The Moon Runs to Me

“Xiao Chen.” Chen Zhiqin arrived late. Before entering, he spotted Xie Yuncan standing alone outside and called out, patting his shoulder. “Why aren’t you going in?”

Xie Yuncan’s gaze was clear as he looked into the distance. A dim light traced a faint silhouette—but it was only a fleeting glimpse. The window was empty now, nothing but the leaves of a monstera plant trembling slightly in the night breeze.

He withdrew his gaze, his voice low. “Just getting some air.”

Chen Zhiqin smiled warmly. “What you said on stage today—everyone heard it. What, is there really someone you like?”

Xie Yuncan’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He didn’t deny it.

Chen Zhiqin raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So there is. Is it that girl you brought today?”

Chen Zhiqin usually paid little attention to the outside world, let alone new celebrities. He’d only caught a distant glimpse of her at the venue—far away, not very clear. He could only tell she had striking presence, probably a beautiful, gentle young woman.

Xie Yuncan murmured an affirmative, a faint smile softening his usually cool features. But then he thought of her instinctive retreat, her stifled sobs—and that smile vanished. His eyes darkened, his chest tightening with an inexplicable pang.

Chen Zhiqin found it both surprising and gratifying. After a moment, he sighed. “Looks like your teacher’s wife is going to be disappointed today.”

Madam Chen had one hobby these days—matchmaking. And Xie Yuncan was an exceptionally good prospect at their institute: handsome, young, and capable. If not for the fallout from his father’s scandal, he’d have been promoted soon. Such an eligible bachelor was naturally in high demand.

She’d already lined up several suitable young women from good families, all eager to meet him. But Xie Yuncan had brushed them all off.

And today, knowing he’d be at the symposium, she’d insisted on dragging him over for dinner.

Chen Zhiqin had initially thought his wife was overstepping—whether Xie Yuncan found someone was his own business. Others meddling was, frankly, presumptuous.

But over time, even the younger colleagues had started dating someone—everyone except him.

Chen Zhiqin worried that if this continued, he’d end up alone forever. As his mentor, he naturally wanted the best for him.

He sighed and advised, “You can’t stay so closed off. Women need to be pursued with care. You’re the odd one among your peers—you’ve put everything into work. That’s important, but it can’t come at the expense of your personal life.”

“Don’t be so dull while you’re still young.” Chen Zhiqin joked. “You’re not an old fogey like me. Go take a girl out to the movies, on dates. You need to start planning your romantic life.”

Xie Yuncan’s gaze lingered thoughtfully on the now-empty window ledge. His voice was low and rough. “Mm, you’re right. I should be more proactive.”

“That’s it.” Chen Zhiqin was pleased. “A man needs thick skin when pursuing someone. Show sincerity, but don’t make her uncomfortable. Learn the right approach. If you put half the effort into this as you do your work, it can’t go wrong.”

“Take me and your teacher’s wife—I won her over by sheer persistence. She didn’t even look twice at me at first. But over time, even ice melts. It’s all about whether you’re willing to put in the effort and set aside unnecessary pride. Feelings aren’t like data—they don’t follow a pattern. Even miscalculations can be fixed, but one wrong step in love and everything can fall apart. Don’t wait until she’s grown cold before you regret it.”

Chen Zhiqin spoke earnestly, afraid he wouldn’t listen. His student was perfect in every other way, but when it came to relationships, he was genuinely concerning. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to pursue—he just didn’t care. Over the years, plenty of women had pursued him, but not one had caught his attention. He wouldn’t even give them a chance, shutting them down completely.

Just then, Chen Zhiqin’s phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he knew it was his wife. He sighed. “Come on. Your teacher’s wife and the others are probably here by now.”

This “dinner” was essentially a thinly veiled matchmaking session. Everyone else was just set dressing.

Song Penny, being newly returned and single, had also been roped in. She couldn’t refuse, so she’d come along. Qin Sang couldn’t leave early either—she’d driven them that morning, since Penny only had an international license. But she’d had some drinks too, so they’d probably need a designated driver later.

Qin Sang felt a little lightheaded. She’d stepped out to get some air after taking a call. But as soon as she’d left, Xie Yuncan had come out too. When she saw him standing below, their eyes met—her heart skipped, and she instinctively ducked into a corner.

