Sister, can I become a maid too?

Chapter 166 Fireworks on the Screen (Two-in-One 8k)

After packing the last item, Jiang Yubai zipped up his suitcase and glanced back.

To be honest, he didn't have much to take back—just a few changes of clothes, a toiletries bag, and he didn't even need to bring his laptop.

The only thing I need to mention is the pile of New Year's goods that I need to take back with me.

To be honest, ever since Lin Jianxia and her sister went back to their hometown, his life has become more and more miserable.

As the year draws to a close, the once bustling food street near the entrance is now like fallen leaves swept away by the autumn wind, with one stall after another turning off their lights and closing their doors.

Today, only the auntie at the barbecue stall downstairs remains, steadfastly keeping this left-behind child company.

That's not all; he also has to look at the photos sent by Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan every day.

Aside from the many trivial matters of daily life, the most frequent thing left is three meals a day.

It was either a thick soup bubbling away, or a delicious and fragrant home-style dish, making his mouth water.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yubai let out a long sigh.

Nothing.

What kind of parents would rush back home on New Year's Eve...?

He looked at the gift boxes, bags, and ingredients piled up like a small mountain, even though half of them had already been distributed. Resigned, he bent down and lifted the heaviest box.

—You two go and have some fun. Your son is here working hard carrying New Year's goods without getting tired or complaining at all.

After carrying the goods up and down the stairs a couple of times, the deliveryman he had called arrived.

With the driver helping out, the process was much faster. The two of them made a few trips back and forth and quickly stuffed all the remaining New Year's goods into the trunk and back seats of the van.

Jiang Yubai wiped the sweat from his forehead, too lazy to call another car, and simply opened the passenger door and got in.

"Master, Jiuxing Village in Qingyuan District, thank you for your help."

Jiang Yubai's hometown, Jiuxing Village, is located in Qingyuan District in the southeast of Lincheng, which is exactly one east and one west of Qing'an District, where the two sisters live, separated by most of the city.

However, it's already Lunar New Year's Eve, and most of those who were going home have already gone home, so the road conditions are quite good.

The van sped along, and in just a few tens of minutes, it turned onto a village road and came to a steady stop in front of a three-story building covered with white tiles.

After unloading the New Year's goods with the driver, Jiang Yubai gave him a red envelope before looking at the familiar and quiet building in front of him.

He looked down at the mountain of New Year's goods piled up at his feet, then looked up at the door that remained motionless. He was immediately furious and started banging on the door.

"Dad, Mom, come out and move some things!"

After knocking twice more, the door creaked open, revealing Jiang Pinglan's figure.

"Oh, you're back?"

Jiang Yubai glanced at the mask on his father's face, then at the rag in his hand, and his lips twitched:

"No, what time is it... you two are only now starting to clean?"

"I just got home not long ago," Jiang Pinglan said, taking off her mask and wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Come in, come in. We're almost done. I'll have your mom cook for you later."

The father and son worked together to carry the New Year's goods from the doorway into the living room, one load at a time.

Just as I put down the last box, another person came out of the guest room, also wearing a mask and holding a feather duster—it was my mother, Qin Huiyi.

Her eyes lit up immediately when she saw the gift boxes and bags piled up in half the living room:

"Wow, you bought so much stuff?"

"Otherwise," Jiang Yubai straightened up and took a breath, "you two are just sitting back and doing nothing, so I'll have to take care of all the New Year's shopping."

"My dear son, you've worked so hard," Qin Huiyi said with a smile, taking off her mask. "What would you like to eat? Mom will make it for you."

Jiang Yubai thought about it, thought about it again and again, and thought about it once more.

"Well," he said sincerely, "Mom, just make whatever you like, I'm not picky."

"Get lost!" Qin Huiyi's eyebrows shot up, and she almost swung the feather duster at him. "I think you've had too much good food and are starting to complain about your mother's cooking, huh?"

"Mom, we both understand what you mean."

Jiang Yubai shrank further into the sofa.

"It's New Year's Eve, wouldn't it disrupt the family harmony if we talked about it then?"

Qin Huiyi was both annoyed and amused, and pointed at him twice with her finger:

"You talk too much!"

Having said that, she ignored her own little rascal, bent down to pick up a few bags of fresh ingredients, and turned to go into the kitchen.

Jiang Yubai sat on the old sofa in the living room, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar main room.

My grandparents passed away early, my father is the only son, and my mother married far away. Every year during the Spring Festival, it's just the three of them.

