Chapter 40 Part 2: Our First Day

After getting off the plane, Song Jin casually dismissed the two assistants, telling them to go home and rest, then eagerly pulled Duan Yan home.

Her heart was churning with nervousness and anticipation, like a child about to uncover a great secret.

When they arrived at Duan Yan’s residence, the afternoon sun was lazily spread across the porch. It was already one o’clock in the afternoon.

Auntie Lian was not there; she had already gone out to shop for dinner.

Song Jin’s tone carried a hint of urgency, her eyes flashing with anticipation as she stared at Duan Yan without blinking, waiting for her answer.

“Quick, tell me.”

“Mm, I agree.”

To Song Jin, these three words sounded like the most wonderful melody in the world.

Song Jin’s eyes curved into crescents, the light in them as brilliant as the brightest stars in the night sky.

“I knew it. Did you agree last night?”

Song Jin’s mind suddenly worked very fast. She quickly figured out that Duan Yan had been teasing her before, and she pouted, looking at Duan Yan with a wronged expression. “Why didn’t you tell me this morning? You made me worry for so long.”

Song Jin pouted her lips, feeling extremely wronged.

“Because you were too cute. I couldn’t help but want to see you looking anxious. I was wrong, okay?”

Duan Yan asked with a light laugh, “I’ve apologized. Are you satisfied now?”

Joy washed over Song Jin’s heart. She was so happy she could barely speak, and could only nod her head.

“Alright, now go give your family a call, then go upstairs, take a shower, and rest for a bit. You drank last night, don’t wear yourself out.”

Duan Yan gently arranged things for Song Jin, her care warming Song Jin’s heart.

Song Jin nodded, her gaze lingering on Duan Yan reluctantly, as if her eyes were glued to her, unable to look away.

“Go on now.”

Duan Yan softly parted her lips.

Song Jin turned with a slight nod and went upstairs. Back in her room, she first messaged her sister to let her know she was safe, then dialed Song Yuan’s number.

After briefly reporting on her recent situation, Song Jin took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly, and announced her new relationship to Song Yuan.

“Mom, I’m in a relationship.”

On the other end of the line, Song Yuan’s laughter was warm, full of a mother’s tolerance. “Who is it? When will you bring her home for us to see?”

Song Jin thought for a moment. She knew her relationship with Duan Yan was still in its early stages and needed more time to solidify. She didn’t want to pressure Duan Yan, nor did she want to ruin this budding relationship by being too hasty.

“In a little while. As for who it is, it’s a secret for now. But she’s a very good person. I like her a lot. I hope you’ll all accept her when the time comes.”

Song Jin’s voice was full of longing.

“Alright, Mom naturally trusts your judgment. As long as it’s someone you like, both Mom and Auntie Lan will support you. But there are some things I need to talk to you about in advance. Make some time to come home next week.”

A rare hint of seriousness was in Song Yuan’s voice.

“Things?”

‘Could it be that matter?’

Song Jin frowned slightly and obediently agreed.

After hanging up, Song Jin sniffled. Because she had been drunk last night, she hadn’t showered, only quickly changed her clothes, and a faint smell of alcohol still lingered on her.

So, she eagerly jumped into the bathroom. Hot water poured down from the showerhead, she quickly rinsed off, and dried her hair with a hairdryer.

In the mirror, she saw her own silly smiling face.

Duan Yan’s words, “I agree,” kept echoing in her ears.

That sentence was like the most beautiful music, making her heart beat joyfully along with it.

Song Jin’s hands clenched slightly. She and Duan Yan were together. This thought made her feel both intoxicated and dreamlike.

She gently pinched her own cheek.

‘Ouch.’

This wasn’t a dream. This was real.

After her shower, Song Jin, dressed in clean clothes, felt refreshed. At this moment, she only wanted to be close to Duan Yan.

Just as she was walking down the stairs, she faintly heard Duan Yan and her manager, Yang Jun, talking downstairs, seemingly with a hint of displeasure.

She silently moved down a little further and finally heard their conversation clearly.

“Why refuse? To you, this is clearly something with only benefits and no drawbacks.”

Yang Jun’s voice revealed her confusion.

‘What’s going on?’

Song Jin perked up her ears and continued to listen.

“Forming a CP with her won’t cause you any losses. Besides, you haven’t had any confirmed scandals for years. The fans are full of curiosity about your love life.”

Yang Jun continued to persuade.

‘No way. Duan Yan is already with her. How can she be shipped in a CP with someone else?’

‘Even if they were going to, the other person should be her.’

She held her breath and continued to listen, waiting for Duan Yan’s refusal.

