“Mm…” Li Yunli was caught off guard as Ji Zhenshi pulled her to her feet. Ji’s warm palm enveloped hers, carrying a heat even greater than her own.
Truth be told, Li Yunli hadn’t intended to reprimand Ji Zhenshi in front of everyone. She’d only just suggested moderation when Ji had grabbed her.
People in their early twenties were at the age where pride ran especially strong—and really, everyone had their pride. So Li Yunli hadn’t wanted to embarrass her publicly.
Still… Ji Zhenshi’s talent for changing the subject was only getting better.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, New Year’s Eve always brought a bit more bustle. Plenty of families, after finishing their New Year’s Eve dinner, headed out to the beach where crowds were gathering to set off fireworks.
Ji Zhenshi tugged Li Yunli along as they crossed the bridge and stepped onto the sand.
With the holiday in full swing, vendors lined the area, hawking fireworks and toys for kids. The crackle of explosions mixed with boisterous laughter under flashing lights, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere.
Being in the midst of it filled one with boundless joy.
Someone had already started launching fireworks along the shoreline, surrounded by ever-shifting colored ambiance lights. The scene buzzed with energy.
Ji Zhenshi gripped Li Yunli’s hand tightly as the two of them stood at the edge of the crowd. They watched the fireworks burst into brilliant hues against the sky that wasn’t quite dark yet.
So beautiful.
Sharing this moment with her beloved, their heartbeats quickening as the sparks rained down.
Ji Zhenshi glanced sideways at Li Yunli. She was gazing intently at the sky, the multicolored glow of the fireworks reflected in her pupils.
She was stunning—Sister A-Yun far outshone the fireworks.
Amidst a sea of thousands, my eyes find only you. You eclipse every beauty.
“Sister A-Yun, let’s buy some fireworks and set them off too! Look how much fun those kids are having. I want to play,” Ji Zhenshi suggested.
It had been ages since Ji Zhenshi had played with fireworks. She wanted to have some fun herself.
Li Yunli released her hand but set a condition. “Alright, but no handheld ones.”
“Does Sister A-Yun think I’m childish?”
Here she was, all grown up, still wanting a kid’s toy.
Li Yunli smiled warmly at Ji Zhenshi as she pulled some cash from her bag and handed it over. “In my eyes, Xiao Zhen is always the little sister six years my junior. No matter what, you’ll never be childish to me.”
Ji Zhenshi took the money with a helpless pinch. “Oh, so Sister A-Yun is that much older than me? I’ve never really felt it.”
“Xiao Zhen, if you don’t want to play happily, then I’m heading back.”
Ji Zhenshi just loved poking at her for no reason.
The warning worked wonders. Ji Zhenshi immediately straightened up. “Sorry, my bad.”
“Go play.”
“Got it!”
Ji Zhenshi bought a pack of fifty ground fireworks. She leisurely carried it to the beach’s edge and found a prime spot to set it down.
This area was less crowded. As Ji Zhenshi crouched to fiddle with the fuse, Li Yunli stood quietly beside her, snapping photos.
More than once, it struck her that a simple, low-key New Year’s like this wasn’t so bad.
No need to spend the afternoon prepping a big family feast, no obligatory gossip sessions with the elders. Just strolling hand-in-hand with the one she loved, watching fireworks—it was rare romance.
Sure, it lacked the traditional rituals, but they were having a great time anyway.
Joy and togetherness were what New Year’s truly meant.
If she could, Li Yunli wanted every future New Year’s to be just the two of them like this.
Even today, when they’d done nothing but sleep till noon, grab a meal, and wander around ever since.
But it felt so happy.
Ji Zhenshi flicked her lighter and winked at Li Yunli. “The sky’s darkening so fast. Everything’s perfect.”
Everything was perfect. Remember this night—it belonged solely to Li Yunli and Ji Zhenshi.
In a few days, back home, they might face family criticism. They’d dive into work, nurturing their love amid the busyness.
But didn’t that just prove how precious and fleeting this moment was?
No matter the cost, love first.
That was Ji Zhenshi’s way, and Li Yunli’s too. Cherish the now.
“Yes, perfect. Just be careful not to burn yourself,” Li Yunli said, her eyes full of the earnest Ji Zhenshi. She never tired of reminding her to stay safe.
She was always so reckless, charging ahead without a care.
Ji Zhenshi nodded and pulled out two slips of paper, unfolding them with delight. “You can write New Year’s wishes on these, then send them up with the fireworks. So romantic! Sister A-Yun, one for each of us?”
