The Early Spring - Chapter 90

Chapter 90 - Let It Go

Hearing him swear, Luan Siyuan widened her eyes: "Are you cussing at me?"

"No."

"Then who are you cussing at?"

"Myself."

The men popping up one after another around Shang Zhitao felt like a novelty even to Luan Nian. How on earth was she so popular? Where were all these men coming from? It was as if she were engaged in a contest of wills against him; ever since he turned her down, the men around her had never ceased. She seemed to be defying him, as if saying: See that? This young lady is hot commodity! Just because you don't want me doesn't mean no one else does!

"Cussing at yourself? Don't you usually cuss at others?" Luan Siyuan felt he was being a bit strange today: "You didn't take drugs, did you?"

Luan Nian shot her a glance: "Where is that lousy congee shop? Are you really that broke? How long has it been since we last met, and you're just treating me to congee?"

"Don't be ungrateful! Other people wouldn't even get the chance if they wanted to!" Luan Siyuan led Luan Nian into a side street where a small congee shop stood by the road, and the two went inside to have claypot congee. The claypot congee had a rich, flavorful broth, no worse than Chaoshan style.

"How is it?"

"Barely acceptable."

"With a mouth like yours, can you even find a girlfriend?"

"With a mouth like yours, you haven't lacked boyfriends either."

Bickering back and forth, the two finished their congee, asked about the health of the elders on both sides, and Luan Siyuan drove Luan Nian back to his hotel. Afterward, she posted in the family group chat: My little brother isn't acting right. My little brother is possessed.

Dr. Liang immediately asked: What happened to my son?

Eighty percent chance he's fallen under a love spell. Luan Siyuan was remarkably sharp at reading people; given Luan Nian's state, he had definitely stumbled over a woman.

I hope my son never cures this spell.

Watching the messages stream in one after another in the group chat, Luan Nian tossed his phone aside, showered, and got into bed. Lying on the bed with the lights off, all that filled his mind were Shang Zhitao's tightly pressed knees and her flushed face.

A single Shang Zhitao had reduced him to such a state, bewildering even himself. Having endured a sleepless night like this, he still appeared crisp and refreshed when meeting the client the next day, though his foul mood made him look stern and solemn. Lee quietly asked Shang Zhitao, "Is Luke alright?"

What could possibly be wrong with him? Eighty percent chance he suffered erectile dysfunction last night. Otherwise, why would he be wearing such a dark, gloomy expression?

"I'm not sure. As you know, Luke is stern, and usually everyone avoids him whenever they can."

"True."

Shang Zhitao had put immense effort into dressing up today, wearing a formal outfit styled in black, white, and gray, paired with light makeup and tender pink lipstick. Looking vibrant and radiant, she made the eyes of the people from Green Orange light up. Sitting beside her, Luan Nian watched her sit calmly, attentively listening to the client's speech while taking notes. When her turn arrived, she rose slowly without showing a trace of nervousness and began her presentation.

She had no idea how many times she had rehearsed the night before; every single detail in the PPT was crystal clear to her, to the point where she could finish delivering it with her eyes closed. Having done thorough homework, she was exceptionally confident, easily answering every question posed by the client without requiring Lee or Luan Nian to interject even once. She handled the entire workshop all by herself.

From having her voice tremble over the phone during her interview to handling an S-tier client's workshop entirely on her own today, she had poured in efforts unimaginable to ordinary people. Luan Nian thought to himself that Shang Zhitao was truly the most hardworking person he had ever seen. He had met countless people and favored those with raw talent, but this was his first time encountering a contender who lacked natural gifts yet closed the gap entirely through sheer diligence.

He found it astonishing. Back then, Tracy had said to him: I want to conduct an experiment in human resources. I want to prove one thing: gifted individuals experience short-term bursts, but those who put in continuous effort are the ones who bring true surprises.

Shang Zhitao is my first test subject, and I believe she will succeed. Maybe not today, but perhaps tomorrow, or the day after. We need to give her a chance.

Shang Zhitao had seized that chance. After the workshop concluded, the representatives from Green Orange took the initiative to add Shang Zhitao's contact information and created a special project group, hoping she would continue serving Green Orange. Maintaining her sense of propriety at all times, Shang Zhitao said, "Today's content was completed under Grace's guidance. Although Grace couldn't be here due to being in her late stage of pregnancy, she poured a tremendous amount of effort into this. Therefore, I need to add Grace into this project group—with her around, I can ensure no mistakes are made."

