Chapter 8: Living Separate Lives
The grumbling of Gan Qi's empty stomach shattered the silence. She had prepared a feast at home but hadn't had a single bite. Rushing around all day, only now as night fell did Gan Qi realize she hadn't eaten or even drunk a drop of water. Yang Xing suggested they grab something in town, and she happily agreed.
"This place looks... familiar..." Gan Qi stared at the little shop in front of her. She was sure she'd been here before, but couldn't quite place it.
"Remember? Two-Faced Noodles! We used to come here after school whenever we didn't want to go home!" Yang Xing eagerly tried to jog her memory.
"Oh… Oh! That's right! No wonder it felt so familiar! But… it looks really different now."
"The old couple retired! You remember their kid? He was just a toddler back then—always begging to be carried around, and you insisted on holding him even though you were barely bigger than him! Nearly dropped him on his head! Well, he's all grown up now. Nineteen, sophomore in college, total heartthrob. He and a few of his good-looking buddies took over the family noodle shop, gave it a complete makeover, and now it's a super trendy hotspot called Face & Fame Noodles. It's all over social media!"
Yang Xing explained with pride, as if it were his own restaurant.
Because they'd missed the dinner rush, they didn't have to wait long. Inside, the spacious hall was lined with three rows of wooden tables and benches. One wall displayed layers of green potted plants on wooden shelves, while the other was filled with polaroid memories and casual doodles from past customers. The ceiling was dotted with hanging bulbs of all shapes and sizes. The entire place exuded a rustic wooden vibe and was packed with young students—a far cry from the humble neighborhood noodle shop they once knew.
While she was still taking it all in, the young heartthrob came over with a phone in hand to take their order. Gan Qi looked up at him—bright eyes, clean features, a gentle shyness about him. Gone was the baby fat she used to tease. After taking their order, he moved to the next table, where a group of girls erupted into excited squeals, snapping photos, asking for selfies and autographs. He smiled and patiently obliged. Nineteen years old—what a dazzling age to be. Yet Gan Qi couldn't help but think... she had never bloomed that brightly. A quiet pang touched her heart.
Yang Xing ordered two bowls of their signature beef noodles. The moment Gan Qi sipped the broth, she gasped, "This is it! This is the taste!"
The table next to them shot her annoyed glances. Yang Xing laughed and nudged her to lower her voice. "Right? I knew you'd love it! They've updated most of the menu, but this one—the family recipe—stayed exactly the same. Just like how the old couple made it! We used to run all the way out here just for this bowl!"
Gan Qi nodded as she ate, finally cradling the bowl in her hands and drinking down the very last drop. She marveled at how something as simple as a familiar taste could unlock a flood of memories—things her mind had failed to recognize, her taste buds remembered instantly. After staring death in the face, to sit here with an old friend over a steaming bowl of noodles—what a strange and unexpected blessing. It felt like coming back to life.
She had almost forgotten: before the age of fifteen, even amidst family turmoil, she was once a bright, cheerful girl when she was with Yang Xing. That night, it was as if she had turned back time and become that carefree teenager again, chatting endlessly with her childhood crush. She talked more that evening than she had in the past decade. Laughed more, too. It was the first time in years that she felt like herself—flesh and blood, someone who could cry, who could laugh, who didn't have to hide or cater to others. The real Gan Qi.
By the time they finished eating, it was nearly 10 PM. The sky was completely dark. A new wave of unease crept in—she hadn't booked a hotel, and the aunt's home, now a crime scene, was no place to go. With just a backpack and a suitcase in hand, where could she possibly go this late? The killer was still on the loose; fear hung in the air. Yang Xing pulled up his car, loaded her luggage in the trunk, and casually asked which hotel she was staying at.
When she admitted she hadn't booked one, and then couldn't even answer where she planned to stay, he gave her an exasperated smile:"You really haven't changed, have you? Always jumping in without thinking! What would you do if I wasn't here?"
Gan Qi looked down like a guilty child. She hadn't realized how soft and unprepared she'd become after ten pampered years as a rich man's wife. Still impulsive at heart, like when she was nineteen—just a backpack and a train ticket, thinking she could take on the world. She thought money could solve everything. Turns out, she hadn't even figured out how to book a hotel.
"Let's go."
Yang Xing pulled her into the passenger seat and drove her to a newly built commercial-residential complex near the town center. Only a few lights flickered in the building, belonging to the late-night office workers. After greeting the security guard, he took her luggage and led her up to Unit C on the 11th floor.
