apartment in the evening and saw the takeout order, he might get jealous, so she decided to inform him in advance.

The black avatar replied.

Tan: You’re quite considerate.

See?

Ji Ting deliberately replied: It’s not too bad.

Tan: Are you trying to make me angry?

Ji Ting: Not daring to.

Tan: …You’re quite bold.

Ji Ting smiled and put down her phone.

Noon.

Tan Yucheng ordered several meals, all of which Ji Ting loved. Xiao Zhou and the others ate with Ji Ting. Over the past few days, Ji Ting had been going back to Tianyu to eat, so Xiao Zhou and the others hadn’t had a chance to share the meals. Today, they finally got to join in.

After finishing the meal, Ji Ting was messaging Tan Yucheng.

Her phone rang.

The caller was Qiu Dan. Ji Ting answered and said softly, “Mom.”

Qiu Dan’s voice came through, her tone neutral. She said, “Come home for dinner tonight and bring Yucheng with you.”

Ji Ting paused and asked, “Is it at our home?”

“Yes, our home.”

Qiu Dan confirmed with a nod.

Ji Ting took a sip of her coffee and replied, “Okay.”

After hanging up, Ji Ting held her coffee cup and felt a bit distracted. She had a sudden premonition that this dinner was unexpected. Generally, when Aunt Xiao and Uncle Tan were in Li City, they mostly ate at Tianyu, and unless there was something special, Qiu Dan wouldn’t invite Tan Yucheng to their home for dinner.

Her heart was beating a little faster.

She sent a message to the black avatar to inform him.

He replied calmly with a single “Okay.”

By around six in the evening, the sun was setting.

Ji Ting tidied up a bit, took her phone and small bag, and went out. The black car slowly stopped. Ji Ting approached, bent down, and got into the car. She met Tan Yucheng’s eyes as he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.

Ji Ting felt their breaths intertwining, gazing at his eyes, and blinked.

Tan Yucheng glanced at her, sat back down, started the car, and took her hand, placing it on the center console. His voice was low and lazy, “Don’t be nervous.”

Ji Ting clasped his hand.

The man held the steering wheel and kept her hand for a while before letting go.

Ji Ting felt his warmth in her palm, leaned back in the seat, and looked at the flow of traffic.

She was still a bit anxious.

She was very aware of Qiu Dan’s temperament—when she was extreme, others couldn’t handle it.

She turned to look at Tan Yucheng’s profile and asked, “Doesn’t it feel like a feast at ¹Hongmen Banquet?”

Tan Yucheng chuckled softly.

“Maybe a little.”

Ji Ting asked, “Are you worried?”

Tan Yucheng replied with a lazy tone, “Not really. Just don’t back out.”

Ji Ting looked at his handsome features and thought to herself.

“I wouldn’t.”

The black car arrived in the old town area, and they happened to encounter some traffic in the alley. There was a wedding today, and with the home banquet, parking was tight, causing some traffic.

Ji Ting saw that their house had its lights on.

It took a while for the black car to maneuver in, eventually parking downstairs. Ji Ting got out of the car, and Tan Yucheng closed the door and walked around to the front of the car, taking her hand. He put away the car keys, his white shirt sleeves rolled up and collar slightly open, the tattoos faintly visible at the collar.

The two of them went upstairs.

Ji Ting opened the door but still released his hand.

The door swung open.

Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong came out carrying dishes, and they happened to face Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng. After a few quiet seconds, Ji Lindong smiled and said, “Come on in. Why are you standing at the door?”

Ji Ting relaxed a bit and smiled as she walked inside.

Tan Yucheng placed the wine he was carrying on the table and said lazily, “Uncle, I brought you some new wine.”

“Oh, good wine. Just leave it there.”

Tan Yucheng glanced up with a smile and asked, “Shall we drink it tonight?”

Ji Lindong initially wanted to say yes but reconsidered when he glanced at his wife beside him. He replied, “No, let’s save it for later.”

“Alright.”

Tan Yucheng placed the wine on the wine rack behind him.

Qiu Dan brought the dishes forward, and Tan Yucheng casually took them from her, calling out, “Aunt Qiu.”

Qiu Dan looked at him for a few seconds.

She finally saw the tattoo on his collar—vertically arranged and clearly the word “Ting.”

Given that she had raised a daughter for so long, she immediately recognized the “Ting” character and its pinyin.

Qiu Dan nodded.

