The sense of the New Year became tangible just after the Little New Year Festival.
Xie Ruan’s neighborhood was mostly resettlement housing, with a good number of elderly residents, which heightened the New Year atmosphere.
On the eve of the New Year, every household had bright red Spring Festival couplets on their doors. Those with crafty hands even made their own window cutouts from red paper.
As Xie Ruan struggled with a difficult math problem, he received a visit from a neighbor delivering some paper cutouts.
A gray-haired but neatly dressed old lady, holding her young granddaughter, smiled kindly at him. “Little Xie, I made this myself. It might not be that great, but it’s festive.”
“Thank you, Grandma Zhao,” Xie Ruan thanked her politely, admiring the intricate ‘Magpie on Branch’ design in his hands. “It’s beautiful! I’ll put it on my window in a bit.”
“Oh, such a sweet talker.”
Grandma Zhao broke into a huge smile.
Although she didn’t expect any return for the cutouts, since it was just a friendly gesture among neighbors, seeing the recipient’s genuine appreciation brought her joy.
“Ah, I’m getting old; my eyesight’s not what it used to be. In my younger days, I could make even the most complex designs.”
The elderly lady gave Xie Ruan, with his handsome face, an appreciative glance and then said something surprising: “If only I was younger, I’d even make your wedding decorations myself.”
Xie Ruan instantly turned a bright red.
Afraid she might start asking questions about whether he had a girlfriend or what kind of person he’d want to marry, he quickly dug around in his pocket and handed the little girl a handful of peach-flavored hard candies.
Grandma Zhao didn’t refuse the gesture, instead peeling one and popping it into her granddaughter’s mouth, teasing, “Oh, still such a big fan of sweets, huh?”
“Not really,” Xie Ruan scratched his head, truthfully saying, “I bought them for He Chen.”
Over the winter break, he and his half-brother had grown a lot closer. Though they weren’t yet as tight as most siblings, their relationship was much better than before.
So that’s how it was.
Grandma Zhao nodded, taking her leave and slowly heading upstairs.
Hadn’t He Jinqing said that Little Xie was a delinquent, always playing around or bullying his brother at home? Well, from what she saw today, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Her eyesight might not be sharp for crafts anymore, but when it came to noticing things, she could still see quite well.
She had clearly noticed Little Xie doing homework, holding a pen even as he opened the door!
And what kind of teenager remembered to buy candy for his little brother? Her own grandkids never would. Yet He Jinqing wasn’t satisfied.
In her many years, she had witnessed all kinds of situations, and that He Jinqing’s petty schemes were hardly beyond her perception.
Oh, so he just wanted to put down his stepson? Who couldn’t see through that?
Clicking her tongue, Grandma Zhao thought, that young He, just growing worse with age.
Thank goodness she wouldn’t be spending this New Year with her own kids but back here at home.
In fact, she should have a good chat with her friends in the community.
Little Xie was such a handsome kid, certainly not the kind of troublemaker she’d heard he was.
And, come to think of it, didn’t that young He try to steal a cornbread roll from her years back?
Ah, no wonder—just born sneaky.
Thanks to He Jinqing’s comments, Xie Ruan didn’t have a great reputation in the neighborhood. Most people here had known He Jinqing since he was a child, so they naturally leaned toward him.
Every time they saw Xie Ruan, they’d look at him with strange expressions, but he usually couldn’t be bothered to care and had no idea what people were saying behind his back.
Nor did he know that Grandma Zhao was about to start clearing his name.
Just as he was catching his breath and heading back to his room to tackle that math problem, his mother Chen Wei called him to the kitchen.
“Xingxing, can you get the meat grinder down from the cabinet?”
Xie Ruan set down his pen and, without even stretching, easily reached into the cabinet his mom couldn’t and took out the grinder.
Chen Wei beamed at him, “Xingxing, have you grown taller?”
Xie Ruan nodded, “By about two centimeters.”
He was now exactly 1.8 meters tall.
“That’s wonderful.” Chen Wei set down the cutting board and put the thawed pork into the grinder.
Xie Ruan had planned to leave but stopped, almost as if thinking of something. “Are we making dumplings tonight?”
“Of course,” Chen Wei was clearly happy he’d asked, and she started chatting eagerly, “It’s traditional to have dumplings on New Year’s Eve.”
She took out a mixing bowl and scooped in a few spoonfuls of flour. “We’ll make two kinds of filling: sauerkraut pork and chive shrimp. Your Uncle He and Chenchen both love that.”
As she spoke, she hesitated, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “And I remember you like chive and shrimp…”
Xie Ruan smirked.
He did like shrimp, but he’d always hated chives so much he couldn’t touch them. Him liking chive and shrimp dumplings? Nonsense.
But he couldn’t be bothered to correct Chen Wei.
Back in his room, he looked at the spread-out practice test on his desk, but his thoughts started to drift.
How was Bo Jin spending New Year’s?
Would he be at some company event in another city or back here alone?
Thinking this, he instinctively pulled out his phone and opened Bo Jin’s chat.
The messages stopped at last night’s goodnight text from Bo Jin. Knowing he was busy today, Xie Ruan hadn’t sent him anything.
After a moment of hesitation, he still typed out a message and sent it.
【Your Bro Xie】: Are you coming back today?
After a while without a reply, Xie Ruan guessed Bo Jin might not have seen the message. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and focused back on the math problems.
It wasn’t until he finally managed to solve the difficult question that Bo Jin’s new message popped up.
【Bo】: What, you miss me?
Xie Ruan rolled his eyes, but a smile still tugged at the corners of his lips.
No matter when, this guy was always oozing with a certain swagger.
He sent a reaction.
【Your Bro Xie】: [Knocks your head sideways].jpg
This time, Bo Jin replied instantly.
