Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Today is December 31st, tonight, the eve of New Year's Day.

The wind howled outside, and it was eerily quiet. There wasn't a soul in sight in the alley; everyone had turned off their lamps early and were huddled under the covers, trying to pass the time.

But the scene in the east courtyard was quite different.

Zhang Dabiao's room was warm and cozy. The smokeless coal burned red-hot in the stove, and the kettle hissed softly.

The kang table was covered with all sorts of rare snacks—cream-filled melon seeds, White Rabbit milk candy, candied fruit, and a plate of sliced ​​apples, duck necks, chocolate, jelly, Ferrero Rocher, Xiangpiaopiao milk tea… These were all goodies that Zhang Dabiao had secretly gotten up.

But after his savings exceeded ten thousand, no one asked him where these things came from anymore.

There were four people sitting in the room: Zhang Dabiao, Mu Wanqing, He Yushui, and Qin Jingru. It was New Year's Eve, and the young people were chatting together before heading home later.

There aren't many shows these days, and Zhang Dabiao neither dares to nor can he get his hands on a computer or similar device for his "little nest." He can get a TV, but there aren't many shows available now, so it's better for everyone to chat together.

However, Zhang Dabiao did manage to bring back quite a few magazines from Hong Kong, especially the two newspapers he owned. The novels serialized in those newspapers were like a game-changer in mainland China.

So the three girls just sat there with their books, too lazy to pay any attention to Zhang Dabiao.

Just kidding, Harry Potter + A Deadly Secret + Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils – who could resist such temptation!

The book can only be read at Zhang Dabiao's place; it cannot be taken away. After reading it, Zhang Dabiao will simply throw it into his "little nest." This thing cannot be passed on.

It was almost New Year's Day, and Zhang Dabiao had nothing to do for entertainment, so he took it out.

The main reason was that he was afraid the girls would let something slip. However, he had also heard people talking about "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" at school recently, so Zhang Dabiao "specially asked someone to bring back a few copies from Hong Kong".

Mu Wanqing wore a well-fitting light gray sweater, her soft hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes radiating gentleness. He Yushui wore a faded old cotton-padded jacket, but it was very clean. She held a peanut in her hand, her head bowed, lost in thought. Qin Jingru, the most carefree of them all, chewed on a White Rabbit milk candy, her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel.

"Time flies, 62 years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Zhang Dabiao leaned against the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), peeled an orange, and handed it to Mu Wanqing: "Here, have an orange to cool down."

Mu Wanqing blushed as she accepted the gift and whispered a thank you.

[They're already engaged or fiancée, what's there to thank?]

Why is this girl so unworthy of the role?

"After tonight, tomorrow will be 63rd. What are your New Year's wishes, you lot?"

Qin Jingru, chewing on an orange, was the first to answer: "I wish I could eat White Rabbit milk candy with meat every meal!"

"I want to eat meat!"

Zhang Dabiao tapped her on the head: "All you ever think about is eating."

"You'll graduate from junior high next summer. Li Huaide has already arranged a job for you—a light and easy position in the steel rolling mill's logistics warehouse. That way, your household registration will be transferred. We're still looking at housing; we'll see where you're assigned later."

"Once you graduate, you'll be a proper city worker."

Qin Jingru beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly, "Hehe, thank you, Brother Biao. I don't need any house. I'll just stay in this east wing and spend the rest of my life cooking and washing clothes for Brother Biao."

Zhang Dabiao smiled helplessly—this girl was just a simpleton.

But that's good too; a simpler life is easier.

He turned to He Yushui and Mu Wanqing: "What about you two? After the New Year, it'll be the second semester of your sophomore year. What are your academic plans?"

Mu Wanqing neatly placed the orange peels on the table and answered softly, "I hope to further solidify my basic skills. Teacher Zhou mentioned that there might be an opportunity to perform for the troops next year, and I'd like to try my luck."

