SW - 43

Lu Chi looked up, and Tang Yin was waving at him.

She smiled brightly, the warm winter sun shining on her, coating her in a light glow.

“Chichi, let’s go home.”

Wang Ziyan finally pulled her gaze away from the two figures walking away, turning to speak, her tone filled with a lightness she herself didn’t realize.

She had brought up that last sentence on purpose.

Lu Yueming made her miserable, so she would make him miserable too. Only Qiu Hua still believed he was truly forced back then.

Wang Ziyan sneered.

If he truly didn’t want to, would he have married her? Lu Yueming’s family wasn’t poor; though not as wealthy as hers, they were still better off than ordinary people.

Now she wanted to know how Qiu Hua and Lu Yueming would get along in the future, especially after knowing the truth about that year.

No grudges?

Impossible. Qiu Hua had always believed Lu Yueming was drugged by her, forced by her, firmly convinced they were true love, torn apart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have cheated for over a decade.

Only Lu Yueming himself knew what truly happened.

“Mm,” Lu Chi mumbled.

But his gaze remained fixed across the street, falling on that bright face, and that waist that haunted his dreams.

Tang Yin was wearing a short jacket today with a half-skirt, cinching her waist. Even with thick winter clothes, her slenderness was undeniable.

Wang Ziyan followed his gaze. “Are you looking at that girl?”

Lu Chi suddenly turned his head. “No.”

He strode away from the spot without looking back.

Wang Ziyan, however, kept staring in that direction, finding the girl somewhat familiar. She felt like she had seen her somewhere before, but when she tried to recall, she couldn’t.

________________________________________

Tang Yin watched the two walk away, wondering what Lu Chi’s mother’s gaze had meant.

Did she think Tang Yin was meddling last time?

She carried her bag, pondering in confusion, and slowly made her way home.

________________________________________

Holiday time always passed incredibly fast. Before she knew it, New Year’s had arrived.

Early in the morning, Tang Yin was awakened by the distant sound of firecrackers.

Although firecrackers and fireworks were not allowed within the city limits, many people still ignored the rules and set them off privately.

When she was woken up, Tang Yin felt they really shouldn’t be allowed, but once fully awake, she thought the firecrackers created a great atmosphere. A cold, quiet New Year wouldn’t feel like anything.

Grandpa and Grandma were also brought over.

Although their New Year’s celebration was in the evening, it didn’t last late; it was completely over by eight or nine o’clock.

The family lay sprawled on the sofa, full and content.

Tang Yin pulled out her phone, logged into WeChat, sent Lu Chi a “Happy New Year,” then tilted her head, waiting for a reply.

The last time they met was opposite the Civil Affairs Bureau. They had agreed to meet the next day, but it didn’t work out. This time, she was determined to ask him out.

________________________________________

Lu Chi was writing his winter break exam papers. The process on his scratch paper was neat and orderly. His phone vibrated. He opened it to see a message from Tang Yin.

Tangtangtang: Happy New Year.

He typed the same few words, about to reply, when he saw a new message.

Tangtangtang: Hey, let’s go celebrate New Year’s Eve tonight.

When she said New Year’s Eve, Lu Chi knew what she meant.

There was a Yuan Da Plaza in the city that, starting a few years ago, had adopted the tradition of holding a New Year’s Eve countdown event, learning from outside examples.

People who were bored at home would come to the plaza to drink tea, chat, dance, and then count down to the new year together closer to midnight. It was incredibly lively.

Lu Chi glanced at his test paper and replied, “Okay.”

Tang Yin was about to jump up excitedly when she saw another new message pop up: 10 PM, meet at the plaza.

He didn’t specify a location or time, which meant she had to find him in that huge place?

Tangtangtang: So many people???

A string of three exclamation marks showed Tang Yin’s shock and disbelief. If she were in front of him now, she would probably be very unhappy.

Lu Chi pursed his lips and chuckled softly, but since he was alone in the room, no one knew.

He sent another message: Mm.

The other end of WeChat went quiet, with no reply for a long time. He guessed that Tang Yin might find it very difficult or was simply in a bad mood.

