The two embraced silently, neither willing to sleep. Every minute and every second that had passed was a loss to them. Even without speaking, they didn’t feel awkward.
"Aren’t you going back to sleep?"
"Just hold me a little longer!"
"No one takes an hour-long bathroom break."
"What if I’m constipated?"
"That’s real dedication, claiming to be constipated just to spend a little more time with me."
"Can’t a beautiful girl be constipated?"
Xue Yang let out a snort of laughter. "Don’t you think it’s a bit odd for us to be discussing constipation at a time like this?"
"Then shall we change the subject?"
"Where do you want to go during the New Year’s holiday?"
Lin Xi thought for a moment before saying, "Let’s ride the Ferris wheel. I’ve heard that couples who ride one together eventually break up."
Hearing this, the arm Xue Yang had around Lin Xi’s waist tightened abruptly. Then he heard her continue, "But if you kiss your lover when the Ferris wheel reaches its highest point, you’ll be together forever. They say every car on a Ferris wheel is filled with happiness. When we look up at it, we’re looking up at happiness."
Xue Yang’s arm slowly relaxed as he quietly listened to the story Lin Xi was telling him.
He had always considered himself a romantic person, thinking that if he liked someone, he would want to do all sorts of romantic things with them. Now it seemed Lin Xi was just as romantic, if not more so.
But the most romantic thing in life is that when you try to be romantic, your other half doesn’t let an ounce of it go to waste.
When Lin Xi spoke again, her eyes gleamed with a special light. In that moment, she was breathtakingly, irresistibly beautiful. In the dark, her voice was clear and magical, leaving Xue Yang completely entranced.
"The Ferris wheel is as high as happiness itself. When we long for happiness but it’s slow to arrive, all we have to do is get on the Ferris wheel and wait as it slowly rises to the top. When we look down at everything from the summit, that is the happiest moment. So I hope we can kiss at the very highest point and bear witness to our happiness."
"Alright. We’ll ride the Ferris wheel on New Year’s Day."
"Then it’s a date. You can’t back out."
"When have I ever lied to you?"
She had to admit he had a point. Lin Xi smiled slightly and buried her head in his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart.
Xue Yang gently caressed her jade-like feet with his own. When people became passionate, they loved to express themselves with their bodies. It turned out that, besides walking, feet had another important role to play.
***
Lin Xi lingered for a full two hours before reluctantly tiptoeing out of Xue Yang’s room. She used to hate the night; the darkness gave her a sense of fear, making her feel as if she was enveloped by something unknown. But now, the darkness was her best camouflage, shielding her as she ran toward her own happiness.
Lin Xi crept back to the master bedroom, where Auntie Shen was sound asleep, not having noticed her departure at all. Secretly pleased, she carefully climbed into bed, hugged the stuffed toy that smelled of Xue Yang, and sweetly fell asleep.
Only when she was fast asleep did Auntie Shen open her eyes and gently pull the blanket over her. Lin Xi had always had a habit of kicking off her covers, and ever since she was a child, Auntie Shen had made a point of checking on her in the middle of the night.
Looking at her blissful, sleeping face, Auntie Shen’s expression was a mixture of wistfulness and worry, but more than anything, it was filled with contentment.
As a mother, what could bring more joy than seeing your child happy?
Even though Lin Xi wasn’t her biological daughter.
Certain that Lin Xi wouldn’t kick the blanket off again, Auntie Shen lay back down and drifted into a deep sleep.
***
The next day, when Xue Yang woke up, Auntie Shen had already prepared a delicious breakfast. There was millet porridge, soy milk with fried dough sticks, and a side of fruit. She must have timed it perfectly, because the food was still steaming when Xue Yang emerged.
"Good morning, Auntie Shen," Xue Yang greeted her.
Having an elder in the house had its inconveniences, but in other ways, it was quite nice.
"Good morning. Go wash up, then come eat," Auntie Shen replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Auntie Shen."
"You’re welcome."
After washing up, Xue Yang sat at the dining table. "This millet porridge is delicious."
"If you like it, there’s more in the pot. But don’t eat too much for breakfast. Will you be home for lunch?"
"Auntie Shen, I usually eat at school, so you and Xiao Xi can just eat here at home. I’ll be back late in the evening, too. I have a school project to turn in soon," Xue Yang explained briefly to preempt any more questions.
"Alright. Young people should indeed focus on their studies."
"Auntie Shen, since I won’t be around, I’ll have to trouble you to look after Xiao Xi."
"Of course. I came here specifically to take care of her."
Xue Yang smiled faintly. After finishing breakfast, he tidied up a bit and prepared to head to school. He wanted to go in and see Lin Xi, but then he remembered Auntie Shen was there and it wouldn’t be appropriate, so he gave up the idea.
Just as he reached the front door, a drowsy voice called out from behind him.
"Xue Yang."
Lin Xi appeared at her doorway, squinting. She had rushed out in such a hurry that she’d forgotten to put on shoes, revealing her small, flawless feet. The memory of last night’s heart-thumping touch flashed through Xue Yang’s mind. He abruptly tore his gaze away, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Why are you up so early? And you’re not even wearing shoes!"
"You forgot the good morning kiss."
Xue Yang glanced toward the kitchen and saw that Auntie Shen had already taken her bowl inside. Lin Xi dashed over and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. Afterward, she presented her perfect right cheek, as smooth and tempting as a freshly peeled egg.
Well, he had been a little disappointed about not having eggs for breakfast, but it seemed he got one after all.
Content, the two waved goodbye.
Once the door closed, Auntie Shen asked, "Miss, would you like to have breakfast now?"
"I’m going to sleep a bit more. Wake me up at ten."
With that, Lin Xi went back to bed to get some more sleep.
"Very well."
After cleaning up, Auntie Shen went downstairs to buy groceries.
***
Just as Xue Yang was about to enter the classroom, Cui Hao dragged his exhausted body over.
"Xue Yang, Master Miejue wants to see you in her office before class."
"What happened to you? You look completely drained."
At those words, Cui Hao bristled like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. "Drained? Impossible! No way! I can still go another three hundred rounds!"
Xue Yang patted his shoulder. "You may be young, but you still need to take care of your body."
With that, he turned and headed toward Master Miejue’s office.
Cui Hao’s frustrated voice followed him. "Xue Yang, I’ll fucking... damn you!"
They were both men, and they had both spent Christmas with a woman. So why did he look completely drained while Xue Yang seemed to have been invigorated by it, looking so refreshed it was infuriating?