Chapter 90

The year-end was fast approaching.

Lu Fuyan had been pushed down the stairs at school, suffering a blow to the head that left her unconscious for an entire day. After a month in the hospital, her body had recovered somewhat, but the incident had left her with lingering aftereffects. She suffered occasional headaches, poor sleep, and worsening tinnitus.

The doctor said these symptoms might improve with proper care—or they might not. It all depended on Lu Fuyan herself.

She definitely couldn’t return to that vocational high school. For now, she would have to rest at home for a year.

Lu Chenyu felt deeply anxious and saddened. Although she and Wen Feixi had previously reviewed that investment fund project for her sister, Lu Fuyan’s condition had stalled their plans to bring her to River City.

At noon, Lu Chenyu sat in her dorm room and called Lu Fuyan.

Her sister’s tone was light and casual. “Sis, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I don’t like school anyway. I can’t understand those math formulas no matter how hard I try—might as well just play at home.”

Lu Chenyu glanced out the window at the bright sunshine. On the playground below, students in their school uniforms bustled about, their laughter drifting in from outside.

It felt like two entirely different worlds from the hospital where her sister lay.

“When you’re better,” Lu Chenyu said, “Sister will bring you to River City.”

Lu Fuyan paused. “What would I do in River City?”

“Go to school…”

The matter of art school hadn’t been settled yet, so Lu Chenyu didn’t elaborate. But just the word “school” set her sister off.

“No way! I don’t like studying!”

The conversation fizzled out from there.

After hanging up, Lu Chenyu frowned. For some reason, after that incident, Lu Fuyan’s temper had grown more volatile. She’d heard it was a side effect of the concussion.

Her worry deepened.

Lu Chenyu sat at her desk, lost in thought as she worked on her homework.

Then her phone rang again.

It was Ms. Song.

Lu Chenyu answered, and Ms. Song’s voice came through. “Did you talk to Xiao Yan?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s studying going lately?” Ms. Song sounded weary.

“It’s okay.”

Ms. Song sighed in self-reproach. “You’re in senior year, and this happens. Mom’s sorry she can’t be there with you. Xiao Yan’s like this now—sigh, who knows when she’ll recover. I have to stay here watching over her. What kind of life is this for me?”

“It’s fine…”

Ms. Song kept lamenting her bad luck, recounting all the troubles of caring for Lu Fuyan lately. Lu Chenyu listened, growing more irritated inside.

Even the next morning during self-study, she was still listless.

Wen Feixi watched her from the side, frowning slightly. She could tell Lu Chenyu’s mood was off.

In the blink of an eye, year-end had arrived. Today was the last day of December, and the New Year’s bells were about to ring.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Day. No one could focus in class.

After evening self-study, someone had bought a case of spray paint outside the classroom. Everyone got excited, grabbing cans and spraying patterns all over the clean windows—little bears, Santa Clauses, and more.

Tang Yimo came over to Lu Chenyu and Wen Feixi. “Want to go countdown later?”

Wen Feixi set down her pen and closed her exercise book, glancing at the girl beside her. “Where does Lulu want to go?”

Ever since that illness when Lu Chenyu had cared for her all night, her attitude toward Wen Feixi had softened considerably. She would steal glances at her with those dewy amber peach-blossom eyes, as if pondering something.

Wen Feixi sensed it too, so she couldn’t help treating Lu Chenyu even more gently and attentively.

“How about Fragrant Mountain Park?” Bai Xian suggested. “I heard they have a huge countdown screen there. Perfect for New Year’s check-in.”

“Fragrant Mountain’s too far—we’d have to take a bus. Let’s just go to the ancient town across from school.”

Someone hesitated. “We have class tomorrow… maybe skip it?”

Everyone turned to look at Lu Chenyu.

She thought for a moment and named a place.

The final decision was the ancient town. Cheers erupted from the group.

The dozen or so girls walked ahead, with Lu Chenyu bringing up the rear. Wen Feixi stayed by her side.

Lu Chenyu couldn’t help stealing another glance at her.

White light from the classroom windows fell on the girl’s slender figure. Wen Feixi wore her school uniform and backpack, her long black hair tied in a ponytail with a few stray strands framing her brows. She walked at an unhurried pace, soft shadows playing under her eyes from the light.