Ji Ting was beside her, helping to set the chopsticks. She then took her seat. Qiu Dan asked Ji Lindong to bring out the soup. Ji Lindong complied, went inside, and brought out the corn soup Ji Ting liked, placing it on the table before sitting down himself.

He said to Tan Yucheng, “Yucheng, let’s eat.”

Tan Yucheng smiled and nodded.

Ji Ting glanced at him and then focused on her meal. Qiu Dan served her a bowl of soup. Ji Ting took a sip and still enjoyed the taste, feeling a bit more at ease for some reason.

The meal was quite warm and ordinary.

After they had finished eating, Qiu Dan gently brushed Ji Ting’s bangs aside and asked softly, “Have you been in touch with Lu Hai recently?”

The sudden mention of that name surprised Ji Ting. She looked up at Qiu Dan.

Qiu Dan’s expression remained unchanged as she continued to look at her.

Across the table, Tan Yucheng put down his chopsticks, took a tissue to wipe his lips, leaned back in his chair, and said nothing, just watching Ji Ting and Qiu Dan.

Ji Ting looked at Qiu Dan and said, “No, I haven’t. Why?”

Qiu Dan replied quietly, “He and Li Jia were originally planning to get engaged, but it didn’t work out, so he’s single again. His father came to our supermarket for a while, and it seems like he wants to talk to you again.”

Ji Ting was almost in disbelief. She stared at Qiu Dan and then glanced at the man across from her.

Tan Yucheng leaned back in his chair, his long legs spread, staring intently at them with an inscrutable expression.

Ji Ting turned her attention back to Qiu Dan, focusing intently, and said, “Mom, we had already agreed on this before. You know very well why it didn’t continue. Why bring it up now?”

“What can we do? The more we go on blind dates, the worse it gets. Your dad and I are anxious too…”

“Then marry me.”

Before Qiu Dan could finish speaking, Tan Yucheng’s lazy voice suddenly interrupted. Qiu Dan paused, and Ji Ting and Ji Lindong looked over at him. Tan Yucheng straightened his posture.

“Aunt Qiu, she’s already my girlfriend.”

“You guessed correctly. Ji Ting and I have been together for a while. I pursued her.”

“When you arranged for Ji Ting to go on a blind date with Lu Hai, I was a bit uncomfortable. At that time, I didn’t think of anything else, it was just a slight possessiveness. I’ve known Ji Ting for many years—more like a brother, sister, and friend. The feelings we have for each other have built up over time. I can’t stand the thought of her marrying or being with any other man.

—Except for me.”

His words were direct and unreserved.

Ji Lindong almost clapped but, because Qiu Dan was present, he straightened up. Qiu Dan looked at Tan Yucheng, turned to the side, and opened her mouth to speak. However, Tan Yucheng spoke again, “As for the rest, Aunt Qiu, you don’t need to worry.”

“I used to care for her a lot, and now I love her even more. I won’t allow any other man to hurt her, let alone myself. If there are any romantic interests around me, I’ll handle them myself.”

“Please trust me.”

His tone was sincere, and his last sentence truly touched Qiu Dan’s heart. Old memories surfaced, honestly, the families had been connected for many years, and Tan Yucheng had protected Ji Ting a lot. Just as Xiao Xi said, those images were vivid. They might not trust other men, but they had trust in Tan Yucheng.

She worried about Ji Ting encountering a man like Tan Yucheng and getting hurt, but if this person was Tan Yucheng himself, with so many past interactions and trust in Tan Hui and Xiao Xi, it was not entirely impossible.

But—

Qiu Dan looked at Tan Yucheng and said, “Yucheng, it’s not that Auntie doesn’t trust you. The road ahead is still long. Ji Ting is a precious daughter to her father and me. How can you ensure that you’ll treat her well for the next ten years without being misled by the outside world and going astray?”

Tan Yucheng met Qiu Dan’s gaze and spoke in a low voice, “Aren’t you all here too? If I dare to go astray, you’d be the first to take her away, right?”

Qiu Dan was silent.

Tan Yucheng continued, “I love her. I cannot live without her, so please don’t worry.”

Qiu Dan turned to look at Ji Ting.

Ji Ting looked at the man across from her.

Thinking about what he had said that day.

If she married another man, he had casually mentioned that he would go crazy.

Qiu Dan pulled on Ji Ting’s hand.

Ji Ting turned her head.

Qiu Dan asked softly, “You do like him, don’t you?”

Tan Yucheng’s gaze was fixed on Ji Ting.

Ji Ting faced Qiu Dan, and Qiu Dan could clearly see the emotions in her eyes. Ji Ting gave a slight smile and nodded, “Yes, I like him.”

