Beijing, old Fu residence…
Fu Chen walked out of the house with his phone. The frosty wind swept up the fine snowflakes, and the air was so cold that it seeped into his bones. He called twice before the other party answered.
“Hello—” Song Fengwan gripped her phone tightly, her face seemingly flushed with a brilliant layer of color.
“What happened?” It had been more than ten minutes since she said she would go upstairs to get the charger.
Song Fengwan was too embarrassed to say that she had bumped into her mother and Yan Wangchuan doing ‘that’, so she could only stammer, “… I suddenly had something to do and was delayed.”
“Are you really fine?” Fu Chen questioned closely.
“It’s really nothing.” Song Fengwan had no idea how guilty she sounded at this moment.
After chatting for a while, dazzling fireworks suddenly appeared in the sky. Soon after, the sound of firecrackers echoed throughout the night sky. Fireworks and firecrackers were all prohibited within the capital’s city center, so Fu Chen could only hear the deafening sounds coming from Song Fengwan’s phone. The sound of gongs and drums rang out in the Spring Festival Gala from the living room.
“Wanwan.” Fu Chen raised his eyebrows.
“Huh?” Song Fengwan hid in the bathroom to avoid the sounds outside.
“Open the window.”
“What?” Song Fengwan was a little puzzled but still obediently walked to the window…
At this moment, colorful and dazzling fireworks in front of her house instantly lit up the night sky. A golden firework ignited and exploded, and a short [Happy New Year] appeared in the sky.
“Wanwan, Happy New Year.” Fu Chen’s voice was low and leisurely.
Song Fengwan looked up at the night sky, and the dazzling fireworks illuminated her face. “Third Brother, Happy New Year.”
“I miss you…” His voice was low and echoed in her ear for some time.
“Yes, I miss you too.” Song Fengwan’s ears were very red.
When the fireworks were over, it was already five minutes later. Song Fengwan closed the window and went downstairs to wish Old Madam Yan a happy new year.
At this moment, not far away from the Qiao family’s villa, Qian Jiang was standing in an empty spot and suddenly sneezed.
Fu Chen said that he was only here to protect Song Fengwan and be in charge of reporting her schedule. It was fine if he couldn’t go home on Lunar New Year’s Eve, but he was also in charge of setting off the fireworks?
***
On the other side…
Fu Sinian drove all the way to the lobby of the condo building. Most of the people living in the Software Garden came from outside of Beijing, and there were only a handful of people living in the entire community with their lights on. There was a sense of lifeless decline.
Just now, he saw someone setting off fireworks on the roof of the building he lived in from afar. When he got closer, he realized that it was actually Yu Manxi’s unit.
She was leaning against the window with her back facing the light. Due to the distance, her face was clearly visible. He could only see that she was holding something in her hand and facing the sky. Every few seconds, fireworks would burst into the sky, and her other hand was even holding a sparkler.
Fu Sinian reached out to adjust his glasses and looked up at the 16th floor. She really knows how to entertain herself.
The community was very quiet. When Yu Manxi heard the sound of a car, she looked downstairs. She could only blame Fu Sinian’s Jaguar for being too eye-catching and modified too wildly. She recognized his car at a glance and was even stunned for a moment.
The fireworks in her hand had burned out. She didn’t even put on her jacket before she dashed out of the condo, shuffling along in her slippers, and waited for more than two minutes at the elevator entrance. When she saw the rising floor number, her heart lifted into her throat. When the elevator reached the 16th floor, the door opened, and she almost rushed over.
“… Why are you back?” She endured the chattering of her teeth.
“I forgot something.” Fu Sinian lied without blushing or having his heart skip a beat.
“Really?” Yu Manxi moved aside to let him walk out.
“Have you eaten?” Fu Sinian raised his eyebrows.
“Not yet.”
“Want some?” Fu Sinian raised the convenience bag in his hand.
Yu Manxi was stunned for a moment before nodding vigorously. “Yes!” She reached out to take it, still feeling a little ill at ease. “Erm… do you want to come to my place to sit for a while?”
Fu Sinian didn’t say anything and followed her into the condo.
The windows were wide open, and the smell of sulfur from the fireworks filled the entire place. Yu Manxi closed the windows, turned on the indoor ventilation system in the room, and beckoned Fu Sinian to sit down.
Niannian was originally lying on the sofa. When it heard Fu Sinian’s voice, it got up for a hug.
Fu Sinian looked around her condo. There were a few ‘Good Fortune’ characters pasted and traditional Chinese decorative knots hung up, making it look a little festive.