Later, the family received some compensation for the demolition and relocation, and their lives became more comfortable. As a result, their old rural house was left completely vacant.

My parents are always traveling all year round, and I usually live in a villa in the suburbs. Now I've simply moved into Jinxiu New Village, so there's even less people living here.

Only during the few days of the Lunar New Year does this old house regain some life.

He remembers that when he was a child, he found it troublesome and asked his father why he had to come all the way back here for the New Year. Wouldn't it be more comfortable to spend it in the villa?

The usually cheerful father paused for a moment, then said to him very seriously:

"Your grandparents are here."

—Grandpa and Grandma...

Jiang Yubai pursed her lips.

It feels like it's been far too long since I've seen them.

So long ago, that kind face in my memory has become somewhat blurred, leaving only a gentle outline and... a certain dry yet warm touch.

Perhaps it was on a certain afternoon, when he was tired from playing and dozing off on the old man's lap, that he felt the calloused hand gently stroking the top of his head.

My thoughts drifted away, and I could hear the rhythmic chopping of vegetables coming from the kitchen, the air thick with the dusty smell of freshly cleaned dishes.

Amidst this familiar and reassuring sound, Jiang Yubai slowly closed his eyes.

-----------------

When I was gently woken up by my dad, the dining table was already full.

Jiang Yubai rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat down in the chair.

My parents were busy opening drinks, so they poured him a full glass of chilled coconut juice as well.

Jiang Pinglan poured himself a small glass of baijiu, held it out to the center of the table, and smiled gently.

"Come on, wish my wife and son a Happy New Year."

The three cups gently clinked together, making a crisp, tinkling sound.

Dad tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, while Mom smiled and took a sip of her drink.

Jiang Yubai took a big gulp of coconut juice, then suddenly seemed to remember something, took out his phone from his bag, and took a picture of the New Year's Eve dinner on the table.

Qin Huiyi, standing to the side, watched with curiosity, her chopsticks even stopping.

"Wow, has the sun risen in the west? Usually, when I take a picture before a meal, you nag me for ages."

"What did you say, 'Is food for eating or for taking pictures?' 'The food will get cold if you don't eat soon.' What, is it your turn to break the rules today?"

Jiang Yubai tapped the screen with his finger and spoke in a serious tone:

"I'm just documenting my life, okay? It's different from what you're doing."

Qin Huiyi and Jiang Pinglan, who was standing next to her, exchanged a glance.

Jiang Yubai pressed the send button, put away his phone with satisfaction, and was about to start eating.

Looking up, I saw my parents exchanging glances, with subtle smiles on their lips.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Yubai asked curiously. "You two seem to get along quite well, even exchanging glances while eating."

Qin Huiyi cleared her throat and casually picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks:

"It's nothing, just eat your food. It's just that... my son has grown up and knows how to share his life now, which is great."

Jiang Pinglan nodded and took another sip of wine.

Jiang Yubai felt that his mother's words had a hidden meaning. He looked at her suspiciously for a couple of seconds, but still scooped a piece of braised pork into his bowl.

As the three of them picked up their chopsticks, the New Year's Eve dinner officially began.

It might seem a bit deserted to others, with no TV background noise, but Jiang Yubai was already used to it.

He carefully tasted the braised pork in his mouth; it was tender and flavorful, with a perfect balance of salty and sweet. He looked up in surprise.

"Mom, your cooking skills have improved so much! This braised pork is just as good as the signature dishes at those old restaurants."

Before Qin Huiyi could even speak, Jiang Pinglan scoffed:

"Of course, it's what your mom got from the restaurant."

"?"

Jiang Yubai looked at his mother in disbelief.

"Didn't I just buy meat?"

Qin Huiyi, having been exposed, felt a little embarrassed and clicked her tongue, saying:

"Can we really rely on you for something as important as the New Year's Eve dinner?"

"What if you got distracted on the way and forgot to buy it, or the meat you bought wasn't fresh? Are we going to starve on New Year's Eve, staring at empty plates?"

She paused, then picked up a winter bamboo shoot and placed it into Jiang Yu's white bowl:

"Hey, try this winter bamboo shoot. Your mom made it. See how it tastes."

With a subtle expression that seemed to say, "What's meant to happen will happen," Jiang Yubai put the slice of winter bamboo shoot into his mouth.

He chewed it.

He chewed it patiently again.

I chewed it a little harder.

Finally, he swallowed it with a troubled expression.

