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The baby spotted Yu Jingze first. “Uncle!” He dropped the remote control and ran over. Yu Jingze crouched down halfway to catch him.
The baby grabbed onto Yu Jingze’s sleeve, “Uncle, Auntie’s husband is fishing. Let’s take my little brother home.”
Yu Jingze ruffled his small head, always scheming to sneak the baby brother home. “When spring comes and it’s not cold anymore, we can take your brother home.”
“You’re not lying?”
“Not lying.”
The baby was thrilled. “Uncle, I’ll give you a balloon.” He assumed all adults liked balloons—his mom and aunt both had balloons tied to their wrists.
With that, he dashed toward the villa.
Yu Jingze understood now. The twenty-one balloons had been unevenly divided between Qi Yuan and Fu Jichen, so they compromised by giving the extra one to the baby to play with.
The baby handed the blue balloon to Yu Jingze, thanking him again for helping to bring the baby brother home. “Thank you, Uncle. I love you.”
Yu Jingze kissed the baby on the cheek, “You’re welcome.”
The baby went back to playing with his remote-controlled car. When Yu Jingxin wasn’t looking, he secretly scooped up a handful of snow to play with, shivering as he blew warm air onto his freezing hands.
Yu Jingze took the balloon and went to settle accounts with Fu Jichen and Qi Yuan. Yu Jingxin and Yu Qing were chatting about Gu Heng and didn’t bother acknowledging Yu Jingze, merely waving him off dismissively.
Yu Jingze kicked Fu Jichen’s stool once, then gave Qi Yuan’s stool another kick. Both men nearly fell off.
Qi Yuan and Fu Jichen felt guilty but said nothing.
Yu Jingze didn’t press further. “You two help me inflate the balloons.”
Qi Yuan glanced at him skeptically, “Why should we?”
Fu Jichen secured his fishing rod. “Because you ate his breakfast.”
Knowing that inflating the balloons was for pursuing Zou Lexiao, Yu Qing and Yu Jingxin also pitched in.
The whole family spent more than four hours inflating 520 balloons, tying them into 26 bundles, which were then hung from the branches on either side of the viewing platform by the lake.
The breeze from the lake made the balloons sway gently.
It looked like a sea of colorful balloons—romantic and spectacular.
After securing the last bundle, Yu Jingze climbed down from the folding ladder.
He had hung them high enough that even if Zou Lexiao stood on her tiptoes, she wouldn’t be able to reach them.
The baby was ecstatic, jumping around under the trees, trying to grab the balloons.
Yu Jingze scooped up the baby and lifted him above his head.
The baby still couldn’t reach, but he was closer now, and he squealed with excitement.
Yu Jingxin was puzzled. How did Yu Jingze suddenly develop such a romantic streak overnight, as if he’d unlocked some hidden talent? She whispered to Yu Qing, “Did you coach him?”
Yu Qing shook her head, “No, once he helped Zou Lexiao reach a balloon, thinking she liked them.” But no girl could resist colorful balloons.
She tilted her head back, shielding her forehead from the sun with her hand.
Romance and happiness were right above her head—but out of reach.
Fu Jichen dried his hands and asked Yu Qing, “Do you want to touch the balloons?”
He added, “No ladder needed.”
With that, he squatted down and pointed to his shoulders. “Hop on.”
“Can you carry me?”
“I can.”
Yu Qing unzipped her down jacket and carefully climbed onto his shoulders.
Fu Jichen firmly held her legs and slowly stood up.
Yu Qing placed one hand on his head for support, still unsure, while using the other hand to steady herself against the tree trunk.
Yu Jingxin munched on sunflower seeds, enviously watching Yu Qing.
Qi Yuan took off his coat and draped it over the back of a chair. He poked Yu Jingxin’s cheek. “Let me carry you to touch the balloons too.”
Yu Jingxin hesitated, shaking her head. “I’m afraid of heights.”
“I’m barely six foot three, not six hundred feet.”
“...Fine.”
Qi Yuan walked under a cluster of balloons, leaned against the tree trunk, and squatted down. “Come here.”
Yu Jingxin set down the sunflower seeds, glanced over at Yu Qing and Yu Jingze, who were having fun. Seeing no one paying attention to her, she strode confidently toward Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan instructed her on how to position her legs for stability. “That’s it. Just like that.”