Yu Manxi went to tidy up the fireworks and returned. She took out the meal box that Fu Sinian had packed. From the packaging, she knew that it wasn’t takeaway from a hotel. Her fingertips were trembling slightly, and her nose tingled.
“There are dumplings too. If you want to eat them, cook them yourself,” Fu Sinian said casually with his head lowered while stroking the cat.
“Did your family make these dumplings?” Yu Manxi held her teeth back from chattering.
“My mom wrapped them. It’s cabbage and meat. My dad likes the taste.”
Yu Manxi nodded. “Help me thank Auntie.” She took the meal box and walked to the kitchen.
She…
… had never eaten dumplings made by her mother in her life.
Before Yu Manxi could heat up the food, the clock had already struck midnight. The deafening sound of firecrackers rang outside, and all kinds of fireworks shot into the sky, dying the night sky with various colors. She tilted her head and glanced at the living room. “Happy New Year…”
Fu Sinian was looking out of the window with his head tilted, and the sound of fireworks drowned out her voice.
The Software Garden was in the suburbs, so fireworks could be set off in this area. The sounds were intermittent and lasted for half an hour. Yu Manxi had already finished heating up the food. She called Fu Sinian a few times, but he didn’t seem to hear her.
She had no choice but to walk closer and try to get near to him. Just as she walked over, Fu Sinian, who had been standing at the window and watching the fireworks, suddenly turned around. The distance between the two of them instantly shortened. If he took another step forward, she would fall straight into his arms.
“What’s the matter?” Fu Sinian held the cat in his arms and narrowed his eyes at her.
“… Do you want to eat?” With her being so close to him, the unfamiliar smell on his body rushed straight at her and drilled into her body domineeringly.
“What?” Fu Sinian lowered his body, seemingly not having heard her.
“I said, do you want to eat?” Yu Manxi suddenly looked up, and their eyes met…
The tip of her nose brushed lightly against his chin, and it felt as though an electric current ran through them. Both of their bodies trembled slightly.
“No, you should eat.” After speaking, Fu Sinian moved away.
Yu Manxi’s face was red as she slowly moved to the table. Fu Sinian carried the cat and sat back on the sofa to watch the gala.
By the time she finished eating, the Spring Festival Gala was already nearing the end. The last song was ‘Unforgettable Night’, as per usual. She had eaten a lot today. It wasn’t really because the Fu family’s food was incredibly delicious, but because in the past ten years…
It was the first time someone was accompanying her on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
After tidying everything up, she returned to the living room and found Fu Sinian with his eyes closed, his head half lowered, and leaning against the sofa cushion. His complexion looked sleepy and exhausted.
“Mr. Fu?” Yu Manxi tiptoed over and called him softly.
There was no response. He seemed to have fallen asleep.
She picked up the remote control and turned off the TV. The entire condo instantly fell silent. The surroundings were so quiet that she could hear his even breathing clearly and even her own rapid heartbeat thumping.
She placed her hands on her knees and bent down to examine him.
He was dressed in black, his face was slightly tilted, and his jawline was very beautiful. The glasses on his nose had slid down a little, and his eyelashes were long and fine. The zipper of his collar was slightly pulled down, and she could clearly see his sexy Adam’s apple and collarbones…
She leaned closer and closer. Her breathing was slow, and hot air spread everywhere.
Her heart was pounding like a drum, trembling violently. Every thump seemed as though it was going to break her ribs. Perhaps only at this kind of moment would she dare to be so unrestrained.
She could distinctly see every outline on his face, every edge, every curve, and even his relaxed breathing at this moment was clearly audible.
She felt hot all over her body. Her gaze landed on his thin lips, and her throat moved nervously.
Toward him…
She had an inexplicable obsession to get closer and closer…
Her warm and soft lips landed gently on the corner of his lips. His body was very warm, and his lips…
… were very soft.
There was a faint smell of tobacco. All the tactile sensations in her body seemed to condense in one place, bringing with it a strange tingling feeling. Her ears were red as she suddenly pulled away.
“Meow—” The little kitten lying on Fu Sinian’s lap suddenly meowed.
It woke the sleeping person up with a start.
Fu Sinian had looked through Yu Manxi’s information last night and stayed up all night. It was Lunar New Year’s Eve, and the entire family was present. There was no reason for him to sleep during the day. He hadn’t slept for two days and one night, so he was naturally sleepy.
But he had always been guarded against people, so he hadn’t expected to fall asleep here.
He looked down at his watch. It was already past one in the morning.
“I should go back.” Fu Sinian placed the little kitten on the sofa.
