Nothing much wrong, just a little dead.

The next day.

As New Year's Eve approached, many firework and firecracker stalls had already appeared on the streets.

Some people bought fireworks in advance, while others took advantage of the market day to stock up on New Year goods. The small town became unprecedentedly lively.

Today was the last market day of the year.

The next one would be on New Year's Eve, but by then, everyone would be out visiting relatives, burning incense, praying to Buddha, and doing their spring cleaning. Aside from fireworks, spring couplets, and poultry, there wouldn't be much else for sale.

"Want to go for a stroll?" Shen Nian asked, standing on the balcony and looking out into the distance.

The sun was out today. Basking in the winter sun wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts—those who understood the feeling were truly blessed.

Xia Yanchun hadn't been up for long. She was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees in a daze. Hearing Shen Nian's suggestion, she gently nodded her little head.

It had been a long time since she last strolled around the town, and she wanted to see if anything had changed.

The town had never been wealthy, and there hadn't been any major changes over the years. Speaking of changes, the only thing Xia Yanchun could think of were the few new statues of local specialties beneath the TV tower.

Sea ducks, mud crabs... they were all local specialties here. The aquaculture industry of this coastal town was relatively well-known.

After brushing her teeth, washing her face, and getting dressed, Xia Yanchun made herself look as pretty as always, wearing an outfit similar to yesterday's. Shen Nian also went back inside to change into some outdoor clothes.

To go to the market, they still had to ride the little electric scooter.

Shen Nian glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled at Chunbao, who was peeking around curiously.

"Chunbao, would you rather cry in a BMW or smile on an electric scooter?"

"I want to smile in a Rolls-Royce."

"...?"

Refusing to take a loss, as always.

Shen Nian smiled in relief. Chunbao was still too overpowered; he'd recommend a nerf.

"A Rolls-Royce is nothing, a Ferrari is better."

"I don't know about that, but I just want to smile in an expensive car."

"Alright, alright, people like Chunbao are the shrewdest."

"Hmph, glad you know."

Driving to the market, the place was even more bustling than Shen Nian had imagined. Let alone cars, even weaving through on a scooter was a problem.

Xia Yanchun got off and curiously stood on her tiptoes. The entire market was packed with people.

"So nostalgic. Someone used to sell water cakes here, but they're gone now."

"I think they moved to the intersection over there. Want some?"

"No, just feeling nostalgic. His water cakes aren't even good." Xia Yanchun walked ahead with her hands behind her back. "Let's go, let's walk around. Later we can buy some triangle pastries to take back and eat!"

Shen Nian scratched his head and followed closely behind, playing with the girl's little ponytail.

The small town had a strong sense of everyday life and warmth. Many people would bargain when buying things.

You could even smell the strong stench of chicken manure on the road. Shen Nian always stayed far away from the spots selling live poultry.

Xia Yanchun squeezed into the crowd and wandered around, window-shopping as usual without buying anything, until she saw the triangle pastries and finally spent money to buy a large bag.

"These are my New Year goods. Hold them."

"...You bought them yourself but you're making me carry them. Watch me devour them all."

"You're my boyfriend. If you don't carry them, am I supposed to carry them myself?"

"I'm shaking with anger. When will us men finally stand up for ourselves!"

In a fit of mock rage, Shen Nian stuffed a mouthful of triangle pastries into his mouth.

After walking around for half an hour, they still hadn't bought much. Besides the triangle pastries, they only got two shrimp cakes for breakfast.

Aside from the market, the local delinquent youths were also a must-see aspect of the town.

Several middle school students with dyed hair were sitting in a milk tea shop, surrounded by smoke. Xia Yanchun looked at them with disgust. She originally wanted to buy milk tea, but seeing this scene made her change her mind. "Let's go, time to head home!"

"If you want milk tea, I can make some for you."

"I want fruit tea..."

"Then let's see if we have lemons. I'll make you some lemon water when we get back."

"Forget it, too much trouble."

This time, Xia Yanchun scrambled onto the scooter first, sitting in the front and patting the empty seat behind her. "This time, big sister will give you a ride."

"Then I might just have to get handsy."

"Don't you dare!"

"Hehe, drive." Shen Nian placed his hands on Xia Yanchun's slender waist.

Figuring Shen Nian didn't actually have the guts, Xia Yanchun drove the scooter out of the market.

Every day of winter break was very leisurely. She wasn't in a hurry to go home and drove Shen Nian around for a joyride. Just now they had turned into the old street, and now they veered toward the station.

When they passed their old junior high school, Xia Yanchun intentionally slowed down. A red sign stood at the school gate bearing her and Shen Nian's names, saying something about congratulating our school's graduates on their academic success, blah blah blah.

It looked like the red sign had been standing there for a while. A small town middle school had produced two top scholars, so they couldn't bear to take it down.

"Damn, the school is actually piggybacking off my popularity," Shen Nian muttered.

"The high school definitely hung one up too."

"True. When we went back to visit the teachers before, I checked the honor roll. We were both still on it as outstanding graduates."

"Schools are all like that. Let's go home."

"Yeah."

There really wasn't anywhere fun to hang out in town.

Upon returning home, Xia Yanchun followed Shen Nian through the door, commandeered his massage chair, and comfortably started slacking off.

Shen Nian wasn't annoyed. He sat beside her, playing with her hands to warm them up.

But his fingers soon crept to other places, making Xia Yanchun blush. Unable to take it, she grabbed his hand and pulled it out.

"Didn't you say you'd behave?!"

"I meant last night."

"Hmph, you have to behave today too!"

"Alright, alright..."

Shen Nian was the most well-behaved person in all of Cinan.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was the day before New Year's Eve.

Buying a car was indeed convenient. Without being molested by Miss Winter, Shen Nian picked up his older sister, Shen Yue, from the edge of town and brought her back.

"A car really is comfortable... I'm going to buy one next year too!" Shen Yue clenched her fists and said seriously.

"What brand do you want to buy?"

"One that costs around a hundred thousand or so will do. Volkswagen, Toyota... what else is there? I don't even know what brands there are."

"No worries, your bro will help you take a look when the time comes."

Shen Yue gave Shen Nian a light smack. "What do you mean 'bro'? I'm your biological sister. Don't go calling me 'bro,' show some respect."

Shen Nian scoffed, "When we get back, I'm going to have Mom, Dad, Second Uncle, and Third Aunt pressure you into getting married."

"Uh, hehe, you're my bro, you're my bro..." Shen Yue cowardly gave in.

You know, everyone has a weakness.

Even Dwayne Johnson, with all his muscles, is vulnerable when taking a dump.

Even with Sister Shen Yue's country-toppling beauty, looking as gorgeous as a flower with skin as white as snow, the pressure of being urged to marry would scare her half to death.

"Sis, I have a terrifying piece of news. Do you want to hear it?"

"No."

"It's about you," Shen Nian said with a straight face.

Shen Yue instinctively resisted. She didn't even need to think to know her dear brother was up to no good.

But since it was about her... she couldn't help but want to hear it a little.

After struggling for a moment, she asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

"You're getting a year older again."

"...?"

Shen Yue wasn't badly hurt, she was just a little bit dead inside.

After returning home, Shen Yue was still in a daze. The thought of turning twenty-six in nominal age made her soul leave her body.