“Sure.”
Ji Zhenshi plopped down on the sand and scrawled boldly on her slip, while Li Yunli stood beside her, writing more deliberately.
A breeze tugged at her skirt. Li Yunli shivered, zipping her down jacket tighter, instinctively wanting to hug that walking hand warmer.
Ji Zhenshi was like a little fireball—always warm to the touch.
A soft smile warmed her features. Her fingers trembled slightly, and the line on her paper veered into an erratic streak.
She wanted to intertwine her fingers with Xiao Zhen’s forever.
Caught off guard, Li Yunli lost her rhythm for a moment.
Ji Zhenshi finished quickly and tilted her head up to watch Li Yunli, curious about her wish.
Would Li Yunli write about them?
Of course—the grandest dream in Li Yunli’s heart was for them to last forever.
Noticing the gaze, Li Yunli’s brows lifted slightly as she covered her paper. “Xiao Zhen, peeking isn’t good behavior.”
Her notebook blocked the view—unless Ji Zhenshi had x-ray vision, she couldn’t see a thing.
“Sister A-Yun, you don’t get it. Wishes are meant to be shared with the people who matter, so they know what you want and can help make it come true.”
“Birthday wishes don’t work if spoken aloud, but New Year’s ones are hopes for the year ahead. Keeping them secret means no one can help. So show me, Sister A-Yun.”
Ji Zhenshi lectured earnestly, then leaned in to peek.
But Li Yunli wasn’t swayed by the logic. She kept her paper covered, arching a brow as she drew her line. “Then show me yours first. We’ll make each other’s wishes come true.”
Without hesitation, Ji Zhenshi nodded vigorously. “Deal! I really want Sister A-Yun to see mine anyway.”
After all, only Li Yunli could fulfill it.
“…”
Her quick agreement made Li Yunli instinctively sense it involved her—and a vague foreboding stirred.
She glanced at her half-written slip, finished the line with trepidation.
Ji Zhenshi eagerly unfolded hers, thrusting it forward lest Li Yunli miss it. “Look, Sister A-Yun—my New Year’s wish!”
Mm…
Li Yunli frowned slightly, feeling like she’d fallen into a trap.
【Make Sister A-Yun cry in bed until she can’t get up.】
【Let Xiao Zhen’s New Year’s wish come true this year.】
What a coincidence—they echoed perfectly, even matching in length and punctuation.
One in bold, sloppy script; the other elegant and neat. It was as if Li Yunli were directly answering Ji Zhenshi’s cheeky desire.
Shock filled her eyes as she stared at the words. A flush crept up her neck.
So this was Ji Zhenshi’s trap!
“No, you can’t wish for that,” Li Yunli said, wanting to revoke her wishing rights.
Not a proper wish—just filthy nonsense.
Hadn’t every time left her utterly spent? Always ending in total dehydration. But that wasn’t the point; it was Ji Zhenshi making such a wish in public!
Seeing Li Yunli’s flustered anger, Ji Zhenshi grinned sheepishly, deftly stuffing the slips into the little box before she could back out. “Why not? It’s my wish, and Yunli Sis has to help make it happen tonight. It’s the last night of the year—we’re ringing in the new one together.”
“No…”
Neither one—neither the wish nor indulging in debauchery.
Ji Zhenshi had been too intense lately; Li Yunli could barely keep up.
And she was so sharp-toothed, not just gnawing straws but…
Like a weaned kid who wouldn’t let go.
Thinking of it made Li Yunli’s chest ache faintly. And Ji Zhenshi had to bring it up—how could she not get mad!
“No welching. Helping me fulfill my wish is your wish too, right?”
“Ji Zhenshi!” Li Yunli laughed and groaned despite herself. Before she could react, Ji had snatched her slip and tucked it in with the other.
Flicking the lighter, Ji Zhenshi teased with a smile, “Stand back, Sister A-Yun—I’m lighting it.”
Even as she said it, Ji moved the fireworks a bit farther, not wanting to startle Li Yunli.
“Just this one wish, okay? Things never go as planned, so I only wish for what I know will come true.” Ji Zhenshi paused at a distance, noting Li Yunli’s expression. Thinking her truly upset, Li Yunli narrowed her eyes but ultimately relented with a nod.
Fine—things might not go as planned, but what she could give was in her control.
Igniting the fuse, Ji Zhenshi bolted back to Li Yunli.
“Happy New Year, Li Yunli!”
“I love you—I’ll love you just as much in the new year!”