【Bo】: [Hugs wifey].jpg
Xie Ruan felt his ears grow warm and jabbed his phone screen angrily.
【Your Bro Xie】: Speak like a normal person!
Perhaps sensing his annoyance, Bo Jin finally got serious for a moment.
【Bo】: I’ll head back after the opening of the annual meeting, probably around nine.
【Bo】: What’s up?
【Your Bro Xie】: Nothing, just asking.
He thought for a moment and, worried Bo Jin might not believe him, sent a photo of the tricky problem he’d been struggling with recently.
【Your Bro Xie】: Look, here’s the kingdom I conquered for you.
【Bo】: Noted.
Huh, Xie Ruan raised an eyebrow; that didn’t sound like Bo Jin.
Just as he wondered, another message popped up.
【Bo】: Dowry received.
Xie Ruan: “…”
He knew it!
Xie Ruan set his phone down and headed to the kitchen.
Chen Wei had already prepared the dough and filling and was getting ready to make dumplings.
Xie Ruan walked over and said, “I’ll handle the sauerkraut pork filling.”
Bo Jin would be coming back late, and there wouldn’t be any warm food at home. He figured he might as well use his time to bring some dumplings over to Bo Jin instead of staying home and listening to endless bragging or watching the increasingly dull New Year’s show.
World’s best boyfriend? Definitely him.
Xie Ruan turned on the tap and scrubbed his hands thoroughly.
Bo Jin wasn’t a picky eater, so Xie Ruan planned to make them according to his taste—only sauerkraut pork, no leek and shrimp!
Chen Wei, slightly embarrassed over her earlier comment, was relieved when she saw he was still willing to help. Her spirits lifted, and she handed him a pair of chopsticks. “Thanks, Xing Xing.”
Xie Ruan took the chopsticks without a word.
Just then, the front door opened, and hurried footsteps sounded as He Chen’s voice echoed before he even arrived: “Mom, I’m back!”
Calling out to his mom, his gaze, however, was fixed on Xie Ruan.
Chen Wei hurriedly put down her work and went to greet him, concerned. “Back already? Are you hungry? You mentioned liking croissants last time, so I bought a whole box; it’s in the snack cabinet, try one!”
“Oh.” He Chen nodded but didn’t move. He glanced at Xie Ruan, muttering, “I want to help with the dumplings.”
“There’s no need.” Chen Wei gently scolded, forbidding him from helping. “Your brother and I will have them done in no time.”
Not satisfied, He Chen stubbornly headed toward the kitchen: “I want to help—”
Xie Ruan stretched out a long leg to stop him, frowning. “Go shower.”
He’d been outside playing soccer with friends, and with his dirt-streaked appearance, these dumplings would be inedible if he tried helping.
He Chen didn’t listen to Chen Wei but obeyed Xie Ruan, glancing at him sheepishly. “Then I’ll help after I shower.”
Xie Ruan gave a reluctant nod.
He Chen’s mood instantly brightened as he dashed happily into the bathroom, like an excited puppy.
Skilled from years of practice, Xie Ruan’s dumplings turned out beautiful, even more refined than Chen Wei’s, each one perfectly decorated with a floral edge.
“You’re so slow with all those details!” Chen Wei commented, watching him with slight impatience.
Without a word, Xie Ruan continued his intricate work.
“Xing Xing, you—” Chen Wei began.
But one sentence from him made her stop in her tracks.
“I don’t eat chives.”
Chen Wei’s hands stilled. After an awkward pause, she lowered her head and remained silent, not daring to interfere further.
Chen Wei’s cooking was usually good, and today, her dumpling filling was particularly flavorful. Even the ever-picky He Jinqing had no complaints.
As the night deepened, the sound of firecrackers outside grew frequent, giving the cold night a livelier ambiance.
Xie Ruan took out the insulated lunch box he had used before and packed the dumplings he’d let cool on purpose.
Chen Wei, who was clearing the dishes, looked over in surprise. “Xingxing, what are you doing?”
Xie Ruan casually made up an excuse without much thought, “Going to celebrate New Year’s with some friends later. Thought I’d bring them some dumplings.”
New Year’s celebration? Chen Wei hesitated. Had kids these days shifted the celebration from December 31 to Lunar New Year’s Eve?
Before she could think more on it, Xie Ruan had already slipped on his coat and walked out.
He Jinqing glanced at his departing figure, unconcerned. Not his kid, after all, so where he went was none of his business. He Chen, looking between his dad and mom, tried to sneak out after him but was quickly stopped by He Jinqing’s sharp eye.
He had no choice but to dejectedly turn back.
The neighborhood was quiet, with only the occasional burst of firecrackers. Usually lively, the street was almost deserted, with just a few cars occasionally passing by, lights flickering as they hurried home.
The high-rise buildings on both sides of the road were dotted with lights—each small home reuniting.
Bo Jin walked in the cold wind, his steps occasionally crunching on fallen leaves, producing a creaking sound that was jarring but had accompanied him for the entire way.
As he neared the building, Bo Jin slowed his pace.
The streetlight nearby seemed to be broken, leaving everything pitch black, casting the road ahead in uncertainty.
He took out a cigarette and was just about to light it when that cursed streetlight, as if suddenly prompted by some unknown stimulus, flickered on.
The bright light shone directly on him, causing Bo Jin to squint slightly.
He instinctively shifted to the side, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure standing just ahead, which made him freeze in place.
Xie Ruan stood there holding a lunch box, half his face nestled in a fluffy scarf, a small puff of white breath escaping into the cold night air.
They gazed at each other across the dim darkness.
Then, Bo Jin watched as Xie Ruan stepped forward into the light and walked over to him.
“You’re back.”
Xie Ruan spoke.
“I brought you dumplings.”
