Chapter 48 New Year’s Fireworks Why Isn’t It the Same with Him…

Chapter 48 New Year's Fireworks: Why isn't he...

“No hotpot today,” Xie Xingzhi said, looking at her. “How about Western cuisine?”

“Why would the two of us go for Western food?” Yu Kui looked bewildered. “Let’s just grab something simple.”

“I feel like having steak,” Xie Xingzhi declared, “and it’s the New Year—shouldn’t we celebrate?”

Yu Kui rubbed the tip of her nose. “Alright, where do you want to go?”

“Somewhere near the city center,” Xie Xingzhi said. “Let’s take the bus.”

They took the bus to the Western restaurant, where every table was adorned with vibrant red roses. Xie Xingzhi specifically chose a seat by the window.

Sitting across from him, Yu Kui felt out of place in the romantic atmosphere; perhaps a dress would have been more suitable.

“What are you thinking about?” Xie Xingzhi glanced at her.

“Nothing,” Yu Kui said without even blinking. “Let’s order quickly.”

“You order first.”

Seeing this, Yu Kui ordered three dishes she liked, along with drinks.

Xie Xingzhi perused the menu, ordered for himself, and then added an extra dessert for Yu Kui.

Yu Kui shot him a glance.

“What? Don’t want dessert?” Xie Xingzhi asked.

“Of course I do,” Yu Kui shook her head and said sincerely, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Xie Xingzhi said. “It’s just a small thing.”

Yu Kui fell silent, gazing at the hazy snow outside the window and listening to the romantic music in the restaurant, feeling a profound sense of peace.

After the meal, Xie Xingzhi checked the time and suggested going to a movie.

“Let’s go to the museum,” Yu Kui said. “I haven’t been to City B’s museum yet.”

Xie Xingzhi checked the museum’s official account and found that reservations were required, with limited availability for the afternoon. “There aren’t enough spots for this afternoon.”

Yu Kui thought for a moment and said, “How about going to the library to read?”

“No,” Xie Xingzhi immediately rejected. “No reading today.”

Yu Kui couldn’t think of anywhere else to go, so she suggested, “Then let’s go to the woodcraft workshop. What do you think?”

Xie Xingzhi looked up the address and agreed. They took a bus to the workshop, where there weren’t many people. The staff welcomed them politely.

“What kind of piece would you like to make?” The staff showed them a catalog and pointed to the displays. “How about cartoon characters?”

Yu Kui looked at the displayed works. “I’ll make a candy house. What about you?”

Xie Xingzhi was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Just give me the tools. I’ll come up with something myself.”

“Certainly,” the staff, having encountered people like Xie Xingzhi before, quickly said, “Please wait a moment. I’ll fetch the tools.”

“What are you planning to make?” Yu Kui looked at Xie Xingzhi.

Xie Xingzhi smirked. “Curious, are you?”

“Yes, I am. I hope it doesn’t turn out like a mishmash.”

“I’ll show you later,” Xie Xingzhi teased, keeping her in suspense. “I’m not telling you now.”

Yu Kui: “…”

After getting the wood and tools, Yu Kui and Xie Xingzhi began their individual projects. They cut the wood they needed, assembled it, and painted it. Several hours flew by.

By the time Yu Kui finished the final step and looked up, it was already dark outside. She rubbed her sore arm and looked contentedly at the colorful candy house in front of her. She stood up, chose a gift box, and wrapped the candy house.

“Are you done?” she asked Xie Xingzhi, looking down. The boy was holding a palm-sized wooden doll with delicate features and a refined build, resembling a handsome prince.

“Done,” Xie Xingzhi showed her the finished piece. “What do you think?”

“It’s nice,” Yu Kui said. “Why did you decide to make something like this? It doesn’t seem like you.”

“Why doesn’t it seem like me?” Xie Xingzhi lifted his chin, his slender eyes steadily gazing at her. “This is art.”

Yu Kui: “…”

Xie Xingzhi walked to the counter, asked the staff for paper, a pen, and a packaging box, and soon returned to Yu Kui with a bag. “What are you standing around for? Let’s go.”

“Oh.” Yu Kui quickly stood up and clarified her earlier comment: “When I said it doesn’t seem like you, I meant that compared to a prince, you’re more like a knight who charges through obstacles. You’re more impressive than him.”

“Got it,” Xie Xingzhi said with a hint of a smile. “I wasn’t upset with you.”

They walked to the city center, where the square was teeming with people. Fireworks were already exploding overhead.

Yu Kui looked up at the dazzling sparks and cheered along with the crowd. “Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year!”

She was easily swept up by the emotions around her, her eyes and smile brimming with joy.

Xie Xingzhi stood beside her, watching her bounce around like a rabbit, and sighed softly. “So happy?”

“Aren’t you?” Yu Kui’s eyes sparkled. “I had a great time today.”

“I’m happy too,” Xie Xingzhi said. “Happier than any day before.”

Yu Kui blinked, meeting his deep, starry eyes, feeling as if she were falling into an endless vortex, her heart racing.

“You…” She instinctively stepped back, but Xie Xingzhi gently touched her shoulder. “There are people behind you.”

