On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Du was awakened by the sound of snow shoveling. It had snowed all night, completely covering the small vegetable garden by the door. All the vegetables her grandfather had planted had died. She climbed out from under her warm quilt, put on her hat and gloves, and as soon as she opened the door, her eyes were dazzled by the world of white.

After clearing the snow, her grandparents took her to a grand-uncle's house to pay a New Year's visit. In the eyes of the elders, Jiang Du was still a child. After entering, they exchanged pleasantries and sat down. She was, as a matter of course, asked about her grades. Jiang Du was always the most polite guest, answering gently whenever a question was asked. When young children came over to roughhouse, bumping into her or pulling on her, she didn't get annoyed, playing with them in a very proper and orderly way.

By the third day of the New Year, Jiang Du started her math tutoring. It had to be said, the tutor was truly dedicated, holding classes for students on the third day of the New Year, concentrated in the morning. At the tutoring class, she saw some familiar faces. Jiang Du didn't usually interact much with people, but now that they were all in the same class, they would just exchange simple greetings. Wang Jingjing was in the class next door, and after class, the two would run to a nearby shop for a hot drink.

"I'm so annoyed, we've had relatives coming over nonstop since the second day of the New Year," Wang Jingjing said with a bristling expression, rolling her eyes. "You have no idea how terrifying bratty kids are. They climb on my sofa, insist on taking my things, and when I tell my mom, she scolds me for being immature, saying I'm so old but I don't know how to give way to a small child. It's so ridiculous!"

Jiang Du smiled forgivingly and said, "Maybe they'll be better when they grow up. Little kids are just very mischievous."

"Better, my foot!" Wang Jingjing said scornfully. "I don't believe that someone who has no manners as a child will automatically become better when they grow up."

"But it's true that it's hard to make a child stay quiet. Everyone goes through a process of growing up. Do you remember what you were like as a child? I mean, when you were three or four."

Wang Jingjing was actually stumped by the question. She shook her head, but quickly and clearly stated that she definitely wasn't the annoying type when she was little.

"Aiya, don't be such a saint."

Jiang Du's face flushed. "I'm not being a saint. I just think that most children can become better with proper guidance."

Wang Jingjing crossed her legs. "Right, but that's only if they have a normal pair of parents." As she spoke, she gave a wry smile and waved her hand. "Let's not talk about this. Why are we discussing parenting skills? You didn't go back to your hometown this year?"

"My grandpa went back a couple of days ago."

"It's so boring!" Wang Jingjing began to lament again. "I was planning to ask Wei Qingyue to go sing on the sixth, but I couldn't get him to go. Why is he like that? Ugh, when is high school going to be over? I really want to go to university right now, fall in love, and do whatever I want."

After just one semester, Wang Jingjing already felt that high school was incredibly dragging and long, like a railroad track with no end.

Jiang Du looked at her, feeling the complete opposite. She wanted to get into a good university, that was a must, but she wished this outcome could come a little more slowly, even slower. If time didn't rush by day and night, she could have a little more time in the same space as a certain person.

But, did Wang Jingjing really like Wei Qingyue? The thought popped into Jiang Du's mind, and she quickly suppressed it. Then, did she herself really like Wei Qingyue? Was it just hormones acting up? Or did her dull, mediocre adolescence need a splash of color? She didn't know. All she knew was the panic of meeting his eyes, the cautious gazes, and the immense joy of being able to exchange a few words.

"How about we go sing on the sixth?" Wang Jingjing proposed, interrupting Jiang Du's thoughts. She instantly understood that Zhang Xiaoqiang definitely hadn't invited her. Originally, she had been struggling with how to ask Wang Jingjing, worried that Zhang Xiaoqiang might have actually invited her, but Wang Jingjing might have assumed she hadn't invited Jiang Du and would be too embarrassed to ask. It would be quite awkward if they ran into each other... Now it was settled. She secretly sighed in relief, no longer needing to worry about it.

"How about the eighth? I'll go with you on the eighth. I have to go to the temple with my grandma on the sixth," Jiang Du lied unnaturally.

Wang Jingjing pouted. "You still burn incense? That's feudal superstition. My family never sets foot in a temple. I don't get those people who line up on New Year's Eve to strike the bell. It's freezing cold, and it's even snowing. What's wrong with them?"

Jiang Du didn't burn incense or worship Buddha; she didn't believe in those things either. But she could understand why the elderly went to temples to seek peace of mind. So, she just smiled and didn't argue with Wang Jingjing.

When Wang Jingjing's mom came to pick them up, Wang Jingjing first complained that her mom was too late, then excitedly said she wanted new headphones, and her mother agreed to everything. Jiang Du sat in the back row, watching Wang Jingjing take off her shoes and curl up in the passenger seat with no regard for her posture, playing games on her mom's phone, cackling and swearing.

"You child, using slang again. Who did you learn that from?"

"Who doesn't? A lot of my classmates use slang, it's like a particle word."

"Not learning anything good. I think you're asking for a spanking."

"Aiya, what's wrong with saying a little slang? The academic pressure is so high, and Mom is always nagging. I'm about to have a breakdown!"

The mother and daughter went back and forth, and Jiang Du listened in silence. She turned her head to look at the tall buildings flashing by the window, clouds above them, when another sentence floated to her ear:

"I bought you wool socks and you don't wear them, serves you right for having cold feet!"