Suddenly, Yu Jingxin blurted out something without thinking, “You seem experienced.”
Qi Yuan caught the undertone in her words. “Are you jealous?”
“...I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ve only ever carried your son.”
“...Right.”
At the entrance of the villa, Yu Shaohong came looking for the baby. Upon entering, he saw this joyous scene: both daughters and his grandson were being hoisted up to reach the balloons.
He quickly pulled out his phone to record a video. He had never seen them so happy before.
When the three children were young, he had never carried them on his shoulders—not even once.
“Grandpa!” the baby called out when he saw Yu Shaohong.
Yu Shaohong had already recorded two clips and taken plenty of photos.
“Coming!” he said, turning off his phone.
It was almost time. Yu Jingze handed the baby to his father and prepared to go pick up Zou Lexiao. “You guys tidy up the unused balloons in the yard,” he reminded Yu Qing.
Putting on his coat, Yu Jingze hurriedly left.
________________________________________
Zou Lexiao hadn’t been idle at home either. After waking up, she began her skincare routine, styled her hair, picked out an outfit, and applied makeup—a process that took her over two hours.
After pairing her look with the perfect bag, she went downstairs, ready to leave.
Ten minutes earlier, Yu Jingze had called to say he was on his way.
Mrs. Zou and Director Zou had also changed into their clothes, planning to go shopping.
“Going on a date?” Mrs. Zou teased her daughter.
Zou Lexiao evaded the question. “Going to Second Brother’s house.”
Mrs. Zou smiled. “That’s practically a date.” She asked, “Which car are you taking today? Your dad and I are going out for a drive too. The roads aren’t congested right now.”
“Yu Jingze is picking me up.”
“Ohhh~” Mrs. Zou deliberately elongated the syllable.
“Aww, Mom.”
Mrs. Zou’s smile deepened. “Isn’t this cause for celebration?”
She put on her shoes, linked arms with Director Zou, and waved goodbye to her daughter. “Take your time waiting. We’re heading out first.”
After the door closed, Mrs. Zou turned to Director Zou. “Honey, we...”
Director Zou quickly cut her off. “Just call me Old Zou, please.”
“Husband” equaled perfume—it sounded unsettling.
________________________________________
Zou Lexiao turned on the TV, muting it, and occasionally glanced at her phone, wondering where Yu Jingze was.
This was their first real date—he was officially her boyfriend now.
The waiting felt excruciating. Zou Lexiao felt like ages had passed, but when she checked her phone, only two minutes had gone by.
The TV screen kept moving silently; she had no idea what was playing.
Her phone vibrated—Yu Jingze sent a message: [“I’m at the entrance of your neighborhood. No rush, take your time walking out.”]
His car couldn’t enter the villa area, so he had to wait outside the gate.
Zou Lexiao checked herself in the mirror again. Finding nothing amiss, she finally stepped out.
The afternoon air carried the strong scent of the upcoming New Year, tinged with a hint of sweetness.
Their front gate was already adorned with couplets written by Grandpa. His calligraphy was exquisite, though she hadn’t inherited even the basics of it.
But Yu Jingze’s handwriting was beautiful—she had seen it before.
Thinking about this, her nervousness eased slightly.
Yet, as she approached the gate, her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
Walking became awkward, as if she had forgotten how to walk properly.
Turning the corner onto the main road of the neighborhood, she saw his figure.
Yu Jingze stepped out of the car, standing tall at the exit.
Zou Lexiao instinctively quickened her pace. She inwardly scolded herself for being so eager, but it was useless—she just wanted to see him sooner.
Finally close, only the security gate separated them.
Yu Jingze reached out. Zou Lexiao swiped her card to exit, intentionally misinterpreting his gesture and shaking his hand. “Thanks for coming to pick me up, President Yu.” She quickly let go.
But the moment their fingertips touched, it felt like an electric shock.
Yu Jingze: “...”
He chuckled silently.
Her makeup today was similar to the last time they had dinner at SZ Restaurant—even the lipstick shade was close.
He quickly caught up with her and opened the car door for her.
This was Zou Lexiao’s second time riding in his car. Memories flooded back.
That time, when he had dropped her off, she had secretly kissed him in the car.
