Happy New Year

By the time Qin Ran and Yu Shuman returned, the New Year was only a couple of days away. Time quickly passed, and soon it was New Year's Eve. Every household was preparing their New Year's Eve dinners. The day before, Qin Ran had accompanied the Yu family to buy New Year's goods, and today they were at home making dumplings. Yu's mother asked about Qin Ran's preferences, and they ended up making celery pork and chive egg dumplings.

Yu's mother was quick at making dumplings, while Yu Shuman, though not as fast, was still quite skilled. But Qin Ran, on the other hand, struggled with her dumplings, which ended up looking very lopsided.

Yu Shuman couldn't resist teasing Qin Ran while showing her how to properly make dumplings. It was Qin Ran's first time, and her dumplings came out misshapen, some so deformed that they were barely recognizable as dumplings. As dinner time approached, Yu's mother shooed the two girls off to watch TV while she prepared the meal. When the time was right, she called them to help bring out the dishes, while she stayed in the kitchen to cook the dumplings.

When Yu's mother brought out a large bowl of dumplings, Qin Ran, with her sharp eyes, spotted the ones she had made—the odd-looking ones that resembled more of a water bun than a dumpling.

Qin Ran tried to stealthily grab the misshapen dumplings and eat them quickly, but Yu Shuman beat her to it, taking one and popping it into her mouth. After swallowing, she commented, "Junior, you put too much filling in. It would have been better with less."

Today, Yu Shuman had splurged on some seafood, which Yu's mother had cooked for the two of them following an online recipe.

For Qin Ran, sharing the New Year's Eve dinner with them was the first time she truly understood the meaning of warmth. Since her reincarnation, she hadn't spent a New Year's Eve dinner with anyone. Before that, what she had experienced was more like a family gathering than a warm, intimate celebration—where everything except familial warmth could be found at the table.

As they finished eating, the Spring Festival Gala began. Qin Ran and Yu Shuman turned on the TV, then helped Yu's mother clean up before all three sat on the sofa together to watch the somewhat dull show. Mostly, they chatted and snacked on fruits while the TV played in the background.

Yu's mother, being older and weakened by her illness, couldn't stay up too late, so around ten o'clock, she retired to her room to sleep. After watching a bit more TV, Yu Shuman blinked at Qin Ran and suggested, "Let's sneak out and have some fun." Qin Ran asked, "Where to?"

"Let's go to the city to watch the New Year's fireworks." She showed her phone screen to Qin Ran, who saw the news headline: Fireworks display in the city at midnight. With fireworks now banned in most cities, the only way to see them was to go to designated spots.

Yu Shuman grabbed Qin Ran's hand, quickly bundled up in coats and scarves, and they headed out together. At that hour, there were no taxis available, so Yu Shuman hopped on her bicycle, and Qin Ran climbed onto the back seat. With a push of the pedals, they were off.

There were several spots to watch the fireworks, and they didn't need to go all the way to the city center. Yu Shuman decided to head to the nearest location. She had Qin Ran navigate while she pedaled. Qin Ran felt it wasn't fair for Yu Shuman to do all the work and offered to take a turn, but Yu Shuman shot her down with a single remark: "Junior, with your stamina, I'm afraid the fireworks will be over before we get there."

Qin Ran, frustrated, thought to herself that she definitely needed to set up a home gym when they got back!

As Qin Ran gave directions from behind, all she could see was Yu Shuman's back. On New Year's Eve, the cold wind cut across their faces like knives, stinging their cheeks. But Yu Shuman's not-so-broad back shielded Qin Ran from the worst of the wind as they sped towards the fireworks.

They set out just before eleven, and after pedaling for more than half an hour and squeezing into the crowd, they finally found a spot just in time. They could hear people around them murmuring, "It's almost time!" Others held warm snacks in their hands, cozy and comforting, while the two of them had only each other's warmth to rely on.

Amidst the hustle, Yu Shuman pulled out her phone, checking the time: 11:58 PM, with less than two minutes until the fireworks. Excited, she squeezed Qin Ran's hand. "Junior! We made it!"

"Mm!"

Qin Ran was equally thrilled. It was her first time experiencing such a crowded, festive atmosphere during the New Year.

The two minutes passed in a flash, and the nearby buildings dimmed their lights, with a countdown appearing on the big screens outside. As the final ten seconds approached, the crowd's excitement boiled over, and they all began chanting in unison, "Ten, nine, eight..." Yu Shuman joined in the countdown, her voice merging with the crowd, pulling Qin Ran in. Together they shouted, "Three, two, one!"

