CH 23

Let me weave your beautiful dream

At exactly ten o’clock, Jiang Huaixi arrived downstairs, Lu Zizheng put the dumplings in a thermal box, carried a bag, and hurriedly descended the stairs.

In the distance, she saw a car parked outside the residential area, with a woman standing next to it. The car looked like Jiang Huaixi’s, but the person didn’t resemble Jiang Huaixi.

As she approached, Lu Zizheng could finally see clearly. Her eyes widened slightly, and she abruptly halted her steps.

Indeed, the person standing beside the car was undoubtedly Jiang Huaixi. However, tonight she had completely transformed her usual style. She had meticulously applied makeup, her jet-black hair transformed into captivating large waves. Gone were her usual shirt and pencil pants, replaced instead by an ankle-length sapphire embroidered cheongsam. She draped a long coat over it and paired it with a pair of slender black high-heeled shoes. The entire aura exuded elegance and allure.

Lu Zizheng had always been confident in her own appearance and had long been immune to Jiang Huaixi’s beauty. But at this moment, she was both amazed and annoyed, causing her to pause and even consider turning back.

After work, she hastily rushed to her mother’s house, still dressed in her office suit. She hadn’t had time to touch up her makeup or even look in the mirror to fix her hair. She was even carrying a bag with Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf on it. Compared to Jiang Huaixi standing at the door, she felt incredibly inadequate, almost losing the courage to stand next to Jiang Huaixi.

Fortunately, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but urge Lu Zizheng, her tone still the familiar Jiang Huaixi: “Did your high heels suddenly get stuck on a sewer cover? Why are you just standing there?”

Lu Zizheng sighed, rubbed her hair, and resignedly walked over.

Once inside the car, Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but steal glances at Jiang Huaixi. Although today Jiang Huaixi’s beauty made her feel ashamed as a fellow woman, she couldn’t deny that this version of Jiang Huaixi was so visually captivating that it was impossible to look away.

Jiang Huaixi drove the car and noticed Lu Zizheng constantly giving her strange looks, knowing that she was wondering about her attire. She calmly explained, “There was a company gala tonight, so I just came from there without changing clothes.”

Lu Zizheng let out a despondent “Oh.” Company gala, exquisite cuisine, clinking glasses—it occurred to her that the dumplings she made had no place in such an extravagant and redundant setting. They seemed so plain and unnecessary. She bit her lip, her eyes gradually dimming, feeling like her existence in Jiang Huaixi’s grandiose upper-class world was insignificant.

Jiang Huaixi keenly caught the melancholy in Lu Zizheng’s eyes and furrowed her brows slightly, playfully saying, “Are you jealous of my beauty and charm compared to yours? I thought you should have accepted that by now.”

Lu Zizheng heard Jiang Huaixi’s familiar self-centered tone, and it snapped her out of her melancholy. She couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile lightly, looking back at Jiang Huaixi as she replied, “I’m sorry, but you’re overthinking. You haven’t earned the qualification to be of interest to me yet.”

Jiang Huaixi tilted her head slightly, glancing at Lu Zizheng, and responded dismissively, “Oh? Is that so?” Her eyes, however, sparkled with understanding.

Lu Zizheng met her gaze for a moment, then turned her head forward, a deeper smile playing on her lips. She compromised and confessed, “I’m sorry, I lied. Today, you are indeed more beautiful than me.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Huaixi’s lips. She was still unsatisfied and retorted, “You’re still lying, and it’s not just today.”

Lu Zizheng had already forgotten her previous sadness and self-pity. She chuckled lightly and said, “That’s enough from you. I’ve met self-centered people before, but never someone as self-centered as you.”

Seeing her laughter, Jiang Huaixi relaxed her brows and changed the topic, asking, “What’s in the bag? Is it my New Year’s gift?”

Lu Zizheng glanced down at the bag next to her seat, slightly taken aback, and replied, “It’s nothing.”

