Chapter 44

Chapter 44

After three rounds of drinking, Li Mingwei's cheeks were also flushed. She propped up her somewhat dizzy head and pinched Dong Lei's round little face as he ate the meat voraciously without stopping.

"Eat slower, no one is going to snatch it from you."

With his mouth full, Dong Lei didn't speak, just looked up at her with a smile on his little face.

Wang Chunhua cooked some meat slices and put them in her bowl, "What are you dazing off for? Eat some more, the night is still long. Later this naughty kid will eat everything up and there won't be any left."

Dong Shan smiled as he picked up a slice of meat and brought it to his little daughter's mouth, "Our little Yan'er should eat too."

"Cut smaller pieces for her. The slices Sister Li cut are too big, how can she fit them in her mouth?"

"Alright."

There was no tradition of staying up all night in Qingshi Town, because it was already cold, and even chillier at night. How could anyone endure staying up the whole night? Everyone waited until midnight when the firecrackers welcoming the new year were set off, then they could go to sleep.

As soon as the time came, crackling sounds rang out from all directions. Dong Shan had already prepared and lit the firecrackers in the yard, then rushed back into the house.

The deafening sounds exploded in her ears. Li Mingwei didn't have time to react before covering Dong Lei's ears. Wang Chunhua also hurried to shield her little daughter. Dong Shan ran back in and closed the door. They reopened it after the sounds outside subsided.

"Alright, alright, let's clean up and then we can sleep."

"Okay, you go boil some hot water. I'll pick up the bowls and chopsticks."

Wang Chunhua declined Li Mingwei's offer to help, because she really didn't look sober at the moment.

Li Mingwei leaned against the door and slid down to sit on the threshold. She was still a little dizzy. She was used to fruit wine, so the wine here was still too strong for her. But tonight she was indeed a little happy, so she had drank a few more cups.

She knocked her head, "Ah, headache."

Hearing her voice, Wang Chunhua poured her a cup of hot water from the kitchen and sat down beside her, "Drink some water. You shouldn't have drank so much if you can't handle it."

"But I was happy."

"I don't see you looking very happy."

Li Mingwei smiled awkwardly, her gaze falling onto the glaring red paper debris left on the ground after the firecrackers exploded, contrasting sharply against the white snow. Her eyes hurt a little.

Wang Chunhua gently stroked her back, seeing her slightly reddened eyes, she couldn't help sighing softly.

"Feeling upset?"

"No, just missing home a bit."

"Where is your home?"

Li Mingwei did not sleep all night. There was a tradition of staying up in her family, so she didn't want to sleep, nor could she sleep. Wrapped in her quilt with eyes wide open until dawn.

In the half year since she ran away, it seemed she had done so many things, yet also nothing. Her heart was lost in confusion, not knowing which direction her future should take.

Perhaps because she had slept too late last night, when she got up, there was still no movement from Wang Chunhua and Dong Shan's room. She swept the snow in the yard, took the New Year's gift prepared for Mr. Jin, and headed to the academy.

Mr. Jin was old with poor sleep. He must be awake by now.

But she miscalculated again. Mr. Jin, who had gotten dead drunk last night, was still lying in bed snoring. Only Liu Yizhu, who was worried about Mr. Jin and had come early to check on him, met her gaze to gaze.

"Mr. Jin?"

"Still sleeping."

Oh, Li Mingwei took the gift upstairs, planning to leave it on his desk.

Liu Yizhu didn't sweep the snow either. He put down the broom and followed behind her, "What happened to your eyes?"

"My eyes?" Without a bronze mirror, Li Mingwei couldn't see. She could only touch them, seeming to feel some slight swelling, "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

Liu Yizhu reached out and stroked the corners of her eyes, completely incredulous, "This is from not sleeping well? They're so red and swollen."

It looked clearly like she had been crying.

"I just didn't sleep well."

Li Mingwei avoided his hand and turned around, putting down the gift and changing the subject, "How has your qin practice been these days?"

"Not bad. The sheet music you gave me is quite simple."

They were all songs suitable for beginners like him, not too complicated at all. After practicing them repeatedly, they were easy to master.

"That's good then."

"The qin isn't hard. But last time you said my calligraphy lacked a bit of flair, so I went back to the academy to ask some teachers for advice and practiced. Take another look?"

Seeing her nod, Liu Yizhu immediately went to the desk, spread out paper and ink, ground some ink, and wielded the brush.

He blew on the ink and smiled, eyes full of anticipation, "What do you think, does it have some flair now?"

May I be like the stars, and you the moon, flowing light illuminating each other every night.

Li Mingwei was speechless. She had thought he was serious about letting her look at his calligraphy, but instead he came up with this.

She said angrily, "None at all!"