Tan Yucheng sighed in relief and lightly adjusted his collar.

Qiu Dan looked at her daughter’s smiling eyes, feeling helpless. Ji Ting had already hinted to her that they were secretly together. Qiu Dan recalled Ji Ting’s difficulty in getting close to Lu Hai, but there was no distance between her and Yucheng. Last night, Ji Ting had been holding his hand and even took the initiative to link her arm with his before they left.

The image of those two figures was still fresh in her mind.

Qiu Dan withdrew her gaze and looked at Tan Yucheng.

The man across from her was very handsome. Though he appeared relaxed, he was the first to step in whenever Ji Ting had a problem. She remembered the time Ji Ting choked on water at the pool, Tan Yucheng jumped in, soaking his expensive shirt, pants, and watch. Afterward, he wrapped Ji Ting in a towel and carried her inside while Qiu Dan and Xiao Xi followed closely.

Both mothers seemed somewhat guilty.

It was clear that he was somewhat angry, and when he scolded Ji Ting for being foolish, both mothers felt they hadn’t looked after Ji Ting well enough.

The reversal of roles made it evident that he cared deeply for Ji Ting.

Qiu Dan sighed and said, “Yucheng, our families have had a good relationship. I really like your mother and cherish the bond with her. Your Uncle Ji treats you like his own son, and so do I. Over the years, I have prepared things for Ji Ting, and I will also prepare the same for you, treating you equally. You should also feel the affection between our families.”

Tan Yucheng nodded.

“Since you two are together, it involves not just you and Ji Ting, but also the feelings between our families. So, Auntie hopes you will take good care of her and not let her suffer any harm.”

Tan Yucheng said, “I absolutely won’t.”

Qiu Dan breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright then, take good care of each other.”

Tan Yucheng smiled and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

He glanced at Ji Ting.

Ji Ting’s eyes curved with a smile, and her shoulders relaxed a bit.

After finishing, Qiu Dan said to Ji Lindong, “Clean up the table and have some tea.”

Ji Lindong relaxed and smiled as he stood up, saying, “Come on, come on, Tingting, make some tea. Yucheng, you can make it if you like.”

Tan Yucheng got up, rolled up his sleeves, and walked toward the sofa, saying, “I’ll do it.”

He sat on the sofa, filled the kettle with water, while Qiu Dan helped clean up the table. Ji Ting also got up to help, but Qiu Dan pushed her away, telling her to sit on the sofa.

Ji Ting sat down beside him.

Tan Yucheng glanced at her.

Their gazes met, deep and meaningful. Ji Ting thought about his earlier words.

“I love her.”

He was talking about love.

Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat.

She placed her hand on his shoulder. Tan Yucheng thought she had something to say and glanced at Qiu Dan, who followed into the kitchen. With only the two of them left in the living room, he slightly lowered his head, waiting for her to speak. Instead, Ji Ting leaned in and kissed the spot near his ear where his tattoo was. Tan Yucheng, holding the steaming teacup, paused in his movement.

He turned to look at her.

Ji Ting smiled at him.

Tan Yucheng glanced again at the two people still in the kitchen, then reached around her waist and kissed her forehead.

Ji Ting blinked and smiled.

Tan Yucheng calmly released her.

He continued making the tea.

Ji Ting looked at his profile and asked, “Does Aunt Xiao and Uncle Tan know about this?”

Her tone was somewhat probing.

Tan Yucheng poured the tea into cups, the steam rising and slightly blurring his eyebrows. His voice was very soft, “They know.”

Ji Ting listened.

It was clear that Xiao Xi and Tan Hui knew about it beforehand. No wonder they asked about giving her a bracelet that evening and praised her so much when they picked her up at the high-speed train station. Tan Yucheng made the tea and used tongs to hand her a cup.

Ji Ting took it and drank.

Tan Yucheng set the tongs down and leaned back, watching her drink.

Ji Ting sipped the tea and asked, “When did you mention it?”

Tan Yucheng looked at her and said, “I didn’t. I didn’t cover it up on social media.”

I see.

He had kept it under wraps.

Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong finished cleaning up and came out to drink tea. Tan Yucheng straightened up, resting his elbows on his knees, and used the tongs to serve each of them a cup. Ji Lindong looked visibly pleased. After cleaning his hands, he said with a smile, “Yucheng, this tea is the same Silver Needle from four years ago. Doesn’t it taste even better now?”

