Chapter 20 New Year’s Eve
The Spring Festival of my junior year in college.
Qin Chi came back from his hometown.
It was snowing all over the city that day. My mother and I were carrying groceries back home, snowflakes covering my white down jacket.
A tall figure stood in the corridor ahead.
My mother recognized him first.
"Qin Chi, didn't you go back to your hometown for the New Year? Why are you back?"
Qin Chi turned around. "Auntie, I had something to take care of, so I came back early."
"Then during such a big festival, won't you be spending it alone?"
Qin Chi's eyes lit up slightly. "Pretty much. Are you preparing the New Year's Eve dinner now?"
My mother smiled. "Yes. Put your things down and come over. Just eat with us."
"Okay. Thank you, Auntie." Qin Chi agreed immediately.
I went inside and had just changed into a sweater when Qin Chi arrived.
When my mother went out to throw away the trash, Qin Chi came into the kitchen.
"Say something to me, will you?" His voice carried a note of pleading.
"I came back early specifically for you."
"This red sandalwood bracelet was blessed for me at the temple back home. Can I give it to you? It would look beautiful on you."
My mother came back in, patting snow off herself.
"Oh my, the snow is really heavy this year. It just keeps falling. Even throwing out the trash, I'm covered in it."
"Xiao Chi, why are you in the kitchen? Go watch the Spring Festival Gala. We can handle the cooking."
My mother squeezed in. Qin Chi quietly put the bracelet back into his pocket.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, I stood on the balcony watching the fireworks. Qin Chi came out too.
Thousands of lights glowed across the city as fireworks bloomed and faded in brilliant bursts.
Qin Chi brought out a shawl and draped it over my shoulders.
After a long silence, I spoke.
"Qin Chi, what is your dream?"
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I took it out. A green notification box displayed a New Year's message.
"Happy New Year, Zhou Xiaoning." From Cai Yixing.
A firework exploded, blurring Qin Chi's voice.
"My dream... this lifetime probably won't come true anymore. Zhou Xiaoning, you must be happy."