After Flirting, She Runs Away, Chasing the White Moonlight to the Ends of the Earth - Chapter 7

Unable to resist Fang Lang’s enthusiasm, Ning Nai found herself at apartment 906.

This was her first time visiting such an awkwardly familiar-yet-unfamiliar place—Lu Jin’an’s home, no less—giving her an absurd sense of theatricality.

She couldn’t help but feel a little stiff.

The dining table was already set with pan-seared beef ribs, creamy mushroom soup, grilled cod, and a chicken vegetable salad. The woman bustling in the kitchen was rummaging through the wine cabinet.

Noticing Ning Nai’s arrival, Lu Jin’an turned her head slightly and glanced up with a smile. “We have red wine and champagne. Which would you prefer, President Ning?”

Lu Jin’an was wearing a boat-neck, off-shoulder dress with a loose, flowing silhouette—a stark departure from her usual style. At this moment, she looked effortlessly comfortable, almost ethereal, as if she weren’t in a kitchen but some celestial pool.

Her long, wavy hair was casually tied back, with a few loose strands tucked behind her ears. From this angle, her profile was both soft and sharply defined—a side of her Ning Nai had never seen before, and it was breathtaking.

“Either is fine,” Ning Nai replied, her gaze lingering before she quickly looked away.

Fang Lang pulled out a chair for Ning Nai with gentlemanly courtesy, inviting her to sit. Soon after, Lu Jin’an brought over three glasses of red wine, and dinner began.

“Sis, your cooking keeps getting better. These beef ribs are exactly how I like them,” Fang Lang mumbled through a mouthful of meat, already shoveling in another piece.

The moment he sat down, his gentlemanly facade vanished, replaced by the ravenous appetite of a wild boar that hadn’t eaten in three days.

Lu Jin’an thought of his bold declaration to pursue Ning Nai and inwardly cringed.

She stole a glance at Ning Nai, relieved to see the woman composed and unfazed, showing no sign of disgust toward Fang Lang.

Now that’s some impressive self-control, Lu Jin’an mused.

“There are two more steaks in the pan, Xiao Lang,” Lu Jin’an reminded him, eyeing his nearly empty plate before discreetly kicking him under the table.

Fang Lang shot her a confused look, completely oblivious to his own lack of decorum. He gave her a thumbs-up—my sister gets me—before charging back into the kitchen.

At 20 years old, Fang Lang ate like a 10-year-old.

Lu Jin’an regretted not correcting his table manners earlier. Even with a face as handsome as Pan An’s, his sloppy eating would drag his score into the negatives.

To ease the awkwardness, she quickly raised her glass toward Ning Nai and explained, “My brother’s always eaten like this since he was little. Please don’t mind him, President Ning.”

Fang Lang returned with another mouthful of meat, glaring at her indignantly.

Ning Nai took a small bite of fish, dabbed her lips, and—with impeccable grace—pretended not to notice. Instead, she smoothly shifted the topic with genuine praise:

“Professor Lu, I never would’ve guessed you had such culinary skills. The sear is perfect—crispy outside, tender inside.”

Admittedly, Lu Jin’an’s cooking had made Ning Nai see her in a new light.

“If you like it, President Ning, you should visit more often. It’d give me motivation to cook,” Lu Jin’an said, relieved that Ning Nai didn’t seem bothered. Her smile was warm and sincere.

“Cooking for one isn’t much fun.”

For one?

Ning Nai recalled the scene she’d accidentally witnessed at the bar—Lu Jin’an clearly had a girlfriend. So why was she saying she was alone now?

Long-distance relationship? Open relationship?

Or… already broken up?

Though she knew it wasn’t really her business, Ning Nai couldn’t help pressing further: “Teacher Lu is beautiful and such a great cook, yet she’s single?”

She was curious to see what Lu Jin’an looked like when lying in public.

Fang Lang seized the opportunity to criticize his sister, “Being single is her own fault! What a waste of those cooking skills.”

Not hearing Lu Jin’an personally confirm her relationship status left Ning Nai somewhat disappointed, but getting some indirect information from her brother was relatively objective—at least he didn’t know she had a girlfriend. Perhaps she hadn’t come out to her family yet?

Ning Nai didn’t know what had gotten into her today, but she just couldn’t drop the topic. Despite knowing it was private, she kept pushing playfully, “Why is it her own fault?”

Perhaps intimidated by the murderous glare, Fang Lang quickly zipped his lips: “You’ll have to ask her that yourself.”

The kid at least knew his limits—some topics were sure to get him beaten up.

Lu Jin’an irritably pushed a piece of fruit his way, “Can’t even keep quiet when there’s food in your mouth.”

The question of why Lu Jin’an was single ended abruptly there.

Ning Nai took a small sip of red wine, pretending to be absorbed in the culinary delights.

After a brief silence, Fang Lang found another topic, “Sis, can you get backstage passes for H Band’s tour next month?”

The band was quite niche, little known outside their circle, but after collaborating on a popular IP drama, they’d unexpectedly gained massive popularity.

With her extensive connections in the arts scene, getting those tickets would be a breeze for Lu Jin’an. What surprised her was that not only Fang Lang loved the band—even Ning Nai seemed interested, her eyes clearly lighting up earlier.

Lu Jin’an had been about to flatly refuse her brother when she paused. This was a perfect opportunity to curry favor with the client executive: “H Band? Backstage passes shouldn’t be too hard…”

Before she could finish, Fang Lang was already cheering, “Yes! I knew you could do it, sis!”

While Lu Jin’an was still figuring out how to ask if Ning Nai wanted to join, her brother effortlessly extended the invitation, “Sister Ning, do you like H Band? Want to come with us?”

Lu Jin’an quickly followed up, “Getting three backstage passes shouldn’t be a problem. Wait for my update.”

And just like that, the siblings had Ning Nai’s schedule arranged.

Lu Jin’an knew perfectly well that someone of Ning Nai’s status could easily get tickets to a niche band—this was just a convenient favor, but a favor nonetheless.

Unexpectedly, Ning Nai actually agreed: “In that case, I’ll be indebted to Teacher Lu.”

Lu Jin’an immediately took action, standing up with her phone to make calls on the balcony. Promises made needed prompt fulfillment.

Fang Lang whooped at the table, “Sis, mine and Sister Ning’s happiness is in your hands now!”

That ambiguous statement struck Ning Nai differently—what did he mean by her happiness being in Lu Jin’an’s hands?

The phrasing made Ning Nai’s ears burn.

From the balcony, Lu Jin’an even responded, “Alright, I’ll do my best to hold onto it.”

Ning Nai: “…”

Although Ning Nai fully understood that views on relationships were highly personal—some preferred monogamy while others embraced open relationships, all depending on individual choices and acceptance, with no absolute right or wrong—

The fact that Lu Jin’an was a heartbreaker had irrationally cemented itself in her mind.

Even the way this heartbreaker’s family chatted was so flirtatious.

Feeling the need to steer the conversation in a different direction, Ning Nai said, “It’s fine, Professor Lu. Getting the tickets would be great, but it’s okay if we can’t.”