In the final stretch before the Spring Festival, both Miao Zhu and Mu Shanyi were swamped with work, but they still carved out time to visit Jinyuan and see Old Madam Mu.
Ever since her winter break started, Mu Huiren had been idling away at Jinyuan. When she heard the good news, she immediately surged ahead of everyone else, firing off hundreds of messages to her circle of friends and family.
After back-to-back performances through the holiday music season and the Spring Festival concerts, Miao Zhu finally went on break. Her second follow-up visit to Pearl Hospital happened to fall on New Year’s Eve.
Mu Shanyi still had meetings to attend, but Mu Huiren knew everyone at Pearl Hospital from the dean down to the cleaning ladies, so she volunteered to accompany Miao Zhu.
With Miao Zhu’s agreement, Mu Huiren switched on her phone’s camera and recording mode. From leaving Tower Shadow Sunny River to the checkup at Pearl Hospital, she sent nonstop videos to Mu Shanyi, each one followed by a voice message.
“Sister A-Heng, Miao Zhu and I are heading out~”
“Sister A-Heng, we’re chatting on the road!”
“Recording Miao Zhu’s first steps without the brace!!! She says it still hurts a bit. The doctor says she needs to wear the Ankle Protector, so next up is rehab~”
“I’ve got the rehab exercises filmed for you too—remember to help her practice at home~”
“Now we’re off to Jinyuan for New Year’s Eve! When will you be done? We’re about to start chatting again!”
Finally, Mu Huiren set her phone aside and turned to Miao Zhu, chatting animatedly the whole way: “Do you know which day of the year I’ve looked forward to most since I was little?”
The answer seemed obvious. Miao Zhu’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “New Year’s Eve?”
“Miao Zhu! How are you so smart? It’s New Year’s Eve!” Mu Huiren brimmed with radiant joy. “Everyone gathers at Jinyuan—cutting paper, writing couplets, trimming flowers, making pastries… All sorts of tasks, and everyone gets assigned something. It’s super lively!”
Miao Zhu grew tense at her description. “I’m not good at any of that…”
“Hey~ Don’t worry! It’s all about having fun. There are masters guiding us. The ones who do well get rewards from Granny, but of course, the big prizes always go to the masters. We just get participation trophies, haha!” Mu Huiren collapsed against the seatback in laughter, then eagerly continued sharing with Miao Zhu: “After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the entertainment ramps up—listening to opera, playing cards, gossiping… I remember one year it snowed heavily, and Sister A-Heng took us drinking on the veranda. Wow~~ That wine was so good~ And the fireworks in the snow that night were stunning~ I got drunk watching and sipping! New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be complete without paying respects—we go one by one, no repeating greetings. The elders give red envelopes once, and Sister A-Heng gives us three sisters an extra round!”
This was Miao Zhu’s first Spring Festival away from the Miao family. When Mu Shanyi asked if she wanted to spend New Year’s Eve at Jinyuan, Miao Zhu said yes but confided her worries: she feared Old Madam Mu had a bad impression of her because of past events. To ease her concerns, Mu Shanyi had taken her to meet Granny ahead of time.
Old Madam Mu had been kind and affectionate, which left Miao Zhu hugging Mu Shanyi and quietly shedding tears afterward. Now, hearing Mu Huiren describe Jinyuan’s New Year’s Eve and that loving family atmosphere, a look of longing appeared on her face.
“Too bad there’s no snow this year.” Mu Huiren’s eyes darted playfully as she sighed dramatically. “Miao Zhu, do you like snow?”
Miao Zhu nodded. “I do.”
“I knew it!” Mu Huiren didn’t explain why she’d guessed that. She just beamed. “You know what? You’re Sister A-Heng’s first girlfriend!”
No sooner had she said it than Mu Shanyi’s call came through to her girlfriend.
Mu Huiren checked her phone too. Fine—she’d hustled all morning reporting in, with no credit but plenty of effort, and Sister A-Heng hadn’t even spared her a word.
Mu Shanyi first asked about Miao Zhu’s checkup results, then told her she had something urgent to handle and would arrive at Jinyuan a bit late. After a few seconds of silence on the line, Mu Shanyi sighed. “Or should I have Lu Zheng bring you to me?”
Worried Miao Zhu might feel out of place alone at Jinyuan, and not wanting to interrupt Mu Shanyi’s work, Miao Zhu smiled and refused. “No need. Xiao Hui and I are having a great chat.”
“Exactly, we’re hitting it off big time.” Mu Huiren huffed.
Mu Shanyi chuckled softly. “I’ll come join you as soon as I’m done.”
They arrived at Jinyuan after mealtime. Free of her crutches and brace, Miao Zhu let Mu Huiren affectionately link arms with her as they headed to Emerald Bamboo Hall for food. Midway, they caught a whiff of acrid smoke.
Mu Huiren quickly zeroed in on the source. She dashed around the rockery, with Miao Zhu trailing a few steps behind. Then she shrieked, “What are you doing now!?”
“I’m roasting sweet potatoes.” Mu Zhiren’s voice rang out bright and crisp.
Miao Zhu approached slowly and burst out laughing at the sight of Mu Zhiren.
Mu Zhiren wore a pink Chinese-style padded jacket with a mandarin collar, its satin shimmering in the sunlight. Her long hair was tied into two buns on either side, adorned with matching ribbons. The girl looked dainty and pretty—but she was sprawled on the ground, blowing into a pit lined with bricks. Twigs burned inside, smoke stinging her teary eyes, her face smeared with black fingerprints every which way.
“You’re fourteen already! Not four! Can’t you be a little hygienic? Stop getting so filthy all the time!” Mu Huiren said in disgust.
“What’s the rush? My sweet potatoes aren’t for you anyway.” The branches crackled in the pit. As she spoke, Mu Zhiren tossed in more charcoal, then pointed her soot-blackened fingers at Miao Zhu. “These are for Miao Zhu.”
Mu Huiren rolled her eyes. “You do you. Xiao Hui and Miao Zhu are off to lunch.”
