Chapter 40 Part 1: The Long-Awaited Yes

The next day, the morning light quietly slipped through the fine seams of the curtains, casting mottled light and shadow into the bedroom.

Drunk from the night before, Song Jin slowly opened her hazy eyes under Duan Yan’s gentle pats, her gaze still filled with the confusion of waking from a dream.

When she saw Duan Yan’s figure, she murmured almost instinctively, “Duan-jiejie.”

Duan Yan handed her a warm towel, signaling for her to wipe her face to clear her head.

Song Jin obediently reached out her hand, took the towel, and gently wiped her own face. The faint scent of mint on the towel gradually cleared her muddled mind.

“Thank you.” Song Jin’s voice was a bit hoarse from just waking up, her consciousness slowly returning.

Suddenly, she remembered last night’s confession; Duan Yan had not yet given her any response.

She shot upright, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, her eyes a mix of anticipation and shyness as she carefully asked, “Duan-jiejie, you still haven’t given me… an answer?”

Duan Yan deliberately feigned confusion, teasing her. “What answer?”

“It’s about what happened last night.”

Song Jin’s voice rose slightly, her gaze eagerly fixed on Duan Yan’s face, her eyes filled with longing, as if trying to see the answer in Duan Yan’s heart right through her eyes.

‘Too cute.’

Duan Yan found it amusing and couldn’t resist a playful urge, teasing her like a kitten. “Well, about that, I have to think it over carefully. After all, we’ve always been friends. To suddenly switch from friends to lovers, that’s a big deal.”

Duan Yan’s words made the air freeze in an instant, and Song Jin’s heart was left hanging.

She bit her lower lip, regret flooding her heart like a tide.

This attitude was very ambiguous; it wasn’t a rejection, but it wasn’t an acceptance either. It was like a cat teaser hanging in the air, neither up nor down.

‘Sigh, if only she hadn’t given her the necklace in the name of a friend, she and Duan Yan would probably have been together long ago. The situation now wouldn’t be like this; it should have been another sweet scene entirely.’

“Alright, go wash up first. The plane takes off at ten. I’ve already heated up breakfast and put it in the microwave. Remember to eat.” Duan Yan’s words pulled Song Jin back from her deep thoughts.

“Mm.” Song Jin hurriedly got up. In front of the mirror, she was still wearing last night’s clothes, but her makeup had already been removed.

It was obvious who had removed it.

It was Duan Yan.

‘Did Duan Yan agree last night?’

Song Jin tried hard to recall the scene from last night but found her memory was a blur. The only thing that was clear was her deep confession of love to Duan Yan.

‘Why did she have to drink? She couldn’t remember a thing. So annoying.’

Song Jin knew time couldn’t be turned back and there was no use in regret. She composed herself and began to wash up.

On the plane, Song Jin and Duan Yan’s seats were next to each other, side by side.

Song Jin gently tugged on the corner of Duan Yan’s clothes, her voice small but filled with an undisguisable urgency as she whispered her inquiry.

“Duan-jiejie, have you thought it over yet?”

An earnest light flickered in her round almond eyes. They were like the brightest stars in the night sky, fixed directly on Duan Yan’s face, every moment of her gaze filled with deep longing.

The corners of Song Jin’s eyes curved up slightly, tracing a gentle arc. Her long eyelashes trembled like a butterfly’s wings, casting tiny shadows under the light.

The light inside the cabin was soft and quiet, seeming to set the stage for the answer to come.

Time seemed to slow at this moment, each passing second feeling exceptionally long. Song Jin’s heartbeat echoed in the silent cabin as she waited for the answer she had long anticipated.

That anticipation almost made time stand still, making the air around them tense and full of expectation.

Duan Yan leaned over slightly, her hair brushing against Song Jin’s cheek, bringing with it a faint fragrance.

She moved close to Song Jin’s ear, her lips parting slightly, her voice low and soft, like the gentlest spring breeze, as she asked quietly, “With so many people on the plane, do you really want to hear my answer here?”

The surrounding sounds were the low murmurs characteristic of business class, occasionally interspersed with a flight attendant’s quiet inquiry, but to Song Jin, these sounds all seemed distant and indistinct.

Duan Yan’s tone, carrying an ambiguous intimacy, was clearly not a rejection.

Then there was only one answer, and that was that she had agreed.

Song Jin’s brow furrowed slightly, and she gently shook her head.

“Let’s rest for a bit first. When we get home, I’ll give you a satisfactory answer, okay?”

Duan Yan’s voice was as gentle as water, making Song Jin’s heart flutter.

Those three words, “okay?”, were gently uttered from Duan Yan’s lips, carrying a playful coyness and an irresistible charm. They were like delicate feathers, lightly brushing against the tip of Song Jin’s heart, making her feel an indescribable tickle.

She nodded lightly, her heart surging with sweet anticipation.

Duan Yan’s gaze fell to Song Jin’s hand, seeming to hint at something.

Song Jin’s face was full of confusion.

Duan Yan’s gaze guided Song Jin’s own.

Song Jin followed her gaze and found her own hand tightly gripping the corner of Duan Yan’s clothes. Her ears involuntarily turned a faint red, and she quickly let go, gently smoothing out the wrinkles on Duan Yan’s clothes.

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid I’ll run away?” Duan Yan raised an eyebrow, smiling in a low voice.

Song Jin pondered for a moment, then nodded seriously.

Duan Yan chuckled, gently tapping Song Jin’s forehead with her finger. “Go to sleep. I won’t run away.”

Duan Yan’s words were like a gentle promise, gradually calming Song Jin’s heart.

Song Jin obediently closed her eyes, but her heart felt as if it were filled with honey. That sweetness and contentment made her want to laugh out loud.

She secretly opened one eye and glanced at Duan Yan again.

Although the light was dim, in Song Jin’s eyes, Duan Yan was radiating a soft glow, like an elegant lotus flower under the summer sun. She was so captivating; there was not a single thing about her that she didn’t like.