Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the day before New Year’s Day, at the Jiang Family restaurant.
Lin Xinya was eating rice porridge and said to her daughter beside her: ”Wanwan, after breakfast, let your brother take you to school.”
“Why does my brother have to take me? Where’s Uncle Liu?”
Lin Xinya placed a fried egg into Jiang Wanting’s bowl. “The driver is on holiday.”
Jiang Wanting let out an “Oh.” lifted her milk, and took a sip. To be honest, she was a little afraid of Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qi was already twenty-seven this year. Lin Xinya had been urging him and had already started looking for blind dates for him. With his looks, did he even need blind dates?
On the way to school.
“Brother, when are you going to get me a Sister-in-law? Mom is already picking blind date candidates for you.”
Jiang Qi’s hand on the steering wheel paused slightly, his thin lips parting. “Why are you worrying about that?”
“You’re already twenty-seven this year. It’s time to get married.”
Jiang Qi gave a faint chuckle. “So free, are you? I’ll take you to an art exhibition tomorrow.”
Jiang Wanting’s star-like eyes lit up, and she could not help but say excitedly: ”Is it Xiaoran Art Gallery?”
She had wanted to see that exhibition for a long time. It was just that the organizer only opened it once a month. If not for a class conflict last time, she would have already gone.
At the gate of H University, the Maybach stopped steadily by the roadside.
Jiang Qi reached out his large hand and gently patted the girl’s hair, his voice low and gentle. “Study well.”
Jiang Wanting: “……”
Was that even necessary to say? She was not a child.
Watching Jiang Wanting enter the school gate, Jiang Qi was about to start the engine when he inadvertently caught sight of that tall, fair figure getting off the bus.
The girl had black curly hair tied into a ponytail. She wore a black down jacket, her face fair without makeup. Her legs were straight and slender, and she hurried toward the school gate.
Jiang Qi’s hand resting on the steering wheel paused. His deep black eyes froze for a moment before he withdrew his gaze and started the engine.
Qianxing Garden, living room.
Shen Zui’s well-defined long fingers tapped lightly on the coffee table from time to time.
“Have some tea.” Nanny Rong brewed him a cup of his favorite Longjing tea.
Seeing that he did not speak, Nanny Rong could not figure out his thoughts. She tentatively said: ”How about I go tell Young Madam that you’ve come back?”
Without waiting for Shen Zui to respond, Nanny Rong made the decision herself and went to make the call.
When Jiang Wanting received Nanny Rong’s call, she had just finished class. Shen Zui had come back? Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Wasn’t it said that the entertainment industry did not have holidays? Why was he taking a New Year’s break?
What she did not know was that Shen Zui had specifically taken two days off to shoot a Prada advertisement.
After much consideration, Jiang Wanting still chose to return to Qianxing Garden. She called Jiang Qi and asked him to come pick her up tomorrow to go to the art gallery.
By the time Jiang Wanting returned to Qianxing Garden, it was already past six in the evening. Night had fallen. She thanked the driver and got out of the car.
Hearing the sound, Nanny Rong hurried to the door. “You’re finally back. Is it cold outside? Your nose is all red from the cold.”
Jiang Wanting took off her hat and gloves. “It’s freezing. Nanny Rong, touch it.”
Seeing Jiang Wanting’s childlike manner, Nanny Rong could not help but shake her head with a smile. “Drink some hot water first, then go upstairs and take a shower. You’re full of cold air.”
Jiang Wanting casually swept her gaze around the living room but did not see Shen Zui. Her brows furrowed slightly. Wasn’t he supposed to be back? Could it be that Nanny Rong had deliberately tricked her?
Nanny Rong did not notice Jiang Wanting’s expression and urged her to go bathe.
After her shower, Jiang Wanting went straight to the dining room. When she saw the man at the table, she froze for a moment.
Shen Zui? So Nanny Rong had not tricked her—Shen Zui had really come back.