"The bamboo shoots... were cut a little too thick, making them difficult to chew."

Jiang Yubai spoke tactfully.

"Mom, I think I'm better at appreciating your visionary and well-prepared wisdom."

Qin Huiyi: "........"

Before his mother could explode, Jiang Yubai preemptively began to interrogate her:

"Hey Mom, it's fine for you two to go out and have fun, but you have a baby son at home who needs your care!"

"You made me buy all the New Year's goods, fine, but why did you and Dad only come back on New Year's Eve? You could have come back a few days earlier."

Qin Huiyi picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and put it in her mouth. She chewed it a couple of times, her brows furrowing slightly, but she still forced herself to swallow it. Then she replied to her son with a hint of annoyance:

"Do you think your father and I went on a sightseeing trip?"

"...Isn't that right?" Jiang Yubai blinked, counting on her fingers, "Guiyun, Yangshuo, Longji Rice Terraces, and that ancient town..."

"That's a standard all-inclusive tour package! I saw you posting about it all on your WeChat Moments, Mom, didn't you?"

Qin Huiyi paused for two seconds, then continued:

"What I mean is... it's almost the end of the year, and all those rental properties we own scattered around the country, don't we have to collect rent from each tenant one by one and reconcile the accounts item by item? Do you think that won't take up a lot of time?"

"Didn't we collect them before? Why did it take so long?" Jiang Yubai asked with a doubtful look.

"This year is a special case," Qin Huiyi waved her hand and sighed, "Do you remember our family has an old house in Longhua District?"

"I remember, that building is quite old."

"Yes, that's the place, it's going to be demolished," Qin Huiyi said.

Jiang Yubai's eyes lit up: "Demolition? That's great! The compensation should be pretty good, right?"

"It's a good thing," Qin Huiyi sighed, "but there's a tenant who's very difficult to deal with."

"The contract is in black and white, and we have paid every penny of the relocation compensation that was due. But she insists that she also has a share of the demolition compensation and is determined to give me 500,000 yuan, otherwise she will not move."

Jiang Yubai: "........."

Seemingly having opened up, Qin Huiyi poured out her grievances:

"The tenant of that small apartment in Xicheng District has five cats, which have scratched all the wooden floors. The deposit is not enough to cover the damage."

"When we argued with him, he turned around and demanded compensation, saying that the cat scratched his skin."

"And then there's that shop in Qing'an District, the tenant owed six months' rent and disappeared, leaving behind a room full of 'crafts' of unknown origin. The police station has already filed a report..."

Qin Huiyi sighed:

"I don't know why, but there have been so many things going on this year. Just dealing with all these miscellaneous and upsetting things has dragged on until now."

Jiang Yubai's lips twitched:

"Uh...you two are really living a very colorful life..."

Although I knew my parents would encounter oddballs when collecting rent, I never imagined there would be so many.

"Otherwise what?" Qin Huiyi snorted. "Do you think everyone in the world is like you, able to collect rent from a pair of twin classmates?"

Jiang Yu's pale face stiffened: "...What does this have to do with them?"

Jiang Pinglan, who had been silently listening to their conversation, also spoke up:

"Oh yeah, what about the sisters who live next door, Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan? Did they go back?"

"...They should have gone back by now. I don't really know the specifics," Jiang Yubai feigned ignorance. "I'm just their landlord and employer. Why would I ask such detailed questions about their daily life?"

"Landlord plus employer?"

Qin Huiyi raised an eyebrow with interest.

"Let me guess, you just took a picture of your New Year's Eve dinner and sent it to someone, and the people across from you... probably weren't your two classmates, right?"

Jiang Yubai: "........."

It really is.

Meeting his parents' intense gazes, he finally couldn't hold back anymore:

"No, I mean, when other parents see their children during the Lunar New Year, don't they usually ask 'How are your grades?' or 'How are you feeling?'"

"I'm already in the second semester of my senior year of high school, and instead of giving me some encouragement, what's the point of asking your son gossip questions?"

Jiang Pinglan picked up a piece of green vegetable, her tone unusually serious:

"Putting everything else aside, regarding grades, your mother and I are completely in agreement."

"To be realistic, apart from a very small number of people who are truly dedicated to scientific research, for the vast majority of people, the college entrance examination and university are essentially about laying the foundation for a stable life in the future."

"If you've tried your best and done well on the test, that's your own achievement, and we're happy for you. If the results aren't as ideal, as long as you've done your best, we won't blame you for anything."

