358. The New Year’s Eve
As dusk fell, the red lanterns hanging by the balcony and at the front door lit up one after another, their brilliance contrasting with the darkness in the corners, while distant sounds of fireworks crackled faintly beyond the tall buildings.
Ning Chu grabbed a small stool and sat at the doorway, watching her mother burn paper offerings in the hallway. The warmth from the burning yellow paper mixed with flying ashes that drifted nearby. Black Bean was darting around with a sparkler near the fire barrel, driving her mother crazy enough to want to swat her behind.
“Move away, don’t bump into the barrel!”
During the New Year, there were special iron barrels for burning paper, and in a couple of days, someone would come by to collect the ashes for cash.
“Ning Chu, close the door; don’t let the ashes fly into the house.”
“Oh~”
Ning Chu casually shut the door and propped her hands on her thighs, resting her chin on them while gazing out at the night sky through the hallway window.
When will Wen Yang arrive?
Although she knew he wouldn’t be here until around eleven, she couldn’t help but fantasize that he might leave work early to surprise her.
“Excuse me, excuse me.” Ning Yuan opened the door from inside, holding up a couplet, “I’m sticking a couplet up, could you move a bit?”
Ning Chu moved her little stool to the neighbor’s door, tilting her head to watch her older brother affix the couplet.
“Bro, have you talked to Lily yet?”
It had been hours since they became friends at noon; surely they must’ve chatted by now?
“Talked about what?”
“……”
With his back to her, Ning Yuan continued to paste the couplet, “We just exchanged greetings; I don’t know what else to talk about with her.”
“Just, you know, casually bring up some topics.”
“She didn’t even come over to chat; it’s the New Year, what if she’s busy?”
Ning Chu pouted, “Straightforward guy, still waiting for the girl to initiate a conversation…”
She had already lost hope for her brother and Lily.
One was so introverted, the other was a socially awkward guy with a mild case of girl-phobia. They seemed completely mismatched!
It was hard to even imagine how they would hit it off.
“Sounds like you weren’t any better back then.” Ning Yuan secured the couplet on the wall and turned to ask, “Does it look crooked?”
“A bit lower, mm, just like that.”
When they were kids, they used actual lanterns for the New Year, sticking the couplets on with a glue that was like rice paste. But she didn’t know when it changed; now, the red lanterns were all electric, and that glue had vanished from existence.
The sounds of fireworks were just faint echoes in the distance, with none of the choking, smoky scent of fireworks lingering in the air, and barely a few children playing in the neighborhood…
“Bro, remember when we used to throw firecrackers at other people’s houses?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
Ning Chu gazed at her brother with a hint of resentment, “Then you ran away, and I got yelled at… it was your idea in the first place!”
“Don’t recall.” Ning Yuan chose selective amnesia as he finished pasting the couplet and stepped back to admire his work, ensuring it was straight before changing the subject casually, “Shall we go inside to watch the Spring Festival Gala? It’s starting soon.”
“Not interested; there’s nothing good to watch.”
The coffee table in the living room was moved aside, and the dining table was placed directly in front of the TV. Their uncle had already set up the induction cooker and pot, with a full spread of sliced ingredients for hot pot.
As eight o’clock approached, Uncle finally had the hot pot ready, but Wen Yang would definitely miss out.
“Ning Xin! Come in for hot pot,”
“Coming, coming!” Black Bean dashed into the house.
“Go wash your hands first.”
She rushed off to wash her hands, then hurried back to sit down, immediately zeroing in on the beef and lamb on the table. Without waiting for the pot to boil, she eagerly grabbed two slices of beef and tossed them in.
One by one, they sat down, but Uncle dashed back out to help their mother with burning paper.
Ning Chu snapped a photo of the feast on the table and sent it to Wen Yang, urging, “It’s already eight; when will you get off work and come home?”
To her surprise, Wen Yang responded this time: “I’ll probably get there by nine, not many customers at the shop, so the manager let us go early.”
He really did leave early!