Wang Jingjing's mom bought her wool socks, they must be so warm... If my mom bought me wool socks, I would definitely wear them. The thought came to her out of nowhere, and she was suddenly startled by the realization that such a thing could never happen. She became quiet again, like a cricket that didn't want to chirp, and watched the scenery.

She suddenly knew what to get Zhang Xiaoqiang.

Jiang Du had been vexed by this for some time. A snow globe, a diary, a pretty hair accessory... they all seemed too childish. At the same time, she knew Zhang Xiaoqiang's family was well-off, so she probably wouldn't think much of any gift. In that case, it would be better to give something practical.

In the afternoon, she contacted Zhang Xiaoqiang. Zhang Xiaoqiang's screen name was very unique; it was definitely not something like "Dancing Lightly" or "Crystal Love." She was called "Cannot Stand Tackiness," even though she was a very charming and enviable girl.

Jiang Du asked her: What's your favorite color?

Zhang Xiaoqiang immediately guessed she wanted to buy a gift. She first sent a cute emoji, then said:

Don't spend too much, okay? I know you wouldn't listen if I told you not to buy a gift, so just a small token is fine. I'm actually a very simple person, haha.

In the end, she still mentioned her favorite color: purple.

So Jiang Du bought a pair of purple wool socks. The gift bag was very pretty. On the sixth, she asked for leave from her tutor half an hour early and snuck out like a thief, terrified that Wang Jingjing would see her and ask questions. Besides, she felt guilty for lying to Wang Jingjing.

The designated restaurant was reachable by bus. When Jiang Du arrived, Zhang Xiaoqiang was standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting to welcome people. She was wearing a snow-white, long down jacket and a red scarf, making her particularly conspicuous.

Jiang Du also had a white down jacket, bought last year, but she rarely wore it. It got dirty too easily; after a day, her hair would leave a faint mark on the collar, which was very embarrassing. But white down jackets were really beautiful. She looked at Zhang Xiaoqiang and said sincerely, "Your down jacket is very pretty."

"Thanks! I wore it specially for today." Zhang Xiaoqiang was just that poised, happily accepting compliments without any bashful denial.

One by one, several other people arrived, all classmates. Among them, Jiang Du was most familiar with Lin Haiyang.

After entering the private room, she saw Zhang Xiaoqiang's mother. Her mother had a very good temperament, tall and fair-skinned, and her voice was soft and kind when she greeted them. The first time Jiang Du saw her, she took an immediate liking to this auntie.

Most importantly, the auntie was very considerate. After greeting them, she was about to leave, saying that her presence would make them feel constrained and that they should eat and play to their hearts' content today. Everyone was quite good at pretending. When she said this, they all put on obedient expressions and said, "Thank you, Auntie." Lin Haiyang, in particular, made a strong show of trying to persuade her to stay, his polite words sounding quite convincing:

"Auntie, why don't you stay and eat with us?"

"No, no, you're all of the same age and have things to talk about. I won't disturb you. If you need anything, just let Xiaoqiang know. Don't be shy."

"Alright then. Auntie, please drive safely." Lin Haiyang didn't forget to see her out. The other girls and the class president followed, so the auntie had to wave her hands to push them back inside.

"Well done, Lin Haiyang. Look at you, all capable, asking Auntie to stay and eat with us." Zhang Xiaoqiang's deskmate, Liu Xiaole, turned and teased Lin Haiyang. Lin Haiyang retorted defensively, "That's just being polite. I can tell you're all just bookworms who don't understand any social etiquette, standing there like wooden posts, staring at each other."

Several girls then went over to playfully beat up Lin Haiyang. The class president, a peacemaker, quickly pulled him aside, telling him not to get in the way of the servers.

Knowing they would be eating, Jiang Du had worn an old black down jacket, afraid of getting oil stains on it. She was already slim, and the color made her face look even paler and her features more prominent. But it seemed like everyone else had deliberately worn new clothes. Jiang Du felt a little regretful, worried that people would think she wasn't taking the occasion seriously.

Soon, she regretted it completely.

The last to arrive, fashionably late, was Wei Qingyue. The moment the boy entered behind Zhang Xiaoqiang, the chattering private room suddenly fell silent.

"Hey, no need for an introduction, right? Wei Qingyue from Class One, the number one student we can never beat," Zhang Xiaoqiang playfully tugged on Wei Qingyue's clothes, pushing him to the front.

Wei Qingyue was carrying a gift box, the tip of his nose slightly red as if from the cold. His hair was a bit messy from the wind. He waved his hand a couple of times at the seated people as a greeting.

He sat down randomly, right across from Jiang Du. As the light fell on him, there was a small shadow under his eyes.

Jiang Du quickly tore her gaze away from him, her hand pressing on her chair. Her heart felt as if it had been suddenly squeezed.

Beside him, Zhang Xiaoqiang sat down right next to him and began introducing everyone. When she got to Jiang Du, Jiang Du had no choice but to look up, but Wei Qingyue suddenly said, "I know this little sister."

The air suddenly went quiet.

Jiang Du's face flushed red in an instant. Everyone clearly saw how that pale face underwent such a physiological change. Wei Qingyue blinked with mischievous eyes and leaned back casually.

"Don't the boys in your class call Jiang Du Sister Lin? This little sister's essay was read in our class too."