123: Lunar New Year's eve

By the fourth day, Shen Lian couldn't sit still anymore.

"It's almost New Year's, I want to go home!" Shen Lian was thinking about his unopened New Year paintings and couplets.

Ning Sixian was getting a headache from Chu Yilan's questioning. "My dear brother, he's really fine now. If there's a problem, I'll take responsibility!"

Chu Yilan glanced at him. Although he didn't say it aloud, his meaning was clear: Can you afford to take responsibility?

Ning Sixian: "..."

Shen Lian got his wish and was discharged at noon that day. He walked with a brisk pace, while Chu Yilan followed closely behind.

Needless to say, Aunt Fen served all sorts of nutritious soups. Fortunately, they tasted good; otherwise, Shen Lian wouldn't have been able to handle drinking them like this.

Many times, Chu Yilan wanted to ask Shen Lian what he had dreamed about that night, but the words died on his lips. Fearing it would make Shen Lian sad, he forced himself to hold back.

But Chu Yilan had also guessed that it was likely related to himself.

The Ming Family... Among the members of the Ming Family at the dinner table that day, he only had some impression of Ming Congshan's family.

In the evening, after Shen Lian finished his shower and started climbing into bed, his hand was caught by Chu Yilan just as he reached out, and he was unceremoniously tossed back.

Shen Lian was incredulous: "What do you mean?!"

Chu Yilan: "No."

Shen Lian: "Don't you love me anymore?"

Chu Yilan: "No."

Ning Sixian hadn't said anything about needing restraint in that area, but Chu Yilan took it upon himself to decide that the fewer stimulants, the better.

Shen Lian knelt to the side, motionless.

Chu Yilan looked up and was momentarily dazzled.

The young man's hair was messy, his skin fair, and his eyes clear and natural, filled with "innocence." It was fake! Chu Yilan told himself that Shen Lian's current acting skills could be described as nothing less than perfection.

"Really no?" Shen Lian's voice sounded moist.

What a sin, Chu Yilan thought as he pulled the quilt over Shen Lian's head, then left his head exposed before picking him up, quilt and all, to lay him on the bed. Pressing down with a large hand, he said in a low voice, "Sleep!"

Wrapped like a silkworm cocoon, Shen Lian wiggled several times but couldn't break free. He sighed softly and accepted his fate.

Chu Yilan propped his head up on his side and looked at him. "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Be careful, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow morning if we toss and turn tonight."

Shen Lian: "Then you have to help me put up the couplets."

"Of course."

Shen Lian actually felt an excitement similar to going on a childhood school trip. He didn't sleep deeply, and as soon as the alarm went off, he scrambled up. Chu Yilan sat up as well, pulled him over first to check the temperature of his forehead, and after confirming he didn't have a fever, reached out to feel the back of his neck. It was dry and not sweaty, indicating he had slept well last night.

Aunt Fen had long since started working. Shen Lian found the New Year paintings and couplets and began decorating one by one.

He wanted to step on a stool for the high spots, but Chu Yilan wouldn't allow it and did it himself.

"Here?"

"It's crooked, a bit to the left," Shen Lian directed. "Good, good. Be careful coming down."

The two worked together and finished putting things up quite quickly. When Aunt Fen came out and saw the red paper-cuttings on the windows, she was overjoyed.

This place had been cold and lonely for nearly ten years; finally, there was a festive New Year atmosphere.

Midway through, Feng Yueshan called, habitually inviting Chu Yilan out. It was always like this in previous years: Chu Yilan would eat dumplings with Aunt Fen, the two would talk for a while in the quiet living room, and then they would go their separate ways. Chu Yilan couldn't sleep, so he would join Feng Yueshan in his antics, going from one drinking table to another in a daze. In the blink of an eye, the New Year would be over.

Thinking back now, it was utterly meaningless.

"I'm not going," Chu Yilan refused.

Feng Yueshan: "Bring Shen Lian along. Surely you two aren't going to stay up for the New Year vigil?"

Chu Yilan didn't speak.

Feng Yueshan: "...You're really staying up?"

Chu Yilan sighed softly. "I'll say it again: if you can, settle down and stop thinking about nothing but eating, drinking, and playing all day. Find someone who cares for you..."

