Chapter 67

Chapter 67

After several rehearsals, the New Year's Eve show officially commenced.

Once the New Year celebrations concluded, Ning Yuyi, anticipating a throng of fans, exited the stadium early. Zhou Er followed closely, placing an order at a nearby bubble tea shop, intending to distribute it to some fans.

As Ning Yuyi emerged, he spotted a car parked quietly by the roadside and a figure leaning against it.

With a twinkle in his eyes, Ning Yuyi approached, slipping his hand into the man's pocket.

"Why aren't you waiting inside? It's so cold out," remarked Ning Yuyi, feeling the warm hand of Fan Zhongchuan in contrast to his own cold one.

"I was afraid you might not see me," Fan Zhongchuan replied, warming Ning Yuyi's hand in his pocket. "Why are your hands so cold?"

"I just washed my face after removing my makeup. I was in a hurry and didn't wait for the hot water," Ning Yuyi vaguely explained.

The real reason for his haste was evident without words.

Ning Yuyi tilted his head slightly, looking up at the sharp jawline of Fan Zhongchuan, his lips curving uncontrollably.

Outside the stadium, a few fans who couldn't secure tickets, as well as curious onlookers, gathered by another gate. Ning Yuyi, fearing recognition, didn't linger outside and quickly got into the car.

Turning to Ning Yuyi, Fan Zhongchuan asked, "Head back or grab something to eat?"

Ning Yuyi shook his head, "To the ES flower shop."

Due to the New Year celebrations, even past midnight, the streets remained lively with shops illuminated and occasional passersby.

Ning Yuyi leaned against the car window, observing the outside. As the car's interior warmed up, the temperature difference caused the window to fog up, obscuring his view.

Fan Zhongchuan glanced at Ning Yuyi, noticing him drawing something on the fogged window with his finger.

But Ning Yuyi was blocking the car window: "Wait until I'm done drawing before you look."

Fan Zhongchuan amusingly stroked his chin, patiently waiting for Ning Yuyi to finish.

Finally, Ning Yuyi straightened up, turned to Fan Zhongchuan with a smile, "Done."

With a flourish, he stepped aside, "Ta-da! What do you think of my drawing?"

On the car window were two simply drawn figures holding hands.

Fan Zhongchuan pointed to the window, "The heights are inaccurate."

"Hmm?" Ning Yuyi turned to look at the evenly matched figures,

Then playfully threatened with a smile, "Want to say that again?"

His voice was steady, the pacing just right.

Fan Zhongchuan chuckled softly, leaning over to straighten Ning Yuyi's hair, mussed by his hat, "Let's go."

At the entrance of the ES flower shop, Ning Yuyi halted Fan Zhongchuan, who was about to alight from the car, "I'll go in by myself."

The flower shop was adorned with bouquets of varying significances. After admiring them briefly, Ning Yuyi provided his phone number.

Soon, the flowers he'd ordered were prepared. Embracing the bouquet dominated by white daisies, his gaze softened for a moment.

"Thank you," he thanked the shop staff and turned to leave, but paused at the door.

He looked back, eyeing the roses displayed on the glass counter.

Sensing an opportunity, a shop assistant approached to introduce the roses to Ning Yuyi.

Subtly glancing at the car outside the window, Ning Yuyi then turned to the roses. "Pack these as well. Where can I pay?"

……

Fan Zhongchuan watched silently as Ning Yuyi emerged, hands occupied with two bouquets. Dressed in bulky clothes, Ning Yuyi struggled to open the car door.

Just as he was about to call out to Fan Zhongchuan, the latter opened the car door and stepped out.

Ning Yuyi jogged around the car's front to Fan Zhongchuan's side, presenting the roses from his right hand.

"Here, a flower gift from your boyfriend."

Although Fan Zhongchuan had watched Ning Yuyi exit the flower shop, he'd already guessed that the bouquet of roses was intended for him.

Yet, as the scent of roses wafted into his nostrils, Fan Zhongchuan's heart still raced uncontrollably.

Accepting the roses, he used the bouquet as a shield and deeply kissed Ning Yuyi.

……

Once back in the car, Ning Yuyi carefully placed the bouquet, a mix of daisies, white roses, and lilies, between his legs.

Fan Zhongchuan, contentedly resting a hand on the steering wheel, waited for Ning Yuyi to direct their next destination.

