Love's Ambition

Chapter 1

As Xu Yan prepared for her yoga class, she received an unexpected call from Qiao Lin.

Surprised to hear that Qiao Lin was in Beijing, Xu Yan suggested meeting in the evening. After a moment of silence, Qiao Lin asked pleadingly, "Where are you now? Can I come to see you?"

It had been two years since they last met when their grandmother passed away. Xu Yan had returned to Tai'an briefly, taking some childhood mementos with her.

As she was leaving, Qiao Lin asked, "Are you planning never to come back?" Xu Yan replied, "You can visit me in Beijing." Qiao Lin then inquired, "Can I call you when I'm feeling down?" "Of course," Xu Yan had assured her.

Qiao Lin often called late at night, sometimes crying for long periods. However, she hadn't called in the past five months.

Darkness had fallen as they sat in the car. The interior light illuminated Qiao Lin's profile, revealing bruises on her cheekbone and the corner of her mouth.

Xu Yan asked what she wanted to eat. Turning to face Xu Yan with a smile, Qiao Lin replied, "Something spicy would be nice. I can't taste much." She sat up straight, pulling the seatbelt away from her belly, and asked,

"Can I not wear this? It's uncomfortable." "Keep it on," Xu Yan insisted. "I'm still new to driving, and this car is borrowed."

Qiao Lin leaned forward slightly and said, "Drive faster then. Take me for a spin."

The road was congested. After inching forward a few hundred meters, they stopped at an intersection.

Xu Yan turned and asked, "When are Mom and Dad leaving?" "Early tomorrow morning," Qiao Lin answered. "What did you tell them?"

Xu Yan pressed. "I said I was meeting high school friends. They didn't pay much attention," Qiao Lin explained.

Xu Yan advised, "If they ask about me, tell them I'm away on a business trip." Qiao Lin nodded, "I know, I know."

As they entered the underground parking lot of a shopping mall, Xu Yan applied the handbrake and announced their arrival.

Qiao Lin, leaning back in her seat, murmured, "I don't want to move. This seat even has a heater. It's so comfortable." She closed her eyes, seeming to drift off. Xu Yan gently shook her.

Qiao Lin took Xu Yan's hand and placed it on her belly, whispering, "Baby, this is your Aunt Xu Yan. Say hello."

In the darkness, a smile spread across her face. Xu Yan felt something move beneath her palm, like a gentle wave lapping against her hand. She withdrew her hand and said to Qiao Lin, "Let's go."

Xu Yan crouched, clutching her stomach. Under the blazing sun, legs moved around her, leaping over hurdles. "Jump! Jump now!" someone shouted at her.

Mustering all her strength, she stood up. The hurdle loomed before her, drawing closer. Someone grabbed her... She realized she was in the car, Qiao Lin's voice floating above her, "Driver, please hurry." Feeling reassured, she closed her eyes.

Xu Yan had forgotten she once shared the surname Qiao. She had used it for fifteen years.

When applying for her ID card, she had changed to her grandmother's surname. Her grandmother had said, "I might die next year. If you need to go back to your parents, you can change it back to Qiao then."