Jiang Huaixi narrowed her eyes. She thought she saw chopsticks in there, but she remained silent and didn’t ask further.

The car parked in the parking lot of Jiangxin Square. At this moment, the square was brightly lit, bustling with people, and filled with the sound of excitement. Groups of people had gathered to watch the New Year Lantern Festival and countdown.

Lu Zizheng pondered silently. Jiang Huaixi probably wanted to take her to see the Lantern Festival. However, she couldn’t help but worry. Jiang Huaixi seemed to be dressed too lightly, and she had just recovered from a cold a few days ago.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Jiang Huaixi got out of the car, she led Lu Zizheng across the street to the opposite side of Jiangxin Square. Standing before them was the tallest building in Linqiu City, with a fully transparent observation deck on the top floor. It was usually open to the public as a tourist attraction, but it closed to visitors at 6 PM.

Lu Zizheng was puzzled, but Jiang Huaixi led her effortlessly into the building and onto the elevator.

Lu Zizheng cast a questioning glance at Jiang Huaixi, but she didn’t offer much explanation, simply saying, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The elevator ascended all the way up, and although the lights were off, the brightness from Jiangxin Square on the other side made the area appear dimly illuminated.

The entire floor was eerily quiet. Lu Zizheng could hear her own footsteps mingling with the tapping of Jiang Huaixi’s high heels. Their heartbeats danced together. It felt as if the whole world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

She followed behind Jiang Huaixi, watching her graceful figure step by step towards the edge of the floor, lost in thought. If the next moment was not the arrival of a new year but the end of the world, would she have the courage to embrace the person in front of her, disregarding everything else? If the countdown outside represented the countdown of her life, then these final moments spent with Jiang Huaixi would be worth it.

Jiang Huaixi was about to reach the very edge of the floor. Lu Zizheng watched from behind, as if she was about to take a step into thin air. Unable to control herself, she exclaimed, “Huaixi, don’t go over there!”

Jiang Huaixi turned around to look at Lu Zizheng. Under the dim, warm light, her features became even more enchanting. The lights from Jiangxin Square behind her resembled a sea, while in the distance, the river sparkled with emerald waves and the reeds swayed gently. Lu Zizheng felt as if she was staring at a massive painting, with Jiang Huaixi emerging from it like a goddess. She beamed a radiant smile and extended her jade-like arm, calling out to Lu Zizheng, “Zizheng, come here…”

Lu Zizheng trembled all over, unable to move.

Jiang Huaixi furrowed her brows and asked, placing her hand on her forehead, “Zizheng, are you afraid of heights?”

Lu Zizheng lowered her gaze and nodded softly. Her fear of heights was not severe, and it usually didn’t bother her much, except for avoiding climbing high mountains. But in this moment, facing such an immense height, it challenged her limits.

Jiang Huaixi sighed helplessly and walked back towards Lu Zizheng. The hem of her cheongsam swayed with her steps, resembling a graceful swimming fish, and her slender, fair legs appeared in glimpses with each movement.

Her cool hand gently held Lu Zizheng’s hand, leading her forward while comforting her, “Zizheng, it’s not as terrifying as you imagine…”

Lu Zizheng’s heart raced uncontrollably. Despite feeling nervous and scared, she couldn’t help but follow Jiang Huaixi, step by step, until they reached the edge. She suddenly yearned to stand beside Jiang Huaixi, at the same height, and catch a glimpse of the beautiful world reflected in her eyes.

Standing in front of the glass, in that fleeting moment of looking down, Lu Zizheng almost wanted to retreat immediately, but her legs had become weak and almost incapable of supporting her. In the next anxious and restless moment, an arm wrapped around her waist, and she fell into Jiang Huaixi’s warm and comforting embrace.

Jiang Huaixi held her gently, and her voice sounded near Lu Zizheng’s ear, clear yet gentle, “With me holding onto you, you won’t fall.” Pausing for a moment, she continued, “Even if you do fall, I’ll be there with you, so you’ll still be ahead.”