Ning Yuyi's gaze landed on the bouquet on his lap, the blush in his ears from their earlier street-side kiss still evident.

Once his cheeks cooled a bit, he finally spoke, "Let's head to the Redwood Cemetery."

Fan Zhongchuan cast a brief glance at the flowers on Ning's lap, confirming his suspicion.

The Redwood Cemetery was on the city's outskirts. While the city center remained bustling due to New Year's festivities, only an occasional lit store could be spotted in the suburbs.

As they approached the cemetery, the traffic and pedestrians grew sparser.

At the foot of the hill, the dozing security guard in the booth was awakened by the headlights and stepped out to inquire if they were heading up.

The guard's tone made Ning Yuyi chuckle.

Noticing the wall clock in the guard's booth, it precisely pointed to 2:30.

The guard, having worked at the Redwood Cemetery for years, recognized Ning Yuyi – the young man who visited annually on New Year's Day.

"It's you," the guard said, adjusting his cap and rubbing his eyes. "Back to visit your kin? You're quite early today."

"Mm, I was working overtime. Once done, I came straight here." Ning Yuyi handed over some snacks he'd just bought from a roadside store.

"Oh, I can't accept this," the guard promptly protested.

"It's fine. I got it especially for you," Ning Yuyi responded. He had visited the cemetery every year on this day, and during earlier visits when he felt utterly desolate, it was this guard who'd shared comforting words.

The guard, feeling it would be rude to decline further, accepted the bag, "Alright then, you head on up. I'll switch on the path lights for you."

Fan Zhongchuan drove a bit further uphill until reaching a plateaued parking area where he stopped. Both he and Ning Yuyi alighted from the car.

Familiar with the route, Ning Yuyi confidently navigated between countless tombstones, eventually stopping at a secluded corner.

Ning Yuyi placed the flowers before the gravestone, gazing at the middle-aged woman in the photo, smiling slightly.

"I came a bit early today, may have disturbed Director Ma's sleep. Let me introduce you." Ning Yuyi pulled Jin Zhongchuan's hand. "This is my boyfriend, we're in a relationship now."

Meeting Ning Yuyi's starry eyes, Jin Zhongchuan greeted the gravestone with a "Hello Director Ma".

Ning Yuyi's face reddened: "You should call her auntie, we're not married yet. Why call her mother?"

Jin Zhongchuan's lips curved downwards.

Ning Yuyi talked more about Xie family affairs, and his own recent experiences, only highlighting the good parts.

When he had spoken his fill, it was already four o'clock.

"Alright, I'll come see you again next time."

The cemetery had caretakers, so weeds didn't overgrow, but they grew faster than pulled. There were still some new sprouts poking through the stones.

Before leaving, Ning Yuyi squatted down and pulled out all the emerging weeds around the gravestone.

Only when they reached the mountain base did Ning Yuyi feel the chill, hurriedly getting in the car and hunching his neck.

"New year celebrations are already over huh." Ning Yuyi regretfully said, "I didn't even see the fireworks."

Hai City had prepared a fireworks show for New Year's, but they were busy backstage the entire time without seeing a speck.

Though Ning Yuyi had sighed softly, Jin Zhongchuan still caught it.

He glanced at the sleeping Ning Yuyi leaning against the window and sent a message to his assistant.

He glanced at the sleeping Ning Yuyi leaning against the window and sent a message to his assistant.

Ning Yuyi only groggily woke up when the car entered the city area.

"This isn't the road back to Qing'an." Gazing at the increasingly taller office buildings, "Are you going to the company?"

Jin Zhongchuan: "Mm."

Ning Yuyi's expression fell: "No way, is there still an urgent issue you need to handle now?"

"An emergency? Sort of."

Fan Zhongchuan drove into the underground parking of the Fan Corporation. After parking, he unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to unbuckle Ning Yuyi's as well.

As he rose from his seat, he leaned into Ning Yuyi's ear to add,

"Celebrating the New Year with my boyfriend is, indeed, an urgent affair."

"Ah, the New Year celebration? But hasn't it already passed?"

Guided by Fan Zhongchuan, Ning Yuyi stepped into the elevator, making their way to the top-floor office.

Following Fan Zhongchuan to the floor-to-ceiling windows, he noticed Fan glancing at his watch and followed suit.

It was just minutes away from five.

Had Fan Zhongchuan prepared a surprise for him?

