December 21, 2012.
Almost the winter solstice, with rain lingering in the early morning and evening.
Holding an umbrella, Lin Mo glanced at Xie Yuling beside him.
"What are you smiling about?"
Xie Yuling pouted.
"Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to have such a girly side—carrying a pink Panther umbrella. It’s kinda cute."
Xie Yuling’s umbrella was small, barely enough to cover just her.
"My mom bought it. She said it looked adorable, so I couldn’t just not use it."
"Fair point. No sense in letting it go to waste."
Lin Mo’s umbrella was a plain, convenience-store purchase, utterly unremarkable.
The two walked toward school.
"By the way, the Mayans said today’s the end of the world. Last night, I waited till midnight, expecting some kind of supernatural phenomenon, but nothing happened."
"You weren’t scared?"
Lin Mo looked at the girl sheltered under her umbrella.
"Not really. I didn’t fully believe it anyway. My mom, though—she stocked two huge barrels of water on the rooftop and filled the house with tons of food."
"Nice. I’ll help you guys eat it all tonight."
Earlier, Xie Yuling had already invited Lin Mo over for dinner, and he’d agreed without hesitation.
At the thought, he turned to her again.
"But Sister Chu will probably ask me to eat at her place too. How about we all have dinner together?"
Xie Yuling didn’t hesitate.
"Sure!"
In the southern regions, the winter solstice was a major holiday—some even said it was more important than the Lunar New Year.
Though not an official holiday, everyone returned home for a family meal.
In his past life, Lin Mo had spent the solstice at Xie Yuling’s house during his first year of high school.
Back then, Zheng Yuan had been kind to him.
But this time around, their bond was even stronger.
......
As soon as they arrived at school, they overheard students buzzing about the Mayan doomsday prophecy.
The hype had lasted for years, yet here they were—no apocalypse, just another day of classes and homework.
"Ugh, why do we still have to go to school? Where’s my world-ending catastrophe?!"
Jian Lihao, a back-row troublemaker, yelled while frantically copying homework.
"Just finish it. As long as you’re alive, homework’s unavoidable!"
"Most people think today’s just another ordinary day, unaware that the gears of fate are turning as we speak."
"Shut up!"
The classroom gradually filled.
Lin Mo sat at his desk, his homework already submitted—though where it’d end up, who knew?
Even if he skipped assignments, no teacher would dare reprimand him.
Nearby, Jiang Yunlu was reading The Temple of Earth, but after a few pages, she glanced at Lin Mo.
"It’s the Mayan doomsday. Aren’t you afraid?"
"You believe that stuff?" Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.
"Not really. Just testing your reaction."
Lin Mo shrugged. "Nothing to fear. It’s obviously fake."
And it was. Today would pass uneventfully, tomorrow would arrive as usual, and years later, no one would even remember it.
"So boring."
Lin Mo pointed at Fang Jun and others still debating doomsday theories in the back.
"They’re still going on about the ‘Terror King’ of July 1999 and the Y2K bug."
Rubbing his chin, he added, "Personally, I’d put more faith in Angol Mois’ apocalyptic attack from Sgt. Keroro."
"Huh?" Jiang Yunlu tilted her head.
"Private Tamama, reporting for duty!"
A girl suddenly stood before Lin Mo—Chu Miaomiao.
Clearly, she was a hardcore otaku.
"At ease, Private Tamama. What’s your report?"
Lin Mo played along, hands on his hips.
"Mom says we’re having solstice dinner together tonight."
Chu Miaomiao saluted with utmost seriousness.
Jiang Yunlu, however, felt a pang of irritation. Why was Lin Mo being invited to her house for the holiday? (She still didn’t know about Lin Mo’s family situation.)
But Lin Mo shook his head.
"I already promised Xie Yuling’s family. How about we all eat together? More the merrier."
Chu Miaomiao considered it, then nodded.
"I’ll ask Mom. She probably won’t mind."
With that, she returned to her seat.
Jiang Yunlu envied their closeness. She could never invite Lin Mo so casually—why did they have no reservations?
The truth, of course, remained unknown to her.
Chu Miaomiao quickly confirmed with Chu Lintian, and soon, they agreed to join Xie Yuling’s family for dinner.
Excited, she rushed to Class 7 to tell Xie Yuling.
Meanwhile, Lin Mo texted Chu Lintian, reminding her that Zheng Yuan and Xie Yuling were unaware of his circumstances, so discretion was key.
......
At the company, Chu Lintian set her phone down in her office.
The current CEO was still Jiang Beihe, but he and his inner circle were already under Lin Mo’s control.
Chu Lintian could manage the Jiang Corporation without interference—no disruptions, no surprises.
Once the stock transfer finalized, Jiang Beihe would turn himself in.
Now, Chu Lintian could finally relax, focusing on learning the ropes of the business.
After briefing her secretary, she prepared to leave early, stopping by the supermarket before heading to Xie Yuling’s home.
Chu Miaomiao had told her how Xie Yuling once shielded her.
Grateful and fond of the girl, Chu Lintian had no objections to the joint dinner.
Originally, she’d planned to host Lin Mo herself, but since Xie Yuling’s invitation came first, she happily accepted the alternative.
Meanwhile, Zheng Yuan had just returned from her morning grocery run, hauling bags upstairs.
Thankfully, she’d pre-ordered a roast goose the day before—otherwise, she’d have been out of luck.
On the solstice, even the best vegetables sold out fast.
At noon, Xie Yuling came home to a kitchen laden with ingredients.
"Wow, Mom! You bought so much! Are we having shrimp tonight?"
"Nope, didn’t get any." Zheng Yuan paused, then handed her daughter some cash.
"Go buy some now."
But Xie Yuling waved it off. "No need! Chu Miaomiao’s mom is bringing seafood. I gave her your number—she’ll come help cook this afternoon."
"Guests shouldn’t have to shop and cook!"
"Then you tell her that."
With a grin, Xie Yuling dashed off to eat.
Zheng Yuan sighed.
This girl… hopeless.