Chapter 12: Memory — The Rain’s Let Up; You Don’t Really Want to Wait for It to Stop, Do You…

Chapter 12

It was a very personal question, but Li Ran didn't find it offensive.

-

The two of them didn't linger at the coffee shop. They grabbed their coffees to go and headed back to the rare books library.

Her love story with Jin Yan...

Where was she even supposed to start?

Or maybe there was no starting point at all.

Li Ran remembered clearly, on a midsummer evening, right at school dismissal time, Bincheng was suddenly hit by a torrential downpour. She hadn't brought an umbrella, so she stood in the lobby of the school building, watching classmates get picked up one by one, or dash into the rain with umbrellas.

She waited for a long time, the sky growing darker, yet the rain showed no signs of letting up.

She gritted her teeth, ready to throw her backpack over her head and bolt out of the building, when suddenly, the rain in front of her was blocked by a soaking wet figure, and something shielded her from above.

He held a black long-handled umbrella with one hand, his knuckles prominent and raw, his right arm hanging limp at his side, the sleeve completely soaked through, with blood seeping through the fabric. His face was almost completely hidden in the shadow of the umbrella, drenched from the cold rain, damp strands of hair plastered to his smooth forehead. His cheekbones and lips were bruised in varying degrees, his face nearly pale, yet a reckless smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Ran a bit late, but good thing I made it. Come on, let's get you home."

So many people came and went, yet he could always pick her out without fail.

She stood still, staring at him intently, feeling her brow furrow slightly. "Did your dad beat you again?"

"He..." Jin Yan let out a soft scoff, as if talking about the weather, totally nonchalant. "Long since used to it. I taught those scumbags who messed with you a lesson."

Li Ran tilted her head up, looking into his bright eyes, speaking seriously: "Jin Yan, you're still on probation. You can't go causing more trouble. They're not worth risking your future over. Don't go acting reckless just because you're a good student. What if the teacher actually doesn't let you come back to school? We promised we'd leave this place together, go to college together. Did you forget?"

"Haven't forgotten. They're really not worth it, but you are. They can mess with me all they want, but not with you. They have to pay for this. Besides, I'm not worried, so what are you worried about?"

He said it lightly, his dark, brooding eyes crinkling slightly, but there was no hint of a smile in them.

Maybe noticing her expression change, he added: "Don't worry, I know where to draw the line."

With that, he glanced back at the rain outside, then turned to her and said: "The rain's letting up a bit. You weren't seriously planning to wait for it to stop, were you?"

Li Ran let out a defeated sigh. As they walked down the steps together, she tilted her head and asked him: "Are you hurting?"

"Doesn't hurt."

"Let's find a pharmacy and get that bandaged."

Jin Yan said indifferently: "Bandage what? I'm not that fragile. Save that money and buy yourself a couple of books instead."

That year, Jin Yan was a junior in high school, and Li Ran a freshman.

It was also the year her father fell and broke his leg at the factory.

Just as they reached Li Ran's front door, they heard things being thrown around inside. Her father's angry shouts cut through the heavy rain, sharp and desperate.

She lowered her eyes to say goodbye to Jin Yan: "I'm going in. You should head home early too."

Jin Yan stood upright under his umbrella: "Go drink some hot water, don't catch cold. Keep your distance from him, don't let him hurt you."

Li Ran just gave a stiff smile, without responding. She turned and ran into the open courtyard, catching a few raindrops before pushing the door open and disappearing inside.

Looking back, what stayed with Li Ran were still some very beautiful memories.

She knew that after going inside, she must have helped her mother calm her father down, but what they said, or how the shouting stopped, she couldn't remember at all.

Another time was after Li Ran had also come to Beicheng for university.

It was early winter, and she wanted to visit Ditan Park, so Jin Yan took her there. Halfway through their stroll, snow suddenly began to fall from the sky. Snow wasn't rare for them—Bincheng's winters always brought five or six heavy snowfalls—but that day's snow was the first snowfall they experienced together in Beicheng.