Yu Jingze got into the car but didn’t drive off immediately.
He pulled a card from his wallet and held it out to her. “This is our bank’s first black card. Anyone working at the bank knows this card belongs to me.” The card number was unique.
When she had canceled the card, it had upset him—and likely her even more.
Zou Lexiao didn’t take it. “I don’t need money.”
“I know.” Yu Jingze realized offering the card right away might not have been appropriate. “Keep it with you. I won’t tell you the password. Is that okay?”
After a brief hesitation, Zou Lexiao took it. “If you leave the card with me now, won’t you be short one card? After the holidays, when you return to work, go to our bank and get a new one.”
Yu Jingze nodded, agreeing readily this time. “Alright.”
Zou Lexiao turned her face slightly. “Are you short on cash? If you’re tight on funds, you can take out a loan at our bank—the interest isn’t too high.”
Yu Jingze earnestly asked, “Do I have to take out a loan at your bank to win you over?”
Zou Lexiao laughed and turned to look out the window, ignoring him.
Yu Jingze started the car and turned on the music. He had downloaded it on the way here.
Hearing the familiar intro, Zou Lexiao abruptly turned around. It was a song by Gu Heng—their first album. She knew every song by heart.
She wondered if he had played it specifically for her or if he listened to it regularly.
She asked, “Do you like Gu Heng’s songs too?”
Yu Jingze wanted to say no but feared she’d hold it against him. He settled for a simple “Mm.”
Talking about idols relaxed Zou Lexiao. “Then next time Yu Qing and I go star-chasing, we can bring you along.”
Yu Jingze: “...”
He turned up the volume a bit more.
Zou Lexiao didn’t speak again. She listened to her favorite songs, sitting beside the person she loved.
This was what happiness looked like.
Occasionally, she stole glances at Yu Jingze. Even though he was within arm’s reach, it still felt like a long, beautiful dream she hadn’t woken up from.
“In the future, if I do anything wrong or overlook your feelings, just tell me directly. Once I realize it, I’ll change. Whatever you say, I won’t get angry, and I won’t leave.”
After a brief silence, Yu Jingze broke the quiet.
Zou Lexiao didn’t know how to respond but was deeply moved by his words.
Time flew when you were with someone you loved. The car turned into the villa area where the Yu family lived. Zou Lexiao knew this place almost as well as her own neighborhood.
Before the car even entered the yard, Zou Lexiao spotted the balloons hanging from the trees by the lake.
She didn’t think they were for her, but she was still amazed and touched. Once again, she was a spectator, witnessing someone else’s happiness.
“Second Brother is getting more and more romantic.”
Yu Jingze didn’t respond. He parked the car.
There was no one in the yard—they had all retreated indoors.
“Do you want to go see the balloons?” he asked Zou Lexiao.
Zou Lexiao nodded eagerly, snapping photos as she walked.
If Yu Jingze had prepared so many balloons for her, she would marry him without hesitation.
She loved thoughtful gifts like these—not expensive, but filled with care and patience.
Zou Lexiao tilted her head back, watching the colorful balloons sway in the breeze. The atmosphere infected her, filling her heart with joy.
There must have been hundreds of them.
Against the backdrop of the lake and the day’s scenery, it felt like a fairy tale.
“Is this Second Brother’s New Year gift for Yu Qing?”
Yu Jingze gave a vague response. Zou Lexiao was too busy admiring the balloons to pay attention to what he said. “How many are there?”
She asked.
Yu Jingze: “520.”
The number itself was a declaration of love.
Yu Jingze gestured to her. “Lexiao, come to the right side and look at the bundle at the very edge.”
Confused, Zou Lexiao walked over briskly, assuming it was a surprise from Fu Jichen for Yu Qing. But when she saw the words on the balloons, she was stunned.
On the string of balloons, from left to right, the words read: Yu Jingze loves Zou Lexiao.
“Am I seeing things?” she muttered.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Yu Jingze bent down and hugged her legs. “Take it down and see for yourself.”
Zou Lexiao lost her balance, placing her hands on his shoulders. She lowered her gaze, and he looked up at her.
In that moment of eye contact, she heard the beating of her heart.
Finally, she was no longer just a spectator.
She was the protagonist of her own love story.
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