Qin Huiyi nodded and continued:

"We benefited from the era's advantages, and with a bit of luck, we were able to accumulate this much wealth."

"Your generation is different; opportunities are actually quite limited... You'll understand when you grow up."

There are many young people renting apartments, and she has seen many who work hard but still can't save money.

At this point, Jiang Pinglan's tone softened:

"So, we don't ask anything of you. Just abide by the law and be an upright person, and that's enough."

"As long as you're not idle, even if you don't want to work in the future, you can come with us to collect rent and regularly maintain our houses, no problem at all."

Qin Huiyi nodded and added:

"That's right, you don't need to worry about your father and me taking care of our retirement."

"We've already looked into it. There's a nursing home in the suburbs of Lincheng that's quiet and well-equipped. We both really like it."

The two of them were singing in unison, leaving Jiang Yubai somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Mom and Dad, isn't this a bit premature? I haven't even taken the college entrance exam yet, and you've already planned out my entire life?"

"I'm just afraid you'll feel burdened."

Jiang Pinglan spoke naturally and picked up another piece of food with her chopsticks.

"Your mother and I usually travel all over the country, so since the whole family is together during the New Year, there are some things we should talk about more."

"I know, I know. Do I look like I have a burden?" Jiang Yubai nodded repeatedly.

Qin Huiyi glanced at her son, then added with concern:

"By the way, our family does have some resources, but Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan... you mustn't hold them back."

"Mom! Why are you bringing this up again? When will this end?!"

-----------------

After dinner, Qin Huiyi and Jiang Pinglan sat on the sofa as usual, waiting for the Spring Festival Gala to be broadcast on TV.

Jiang Yubai really couldn't understand what was so interesting about those things, so he took the two boxes of fireworks his father had bought and went out.

"Be careful when you put it down," Jiang Pinglan turned her head and instructed, "Don't let the power cord get caught."

"Okay, Dad, I've had it for years, okay?"

Jiang Yubai casually replied and then carried the fireworks out the door.

After untying the wires, Jiang Yubai didn't rush to put it away. Instead, he took out his phone and opened the chat window named "Wanwan".

【江碧鸟逾白】： Time for New Year's Eve dinner! Have you eaten yet?

【River Green, Birds Whiter】: 【Image】

[Wanwan]: [Image]

[Wanwan]: [Image]

Jiang Yubai reached out and tapped the screen. The first picture was of that familiar spiral notebook, with the words "Eating" written on it in small print, followed by a standard period.

Just by looking at her, he could imagine Lin Tingwan's earnest little face.

Click on the second picture, and you'll see a simple wooden dining table with four or five dishes neatly arranged on it.

Some of the dishes were clearly made by Lin Jianxia, ​​while the others, rich and dark in sauce, were probably made by their grandmother.

Jiang Yubai's lips curled up slightly, and he typed another question:

[Jiang Bi Niao Yu Bai]: Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. Did you set off fireworks last night?

After waiting for a while without a reply, Jiang Yubai wasn't in a hurry. He simply sat down on the cold steps and looked up at the scattered fireworks rising in the distance.

.......

Changliu Village.

In the kitchen, Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan were standing side by side in front of the sink washing dishes.

Both of them wore aprons around their waists, with their sleeves rolled up high. The older sister was in charge of washing, and the younger sister was in charge of rinsing. They worked together seamlessly.

Grandma walked around the kitchen doorway with her hands behind her back, trying to help several times, but Lin Jianxia stopped her each time.

"Grandma, it's fine on ordinary days, but Wanwan and I are here for the New Year, so you don't need to lift a finger."

Lin Jianxia pouted.

"Besides, as you said before, you'll help with the cooking, and then we'll take care of everything else."

The old man couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to step aside and carefully examine his two granddaughters, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at them.

After a while, as if she suddenly remembered something, she asked softly:

"Xia girl, those things you brought back today... must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Lin Jianxia smiled and said:

"No, Grandma, I told you before that I found a part-time job. The boss is a really nice person. These are all New Year's benefits."

The elderly woman wasn't quite clear on the specific meanings of terms like "part-time job" and "benefits," but she felt her granddaughter had met a good person, so she nodded repeatedly and gave her instructions:

"That person is a good person, Xia girl, you have to be careful when you work for them."

"Yes, I know, Grandma, don't worry."

Lin Jianxia nodded, deftly stacking the washed dishes as she spoke.