Before he could finish, Feng Yueshan hung up the phone.

"How bold," Chu Yilan chuckled low, but didn't take it to heart. He turned to look at the kitchen, where Shen Lian was helping wrap dumplings.

At dusk, the sound of firecrackers outside started intermittently. Even though the land here was worth its weight in gold and sparsely populated, the fireworks exploding in the sky still brought the festive cheer.

Aunt Fen prepared a table full of dishes. At the scheduled time, the sound of the Spring Festival Gala came from the large floor-standing TV that was rarely turned on. Chu Yilan could barely make out what was being sung or said; he just sat on the sofa in a daze. This feeling was both unfamiliar and overwhelming, then it merged into his heart with an irresistible tide of tenderness.

I want every year to be like this, Chu Yilan thought.

He looked at Shen Lian, who was arranging the dishes, and repeated, "I want every year to be like this."

Shen Lian's movements paused. When he looked up, his eyes were full of smiles. "Okay, I promise you, every year will be like this."

Satisfied, Chu Yilan stood up to help bring out the dishes.

Aunt Fen even had a rare glass of red wine, and she accepted the large red envelope Chu Yilan gave her.

Shen Lian tapped on his phone to send New Year greetings via text one by one, from directors to actors, photographers, and producers; almost everyone replied to him. Shen Lian gave Hu Kailan a red envelope of thirty thousand yuan. Hu Kailan sent a question mark, and Shen Lian replied: [You deserve it. I'll earn plenty for you next year.]

Hu Kailan immediately sent a few seconds of voice message: "Damn! I knew you were the most reliable. I love hearing that. Let's get rich together in the New Year!"

Shen Lian replied: [Let's get rich together.]

Jiang You and Li Yi didn't have much of a year-end bonus, so Shen Lian made it up to them. Shen Lian cherished every good connection he made in this world. After finishing this, he asked Chu Yilan, "What about Special Assistant Sun and Special Assistant Yang?"

"They should be together," Chu Yilan said. "Yang Bin's parents passed away one after another, and Binghe grew up in an orphanage. They don't visit relatives, so they've spent it together in previous years."

"You didn't go in previous years?"

Chu Yilan: "Occasionally. Mostly, I was used to being invited by Feng Yueshan."

After dinner, the two helped Aunt Fen clear the table and set out fruits and candies. They sat on the sofa, listening to the sound of the Spring Festival Gala while playing on their phones.

Xu Jingge was incessantly posting photos in the group chat. He even took a photo of the milk tea Chang Qing made. One photo showed Chang Qing wearing an apron, seriously tossing a wok. Xu Jingge lamented: [My wife is so beautiful.]

It was indeed beautiful. If this photo were released, the internet would explode in seconds. On the wall to one side, Xu Jingge's shadow could be clearly seen; the man was very flamboyantly raising his hand to make half a heart gesture.

Feng Yueshan: [I'm going to leave this group sooner or later.]

Xu Jingge: [Fahai, you don't understand love.]

Aunt Fen went back to her room. Only one warm lamp was left on in the living room, causing the corners to fall into a hazy darkness. Shen Lian hadn't known Aunt Fen was so good at setting the mood.

Chu Zhumi also had a wonderful New Year, eating three cans of meat in a row. After eating her fill, she slept belly-up in her nest, making slight snoring sounds.

"Yilan, look at this." Shen Lian found something fun and handed over his phone.

Chu Yilan: "What?"

Shen Lian was about to point it out when Chu Yilan cupped his face and began kissing his lips. The man's movements were gentle and restrained, but Shen Lian's breathing became erratic in a second. He tossed his phone aside, adjusted his position to face Chu Yilan, and wrapped his arms around his neck to respond passionately.

Chu Yilan tightened his arms, and Shen Lian pressed closer. The man bit his collar, pulling it open slightly, and then kissed his heart over and over again.

Shen Lian felt ticklish and couldn't help but laugh.

Outside the window, fireworks exploded, their colorful light reflecting in their eyes as the midnight bell chimed slowly.

The intertwined shadows tumbled downward at some point. The two left the sofa, and with Chu Yilan protecting the back of his head, Shen Lian fell into the soft carpet...