Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Lin Zhe Xia was yanked unexpectedly.
By the time she steadied herself, the child’s bike had already wobbled past her side.
Lin Zhe Xia: “You’re the idiot.”
Chi Yao: “Do you have a problem with that word?”
Lin Zhe Xia was about to retort, “Who would be happy being called an idiot?”
But just as Chi Yao let go of her arm, he added mockingly, “Then… moron?”
“…”
“I don’t feel like walking anymore,” she turned around and started heading back. “Normal walks are supposed to extend your life, but walking with you feels like it’s shortening mine.”
________________________________________
On the eve of the Spring Festival, Lin Zhe Xia was dragged out by Lin He to buy New Year’s supplies, returning home with a mountain of items.
Lin He, now focused on recuperating, lay on the couch issuing commands: “You and Uncle Wei, put up the Spring Festival couplets on the door, then take those things to the kitchen, and the new clothes to the bedroom.”
“And,” Lin He gestured, “the floor needs mopping too.”
Lin Zhe Xia busied herself for a while but took a break while putting up the couplets.
She handed the couplets over to Wei Ping: “Uncle Wei, I’ve always thought you were really tall.”
Wei Ping understood perfectly: “Alright, go rest. I’ll handle it.”
Hearing this, she handed over most of the couplets to Wei Ping, keeping only three in her hand.
Wei Ping asked: “Aren’t you going to put these up?”
Lin Zhe Xia replied: “It’s a secret.”
“Then tell Uncle secretly. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“If I told you,” Lin Zhe Xia shook her head, “it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.”
Wei Ping didn’t press further and wasn’t bothered, smiling instead: “Alright, so our Xia Xia has little secrets now.”
In truth, it wasn’t much of a secret.
As Lin Zhe Xia held the remaining couplets, she thought about sneaking over to Chi Yao’s house later to put them up.
Even though Chi Yao never said anything and always acted indifferent, the Spring Festival was such a lively occasion, and it felt a bit lonely for him to be the only one at home.
She wanted to surprise Chi Yao.
Late at night, before bed, she slipped out quietly, carefully sticking the three bright red couplets onto his door.
She didn’t even change out of her blue hooded fleece pajamas, rushing there and back like a gust of wind. After finishing, she went back to sleep.
Before bed, she anticipated Chi Yao seeing the couplets early the next morning.
So she left him a message: “Whatever you do, don’t sleep in tomorrow.”
________________________________________
The next morning, Chi Yao woke up early.
Even if he wanted to sleep in, it would’ve been hard—the streets were filled with the constant crackling of firecrackers.
Amidst all the festive noise, the house he was in now felt especially empty.
He lay in bed, half-closing his eyes, running a hand through his hair, then shuffled to wash up in his slippers.
After quickly washing his face, his phone rang. Leaning against the bathroom doorframe, he answered: “Dad, Mom.”
The voice on the other end was devoid of warmth: “Today’s the New Year. We’ve transferred some money to your account—buy whatever you need. Also, did you receive the holiday gift box we sent? It contains some New Year goods. Your mom and I are tied up with work—we have an urgent shipment to deliver and can’t make it back.”
Then his mother chimed in, reminding him: “How are things at home recently? Take care of yourself.”
Chi Yao: “I know.”
“If there’s nothing else,” he added, “I’m hanging up.”
Finally, he tacked on: “Happy New Year.”
“…”
After a few brief exchanges, there was nothing more to say.
The call ended quickly.
After hanging up, he absentmindedly opened WeChat.
Today was a festival.
Many people were sending mass messages, and his chat list was flooded with unread red dots.
He didn’t bother checking the others, directly opening the topmost pinned conversation.
[Coward].
Lin Zhe Xia had sent several messages.
He scrolled through them one by one.
-Don’t sleep in too late.
-You’d better get up early.
-Then go breathe some fresh air.
-Because, only by doing that can you—
-Open your arms—
-Embrace a brilliant tomorrow!
“…”
Chi Yao stared at these messages for a moment: “What nonsense is this again?”
Although these words seemed random, based on his understanding of Lin Zhe Xia, he knew there must be some meaning behind them.
And for him, it wasn’t hard to guess.
So he walked to the door and pulled it open.
There was no mysterious package at the doorstep, but shifting his gaze, he noticed three red couplets stuck on the door.
The couplets bore bold black ink characters:
Smooth sailing year after year.
All things go well step by step.
Horizontal scroll: Good fortune shines brightly.
It was clear someone had put a lot of effort into pasting these couplets—they were neatly arranged, with every corner carefully pressed down.
However.
Chi Yao looked at the door and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Other families’ couplets were usually pasted above the door, but due to the height limitation of a certain short person, these were stuck lower down.
-Seen it, quite brilliant.
He typed with one hand in the chat box and sent two more lines:
-The positioning is unique.
-Next time, if you can’t reach, you can come in and grab a chair.
________________________________________
Lin Zhe Xia woke up very early today too.
She almost instantly replied.
Coward: Happy New Year.
Coward: I don’t want to kill today. Advise you to behave. [Fist emoji]
“Putting them up for you is already nice,” Lin Zhe Xia muttered vaguely while brushing her teeth, her words muffled. “And here you are, still talking so much.”
“…I’m not some two-meter-tall giant.”
“The door’s so high. Pasting them lower isn’t unusual either.”
But after grumbling, she let the matter drop.
After a while, she changed into her new clothes and happily announced as she headed out: “Mom, Uncle Wei, I’m going to Chi Yao’s place—”
Lin He: “I was just about to tell you. Invite Chi Yao over to celebrate the New Year with us.”