To the side, Lee whispered to Luan Nian, "I don't know if she's a fool or just far too upright. Does she even know what Green Orange means for her career?"

Luan Nian believed Shang Zhitao knew full well; she acted this way simply because she was genuinely upright and kindhearted. She could possess a ruthless, wolf-like drive, but never toward her own mentor—especially one who was heavily pregnant and about to give birth. Shang Zhitao possessed powerful empathy; she knew she couldn't treat Grace that way.

While waiting for Lee to get the car, Shang Zhitao asked Luan Nian, "Luke, I'd like to know what my shortcomings were during today's workshop, and where I can improve?"

Luan Nian pondered for a moment: "You did great. If there's any flaw, it's that you shouldn't fight solo in the future. Remember that the person who came with you is a team."

Green Orange was Lee's client, and Lee needed to establish authority in front of them; Shang Zhitao needed to appropriately pass the floor to Lee, letting him convey certain information. Otherwise, how would he manage the client moving forward? Shang Zhitao agreed with Luan Nian's criticism, so she nodded: "I understand. Thank you, Luke."

"You're welcome."

Polite and proper as could be—she certainly wasn't the person claiming she had big breasts last night. Luan Nian suddenly realized that Shang Zhitao was wearing a sheep's skin while harboring mischief inside! A quiet, sneaky devil—that described her perfectly.

They went to tour the client's modern factory in Futian, which was followed by a dinner banquet.

At a dinner banquet like this, drinking was naturally involved. Shang Zhitao stated she wouldn't drink, and no one forced her. Luan Nian excused himself by claiming he was taking traditional Chinese medicine, even producing medical records, so he truly didn't touch a single drop. However, the hosts from Green Orange pressed for toasts, and unable to decline their hospitality as the client, Shang Zhitao took a small sip as the dinner neared its end.

Luan Nian glanced over from the corner of his eye, yet he didn't stop her.

Drinking was like that: after the first sip came the second. Shang Zhitao's alcohol tolerance wasn't great; after downing two hundred grams of liquor, she was drunk.

Shang Zhitao is doing alright for herself, Luan Nian grunted inwardly. Going from a capacity of a few shots to building it up to two hundred grams. Getting drunk was just fine.

When the dinner ended, Lee was already dead drunk. Colleagues from the Guangzhou branch drove him back, while Luan Nian brought Shang Zhitao back to the hotel.

Being drunk, she became quite rowdy, slapping Luan Nian's chest and calling him a bastard.

Truly audacious.

Luan Nian couldn't be bothered to argue with her, pinning her to the seat with one hand until they got out of the car. Unable to walk steadily, Shang Zhitao patted Luan Nian's back again, her speech slurred: "Carry me on your back!"

Carry your bloody uncle!

Luan Nian walked a few steps, turned back, saw her swaying in place, and scoffed: "Pathetic!" Walking up to her, he bent his knees, grabbed her hands, and pulled her onto his back. Shang Zhitao wasn't bad—she wasn't heavy. The 54 kg recorded in her profile hadn't been a lie. Resting on his back, Shang Zhitao suddenly turned quiet.

Luan Nian's back was very comfortable. Even though Shang Zhitao was drunk, a shred of logic remained in her mind; resting her head against the side of his neck, she rubbed against Luan Nian's ear and neck.

Shang Zhitao's breath was slightly hot, blowing against Luan Nian's skin with a strange sensation. In the elevator, Luan Nian tried to put her down, but she clung to him and refused to get off no matter what. In the deadlock, she took a bite of Luan Nian's neck, her tongue brushing over his skin. Luan Nian's breathing deepened slightly. Then came his earlobe—Shang Zhitao's moist lips enveloped his earlobe.

Fuck!

Luan Nian cursed inwardly again. Finally reaching her room, he tossed her onto the bed and turned around to boil water.

Shang Zhitao's phone rang. Glancing at it, Luan Nian answered: "Hello."

"Hello, is this Shang Zhitao's phone? I shouldn't have dialed wrong." Luan Nian had heard this voice before—Shang Zhitao's ex-boyfriend. What was her ex-boyfriend's name again? Right, Xin Zhaozhou.

"It is Shang Zhitao's phone."

...The caller went quiet for a few seconds before speaking: "Trouble giving the phone to Shang Zhitao. We have a gathering today, and I agreed to come pick her up."