She ran toward Li Yunli, arms raised, shouting her love. Sea wind whipped her long hair as the dashing figure sped to her soul’s anchor.
Fireworks soared behind her, erupting in splendor. Ji Zhenshi threw her arms wide, laughing wildly and free.
She was unbound, the god heaven sent to save her.
Ji Zhenshi was a beam of light in the chaos, piercing Li Yunli’s battered heart, mending wounds with pure love.
Li Yunli captured it all on her phone, the video running until Ji crashed into her embrace for a full, tight hug.
“Happy New Year, Li Yunli.” Ji Zhenshi’s hot breath tickled her ear. Li Yunli turned to look.
Cheeks flushed from the sprint, she gasped out the greeting before catching her breath.
Fireworks boomed around them. Softness bloomed in Li Yunli’s heart, branded by Ji Zhenshi. She knew she’d never escape this salvation named Ji Zhenshi.
Smoothing her hair, Li Yunli asked, “Why say Happy New Year twice?”
Ji Zhenshi straightened from the embrace, head tilted to the fireworks. Blunt as ever, she replied, “Because next year, I won’t say Happy New Year to you.”
“Why? Where are you going next year?”
“Nowhere—I’ll be right by your side. But then, instead of Happy New Year, I want to ask: Will you marry me?” Ji Zhenshi whispered against her ear, every word sincere.
Next year, I’ll be stronger than this year. At least strong enough to bring you into our home.
Ji Zhenshi’s ambitions were always grand. She dared to dream and feared no challenge.
Li Yunli, I’m far more resolute than you imagine. In my heart, I’ve sketched a blueprint for our future. As long as I have you, anything goes.
The fireworks faded, but the afterglow Ji Zhenshi had ignited lingered in Li Yunli.
Leaning on her shoulder, Li Yunli watched the show end with a beaming smile.
“Sister A-Yun, you don’t have to answer now. Just wait for time to prove it. If by then you love me enough to want to be family, say yes. Rejection’s fine too—you’re free.” Ji Zhenshi, recovering from her outburst, explained gently.
Li Yunli’s gaze softened, but she said nothing.
They already were family.
They lingered a bit longer before slowly heading back, wanting to browse more.
Passing the overpass again, Ji Zhenshi spotted a group of high schoolers playing in a band up top—likely seizing the holiday crowds for a performance.
After a few steps, she saw a guitar among them. Eager for fun, she pulled Li Yunli into the throng.
Up close, there was not just guitar but, by chance, a violin too.
Ji Zhenshi had planned to just watch, but impulse struck. She dropped a hundred into the guitar case, then, on second thought, added one yuan and fifty cents in front of everyone—her entire fortune.
Before the lead singer could speak, Ji explained, “No offense—I just want to borrow your violin for a bit. I play. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
Everyone stared at the oddly precise tipper.
Not a neat hundred, but 101.50—everything she had.
The lead singer, guitar in hand, eyed the sudden intruder suspiciously.
“I don’t need backup or anything. Just the violin—or guitar if that’s easier,” Ji bargained politely.
She might as well have worn a sign: That’s all my money!
It was—Sister A-Yun’s pocket money was too precious to dip into.
“Fine, fine—take it.”
Li Yunli knew exactly what was coming.
Amid falling snow, I pour my all into a public serenade, proclaiming my devotion.
Li Yunli, love me—I’m not just cool; I’m romantic too.
In the end, Ji chose the violin. “A violinist’s New Year’s gift being a violin piece might feel unoriginal, but isn’t it the greatest sincerity I can offer?”
She still loved the violin best among instruments.
Just as Li Yunli was her favorite among all people.
“Mm, Xiao Zhen’s sincerity is always something to look forward to.” Li Yunli tilted her head with a light laugh, finding her soliloquy adorable.
She knew there’d be no complaints, yet she had to preface it anyway?
Such a cute Xiao Zhen.
Ji Zhenshi sawed a couple notes to warm up, then tried sitting—but standing up again when her long legs cramped awkwardly.
Catching the lead singer’s doubtful glance from earlier, she cleared her throat, ready at last.
But a surge of competitiveness made her pause. Earnestly, she stressed, “I really can play. I’m not faking it.”
“…”
Everyone thought Ji Zhenshi a bit odd—even her own defense lacked credibility.
Probably only Li Yunli knew her true skill.
“Whatever.” Ji Zhenshi shrugged, opting to let actions speak.
She straightened, slowly closing her eyes.