She stayed outside for a while, only slipping back to the private room after the call ended. She tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, sneaking back like a student cutting class. But her seat was hard to reach—she ducked low, trying to squeeze in, when she stumbled and nearly fell.

A hand reached out, steadying her by the arm. The warmth of his palm pressed against her skin, a faint callus brushing lightly, sending a slight tingle.

She glanced up. His gaze was deep, as always, his hold firm but gentle. That faint mint scent, like a shot of adrenaline, brushed past her nose. His voice was low, a little husky. “Careful.”

She swallowed, murmured a soft, “Thanks.”

It was quick—just a fleeting touch, unnoticed by anyone else. She lowered her lashes, missing the brief flicker in his eyes as he pulled away.

When she sat down, Penny, sitting diagonally across, had seen the whole exchange. “Feeling better?”

“Hm?” Qin Sang’s gaze was sluggish, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. Her thoughts, already sluggish, seemed further slowed by that brief contact.

Penny smiled. “Nothing. I thought maybe you’d cleared your head after stepping out.”

Since she and Xie Yuncan had left around the same time, Penny had assumed they might have talked things out outside.

But clearly, they hadn’t—or maybe they had, in their own way. Her cousin had always been soft-hearted beneath her tough exterior. Since she truly liked him, how long could she hold out?

Penny sighed softly, leaned in, and slid a glass of honey grapefruit tea toward her. “Don’t drink any more. You’ll feel awful with a hangover.”

Qin Sang was about to thank her when Penny interrupted. “Don’t thank me—I didn’t order this.”

She paused, instinctively looking up. The man sitting across from her was half-turned, listening to someone beside him, his profile clear and sharp. His sleeves were casually rolled up, revealing defined forearm muscles. But his attention was clearly elsewhere—listening with a touch of indifference.

Qin Sang held the glass. The fresh scent of grapefruit tea eased her nausea, and the suffocating stuffiness in the room subsided. The tea was still warm. She didn’t drink—just held it, her emotions in a knot.

Then, Madam Chen, seated beside her husband, suddenly spoke up: “Xiao Chen, your teacher says you’ve decided to go back to work at the institute—you’re not resigning anymore, are you?”

Xie Yuncan paused briefly. “Mm. Still waiting on the investigation results.”

Xie Zhenting’s matter still hadn’t concluded, so he was unavoidably implicated. But the institute valued talent, so they hadn’t made a final decision—just given him a leave of absence while the investigation ran its course.

Madam Chen reassured him, “Don’t worry. It should be fine. I know your father—reckless at times, but not foolish enough to cause real trouble.”

Xie Yuncan’s lips twitched, but he didn’t respond.

Madam Chen swiftly changed the subject. She swirled her cup, testing the waters. “Xiao Chen, I remember you’re three years younger than Xiao Zhou. He just turned thirty—so you’re… twenty-seven, right?”

Xie Yuncan gave a noncommittal response. “Teacher’s wife, you have a good memory.”

Madam Chen smiled, eyes crinkling. “Twenty-seven—time to think about finding a girlfriend, don’t you think? Your teacher got married around that age.”

“As it happens, I have a niece about your age, very accomplished. She graduated from Peking University and now works at Beijing Television as a legal program host. Beautiful, hardworking. If you’re interested, why don’t I arrange a meeting?”

This wasn’t the first time she’d tried to set him up. Among the younger generation, Xie Yuncan’s prospects were undeniably outstanding. Even her niece—who was notoriously picky—had loosened up after seeing his photo, even asking her aunt to sound him out.

“Stop making trouble.” Chen Zhiqin sighed helplessly. “Xiao Chen already has someone he likes.”

Madam Chen was startled. “Xiao Chen, you have someone you like?”

The moment she asked, the entire private room fell silent. Everyone looked at him. He’d already publicly acknowledged his feelings at the symposium, but it hadn’t been the right time to ask. Now, with Madam Chen broaching the subject, everyone perked up, eager to hear more.

Xie Yuncan admitted calmly, “I do have someone I like.”

Qin Sang, sitting in the corner, felt her heart race wildly, her throat dry.

She moistened her lips and took a sip of water. Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt his gaze flick toward her—subtle, deep.

Madam Chen was genuinely surprised. “Really? You’re not bluffing? Who is she? I’ve never heard you mention anyone.”

Xie Yuncan smiled, open and composed. “Still working on it.”