Chapter 70: Wanting to See You

Around eight-something, after they had eaten breakfast, people from the town’s cultural department came to lead Hengchuan University’s teachers and students to visit various places around the town. This was also an important part of the event.

Passing by a clinic that was just opening its doors, Gu Xirui pulled Ming You along. “Are you really okay? Why don’t you go to the clinic and let the doctor take a look?”

“I’m not going. I’m fine now. No more vomiting and diarrhea. I just don’t have much appetite.”

“Mm. Have you… contacted your sister yet?”

“Miss Gu, from the moment I woke up this morning until now, you’ve asked me this question eight hundred times.” Ming You laughed helplessly. Her ears were about to form calluses from all the nagging. “She usually sets her alarm for eight on rest days. I’ll message her once it’s time.”

Gu Xirui also laughed. “Who told you not to update me on the progress? You even said you’d tell me first. Liar.”

Ming You felt like rolling her eyes. “There’s no progress. What am I supposed to tell you?”

That morning, Gu Xirui had told her about accidentally picking up Yan Ningxi’s voice call last night and had briefly recounted their conversation.

— She’s the one you like?

— Yeah.

Ming You had answered frankly, without any hesitation. She hadn’t planned to hide it from Gu Xirui.

“Video calls, voice calls, and you call that no progress~? You even confessed, and she’s still willing to talk to you…”

“Gu Xirui! Has Lin Yiyang rubbed off her bad habits on you?” Ming You glanced at Lin Yiyang, who was walking with a few other guys and chatting animatedly. “Flirting everywhere. Go manage her.”

“…” Gu Xirui turned her head and spotted Lin Yiyang too. “She has a boyfriend to keep her in check. She’s just better at getting along with the opposite sex than her own. Can’t really call it flirting.”

Last night when they went to buy medicine, Lin Yiyang had taken a call and hung up after just a few sentences. Gu Xirui had vaguely heard a man’s voice on the other end but hadn’t pried. Lin Yiyang had muttered to herself afterward, “Routine check-in.”

Check-in—that was a term used between couples or spouses, right?

“Someone’s finally tamed her. Ridding the people of harm.”

After saying that, Ming You lowered her head and messaged Yan Ningxi: 【Good morning, Sister Yan. [Snowflake] 】

【Yan Ningxi: Can you take a call?】

She had just washed her face when she saw Ming You’s message. She still wanted to hear her voice to feel at ease. A voice conveyed emotions better than text.

“I’ll call her back.” Ming You said to Gu Xirui, slowing her steps to fall to the very back of the group.

She dialed the voice call. “Good morning, Sister Yan.”

Yan Ningxi listened carefully to her voice. “You guys got up pretty early, huh? Had breakfast? If your appetite’s not great, have some light porridge. Don’t starve yourself again. If you can’t stomach the local food, don’t force it. Have a classmate go with you to a restaurant and order whatever you want.”

“Okay. I’ll split from the main group at noon and go grab something special with my teammates.”

“…”

Ever since receiving Yan Ningxi’s “consolation” last night, Ming You’s mood had greatly improved. Half her illness had vanished, and she joked, “Sister Yan, you can’t stop the sky from raining or people from getting sick. But these are minor ailments—they come fast and go fast too.”

“You can even twist proverbs now. Looks like you’re bouncing back full of life.”

“Yeah! Want me to jump for you?”

“Don’t mess around.”

The light, intimate tone felt relaxed and natural, as if the previous “cold war” had never happened.

“Sister Yan.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you go home yet?” This home, of course, meant the one in the county seat.

“Not yet. Heading out soon.”

“Oh. So, the day after tomorrow—you’re coming back to Huai’an the day after tomorrow?” Their return trip was tomorrow. The day after was a holiday rest day for New Year’s. She couldn’t wait until next weekend to see her.

“Yeah, unless something unexpected comes up, I’ll head back that afternoon.” Yan Ningxi picked up on Ming You’s intentions and earnestly reminded her, “Your body’s not fully recovered yet. The roads there are remote and inconvenient. Don’t wander off alone. Go back with the teachers and classmates tomorrow, and rest well once you’re at school. Got it?”

“You don’t want to see me?” Ming You asked this very softly, then immediately followed up in a normal tone, “Classmates are calling me. We’re performing this afternoon, so it’ll be busy. I’ll contact you tonight. Bye, Sister Yan.”

