Chapter 34 Part 3

Her cheeks were flushed red from the cold, her nose also pink. She didn't answer the question, instead saying, "Why are you waiting for me outside? Aren't you cold?"

"Too lazy to stay inside alone."

"Did they go back so early?"

Lu Xixiao stubbed out his cigarette. "Jiang Fan had a family matter. I don't know the others well, couldn't be bothered to hang out."

Zhou Wan paused, then immediately felt glad she had come.

Otherwise, Lu Xixiao would have spent the last day of the year alone.

Lu Xixiao raised a hand to touch her cheek, his voice light. "Where to?"

"You haven't had dinner yet, right?"

"Mhm."

Zhou Wan's hand, gripping the strap of her backpack, tightened.

She had acted on a whim when she left, thinking that eating dumplings on New Year's Eve had a more familial feel, but she'd overlooked how picky Lu Xixiao was. The dumplings had long since gone cold on the way here; he definitely wouldn't want to eat them.

"Is there anything you want to eat?" Zhou Wan asked.

Lu Xixiao raised his eyebrows. "Didn't you already eat?"

"I can accompany you while you eat."

"Forget it, not hungry. We'll see later."

Zhou Wan frowned. Just as she was about to say that was bad for his stomach, she heard Lu Xixiao say, "Where do you want to go for the New Year's countdown?"

"My classmates said there will be fireworks at Xi Qiao today."

Anyway, there are plenty of food stalls there, so they could eat something there.

"Let's go then."

He said calmly, seeming not to look forward to the festive atmosphere at all, as if he was only going to accompany Zhou Wan.

Xi Qiao was far from here. Lu Xixiao hailed a taxi.

As they neared Xi Qiao, they could see that the number of people and cars on the street had noticeably increased. The lights on the distant bridge twinkled, and red lanterns hung from the lampposts.

The taxi was stuck on the gridlocked road. The driver turned his head and said, "Hey handsome, you two might as well get off here. The traffic is too bad. By the time we get to the bridge, the meter will run up a hefty fare."

Lu Xixiao agreed, paid the fare, and got out of the car with Zhou Wan.

He was wearing a black jacket, and from the looks of it, only one layer underneath. Zhou Wan asked, "Aren't you cold?"

He looked down at her. "Not cold."

Zhou Wan didn't quite believe him.

How could he not be cold dressed like that?

She pulled her hand out from her long sleeve and took Lu Xixiao's hand.

Unexpectedly, it wasn't cold at all, and was even a bit warmer than hers.

Lu Xixiao raised an eyebrow. A low, magnetic laugh rumbled from his throat, his expression playful. "Zhou Wan, you're quite smooth."

Zhou Wan froze and subconsciously looked up at him.

Meeting his teasing, frivolous gaze, she couldn't help but blush again, explaining, "I just wanted to see if your hand was cold."

"Oh." He nodded leisurely. "Is that so?"

Zhou Wan was clearly telling the truth, but after he twisted it like that, it sounded like a clumsy excuse.

"..."

Knowing she was no match for him, Zhou Wan simply looked away and decided not to talk to him anymore.

"Angry?"

"No," she mumbled.

Lu Xixiao laughed again. "So, is my hand cold?"

"It's warmer than mine."

"Is that so?" He drew out the word, teasing her mischievously, looking extremely wicked. Then, he reached out and lifted Zhou Wan's sleeve. "Let me feel and see."

Like peeling an orange, he extracted Zhou Wan's hand from the sleeve of her down jacket, took it in his, and put it in his own pocket.

Zhou Wan was stunned for a moment.

She subconsciously turned her head to look at Lu Xixiao.

He was tall with long legs, so she had to look up at him.

From her angle, the youth's profile was smooth and sharp. He was looking at the river and bridge in the distance, his bone structure so superior it could be called a work of art. One corner of his mouth was turned up in a wicked smile.

Zhou Wan's heart suddenly skipped a beat, then began to pound rapidly.

Her hand was led into his pocket. Zhou Wan didn't struggle, letting him hold it.

Soon, the palm of her hand was as warm as his.

Many people were on the road, mostly young people, all heading towards Xi Qiao.

Tonight's fireworks show had been well-publicized, so there were an exceptional number of people, making it extremely crowded.

After walking for a while, they could see from a distance that the bridge was a sea of heads, completely packed with people. Zhou Wan glanced around and saw vendors selling small snacks.

"Are you hungry?" she asked Lu Xixiao again.

"Not hungry."

Knowing his lifestyle was irregular, sometimes waking up only in the afternoon, it was possible he hadn't eaten a single bite all day. Zhou Wan took it upon herself to make him eat something to line his stomach.

"Let's go look over there." Zhou Wan pointed to a stall selling chicken wings stuffed with rice.

Lu Xixiao walked over. "What do you want to eat?"

"The honey-glazed chicken wings with rice," Zhou Wan said slowly. "But one serving is so big, it'd be a waste if I can't finish it. Will you share it with me?"

Lu Xixiao hummed in agreement, bought a serving of the chicken wings with rice, and also a cup of bubble tea.

"Aren't you drinking?" Zhou Wan asked.

"I don't like drinking this."

Zhou Wan held the bubble tea, and Lu Xixiao carried the chicken wings. When they turned to sit down, they found that the plastic tables and chairs outside were all occupied, with no empty seats.

Lu Xixiao scanned the surroundings and led her to some steps on the side.

This area was dimly lit, with few people around.

It was as if they were separated by a natural barrier. That side was bustling and noisy, this side was quiet and dim.

He took off his jacket, tossed it on the steps, and put an arm around Zhou Wan to have her sit down. He opened the take-out box for the chicken wings and handed the chopsticks to Zhou Wan.

Zhou Wan sipped her bubble tea and said, "I'll eat later, you eat first."

Lu Xixiao started to laugh, giving her a knowing look. "Setting a trap for me, huh?"

Zhou Wan paused, blinked, and pretended not to understand. "What?"

Lu Xixiao didn't expose her. He bit open the plastic wrap on the disposable chopsticks, tore open the chicken wing skin, and picked up some rice with his chopsticks.

It wasn't good. The rice was undercooked. Lu Xixiao had a few bites and then put it down.

Zhou Wan glanced at him. "Is it not good?"

"Mhm."

"Then, do you want to buy something else?"

"No need."

The nearby vendors were all small businesses, and the food they made was all similar. Lu Xixiao wasn't used to it.

Zhou Wan pouted her lips, didn't say anything more, and continued to drink her bubble tea with her head down.

Drinking the warm bubble tea, her whole body warmed up.

Suddenly, Lu Xixiao asked, "What's in your bag?"

She had just placed her bag by her feet, and the container of dumplings inside was peeking out.

Zhou Wan paused, let out a soft "Ah," but Lu Xixiao had already bent down, taken out the box of dumplings, and raised his eyebrows.