The ancient town beside Fourth High School had unearthed an imperial tomb a few years back, and West Mountain was an important range in the area. Tourists flocked there to check in. On this New Year’s Eve, a market had sprung up at the mountain’s base, savory smells wafting through the air from vendors hawking snacks and handicrafts.

Lu Chenyu stared blankly at the shifting lights and shadows, as if pulled back from some abyss to reality.

It was the last day of the year, and nearly the whole school was spilling out onto the streets, thronged with bustling crowds amid the festive clamor.

Tang Yimo led the girls to buy snacks from the stalls. Lu Chenyu trailed behind, her gaze drawn to a stall selling oil paintings manned by a few university students, their table covered in vibrant works.

Wen Feixi picked one out with her, pointing. “Xiao Yan would like this.”

It depicted a River City nightscape, rendered beautifully. Lu Chenyu paid for it and had it wrapped.

“I’m heading back,” Lu Chenyu said, pursing her lips. “Nothing much to see.”

Wen Feixi turned. “Want something to eat?”

…

Wen Feixi led Lu Chenyu around the market, buying a few skewers of barbecue and a bowl of oden.

The aroma made Lu Chenyu realize how hungry she was, her mouth watering.

Nearby, a stall run by a friendly young woman was painting colorful patterns on faces with fine brushes. Another woman called out that it was plant-based dye—gentle and harmless. Lu Chenyu could see Wen Feixi trying hard to cheer her up, and gratitude welled in her heart. When Wen Feixi asked if she wanted to try, Lu Chenyu nodded eagerly.

They sat at the stall.

The painter smiled, brush in hand. “What pattern?”

Wen Feixi replied, “I can paint it myself.”

Lu Chenyu blinked, then remembered how skilled Wen Feixi was at drawing.

Wen Feixi took the brush, facing Lu Chenyu. She pondered for a moment, then gently tilted up her chin and began painting carefully on her face.

Lu Chenyu’s skin was fair and flawless, perfect for artwork.

Stroke by stroke, brilliant colors bloomed across her pale cheeks.

Though Lu Chenyu’s demeanor was cool, her facial features weren’t sharp—instead, they had a soft roundness that lent her a sweet gentleness.

Lu Chenyu looked up, gazing at her in a daze.

They were very close, light and shadow dancing across Wen Feixi’s face. Lu Chenyu’s heart pounded suddenly.

Wen Feixi worked quickly, and soon a simple cartoon snow leopard took shape on Lu Chenyu’s cheek—tiny, perched on a rainbow.

The painter watched, then smiled in surprise. “Are you students from River City Fourth High School, little sis?”

Wen Feixi murmured assent.

“What year?”

“Senior year three.”

The painter grinned. “Got a favorite university? You should apply to Art University!”

Wen Feixi smiled faintly. “I’ll give it a shot?”

Lu Chenyu watched from the side, inwardly scoffing.

Do you know this girl is a total study tyrant?

Wen Feixi had won countless competitions since childhood—a genius in the sciences—yet she loved painting so much. Uncle Wen surely wanted her to pursue STEM instead.

Wen Feixi finished. A mirror was handed over, and Lu Chenyu liked it. “Let me paint you now.”

Wen Feixi smiled. “Sure, you try.”

Lu Chenyu wasn’t as skilled. She painted a rainbow on Wen Feixi’s cheek, then an apple atop it.

Wen Feixi checked the mirror.

“Cute,” she praised.

Emboldened and cheeks flushing, Lu Chenyu added a few golden flecks to the rainbow.

With such a “non-mainstream” design on her face, Lu Chenyu had zero desire to rejoin the group. So when Wen Feixi suggested climbing the mountain, she agreed without hesitation.

They headed up together. The market below buzzed with voices, but the mountain path was much quieter. Lu Chenyu took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh mountain air. It seemed to sweep away the gloom from the classroom earlier.

“The painting board’s so heavy…”

She’d had Xiao Yan’s oil painting framed in wood and boxed in a thick gift box—it weighed a ton on her back.

Wen Feixi took it. “We’ll switch off.”

