CH 51

On New Year’s Eve.

Lin Yuxing woke up naturally, feeling energetic.

On his phone, he received an early New Year’s greeting from Su Li.

And there was a message from Liao Yan, with a hint of sarcasm: [Forgot about your friends now that you have a husband?]

Lin Yuxing couldn’t be bothered with him.

After Lin Yuxing finished washing up, he picked shirt with a shirt collar. In the mirror, his hair seemed a bit longer.

Lin Yuxing tied a small ponytail with a hair tie.

Before, whenever Lin Yuxing wore a shirt with a slightly lower collar, he would deliberately cover the back of his neck with his hair. Gu Zhongyi specifically went out and bought disposable hair ties to meticulously tie up his back hair.

“When it’s just the two of us, it’s fine to be casual.”

Through his actions, Gu Zhongyi showed Lin Yuxing that he genuinely didn’t mind.

At first, Lin Yuxing wasn’t used to it, but slowly, with Gu Zhongyi in his life, he began to accept his imperfections.

However, Lin Yuxing had a plan. After graduating and repaying his student loans, he would start saving money to undergo adenoid repair from the doctor recommended by Ji Mu.

Regardless of whether it could be fixed or not, Lin Yuxing wanted to give it a try.

After tidying up his clothes, he walked out of the room.

He roamed around the living room but didn’t see Gu Zhongyi, so he happily headed towards the kitchen.

That day was New Year’s Eve, the first New Year he was incredibly looking forward to, spending it with the person he liked.

Lin Yuxing knocked on the door. “Senior, I’m coming in.”

The kitchen window had no curtains, allowing the bright sunlight to shine through. Gu Zhongyi was wearing an apron, cooking a small pot of golden abalone porridge.

“Did you sleep well?”

Gu Zhongyi wiped his hands on the apron and poured a cup of warm water for Lin Yuxing.

They say drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach allows you to live to be a hundred.

Lin Yuxing raised his head and drank the liquid in one gulp. He wiped the corners of his mouth and noticed the uncut scallions on the chopping board. He rolled up his sleeves and started cutting them.

He smelled the aroma coming from the pot and couldn’t help but feel hungry. “It tastes like the dishes in a restaurant.”

“I learned from the chef,” replied Gu Zhongyi, showcasing his cooking skills acquired from their own family chef.

Even the chef, who shouldn’t have shared his expertise with the boss, compromised under Gu Zhongyi’s generous financial incentives and sincere statement, “I want to cook for my boyfriend.”

Lin Yuxing slowed down his cutting motion and asked with regret, “You said earlier that you would leave the Gu family… Does that mean we won’t be able to dine at the restaurant anymore?”

According to Lin Yuxing’s understanding, the restaurant wouldn’t welcome them. They might even be kicked out if they tried to eat there.

That’s how it was portrayed on TV.

However, Gu Zhongyi reassured him, “The restaurant was a gift from my grandfather to me. It’s already under my name, so there’s no need to return it.” In simple terms, that restaurant had little to do with the Gu family properties.

The Gu family and his grandfather had never been on good terms, so Gu Zhongyi wouldn’t hand over anything given by his grandfather to them.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuxing was stunned. “Didn’t you say you would have nothing?”

Gu Zhongyi realized the disparity in their understanding and quickly explained, “By ‘having nothing,’ I meant giving up my shares in my father’s company and our family’s assets.”

Compared to that small restaurant, those were the bigger stakes.

Lin Yuxing fell into silence for a moment and asked again, “What about this apartment?”

“I bought it with the money I earned from stock trading and the profits from the restaurant, fully paid,” Gu Zhongyi replied. It seemed like he wasn’t joking. He continued earnestly, “I originally planned to buy a two-bedroom apartment in a better location, but it seems I’ll have to postpone that.”

“What about your car?”

“I bought the car with my own money,” Gu Zhongyi answered.

Lin Yuxing’s hand slipped, and the scallion he was cutting became crooked.

“Yuxing?” Gu Zhongyi called out.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Yuxing asked with deep curiosity, “Do you call this having nothing?”

Indeed, a camel that starves to death is still bigger than a horse. Lin Yuxing no longer believed that a runaway rich second-generation would end up with nothing…

However, that little episode didn’t leave Lin Yuxing feeling down for long.

In preparation for the grand dinner that night, the two of them spent the afternoon following the recipes given by the head chef of the restaurant. They managed to cook a table full of delicious dishes without any mishaps.

Gu Zhongyi turned on the projector in the living room and placed all the dishes on the coffee table.

Two bowls, two pairs of chopsticks, two glasses.

The Spring Festival Gala began.

As usual, the skits were of the same types, and the song performances were lively but lacking novelty. However, Lin Yuxing watched with great interest.

That was the first time he sat down on New Year’s Eve and genuinely enjoyed watching the program.

In previous years, he either had to hide and evade in the New Year or stay up late washing dishes with Lin Xiufeng. Moreover, Cheng Rong would start drinking and become verbally abusive for no reason. The TV always played children’s programs that Cheng ShaoHua liked, and no one bothered to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Now, Lin Yuxing was engrossed in watching the skits, finding everything amusing.