“I don’t think this is appropriate. We can’t betray our fans’ trust.”

Duan Yan’s reply was vague, not a direct statement.

Song Jin was hoping for an answer like “I already have someone I like,” but Duan Yan didn’t say it.

Song Jin could no longer stand hearing Yang Jun persuade Duan Yan to ship a CP with someone else.

She walked straight down the stairs, greeted Yang Jun gracefully, and naturally sat down next to Duan Yan, as if this were her second home.

“Hello, Yang-jie. I’m Song Jin. You can call me Xiao Jin, just like Duan-jiejie does.”

Song Jin smiled and briefly introduced herself.

Because Yang Jun was in charge of many artists, and this fashion show was organized by a competitor, plus Duan Yan had always been someone she could count on, Yang Jun had spread her attention to other artists and knew nothing about Song Jin and Duan Yan living together.

Witnessing Song Jin’s appearance, Yang Jun’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She then turned her suspicious gaze to Duan Yan, as if silently asking about this sudden situation.

Duan Yan hadn’t expected Song Jin to appear at this time either. She coughed lightly, her mind racing as she thought of how to explain this scene.

However, Song Jin broke the silence first, flashing her signature warm smile. “Because of the fashion show’s arrangements, I’ve been temporarily staying at Duan-jiejie’s place for a few days.”

Duan Yan nodded lightly, confirming Song Jin’s words.

Yang Jun pondered for a moment and ultimately didn’t notice anything amiss.

Before Yang Jun could ask any more questions, Song Jin’s eyes darted, and she skillfully changed the subject. “Duan-jiejie, what were you two discussing just now?”

Duan Yan seemed unwilling to touch on this topic, but Yang Jun spoke directly. “Xiao Jin, you should help persuade Duan Yan. Shipping a CP is clearly only beneficial for her, with no downsides.”

Song Jin nodded repeatedly, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes. “That’s right. This is indeed a profitable matter.”

Yang Jun also nodded along, preparing to continue persuading Duan Yan, thinking Song Jin would be on her side.

However, Song Jin said, “Shipping a CP, why not consider me?”

Yang Jun’s mouth fell slightly open, a question mark on her face, clearly not expecting Song Jin to make such a suggestion.

Duan Yan, on the other hand, looked helpless.

Song Jin continued her analysis, “When it comes to popularity, I’m not inferior to anyone. In terms of looks, I’m also top-tier. More importantly, I’m very familiar with Duan-jiejie, so it won’t be awkward for us to act as a couple for publicity.”

As her words fell, Song Jin winked at Duan Yan, waiting for her response.

Duan Yan gently shook her head, her brow slightly furrowed, her eyes revealing an unquestionable determination.

“Sorry, I don’t plan on creating a publicity pairing.”

The moment her words fell, she had gracefully declined Yang Jun’s proposal.

Seeing this, a hint of helplessness flashed in Yang Jun’s eyes. Knowing that Duan Yan’s decision was as unshakable as a solid rock, she only left a few short words before turning to leave.

Song Jin looked at Duan Yan with a wronged expression, her nose wrinkling slightly as she let out a dissatisfied huff. Her lips were pressed tightly together, like a pouting kitten, her eyes showing a mix of grievance and pride, unwilling to speak easily.

“Angry?”

Duan Yan asked softly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible gentleness.

Song Jin was silent for a moment, then asked in confusion, “I won the Best Newcomer award, and we’re in a relationship now. Why not ship a CP with me?”

“This kind of publicity won’t substantially help your reputation. I might be able to gain a little more fame from it, but you’re different. How long have you been in the industry? Tall trees attract the wind. It’s better not to have that kind of traffic.”

Duan Yan analyzed in detail.

Song Jin also understood Duan Yan’s meaning and said in a small voice, “I don’t really care about those things.”

“I’m not shipping a CP with anyone else, so what are you so anxious about? You may not care, but I do, alright?”

Duan Yan’s gaze was like the warm spring sun, gently dispelling the shadow in Song Jin’s heart.

Song Jin’s expression softened, and the corners of her lips gently curved up, blooming into a contented smile.

“I’ll listen to you. But you’re not allowed to secretly ship a CP with someone else behind my back. I’ll get jealous.”

Duan Yan smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

Three o’clock in the afternoon.

Duan Lian gently pushed open the door to the house, and the scene before her was of Duan Yan and Song Jin laughing joyfully on the sofa.

Song Jin was the first to politely greet Duan Lian. “Auntie Lian, you’re back.”