Feeling Jiang Huaixi’s steady heartbeat and listening to her soothing words, Lu Zizheng’s heart gradually calmed down. However, upon hearing the latter part of Jiang Huaixi’s statement, she couldn’t help but chuckle and remind her, “Are you sure I’m not the one at a disadvantage? Don’t overestimate my worth.”

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow and calmly said, “Oh, you’ve adapted quite well. You’re no longer afraid and even have the energy to refute me. Since you’re unwilling to acknowledge my value, then I’ll let go…” As she spoke, she was about to retract her hand that was wrapped around Lu Zizheng’s waist.

Lu Zizheng was startled and instinctively placed her hand over Jiang Huaixi’s hand, gripping it tightly.

Jiang Huaixi chuckled softly, “Your body’s reaction is much more honest than your words.”

Lu Zizheng bit her lip, and a blush quietly crept up her cheeks, spreading until it reached her ears.

The crowd in Jiangxin Square began to gather, facing the direction of the massive screen in the southwest. The countdown voice echoed through the sky, reaching the ears of Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi.

“5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”

“Ding, ding, ding…” The New Year’s bell rang, and a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd. Simultaneously, a streak of light glided across the distant riverbank, followed by a brilliant fireworks display in the sky. One after another, fireworks bloomed, shimmering with colorful lights, dazzling and seemingly endless.

Lu Zizheng’s eyes were fixed on the sky, watching as one firework bloomed, dispersed, and another one took its place…

As spectacular as the fireworks were, they eventually couldn’t captivate Lu Zizheng’s gaze any longer. She turned her body halfway, raising her head to gaze at Jiang Huaixi. Her eyes were deep, filled with watery ripples.

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling like stars, as she casually said, “Don’t be too moved. I didn’t set off the fireworks. I simply heard Huaichuan say that there would be fireworks tonight and chose a good spot for you.”

A faint smile curved Lu Zizheng’s lips, but she remained silent, still looking at her in the same way.

Jiang Huaixi shifted her gaze away from Lu Zizheng, looking up at the night sky. Suddenly, she spoke with a serious tone, “I saw a shooting star. Make a wish quickly.”

Lu Zizheng turned her body with skepticism, only to see the brilliant fireworks in the night sky, already obscuring the twinkling of the stars and no sign of the shooting star Jiang Huaixi mentioned.

Nevertheless, Jiang Huaixi urged her, “Another shooting star just streaked past. If you don’t make a wish now, you’ll miss the chance.”

Although still doubtful, Lu Zizheng obediently closed her eyes and devoutly made a wish. Believing in wishing upon a shooting star wasn’t because she was naive, but because her heart yearned so intensely.

In her mind, she silently repeated, “May my mother live a long and healthy life, and may Huaixi be well forever. I’m willing to exchange it at any cost.”

Jiang Huaixi lowered her head, watching Lu Zizheng with closed eyes, sincerely making her wish. Her expression was gentle as she lightly kissed Lu Zizheng’s tousled hair, silently promising her, “Yes. The shooting star may not have heard your wish, but I did.”

After Lu Zizheng finished making her wish, she opened her eyes and heard Jiang Huaixi mocking her, “Zizheng, I didn’t know you were so easily fooled.”

Despite the mockery, Lu Zizheng felt a sense of inner peace, knowing that her wish would come true. Ignoring Jiang Huaixi’s teasing, she leaned against her embrace, watching the fireworks continuing to blossom in the sky. Softly, she wished Jiang Huaixi a “Happy New Year.”

Jiang Huaixi tightened her arm around Lu Zizheng’s waist and glanced at the fireworks on the horizon. Her voice carried warmth as she responded, “Yes, Happy New Year…”

Zizheng, if they only offer you nightmares, then let me weave your beautiful dreams.