"She's drunk." The corners of Luan Nian's mouth curled up as he looked at Shang Zhitao sprawled on the bed, resuming his exasperating tone: "Sprawled on the bed, completely immobile. Probably going to throw up any second." Just as his words landed, they heard Shang Zhitao gag. Luan Nian stood up and said to her, "Hold it in!" Leaning over, he scooped her up by her side with one arm and carried her to the toilet in the bathroom: "Throw up!"

Xin Zhaozhou never hung up the phone, listening to the commotion on the other end. Knowing that Shang Zhitao couldn't hold her liquor, he worried she might be taken advantage of while drunk. Thinking it over, he asked Luan Nian, "Can I come over to take care of her?"

"Sure, come on over!" Luan Nian quickly gave the room number. Watching someone throw up was disgusting enough anyway; whoever wanted to take care of her could do so.

When Xin Zhaozhou arrived, Shang Zhitao was still hugging the toilet, vomiting violently, while Luan Nian sat on a chair playing on his phone.

"Thank you for your trouble, Luke."

"No trouble at all." Raising his face from his phone, Luan Nian offered Xin Zhaozhou a smile—a rather friendly one at that.

Walking up to Shang Zhitao's side and noticing a glass of water nearby, Xin Zhaozhou picked it up and asked her, "Rinse your mouth, then go to bed?"

"No! I want to hug my toilet! Only like this do I feel safe!" Shang Zhitao's head rested on the rim of the toilet, displaying the wild abandon and coquettish charm of someone intoxicated. Luan Nian burst out laughing with a snort.

Xin Zhaozhou looked at Luan Nian in surprise, feeling that this boss of Shang Zhitao possessed no compassion whatsoever. Shang Zhitao was already suffering so much, yet he could still laugh out loud. After a moment's thought, he said to him, "Thank you for bringing Taotao back. It's getting late—how about you go back to rest first?"

"That won't do." Sitting there without moving an inch, Luan Nian replied, "I must be responsible for the safety of our female employee. Leaving her alone with a man while she's drunk carries some risk."

"I'm her..."

"Ex-boyfriend, right? 'Ex', not 'current'." Luan Nian shifted positions on the chair: "It's fine, you take care of her. My sitting here won't affect you two."

Luan Nian was acting like an unyielding thick skin at this moment, a fact Xin Zhaozhou could clearly see.

This boss of Shang Zhitao was no soft target. Yet what he said was completely faultless. Thus, he nodded: "Then thank you for your hard work."

"No hard work at all."

Luan Nian changed spots, sitting in the hotel's swivel chair with his feet propped up on the desk and his body leaning back, comfortable beyond measure. Squinting his eyes, he watched Xin Zhaozhou and Shang Zhitao in the bathroom. Xin Zhaozhou patted Shang Zhitao's back, softly asking her, "Taotao, do you still feel like throwing up?"

"Mm! Yes! But I can't throw it up! I need to wait a bit!" Having consumed alcohol, Shang Zhitao was slightly hyperactive, her voice louder than usual, almost sounding like she was acting spoiled.

"I'll stay with you. Have a sip of water."

Xin Zhaozhou fed Shang Zhitao water, got up to fetch tissue paper, and then sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at her unblinkingly.

Shang Zhitao's ex-boyfriend isn't bad, Luan Nian thought. It was rare to see someone so attentive even after a breakup.

Shang Zhitao threw up once more. Once done, she drank a sip of water and began cursing out loud: "Luan Nian! You bastard! You're fucking heartless!"

Listening to her curse for a long while, Xin Zhaozhou leaned his body back, looking at Luan Nian sitting over there: "Who is Luan Nian?"

Luan Nian shrugged his shoulders: "No idea. Eighty percent chance it's some man she has a unrequited crush on?"

The toilet was truly Shang Zhitao's best friend; she hugged it all the way until past two in the morning. Having cursed Luan Nian to her heart's content, she was completely drained of strength. Xin Zhaozhou helped her onto the bed, adjusted the air conditioner for her, and tucked her in with the blanket.

Then, sitting on a small stool, he watched Luan Nian.

Shang Zhitao's boss was very strange; except when answering questions, he hardly spoke the rest of the time. Even past two in the morning, his eyes remained bright and piercing, without a trace of fatigue.

"Are you... not going to rest?" he asked Luan Nian.