It wasn’t until a while later that his phone vibrated again.

Tangtangtang: Okay, okay, just watch me spot you in the crowd.

After sending that message, Tang Yin threw her phone aside and lay on the sofa, taking deep breaths.

Lu Chi was incredible; he was now learning to tease people, which truly surprised her. He actually wanted her to find him in a whole plaza.

So many people, and at night too; her eyes would go blind.

But she just felt she could find him. If she could find him as soon as she arrived, it was truly destined by heaven, a fate he couldn’t deny.

Tang Yin smiled. Lu Chi wanted to make it difficult for her, but the outcome was not yet decided.

On the TV not far away, the Spring Festival Gala was still playing. Although everything was harmonious, it wasn’t very interesting to watch.

She patted her dad’s belly and suddenly said, “I’m going out with someone to celebrate New Year’s Eve tonight.”

Tang Youwei slowly asked, “Who?”

Tang Yin opened her mouth. “Your son-in-law, hahahahahaha.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Yun and Tang Youwei on the sofa both stared at her with wide eyes.

In their eyes, anyone who got within a few meters of their daughter was not good news.

________________________________________

Yuan Da Plaza was only about a ten-minute walk from Tang Yin’s home.

Normally, she and her family would go join the fun, but they wouldn’t stay so late, as it wasn’t particularly interesting.

But today was different; tonight, she had a date with Lu Chi!

It was just past ten, and the plaza was already packed with people. Vendors selling goods, people dancing square dances, many children eating cotton candy, and little girls selling flowers.

“It’s still early. I’m going home to sleep first; you can find me then.”

“What’s the fun in that? We’re going to stay up late for New Year’s Eve, that’s what’s fun!”

Tang Yin sat by the spherical sculpture outside the plaza, contemplating where Lu Chi might be.

The dim streetlights combined with various colorful lights gave the plaza a night market feel. Although it was late, it was still bustling.

She walked through the crowd and finally stopped at a spot on the west side of the plaza.

She remembered this place; it was a location mentioned in their previous conversation.

That time at the noodle shop, she had pressed him about what he liked, and Lu Chi finally replied that it was a shop at the west corner of Yuan Da Plaza.

That shop was very ordinary. Tang Yin had passed by it more than once but had never gone inside to eat, nor did she know what the food tasted like. If it weren’t for this occasion, she would have almost forgotten about it.

Perhaps it was fate.

As she drew closer, the shop came into view.

Through the transparent display windows, several tables were arranged, with people sitting in twos and threes, either couples or families.

Tang Yin didn’t go right up to it but stood a short distance away.

She was right; Lu Chi was inside, sitting by the window where he could be easily seen. Perhaps he considered her.

A small boy squeezed through the crowd and unexpectedly bumped into her.

Then, in a soft,糯 voice, he asked, “Miss, do you want to buy cotton candy?”

Tang Yin looked down. The boy was about seven or eight, with a tender, cute face, holding several cotton candies large enough to cover his head.

She rubbed the boy’s face. “Give me two.”

The boy was overjoyed and immediately pulled out two of the largest ones. He also added, “...It’s a bit cold...”

Tang Yin smiled. “It’s okay.”

There were quite a few children selling things like this in the plaza, most helping their parents. Like this little boy, she remembered him; she had met him before.

“Wait, little brother, what’s your name?”

“My name is A-Bo.”

Tang Yin bent down and whispered to him, “A-Bo, can you help me with something? It’s not troublesome.”

A-Bo hesitated for a moment, then thought that this sister had bought two cotton candies at once when no one else had, and nodded. “Okay.”

“See that older brother inside, the one wearing a dark blue scarf?” Tang Yin pointed at Lu Chi. “Help me give him this cotton candy.”

She then whispered another instruction.

A-Bo nodded after hearing it and turned to walk into the shop.

________________________________________

Lu Chi was fiddling with his phone.

Would this be too difficult for Tang Yin? The plaza was quite large.

He turned to look outside, only seeing pedestrians coming and going, and thousands of identical faces. He didn’t see that brightly smiling face.