As the countdown ended, a firework shot into the sky with a loud bang, trailing a long whistle before bursting into brilliant lights. More followed, painting the night sky with dazzling colors. Yu Shuman was the first to turn to Qin Ran and say, "Happy New Year, Junior!"

Qin Ran responded in kind, "Happy New Year, Senior!"

In truth, Qin Ran could barely hear Yu Shuman's voice over the crowd's cheers and New Year's greetings. Yu Shuman's words were swallowed by the noise, but Qin Ran knew what she had said—she couldn't imagine Yu Shuman saying anything else. As for Qin Ran, she could have taken advantage of the noise to secretly say, "I love you."

But Qin Ran was too much of a coward. Despite the distant explosions and the surrounding clamor, she couldn't bring herself to confess, fearing that if Yu Shuman heard her, the wonderful atmosphere they were sharing might be ruined.

They mingled with the crowd for over half an hour, caught up in the excitement, their faces glowing with joy. As the fireworks faded from the sky, the crowd began to disperse, everyone heading off to their own cozy homes. Yu Shuman, too, led Qin Ran back to where they had parked the bike.

With the night growing colder, Yu Shuman blew on her gloved hands for warmth, then unlocked the bike and swung herself onto the seat. She turned back to Qin Ran and called, "Let's go, Junior!" Without hesitation, Qin Ran hopped onto the back seat. Yu Shuman pushed off, and the bike surged forward. Qin Ran felt herself tilt backward as the bike sped along.

Yu Shuman pedaled steadily, and Qin Ran watched her from behind. The return journey seemed faster than the ride there, though Qin Ran couldn't quite explain why. The warm yellow streetlights peeked through the trees, casting their glow onto the ground. The bike lane was narrow, the light filling it completely, while shadows from the trees briefly covered the path before quickly retreating.

The wide road beside them was mostly empty, with the occasional car speeding toward its destination.

The back seat of Yu Shuman's bike wasn't comfortable—far from it. The bike itself was old, one she had ridden since her first year of high school. By the time Qin Ran first saw it in their third year, it was already creaky, its frame rattling as if it might fall apart at any moment. Since Yu Shuman had always ridden alone, there was no cushion on the back seat, just a bare metal frame. Going over speed bumps caused a jarring bump, and Qin Ran's backside would ache.

Fortunately, it was winter, and they were wearing thick clothes. In the summer, a long ride like this would leave marks on Qin Ran's skin.

Still, Qin Ran found the back seat of Yu Shuman's bike more comfortable than any other vehicle she had ever ridden in. Whether it was the cars provided by Assistant Wu or Sister Li, or even the million-dollar luxury vans, none could compare to the small back seat of this bike.

It must be true that love makes everything more beautiful.

Since they had returned home so late, and spent a long time chatting in bed after showering and drying their hair, they didn't wake up until the afternoon the next day. As they ate the meal Yu's mother had reheated for them, they shared a secret smile, the memory of the previous night's adventure fresh in their minds.

The following days passed quickly, almost in the blink of an eye. Soon, it was time for them to return to the city. At the train station, Yu's mother, having learned they were traveling in first class, sternly advised Yu Shuman, "Since you're working for someone else, work hard. I can tell your boss is a good person. I'm not well-versed in your industry, but I know how important it is to have a female boss who supports you. You must do your best and not let a little fame go to your head..."

She continued with her advice, and by the end, her voice softened, and she dabbed at her eyes. "But don't be afraid either. If anyone tries to take advantage of you, fight back. We mustn't let others push us around!"

Yu's mother's words were heartfelt, and Yu Shuman was deeply moved, her voice thick with emotion as she replied, "Mom, I know. Don't worry! I'll work hard, but I won't let anyone take advantage of me!"

"Good!" The mother and daughter held hands as Yu's mother continued to fuss over her, reminding her to eat well, sleep well, and not let her health suffer because of her career. Yu Shuman listened intently, while Qin Ran, not wanting to intrude, went to the waiting room to get a cup of water, watching from a distance and pretending to play on her phone when Yu's mother glanced her way.

As the time for departure approached, Qin Ran walked over and called out, "Senior, we need to board now." Yu Shuman wiped away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, gave her mother one last look, and said, "Mom, I'll bring my junior to visit you again. And you must take care of yourself, eat well, and go to the hospital if you're not feeling well. I'm earning money now, so don't skimp on anything!"

"You silly child, don't worry about your own mother!"

Yu's mother urged Yu Shuman to board the train quickly. It wasn't surprising that they were so reluctant to part; after all, Yu Shuman hadn't come home for the past two years.