The four of them returned to the Residential Building before midnight.
After washing up, He Yan lifted the blanket and lay down on the bed. His gaze fell on the ointment and cotton swabs on the bedside table, and only then did he notice the words she had written on the medicine box, along with the smiling face she had drawn. At first, he truly wasn’t accustomed to such meticulous care and attention. Since his parents passed away, he had never received anything like it—it felt too unfamiliar. So unfamiliar that if it weren’t Wen Xue, but someone else, his first reaction would undoubtedly have been to push it away immediately.
But because he couldn’t push it away, now that he reflected on it, even though he wasn’t used to it, he couldn’t deny that the feeling of being remembered so thoughtfully wasn’t bad at all.
Leaning against the headboard, he studied the medicine box inside and out for several minutes, not even skipping the instructions, engrossed in the details. On a whim, he casually took a photo and sent it to Wu Yuejiang, the person he contacted most frequently: 【[Image]】
Wu Yuejiang was also a night owl.
At that moment, he was dozing on the sofa while staying up to welcome the New Year. As soon as his phone chimed, his parents and younger sister turned to look at him in unison, their eyes sharp and alert.
He chuckled, shaking his phone screen. “He Yan.”
The three of them immediately looked disappointed.
What was there to chat about between guys at this hour? How boring.
Wu Yuejiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He still remembered his school days when his parents were strictly on guard. If he so much as got a little closer to a female classmate, they would act as if a great crisis was looming, terrified that he would start dating early, which would lead to a steep decline in his grades, failure to get into university, and ending up working in a factory tightening screws. Now, the tables had turned—they frequently hinted around, asking if he had a girlfriend.
After a moment of amusement, he opened the image He Yan had sent. Taking a closer look, he was even more baffled: 【Did you send the wrong thing?】
He Yan replied: 【Got a burn】
Wu Yuejiang was puzzled: 【Are you acting cute with me? [Vomit][Vomit]】
He Yan, as if suffering from poor internet connection and not seeing his message, continued on his own: 【Wen Xue bought it】
Finally understanding his ulterior motive, Wu Yuejiang stiffened for a couple of seconds before letting out a series of cold laughs: 【I have a sister too】
After sharing this matter, He Yan performed a disappearing act, offering no further replies and leaving Wu Yuejiang hanging. Fuming, Wu Yuejiang stretched out his leg and nudged his sister, who was peeling an orange, ordering her, “Go make me a cup of milk, hurry up.”
“No milk, but we have pesticide—want some?!”
Unsurprisingly, the siblings ended up in another scuffle.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, sleeping in was out of the question. Before dawn, the distant crackle of firecrackers rose and fell incessantly. The temperature in West City had dropped sharply, and a fine rain mixed with sleet fell. The four of them crowded into the kitchen for breakfast, enjoying the old duck soup that Wan Nian had started simmering hours earlier in the dead of night. It was steaming hot, light, and delicious.
Wen Xue silently marveled to herself: Wan Nian is so capable.
Nana was beaming, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “We’re going to the movies later. Several New Year films have been released, so we plan to spend the whole day at the cinema. Do you guys want to come along?”
Wen Xue was busy tackling the large duck leg that He Yan had placed in her bowl and didn’t have time to respond.
Wan Nian also enthusiastically invited them, “Brother Yan, come with us. I’ll buy the tickets.”
“No need.” He Yan shook his head slowly, not explaining in detail. “I have something else to do.”Having known him for a long time, Wan Nian thought for a moment and guessed what he meant by “having something to do.” He stopped trying to persuade him further. Nana, however, didn’t understand and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, Wan Nian gave her a stern look, and she quickly fell silent.
As the two held hands and walked downstairs, Nana grumbled, “Why were you so harsh just now?”
“Brother Yan is going to the temple,” Wan Nian squeezed her hand and sighed. “You know, I don’t want to bring up anything that might upset Brother Yan.”
