Chapter 281: Birthday Homecoming

On her birthday that morning, while still asleep around eleven, Heqing’s mom called unexpectedly, asking when she could come back.

At the time, Heqing was sleeping soundly in Lin Zheng Ran’s arms.

Woken by the phone ring, she heard her mom’s question and snapped awake, mumbling, “I-I’ll come back tomorrow?”

Lin Zheng Ran woke up too, and they shared a soft glance and a smile.

But Aunt He said, “Weren’t you planning to come back today? I thought you’d be here.”

Heqing twirled a finger in her hair, feeling guilty. “That’s what I thought at first, but something came up.”

“Something? What exactly? Heqing, you sound like you’re still in bed. What time is it?”

“Ah? Emmm, hehe.”

Aunt He caught on, her voice turning serious. “Heqing? Where are you? Are you at your brother Zheng Ran’s place? Did you stay over?”

Heqing’s face flushed with nervousness, and she waved her hands even though no one could see. “No no, I’m just sleeping in at the hotel! I just got back from traveling with Lin Zheng Ran and was catching up on sleep. I’m not staying at his place!”

“Really?”

“Really! I’d never lie to you, Mom. I don’t lie.”

After saying that, she caught Lin Zheng Ran’s meaningful look and blushed even more.

Aunt He didn’t press further. Even if they hadn’t done anything, her daughter was grown up and had liked Lin Zheng Ran for years.

“Okay, I believe you. If you’re free today, why not come back? It’s your birthday, and I bought a cake. Plus, your grandma hurt her back yesterday, so I hope you can help look after her for a couple of days.”

Hearing about her grandma’s injury, Heqing grew anxious. “Grandma got hurt? How? Is it serious?”

“It’s not a big thing, but she needs help getting to the restroom and such. I have to work, so someone needs to watch her during the day.”

Heqing looked at Lin Zheng Ran with reluctance. “Alright… I’ll get up and pack, then catch a ride this afternoon.”

“You should get in around evening, right?”

“Yeah, but it might be late.”

“That’s fine. I’ll meet you at the station.”

“Okay, thanks Mom. I’ll hang up and pack my things.”

After the call, Heqing sat with her hair loose, her face showing worry and reluctance as she looked at Lin Zheng Ran. “Lin Zheng Ran, my grandma’s hurt. I don’t want to leave, but I have to go check on her.”

“Yeah, let’s get you packed and up. I’ll drop you at the station.”

With that, Heqing’s eyes welled up with tears, her lips pouting as she hugged Lin Zheng Ran tight. “I don’t want to be apart from you.”

Lin Zheng Ran stroked her head. “We’ll see each other again after school starts. If you miss me, just video call.”

Heqing sniffled. “Alright… and you, don’t go flirting around while I’m gone.”

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled. “Got it.”

“Wah, I don’t want to go…”

Though reluctant, Heqing changed into her clothes, slipping back into the little dress and short sleeves she’d worn when she arrived.

She sat on the bed’s edge, biting a hair tie as she pulled her thick hair into a ponytail.

After putting on her shoes, she kept glancing back at Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran was used to her sad expression—it always showed up when she had to do something she hated.

“Come on, cheer up once you’re home. I was going to get you medicine this afternoon, but now you can head back. I’ll mail the stuff to you.”

Heqing nodded sadly and leaned on Lin Zheng Ran’s shoulder.

He walked her to the station with her suitcase, and she waved. “Okay, I’m off! I’ll miss you.”

“Mm.”

“Lin Zheng Ran, I’m really leaving. See you when school starts.”

“Mm.”

“I really am…”

Lin Zheng Ran hugged her and patted her back. “Alright, go on. Call if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Once she boarded the high-speed train home, Lin Zheng Ran watched it pull away. Heqing pressed against the window, gazing back at him.

She waved from inside the train.

He kept watching until the train vanished, then turned and left the high-speed train station.

Soon, his phone rang—it was Heqing.

Lin Zheng Ran answered, “What is it? Forget something?”

“No… I just miss you already. Wanted to hear your voice.”

“We just parted less than a minute ago.”

They chatted briefly before hanging up, and Lin Zheng Ran headed home.

On the train, Heqing stared out the window, lost in thought.

What she was thinking was obvious.

That evening, nearing midnight.

At the southern bus station, Aunt He waited for her daughter.

Heqing pulled her suitcase off the bus and ran to her mom. “Mom, I’m back!”

Aunt He saw her mix of joy and sadness. “What’s with that face? Not happy to see me?”

Heqing blinked. “No! I’m happy!” She forced a smile. “Hehe, let’s head home, Mom. I want to check on Grandma!”

The mother and daughter drove home.

On the way, Aunt He asked how her trip went.

Heqing opened up, describing everything they’d done and how beautiful the mountains were.

She talked nonstop while Aunt He drove and listened.

Aunt He’s real curiosity wasn’t about the trip itself, but whether Heqing had been with Lin Zheng Ran the whole time.

And she was right—Heqing’s happiness shone through her words and gestures.

Aunt He’s own failed marriage had once made her indifferent to her daughter’s feelings for Lin Zheng Ran. She hadn’t thought it would last, but years later, she believed in love again.

Her daughter’s devotion was plain to see.

Back home, they visited Grandma and confirmed her injury wasn’t severe, though it would take time for an older person to recover.

The next day.

At noon, Heqing received the package Lin Zheng Ran had sent.

It contained two dark pills, one larger and one smaller, wrapped in foil with no branding.

No labels, just basic packaging.

But there was a handwritten note from Lin Zheng Ran: “The bigger one for Grandma, the smaller for Aunt. I tailored them by age, so don’t mix them up.”

He added a note: “If you do mix them, it’s not a big deal—just means they’re not as targeted, but still way better than store-bought stuff.”

Heqing thought, Does Lin Zheng Ran really make medicine?

And he’d shaped them like pills! He’s amazing!

As if she’d mess up giving them to Mom and Grandma— she’s not that clumsy.

She snapped a photo of the package and texted Lin Zheng Ran. “Got it! I’ll give them to Grandma and Mom right away.”

“Received! I’ll give it to Grandma and Mom as soon as I get back.”