The door opened to a spacious, open-concept studio lined with full-length mirrors on every wall.
"I'm planning to open a dance school here," Yang Xing explained. "Mainly ballroom dance. Still in prep stages."
Beside the studio was a compact one-bedroom unit. The space was small—just a floor mattress, a mini kitchen, and a bathroom. Aside from a single table and chair, it was unfurnished.
Yang Xing explained the building had just been completed and most units were still unoccupied. He'd only recently rented this one. Sometimes when he worked late, he'd stay the night here. It wasn't meant for guests, let alone women—it was barely clean.
Seeing him scramble to tidy up, Gan Qi quickly stopped him. "No need! For a girl with nowhere to go, this is perfect. Yang Xing, I've imposed on you the whole day—I feel terrible. I didn't even thank you properly. Really, thank you. Running into you again… it reminded me that life still has surprises. Today's been such a rollercoaster, but you made it one of the happiest days I've had in years."
Yang Xing ruffled her hair affectionately:"Fourteen years and you're still dumb as ever, but at least your mouth's gotten sharper. That little girl who used to cling to me all day is now so polite, huh? Don't be silly. Take a shower and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning I'll pick you up and we'll go explore the city. A lot of our old spots are gone now. Night night!"
After he left, Gan Qi remained seated, overwhelmed. That simple head pat undid her completely. She cried silently. No one had shown her such genuine warmth in so long. As kids, they never thought of each other as boy and girl. And the men in her adult life? Aside from Xue's crew, there was only Qing Xiang—the man who married her without love, who gave her a set of pajamas and locked her out on the sofa on their first night. The man who wanted her body but called her someone else's name. The father of her son.
If Yang Xing hadn't shown up, maybe she really would've continued drifting through life like a ghost. But now, her heart had been reawakened, and she couldn't ignore it. Not a single call or message had come from that side all day. She had thought of checking in, of letting them know she was safe. But for the first time, she chose not to. She would let herself be selfish.
The floor mattress didn't have the luxurious comfort of her bed at home, but it gave her peace—true peace. Gan Qi woke up early the next day and began tidying the room. She swept, cleaned the tiny kitchen and bathroom, put everything in its place. There was no robot to help, but she found joy in these simple chores. A sense of purpose. A sense of being alive.
From the few ingredients in the fridge, she grabbed an egg, some milk and flour, and made herself a pancake. Brewed a cup of coffee. Sat down and enjoyed her breakfast alone. Being away from home wasn't as scary as she'd thought. In fact, breathing freely made the world feel entirely new. She glanced at her phone—still no message. She wondered if Qing Xiang was making breakfast for Xing Hao.
As it turned out, Qing Xiang had been glancing at his phone ever since the night before. Had Gan Qi arrived safely?
Just as he was thinking that, the door lock clicked open. He rushed to the entrance, half-hoping it was her. But it was Neria, dressed in pastel workout clothes, arms full of shopping bags and smiling brightly. He immediately regretted giving her the passcode.
"What are you doing here?" he frowned.
"With Gan Qi gone, how are you and your son supposed to survive on robot meals? Of course I had to come!"
Neria ignored his irritation and headed straight to the kitchen, spreading out her bags. When sleepy Xing Hao walked out, she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, baby! It's Saturday—why not sleep in a bit more? I'm making breakfast. Where do you want to go later?"
The moment he heard they were going out, Xing Hao's eyes lit up. Qing Xiang, seeing his son so excited, decided not to argue. They both went to get ready.
Meanwhile, Neria hummed as she opened her recipe app. She fried two sunny-side-up eggs, added cherry tomatoes, arranged them into a smiley face with a ketchup crescent moon beneath. Cucumber slices and sausage strips formed the "hair." Pleased with her creation, she took a picture and posted it online with the caption: "Today will be a good day :)" Ever since she'd been thrown out by Qing Xiang the night before, she was determined to win back favor with both father and son.
Gan Qi, just finishing her breakfast, was about to call home when her phone buzzed. It was a notification—Neria's latest social post. Qing Xiang never cared about social media, but his accounts were managed by Neria for public image purposes, so Gan Qi had no choice but to follow them to stay informed.
Seeing that post, she lowered her phone again. Just as she suspected... without her, they were doing just fine.