Good Night

By nightfall, the snow was falling heavier than ever.

The family gathered around the fireplace, sharing a simple yet heartwarming dinner.

A few neighbors dropped by Ying’s house during the evening—word had spread that she’d brought her boyfriend home, and they couldn’t resist coming to take a look.

Inevitably, a bit more wine was poured.

Though Grandpa wasn’t much of a talker, the smile on his face never faded all night.

Late at night,

Long Aotian chuckled as he watched Hu Yuying, listening to Grandma scold Grandpa in the background.

"How can you still laugh? Grandpa hasn’t drunk this much in ages. He already napped half the afternoon after those two glasses at lunch, and now he’s getting an earful from Grandma."

Hu Yuying huffed and gave Long Aotian a light pinch on the waist.

"Because I’m happy," Long Aotian caught her hand and held it against his side, exhaling softly. "Grandpa was happy today, everyone was. And don’t worry—I made sure he didn’t overdo it."

Hu Yuying smiled faintly. It had been a long time since the house felt this lively.

There had been moments like this before, but ever since she left for school and her grandparents started borrowing money to make ends meet, the warmth had faded.

"How are you holding up?" she asked. Long Aotian had drunk quite a bit himself, even stepping in to shield Grandpa from a few toasts.

With a mischievous grin, Long Aotian beckoned her closer.

"What is it?" Hu Yuying leaned in.

In one swift motion, he pulled her into his arms. "Listen to my heartbeat. It won’t lie to you."

Nestled against his chest, she listened.

His pulse was quick, exhilarated—not the sluggish rhythm of drunkenness, but the lively thrum of pure joy.

Resting her head against him, she murmured, "I already talked to Grandma. I want to visit Uncle soon."

"Whoa, the old man’s gonna lose his mind with happiness!"

Hu Yuying pinched him playfully. "Long Aotian, be serious!"

"I am! If Dad hears you’re coming to see him, he won’t sleep a wink all night."

"In his eyes, you’re the one who changed his son. Trust me, he couldn’t be prouder of you."

"How proud?" she teased.

"This proud." He stretched his arms wide, exaggerating the gesture, then pulled her tiny frame back into his embrace, his voice low and rough. "So, so proud."

"I can feel it," Hu Yuying whispered in her heart.

Watching Long Aotian drift off, she traced a fingertip from his brow to the tip of his nose. "Goodnight, Long Aotian."

She turned off the light and retreated to her own room.

Her room was just as small. Lying in bed, she opened a drawer and pulled out a string of lollipops.

Peeling one free, she unwrapped it and savored the sweetness—just like the joy of today.

The next morning,

Hu Yuying woke early, as usual.

Outside, the snow had lightened to a gentle sprinkle. She tiptoed to Long Aotian’s door and peeked in—still fast asleep.

Stepping into the courtyard, she grabbed a broom and began sweeping the snow.

The thick layer crunched satisfyingly underfoot as she cleared a path.

A rustle behind her made her turn. Grandma had emerged from her room too.

"I'll go make some egg tea. You two drank quite a bit last night, and if you don't eat something in the morning, I’m afraid your stomachs won’t handle it well."

Soon, Grandma finished preparing the egg tea.

She brought one bowl to Grandpa’s room and handed the other to Hu Yuying to deliver to Long Aotian.

Pushing open the door to Long Aotian’s room, Hu Yuying walked to the bedside.

She couldn’t help but wave her hand in front of her nose. Last night, she hadn’t noticed it, but after a night, the smell of liquor had become rather unpleasant.

Opening the window, a cold breeze rushed into the room, dispersing the stale odor.

As if sensing the chill, Long Aotian instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around himself.

Seeing this, Hu Yuying suddenly had a mischievous idea and slipped her icy fingers under the covers.

When her hand brushed against his skin, she froze for a moment, then playfully pinched him.

"Can’t get enough, huh?" Long Aotian opened his eyes and teased the girl beside him.

Hu Yuying quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing the moment their eyes met.

"Grandma made you some egg soup. You should get up and have some, or your stomach might feel bad later."

"Is this your blanket?" Long Aotian pointed to the one covering him.

"No."

"Liar. It smells just like you. No wonder I slept so well last night."

Hu Yuying felt happy inside but replied, "That’s just because you were drunk."

"Alright, help me grab my clothes from the backpack."

Before coming, Long Aotian had prepared for a long stay, determined to win over Ying’s grandparents, so he’d packed extra clothes.

Hu Yuying opened the backpack and pulled out his clothes.

When she saw the padded shirt, she frowned slightly. "Haven’t seen you wear this in a long time."

She had picked it out for him—it looked especially handsome on him—but it had been ages since he’d last worn it.

At the sight of the shirt, Long Aotian’s mind involuntarily flashed back to Shen Mengjie and the joke she’d made.

He shook his head quickly, took the clothes, and dressed in a hurry.

After finishing the egg soup, he and Hu Yuying stepped outside into the yard.

Long Aotian glanced around, then grabbed a shovel and started piling up the snow.

"What are you doing?"

"Someone once said she wanted to build a snowman, but when we left the capital, there wasn’t enough snow. Now’s the perfect chance."

Hearing this, Hu Yuying turned and hurried into the kitchen.

When she returned, she carried a few carrots and some leafy greens.

One built the snowman; the other decorated it.

"1, 2, 3, cheese!"

With the click of the phone camera, the moment was captured—the young couple and the snowman behind them, frozen in time.

"Long Aotian, let me see too!"

Inside the house, Grandpa and Grandma watched their granddaughter and Long Aotian playing together, their faces softening into smiles.

Happiness couldn’t be faked, and sincerity didn’t need words to be felt.

They were quite fond of this boy, Aotian.

"How about we go into town later?" Long Aotian suggested, watching the girl admire the photo on her phone.

Earlier, when he’d returned the dishes to the kitchen, he’d noticed they didn’t have much New Year’s food stocked up.

Hu Yuying nodded. "The town must still be bustling."

After telling their grandparents they were heading into town, the two hopped onto a tricycle and rode off.

On the way, I happened to see a young couple carrying a piece of meat into their home.

Hu Yuying called out "Sis," said she was heading to town, and after a brief exchange, she left...