Yu Kui lowered her gaze. “Thanks.”

“Mm.” Xie Xingzhi let go and looked up at the dark sky, as if waiting for the next firework.

Yu Kui watched his profile. His features were the same as always, but whether it was the bright streetlights or the excited cheers around them, he stood out brilliantly in the bustling crowd.

The fireworks continued to dazzle, but Yu Kui’s feelings were different from before.

She tightened her grip on the gift bag, unsure whether to give it to him.

Her first thought when making the candy house was to give it to Xie Xingzhi, hoping his future would be filled with sweetness. “Why are you looking at me?” Xie Xingzhi turned to her. “Am I more captivating than the fireworks?”

"What's the big deal if I look at you?" Yu Kui couldn't help retorting.

"Alright, alright, look as much as you want." Xie Xingzhi’s smile was unmistakable. "I’m just standing here anyway."

"Boring." Yu Kui averted her gaze. "Watching you isn't as good as watching fireworks."

Xie Xingzhi: "..."

The fireworks wouldn’t end until early morning, and it was already very cold outside. People were starting to leave.

"Let’s go," Xie Xingzhi said. "Back to school first."

Yu Kui nodded, and the two walked out one after the other.

"Today was pretty eventful," she chattered on the way. "The woodworking workshop was fun, and the fireworks were beautiful."

"What about the Western food? Wasn't it good?" Xie Xingzhi stopped walking.

"The Western food was good too, but next time, I’d probably wear a dress and do my makeup."

"Why get so dressed up?" Xie Xingzhi said. "Western food's no different from hot pot."

Yu Kui said, "Don’t you think Western restaurants are romantic?"

Xie Xingzhi gave her a deep look. "You actually think that?"

"It’s because of the atmosphere," Yu Kui quickly added. "I didn’t mean anything else."

"That’s what I meant too. Why are you getting so defensive?"

Yu Kui: "..."

They rode back to the school gate. After hesitating for a few seconds, Yu Kui called out to Xie Xingzhi, "Here, this is for you."

She handed him the gift bag and said softly, "Happy New Year. May everything go well for you, and may you live a long life."

Xie Xingzhi was taken aback for a moment before reaching out to take the gift. "Wishing me a long life? That’s an unusual blessing. I thought I was already seventy or eighty."

Yu Kui: "..." She meant it as the most sincere blessing.

"Here," Xie Xingzhi handed her the wooden puppet. "Happy New Year to you too. May you be healthy, happy, and free."

Yu Kui took the gift, met his gaze, and her eyes lit up with a smile. "Thank you."

"It’s too late. Let’s get back to the dorm first."

"Goodbye." Yu Kui waved.

"Goodbye." Xie Xingzhi stood in place, watching her enter the school gate before turning to leave.

Yu Kui pushed open the dormitory door, and her three roommates immediately turned to look at her. "Finally, you're back!"

Yu Kui's body stiffened. "You guys are still up?"

"How could we sleep when you weren't back yet?" Shu Jia stood up, eyeing the gift bag. "Is that from him?"

Yu Kui nodded. Shu Jia turned to Xu Siyue and Zhang Jing. "I told you he'd confess to her tonight. How could you not believe me? Pay up! Hundred bucks!"

Xu Siyue ignored her and asked Yu Kui, "Are you two together now?"

Yu Kui: "..."

"No," Yu Kui glared at the three of them. "You guys were betting about me?"

"You lost, you lost!" Zhang Jing jumped up from her chair, eagerly urging Shu Jia. "She didn’t get into a relationship. Pay up!"

"That’s impossible!" Shu Jia looked utterly disillusioned. "Such a perfect opportunity, and he didn’t confess? What kind of guy is he?"

Yu Kui took a deep breath. "How many times do I have to tell you? We’re just friends."

"Friends who spend New Year’s together exchanging gifts?"

Yu Kui: "..."

"If you’re not together, did he at least confess to you?"

"No." Yu Kui shook the gift bag. "He gave me a wooden puppet."

"Can we see it?"

Yu Kui took out the box, undid the ribbon, and revealed the exquisitely crafted puppet inside, like a sleeping prince.

"It's so beautiful," Xu Siyue exclaimed. "Did he make it himself?"

"Yeah," Yu Kui said. "I was there with him while he made it."

"He's so skilled with his hands," Shu Jia cupped her face. "If you don’t like him, I might go after him myself."

Yu Kui thought about it seriously and said quietly, "If you can make him happy and be with him, I think that’d be nice."

"Just kidding," Shu Jia said. "He won’t even add me on WeChat. I’m not going to chase him. No man in this world is worth me chasing after."

Yu Kui: "..."

"The puppet is lovely, but it's not perfect," Zhang Jing remarked after a closer look. "Doesn't the body look a little big to you?"

Yu Kui said, "It’s his first time doing woodworking. It’s normal for there to be flaws."

"There you go defending him again," Shu Jia complained.

Yu Kui: "..."

"So we can't say anything bad about him?"

"He’s my friend," Yu Kui said. "Of course I'd take his side."

"Aren’t we your friends too?"

Yu Kui said, "You are my friends too."

"Then why the difference?"