The snow had been falling softly for several days and only stopped on the thirty-first.
The entire city of Chucheng was covered in a blanket of white snow. Early in the morning, sanitation workers were already clearing the streets, and steam rose from the breakfast shop entrances. Everyone was bundled up in down jackets.
Sheng Qingxi, wrapped in her down jacket and scarf, looked at Lin Ran. Lin Ran, however, was only wearing his winter school uniform without anything extra over it.
She was still drinking her milk when Lin Ran reached out and tucked one of Sheng Qingxi’s hands into his pocket. Even with all her layers, her hands still didn’t feel as warm as his.
There were quite a few people standing by the bus stop. The older ones recognized Sheng Qingxi and Lin Ran. Some younger people, who hadn’t seen them before, kept casting curious glances their way.
It wasn’t until Lin Ran’s cold gaze swept over them that they quickly averted their eyes.
In the past, Sheng Qingxi would have struggled, but after enduring through this winter, she was tired and simply let Lin Ran do as he pleased.
After Sheng Qingxi finished her milk, Lin Ran casually informed her, “Your mom told me she’s busy tonight and can’t look after you. She asked me to take you to my place for dinner and spend New Year’s Eve together.”
Sheng Qingxi was momentarily stunned. Sheng Lan hadn’t mentioned anything about this to her.
Seeing her confused expression, Lin Ran couldn’t resist teasing her. He dropped the smile from his face and spoke with a cold tone, “What, you don’t want to spend New Year’s Eve with me?”
By now, Sheng Qingxi was used to dealing with Lin Ran. When she heard this, she turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Lin Ran waited for a while but still didn’t get a response. When he leaned down to take a closer look, he saw her little face scrunched up, clearly upset and unwilling to talk to him.
Lin Ran thought for a moment. She was becoming harder and harder to tease.
After a brief standoff, Lin Ran gave in, humbling himself as he admitted defeat. “Sheng Qingxi, please spend New Year’s Eve with me.”
Sheng Qingxi glanced at him but didn’t say anything. Instead, she quietly extended her pinky finger, hooking it around his.
Their hands, snugly nestled in Lin Ran’s pocket, pressed warmly against each other. Feeling her gesture, Lin Ran knew she had agreed. He let out a soft chuckle, pinched her cheek, and gave it a gentle tug. “You little rascal.”
…
In previous years, He Mo and Xie Zhen had spent nearly every holiday with Lin Ran, and tonight was no exception. As soon as school ended, the two of them packed their bags, ready to head over to Lin Ran’s place. Tonight was yet another of their brothers’ gaming nights.
The two of them stood there, staring blankly to the left, both thoroughly confused.
Lin Ran was helping Sheng Qingxi pack her things.
Sheng Qingxi could have easily packed her own bag, but for some reason, Lin Ran seemed to have gone a little crazy, acting as though he had never seen a girl’s schoolbag before. He made her sit in his seat while he packed for her.
Truth be told, Lin Ran really had never seen a girl’s schoolbag.
His little sister, Lin Yanyan, never let him see her bag, although to be fair, he had never been particularly curious.
Lin Ran unzipped Sheng Qingxi’s pale pink schoolbag and took a look inside. There were her medicine, snacks prepared by Sheng Lan, a few different hair clips and elastics, a packet of tissues, a small mirror, a little notebook she used frequently, and a pen tucked inside it.
These were all things Lin Ran could understand.
He picked up a black egg-shaped item and stared at it for a while. “What’s this?”
Sheng Qingxi glanced over. “It’s hand cream. Song Shiman bought it for me.”
Lin Ran put down the hand cream and picked up a small round pink container. “What about this?”
Propping her chin in her hand, Sheng Qingxi replied, “Lip balm.”
Just as Lin Ran was about to put the lip balm back, he suddenly remembered that the last few times he had kissed Sheng Qingxi, her lips had tasted like strawberries, not much different from the milk candy he liked.
Lin Ran thought for a moment and turned to look at Sheng Qingxi. “Next time, try the grape flavor. I like grapes too.”
At first, Sheng Qingxi didn’t understand what Lin Ran was talking about. But when it finally clicked, her face flushed red. She glared at him fiercely. “Hurry up! Yanyan is still waiting for us!”