"Please feel free to eat and use these things. If you need anything, I'll buy it for you when I get back."

—Aren't you putting in the effort? You're cooking, giving massages, and even helping others with their studies...

The old man watched his granddaughter's busy figure, remained silent for two seconds, then couldn't help but sigh, his voice lowering:

"Xia girl, do you...do you still have contact with your father?"

Lin Jianxia stopped wiping the dishes completely. Only the sound of running water remained in the kitchen.

After a moment, she answered softly:

"...They give me money every month."

Lin Tingwan turned her head and looked at her older sister with some concern.

Lin Jianxia shook her head, turned off the tap, wiped her hands, and rubbed her younger sister's head:

"It's okay."

The old man sighed again, his cloudy eyes filled with complex emotions:

"He's the one who wronged you..."

"Grandma, there's nothing to apologize for."

Lin Jianxia turned around, gently pushed the old man's shoulder towards the warm living room, and said in a drawn-out voice,

"We're doing pretty well now. If things get better later, my part-time job won't interfere with my studies, and I can even save some money."

"But what about you?" she changed the subject, "have you been using the money I send back properly? You haven't just been saving it all up again, have you?"

"What money should I use...?"

Grandma waved her hand, her tone becoming serious.

"I've told you so many times, don't send any more money back. I have enough for my basic needs with welfare."

"You're the one who really needs the money. Studying is the most important thing. If the part-time job is too tiring, quit. I..."

"Milk~ Milk~"

Lin Jianxia drew out her words, interrupting her with a hint of coquetry.

"You brought this up again."

"Sigh, okay, okay, I won't say anymore..."

Judging from their posture, the grandfather and grandson have probably discussed this matter many times.

Lin Tingwan quietly followed beside her, occasionally glancing at her grandmother and occasionally at her older sister.

Lin Jianxia helped her grandmother sit down on the old sofa and then covered her legs with a thin blanket.

After hesitating for a moment, she still said:

"Grandma, this part-time job is really different from before. It's just helping my classmates cook."

"He rents a place next to us. He's a really nice guy, and he takes good care of us."

"A classmate?" Grandma blinked. "She's a girl, right? They must get along well to be able to look after each other like this."

Lin Jianxia's gaze unconsciously drifted to the dark night outside the window. Her fingers twirled the hem of her apron without her noticing. She mumbled an "Mmm," neither confirming nor denying it.

—Hmm... To put Grandma's mind at ease, Jiang Xiaobai, you'll have to make do for now and temporarily become a girl.

Lin Jianxia's lips curled up slightly as she unconsciously pictured someone awkwardly wearing a skirt.

After settling her grandmother in, Lin Jianxia sat down with her younger sister.

As soon as she sat down, Lin Tingwan seemed to remember something, took out her phone from her pocket to look at it, and then took out her notebook and started writing.

Lin Jianxia was a little confused, but then she seemed to realize something and took out her phone and opened the chat window with the nickname "Annoying Jiang Xiaobai".

There wasn't a single message inside.

The girl frowned, her gaze fixed intently on her younger sister:

"Wanwan, did Jiang Yubai send you a message?"

After Lin Tingwan finished writing in her notebook, she took a picture and sent it to her sister before turning her phone screen slightly towards her.

Lin Jianxia tilted her head to look, and sure enough, that bastard was harassing her younger sister again.

The more she watched, the rounder her cheeks puffed out, as if she wanted to reach through the screen and give the guy on the other side a few cat punches.

—What the heck? Sending out New Year's Eve dinner and asking if there are fireworks? Their wolfish ambitions are too obvious!

Pshaw, why set off fireworks? What's so interesting about fireworks anyway...?

No, as the older sister, she had to stop her younger sister from being fooled by this guy's sweet talk.

Just as I was thinking this, my phone suddenly vibrated.

Lin Jianxia paused for two seconds, then looked down at her screen.

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Hello, hello, want to see fireworks?

"......"

Lin Jianxia blinked, her gaze slowly drifting to her side.

She was glued to her phone all night, completely oblivious to what was happening here.

She pursed her lips and typed softly.

[Lin Jianxia]: What fireworks?

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Never mind that for now, just tell me if you want to watch it or not.

Lin Jianxia hesitated for a moment, then typed out a single word.

[Lin Jianxia]: Yes.

The next second, with a "ding-dong" sound, a video call popped up. She trembled and hurriedly clicked "reject".

Faced with the curious gazes from Lin Tingwan and her grandmother, her ears instantly turned bright red.