Tan Yucheng took a sip and smiled, “You’re really good at preserving things, Uncle.”

Ji Lindong enjoyed his tea and said, “Of course. Tea, like wine, should be savored slowly. I’ve also saved some old Tongxing tea. Next time you come to the house, we can taste it together.”

Tan Yucheng nodded, “Okay.”

Qiu Dan sipped her tea and observed her husband’s happiness with helplessness.

She glanced at Ji Ting, who was sitting very close to Tan Yucheng. The two looked naturally close and intimate. Ji Ting moved back a little, and Tan Yucheng reached out to hold her waist, giving her a bit of space.

Seeing this, Qiu Dan actually felt a bit more at ease.

—

After drinking tea and chatting.

Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng got up to leave, and Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong saw them out. Qiu Dan turned around and handed Tan Yucheng a bag of fruit, asking him to carry it. Tan Yucheng took it.

Qiu Dan looked at Ji Ting and said, “Go to bed early.”

Ji Ting nodded and smiled, “I know. You and Dad should do the same.”

“Mm.”

“Yucheng, drive slowly,” Qiu Dan instructed.

Tan Yucheng replied, “Okay.”

The two of them then went downstairs. Ji Ting walked beside Tan Yucheng, and after a turn, Tan Yucheng reached out to hold her hand. Ji Ting was led down the stairs by him. When they reached the ground floor, the wind was strong. As they approached the car, the wind blew Ji Ting’s hair into her eyes. She brushed it away, and Tan Yucheng placed the fruit in the back seat. After standing up straight, he pulled her arm and helped her clear her face.

The wind carried some dust from nearby renovations into Ji Ting’s eyes, making her eyes tear up.

Tan Yucheng lowered his head and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingertip.

Ji Ting blinked a few times until her eyes were clear.

Upstairs, Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong looked down from the balcony and saw the scene. They saw the tall man patiently cleaning Ji Ting’s eyes. Ji Lindong said to Qiu Dan, “Actually, Yucheng is quite a good kid. Last time he came to the supermarket, he told us he had a girlfriend and that he would be very devoted, and he also gave us a heads-up.”

Qiu Dan didn’t say anything, but she saw everything.

Once Ji Ting’s eyes were clear, Tan Yucheng opened the car door, and Ji Ting bent down to get in.

Tan Yucheng then went to the driver’s seat and bent down to get in.

Ji Ting fastened her seatbelt and noticed someone on her balcony. She rolled down the window, looked out, and saw that Qiu Dan and Ji Lindong had already gone back inside. She didn’t think much of it and rolled up the window again.

Tan Yucheng waited until she rolled up the window before starting the car.

The alley was no longer blocked.

The black car quickly merged onto the main road. At this moment, the phone on the center console rang. Tan Yucheng reached over to answer it. The caller was Xiao Xi, who asked, “How did it go?”

Tan Yucheng glanced at Ji Ting.

Ji Ting, leaning back in her seat, met his gaze. Tan Yucheng looked at her and replied to Xiao Xi, “It’s resolved.”

Xiao Xi sighed with relief on the other end.

After pushing aside Tan Hui, who was eavesdropping, she said, “That’s good, that’s good. I figured she’d contact you first. How is she? Was she scared?”

“No.”

He hung up the phone, put on his Bluetooth headset, and replied.

“That’s good. Qiu Dan really loves Ji Ting. Once she comes to terms with things, everything will be fine.”

Tan Yucheng responded with a simple “Mm.”

Ji Ting saw Xiao Xi’s name on his black phone and knew the call was from Xiao Aunt.

She smiled.

Looking at the road ahead.

Xiao Xi continued to fuss a bit more, saying in essence that Ji Ting was their treasure, and if Tan Yucheng didn’t cherish her properly, then Xiao Xi could do without her son.

Tan Yucheng gave a slight snort and said, “Don’t worry.”

After Qiu Dan called Xiao Xi in the morning and hung up, Xiao Xi immediately sent Tan Yucheng a message.

It only had four words.

“Ask for good luck.”

Tan Yucheng understood what had happened.

He was mentally prepared for it.

So, when Xiao Aunt brought up Lu Hai, he wasn’t surprised. Xiao Aunt was observing his attitude.

And everything he said was from his heart.

¹”Hongmen Banquet” refers to a historic event in 206 BC in China where Xiang Yu, a warlord, invited Liu Bang, his rival, to a banquet. It was a trap meant to kill Liu Bang, but he escaped, leading to a significant power shift. The term now symbolizes a deceptive or treacherous invitation.