Somewhat delighted, Li Ran kept him outside longer, until her ears, cheeks, and nose were all red from the cold. Jin Yan couldn't bear to watch anymore and finally pulled her away from Ditan.

They found a noodle shop by the roadside, hoping a steaming bowl of noodles would ward off the chill. When it came time to pay, Li Ran reached into her pocket but found nothing. Her heart sank halfway in that moment. She turned out every pocket, still empty, her heart growing as cold as the sub-zero outdoors.

She pouted, looking at Jin Yan helplessly like a child who'd done something wrong. "Jin Yan, I think I lost the money you gave me."

It wasn't much, but in that era, that little bit of money was hard-earned for them.

Jin Yan didn't even furrow his brow, showing no sign of blame whatsoever. He ruffled her hair. "Lost is lost. If it's lost, we'll earn it back. As long as you're not lost, that's what matters. I still have some."

With that, he pulled out all the cash from his pocket, but it was only enough for one bowl of noodles, and they still needed to set aside some for bus fare back to school. Jin Yan turned to the owner and said, "Boss, just one bowl."

A smile immediately spread across Li Ran's face, her eyes lighting up: "Then we'll share!"

They found seats and sat down. Before long, the noodles arrived, and the two of them actually used two pairs of chopsticks to eat from the same bowl. The noodles were chewy, the flavor delicious.

Though most of that bowl of noodles ended up in Li Ran's stomach.

Li Ran never expected that those ordinary, mundane moments would stay so vividly etched in her memory, down to the smallest details.

It was only in recent years that many things had become blurry to her.

Now, that indescribable youth was reduced by her to a simple summary: "There's really nothing special about it. In today's terms, we were your typical childhood sweethearts who, when the time came, naturally got married and had kids."

Ke Fan's mouth visibly fell open, looking at her in disbelief: "Wow—Sister Ran, you and President Jin were childhood sweethearts!"

Li Ran smiled: "Why so surprised?"

Ke Fan held up her parasol. "It just doesn't seem like it. Were you two like this when you were younger, or when you were dating?"

Li Ran reflexively asked: "Like what?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze herself.

Like what.

Ke Fan hadn't said it explicitly, but she should know.

Jin Yan used to be busy too—from the moment he started his business, there was never a time he wasn't busy—but he still made time and effort for the family.

He used to arrange everything too, but not in the domineering, high-handed way he did now.

He used to protect her in a direct way, and now, he was still protecting her in his own way, but that protection was suffocating her.

But how long ago was that "used to"?

Love changes, and people change too.

Ke Fan furrowed her brows and said: "It just feels a bit off, not like a healthy emotional relationship. Shouldn't childhood sweethearts have an even better relationship than couples who come together later?"

As they neared the library entrance, a black car slowly passed by them.

She was about to step aside, but the moment Li Ran turned her head, she recognized it as Jin Yan's car.

Her heart gave an irregular thump. She turned around, and the man had already stepped out of the car.

Her mind had just flashed through their past together, and now even looking at him felt more pleasant. Her voice turned a little coy: "Why are you here?"

He was holding a bag from a top-tier dessert shop uptown, and Jiang Lai had brought down two more bags.

Jin Yan handed his bag to her: "I brought you your favorite mousse. Share the rest with your coworkers."

Li Ran took the bag from Jin Yan's hand.

Jiang Lai handed his directly to Ke Fan: "Miss Ke Fan, if you don't mind."

Jin Yan glanced over, sizing up Ke Fan.

Ke Fan didn't take it immediately. She let out a drawn-out "Eh," taking a step back, and said, "I'll carry it in, but only for Sister Ran's sake."

Jiang Lai smiled politely and held it out further, and only then did Ke Fan accept it.

"I've got the stuff. You should get back to work—it's too hot out, and I need to head in too." Li Ran gave his forearm a gentle pat.

Jin Yan let out a soft "Mm." "Watch your work hours—don't let two hours drag on. I'll pick you up after work this evening."

Li Ran didn't nod or shake her head, just gave a faint smile and said "Bye."

Jin Yan watched her walk inside before telling Jiang Lai to drive off.