Everyone here had silently agreed never to mention the name He Heng. They hadn’t forgotten the young man, but the deceased were gone, and they had to think of the living. Someone like Brother Yan would never, and did not want to, let others see the scars in his heart.
All they could do was refrain from prying.
Nana let out a short “ah,” feeling a heaviness in her chest.
She had, of course, met He Heng, and more than once. In her memory, he was a handsome college student with a sunny smile that easily won people over. Yet he wasn’t arrogant at all—he was polite and respectful to every one of them. After learning about what happened to him, she had cried many times.
Heaven was so unfair. Why did it always seem to pick on those whose lives were already bitter?
As they stepped out of the building, a cold wind brushed against her face, and she snapped out of her thoughts. “Let’s ask Wen Xue to join us! Oh, my mind—you glared at me so hard I forgot to ask her earlier!”
Wan Nian smiled, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and said gently, “Next time. She’s not in the best health, and it’s so cold out. Brother Yan would definitely worry.”
“Alright then…”
Wen Xue had eaten until she was quite full. Rubbing her stomach, she returned to her room, filled a hot water bottle, and took the time to reply to messages from relatives and friends. Lately, she had regained the urge to share things and was sending Yang Siyi some photos of fireworks she had taken when a rhythmic knock came at the door. Even though she hadn’t closed the door, given He Yan’s sense of boundaries, he would only stand at the doorway.
Sure enough, his familiar, tall figure stood at the door, as if blocking the biting cold wind entirely for her.
“I need to go out for a while—not far, just to the temple in the suburbs,” He Yan said carefully, his voice low and measured. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll definitely return by evening. I’ve called a hotel restaurant, and they’ll send someone to bring you meals at noon and in the evening. I gave them your number.”
As if worried she might be afraid, he added steadily, “Don’t worry, the hotel manager is an acquaintance of mine.”
Wen Xue was momentarily dazed, the smile at her lips freezing slightly. She didn’t really hear the rest of what he said; all her attention was seized by his first sentence. She nodded blankly, “Okay.”
“I’ll be going now.”
After finishing his instructions, He Yan headed toward the staircase, step by step. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the Spring Festival couplets pasted firmly beside one of the doors. Someone meticulous and diligent had secured them well—despite the howling wind, they remained perfectly in place.
He couldn’t help but glance back. She was still standing dazedly at the door, lost in thought, clutching the hot water bag as if forgotten there, in a daze. He suspected that if he simply walked away, she would keep standing there foolishly.
Wen Xue lowered her gaze, her eyes wandering absently.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps, which had been fading into the distance, grew closer again.She looked up in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn’t expected He Yan to turn back. He probably wasn’t afraid of the cold—despite the sleet and snow, he was still wearing a relatively thin coat. Their eyes met, and he asked in a low voice, “Do you want to come along?”
Before she could answer, he seemed conflicted himself. Glancing at the gloomy sky outside, he frowned and muttered, almost to himself, “It’s too cold.”
Wen Xue’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she replied, “Yes!”
He Yan’s gaze returned to her, lingering on her petite face. “It’s a long walk, and there are steps.”
Even on a sunny day, he doubted her current physical condition could handle it, let alone in such harsh weather.
“It’s fine,” she insisted anxiously, instinctively stepping closer to him. “I’ll just wear more layers. Really, I will.”
“I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
With that, He Yan turned and hurried away, as if afraid he might change his mind. In truth, he had regretted asking her the moment the words left his mouth. Rubbing his face, he began to worry—what if she caught a cold from this unnecessary trip?
He was just creating trouble for himself.
Ignoring her discomfort, Wen Xue rushed into her room. She was already bundled up, but she added a scarf, switched to snow boots, and even put on ear muffs until she was wrapped up like a ball. After filling a thermos with hot water, she hurried downstairs. Relief washed over her when she saw He Yan’s car still parked boldly in front of the building. She quickly pulled open the door, slid into the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt, giving him no chance to reconsider.
He Yan’s hand rested lazily on the steering wheel as he glanced at her outfit, somewhat satisfied.