She tucked it into her backpack.

The path was well-lit, with occasional hikers passing by, their footsteps echoing.

Wen Feixi carried the heavy board for a stretch before tiring.

Lu Chenyu hesitated, then extended her hand. “Let me pull you.”

Since Wen Feixi’s confession, they’d shared almost no intimate contact—no hand-holding, few hugs. Yet now, Lu Chenyu took the initiative, wanting to draw closer.

Wen Feixi paused briefly, then clasped her hand. Together they climbed toward the summit.

Near the top, they switched the board back to Lu Chenyu. Another ten minutes or so brought them to the observation platform.

The mountaintop wind whipped fiercely, tousling their hair. Lu Chenyu leaned on the railing, gazing at the sea of lights below. Even River City Fourth High School was visible, shrunken to the size of building blocks.

The once-lively market felt distant now. Moonlight glowed softly amid the orange lamps, like a dream.

They stood side by side for a while. Then Lu Chenyu noticed the commotion nearby.

A famous temple crowned the peak, drawing crowds who’d taken the cable car up. Before it stood a massive tree hung with colorful ribbons and wish plaques, worshippers praying devoutly below.

Wen Feixi squeezed her hand and smiled slyly. “This temple’s well-known in River City. They say prayers here are especially efficacious.”

They entered and each bought a ribbon under the tree.

Lu Chenyu grabbed a marker, bent over the long table, and earnestly wrote her wish before tying it on.

She stood beneath, hands clasped.

Get well, Xiao Yan.

She looked up at the fluttering ribbons, bathed in candlelight and temple glow, everything softening before her eyes. Her anxious heart settled, as if the ribbons held all her worries.

Her gaze shifted to Wen Feixi’s face, its elegant contours outlined by the lights.

A bold thought bubbled up in Lu Chenyu.

Had Wen Feixi known about this temple on West Mountain all along—and brought her here specifically to pray for her sister?

The idea melted through her, warmth flooding her body.

Her wristwatch vibrated. Lu Chenyu glanced: 11:59.

A distant bell tolled melodiously, stilling the whole mountain. The crowd erupted.

The plaza screen below lit up with a New Year’s countdown.

“10, 9, 8…”

The chants grew louder.

As the numbers changed, fireworks burst in the sky—dazzling pinks and golds exploding overhead, faces flickering in the glow.

Lu Chenyu stared, entranced by the beauty. Then Wen Feixi turned, smiling at her. “Happy New Year, Lulu.”

…

The fireworks faded.

A new year had begun.

“Winter break’s almost here,” Lu Chenyu said suddenly, frowning at Wen Feixi. “How do you plan to spend it?”

She hadn’t known much about Wen Feixi’s life before and had assumed her New Years were joyful. But now, knowing what Wen Yanxiu was like, she doubted it.

Could Wen Feixi even enjoy a normal person’s happiness during break?

The thought made Lu Chenyu’s heart ache, a sharp twinge.

Wen Feixi calmly pulled out her phone, opened an app, and showed Lu Chenyu her winter break schedule:

New Year’s Day: Up at six a.m., ten-minute breakfast, two hours homework, three hours training, two hours competition in afternoon, two hours review after, half-hour dinner, four hours socializing at night…

Her days were packed to the brim.

“I’m eighteen now,” Wen Feixi sighed. “So many more obligations. But don’t worry too much—I’m used to it.”

“Is this any way for a person to live?” Lu Chenyu’s brows knit tighter, her tone sharpening. “Can’t you say no?”

The curve of Wen Feixi’s smile faded. “My dad would be unhappy.”

From childhood, Wen Feixi had adjusted her behavior to please others, striving to excel. It had become habit; some things, she simply couldn’t fight.

Lu Chenyu’s frown deepened, words stuck in her throat.

What right did she have to interfere? Wen Feixi was born with a silver spoon, destined to inherit the entire Wen Corporation.

Irritation stirred inexplicably in her chest. She turned back to Wen Feixi, words on the tip of her tongue, and met those narrow, deep brown eyes. Her heart skipped.

Wen Feixi blinked at her, gaze earnest and tender. “But if you come pick me up on the first day of break, I can drop everything and go with you.”