Back in the restoration room, Li Ran and Ke Fan split the desserts. Everyone else, apart from the two of them, was beaming.

But Teacher Wang Xiuli, who'd been chatting and laughing with the other colleagues, quieted down when they came in. She got up and took a slice of cake, but didn't say a word.

Li Ran was used to it, so she didn't think much of it.

The restoration table was covered with plain wool felt, and the warm yellow glow of the eye-protective lamp lit up the open pages in fine detail.

Li Ran sat at the restoration table, staring at the damaged areas. Her lashes lowered, casting a small shadow over her eyelids. She held a pair of tweezers as fine as a hair in her fingertips, moving with extreme care, as if afraid to wake the sleeping ancient text.

Just as she was fully absorbed, a sudden warmth surged through her—a sensation all too familiar. She quickly got up, asked Ke Fan for a pad, and headed to the bathroom.

Sure enough, Li Ran saw a spot of crimson.

But in that moment, the weight on her heart finally lifted.

Back in the restoration room, Li Ran put away the ancient text on the table. She didn't check the time, didn't pay attention to the two-hour limit, and completely ignored what Jin Yan had said. She grabbed her stuff and drove home.

-

That evening, in the top-floor office of the JuLian building, Jiang Lai stood in front of Jin Yan with an iPad, wrapping up his work report before saying, "Mr. Jin, everything for tomorrow's Melbourne trip is set. The flight leaves at 11 a.m."

Jin Yan looked up: "Direct flight?"

"There's a six-hour layover in Ho Chi Minh City. You and your wife can get some rest there."

Jin Yan's brow eased slightly. "Leave early today. Tomorrow, go straight to the house to pick us up—no need to come to the office."

"Understood, Mr. Jin."

Not long after Jiang Lai left, Jin Yan grabbed his car keys and left the office too.

When he got to the library, Jin Yan didn't tell Li Ran. He walked straight to the restoration room. Near the entrance, he ran into Zhou Linan.

Zhou Linan greeted him politely: "Mr. Jin, what are you doing here?"

Jin Yan didn't stop walking: "Picking up my wife."

He tilted his head, his brows and lashes lowering slightly: "Is Zhijian still in touch with Ran Ran?"

Zhou Linan answered briefly: "No."

Jin Yan let out a barely audible snort.

When they entered the restoration room, Zhou Linan glanced at Li Ran's seat but didn't see her.

Ke Fan walked over and said, "Teacher Zhou."

Zhou Linan nodded, "Mm. Where's Teacher Li?"

"Oh, Teacher Li just left a moment ago."

Jin Yan frowned. "Did she say why?"

Ke Fan shook her head on purpose.

Jin Yan turned to leave, but after a step, he pivoted and glanced at her. "You're Ke Fan?"

Ke Fan met his gaze and answered crisply, "Yes, Mr. Jin, I'm Ke Fan."

"You know me?" Jin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze turning sharp.

Ke Fan spoke slowly, with a hint of flattery: "A Mr. Jin whose products cover every aspect of modern life, who's incubated so many ecosystem brands and made them wildly successful—it's no surprise I know you."

Jin Yan paused for a beat, then turned and left.

At five in the afternoon, the sun still carried a scorching leftover heat.

In the spacious living room, the AC was on full blast. Li Ran was curled up in a corner of the sofa under a thin blanket, reading "Settled Accounts."

A WeChat notification suddenly cut through the silence. She set the book face-down on the sofa, grabbed her phone, and opened the message from Qi Shi.

70: "I'm free tomorrow. Court in the morning, client meeting in the afternoon, my mom's coming over in the evening. How about I host you the day after tomorrow morning?"

Before she could reply, she heard the door open from the entryway. Li Ran looked over, and within seconds, Jin Yan pushed open the door and walked in.

He wore a white shirt with sleeves rolled to his forearms, his suit jacket draped over his arm. His expression was relaxed, and unless she was mistaken, Jin Yan seemed to be wearing a faint smile.

But it wasn't even time for him to clock out yet.

"Why are you home so early?"

