A Tender Gift to You

[Print edition now available, Jinjiang, Chi Muqi]

In her fourth year as a Chinese teacher, Qu Xinran ran into Lian Yunhe, whom she had secretly loved for years.

Looking at the tall man and the little boy in front of her, she tentatively asked, "Is he your kid?"

Before Lian Yunhe could answer, the seven-year-old blurted out,

"Teacher, this is my uncle. He doesn't even have a girlfriend!"

The little boy drew out the last syllable, his voice still childish.

Qu Xinran saw Lian Yunhe smile, then calmly admit,

"Yeah, I'm still single."

*

After learning that Lian Yunhe was single, Qu Xinran "secretly" started pursuing him.

After much effort, she finally won him over.

The day after she became Officer Lian's girlfriend,

Qu Xinran saw him conspiring with his little nephew. She crept over to eavesdrop.

"Uncle, I helped you get Teacher Qu. You can buy me an iPad now, right?"

Lian Yunhe's voice was calm. "What do you call her?"

The seven-year-old nephew immediately changed his answer. "Auntie."

Lian Yunhe gave a satisfied hum and handed the boy the money.

Qu Xinran, eavesdropping nearby: ...?

*

The moment Qu Xinran was most moved by Lian Yunhe

was when he stood before her in a handsome special police uniform and said, one word at a time,

"Teacher Qu, our two units are coordinating, and the higher-ups have assigned me to be your boyfriend." He paused, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Appeals will not be accepted."

One-on-one, mutual pining, a little healing story

#I could have put up with my dull, uneventful life if you hadn't walked toward me#

[Lian, a roguishly handsome officer who's gentle only with his wife x Teacher Qu, reserved, quiet, and a little insecure]

--- A similar upcoming story in the author's collection: Snow Covers This Mountain ---

Xu Yanxi met Lou Ye again on a snow-covered mountain five thousand meters above sea level.

She recognized him from his eyes alone.

Just as in high school, Lou Ye didn't remember the quiet girl who had barely made an impression on him.

And just like before, Xu Yanxi only dared to look at him from afar, keeping all her affection hidden in her heart.

Later, she was lucky enough to stay at the same guesthouse as him, and learned a great deal about his life in recent years from other travelers.

Xu Yanxi was content with that.

On the day they parted, she gathered the courage to say goodbye to Lou Ye, and to the unrequited love she had kept hidden for ten years.

Seeing a trace of confusion in the carefree man's eyes,

Xu Yanxi was about to mention that they had been classmates in high school when Lou Ye suddenly smiled.

"Xu Yanxi."

His voice was clear and cool as he called her by name, perfectly. "Long time no see."

"..."

*

One day after she and Lou Ye started dating,

Xu Yanxi was tidying his room when she found an old phone in the bottom drawer of his desk.

The phone held dozens of unsent love letters, every line brimming with affection.

They were all addressed to the same person:

To Xu Yanxi.

-Mutual pining

Theme: Be confident. You are the best