"No." Luan Nian offered a insincere smile: "Aren't you going back?"

"I'm worried about her."

"Mm." Luan Nian nodded: "I'm worried about you."

...Xin Zhaozhou didn't feel it was strange; on the contrary, he felt Shang Zhitao's boss possessed a strong sense of responsibility. What he did was right. Thus, each guarding a corner of the room, the two slept. The next morning, both had no choice but to leave. Seeing that Shang Zhitao wouldn't die in her state, Luan Nian left together with Xin Zhaozhou. Before leaving, Luan Nian went to the front desk to remake Shang Zhitao's room card, explicitly instructing them that no one was allowed inside except for himself and the guest.

Shang Zhitao was completely incapacitated from drinking. Luan Nian had to meet the client that day together with other colleagues. Lee was in a poor state from his hangover; seeing that Shang Zhitao hadn't come, he asked Luan Nian, "Is Flora alright?"

"Incapacitated," Luan Nian said. "Her classmate took care of her all night." Out of consideration for Shang Zhitao's reputation, he deliberately added that last sentence.

The week passed just like that: showing dominance with the client for one day, knocked out cold from drinking for two days, and serving as background decoration for Luan Nian and Lee for a day and a half. By Friday noon, the work concluded. Shang Zhitao began contemplating skipping out. She booked a hotel in Hong Kong, preparing to clear customs into Hong Kong and immerse herself in the dazzling nightlife.

She exchanged greetings with Lumi, also asking about Lumi's family situation and work. Feeling a bit despondent, Lumi replied: Did nothing all week, got chewed out by Will five times.

At the Marketing Department's daily meeting, getting chewed out once per day.

Lumi found it utterly bizarre—there were so many people in the Marketing Department, including several veteran slacker who didn't do a single piece of work. At least she was working, yet Will singled her out. While cursing Will in her heart, she said to Shang Zhitao: This lady has drawn a conclusion: if you can't beat the bastard, join him.

"How do you join him?"

"Haven't thought it through yet. Either way, I can't let the bastard keep his eyes locked on me every single day."

After the two chatted for a while, Lumi sent over a shopping list and transferred fifty thousand yuan to Shang Zhitao: Go on, my friend. Buy this bag back for your big sister.

"Okay."

On the way back to the hotel, Shang Zhitao seized the right moment to ask Luan Nian: "Luke, we don't have any arrangements this afternoon, right? We can move around freely, right?"

Luan Nian was resting with his eyes closed, offering a slight "Mm."

Elated, Shang Zhitao rushed straight to her room upon getting off the car to pack her luggage. Carrying only a backpack to Hong Kong containing a change of clothes, her ID, and her wallet, she checked the rest of her luggage at the front desk.

Then, she headed straight for the Futian Port.

While lining up to clear customs, she saw a man standing in the adjacent line wearing sunglasses, projecting an aura of keeping people thousands of miles away. Who else could it be but Luan Nian? Shang Zhitao turned her body around, pretending not to see him. Turning around to stand at the end of the line, she switched lines twice consecutively, only to see Luan Nian clear customs.

Shang Zhitao had a small blank spot in her memory from when she was drunk, but Xin Zhaozhou told her that she had been hugging the toilet calling out to someone named Luan Nian, while her boss didn't know who Luan Nian was either.

Luan Nian was always strange and peculiar; there was nothing wrong with him refusing to admit he was Luan Nian.

Once through customs, it became a whole different world. Facing the customs exit were all sorts of people holding signboards, banners, and handing out flyers. Shang Zhitao didn't know what they were saying; taking a glance at one, she quickly shoved it into her bag and ran off.

After running a few steps, she saw Luan Nian standing there, who said to her, "You dare to take anything handed to you?"

"I didn't know."

"Didn't do your homework before coming?"

"Oh."

Lowering her head, Shang Zhitao offered a soft "Oh." Seeing her deflate like an eggplant hit by frost upon seeing him, Luan Nian's arrogant momentum flared up again: "Why are you avoiding me?"

"Afraid you'd think I was stalking you."

"Are you crazy?" Luan Nian glared at her: "Or am I crazy?"

Shang Zhitao didn't want to answer the question of which of them was crazy; she only wanted to make a quick exit. Just as she was contemplating bidding Luan Nian farewell, she saw Luan Nian's ex-girlfriend walking over. Already tall, she was wearing high heels today that made her equal in height with Luan Nian. She wrapped an arm around Luan Nian's neck: "What are you doing, little brother? Hitting on girls?"