When the song performances began, Lin Yuxing nibbled on a chicken wing and pointed to the star singing on the screen, enthusiastically saying, “This actor is He Yunchu. Su Li really likes him.”

Advertisements featuring He Yunchu’s face were everywhere in C City, so it was difficult for Gu Zhongyi not to know him.

However, as Gu Zhongyi watched Lin Yuxing’s excited expression and patiently listened to him introduce He Yunchu, occasionally adding, “Is that so?” in agreement.

Suddenly, Lin Yuxing’s phone rang, showing a call from Gu Nuan. It seemed lively on the other side, with Su Li’s voice also audible.

“Yuxing, come out and celebrate New Year’s Eve together!”

Lin Yuxing’s eyes lit up. He had never celebrated the New Year with friends before.

Gu Nuan was probably standing in a windy spot as the noisy voices flooded through the phone receiver, “It’s almost midnight. Let’s go to the riverside and set off fireworks. Su Li and I bought a lot of sparklers!”

Su Li, without weighing his words, made a careless remark, “Bring Gu Zhongyi along too. We need a driver!”

Lin Yuxing immediately said, “I’m not going. Find another driver.”

In this regard, Lin Yuxing was firmly “protective.”

Fortunately, Gu Nuan cleverly made up for it and reprimanded Su Li, saying, “Su Li, can’t you watch what you say! That’s our young, promising, handsome Zhongyi brother. He will definitely take us to the riverside for fireworks!”

Gu Nuan gestured, “Say something nice!”

Su Li understood the hint and flattered without taking a breath, “Exactly, the 189cm Alpha is an unparalleled excellent Alpha in the world!”

Due to Lin Yuxing’s outdated phone, even without the speakerphone on, Gu Zhongyi heard the entire conversation clearly.

Gu Zhongyi wasn’t angry; he sensed Lin Yuxing’s interest and readily took on the role of the driver. “Let’s go. We’ll clean up the dishes when we come back.”

Lin Yuxing hurriedly stood up and put on a new thick coat.

Before leaving, Gu Zhongyi called him back from the hallway.

Gu Zhongyi took out a bag and said, “New Year’s gift.”

Lin Yuxing hadn’t prepared anything and regretfully asked, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” After saying that, he realized he really didn’t know how to be in a relationship. Giving gifts wasn’t something that required prior notice, was it?

“You cooked a table full of dishes today.”

“How can cooking be considered a gift? Besides, I didn’t cook alone,” Lin Yuxing grumbled. He lowered his head and took out the item from the bag, his eyes filled with joy. “A scarf?”

Gu Zhongyi took the scarf from his hands and skillfully wrapped it around Lin Yuxing with his well-defined fingers. “Wasn’t the previous one left in City D?”

Lin Yuxing smelled the scent of bitter orange on the scarf and felt more joy than regret. He really liked this scarf, which was exactly the same as the previous one.

Gu Zhongyi rubbed his head. “That’s it.”

Lin Yuxing’s eyelashes trembled, and he tiptoed, taking the initiative to kiss Gu Zhongyi.

One kiss wasn’t enough, so he pecked him again.

Finally, Gu Zhongyi took control and dominated the kiss.

With closed eyes, Lin Yuxing felt himself immersed in the rich scent of bitter orange. Having gradually become skilled in kissing, he unconsciously used his tongue and in a flash, their lips entangled and explored each other.

After the kiss, Gu Zhongyi looked deeply into Lin Yuxing’s eyes, wanting to kiss him again.

Blushing, Lin Yuxing lowered his head and declined, “I wanted to kiss you at midnight, but we’re going to celebrate with everyone now.” He scratched his nose and cheekily said in a low voice, “Let’s consider the New Year’s gift as an IOU for now. But I’m not good at buying gifts. Can you tell me what you want when the time comes?”

Little did he know, his kiss was already a unique New Year’s gift.

He lightly pushed Gu Zhongyi, who was still hugging him, and said, “Let’s go out. It’s getting late.”

Gu Zhongyi, who was still unsatisfied, his throat hoarse and a sweet taste in his mouth, lightly pecked Lin Yuxing’s ear and said, “Sure.”

Like Lin Yuxing, it was also the first time for Gu Zhongyi to celebrate the New Year outside with other people.

That year’s New Year’s Eve was particularly lively.

When Yang Qing called Gu Zhongyi to wish him a Happy New Year and learned that they were going to set off fireworks, he strongly demanded to join them.

“Zhongyi, you’re so unfair. I’m your good brother, and you don’t even take me out for New Year’s Eve!” Yang Qing put on his coat and complained to his older brother in the next room, “Brother, lend me your car!”

His brother, Yang Zhou, had brought his partner home for the New Year for the first time that year and kicked Yang Qing with a slipper.

