Chapter 34 Part 4

Zhou Wan was a little embarrassed. "I was afraid you'd be hungry, so I originally wanted to bring them for you to eat."

"You made them?"

"I made most of them, and my grandma made some too."

Lu Xixiao opened the container, picked up the chopsticks again and grabbed one. Zhou Wan tried to stop him, "Don't eat it, it's all cold now, it definitely won't taste good."

He put a dumpling directly into his mouth.

It was indeed cold, and the dumpling skin was a bit hard, but the broth inside was very savory, and the filling was generous.

Zhou Wan watched his expression. "Is it edible?"

Lu Xixiao, chewing on the dumpling skin, said, "It's a bit more edible than those chicken wings."

He said it reluctantly.

But Lu Xixiao ate them one after another, finishing the entire box of dumplings.

Zhou Wan still had self-awareness. She knew the dumplings she made were average at best, and couldn't possibly be that delicious, let alone now that they were cold.

She hadn't expected Lu Xixiao to finish them all.

"Let's go." Lu Xixiao stood up. "The fireworks are about to start."

Zhou Wan followed him as he continued towards the bridge, finally finding a good spot by the river with an open view, perfect for watching the fireworks.

She rested her hands on the riverside railing, and in her peripheral vision, she saw Lu Xixiao's hand pressed against his stomach, his brows slightly furrowed.

He probably ate too many cold dumplings just now, and they were sitting heavily in his stomach.

Zhou Wan couldn't help it and let out a soft laugh with her head down.

"What are you laughing at?" Lu Xixiao asked.

Zhou Wan didn't dare tell him the truth, just smiled and looked at him.

The girl had bright eyes and white teeth, her smile radiant. Zhou Wan usually had an inoffensive, gentle, and pure appearance, but at this moment, she was exceptionally vibrant. Lu Xixiao looked at her, his heart calming, his Adam's apple bobbing.

She said with a smile, "Lu Xixiao, it's almost the New Year."

"Mhm." A smile unconsciously touched Lu Xixiao's lips as well. "Have a New Year's wish?"

"Are you going to be Santa Claus again?"

"Be your boyfriend."

That's right, Santa Claus is fake.

Lu Xixiao is real.

Just as he said, there really is no Santa Claus in this world, but I'm here.

The smile in Zhou Wan's eyes deepened, her eyes sparkling, but then she seemed to suddenly think of something. The curve of her lips stiffened, and the smile faded a little.

"No need," Zhou Wan said softly. "I'm already very happy right now."

...

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Wow—!"

Hundreds of pillars of light from the fireworks shot up into the sky in unison, illuminating the entire night, then bloomed and fell in the darkness.

Like a scene of tragic romanticism, countless fireworks rose, countless fireworks bloomed, countless fireworks fell, disappearing into the sky. But immediately after, other pillars of light followed one after another, rising, blooming, and falling.

Zhou Wan tilted her head up, watching without blinking.

"Lu Xixiao," she said, her eyes shining, "look quickly."

Amidst a chorus of cheers and exclamations, Lu Xixiao took Zhou Wan's hand again.

Zhou Wan paused, turned her head to look at him, and after a moment, she gave him a brilliant smile.

In that smile, Lu Xixiao's whole body went numb. A current spread up from his tailbone, and his temples throbbed as if pricked by needles.

Zhou Wan smiled so widely her eyes became curved crescents. "It's so beautiful."

Lu Xixiao looked at her, unable to tear his gaze away.

He just kept looking like that.

The hundreds and thousands of people around were all looking up at the sky. Only he was looking at Zhou Wan.

The brilliant fireworks cast different colors upon Zhou Wan's face.

After a long while, he lowered his eyes and smiled. "Mhm."