Chapter 142: New Year
The arrival of the Spring Festival had dispelled a lot of the desolation and coldness brought by the winter. The number of pedestrians on the street had visibly increased. The home did not have as many exquisite and tall modern buildings as Qingchuan. Even the slightly larger shopping center was just an ordinary wholesale market in a large shed.
The home could not keep the young people who were eager for opportunities, so there were very few entertainment facilities. Walking on the bustling street, one could only hear the incessant shouting from the loudspeakers placed at the entrance of the shops. There was a cinema behind the wholesale market. It had been open for many years, and the sign in front of the ticket office had become old and worn, but it was still in business. It had even taken advantage of the festival to post several new and popular movies for the Spring Festival on the notice board outside, attracting a lot of people.
“Hurry up, hurry up…”
He Mu Qing rushed out of the cinema exit, turned around, and urged Su Yu, who had emerged from the crowd. Her entire face was buried in her scarf, only a pair of clear and bright eyes exposed. She bounced on the ground in her thick-soled combat boots and waved at Su Yu, her hair flying and scattering, full of youthful vitality.
“I don’t know what you’re in such a hurry for. The movie isn’t even over yet, and you’re already making a fuss to come out.”
Su Yu shouted “excuse me” and squeezed out of the chaotic crowd. He ran a few steps in his heavy down jacket and came to the girl. The girl stared at him with her round eyes, breathing out a hot white mist. In the cold and damp winter, her eyes always seemed to be covered with a thin, wet film. The light shone in, as if it had fallen into the scattered stars of the night sky, bright and shining.
“Oh, what’s so good about a bad movie? You had to watch a comedy. It’s not funny at all. The idol movie I chose was much better.” The girl glared at him and pouted. “At least…”
“At least what?” Su Yu leaned closer, smelling the fresh grapefruit scent in the girl’s hair.
“At least I can look at handsome guys…” He Mu Qing puffed out her cheeks and took two steps back, glaring at Su Yu.
“Children should watch less romance. You’re so miserable all day. What’s wrong with watching a comedy during the New Year?”
Su Yu reached out and ruffled the girl’s soft, dark hair. The hair puffed up from the friction and became messy.
A few particularly mischievous strands of hair suddenly stood up and swayed gently in the wind.
“Su Yu, you bastard! Try touching my hair again?”
He Mu Qing saw that her most cherished hairstyle was ruined and instantly bristled. She bared her teeth and was about to mess up Su Yu’s hair in revenge, not caring about the crowd on the street. She grabbed Su Yu and refused to let go.
“Stop, stop! I’m embarrassed even if you’re not. I’ll buy you milk tea… the limited edition for the Spring Festival, the expensive one… my treat.”
Su Yu repeatedly retreated. The girl was always unguarded with him. Although her clothes were thick, the girl’s soft and fragrant, ambiguous actions on him made him feel a little uncomfortable.
“Hmph, you know what’s good for you.”
The little kitten sheathed its claws and immediately smiled brightly, pulling Su Yu towards the milk tea shop.
The street was lively and comfortable. Pedestrians in heavy clothes and hats walked past the shops. Even if they didn’t go in to shop, they would enthusiastically greet each other with a “Happy New Year.” Occasionally, one could see beautifully dressed receptionists standing at the entrance of restaurants, welcoming guests.
In the home, which was not developing very fast, there was a much stronger festive atmosphere during special holidays like the Spring Festival than in big cities. This liveliness would last for a long time, and it would only gradually become deserted after the Spring Festival holiday ended.
Su Yu and He Mu Qing walked side by side on the street. Looking up, the bright red color swirled in their eyes. A few pedestrians with suitcases and hurried expressions brushed past them. They were on the phone, speaking in their hometown dialect. Their words of longing were mixed with the noisy and lively atmosphere, and were transmitted to their relatives who were waiting at home.
He had never returned home after he graduated and started working, let alone seen such a lively old street at home during the Spring Festival. He even felt that he might never see these things again in his life. For a moment, he was a little dazed.
“What are you spacing out for? Come and line up.”
He Mu Qing pulled his sleeve, and his thoughts were interrupted. Su Yu twitched his nose, which was slightly red from the cold wind, and said with a smile, “Oh, I’m coming.”
“You can go and sit in the shop. It’s cold outside…”
Su Yu looked at the somewhat long line. Most people were just buying a cup of milk tea to warm their hands. There were still many empty seats in the shop, so he let He Mu Qing, who was standing on the side, go in first.
“Can you do it alone?”
“Yeah, I’m wearing a lot.”
“Alright then. Then… I’ll treat you to something to eat later.”
He Mu Qing hesitated for a moment. She was only wearing a pair of thermal stockings on her long, straight legs, which was not enough in the cold wind. Now that she was standing still, she was really a little cold.
Before she left, she stuck the remaining hand warmer in her pocket on the back of Su Yu’s hand and went into the shop to find a seat.
He Mu Qing didn’t play with her phone. She propped her elbows on the table and held her face in her hands, in a daze. The cold wind had made her fair skin a little red, like the faint pink that would appear on her cheeks when she was shy.
The boy was particularly tall and conspicuous in the line. Even though she hadn’t messed with it… the howling wind had already blown his messy hair. She smiled, and a faint dimple appeared on the soft flesh of her cheeks.
But that little bit of joy dissipated quickly. She saw a girl from a group of beautiful girls who were whispering by the boy’s side walk out and run to the boy, saying something, smiling brightly, and even boldly showing the boy her phone. The meaning was obvious.
She’s smiling so brightly. Why isn’t she so gentle with me? She must be like this in college too. No wonder my deskmate used to curse that all the good-looking guys are scumbags. And I even defended the boy in my heart. As expected… all crows are black, even blacker than the coal briquettes my mom keeps at home to make soup!
I might as well leave him here to meet a pretty girl. But which bus do I take to go home?
I can’t remember.
Annoying…
So annoying.
She really wanted to run over and stand next to the boy and say that she wasn’t cold, that she wanted to stand with him and buy milk tea. As for that girl, if she wanted a contact, she could just have mine. I’ll tell this scumbag for you. He’s a scumbag anyway. Stay away from him!!
She thought sullenly for a while, but the bold idea was suppressed as soon as it appeared. Her head drooped, and her face was buried in her thick scarf, only a pair of frowning eyes looking down.
But He Mu Qing still couldn’t help but look up, a hint of anticipation in her heart. But her frown deepened. She watched as the boy slowly lifted the hand that was holding the phone, and then… turned it over to show the girl the hand warmer on the back of his hand. He even pointed his finger in her direction.
She immediately lowered her head again, pretending to be playing with her phone. After waiting for a while, she pretended to look up casually. She stared blankly at the girl’s disappointed and helpless smile as she left. She couldn’t help it… she smiled. She covered her mouth. She knew it wasn’t right, but she almost laughed out loud.
Although she didn’t know what the boy had said, she couldn’t help but feel her long eyelashes tremble as she looked at his serious expression.
A white feather that had been floating in her heart suddenly fell heavily, like a ship that had been at sea for many days and was now sailing towards the harbor from the distant horizon. Something in her heart had finally settled.
Forget it… I’ll just go home with him.
thank you for the chapter