Wei Ping also said: “Yes, during the New Year, it’s better to be lively. No one should spend it alone at home.”
When Chi Yao arrived, he brought a gift box. Lin He, saying, “You really didn’t have to be so polite,” invited him to sit in the living room.
For adults, the Spring Festival was busy.
But for students like them, when the day finally came, it wasn’t much different from usual—lying on the couch playing on their phones, watching TV, and occasionally entertaining the unruly kids of relatives.
That day, a little boy visited Lin Zhe Xia’s house.
The boy initially seemed reserved, but after sitting for a while, he began to look around restlessly.
He looked at Lin Zhe Xia: “Sister.”
Lin Zhe Xia was busy replying to messages from friends. She had just sent New Year greetings to Chen Lin and Tang Shuxuan, then asked: “What is it?”
The little boy earnestly introduced himself: “My name is Kang Jiahao. I’m six years old.”
Seeing how serious he was, Lin Zhe Xia sat up straight, put down her phone, and instinctively responded: “I, I’m Lin Zhe Xia, and I’m… sixteen.”
The little boy had clearly memorized a standard speech for visiting relatives: “I scored 97 in all three subjects on my final exams, ranked third in the class. My hobby is playing badminton.”
Lin Zhe Xia praised him: “You did really well.”
The little boy asked her: “What did you score?”
Lin Zhe Xia: “Our scoring systems are different—you might not understand. As for hobbies, I like reading.”
After Lin Zhe Xia said “I like reading,” someone nearby lightly chuckled.
Chi Yao: “That copy of Dream of the Red Chamber you bought when you were ten—how many pages have you read in the past six years?”
“…”
“You staying silent,” Lin Zhe Xia gritted her teeth, “doesn’t mean you’re mute.”
She just wanted to present a good image in front of the kid.
She couldn’t exactly say her hobbies were eating, sleeping, and playing on her phone—it sounded far too lazy.
But after Chi Yao spoke, the little boy immediately shifted his attention to the handsome older brother in the gray sweater beside her and asked: “What’s your name?”
Chi Yao glanced at him: “Why should I tell you?”
The little boy: “Let’s get to know each other.”
Chi Yao looked away: “No thanks. I don’t make friends with brats.”
“…”
The little boy hit a wall and froze.
After a while, he regained his composure, tugged at Lin Zhe Xia’s sleeve, and asked: “Is this person your brother?”
When everyone gathered together for the New Year, it was easy to form this impression.
The little boy didn’t even wait for Lin Zhe Xia’s answer and confidently confirmed: “He’s your brother, right?”
Lin Zhe Xia: “???!!!”
She felt blindsided.
“He, my brother?”
The little boy nodded.
Though Chi Yao was indeed born just over a month earlier than her.
Lin Zhe Xia was still utterly shocked: “How could he possibly be my brother? Do we look alike?”
The little boy’s criteria for determining age were simple and pure: “He’s way taller than you.”
Lin Zhe Xia: “…………”
Before they could continue their conversation, the little boy was called away by his mother, who was rushing to visit the next relative. The mess was left behind.
Lin Zhe Xia watched the little boy leave. After he was gone, only she and Chi Yao remained in the living room.
She felt the situation had become awkward because of that one word: “Brother.”
She took a sip of water and said: “…Kids, they don’t know any better. Their eyesight isn’t great.”
Chi Yao remained noncommittal.
She couldn’t help but add: “And besides, even though I’m at a disadvantage in height, I’m clearly much better-looking than you.”
________________________________________
At night, after all the relatives visiting had left,
The remaining group sat together to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Lin Zhe Xia had a low threshold for laughter and was always the first to laugh.
Wei Ping pulled out two red envelopes—one for her, the other for Chi Yao.
“No need,” Chi Yao initially refused. “You keep it.”
Wei Ping: “It’s not much, just two hundred yuan for good luck. Take it.”
Lin He also said: “Yes, you brought so many gifts today. Don’t be so polite with Uncle Wei.”
Lin Zhe Xia interjected with a joke: “If you don’t want it, you can give it to me,” earning a warning glare from Lin He.
Of course, it was just a joke.
After Chi Yao eventually accepted the red envelope, they continued watching the gala. Midway through, Lin Zhe Xia secretly opened her own red packet and pulled out a bill.
“Here.”
A hundred-yuan note suddenly appeared in Chi Yao’s line of sight.
She had received many red packets today, but Chi Yao only got this one, so she really wanted to share some of hers with him.
Lin Zhe Xia originally had another line prepared—she feared Chi Yao would refuse, so she planned to say, “Take it. A father’s love runs deep; don’t get too moved.”
But to her surprise, Chi Yao unhesitatingly took the hundred-yuan bill.
However, as he reached out and pinched the bill between his fingers, he said meaningfully at the moment of receiving it: “…Is this your New Year’s money for your older brother ?”
…
Outside the window, someone began setting off fireworks.
Lin Zhe Xia felt her ears pop along with the crackling sounds.
She hadn’t expected that the little boy’s casual remark from earlier would be brought up now as a joke.
And the word “older brother”…
When it came from the little boy’s mouth, it carried a completely different tone than when Chi Yao said it.
Chi Yao usually spoke with an arrogant drawl, but occasionally—like now, when he slightly dragged out the last syllable—it carried an indescribable feeling.
“Pop—”
The fireworks outside continued to explode.
For a brief moment, the dazzling bursts of light illuminated the entire night sky, casting their glow through the windows into the room.
“If you stay silent,” that voice said again, “then this older brother will take it.”
Google Sites
Report abuse