Duan Lian’s gaze swept lightly between the two of them, then she cast a teasing “I’ve seen it all” look at Duan Yan, as if silently revealing, “I’m already well aware of the subtle relationship between you two.”

Duan Yan coughed shyly, her gaze wandering, a faint blush on her cheeks, as if tacitly acknowledging some unspoken understanding.

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit delicate, Song Jin’s gaze landed on the vegetable basket in Duan Lian’s hand at the right moment. She walked over to break the silence. “What fresh vegetables are these? Let me help you carry them.”

“This is the fresh fish I got for you. You can just help me take these to the kitchen.”

Song Jin nodded obediently. As a fitness model, Song Jin effortlessly carried the ingredients towards the kitchen.

Although there was some distance between the kitchen and the living room, for the cat demon Song Jin with her exceptional hearing, this distance was nothing. Their conversation reached her ears clearly.

“Looks like there’s been some new progress?” Duan Lian’s tone held a hint of playfulness.

“Mm.”

Duan Yan’s reply made Song Jin’s heart as sweet as honey, and even her tail couldn’t help but quietly perk up.

“I won’t ask any more about other things. Go to the kitchen and help her.”

‘What was Duan Yan coming for?’

Hearing those light footsteps, Song Jin’s heart instantly sped up. She quickly pretended to be busy organizing the ingredients, trying to hide her own panic.

When Duan Yan’s figure appeared at the kitchen doorway, she smiled to greet her and asked curiously, “Why did you come over?”

“Today’s meal, let’s prepare it together.” Duan Yan’s voice was gentle yet firm. She smiled as she walked to Song Jin’s side and took the ingredients from her hands. “Do you want the fish steamed, or prepared some other way?”

Song Jin’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Duan Yan in disbelief. “You can cook?”

“I’ve been in a kitchen before.” Duan Yan replied nonchalantly, then began to prepare the ingredients.

Song Jin watched Duan Yan’s skilled movements, a desire to help welling up in her heart. “I’ve cooked in a kitchen before. I can help.”

She told a small lie. She had indeed been in a kitchen, but her job was usually to wash the dishes, not cook.

Duan Yan raised an eyebrow, seeming a little surprised. “Do you know how to scale and gut a fish?”

Song Jin bit the bullet and nodded. “I do.”

“Alright then, put the fish in the water.” Duan Yan instructed.

‘That shouldn’t be too hard, right?’

Song Jin thought, carefully placing the fish in the water. But unexpectedly, she lost her grip for a moment. The fish slipped into the sink, its tail flapping violently, splashing water everywhere.

In an instant, the upper half of Song Jin’s body was soaked. She stood there awkwardly.

“What’s wrong?” Duan Yan turned her head, and upon seeing Song Jin’s state, she couldn’t help but press her lips together to hold back a smile and suggested, “Why don’t you just wash the water spinach instead.”

“Okay.”

Song Jin replied, a little dejected, secretly regretting not having learned to cook sooner. Otherwise, she could be showing off her skills in front of Duan Yan right now.

Washing vegetables was a piece of cake for her. She quickly finished the task and proudly showed it to Duan Yan. “How is it?”

“Great.” Duan Yan’s praise made Song Jin overjoyed. She had never felt that time in the kitchen could be so pleasant.

Although she wasn’t good at cooking, Song Jin could help Duan Yan by passing her seasonings and side dishes. The two worked together in perfect harmony, and time passed without them noticing.

When Song Jin came back to her senses, she was surprised that she and Duan Yan had already completed all the steps of cooking.

But in reality, the clock hands had already quietly passed the two-hour mark.

It was just that with the person who made her heart flutter by her side, time inadvertently flowed by like water.

After dinner, Duan Lian gave them space to be alone, while she herself went to the public square to do some square dancing.

Song Jin and Duan Yan strolled to the flower room.

The flowers were all blooming in competition, emitting an intoxicating fragrance.

Song Jin’s hand gently reached out, with a hint of caution and full of anticipation, slowly approaching Duan Yan. The palm of her hand lightly rested on the back of Duan Yan’s, her fingertips playfully tracing over it. This touch was both a test and carried a hint of coyness.

Duan Yan’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, but she nonchalantly flipped her hand over and gently held Song Jin’s.

The corners of Song Jin’s lips couldn’t help but quietly curve up. A feeling of sweetness quietly spread in her heart, like the warm sun in spring, warm and bright.

The flowers were in full bloom, clump after clump, cluster after cluster, vying for beauty, a magnificent sight.

The graceful image of Duan Yan among the flowers and shadows under the sun from that day flashed through Song Jin’s mind. The scene was so moving that she couldn’t help but feel an urge to take a picture.