Shang Zhitao was astonished to see Luan Nian's face turn instantly red. Pulling Luan Siyuan's arm away in disdain, he said, "Didn't we agree to meet at the tea restaurant?"

"Isn't this a coincidence running into each other?" Luan Siyuan displayed her rogue nature fully, glancing at Shang Zhitao: "What's your name, girl?"

Shang Zhitao hadn't expected Luan Nian's ex-girlfriend to be like this. Afraid of saying the wrong thing, she answered very earnestly: "Hello, my name is Shang Zhitao, Luke's subordinate."

"Oh, oh, oh. Here in Hong Kong for fun?"

"Yes, here for fun, and picking up a few items for a friend on the way. Luke, I won't disturb you two further." Turning around to leave, Shang Zhitao was pulled back by Luan Siyuan's arm: "Where are you going, little sister? Since you're already here, let's eat together. Without eating, where will you get the energy to go shopping?"

Luan Siyuan was one year older than Luan Nian, but she was stunningly beautiful and dressed fashionably, making her age completely imperceptible. Standing on a Hong Kong street right now, such a person was far too eye-catching; countless passersby turned their heads to look at this absolute stunner.

Unaware of all this, Shang Zhitao simply felt a bit awkward standing beside Luan Nian's ex-girlfriend: "No, thank you. It wouldn't be proper for me to disturb your date."

"A date? Big sister dating little brother?" Luan Siyuan's eyes widened: "Little sister, do you think I could ever fall for a man like this?"

All the arrogance in Luan Nian was crushed in an instant. He only wanted his loose-tongued cousin to shut her mouth. Calling her with a cold face: "Luan Siyuan, watch your language."

Luan Siyuan.

Shang Zhitao repeated the name in her heart, then looked at their facial features, actually catching a slight resemblance. Suddenly, she understood that beneath Luan Nian's arrogant, cold exterior lay a childish, combative heart. Luan Nian didn't think there was anything embarrassing about this, tossing a sentence to Shang Zhitao: "What are you looking at?"

Withdrawing her gaze, Shang Zhitao said to Luan Siyuan, "Luke was bragging to colleagues, saying you were his ex-girlfriend."

"Luke also said his ex-girlfriend was exceptionally obedient, coming whenever called."

Luan Nian had never said any of this; Shang Zhitao was talking pure nonsense. This was her first time seeing Luan Nian afraid of someone, so she really wanted to watch more. She had never seen this side of Luan Nian before; witnessing it by chance this once felt deeply amusing. She felt as though a layer of human warmth had suddenly attached itself to him—a human warmth that made his previous rejection of her no longer feel so abrupt.

They were all mere mortals.

Everyone had their own preferences.

Just because two people slept together for a long time didn't mean they had to end up together.

He was simply being honest, that was all.

Shang Zhitao let it go, the fighting cock in her heart sprinting away.

She stood there listening to Luan Siyuan scold Luan Nian for talking nonsense, even saying that with his lousy personality, having had an ex-girlfriend was pure luck from the heavens, and that looking at him, he seemed destined to die alone. Listening attentively for a while and glancing at the time, she finally interrupted Luan Siyuan: "Sister Siyuan, I really must go. Thank you for your kindness, but I have a lot of arrangements today. Goodbye!"

Offering a friendly smile to Luan Nian as well, she turned and walked away.

During her teenage years, she had watched Hong Kong movies and listened to Cantonese songs; many place names were etched in her heart. Her schedule for this afternoon was a walking tour of Hong Kong. Holding a city map in her hand, she walked slowly from Mong Kok to Tsim Sha Tsui along Nathan Road, passing through Wing On Plaza, Kowloon Plaza, Yau Ma Tei, and Temple Street. All along the way were bustling crowds of pedestrians, with English, Cantonese, and stiff Mandarin echoing in her ears. Shang Zhitao carried pepper spray in her bag along with the Hong Kong dollar pocket money she had exchanged in advance. When tired, she found a dairy company to drink double-skin milk, and after dark, she headed to Under Bridge Spicy Crab to order a serving of Typhoon Shelter fried crab for herself.

Having afternoon tea with Luan Siyuan and his other cousins, Luan Nian remained absent-minded the entire time. Luan Siyuan kicked him: "If you don't want to be with us, then get lost! It's unsafe for a girl to be in Hong Kong all by herself."