“Good luck with the performance. Bye.” How could she not want to? If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have been sleepless or sent that “ice-breaking” message last night.

A few minutes later, Yan Ningxi received a photo from Ming You.

In the photo, the girl faced away from the camera, knees bent as she jumped high into the air. Her right hand was raised high, flashing a “yeah” sign. The hood of her sweatshirt poked out from under her black coat—the one Yan Ningxi had bought her.

There was no snow on the ground, but it looked a bit wet. In the distant background stood a brick-red building only a few stories tall.

【Ming You: Jumping for you!】

Yan Ningxi tapped to save the picture and replied: 【Cute.】

…

The performance was from three to five in the afternoon.

On the semi-open plaza stage, the teachers and students took a group bow at the curtain call. The nearly two-hour show was splendid and a great success, earning thunderous applause from nearly a thousand spectators below.

That night’s dinner was hosted by the town government leaders, naturally the most lavish meal of the past two days.

A familiar guy filled Lin Yiyang’s cup with beer. The leader raised his glass, and everyone followed suit. Just before drinking, Gu Xirui swapped her cup of juice for Lin Yiyang’s.

“You’re still on your period. Don’t drink.” She took a sip of the beer for show.

Lin Yiyang, meanwhile, sipped the juice. It was clearly cold, but it warmed her mouth and stomach like hot water.

After sitting down, Gu Xirui ladled a bowl of pumpkin hot soup for Ming You, then one for Lin Yiyang, before finally serving herself.

After a small sip, she stood up. “You guys eat first. I’ll see if there’s any boiled water.”

Lin Yiyang knew why Gu Xirui wanted boiled water. She lowered her head to drink her soup, feeling envious of Ming You for the first time—for having such a great “friend” like Gu Xirui.

When Gu Xirui returned, there was an extra pot of boiled water and several extra cups in front of them. The cups with juice and beer had been cleared away by Gu Xirui and placed on the nearby storage side table.

Ming You had grown accustomed over the past two years to Gu Xirui’s thoughtfulness in all these little details, so she didn’t say much thanks. She picked up a few slices of bamboo shoots—Gu Xirui’s favorite—and put them in her bowl. “Xirui, let’s buy some fireworks tonight and set them off.”

Fireworks weren’t as strictly controlled in this small town. They could be lit right on the plaza, and the official New Year’s fireworks show was set for eight o’clock.

“Sure.”

“Invite the young lady next to you too.” Ming You nudged Gu Xirui with her elbow. “She’s seen Disney fireworks, but probably never set them off herself. As comrades in this rural alliance mission, we can’t leave anyone behind. Once we’re back at school, I’ll steer clear of her two-faced attitude.”

“Who’s two-faced?!” Lin Yiyang had just barely caught Ming You’s words. People to her left couldn’t hear.

“I set off fireworks at Grandma’s house when I was little during New Year’s too.” Gu Xirui turned to Lin Yiyang. “Got plans with someone else? If not, come with us.”

Lin Yiyang lifted her chin with a light “hmph.” “Tonight’s fireworks for you two? This miss will cover them.”

…

After dinner’s free time, the three returned to the guesthouse, added layers of clothing, and applied heating patches for warmth to ensure they wouldn’t freeze.

As they headed downstairs, Fang Jie and a few others were about to head out too.

“Ming You, where are you three off to?”

“The plaza.”

“We’re going too, to set off fireworks.” Fang Jie said happily. Over the past two days, Ming You had been cold toward him. Whenever he tried to chat, Gu Xirui brushed him off with excuses about Ming You not feeling well.

“The road’s public. Go wherever you want.” Ming You wasn’t unreasonable enough to block the public road, but she still automatically ignored Fang Jie’s overt “suitor” signals.

The group went together and bought various fireworks in batches from the designated seller. Lin Yiyang paid for all the ones Ming You and Gu Xirui picked before they could.

Gu Xirui watched as the vendor packed two large red bags for them. “Did we buy a bit too many?”

Ming You hefted one bag. “They burn up fast.”

“I’ll carry them for you.” Fang Jie wanted to show off.

“No need.” Gu Xirui politely declined and picked up the other bag. “You’ve got plenty too. This isn’t heavy.” She and Ming You each carried a bag. Lin Yiyang had empty hands, and the largest fireworks tube sat on the ground.