Wen Xue, however, noticed the blisters on the back of his hand and said softly, “You should still apply medicine. Otherwise, it could get infected or leave scars.”
Seeing his complete indifference, her delicate brows furrowed as she recalled the pharmacist’s advice. “If it gets worse, you might need to go to the hospital.”
He Yan sighed in resignation. “It’s the New Year—say something auspicious.”
If a minor burn like this could land him in the hospital, he’d have died countless times already.
Wen Xue twisted her hands together, feeling compelled to yield. “Oh, well… Happy New Year.”
Amused by her reluctant tone, He Yan chuckled and nodded toward the console. “Alright, consider that your New Year’s greeting. Open it.”
“What?”
“Open the armrest compartment.”
She leaned over and, as the compartment sprang open, stared in astonishment. Among some miscellaneous items, the most prominent was a bulging red envelope. She looked at him in surprise, but he had already turned his attention back to the road, carefully maneuvering the car out of the residential building. “New Year’s money for you.”
Her lips parted slightly, and she froze.
New Year’s money… wasn’t that something elders gave to the younger generation?
“Be good and take it.”
“If I don’t, will you make me get out?” she asked nervously.
He nodded seriously. “Thanks for reminding me. That’s a good idea.”
Annoyed, Wen Xue glanced at him, then down at the large red envelope. Treating it like a hot potato, she picked it up. Without even counting, she could tell from its thickness and weight that it contained a substantial amount. “It’s too much.”
“Then use it slowly.”
He Yan paused, then added with a hint of exasperation, “Why is everyone like this? It’s just money—it won’t bite.”Wen Xue knew who he was referring to. She softly defended “one or two” by saying, “Because ‘one or two’ knows how hard you work to earn money and doesn’t want to spend too much.”
“…”
He Yan glanced at her and fell silent.
The money he earned was meant for “one or two” to spend.
The temple He Yan visited wasn’t one of the popular local ones in West City. It was more of a serendipitous discovery. In his previous life, after He Heng passed away, he had spent a long period feeling that life was meaningless. First, he had bid farewell to his parents who died young, then his even younger brother. This wretched life was something he didn’t want to continue living.
One night, while wandering aimlessly, he found himself at the foot of the mountain without realizing it.
He parked his car and crouched by the roadside, overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of nearly breaking down.
Suddenly, a young monk approached him to exchange change for buying a Coke. They ended up chatting and found they got along quite well.
After several encounters, he was “persuaded” to become a patron of that temple.
He Yan parked the car and looked around, still somewhat uncertain. His tone unconsciously softened, both advising and discussing with her, “How about you wait in the car?”
“No.”
Hearing these two words gave He Yan a headache. Wen Xue put on her ear muffs again, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out of the car. Outside, rain and snow were falling, and she held up a small folding umbrella while waiting for him.
He had no choice but to turn off the engine and get out. Declining her offer to share the umbrella, he opened the trunk and took out a black long-handled umbrella. With a snap, he opened it—the umbrella was large. Glancing at her, he noticed that in the wind and snow, her white umbrella printed with little blue flowers seemed no different from a paper toy to him, unable to block anything. Raindrops and snowflakes landed on her fair face, quickly turning into droplets on her eyelashes.
He sighed, walked up to her, and firmly exchanged umbrellas with her.
The two of them stepped onto the long staircase, one after the other.
Wen Xue didn’t know the way, so this time she followed behind, keeping a distance of several steps between them.
Holding the black long-handled umbrella, which was sturdy and spacious, it firmly shielded her from the wind and snow. She lifted her eyes, her gaze drifting toward him. The umbrella, which was actually quite nice, looked comically small in his hands. The scene was both incongruous and amusing, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
The person in front heard her.
Realizing she had been caught, she lowered the umbrella and hurriedly hid behind it, thinking, Can’t see me, can’t see me.
He Yan turned around and glanced at her expressionlessly, finding it amusing. She looked like a little mushroom.
In the fine snow and cold wind, they moved forward along the seemingly endless winding mountain path, with him leading the way.