Lu Chi opened his phone, preparing to send a WeChat message.

Just then, his arm was suddenly nudged. A small boy stood there, holding a huge cotton candy, staring at him unblinkingly.

“Dark blue scarf...” The boy leaned in for a closer look. “Found the right one.”

Lu Chi asked in confusion, “...Is there, anything I can help you with?”

A-Bo smiled sweetly, revealing two small dimples. “A big sister asked me to give you this.”

He handed over a pink cotton candy, large and fragrant.

Lu Chi took it, knowing almost instantly that it must be from Tang Yin. He looked outside, but still didn’t see anyone.

“The big sister told me to tell you,” A-Bo scratched his head. “Pink cotton candy is perfect for girly-hearted Lu Chichi.”

Lu Chi hadn’t even replied when he heard the boy ask again, “Big brother, are you called Lu Chichi? What a cute name.”

“...” Tang Yin was truly something else.

He lowered his head and asked, “Where is she?”

A-Bo extended his small hand and pointed to a spot.

Lu Chi followed the direction, squinting slightly. Tang Yin was standing there, eating cotton candy, most of her face hidden, leaving only a pair of bright eyes visible.

By the time he reached her side, Tang Yin had switched to something else, happily eating an ice cream cone.

Tang Yin gently licked with her tongue.

It was deep winter, and the cold air outside was no match for the feeling the ice cream gave her.

Eating out of season had a special thrill.

Like having hotpot in an air-conditioned room in summer, both cool and spicy. Or watching snow outside in winter, then eating ice cream, both cold and sweet.

Two extreme sensations.

Tang Yin was focused on licking when a large shadow fell over her.

Her eyes curved, and she smiled. “Oh, girly-hearted Chi.”

The large display screen in the plaza was showing videos of overseas Chinese congratulating the New Year. The sounds drowned out her voice.

Although Lu Chi didn’t hear her, he could tell from her expression that she definitely hadn’t said anything good.

Tang Yin finished her ice cream in two or three bites and pulled him into the deeper part of the plaza.

“Have you ever celebrated New Year’s Eve here?”

“No,” Lu Chi adjusted his scarf, giving a brief reply.

Tang Yin nodded in satisfaction, then imperiously declared, “Then I’m the first one to celebrate New Year’s Eve with you, and also the last. You’re not allowed to have anyone else ever again.”

Lu Chi turned, lowering his head slightly to look at her.

“Promise me quickly,” Tang Yin squeezed his arm, adding, “Though it doesn’t matter if you don’t promise.”

“...Okay.”

Tang Yin was content.

The two wandered aimlessly around the plaza. Lu Chi spoke little, so Tang Yin did all the talking, eating one thing, then another.

After some time, the countdown began on the big screen.

The people in the plaza grew excited, as if injected with adrenaline, and joined the countdown, accompanied by screams and various children’s laughter.

Tang Yin squinted, suddenly stepping in front of Lu Chi.

His scarf was now around her neck, so his smoothly defined jawline looked perfect and enticing from her angle.

Tang Yin bit him.

She didn’t use force, just a gentle nip.

Lu Chi didn’t have time to react. The tingling sensation on his jaw made his Adam’s apple subtly move, as if a soft tongue had touched his jawline.

While he was stunned, Tang Yin had already stepped back, holding his shoulders, laughing until her stomach hurt.

Lu Chi’s face was tense.

“Five!”

“Four!”

He suddenly lowered his head, captured her round shoulders, and covered her vibrant lips with his own.

Unlike her previous light pecks, this was a very forceful kiss.

Sucking on her lips.

He cupped the back of her head, his agile tongue squeezing through the gap in her lips, licking around her teeth with force.

Tang Yin was wearing a coat that day, carelessly open, making it easy for him to reach inside from the side. Lu Chi’s hand stopped at the base of her spine, caressing for a moment, lingering.

It was both ticklish and exhilarating.

For a moment, both heard only the other’s rapid breathing.

“Two!”

“One!”

Tang Yin stood on tiptoe.

She thought, this truly was the best New Year’s gift.