Yang Qing turned back in frustration and saw the professional teacher from the C University’s Pheromone Research Department, Qiu Song, sitting on their couch. Next to him, Yang’s father and mother, one holding a cup of tea, the other holding Qiu Song’s hand, none of them paid any attention to Yang Qing.

Yang Qing approached and complained, “Teacher, my brother is bullying me. Can’t you do something about him?”

Yang Zhou waved his slipper at Yang Qing again, “Who asked you to call him ‘Teacher’?”

Yang Qing shouted, “brother in law, can’t you do something about my brother?”

Qiu Song blushed, thin-skinned, and quickly spoke up for his future brother-in-law, “Young people like to go out for New Year’s Eve. Don’t be so harsh on Yang Qing.”

That resolved the situation, and with Qiu Song addressing him as “brother-in-law,” the whole family burst into laughter.

Yang’s mother couldn’t stop laughing. She waved her hand, urging Yang Qing to leave quickly and not interrupt their conversation with Qiu Song.

Yang Zhou smugly threw the car keys to Yang Qing, “Have fun.”

Driving Yang Zhou’s car, Yang Qing quickly arrived at the riverside. As soon as he got out of the car, he carried a lot of snacks and drinks but didn’t buy any alcohol.

Lin Yuxing was the first to notice him and waved to greet him, “Senior Yang!”

“Hey! Happy New Year, junior. That scarf suits you well.”

Lin Yuxing blushed and said embarrassedly, “It was a gift from my senior.”

Taking advantage of Gu Zhongyi and Gu Nuan going to the trunk to get the fireworks, Yang Qing took the opportunity to say to Lin Yuxing, “Junior, why do you still call Zhongyi ‘senior’? It sounds awkward.”

“Then what should I call him?”

“Call him ‘Zhongyi ge~’.”

Lin Yuxing touched his arm. Why did those three words sound so cheesy coming out of Yang Qing’s mouth?

With an air of someone experienced, Yang Qing earnestly said, “Didn’t I tell you last time? If you call him ‘senior,’ how many people from our school will turn their heads? Besides, you’ve been dating for a while now. It’s been a long time since you’ve been calling him ‘senior’.”

“Well, it seems that way. But we’re the same age. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to call him ‘ge’?”

“What’s inappropriate? He was born a few months before you. Calling him ‘ge’ is fine. Trust me, if you call him ‘Zhongyi ge,’ I tell you, he’ll be overjoyed.”

Lin Yuxing asked, “Is it that exaggerated?”

“We grew up together with him. Do you think I’d deceive you?” Yang Qing lowered his voice, clicked his tongue, and quipped, “He’s reserved but really soft hearted.”

Noticing Yang Qing making suggestive gestures and talking to Lin Yuxing, Gu Zhongyi quickly called him over for help, fearing he might say something inappropriate.

Yang Qing responded, “Coming, coming!” He patted Lin Yuxing’s shoulder and reiterated, “If you don’t believe it, try it yourself.”

There’s no harm in trying.

More young people arrived at the riverside, most of them in groups.

Su Li and Gu Nuan were underdressed, shivering in the cold wind at the riverside, but it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for playing with sparklers.

Gu Nuan took out his DSLR camera and volunteered to be the photographer.

Su Li, seeing this, struck a pose skillfully, while Yang Qing laughed foolishly beside them.

Gu Nuan snapped away, boasting, “Your photos look much better than Su Li’s.”

Su Li objected, “He has a red scarf, and I’m not dressed as nicely!” He tried to snatch Gu Nuan’s camera, and they playfully wrestled with each other.

Lin Yuxing didn’t join in their antics. He squatted down, lit three more sparklers for himself, and handed one to Gu Zhongyi.

Gu Zhongyi took it, his gaze fixed on its glow—

The tiny sparks burned, crackling like a brilliant sky full of stars, adorning the night sky like a galaxy.

Like beautiful wishes, they shone deep within people’s hearts.

“Seni…” Lin Yuxing’s nose and ears turned slightly red from the cold wind. He thought of Yang Qing’s words and changed his address, “Zhongyi ge.”

Gu Zhongyi paused.

With one hand, Lin Yuxing drew the outline of a star. Those sparks were like flames in the wilderness, shimmering with hope.

Far away yet so close.

Lin Yuxing’s smile was more radiant than any star, “Is it beautiful?”

Gu Zhongyi looked at him, mesmerized, unable to resist, “Beautiful.”

Lin Yuxing smiled happily, exuding pure happiness. He generously praised, “Yours is also very beautiful.”

In the distance, the chimes of the city center rang out.

The sparkler in Lin Yuxing’s hand burned out. Before he could grab a new one, cheers erupted all around, resounding through his ears, “Happy New Year—”

It was midnight.

Excitedly turning around, Lin Yuxing coincidentally faced Gu Zhongyi, who approached with determined steps.

The New Year’s chimes resounded loudly, echoing in the wind and blending into the lights of countless households.

That night, they all had a place to call home.

Gu Zhongyi stood in front of Lin Yuxing, holding his face and kissed him deeply.

“Happy New Year.”

My little star.