Zhang Dabiao didn't say anything. Mu Wanqing had been ostracized at school for a long time, mainly because she looked too seductive. If he, Zhang Dabiao, were a leader, he wouldn't let her attend these formal occasions.

He Yushui raised her head, glanced at Zhang Dabiao, and then quickly lowered her eyes again: "I don't have any big wishes, I just want to study hard, graduate early, get a good job, and become an official. Then I won't have to put up with the attitudes of those people in the department."

When she spoke, there was a hint of stubbornness in her tone that was hard to detect.

Zhang Dabiao nodded, indicating his agreement with their idea.

At this moment, Qin Jingru blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Brother Biao, you asked us, so what's your own New Year's wish?"

Zhang Dabiao picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze gently falling on Mu Wanqing. He smiled, his tone tinged with longing:

"My wish."

He paused, then reached out and grasped Mu Wanqing's hand: "My wish is to get through to September 15th as soon as possible."

"When I reach the legal marriage age, I'll go to the neighborhood office to get the marriage certificate and marry you in a grand and glorious way."

[You'll be 20 soon!]

Do you know how much suffering I endured?

Hurry up, stop dawdling! I'm getting married and taking a wife!

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat awkward.

Mu Wanqing's face flushed red to the roots of her neck, so embarrassed she couldn't even lift her head. She pulled her hand away, gently punched Zhang Dabiao's shoulder, and said coquettishly, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who said they wanted to marry you?"

Zhang Dabiao laughed loudly and pulled her into his arms: "What's wrong? We got engaged with the support of the neighborhood committee and our teachers, and now you want to back out?"

Qin Jingru stood to the side, laughing foolishly without a care in the world, clapping her hands and cheering, "Yay, yay! Sister Wanqing is my sister-in-law now!"

However, He Yushui, who was sitting on the other side of the kang, suddenly looked pale.

Watching Zhang Dabiao and Mu Wanqing's intimate display, she felt a mix of emotions, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her. She bit her lip, forced a smile, and stood up. "Um... it's getting late, I'm a little sleepy, I'll go back to my room and sleep."

Zhang Dabiao turned his head, completely bewildered: "Already sleepy? It's not even ten o'clock yet?"

He Yushui didn't look at him, turned around and walked towards the door: "It's getting late, I have to go to school early tomorrow morning."

With that, she lifted the curtain and walked out without looking back.

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head, looking at the swaying curtain: "This girl, why does she always jump to conclusions? She was perfectly fine just now!"

Mu Wanqing, being perceptive, seemed to have noticed something and gently nudged Zhang Dabiao: "You're such a blockhead, go check on the rain."

Zhang Dabiao shook his head: "Never mind her, the girl's temper changes all the time."

It was easy to guess, but since he couldn't marry her, he decided not to make things ambiguous or complicated, so Zhang Dabiao pretended not to know.

Time flies, and it was already 11 p.m.

Zhang Dabiao glanced at his watch, stood up, and picked up the military overcoat hanging on the wall: "Alright, it's about time. I'll take you home."

"It's late at night, riding a motorcycle is too noisy and will easily attract people's scolding. Besides, it's snowing. Let's walk back to Sesame Alley."

Mu Wanqing nodded obediently, put on her cotton-padded coat, and wore the red scarf that Zhang Dabiao had bought for her.

Mu Wanqing pushed her bicycle while Zhang Dabiao walked with his hands in his pockets, the two of them stepping out of the courtyard through the thick snow.

After the snow, the night in Beijing was exceptionally deep. The dim yellow light of the streetlights shone on the snow, giving it a cold, clear glow.

The two chatted as they walked until they reached the courtyard in Sesame Alley. Zhang Dabiao watched as Mu Wanqing went inside and greeted Aunt Mu. Only after they locked the door did Zhang Dabiao turn around and walk back.

Just then, a deep, muffled bell rang out from somewhere in the distance.

1963 officially arrived.