“Fang Jie, if you wanna help, take this.” Lin Yiyang nudged the tube with her toe. She wasn’t carrying something that big.

“Lin Yiyang, you actually bought this?” One tube cost five hundred bucks. Lit up, gone in two or three minutes.

“What else? Without paying, could I let you walk off with it in plain sight?” Lin Yiyang and her group had spent over a thousand on fireworks. It wasn’t much to her. “If we’re doing it, let’s go all out.”

“Fireworks whale, Miss Lin’s got style.” Fang Jie gave a thumbs-up. “Alright, at your service, ladies. I’ll haul it.”

…

Before eight even hit, the plaza had gathered hundreds, even thousands—men, women, young and old, all festive. The official fireworks show hadn’t started, but the plaza dancing was already lively.

Ming You and the other two leaned on the railing. Across from them flowed the gentle river current, the opposite bank pitch-black with no lights.

The town didn’t have a big population. The tallest residences were resident buildings under twenty stories. Unlike big cities, where riverbanks glowed bright at night.

Ming You’s heart rarely felt as calm as it did in that moment.

The plaza dance music blared, children’s play shouts weren’t quiet, yet her heart miraculously stilled like autumn waters.

So still that she understood: peace in the present world.

Right at eight, the sky boomed with explosions. Brilliant multicolored fireworks scattered the dusk.

【Ming You: Sister Yan, I want to video call you.】

【Yan Ningxi: One sec.】

Back in her bedroom, leaving her dad alone in the living room watching the New Year’s gala.

This “one sec” really was just a minute.

Yan Ningxi called back. Ming You connected the video call, and the person she’d longed for day and night appeared on screen.

“Sister Yan.”

“Outside? Cold? Dressed warm enough?”

“Not cold. Three layers, heating patches on my belly and back.” Her three layers: camisole tank top, fleece sweatshirt, wool coat. She’d brought a base layer sweater in her suitcase but felt overdressed would be cumbersome.

“Snowy low temps—don’t stay out long.” Ming You’s background was pitch black; Yan Ningxi couldn’t see a thing.

But Ming You saw her home’s window. “Can you show me your room?”

At first, Yan Ningxi instinctively glanced around. Seeing nothing out of place, she agreed. “Sure.”

She pulled the phone away, aiming the screen at her closed bedroom door, slowly turning a full circle. “Haven’t come back much since starting college. Not much stuff.”

The room was a bit larger than her apartment bedroom. The biggest similarity: bookshelves.

Yan Ningxi’s bookshelf was dark solid wood with glass sliding doors. The wardrobe and bed matched in color—dull and old-fashioned, not bright at all.

“Ming You, fireworks time.” Gu Xirui held several lit sparkler sticks in each hand.

“Sister Yan, here’s Miss Gu in person.” Ming You approached Gu Xirui, waved, and shushed her.

Gu Xirui’s face suddenly filled half the screen alongside Ming You. “Hi, sister! I’m Gu Xirui! Ming You’s doing much better today. Under my watch, she’s taken medicine and eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Yan Ningxi wasn’t prepared to meet strangers and blanked for a second. “Hi, Miss Gu.” Ming You had led her to that title.

“Sister, you can call me Xirui.” Gu Xirui smiled warm and gentle. “Okay, I won’t be a third wheel. Happy New Year, sister! May all your wishes come true!”

After meeting the friend, Ming You took the phone and walked a few steps away from the crowd in the opposite direction. “Sister Yan, switching cameras. Let’s watch the fireworks together, ring in the New Year together.”

Yan Ningxi belatedly realized what Gu Xirui had meant by “not being a third wheel,” and her ears suddenly heated up. So what exactly had Ming You told Gu Xirui? How had she explained their relationship?

The girl pulled a pair of wired earphones from her pocket, plugged them in, and put them on before pointing the camera toward the night sky. At that moment, she could see Yan Ningxi, but Yan Ningxi could not see her.

“Yan Ningxi.”

The person who was called paused in her breathing. “Hm? What’s wrong?”

Whenever the girl called her name, it meant she had something very important to say. She inexplicably grew nervous and sat on the edge of the bed, clenching the quilt tightly with her free hand.

Fireworks burst open in clusters on the screen, just as beautiful as the star river Ming You had given her.

She stared unblinkingly, holding her breath in concentration, afraid of missing the girl’s voice. She heard the girl ask, “Do you know what day today is?”