Shen Zui raised his eyes. The girl was wearing white fluffy pajamas, with a hair-drying cap wrapped around her head, revealing a fair and delicate little face.
Seeing Shen Zui staring at her hair, Jiang Wanting awkwardly looked away. She had thought he was not around, and since she was hungry, she had been too lazy to blow-dry her hair.
“Young Madam, when I was tidying your clothes, I saw two tickets. Are you going to the art exhibition tomorrow?”
“Yes, my brother said he’d take me.” Jiang Wanting spoke while chewing, her cheeks puffed like a little hamster, her words slightly muffled.
Nanny Rong was momentarily stunned. If only the young master had time, arranging for them to go together would help improve their relationship.
Shen Zui ate slowly and methodically, saying nothing.
After dinner, Jiang Wanting went upstairs first. She did not want to keep appearing in front of Shen Zui with her hair wrapped up—it was too unpresentable.
They had not seen each other for over a month. Jiang Wanting did not even know how to get along with Shen Zui anymore. Other than warmly approaching him and being met with indifference, she really did not know what else to do.
She checked the time—there was still one hour and two minutes before the New Year. She could not help but laugh softly. The opportunity had come. She had to spend the New Year together with Shen Zui.
Shen Zui’s room.
Shen Zui was wearing a white bathrobe, lazily leaning against the headboard, holding a script in his hand.
Jiang Wanting came to his door, knocked twice, and without waiting for a response, directly turned the handle.
“I’m coming in!” It was rare for him to rest—who would believe that this man was actually reading a script!
Jiang Wanting suddenly found it both amusing and a little bittersweet. He truly loved this profession, just like how she loved art—it was a passion deep in their bones.
Shen Zui raised his eyes. The girl was still wearing that fluffy pajama set, her long black hair casually draped over her shoulders, holding an iPad as she walked toward him.
Shen Zui: “?”
“It’s almost 2022. Let’s celebrate the New Year together, celebrate together.” As she spoke, Jiang Wanting lifted the blanket and climbed onto the bed.
Shen Zui: “??”
“What’s wrong? It’s not like it’s the first time.” Jiang Wanting once again said something astonishing and opened her drawing app.
Shen Zui: “……”
The two leaned against the headboard, each busy with their own things. The atmosphere was indescribably pleasant.
Jiang Wanting turned her head to look at the man beside her. “Shen Zui, doesn’t your entertainment industry not have holidays?”
“I had something to do.”
“What kind of thing?”
Another silence followed. Jiang Wanting could not help but sigh inwardly. He was really a man of few words. “Was it to shoot an endorsement advertisement?”
Shen Zui’s fingers holding the script paused slightly, but he did not speak.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Wanting saw his subtle reaction and confidently curved her lips. “Looks like I guessed right. Then when will your film wrap up? You can at least say that, right?”
“Soon.”
Jiang Wanting’s lips could not help but curl upward. He finally answered. Although she did not get a precise answer, it was still progress.
“Jiang Wanting, Happy New Year.” The man’s magnetic, low voice slowly reached her ears.
“Ah?” Jiang Wanting looked at Shen Zui with wide, bright eyes. The next second, she lowered her gaze to check the time. “Oh—it’s midnight.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of fireworks rang out. The two turned to look outside the window. The fireworks bloomed in the night sky like clusters of colorful flowers.
There were few residents in the Qianxing Garden area. Could it be that Nanny Rong had arranged these fireworks? They were even set off right by Shen Zui’s window. Fortunately, the floor-to-ceiling window in his bedroom was large enough.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful! Happy New Year! Happy New Year!”
The girl’s voice was crisp and cheerful. Shen Zui remained silent as he looked out the window, the brilliant fireworks already fleeting.
The next second, he heard Jiang Wanting’s puzzled voice: ”Hey, aren’t you going to post on Weibo? I remember celebrities usually post right at the exact moment!”