Chapter 22.1| New Year party

After the return of Yin's parents to their home country, they temporarily stayed at their parents' house and lived with Yin. 

The elderly couple went out this morning to travel with friends they have known for decades. A barbecue grill was set up in the yard, and Friday lazily lay on a soft cushion sunbathing while Yin served dishes prepared by her aunt and mother.

Just as Yin was thinking it was about time, she looked up to see Xipei holding a large paper bag in her arms, smiling and calling her name at the door, inviting her to come over. 

"Are you coming together?" Behind Xipei were others from the group.

A few days ago, they had agreed to come to Yin's house for a barbecue and study session on New Year's Day. 

Xing Xiuze said, "Fate brought us together at the community's entrance." 

One by one, they entered, with Xu Zhiyi following Xiuze. His warm and moist eyes met Yin's warm smile, as Zhiyi gently pinched the back of Yin's neck. The sunlight illuminated them, coating them in a layer of light that was unbelievably gentle. 

Xipei put down the paper bag and turned around to see this scene that was blindingly bright, "On the first day of the new year, the sweetness received by this shipper is a bit overwhelming." 

The sweetness from yesterday had not yet dissipated, and today it had doubled. Lin Xipei suddenly realized that their ship was truly extraordinary. 

Yin touched the back of his neck, feeling the warmth and a slight blush. 

As she approached Xipei, she was handed a package, and the oil paper bag emitted warmth. Just by smelling the aroma seeping from the sealed package, Yin knew it was from Nan Zhao Ji. 

"Meng Yin, my darling, the first gift of the New Year from Nan Zhao Ji is from me~" Xipei had a face of seeking praise, with a hint of jealousy. 

Yin immediately saw through her intentions, embraced Lin Xipei, and said with a smile, "We are the best." With a sweet voice wrapped in honey, Xipei was taken aback. 

Although Yin usually called her "Xipei darling" like this, it was always a familiar term of endearment among girls. This kind of flirtatious tone, akin to a senior coquettishly asking for a treat, was truly a first. 

Seeing Lin Xipei's expression of disbelief, Xing Xiuze, who knew the truth, leaned on Nie Hai's shoulder and laughed uncontrollably. It was worth noting that Xiuze had only accidentally encountered such a Yin once, and the expression he had at that time was no different from Lin Xipei's expression at that moment.

During that season, around the time of their ninth grade, a group of individuals finished their meal in the cafeteria. Yin suddenly glided past them and dashed towards a girl several meters away. Even at a distance, the group could still hear Yin's tender murmur. The girl was named Huang Jia, seven or eight years older than Yin, and was like an older sister who had grown up with him. Her family had emigrated to Singapore a couple of years ago, but they had managed to stay in touch. Due to work commitments, she had returned to China for a while, intending to surprise her little sister. Meng Yin, happily indulging in being spoiled, only then remembered the presence of the other group of people. Seeing their expressions, and reflecting on her behaviour just now, he suddenly felt embarrassed. It was Huang Jia who later explained that Meng Yin tended to act spoiled towards people of the same gender that he liked, just like what the group had witnessed moments ago.

"This is her way of expressing affection towards her friends," Xu Zhiyi recalled a scene from a few years ago and smiled lightly. 

Lin Xipei was taken aback, then excitedly pinched Yin's face, saying, "Meng Yin, my treasure, what kind of treasure are you!" 

The way to express fondness for the same sex turned out to be acting cute! Thank heavens for this New Year's gift to her! Filled with courage from the surprise, Xipei leaned her head towards Yin's neck and asked, "So how do you act cute towards Xu Zhiyi?" 

With her keen sense and observation as a 'Zhiyin CP' fan, Yin and Zhiyi had not yet noticed any signs of the woman acting cute towards them. 

Yin glanced at Xu Zhiyi and said with a turn, "Guess." 

With her curiosity piqued, Xipei mustered her courage and tilted her head to ask Xu Zhiyi, who was a few steps away, "Bro Yi, has our Yin ever acted cute towards you?" 

Zhiyi looked indifferent, enveloped in a warm glow, and moved his mouth to say four words, "Everywhere, all the time." 

Yin's sudden affectionate expression towards the same sex was a surprise and cute, but her way of being affectionate towards Xu Zhiyi was subtle and soft. Soft words with a trailing tone shared trivialities; a calm and firm gaze symbolized moving forward together; sharing a smile and nod indicated the significance of the moment. These were only present between Xu Zhiyi and Meng Yin. 

Acting cute belonged only to Xu Zhiyi. 

Xipei regretted asking once she heard the answer from Xu Zhiyi. 

Lately, the child had been eating too many obvious sweets and didn't want to pick at them. "Bro Yi, I still prefer brightly shining candies," Xipei gave an example, "Like the ones that could blow up the forum yesterday." 

"Blow up the forum?" Yin was puzzled.