Lin Ran chuckled. “Even when you get angry, you’re not as fierce as that little thing 2018. At least that little one knew how to show her claws.”
Sheng Qingxi ignored him.
Afraid that he might actually upset her, Lin Ran quickly got serious and continued packing her bag. He remembered what their New Year’s homework was, but when he picked up Sheng Qingxi’s assignments, he discovered that this girl had already finished all of her work.
Each test paper was completely filled out.
All Lin Ran could do was put the homework back and grab her thermos. After securing the thermos, he started picking out some of her washi tapes. She loved playing around with those little things.
Lin Ran couldn’t really tell which ones were her favorites, so he randomly chose a few of the ones she often used and put them in her bag, along with the notebook she used specifically for the tapes. Once he was done, he admired his work for a moment, feeling confident that he hadn’t forgotten anything.
“Is everything packed?” Lin Ran raised an eyebrow.
Sheng Qingxi glanced at him, then stood up and looked toward He Mo and Xie Zhen. “Ah Zhen, Mozi, let’s go.”
He Mo grinned. “Got it!”
Xie Zhen quickly followed, “Wait for me!”
Lin Ran, left behind at his desk, muttered, “…”
Where were his brothers?
Where was his Xiao Xi?
The world is truly getting worse!
—
At Chengnan Garden.
As soon as Lin Ran opened the door, the delicious aroma of food filled the air. He paused for a moment, then remembered that Aunt Chen knew they’d be gathering at his place for New Year’s Eve. She would cook and then leave afterward.
Lin Ran glanced back at Sheng Qingxi, who was still completely unaware. She was chatting quietly with Lin Yanyan.
Without hesitation, Lin Ran grabbed Sheng Qingxi’s hand and pulled her away from the group. “You guys go ahead. I’m taking her to buy something. We’ll be right back.”
Just like that, Sheng Qingxi was inexplicably dragged away by Lin Ran.
Lin Yanyan stared after them in confusion. She looked up at Xie Zhen. “Brother Zhen, where is my brother going? Did they forget something?”
Xie Zhen was at a loss for words. “…”
What is Lin Ran up to this time?
He Mo ruffled Lin Yanyan’s hair. “Your brother is impulsive. Don’t worry about him. Let’s go inside first.”
Lin Yanyan nodded.
Both He Mo and Xie Zhen were carrying large bags of snacks and ingredients, as they planned to have a barbecue in Lin Ran’s backyard. There was a greenhouse in the garden, originally meant for growing plants, but neither Lin Ran nor Lin Yanyan had much interest in that, so it had remained empty.
As soon as He Mo entered, he noticed Aunt Chen in the kitchen. He set down his things and muttered, “There’s so much food. I wonder if we’ll even finish it all? I’ll tell Aunt Chen to stop after this last dish.”
Before he could, Xie Zhen grabbed him, the chubby boy shaking with frustration. “How could we not finish? Are you underestimating my appetite?”
He Mo: “…”
After Lin Yanyan put down her schoolbag, she went straight into the kitchen to help Aunt Chen. When Aunt Chen saw her, she forced a smile. “Yanyan, you’re back from school? Where’s your brother?”
Even though Lin Yanyan was young, it didn’t stop her from noticing that Aunt Chen seemed in low spirits, looking even more worn out than she had before.
After a moment of thought, Lin Yanyan quietly asked, “Auntie, are you okay?”
Aunt Chen had only come today because she didn’t want the children to go hungry. Her emotions had been held in for some time, but hearing Yanyan’s gentle concern, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
Aunt Chen turned off the stove and raised her hand to cover her eyes.
The sound of quiet, stifled sobbing filled the kitchen.
Lin Yanyan panicked immediately. She quickly pulled out some tissues and handed them to Aunt Chen, stammering, “Auntie, don’t… don’t cry. I… I’ll go get my brother. Wait here.”
The moment Aunt Chen heard that Lin Yanyan was going to find Lin Ran, she quickly pulled herself together and grabbed Yanyan’s hand. “I’m fine, sweetie, just a little upset recently.”
Aunt Chen knew about the tension between Lin Ran and his family and didn’t want her personal troubles to cause any more conflict between them.
Lin Yanyan offered a few more quiet words of comfort. After Aunt Chen finished preparing the meal, she got ready to leave, saying there were still many things at home she had to take care of. “Yanyan, Auntie has to head back now. Don’t forget about the crabs steaming in the pot.”