[Lin Jianxia]: Jiang Yubai!!!

[Lin Jianxia]: What are you doing?!

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Watching fireworks? Are you alright over there now?

[Lin Jianxia]: It's nothing, it's nothing!

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Tch, I won't watch it then.

Before Lin Jianxia could figure out what "I don't care" meant, the familiar "ding-dong" sound rang out again.

She paused for two seconds, staring at her phone screen—it still showed the same message, with no new messages.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Jianxia's eyes widened, and she abruptly turned her head to look at the side.

Lin Tingwan, the younger sister, was looking down and calmly tapped the "Accept Call" button that popped up on the screen.

Lin Jianxia's mind went blank for a moment. Her eyes widened, and she lunged forward, slamming the mute button down to cover the camera, then quickly turning her head away.

"Grandma! Wanwan and I are going to go out in the yard to look at the stars for a while!"

Before she could finish speaking, she hurriedly grabbed her sister and headed for the door.

Only after sitting on the steps in the courtyard did Lin Jianxia finally let out a long sigh of relief. She took her younger sister's phone and said fiercely:

"Jiang, Yu, Bai!"

The person on the other end of the video moved their mouth, but no sound came out.

Lin Jianxia was taken aback at first, then composed herself, reverting to her fierce expression, before unmuting:

"Jiang Yubai!!"

"I heard you, I heard you, why did you call me twice?" Jiang Yubai's lazy voice came through. "Isn't this Wanwan's phone? Where is she?"

Lin Jianxia, ​​who was about to launch into a accusation, paused, and subconsciously tilted her phone to the side.

"Here it is."

Lin Tingwan leaned closer to the camera and gently waved to Jiang Yubai inside, her eyes sparkling.

"As long as they're all there, okay, keep an eye on them."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene seemed to reverse, with a flame licking a green fuse.

The camera then began to shake violently, as if it were fleeing in panic. A few seconds later, the image finally stabilized and focused on the deep blue night sky in the distance.

Lin Jianxia hadn't even realized what had happened when suddenly—

"Bang!"

A golden spot of light suddenly burst open in the center of the screen, transforming into thousands of streaks of fire that fell in a flurry.

"Bang—bang bang!"

A series of muffled explosions rang out, and the sky was instantly illuminated.

First, a silvery waterfall cascaded down with a roar, followed by the blooming of golden chrysanthemums and blue peonies. A violet ribbon of light spiraled upwards, then shattered into hundreds of shooting stars at the highest point, streaking out in all directions.

Before one flower fades, another blooms, and the colors of red, orange, yellow, and green rise and fall, filling the entire field of vision, even reflecting off the screen in a flickering light.

Even though there was a layer of glass between us, the brilliance seemed to splash out, with tiny specks of light seeping into my eyes.

Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan sat side by side on the cool steps, gazing absently at the small, crowded, yet dazzling night sky.

Only when the last wisp of silver light faded away did Jiang Yubai's face, which had been flickering in and out of focus by the fireworks, become clear again.

"Is it pretty?" he asked with a grin.

Before he could answer, someone seemed to be calling him from afar.

Jiang Yubai tilted his head and responded, then turned back and waved his hand:

"Wait, my dad's calling me, I'll hang up now."

The video call ended instantly, and the screen switched back to the chat interface.

Lin Jianxia blinked, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart.

How could he just die like that...?

I haven't even settled the score with you for suddenly making a video call.

I haven't even... haven't even asked you why you haven't messaged me yet.

There's still so much I haven't said.

I haven't even said Happy New Year yet...

Just as I was in a daze, a voice message suddenly popped up at the top of the screen.

Lin Jianxia subconsciously clicked on it—

"By the way, Happy New Year, Little Hedgehog and Wanwan!"

The voice, tinged with laughter, dissipated lightly into the night.

Lin Jianxia's eyes lit up instantly. She opened the voice chat, leaned close to the microphone, and softly replied:

"Hey... you idiot... Happy New Year!"

Even though the intended tone was fierce, the last syllable involuntarily rose, like a little tail that was secretly wagging.

She squinted her eyes contentedly, her lips still curved in a smile, when she suddenly noticed a distant gaze beside her.

Lin Jianxia froze, then slowly turned her head—

Lin Tingwan was silently watching her, and there was a clear hint of resentment in her beautiful eyes.

.....ah.

That's right.

This seems to be.....

Was it Wanwan's phone?