My hometown is far away in Moscow.

Chapter 201 Each Person's Wish

"Of course I haven't forgotten. My wish is closely related to what I just said." Anna breathed a sigh of relief. "Over the past year, I've saved some money by working at an internet cafe and selling pants. I hope that in the new year, I'll have the opportunity to find a more suitable place to focus on running a small shop."

"A more suitable place?" Everyone was taken aback, except for Caihua, who looked around blankly in a low voice: "What? What did she say?"

Zhou Dali ignored Caihua and turned to ask, "Don't you think this place is bad right now?"

"Of course not, I really enjoy my life right now. But this is still a school, and you're all students who will graduate someday. I want to prepare for my future career as soon as possible before that happens." Anna smiled at Fang Qing. "If Fang graduates and leaves school, I'll rent a stall in the Lyublino shopping mall and continue selling pants. Anton, what do you think?"

"Huh? I—" Hu Yi paused for a moment, "I think this is a good idea. Lyublino is very close to your house, right?"

"Yes, I've been there a few times. The mall is huge, with a lot of foot traffic. There's potential for both wholesale and retail, and the rent isn't expensive."

"Most importantly, Lyublino isn't far from the school, so you can come visit often, and we can visit you too." Hu Yi raised his glass high: "Come on, let's toast Anna, to her future career!"

Zhou Dali downed the drink in one gulp, then licked his lips as he held the empty cup. "If that's the case," he said, "my New Year's wish is that Brother Fang doesn't graduate, so Anna can stay in school and work at the internet cafe."

The room erupted in laughter. Hu Yichong gestured with his chin, "It's your turn now. Say something serious."

"Was that wish a bit silly?" Zhou Dali chuckled. "I'm a simple person, I don't have many desires, so I can't think of any wishes. If I had to say... I hope I don't fail my exams!"

"Just like Brother Dali!" Caihua clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and muttered, "I hope to live happily, play games, not fail my exams, and not get expelled from school."

Everyone burst into laughter again. Hu Yi waved at them with a look of disgust: "You two silly fools, even making a wish is so boring. You two go have a drink by yourselves, we won't keep you company."

Next up was Xia Yan. His face was flushed from drinking, and he stammered for a while, "Sigh, I really don't have any wishes. Next one."

"No! You have to tell me!" Caihua gave a mischievous grin. "Hey, at least choose a direction first. What do you really want to protect deep down—your love life? Your studies? Or your love life?"

"Then..." Xia Yan lowered her head slightly and hummed shyly like a mosquito, "Then let's choose... let's choose love."

"Oh! He chose love!" Caihua and the others chimed in, peering at Xiang Nan. "And what about you, Nan Nan?"

"Me?" Xiang Nan was upset about Xiang Dong's situation and was somewhat absent-minded all evening. Perhaps she didn't quite understand their thoughts, so she just sighed softly, "My wish is... that everyone is happy."

"No, no, you have to talk about something related to yourself!" Caihua loudly reminded him, "Xia Yan's wish is for her to find love! What about you?"

"Hmm." Xiang Nan glanced at Xia Yan thoughtfully, her face slightly flushed. "Then I...I...um."

"What about you too?" Caihua persisted, trying to press the matter, but Xia Yan stopped her. "Hey, you can't force things. Don't ask anymore. Brother Li, just tell me!"

"My turn?" Since Li Baoqing had taken the initiative to ask everyone to share their New Year's wishes, he was naturally prepared. He straightened his posture, cleared his throat, gave Yu Feifei beside him a meaningful look, and looked straight ahead, saying loudly, "In the upcoming year of 2005, I, Li Baoqing, sincerely hope that the person I love will also love me!"

"Wow?! That's quite a powerful wish!" Everyone cheered in unison, though their true thoughts differed. Only Hu Yi, Yu Feifei, and Zhou Dali truly understood Li Baoqing's ulterior motives. The others were completely unaware of who he was referring to as "the person I love," and since they weren't particularly close to him, they were too embarrassed to ask.

"That's right, that's more like a legitimate wish." Hu Yi earnestly cheered him on: "Come on, let's toast Baoqing and wish him his dream comes true!"

Yu Feifei hesitated for a moment, then followed suit and took a small sip of her drink. Li Baoqing, seeing this, emboldened by the alcohol, shamelessly asked, "Feifei, do you think my wish can come true?"

"Are you asking me?" Yu Feifei tilted her head and pondered for a moment. Ever since that Christmas Eve confession three years ago, Li Baoqing had indeed frequently shown that he was still persistent in pursuing her. To be fair, she wasn't entirely without feelings for Li Baoqing, but they hadn't reached the point where they could be in a romantic relationship.

However, the two had barely seen each other in the past year, only occasionally exchanging text messages and phone calls. Yu Feifei wasn't sure if the person Li Baoqing was talking about was her, so she turned to him and smiled sweetly: "That depends on what the person you love thinks. But... anything is possible."

This answer was essentially saying nothing, but it left room for hope, at least it didn't dampen expectations. Li Baoqing's spirits lifted, and he grinned widely, "Yes, yes! It's all about human effort. Your turn, Feifei, what's your wish?"

"My wish is quite simple: I have my graduation defense this summer, and I hope I can pass it smoothly."

"What happens after graduation?" Li Baoqing looked at her expectantly, and Hu Yi and the others couldn't help but ask as well: "Going back to China? Or staying in Moscow?"

"I want to stay and pursue my master's degree, and my dad agrees, but my mom wants me to go back to China. I have six months left, I'll think about it some more." Yu Feifei seemed unwilling to discuss this topic further, and turned to ask, "Natasha, what is your wish?"

"I don't have any particular wishes," Natasha said calmly. "I'm satisfied with everything as it is now, as long as it stays that way. Anton, what about you?"

"Well..." Hu Yi rubbed his nose and answered seriously, "I want to continue being happily together with Natasha, work hard, earn lots of money, and at the same time, make sure I pass all my exams without failing a single one. In short, I want it all!"

"Damn, you're so cunning! You're really greedy!" Li Baoqing and the others laughed and cursed loudly. Hu Yi ignored them, cheerfully raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp: "Wish me success!"

Two weeks later, Hu Yi's wish came true in part; he passed all his subjects in the final exams of the previous semester. However, he had been constantly worried about Xiang Dong's situation, so he was not at ease. As soon as he finished the exams, he went to Xiang Nan to ask, "How is your brother doing lately?"

"This is bad." Xiang Nan said worriedly, "My mom said he's still the same as before, staying in his bedroom all day and not going out, and he doesn't eat or drink anything. I'm planning to go back to China to see him in a few days; my return visa is almost ready."

"That kid, sigh." Hu Yi stood with his hands on his hips, thinking for a while, and said to Xiang Nan, "No, I have to go back and talk to him in person."

(End of this chapter)