Lin Yanyan nodded and walked Aunt Chen to the door before returning to the house.
—
At the supermarket near Chengnan Garden.
Sheng Qingxi was picking out fruit while Lin Ran, using the moment, sent a quick message to the group chat.
Share the Joy, Drop the Pain (3)
[Firegun: Did Aunt Chen leave yet?]
[Pandadada: She just left. Hurry up and come back, Brother Ran! We need help!]
[Firegun: On my way.]
Lin Ran breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Aunt Chen had left. He didn’t want to do anything that would upset Sheng Qingxi, especially today. She had been mad at him after school, and it had taken a lot of effort to make her happy again.
After buying the fruit, the two of them headed back to Chengnan Garden. The snow on the road had been cleared, though the little park nearby was still covered in a thick layer. In the distance, a small snowman stood, wearing a scarf and a hat.
It was round and chubby, looking rather cute.
Sheng Qingxi couldn’t help but glance at it a few more times.
The door to the villa was open.
Lin Ran hadn’t ridden his beloved bike in several days. After entering the house, he detoured to the garage to check on it. Sheng Qingxi followed behind him, carefully observing the garage. Along the wall was a large glass display case filled with helmets, each one beautifully designed.
But the one she had bought for him wasn’t there.
Lin Ran noticed her gaze and immediately knew what she was thinking. He took her hand and lazily said, “Of course my baby has to stay with me. It sleeps in the same room with me every night.”
Sheng Qingxi had a vague feeling that something was off about his words, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
She didn’t have time to dwell on it, though, because as soon as they stepped into the living room, they were pulled into the greenhouse to help out.
He Mo and Xie Zhen were busy setting up the barbecue grill, while Lin Yanyan brought out all the dishes Aunt Chen had prepared.
Sheng Qingxi grabbed the fruit and made a fruit platter, along with a vegetable and fruit salad. Everyone was busy with their tasks, preparing to welcome the new year together.
Compared to the lively atmosphere at Chengnan Garden, the villa halfway up the mountain felt much quieter.
Because Lin Youcheng was coming home for dinner, Xu Yirong had been busy since noon. After nearly ten years together, she knew his preferences well. She had prepared fine wine and a lavish feast, waiting for his arrival.
At 7 PM, Lin Youcheng’s car pulled up in front of the villa.
Xu Yirong quickly took off her coat and waited for him at the door.
Just as Lin Youcheng stepped inside, ready to say something, he froze the moment he looked up at her.
Xu Yirong looked different today. She was dressed in formal attire with immaculate makeup, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. What stopped him in his tracks were her earrings.
She was wearing a pair of jade green earrings.
These were a gift from Lin Youcheng, given to her as an anniversary present during their first year of marriage.
Xu Yirong had known that this was He Wanqiu’s favorite color, and because of that lingering resentment, she had never worn them. This was the first time.
Xu Yirong smiled softly. “Youcheng, come in and have dinner.”
Lin Youcheng snapped out of his daze and nodded. “Alright, let’s eat.”
The dining table was filled with a spread of delicious and tempting dishes.
Xu Yirong pulled out a chair for Lin Youcheng and poured him a glass of wine with a smile. Under the bright lights, the wine shimmered like a beautiful gemstone.
—
10 PM, Chengnan Garden.
Sheng Qingxi and Lin Yanyan were sitting on a small rug in front of the sofa, watching the New Year’s Eve concert. Both of them had grabbed fan sticks from who knows where, enthusiastically waving them in the air and cheering.
On the other side of the room, He Mo and Xie Zhen were huddled together on the sofa, playing games and occasionally bickering.
Lin Ran sat there, his face dark, staring at the man on the TV screen who was singing and dancing. After a few moments, he turned his gaze to Sheng Qingxi. The carefree girl, along with the little troublemaker Lin Yanyan, was screaming at the screen like a pair of wild children.
What was this talk of “brothers”? Their real brother was sitting right in front of them!
In Lin Ran’s lap, his cat 2018 boldly reached out a small paw and poked him in the stomach. Then, with a lifted chin, it demanded a head rub, showing none of the timid, well-behaved demeanor from their first meeting.
Lin Ran: “…”
On the last day of the year, Lin Ran was left with a belly full of frustration.