Ning Chu’s mood instantly improved, a smile creeping onto her lips.
The pot boiled, and the first program of the Spring Festival Gala began.
She glanced at the TV, her interest waning as she looked down to pour some sesame sauce into a small bowl.
Black Bean, having never seen the Spring Festival Gala before, was captivated by the program, ears perked up, until she realized that Ning Chu had snatched the beef off her chopsticks.
“Sis! That piece is my meat!”
“If it stews too long, it won’t taste good anymore. I’m helping you eat it.”
“Bro~” Black Bean immediately turned her big, pleading eyes towards Ning Yuan, “Sister’s bullying me~”
Ning Yuan responded indifferently, “Uh-huh.”
Mother and Uncle had finished burning the paper and entered the room, bringing with them a faint scent of smoke as they sat at the table.
Uncle reached under the table for a bottle of white liquor, pouring some for Mother, before turning to the siblings, “You two want a drink?”
“Sure.”
As Ning Yuan passed a cup over, Black Bean also leaned in with her bowl.
“Give me some too!”
“Kids shouldn’t crowd around.” Mother shot Black Bean a glare, “Go drink your milk; aren’t there a few cans in your gift pack?”
Black Bean hopped off the chair and scampered off to grab her Wangzai milk.
“Ning Chu.”
Uncle poured a cup for Ning Chu as well, placing it in front of her.
She frowned, feeling a bit awkward. She wasn’t a fan of alcohol, especially not white liquor; she couldn’t handle it in this life or the previous one.
But it wouldn’t be a problem to get drunk at home.
Just doing it to make her mother’s boyfriend happy…
“Thanks.” Ning Chu muttered softly as she picked up the cup and wrinkled her nose, taking a tiny sip.
The fiery burn spread through her mouth and throat, making her cough uncontrollably, tears springing to her eyes.
Mother then cheerfully reminded her, “It’s pretty strong; girls should drink less, if you can’t handle it, don’t force yourself.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier…”
Ning Chu stuck out her tongue to blow air, and even with just a tiny sip, her cheeks had turned a rosy red from the alcohol.
She glanced at her brother, realizing Ning Yuan was also struggling with the strong liquor, his brows knitted. Meanwhile, Mother was sipping away with a smile, looking quite comfortable; it seemed she and Uncle shared a drink often.
Drinking, eating hot pot, chatting, and watching the Spring Festival Gala, the New Year’s Eve dinner dragged on leisurely. Over half an hour passed, and the dishes hardly diminished on the table.
Only Black Bean was devouring her meal, now holding her stuffed belly while reclining comfortably on the sofa.
A gentle knock at the door jolted Ning Chu, and she instantly jumped up to open it.
Sure enough, Wen Yang stood outside.
“Showing up this late, we’re almost done eating.”
“No choice, no rest on New Year’s Eve. I thought I’d have to work until eleven, but thankfully the boss made some adjustments.”
All the fatigue that cloaked him vanished the instant he saw Ning Chu. As he stepped inside, kicking off his shoes, she rushed over to help him take off his coat.
“Hurry up and eat; Black Bean will finish all the meat!”
Wen Yang glanced at the dining table, noticing the cups of white liquor, and leaned down, whispering in her ear, “Drink less; let’s go to Huahai Park to watch the fireworks later.”
The warm breath teasing her sensitive ears sent a blush coloring Ning Chu’s cheeks. She snapped out of it, letting out a giggle, “Hey? Just what I was thinking~”
Mother, propping her chin, watched the lovey-dovey scene at the door and quipped, “Look at your sister acting all wifey; I didn’t see her this enthusiastic when I got back.”
Ning Yuan looked at Ning Chu with a complicated expression.
Months back, when they last met, his brother had just become a girl. Then last week, he saw her growing even more beautiful. Now, he understood why there was a newfound maturity and allure in Ning Chu’s demeanor…
It felt strangely uncanny how quickly his brother had transformed from a boy into a woman—leaving him with an indescribable feeling inside.
