A heavy snow had fallen, bringing the coldest spell in memory. When speaking, one’s breath puffed out and instantly turned to mist.
Ye Qingyan rose early, dressed, and stepped out of her room. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Ji Qiuyun in a warm embrace.
“Mom, Happy New Year~”
Ji Qiuyun beamed at her daughter’s affectionate gesture, her smile stretching wide. “You’re another year older, quite the young lady now. Why still act like a little child?”
Ye Qingyan replied in a soft, gentle tone, “I don’t care. Even when I’m fifty or sixty, I’ll still be Mom’s little girl…”
“You and your sweet words.” Ji Qiuyun patted the back of her daughter’s hand fondly. “Hurry and eat your breakfast, or the porridge will grow cold.”
Only then did Ye Qingyan loosen her hold. She sat neatly at the table and ate her porridge and steamed buns.
After breakfast, Ji Qiuyun pulled a red envelope from her pocket and handed it to Ye Qingyan.
“Qingyan, these past few months, we mother and daughter have been through so much. The good life we have now is something I once dared not even dream of. I hope that in this new year, everything goes smoothly for you.”
Ye Qingyan accepted the envelope, her face glowing with joy. “Thank you, Mom. Things will only get better for us, I’m sure. My wish is that you let go of the past and face life with an open, hopeful heart. After all, we only live once — the most important thing is to be happy.”
“We only live once… the most important thing is to be happy…” Ji Qiuyun repeated the words to herself several times. A look of quiet realization dawned on her, and her eyes seemed to brighten.
That afternoon, they picked fresh vegetables from their greenhouse and prepared various New Year’s goods, packing everything into wicker backpacks before setting off for her younger brother’s home.
They had agreed earlier that the whole family would gather for dinner this evening.
Along the way, villagers greeted them warmly — it was the New Year, and everyone wore bright, cheerful smiles.
Ji Qiming was already waiting at the gate. Spotting them approaching, he hurried forward to relieve Ye Qingyan of her pack.
Zhao Mei pulled Ji Qiuyun inside and seated her, laughing as she spoke. “Qiuyun, we’re all family — why did you bring so many things along?”
“It’s New Year, after all,” Ji Qiuyun said. “Just brought some candies and pastries for everyone.”
Ji Dehua sat on a low stool, busy preparing a chicken for cooking, yet still found time to look over and speak.
“Qiuyun, Qingyan — are you hungry? Help yourselves to some honey cakes first.”
“We’re quite alright, not hungry at all,” Ji Qiuyun replied. She stood up and rolled up her sleeves, ready to pitch in.
“Now sit back and rest a while,” Zhao Mei said, gently holding her arm. “Let the men handle the messy work like butchering poultry.” She then turned to Ye Qingyan. “Qingyan, dear, help yourself to whatever you’d like — don’t be shy.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Ye Qingyan took a piece of fried pastry and bit into it.
Ji Qiming had recently begun helping Ye Qingyan with deliveries, earning two or three hundred yuan each month. Their family’s finances had improved greatly, and this year they could truly celebrate the season in comfort. Out of gratitude for this change in fortune, Ji Dehua and Zhao Mei held Ye Qingyan and her mother in very high regard.
“Qingyan, I’ve got a New Year’s gift for you,” Ji Qiming said, sidling up beside her.
“Oh?” Ye Qingyan held out her palm, looking up at him with bright, expectant eyes. “Why, thank you then, Brother Qiming! What is it?”
Ji Qiming chuckled softly. “Patience. You’ll see it once we’ve finished dinner.”
“Alright then.” Ye Qingyan pouted playfully, her mind racing with possibilities. Hair ribbons? Hairpins?
After chatting for a while, Zhao Mei and Ji Qiuyun went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
That evening they served mushroom stewed chicken, stir-fried winter bamboo shoots with cured pork, and a large steamer of fluffy white steamed buns.
As soon as the food was set out, Ye Qingyan’s mouth watered — her aunt’s cooking smelled even more delicious than the finest dishes she’d tasted at restaurants in the city. Taking a bite of tender, fragrant chicken, she gave Zhao Mei a thumbs-up.
“Auntie, this is absolutely delicious! I’m not exaggerating a bit — your cooking rivals the chefs at state-run hotels!”
“Such a flatterer,” Zhao Mei said, casting a mock-stern glance at the two men in the room. “These two — I’ve cooked for them for years, and never once have they offered a single word of praise.”
Ji Qiming spoke up quickly, beaming with pride. “That’s true! Mom’s always been a wonderful cook. It’s just that in the past, we had so little — hardly any oil, never any meat — her talent went to waste! Now she has the ingredients she deserves, and her cooking truly shines.”
Everyone laughed heartily and nodded in agreement. Even the family dog, Xiao Chu, sat by the table and barked happily twice.
The meal passed in warmth and laughter. When it was over, Ye Qingyan and Ji Qiming insisted on handling the dishes.
Ji Qiming scrubbed the pots while Ye Qingyan washed the bowls. “Brother Qiming,” she asked, “dinner’s over now… won’t you tell me what my gift is?”
“Care to make a guess?”
Ye Qingyan listed off her guesses. “Hair ribbons? Hairpins?”
“Not quite.”
“A fountain pen?”
“Nope, not that either.”
Ye Qingyan shook her head in defeat. “I give up — I can’t guess.”
Ji Qiming laughed. “Don’t look so disappointed. As soon as we’re done here, I’ll go get it for you.”
Her curiosity thoroughly piqued, Ye Qingyan washed faster than usual, quickly finishing up and putting everything away.
“Wait right here — I’ll be back in a moment.”
Ji Qiming stepped into the inner room and soon returned carrying something slender and long. Ye Qingyan’s eyes widened — they looked like sparklers. Such things were rare and hard to come by in a small county town; she had no idea where he’d managed to find them.
Seeing her staring in wonder, Ji Qiming smiled. “This is your New Year’s gift. I imagine you’ve never seen anything quite like this before?”
Ye Qingyan composed herself and feigned curiosity. “I haven’t. What are they?”
“They’re called hand-held sparklers.” Ji Qiming pulled out a box of matches. “Light the wick, and you’ll see — they burn bright and beautiful.”
Ye Qingyan’s eyes shone with delight. “Really? How wonderful!”
Ji Qiming handed her one. “Here — hold this. Watch as I light it.”
As soon as she took it, he struck a match and gently touched the flame to the tip. Brilliant sparks burst forth. Ye Qingyan waved it through the air, watching streams of light dance like blooming fireworks against the darkening sky.
“It’s so beautiful~” A radiant smile lit up her face. She turned to Ji Qiming. “I love this gift. Thank you so much, Brother Qiming!”
Ji Qiming scratched the back of his head, looking pleased yet modest. “No need to thank me. One day, when I’m earning more, I’ll take you to see real fireworks — the grandest, most spectacular display you’ve ever seen.”
Warmth filled Ye Qingyan’s heart. This, she thought, was the happiest New Year she had ever known. In years past, she had always celebrated alone — quiet, empty, while lights glowed in every other home but hers. Now she was surrounded by family, loved by her elders and cherished like a little sister.
Perhaps, she thought, having stumbled into this time and place wasn’t such a misfortune after all.
Beneath the pale moonlight, the sparkling fire reflected in her eyes — bright and beautiful as a sky full of stars.
Somehow, in that moment, she thought of Pei Ze.
How was he spending this day? Was he, too, gathered together with his family?