Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day before New Year’s Day at the Jiang family dining table.
Lin Xinya was eating porridge when she said to her daughter beside her, “Wanwan, after breakfast, have your brother take you to school.”
“Why does it have to be my brother? What about Uncle Liu?”
Lin Xinya picked up a fried egg and placed it in Jiang Wanting’s bowl. “The driver is on leave.”
Jiang Wanting let out an “oh” and took a sip of milk. To be honest, she was a little afraid of Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qi was 27 this year, and Lin Xinya was pushing him hard, already looking for potential matches for him. With his looks, her brother didn’t even need to go on blind dates!
On the way to school.
“Brother, when are you going to find me a sister-in-law? Mom is already looking for matches for you.”
Jiang Qi’s hand on the steering wheel paused briefly as he parted his thin lips slightly. “Why worry about that?”
“You’re already 27 this year. It’s about time you got married.”
Jiang Qi chuckled softly. “Got so much free time? I’ll take you to an art exhibition tomorrow.”
Jiang Wanting’s eyes, bright as stars, lit up instantly, and she couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly, “Is it the Xiaoran Art Gallery?”
She had wanted to see this exhibition for a long time, but the organizer only held it once a month. If it weren’t for a class conflict last time, she would have gone earlier.
At the entrance of H University, the Maybach came to a steady stop by the roadside.
Jiang Qi reached out his large hand and gently ruffled the girl’s hair, his voice low and gentle. “Focus on your classes.”
Jiang Wanting: “…”
Was that really necessary? She wasn’t a child anymore.
Watching Jiang Wanting enter the school gate, Jiang Qi was about to start the engine when he inadvertently caught sight of a tall, fair figure stepping off the bus.
The girl had her dark curly hair tied into a ponytail and wore a black down jacket. Her face was fair and free of makeup, her legs straight and slender as she hurried toward the school entrance.
Jiang Qi’s hand on the steering wheel paused again, his deep black eyes momentarily dazed before he finally withdrew his gaze and started the engine.
At Qiansingyuan, in the living room.
Shen Zui’s long, slender fingers tapped idly on the coffee table.
“Come have a cup of tea.” Nanny Rong brewed a cup of Longjing tea, his favorite.
Seeing him silent, Nanny Rong couldn’t quite guess his thoughts and tentatively suggested, “How about I go tell Young Mistress you’re back?”
Without waiting for Shen Zui to respond, Nanny Rong took it upon herself to make the call.
Jiang Wanting had just finished class when she received Nanny Rong’s call. Shen Zui was back? Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Wasn’t it said that the entertainment industry didn’t have holidays? How come he was off for New Year’s?
What she didn’t know was that Shen Zui had specifically taken two days off to shoot a brand advertisement.
After careful consideration, Jiang Wanting decided to return to Qiansingyuan. She called Jiang Qi and asked him to pick her up from Qiansingyuan tomorrow to take her to the art gallery.
By the time Jiang Wanting returned to Qiansingyuan, it was already past six in the evening. Night had fallen, and she thanked the driver before getting out of the car.
Hearing the noise, Nanny Rong hurried to the door. “You’re finally back. Is it cold outside? Your nose is all red from the chill.”
Jiang Wanting took off her hat and gloves. “It’s freezing, Nanny Rong. Feel for yourself.”
Looking at Jiang Wanting’s childlike demeanor, Nanny Rong couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile. “Have some hot water first, then go upstairs and take a shower. You’re covered in cold air.”
Jiang Wanting casually glanced around the living room but didn’t see Shen Zui. Her delicate brows furrowed again. Wasn’t he supposed to be back? Could Nanny Rong have tricked her on purpose?
Nanny Rong didn’t notice Jiang Wanting’s searching gaze and quickly urged her to go take a shower.
After her shower, Jiang Wanting headed straight to the dining room. Seeing the man at the table, she froze for a moment.
Shen Zui? So Nanny Rong hadn’t lied to her—Shen Zui really was back.
Shen Zui looked up. The girl was wearing a white fluffy pajama set, a hair towel still wrapped around her head, revealing a fair and delicate face.