Jin Yan changed his shoes at the entryway, his eyes fixed on her the whole time, and replied unhurriedly, "I'm the boss. I decide when I clock out."

Li Ran was at a loss for words.

Right, he was the boss, so he could leave whenever he felt like it.

At her workplace, there were projects he supported and donations he'd made, so she had to follow his arrangements—leaving whenever he said so.

As he spoke, he'd already changed his shoes and was walking toward her.

Li Ran lowered her head, quickly typed a single "Okay" to Qi Shi, then exited the chat and turned off her phone.

Jin Yan had already walked over. He picked up the book, glanced at the cover, set it aside, and sat down beside her. "Didn't I say I'd pick you up at noon? Why didn't you wait for me and come home by yourself?"

As he spoke, he took her arm and draped it across his chest, then Jin Yan lay down on her lap and closed his eyes.

His words were phrased as a question just like usual, but today they carried less of an interrogative edge, his tone softer.

Why wasn't he upset that she hadn't waited for his reply? Could it be because she had left work early and come home sooner?

Li Ran cast her eyes down and noticed the dark shadows under his eyes, and suddenly saw a few faint lines at the corners. She reached out to touch them, trying to smooth them out.

This man was almost forty years old.

Today, Ke Fan had asked her about their love story, and she recalled many memories between them—with joys and sorrows, bitterness and sweetness.

But those bitter and sorrowful moments had a sweet aftertaste.

Yet now, the restraints she had gained were also brought by that very same man.

At this moment, Li Ran was a whirlwind of emotions.

After a moment, she replied softly, "I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early. I forgot to tell you."

Before the words even left her mouth, Jin Yan instantly seized her hand, opened his eyes and sat up, knitted his brows, and looked at her somewhat urgently. "Where do you feel unwell?"

Li Ran's expression remained unchanged. "Don't make a big deal out of it. I just got my period."

Jin Yan breathed a sigh of relief, adjusted his position, drew her into his embrace, and gently rubbed her lower back to soothe the achiness. "Are you in pain? Should we see a doctor?"

Li Ran shook her head. "Just a little discomfort. No need for a doctor."

"Should I have Sister Liu make some porridge tonight? Anything else you'd like to eat?"

Li Ran wasn't very hungry and said to let Sister Liu handle it.

Jin Yan then asked if Xiao Ci was feeling better, and Li Ran said Xiao Ci was fine, without so much as mentioning the message or video she had received that afternoon, let alone her plan to visit their daughter in the U.S.

After a while, Jin Yan brought up the plans ahead. "I'm going to Melbourne for business tomorrow. You..."

Li Ran knew what he was going to say. She sat up from his embrace, looked into his dark eyes, and cut in, "I'm not really up for going with you. How long will you be gone? Five days?"

Originally, Jin Yan had planned to bring Li Ran along, and the itinerary wasn't tight—a week total, there and back.

But he hadn't known she would get her period today.

A long-haul flight of over ten hours would indeed be taxing on Li Ran's body, and her current state didn't really allow for it.

Jin Yan mumbled a vague response and said, "Rest well at home. If you're feeling unwell these days, there's no need to go to the library. Your health comes first."

Li Ran gave a small smile. "Alright. Have Jiang Lai go with you. He knows your habits and work style best."

"Yeah."

This time, he really did need to bring Jiang Lai.

Jin Yan made a request. "Video call before bed."

"Okay."

After instructing Sister Liu on what to prepare for dinner, Jin Yan wrapped his arm around Li Ran and lounged with her on the sofa, savoring a bit of downtime.

Since she wasn't going on the trip with him, there was no need to keep the schedule too loose—it wasn't a vacation.

He pulled out his phone and sent Jiang Lai a WeChat message: "Change to a direct flight, shorten the trip. Just you and me."

Author's note:

According to the setting, today is Xiao Ran's birthday.

Sad news: my account on the sweet potato platform got banned, adding insult to injury for my already meager collection.

There will be another update tomorrow, my dear readers. Please leave your comments, okay?

I really want to fast-forward to the male lead chasing his wife, and then fast-forward again to them falling in love. I'm still better at writing romance scenes.