"I'm not going back," Gu Yaoyang said, lowering his gaze. "I have work."
"You haven't been back in years. Your grandfather's heart hasn't been well lately, he..."
"He's fine. I've already arranged the surgery. It's on the third day of the first lunar month, and the surgery will be very successful. Also, cancel your travel plans for the ninth day. You'll encounter a robbery." Gu Yaoyang's tone remained cold and distant. "Try not to travel too far before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."
"This..." The person on the other end was stunned. "You... you saw it again?"
"You want me to go back, isn't it for this?" Gu Yaoyang's lips curved into a smile, tinged with a hint of disdain.
"No, no, we are..." The other end of the phone seemed to want to argue further.
"That's all for now," Gu Yaoyang said, then directly hung up the phone, ignoring it.
His heart grew heavier.
He never regretted anything he had done. Even if he had to repeat it countless times, he would still save his loved ones.
But he had to admit, after so many such occurrences, and with the ulterior motives hidden behind those expectant eyes increasing, he couldn't help but feel disheartened.
After being disheartened too many times, he had grown accustomed to it.
Yet, even though he was accustomed to it, there were still moments when indescribable emotions surged, tearing through his practiced defenses, laying him bare, heart and soul, under the brilliant sun.
Just then, a voice message came in.
Gu Yaoyang clicked it open and heard Xia Qingtian's slightly excited voice.
"Go to the balcony and take a look quickly!"
As Gu Yaoyang reached the edge of the balcony, he heard another voice message from Xia Qingtian.
"The snow tonight is so beautiful!"
Only then did Gu Yaoyang notice the scenery before him.
With the backdrop of myriad lights, the sight of the pure white snow dancing gracefully with the wind was so enchanting.
He couldn't remember the last time he had noticed the beauty of his surroundings.
Gu Yaoyang gazed at the beautiful scenery, and it took him a long while to snap back to reality. A faint smile curved his lips, and he sent a voice message: "Yes, it's very beautiful."
So, there was still someone willing to share these simple, direct little things with him.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Gu Yaoyang opened it to see Bai Yuqi, with dyed blonde hair, hanging on the doorframe. "You nemesis, I'm seeking shelter for the New Year!"
Gu Yaoyang's mouth twitched slightly.
"Oh my, you have no idea how unreasonable my old man is. He said if I went back with this blonde hair, he'd personally shave my head!" Without waiting for Gu Yaoyang to respond, Bai Yuqi squeezed into Gu Yaoyang's apartment, his face a mask of misery. "Although I have an incredibly handsome face, a shaved head... I'm afraid even the dashing and suave me can't pull it off!"
Gu Yaoyang silently took out his wallet, took out a card, and handed it to Bai Yuqi. "Find yourself a hotel and stay there."
"No way, after so many years of brotherhood, you're trying to buy me off with money?" Bai Yuqi's eyes widened in disbelief at first, then he stared at Gu Yaoyang's wallet as if he had discovered new land. "Hey? You got a new wallet? When did you get it?"
"Someone gave it to me." Gu Yaoyang slightly lowered his head, looking at the brand-new wallet in his hand, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
When Xia Qingtian had asked him that day, he had just said it casually. He hadn't expected Xia Qingtian to actually send him a wallet. He liked both the style and the color.
"Tsk tsk tsk... look at that silly grin on your face... could it be from someone you're seeing romantically..." Bai Yuqi teased with a snicker.
After a long time without receiving Gu Yaoyang's retort, Bai Yuqi finally exclaimed in disbelief, "Holy crap! It really is from someone you're seeing? Who? That... that Xia Qingtian?"
Upon hearing Xia Qingtian's name, Gu Yaoyang gave Bai Yuqi a sideways glance. "You should leave."
"No! Is it true or not? Are you guys together? No way! You ancient iron tree, you've actually bloomed?" Bai Yuqi's antennae perked up, ready to gather gossip. "I thought you were just playing around, but I didn't expect you to get serious! Good for you! That Xia Qingtian looks much better than Yu Linwan! You have good taste this time!"
