Zhou Mu's family was also enjoying a reunion, filled with laughter and joy, with the sounds of the Spring Festival Gala playing in the background. So, Xie Shi'an's presence there wasn't much of a surprise.
Jian Changnian's voice came in from outside the screen.
"That's right, it's just that someone didn't come back this year, so it's just the two of us and Grandma celebrating the New Year together."
Xie Shi'an raised his phone a little higher and moved closer to Jian Changnian so that the camera could fit all three of them.
"Oh dear, I haven't been home for a year since I started university. I need to spend time with my parents. Next year, next year, I'll definitely spend time with you!"
Zhou Mu beamed with joy and greeted her grandmother.
"Grandma, Grandma, Happy New Year! Wow, you've fried meatballs! I haven't had your fried meatballs in years!"
Grandma was also smiling happily.
"Happy New Year, Mu Mu. If you want some, I'll have Chang Nian send it to you from town tomorrow."
Jian Changnian muttered under her breath, "They'll all be damaged by the time they get here..."
"Oh, there's that fastest courier service, right? It's winter, not summer. Grandma packed it up nicely, so it'll still be edible when it arrives."
In the blink of an eye, the oil in the pot was hot, and the meatballs were put in. They bubbled and turned golden and piping hot.
Grandma quickly grabbed a slotted spoon and scooped it up.
"Quickly, Chang Nian, bring a plate and move the table outside. We're about to eat."
Zhou Mu's parents were also calling him.
"Then I won't talk to you anymore. Shi'an, Changnian, Grandma, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year."
Jian Changnian waved to her with her flour-covered hands, and Xie Shian stood beside her with a slight smile on her lips.
"Happy New Year."
"Dinner's ready!"
Grandma built a new grape trellis in the yard this year, and set up a table and chairs under it. She also brought out the stove, so it wasn't cold while we were eating hot pot. The firewood was burning brightly in the brazier next to us, and we also heated up some yellow wine with rock sugar and goji berries in it. When we poured it out, it was very fragrant.
Xie Shi'an then placed an empty cup next to him.
The three of them ate while chatting and laughing.
Grandma's fried meatballs are delicious on their own, but when you dip them in hot pot, the meaty aroma infuses the red broth, and they're so juicy that they're absolutely amazing. The two of us almost got into a fight over the last fried meatball.
Grandma's lips never closed all night.
Being elderly, after finishing their meal and cleaning up, they went to sleep, leaving Jian Changnian and Xie Shian to continue their vigil.
Night deepened, and the wind picked up again.
Jian Changnian: "Want to go inside and watch TV?"
Xie Shi'an shook his head.
"I'm not going, there's nothing to see anyway."
"Alright, then I'll risk my life to accompany you."
As Jian Changnian spoke, she threw a few more pieces of wood into the brazier.
Xie Shi'an also placed the yellow wine pot on it.
"Still drinking?"
"This has hardly any alcohol content, and you've only had a few drinks. You're not already drunk, are you?"
To prove himself, Jian Changnian rolled up his sleeves.
"Who said I'm drunk? Come on, let's drink."
"Just drinking is so boring, let's play a drinking game."
Jian Changnian's lips twitched.
Can she win a drinking game against a top student from Tsinghua University?
"How about we do something more down-to-earth?"
Xie Shi'an's eyes sparkled.
"So tell me, what do you want to play?"
"Rock, paper, scissors, truth or dare."
"Whoever loses drinks."
Xie Shi'an raised his glass and clinked it with hers first.
"OK."
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
You lost!
"No, no, start over! You cheated!"
...
When the two of them are together, it seems like they always have endless things to talk about—badminton, life, studies, and the people and things around them.
One is intelligent and wise, with deep feelings and true nature; the other is innocent, pure, and kind. Their personalities are completely opposite, yet they always catch each other's jokes and burst into laughter.
As midnight passed, firecrackers began to sound in the village. Jian Changnian looked up to see the fireworks, but unexpectedly discovered a shooting star streaking across the night sky.
"Shi'an, look! It's a shooting star!"
Although there are no fireworks tonight, there is a meteor shower.
A speck of dust, as insignificant as a grain of sand in the universe, travels billions of light-years, burning itself out for this grand and magnificent performance—the only moment that people can remember.
For some reason, Xie Shi'an was reminded of the badminton shuttlecock flying across the court for a moment. All their hard work off the court was for that one moment of victory.
She looked up and sighed, "So beautiful."
Jian Changnian clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.
Xie Shi'an looked at her.
"What did you wish for?"
"Omitted, it won't work if I say it out loud."
Jian Changnian made a face at her.
"Hey, childish."
"Shi'an, Shi'an, this is a very rare meteor shower, won't you make a wish?"
Jian Changnian looked at her devoutly.
Xie Shi'an smiled wryly.
In the short first half of her life, she prayed for her family to be with her, even though they were separated by death; she prayed for her friends to not abandon her, even though their friendships had been severed; she prayed to repay her teacher's kindness, but her ambitions remained unfulfilled. Now, she has nothing left to ask for.
No, I dare not ask.
It's something I never ask for, yet it's always been there.
Her gaze fell on Jian Changnian.
The girl was also looking at her, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words.
Xie Shi'an's heart stirred slightly, and a hint of relief finally appeared on the corner of his smile.
"No more, it's fine as it is now..."
The wine gradually cooled, and the people around him fell silent.
Seeing that she was asleep, Xie Shi'an thought of helping her up.
"It's cold outside, go back to sleep."
The Jian Changnian used to be frail and thin, like a bean sprout, and she could lift her up with one hand. But now she had to use some strength to help her stumble and fall to her feet.
Xie Shi'an took a step back to steady himself.
The man, who was already completely drunk, suddenly opened his eyes wide, smiled brightly at her with his eyebrows curving upwards.
“Shi’an… there’s… there’s one more thing… I… I haven’t told you yet…”
"What did you say?"
"Happy New Year."
After the girl finished speaking, as if she had finally put her mind at ease, she leaned her head on her shoulder and began to breathe evenly.
He's truly unconscious now.
Xie Shi'an paused for a moment, then pulled the person into his arms and hugged him tightly, a smile on his lips, but his eyes were slightly red.
"Happy New Year to you too..."
During the holiday, Xie Shi'an also visited his mother's house to wish her a Happy New Year, and he even brought Jian Changnian along.
Jian Changnian, carrying large and small bags, followed her into the elevator.
"No, what kind of business is it for me to come here when you go home?"
"Nonsense, I'm not good at dealing with kids."
Her half-sister always gave Xie Shi'an a headache whenever she saw her. In addition, although she and her mother both wanted to repair their relationship, they had spent little time together over the years and were not really close. So she had to bring along a member to liven things up and avoid awkwardness.
Jian Changnian drawled out an "Oh".
"So, it turns out that you need me not only on the field, but also on the field."
The elevator has arrived.
Xie Shi'an kicked the man away.
"Enough with the nonsense, go knock on the door."
Xie Shi'an bought some nutritional supplements and tea for his mother, and also brought Youyou a Barbie doll.
When she saw them arrive, Xie's mother was overjoyed.