“I’ll send you.” Yu Manxi put on her down jacket and was already planning to leave.
Fu Sinian didn’t say anything and let her send him downstairs.
“Happy New Year.” Yu Manxi smiled exceptionally brightly at him.
Fu Sinian nodded and opened the door on the first floor of the condo building. Little bits of snow fell all over the floor. When he stepped on it, the sound of the fragments being crushed was a little ear-piercing.
Yu Manxi stood at the door and watched as his car drove off before returning home reluctantly.
It was almost two o’clock when Fu Sinian arrived home. Most of the Fu family was asleep, and only his mother and Fu Wan were clearing the table. When they saw him return, they were slightly surprised.
“Why are you back?”
Fu Sinian frowned. “Shouldn’t I come back?” What does she mean? Should I spend the night outside?
***
First day of Lunar New Year…
According to Yuncheng’s tradition, every family would wake up early to eat dumplings. Song Fengwan only woke up around eight in the morning and went downstairs. She didn’t expect that the person making the dumplings was actually Old Madam Yan.
“Grandma Yan.” Song Fengwan ran over to help. “My mom isn’t up yet?”
Qiao Aiyun had always woken up early and never slept in.
“Perhaps she was too tired yesterday.” Old Madam Yan couldn’t contain her joy.
Song Fengwan coughed twice. She’s indeed too tired. Yesterday, the bed was shaking nearly all night and kept making creaking noises. I was so worried that the bed would suddenly collapse.
Logically speaking, how can people this old be so energetic?
Song Fengwan had fallen asleep with her earphones on yesterday while listening to music and surfing Weibo. She didn’t know exactly what time the two of them had been busy until last night.
After breakfast, Song Fengwan accompanied Old Madam Yan out for a stroll around the community. When they returned, it was already past two in the afternoon, but there was still no movement in the house.
Around four o’clock, Yan Wangchuan finally went downstairs.
“Uncle Yan, Happy New Year.” Song Fengwan was watching the replay of the Spring Festival Gala.
“Mhm.” Yan Wangchuan’s voice was hoarse. Even though he was wearing a turtleneck sweater, he still couldn’t hide the scratches on his neck. Even the corner of his mouth had bite marks.
Song Fengwan raised her eyebrows slightly. So intense?
“My mom…”
“She’s very tired. Don’t disturb her.”
Song Fengwan’s face turned blood red. Why do I feel that he’s feeling a little pleased with himself when he said this?
“There are still dumplings.” Old Madam Yan pointed at the kitchen. “Is Aiyun coming down to eat?”
“No, she’s still asleep.” Although Yan Wangchuan’s expression was as indifferent as usual, the tone of his voice rose slightly. He couldn’t hide his good mood.
“You’re really…” Old Madam Yan lowered her voice. “Don’t be so fierce. You have to control yourself.”
Yan Wangchuan pursed his lips and remained silent.
“After being busy all night and day without eating or drinking, how can your body take it? You’re not young anymore. You have to learn how to control yourself. Plan for the long term.”
Long term? Yan Wangchuan nodded. “I understand.”
He went into the kitchen to cook some dumplings, and only then did he have time to turn on his phone. Various blessings and messages almost burst his phone. Most of them were from ordinary business partners. Yan Wangchuan replied to them one by one. When he saw Fu Chen’s message, he hesitated for a moment before calling him back.
Fu Chen was currently having a small gathering with Duan Linbai and a few others at the clubhouse. When he received the call, he was a little surprised.
He almost never took the initiative to contact him. “Hello, Mr. Yan.”
“Mhm.” Yan Wangchuan stared at the boiling water, pinched the dumplings, and put them into the water one by one.
“Happy New Year. It sure is rare for you to call me.”
“I just saw your message. I didn’t reply in time. Sorry.”
Fu Chen’s message was sent at midnight on the dot yesterday. It had already been more than ten hours. He raised his eyebrows slightly. He specially called me to apologize? This doesn’t seem like his way of doing things.
“It’s fine.” Fu Chen chuckled and couldn’t help wondering what had kept him busy from night to afternoon the next day.
“Your Aunt Yun hasn’t eaten yet. I’m cooking for her. I’ll hang up first.”
Fu Chen was flabbergasted.
He specially called me for this?
If this isn’t showing off, then what is? You… If you did it, so be it! What does it have to do with me?!
Seriously.
The few people at the side saw Fu Chen’s face turn from white to green. Other than Duan Linbai, who couldn’t see—this fool was still eating tangerines—the others were slightly surprised.
There’s actually someone in this world who can piss Fu Chen off?
He’s quite a character then.