With bated breath, he watched the seconds tick by, and as the countdown reached its final moment, a 'boom' resounded in his ears.

Ning Yuyi's gaze traced the source of the sound.

Fireworks!

The display lasted for ten minutes, culminating in white fireworks that burst into the sky, momentarily spelling out "Ning Yuyi" against the dark canvas above.

Ning Yuyi pressed against the window, the reflection of the white fireworks dancing in his eyes, a misty look enveloping them.

From behind, Fan Zhongchuan embraced him, caressing his soft hair. "Did you like it?"

"I loved it," Ning Yuyi's voice was slightly nasal.

Sniffling, he asked, "When did you start preparing this?"

That final firework, spelling out his name, must have taken significant preparation.

Fan Zhongchuan's gaze drifted across the myriad buildings beyond the window.

Ever since he first recognized his feelings, he had been preparing for this.

He gently kissed the nape of Ning Yuyi's neck, not uttering a word.

After the fireworks, Ning Yuyi's exhaustion became evident, one yawn following another.

Given the frequent rehearsals of late, he hadn't slept well and had now been up all night.

Ning Yuyi suddenly fell backward, caught in the nick of time by Fan Zhongchuan.

"Let's head back to Qing'an. I'm so exhausted," Ning Yuyi's eyes welled up with tears, narrowing into slits.

Fan Zhongchuan scooped him up in his arms, "Sleep here for now."

Fan Zhongchuan moved to the large bookshelf behind his desk, pressing something concealed. The bookshelf slid apart, revealing a hidden room.

The room was decorated in a style similar to the master bedroom in Qing'an. As soon as Fan Zhongchuan laid Ning Yuyi on the bed, he rolled to the side, cocooned himself in the blanket, and fell asleep.

Fan Zhongchuan chuckled softly, adjusting the blanket for Ning, then proceeded to the adjacent bathroom, shedding his clothes.

……

It was noon when Ning Yuyi, with tousled hair from sleep, groggily headed to the restroom to freshen up. He hastily pulled a hairband from his down jacket's pocket and tied his long front hair into a small bun. Gazing at his barely awake reflection, he decided to search the closet for a change of clothes to take a bath.

Initially, Ning Yuyi intended to borrow a set of Fan Zhongchuan's clothes. However, to his surprise, he found more than half of the wardrobe filled with his own clothes.

After his shower, Ning Yuyi heard voices conversing outside, which faded within seconds.

Not wanting to disturb Fan Zhongchuan, Ning Yuyi picked up his phone and casually browsed Weibo.

Yesterday's two firework displays in Haishi had trended. Still, the most spectacular was the one at five o'clock, especially the finale showcasing Ning Yuyi's name.

Many speculated that the Xie family had arranged this surprise for Ning Yuyi. However, some quickly refuted this notion.

[Last night, both Xie Yezhou and Xie Yinan were occupied. Xie Yezhou was racing from one event to a radio show, while Xie Yinan held a meeting with the PR department until the wee hours.]

[Is it common now for Xie Yezhou and Xie Yinan to work overtime? Corporate life sounds tough!]

[They are so dedicated! Working a meeting at 5 in the morning on New Year's Day? Not the rich second-generation I imagined...]

[Xie Yinan and Xie Yezhou aren't just any trust-fund kids. Check out the history of Fenghua, they've earned their own place in the entertainment industry.]

Reply [Any typical CEO wouldn't, but Fenghua is an entertainment company. Think about how important New Year's is for their artists.]

[Back to the topic! Who arranged the fireworks? I thought Haishi banned fireworks? I'm not from Haishi, maybe New Year's is an exception? Let's wait for an official statement.]

[Oh, look at the green tea acting all innocent. Your location says "Shihai," not "Haishi."]

[Holy crap! Who is it? Who? I'm so excited. Can I be there to see this unfold in person?]

Reply [Of course, I can't spill! I still want this job. I'll go back to bed. I sincerely hope I don’t have to rush to the office in the middle of the night ever again.]

[And she's gone? Just like that? I still had a juicy tidbit to share!]

[Hey, wait up! By the way, that green tea hater seems to have disappeared.]

[Hey! Don't run away. But speaking of which, where did that hater go?]

……

So, did Fan Zhongchuan prepare this surprise for me after hearing what I said?

Ning Yuyi clutched her phone, biting her lip, feeling as if her heart was soaked in honey.