Luan Siyuan was so clever; the gaze Luan Nian used to look at that girl possessed a focused intensity he didn't even realize himself. Standing together, the two appeared awkward, childish, absurd, yet quite extraordinary. Luan Siyuan felt there was a flavor of "a match made in heaven upon a single meeting" between them. As Luan Nian stood up, Luan Siyuan asked him again in front of their cousins, "What's the girl's name?"

"Shang Zhitao."

Luan Nian asked Shang Zhitao where she was, and Shang Zhitao sent her location to him. Luan Nian had been to that Typhoon Shelter fried crab place a few times himself, even bumping into Hong Kong stars there.

Add mantis shrimp, roast pigeon, and fried beef flat noodles. I'll be there shortly.

Shang Zhitao added the dishes. Just as the fried crab was served, Luan Nian arrived. The old restaurant was hot and stuffy, and everyone dining was drenched in sweat.

Luan Nian was always clean and refreshed, yet right now a few fine drops of sweat clung to his face as well.

The two sat at a cramped table for two, surrounded by noisy chatter.

"Where's Sister Luan?"

"Went to a nightclub with the others."

"Why didn't you go?"

Glancing at her, Luan Nian didn't answer her question directly, asking her instead: "Want a drink?"

"A can of beer, maybe? I don't dare drink more. Feeling hungover is awful."

"You even cuss at people when you're drunk!"

Shang Zhitao burst out laughing: "Xin Zhaozhou told me. I'm sorry, I didn't know I was like that when drunk. Please don't mind it."

"Xin Zhaozhou is a decent guy," Luan Nian said. It was only through seeing how Xin Zhaozhou treated Shang Zhitao that he gained a clearer outline of her college romance. The boy must have held the girl in the palm of his hand, unable to bear seeing her suffer any grievances. Yet here with him, Shang Zhitao had suffered every kind of grievance.

The two drank together, each consuming only a tiny bit of alcohol. After enjoying this delicious meal of Under Bridge Spicy Crab, Luan Nian brought Shang Zhitao to Victoria Harbour to view the night scene.

The lights were brilliant, the night scene exquisite, and the people gentle.

"Shang Zhitao." Luan Nian no longer called her Flora. "Over the past few years by my side, did you always feel wronged?"

Shang Zhitao didn't speak, listening to Luan Nian continue.

"I'm actually a very terrible person. Since my teenage years, I've been dark and violent. If my family hadn't loved me so deeply, if I hadn't met a few dependable friends, and if I hadn't desperately restrained myself, I might be in prison right now."

"Seeing Xin Zhaozhou take care of you, and that roommate of yours helping you, I feel you might be suited to be with a boy like that. That's because I lack the capacity to love someone. Even though I intentionally modify my behavior, you will inevitably feel wronged time and again."

"I'm glad you accompanied me through such a long period of time. My relationships usually last only three to five months; I never expected to spend four whole years with you. I hope you can have a better life. You are truly remarkable. You deserve to have everything."

"Keep it up."

It was amid these gentle words from Luan Nian that Shang Zhitao thoroughly came to terms with certain things. She knew that some addictive things had to be quit, and some unreachable people could no longer be wished for. She realized clearly and profoundly that her beautiful feelings for Luan Nian had come to a complete halt the moment that phone call was hung up. After that, she had felt bewildered; she hadn't understood why, when humans were creatures of feeling, Luan Nian still stood in the exact same place after she had spent four years with him. She had wanted to anger him and fight with him like a jumping clown, all out of sheer unwillingness to accept the outcome.

Yet on this day, she let it go.

She knew life was just like that: in this life, people come and go, and everyone must say goodbye in the end. Even if she felt at the time that it was truly far too regrettable, she could no longer ask for more.

Halting right here was very good.

From then on, every meeting would be ordinary and commonplace. That secret story would never be brought up again.

It was also on New Year's Eve that year that she sat in her Harbin home with Luke, watching the fireworks together. Luke leaned tightly against her leg, sometimes looking at the fireworks, sometimes tilting its head up to look at her. Shang Zhitao's hand rested on its head, gently rubbing it.

The fireworks were brilliant, capable of illuminating the path ahead.

At midnight, she still used the old method to send Luan Nian an email: Luke, wishing you a Happy New Year, and all the best.

Luan Nian did not reply to her.