Seemingly displeased that Bai Yuqi would compare Yu Linwan and Xia Qingtian, Gu Yaoyang directly grabbed Bai Yuqi by the collar and threw him out, tossing him a card. "I want to have a peaceful New Year. Get lost."
Bai Yuqi wanted to protest, but upon hearing Gu Yaoyang's threat that if he dared to make noise again, he would personally shave his head, Bai Yuqi could only leave dejectedly. Before leaving, he didn't forget to whine and complain that Gu Yaoyang was prioritizing his romantic interests over friendship.
"Hmph, just you wait. Next year, I'll make Xia Qingtian a key observation target, dig up some dirt on her, and extort a large sum of money from you! Hmph!"
Perhaps feeling a bit disgruntled, Bai Yuqi used Gu Yaoyang's card to have a lavish meal.
Meanwhile, after seeing Bai Yuqi off, Gu Yaoyang could finally have some peace and quiet.
As he put away his wallet, Gu Yaoyang's fingertips brushed against the leather, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
It was quite nice.
Spring Festival.
The most important traditional festival in Country Z every year, starting from New Year's Eve, it was filled with resounding gongs and drums, crackling firecrackers, waving red flags, and reunion and happiness.
The Xia family was also well-prepared. At the appointed time, everyone gathered in the living room, watching the Spring Festival Gala in a rather peaceful atmosphere. They snacked on a table full of pastries and snacks while staying up late. Even Xia Shang, who usually stayed in his room, had changed into new clothes and sat at the edge of the sofa, filling out the numbers.
"It feels more boring every year," Xia Honglang yawned and said.
"It's just for the lively atmosphere, going through the motions, and for a bit of fun," Aunt Liu chuckled. "You guys watch first, I'll go check on the soup."
After Aunt Liu left, Xia Qingyu looked at Xia Qingtian and said, "Can't you try harder and put on a Spring Festival Gala for me to watch?"
She felt that Xia Qingtian's singing was much better than the performers singing and dancing on stage, and her looks were also higher.
"Alright, based on your words, I'll try my best next year," Xia Qingtian said casually with a smile.
"You? Just rest." Xia Honglang glanced at Xia Qingtian. It would be more reliable for Xia Qingtian to leave the entertainment industry next year.
"Tch! Then let's make a bet!" Xia Qingtian nudged Xia Honglang with her shoulder.
"Okay, I'll be the witness!" Xia Qingyu immediately waved her hand.
"A bet it is!" Xia Honglang directly took up the bet with Xia Qingtian.
"If you can't get on the Spring Festival Gala next year, quit the entertainment industry and come home honestly!"
Xia Honglang, adhering to the tradition that older ginger is spicier, immediately proposed a policy that was absolutely beneficial to himself.
"Hey! You're playing your cards right!" Upon hearing Xia Honglang's words, Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow, feeling that she couldn't lose. "If I can get on the Spring Festival Gala next year, you can't dictate my romantic life or marriage!"
Who's afraid of whom?
Come on!
Let's just slack off!
Xia Honglang's mouth twitched. Good grief, Xia Qingtian's move was also quite deadly!
The father and daughter, in a flash, exchanged harsh words.
Sitting beside them, Xia Qingyu felt that things were heading in a strange direction.
After a while, when Aunt Liu returned, everyone noticed Xia Shang looking at them with a strange and sinister expression.
"Uncle, what's wrong?" Xia Qingyu reached out and waved her hand in front of Xia Shang.
"Qingtian... can get on the Spring Festival Gala..." For Xia Shang, who grew up in the mountains, appearing on the Spring Festival Gala was a remarkable feat.
He was still immersed in it, looking shocked.
From their interactions during this period, the Xia family had figured out Xia Shang's temperament. They knew that even though he looked sinister now, it was merely shock-induced daze.
Thinking about it, it was a little cute.