As he expected, Cen Jin was dozing on the sofa.
This time, she had wrapped herself tightly in a blanket, showing only her sleeping face, white and still, like thin snow on a winter night.
Li Wu stood still across the coffee table, watching her, his breathing barely audible.
After an unknown time, from the screen behind him came the excited reminder of the approaching new year.
Li Wu paid no attention.
The hosts shouted together, full of joy:
“10――”
“9――”
“8――”
Perhaps the noise was too loud; the woman’s eyelashes trembled slightly, showing signs of opening.
Li Wu snapped out of his trance and immediately turned around, ready to flee.
“7――”
“6――””5――”
After just a few steps, a sudden call came from behind: “Li Wu?”
The slightly hoarse voice was soft, tinged with confusion.
Like a soft needle, it effortlessly pinned the young man in place. His heart thundered as he realized he had been watching her for far too long.
“4――”
“3――”
“2――”
With the countdown echoing in her ears, Cen Jin was still a bit dazed, her hand on the blanket, somewhat unsure of where she was, just drowsily staring at that tall shadow in the darkness.
“1――!”
“Ah!” Cen Jin suddenly awoke, springing up, panicked into a flustered shout: “Li Wu, Happy New Year!”
At that moment, the screen was filled with golden snow, and everyone cheering.
Cen Jin secretly smacked her forehead but still didn’t make it… She put her hands in her pockets and leaned back into the sofa.
Although the woman’s words came out so fast they were barely distinguishable, Li Wu heard them crystal clear.
His ears grew warm, and his lips curved into a smile.
He controlled his emotions, turned around, and said earnestly: “Happy New Year, Sister.”
Cen Jin pressed her lips together for a moment, and wrinkled her nose in disappointment: “We both missed it.”
Li Wu made an “mm” sound.
Cen Jin guessed: “Did you come out wanting to countdown with me? But I fell asleep?”
He again: “Mm.”
Cen Jin regretted: “Next time, please wake me up.”
Li Wu said: “Okay.”
“Stop writing, come sit and watch some TV,” Cen Jin lifted the blanket, turned on the light, and went to the fridge to look for drinks.
With her upper body buried in the fridge, she asked: “Have you heard this saying? However you spend New Year’s, that’s how you’ll spend the whole year.”
Li Wu listened intently, his thoughts racing, quickly concluding. At New Year’s, he was by her side, face to face.
He wanted to smile again.
Cen Jin held two cans of soda, turning to face him: “One peach flavor, one grape flavor, which do you want?”
Li Wu looked at her: “Either is fine.”
Cen Jin was annoyed at his noncommittal answer, coldly quirking her lips: “Then drink them both.” Li Wu: “…”
She did throw both cans at him. Li Wu caught one, and the other came flying in his face.
He held one in each hand, staring at Little Purple and Little Pink for a few seconds, before placing them both back on the coffee table.
He even adjusted their angles, ensuring they stood parallel, with their logos aligned identically.
Cen Jin stood across from him, watching him meticulously arrange the two sodas, her eyes full of disbelief.
Unbelievable.
Such a kid.
The gala was nearly over, and Cen Jin picked up the remote and started changing channels. Li Wu also turned to watch the screen.
Knowing Li Wu’s “go with the flow” style, she didn’t ask anymore and chose her favorite movie channel, turned off the ceiling light, and sat back on the sofa hugging her legs to watch.
It was an old comedy, with a plot so vulgar it was funny. Cen Jin laughed a few times before remembering there was someone else sitting beside her.
Worried that Li Wu might look down on it, she glanced sideways to check his reaction.