Back then, he didn’t have to worry about the hardships of life, in his world, there was only Xingxing.
He loved Xingxing’s smile and how protective she looked.
"I remember saying that I would surely eat candy every day, to lose all my teeth to sweetness. That must be such a blissful thing."
Cavities signified eating lots of candy, but back then, having candy was a luxury for them, only possible when Bai Dan was home so Bai Zhi could have some, and if Bai Zhi ate, so did Han Feng.
He held it carefully in his mouth, savoring the sweet taste.
Thinking about it now, it actually feels a little childish.
Realizing this, Bai Zhi paused, almost blurting out without any hesitation, without pause, and even without recollection.
Why did she react so quickly?
"Brother Han Feng, have a smooth journey. What time do you leave tomorrow? I’ll bring you something."
Han Feng looked at the moonlight. Xingxing was still the same, always giving him loads of food, saying she worried he might be hungry, fiercely telling him not to pick up things from the ground, or else she wouldn’t talk to him.
Now, Xingxing seemed not quite so fierce. Was it because he had sobered up?
If their relationship weren’t as close as it was, he would have preferred never to have sobered up.
"Okay, I want to eat meatballs, Xingxing."
Just like before, Han Feng made a request to Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi smiled, with an added touch of indulgence in her smile.
"Alright, I know. I’ll also bring you rice cakes, potato pancakes, and crispy meat, okay? I’ll pack some soup dumplings for you to soak and drink. But you can’t eat it all in one go, you’ll get diarrhea, you know?"
As she spoke, Bai Zhi started to nag, reminding him not to overeat, to dress warmly, to avoid catching a cold.
"It’s colder in the Imperial City than here. You must dress warmly; no playing in the snow. What will you do if you catch a cold, get injections with... such long needles..."
Bai Zhi said, even motioning with her hands the length of the needles, her exaggerated manner warming Han Feng’s heart.
This was his Xingxing.
"Okay, I got it. I’ll be good so Xingxing won’t be mad."
Under the moonlight, the two looked at each other’s familiar faces, both smiling at the familiar phrases.
Han Feng reached out and ruffled Bai Zhi’s hair.
Xingxing, I hope you always wear a smile, happily looking at me, forever.
Watching Bai Zhi go back into her house, seeing the lights come on, Han Feng slowly walked away.
He stepped through the snow, one foot after another. He told himself that this was the last time, the last time he had to leave Xingxing’s side. It would never happen again.
Wu Wa and Bai Xin returned from watching a movie, and Bai Zhi was already packing Air Freshener Pills.
Wu Wa was delighted, chatting about the movie.
"Ah Zhi, I’ve never had such a lively New Year’s. In our village, we celebrate on the fifteenth of the first lunar month. We don’t set off fireworks, but there is a torch festival. Wu La and I never attend though; Wu La is always busy studying so much, poor thing."
As Wu Wa helped out, though she was smiling, it was clear she was feeling nostalgic, actually missing her Mommy.
"Wu Wa, tomorrow night, let’s set off fireworks together, okay? They’re really beautiful."
Not knowing the customs of her village, Bai Zhi shifted the conversation.
Fortunately, Wu Wa’s mood was quickly changed by the mention of fireworks.
"Yes, yes, I love setting off fireworks! And I want to go fish cheating with Bai Xiang too."
Remembering, Wu Wa mentioned Bai Xiang offered to take her fish cheating.
"Sure, bring them back and I’ll fry the little fish for you."
Bai Zhi’s words made Wu Wa even happier. Just then, Bai Meng chimed in.
"I’ll go with you. Oh, Wu Wa, don’t you have a type of fish called rice flower fish where you’re from?"