Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 84
Extra: Ning Qian and Wen Jin (2)
Ning Qian turned slightly, a polite smile on her face as she met Wen Jin's gaze, seemingly indifferent, the passionate feelings from before seemingly gone.
The goddess, adored and admired by everyone in their department back then, still held the same captivating aura after all these years.
With Wen Jin's arrival, Ning Qian was no longer the center of attention. Everyone was surprised by the sudden appearance of their department flower, who hadn't been seen in over a decade.
After exchanging greetings, Wen Jin sat down next to Ning Qian, turning to say something, but after a moment of silence, seeing Ning Qian looking at her phone, seemingly ignoring her, she didn't speak.
They sat in silence. In the past, Ning Qian would have been beaming just to be near Wen Jin.
During their university years, everyone knew that Ning Qian was the closest to Wen Jin, and since Ning Qian had never hidden her sexual orientation, there had even been rumors about them. But tonight, they were the most distant, not exchanging a single word throughout the evening.
The conversations at the table revolved around the usual topics: careers, marriages, families…
"Among the women here tonight, only Qianqian is still single, right?" The class president's sudden remark shifted everyone's attention to Ning Qian.
Wen Jin, holding her wine glass, glanced at Ning Qian's carefully made-up face. Ning Qian seemed much calmer and more composed than a year ago.
"Yes, haven't met the right person yet." Ning Qian replied with a casual smile, still avoiding Wen Jin's gaze.
Just then, a man in a suit joked, "Ning Qian, if you don't mind my gender, maybe we could give it a try? I've also been single for many years…"
And the next moment.
"I'm also single." Wen Jin put down her glass, interrupting the man, her voice cold.
Her words brought a sudden silence.
Everyone looked at Wen Jin, including Ning Qian.
They were surprised because Wen Jin usually didn't participate in such casual conversations, let alone make jokes. She always seemed aloof and distant, preferring to be alone, unlike the more approachable Ning Qian.
The goddess's sudden interjection left everyone speechless, unsure what she meant. Wen Jin, seemingly oblivious to the awkward silence, calmly sipped her wine.
After a brief pause, the class president, trying to lighten the mood, said, "Qianqian, speaking of which, I have a friend who might be suitable for you. She just returned from abroad, excellent in every aspect, and very beautiful. Want me to introduce you two?"
"Sure." Ning Qian readily agreed.
"If you two get together, you have to treat me to dinner."
"Of course."
Wen Jin listened quietly, sipping her wine. She hadn't intended to come to the reunion, but when her former classmate contacted her, she had agreed without thinking, simply because the class president had casually mentioned that Ning Qian would also be there.
Hearing that Ning Qian would be there, she wanted to see her.
After several rounds of playful banter, Ning Qian's smile faded, her heart heavy, pretending to be cheerful was exhausting. No matter how indifferent she acted, seeing Wen Jin again made her realize that the past year hadn't changed anything. She had avoided looking at Wen Jin all night, afraid that being close to her would undo all her efforts to forget her.
They drank, glass after glass, but they didn't clink glasses, both seemingly drinking to forget.
Just as Ning Qian was about to pour herself another drink, a slender, white hand stopped her, Wen Jin's fingers brushing against Ning Qian's. Ning Qian's hand trembled slightly as she pulled it away.
"Don't drink anymore." Having watched her silently for a while, Wen Jin finally spoke to Ning Qian.
Ning Qian turned to Wen Jin, slightly tipsy now, her gaze lingering on Wen Jin's face, a hint of longing in her eyes, her carefully constructed facade crumbling.
Deceiving herself was too difficult, pretending only worked for so long.
She was usually optimistic and straightforward, but with Wen Jin, she was always different.
Ning Qian didn't reply, releasing the bottle.
Wen Jin moved the bottle aside, and after that single sentence, they fell silent again.
The dinner ended around 9 PM. Ning Qian wasn't in the mood to continue the night, wanting only to go home, take a shower, and sleep, pretending her life wasn't affected by this encounter, her heart stirring with a familiar longing.
She was determined to forget Wen Jin.
"…I'll be going now, you guys have fun." Ning Qian said, finding an excuse to leave.
Seeing Ning Qian leave without even a proper goodbye, Wen Jin's heart ached. Just as Ning Qian reached the door, Wen Jin suddenly pressed her hand against her forehead, her brow furrowed…
"Wen Jin, are you okay?!"
"I'm feeling a little unwell after drinking."
Ning Qian stopped and turned to look at Wen Jin.
Wen Jin never lacked admirers, and the single men present, having heard her declare her single status earlier, were eager to seize the opportunity. "I'll take you home, I have a driver waiting."
"No, thank you, I just need to rest for a bit." Wen Jin declined their offers.
