Up at Cloud Viewing Deck, Jiang Yanqin stood alone on the terrace, watching the crowd below celebrate the countdown. He swirled the wine in his hand, finding it utterly tasteless.
His phone buzzed. It was Liang Siyan. “What are you up to, Boss Jiang? Working even on New Year’s Eve? Come out for drinks. Our usual spot. We’re three short of a full table just waiting on you!”
Jiang Yanqin’s mood was foul, his tone icy enough to freeze over. “Not free.”
“Tsk. What’s got you so grumpy? Where are you? I’ll come cheer you up.”
“Cloud Viewing Deck,” Jiang Yanqin replied flatly.
There was a pause on the line, then Liang Siyan’s voice rose in disbelief. “Damn! You went there all by yourself?! That’s the ultimate VIP spot for fireworks! What’s the point of going alone? Wait… you sound off. Did you ask someone out and get stood up?”
Qin Xu’s voice came faintly through the background. “Who is it? Why so bitter?”
“Who else? Looks like our great Mr. Jiang is keeping an empty bed all to himself.”
Qin Xu’s voice grew closer, sounding cautious as he took the phone. “Lao Jiang… are you really there alone?”
Jiang Yanqin ended the call without bothering to reply.
Half an hour later, Qin Xu showed up at Cloud Viewing Deck, dragging a thoroughly curious Liang Siyan along.
The moment Liang Siyan stepped inside, he let out a low whistle. “Damn! Look at this view! This height! Jiang Yanqin, you really have connections. How did you get access to a place like this?”
“Seriously though, you really are alone?” He nodded toward the expensive champagne and breathing wine in the ice bucket. “You went to all this trouble just to toast yourself?”
Qin Xu pinched Liang Siyan hard in the ribs and shot him sharp warning glances to shut up.
Jiang Yanqin did not even turn around, his back rigid and unyielding. His voice carried the cold of the night outside. “Stay if you must. Or leave if you prefer.”
Liang Siyan fell silent. He mouthed at Qin Xu, What is wrong with him? Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
Qin Xu’s mind raced. He thought back to how carefully Jiang Yanqin had looked after that young girl at the restaurant only hours earlier. A startling realization began to take shape, leaving him visibly stunned.
Good grief. He is serious? This is not just a casual fling? He actually cares for her?
Jiang Yanqin had always seemed above such things, completely uninterested in romance. And hadn’t he been deeply hurt before? Everyone in their circle knew of it.
“Could it be that even if he cannot be with her in every way, it does not stop him from loving her? From wanting to be kind to her? From wanting to be the one who fills her time?”
Everything suddenly made sense. Jiang Yanqin had feelings for the girl, but because of what happened in the past, he could only watch from afar. That was why he was so frustrated.
But looking at him now, miserable and restless, he did not seem like someone resigned to never having what he wanted. Another, bolder thought struck Qin Xu.
Could it be that he is healed?
The idea startled him, yet the more he considered it, the more it fit. It would explain everything—the raw longing and intensity radiating from him.
He sighed inwardly. If that is true, then that girl is in for quite a ride. Or perhaps… quite a happy life? Jiang Yanqin falling in love at this age is going to be absolutely intense.
Liang Siyan glanced between the freezing Jiang Yanqin and Qin Xu, whose expression kept shifting wildly. “Right. Are you two actually okay?”
The next few hours dragged by in awkward small talk. Finally the countdown began.
“Five. Four. Three. Two. One! Happy New Year!”
Outside, fireworks erupted in brilliant bursts across the sky. Cheers rose from the square below, loud even through the thick glass.
Inside the room, a strange quiet settled instead.
Jiang Yanqin stared down at the celebrating crowds, unable to find her anywhere. His eyes darkened, deeper than the night sky itself.
The fireworks continued to blaze, yet he grabbed his coat and turned to leave.
“Leaving already? The show is not over!” Liang Siyan called out, confused.
Qin Xu pulled him back. “Let him go.”
The door clicked shut. Liang Siyan shook his head. “What was that all about? So strange.”
Qin Xu swirled the wine in his glass and sighed. “Ah, love works in mysterious ways. Everyone meets their match eventually.”
Down at the riverside square, the celebrations were in full swing. Fireworks lit up the sky and people cheered.
Ji Xia was swept up in the joy of the moment. She messaged her parents and uncle first, replied to her friends’ greetings, and then typed a message to Jiang Yanqin with genuine warmth.
Ji Xia: Happy New Year, Uncle Jiang! Thank you so much for looking after me lately! [Fireworks][Smiling face]
Jiang Yanqin was already on his way down in the elevator. He read her message and the sweet little emoji. The corners of his mouth softened almost imperceptibly. Some of the heaviness that had weighed on him all evening began to lift.
At least she has not completely forgotten me.
He found himself wondering whether to have the driver bring her to him, or go collect her himself.
Then his phone buzzed again. Another message from her.
**Ji Xia**: My friends want to keep celebrating. We are going to sing karaoke and then stay over together. Is it okay if I do not come home tonight? I promise I will be with the girls the whole time! [Pleading][Pleading]
The faint smile vanished instantly.
Warmth turned to coldness. Happy New Year? Thank me? And then immediately say she plans to stay out all night?
The contrast stung more than the request itself.
Silence stretched long and heavy. Beneath his calm exterior, emotions raged, yet his reply was short and icy.
Uncle Jiang: That is fine.
Uncle Jiang: Stay safe. Keep your phone on you.
Ji Xia stared at the reply, puzzled. He said yes, but he sounds so unhappy. Does he think I am being too wild? Or is he worried and does not know how to tell my father?
She could not be sure. To her, Uncle Jiang was kind and thoughtful, yet he was also someone far above her. His thoughts were never easy to read.
“Ji Xia! Come on! The car is here!” her classmate Huang Yuhan called out.
“Coming!”
She pushed those doubts aside instantly and hurried to join her friends, excitement returning.
Her phone slipped back into her pocket and the screen went dark. His cold reply and the kind Uncle Jiang she thought she knew were both left behind, lost in the noise and joy of New Year’s Eve.