Last time, Song Jin had been an orange cat and couldn’t use a phone to record that moment.

This time, she eagerly took out her phone, wanting to capture this romantic moment of Duan Yan before the flowers and under the moon.

“Duan-jiejie, can I take a picture of you?”

Song Jin asked, full of anticipation.

Duan Yan was slightly taken aback, but then she smiled and nodded, granting Song Jin’s request.

The evening clouds were like silk, gently spreading across the sky, coating this beautiful moment with a layer of dreamlike color. Duan Yan’s black hair was gently draped over her shoulders, her red lips slightly parted. She stood amidst the sea of flowers, as if she were a fairy who had accidentally stepped into the mortal world, so beautiful it took one’s breath away.

Song Jin lowered her head, intently examining the photo on her phone screen. She nodded in satisfaction and was about to show this beauty to Duan Yan when she unexpectedly discovered that Duan Yan was also pointing her phone at her, taking a picture.

Song Jin looked up, a playful glint in her eyes, and asked curiously, “Why are you taking a picture of me too?”

Duan Yan returned a warm smile. “It’s only polite to return the favor.”

Song Jin laughed and bargained, “No way. You just took several pictures of me, and I only took one of you. It’s only fair if I take a few more.”

Not only did Duan Yan not refuse, but she also actively struck various poses, letting Song Jin’s camera capture her every elegant angle, every sweet smile, and every turn of her gaze.

The two went on like this, back and forth. Unknowingly, they spent the better part of the evening filling the flower room with their laughter, and time quietly slipped away amidst their happiness.

As the night deepened, the two of them washed up and then lay down on the bed, ending a wonderful day with satisfied smiles.

Today was the first day she and Duan Yan were together.

Song Jin habitually wanted to sneak a hug around Duan Yan in the dark to fall asleep, but the turmoil in her heart made her hesitate.

‘Would doing this make her seem not composed enough, and lacking in respect for Duan Yan?’

Although she had done it before, the situation was different now. Their relationship had been clearly defined, and she could no longer act willfully under the guise of being a “friend.”

She told herself: ‘Forget it, Song Jin, you need to be patient.’

Their relationship had only just developed to the point of holding hands today. She couldn’t rush things.

The sweet wedding scene from her previous dream couldn’t help but surface in Song Jin’s mind. Her cheeks involuntarily flushed with a faint blush, like peach blossoms in early spring, delicate and moving.

She silently planned for the future in her heart, counting on her fingers, and found that even with the smoothest development, it would still take a year.

Sighing softly, Song Jin closed her eyes, trying to sink into dreamland.

However, without Duan Yan by her side at night, she felt unusually restless, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

In the end, Song Jin still opened her eyes, carefully turned her head, her gaze passing through the dim room to land on Duan Yan.

Although she couldn’t do anything too forward, it should be fine to just look at Duan Yan’s back to ease her longing.

Under the soft moonlight, Song Jin gazed at Duan Yan’s back.

Most of Duan Yan’s body was wrapped in a warm blanket, with only her head and half her neck exposed. In truth, there wasn’t much to see.

But Song Jin still carefully traced Duan Yan’s figure in her mind, not missing a single detail.

Duan Yan gently turned over, her black hair sliding down her shoulders, revealing a section of her snow-white neck, which looked even more alluring under the moonlight.

The thin silver chain glistened with a soft light in the night, as if telling some secret.

Song Jin gently touched the similar necklace around her own neck, the corners of her lips involuntarily curving into a sweet smile. A warm current surged through her heart, as if the whole world had softened because of this gentle emotion.

At this moment, her heart was filled with Duan Yan’s image.

Just then, Duan Yan seemed to sense Song Jin’s movement and slowly turned over.

The gazes of the two people met unexpectedly in the quiet night.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, with only their two hearts beating in resonance.

“What’s wrong, you’re not asleep yet either?” Song Jin/Duan Yan asked softly.

The moment the words fell, both of them widened their eyes, surprised by their own perfect sync, as if they had found a spiritual connection in the silence.

Then, they looked at each other and smiled, a smile that contained a faint shyness and was full of joy.

Song Jin’s gaze was locked tightly on Duan Yan, unwilling to move away, her eyes deep and focused, as if exchanging a thousand words in silence, every moment of her gaze filled with deep affection and sincerity.

Duan Yan also looked at Song Jin, her gaze like the first stirrings of spring water, gentle and clear, yet carrying a hint of tender affection.

In those bright eyes, Song Jin saw her own reflection.

Though without a phoenix’s wings to fly side-by-side, their hearts beat as one; without a word, a thousand tender feelings were shared between them.