"That won't do! It's no trouble at all." The man reached out to help Wen Jin up.
Ning Qian, watching silently, couldn't stand it anymore. She walked over to Wen Jin and blocked the man's hand. "You guys continue, I'll take her home."
Wen Jin looked up at Ning Qian, readily accepting her offer. "Thank you."
For a moment, Ning Qian had the feeling that Wen Jin was doing this on purpose…
Having both had some drinks, they hailed a cab and left.
The car was quiet, thankfully, soft music played on the radio. After a few minutes, Ning Qian broke the silence. "Where do you feel unwell? Should we go to the hospital?"
"No, I'm just a bit tired lately."
"Mmm…"
They started talking, their conversation stilted.
"Where are you working now?" Wen Jin had contacted Ning Qian a few times on WeChat, but it was clear that Ning Qian didn't want to interact with her much. Ning Qian had told her to leave her alone, and although Wen Jin initially thought she was just angry, she now realized Ning Qian had meant it.
"S City."
"That's good."
"It's alright."
They both looked out the window at the passing city lights, remembering a time when they had so much more to talk about. Wen Jin was quiet, but Ning Qian always knew how to start a conversation, how to make Wen Jin smile.
"I'm sorry." After a long silence, Ning Qian finally said, a smile on her face, words she had wanted to say for a while. "I was a bit harsh that day."
Thinking back to a year ago.
"Didn't we agree not to mention it again?"
"We did. I just wanted to apologize."
Wen Jin was silent.
Ning Qian stopped the taxi at the entrance of Wen Jin's complex.
"Come up and sit for a bit?"
"No, thanks. You go ahead."
Wen Jin hesitated, not turning to leave. "Where are you staying these days?"
"At a hotel."
"I have a spare room, you can stay with me next time you're in L City…"
"No need to trouble you." Ning Qian smiled. "I have something to do, I'll be going now."
"Qianqian…" Wen Jin took a step closer.
"Yes?" Ning Qian didn't like the intimacy in Wen Jin's voice.
"Thank you." Wen Jin's words weren't what she truly wanted to say, and what she truly wanted to say, she didn't know if she should. Was she just a bother to Ning Qian?
"You're welcome." Ning Qian said lightly, then turned and walked away.
The night breeze was cool, and Ning Qian, in her thin trench coat, walked slowly, the clicking of her high heels gradually fading into the night.
Ning Qian's steps slowed, then she stopped, unable to resist looking back. But it wasn't Wen Jin's back she saw; Wen Jin was standing there, watching her.
Their eyes met, and Ning Qian knew her hesitation had betrayed her… She quickly turned back and continued walking, her hands in her pockets, pretending to be nonchalant.
Wen Jin stood there, watching Ning Qian's retreating figure, her heart as tangled as her windblown hair.
Ning Qian stayed in L City for a few more days. She was here on a business trip, coinciding with the reunion, and the university's anniversary celebration was in a few days. Since she was here, she decided to attend.
One spring afternoon, Ning Qian walked alone along the tree-lined path of L University, the scenery unfamiliar now. The library had been renovated, the auditorium too, but traces of the past still lingered.
It had been over ten years.
Seeing young couples walking past, Ning Qian couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. She had also been a young, hopeful girl once, dreaming of a future with the person she loved. But now, at thirty-two, she was still alone.
The anniversary gala started at 8 PM, the hall filled with people.
Ning Qian arrived fifteen minutes early, finding a seat in the designated alumni section.
Wen Jin had also arrived early. Walking along the aisle, her gaze searching, she finally stopped at the fifth row, walking past a row of empty seats…
Ning Qian was looking at the program.
"Can I sit here?"
A shadow fell over Ning Qian's skirt, and she looked up; it was Wen Jin.
"Can I sit here?" Wen Jin asked again.
Ning Qian looked around; there were plenty of empty seats, yet Wen Jin had chosen the one next to her. "There's no assigned seating," she replied, "you can sit wherever you like."
Ning Qian watched as Wen Jin sat down beside her.
"Do you remember? At the freshman orientation, you sat next to me."
"I remember." How could Ning Qian forget? She had also asked, "Can I sit here?" just like Wen Jin today, and Wen Jin had simply nodded curtly.
"Back then, I thought…" Wen Jin started to say something, then hesitated, the words caught in her throat. She was good at handling work matters, but when it came to relationships, she was at a loss.
Ning Qian looked at Wen Jin expectantly.
"You have a beautiful smile." Wen Jin finally said, her voice slightly awkward.
Ning Qian's heart skipped a beat. She looked towards the stage, her mind racing. Why did Wen Jin's words make her feel this way, imagining things again?
"You never attend these events." Ning Qian changed the subject, suddenly asking Wen Jin.
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