Noticing Shen Zui staring at her hair, Jiang Wanting awkwardly averted her gaze. She hadn’t bothered to blow-dry her hair, thinking he wasn’t around and feeling too hungry to wait.
“Young Mistress, while tidying your clothes, I found two tickets. Are you going to the art exhibition tomorrow?”
“Yeah, my brother said he’d take me,” Jiang Wanting replied, her mouth full of food. Puffed-cheeked like a little hamster, her words came out slightly muffled.
Nanny Rong paused for a moment upon hearing this. If only the young master had time—it would be perfect to arrange for them to go together and deepen their relationship!
Shen Zui ate his meal unhurriedly, saying nothing.
After dinner, Jiang Wanting went upstairs first. She didn’t want to keep appearing in front of Shen Zui with her hair wrapped up—it was too unflattering.
It had been over a month since she last saw Shen Zui, and Jiang Wanting had no idea how to interact with him anymore. Aside from trying to warm up to his cold indifference, she really didn’t know what else to do.
Checking the time, she saw there was only an hour and two minutes left until the new year. Jiang Wanting couldn’t help but chuckle—here was her chance. She absolutely had to spend New Year’s Eve with Shen Zui.
Shen Zui’s room.
Shen Zui leaned lazily against the headboard in a white bathrobe, reading a script in his hand.
Jiang Wanting arrived at Shen Zui’s door, knocked twice, and without waiting for a response, turned the handle and pushed it open.
“I’m coming in!” she announced. On a rare day off, could you believe this man was still reading a script?
Jiang Wanting felt both amused and a pang of sympathy. He must truly love his profession—just as she loved art, a passion that ran deep in her bones.
Shen Zui looked up. The girl was still wearing the same fluffy pajamas, her dark, long hair casually draped over her shoulders as she walked toward him, clutching an iPad.
Shen Zui: “?”
“It’s almost 2022—let’s welcome the new year together, together!” Jiang Wanting said, lifting the covers and climbing into bed.
Shen Zui: “??”
“What’s the big deal? It’s not the first time,” Jiang Wanting said, once again startling him with her words as she opened a drawing app.
Shen Zui: “…”
The two leaned against the headboard, each occupied with their own tasks, the atmosphere indescribably pleasant.
Jiang Wanting glanced sideways at the man beside her and asked, “Shen Zui, doesn’t the entertainment industry never give you a break?”
“I have something to do.”
“What is it?”
Another stretch of silence followed. Jiang Wanting sighed inwardly—he really was stingy with words. “Is it for a commercial shoot?”
Shen Zui’s fingers, holding the script, stiffened slightly, but he said nothing.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Wanting noticed his subtle reaction and confidently curled her lips into a smile. “Looks like I guessed right. So, when will your movie wrap up? Can you at least tell me that?”
“Soon.”
Jiang Wanting couldn’t help but smile. At least he’d answered—even if it wasn’t a precise reply, it was still progress.
“Jiang Wanting, Happy New Year!” The man’s magnetic, low voice slowly reached her ears.
“Huh?” Jiang Wanting stared blankly at Shen Zui with her dark, bright almond-shaped eyes. The next second, she glanced down at the time. “Oh, it’s midnight already.”
As soon as she spoke, the sound of fireworks erupted. Both of them turned toward the window, watching as the bursting fireworks bloomed like vibrant, colorful flowers across the night sky.
The Qianxing Garden area had few residents, so these fireworks couldn’t have been arranged by Nanny Rong, could they? They were even deliberately set off right outside Shen Zui’s window. Fortunately, the floor-to-ceiling window in Shen Zui’s bedroom was large enough.
“Wow, so beautiful! Happy New Year! Happy New Year!”
The girl’s voice was clear and cheerful. Shen Zui remained silent as he gazed out the window, where the brilliant, colorful fireworks had just vanished in an instant.
The next moment, however, he heard Jiang Wanting’s puzzled voice, “Hey, aren’t you posting on Weibo? I remember celebrities usually post exactly at midnight!”