The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

"Mom, look! What's wrong with that uncle?"

"Never mind him! Go home quickly, he's definitely mentally ill, he'll arrest you!"

A mother and son glanced disdainfully at the man squatting under the tree, carrying two bags of snacks and a half-empty bottle of wine, and hurried away.

Xu Nian ignored them and continued drinking alone in silence.

He didn't want to go home; that cold, lifeless place could no longer be called home.

Squatting by the roadside, watching the cars come and go, at least there was a glimmer of life.

"Dude, can you go somewhere else to drink? You're blocking my business."

The owner of the small supermarket walked out of the store and shouted at Xu Nian unhappily.

A man who looked mentally unstable was guarding the door, scaring away many customers who wanted to shop inside.

Xu Nian nodded, stood up, and walked aimlessly toward the unknown direction.

At a hot pot restaurant on the street, a young couple sat side by side, feeding each other freshly cooked food, chatting and laughing, their eyes filled with undisguised love.

At the entrance of the shopping mall in the distance, a family of three held hands happily, wearing new clothes bought for the New Year, and headed home joyfully.

"See you next year, bro! I'm going home to spend Chinese New Year with my parents!"

"Haha! See you next year! Remember to give my regards to your uncle and aunt!"

On the street, everyone was in pairs, their faces beaming with happiness.

Xu Nian was all alone, leaning on an empty wine bottle, wandering aimlessly around.

That is...?

Under the streetlights ahead, a familiar figure appeared.

An angelic girl was waving and smiling at him.

Xu Nian reached out with trembling hands and rubbed her sore eyes.

Looking again, the figure had vanished, turning into dust in the fireworks, scattering in all directions.

He collapsed to the ground and burst into tears.

At the entrance of Huanyu Shopping Mall, the high-powered speakers switched to the next song.

"How I long to see you again, even if it's just for a fleeting glance before we part."

"A dim silhouette under the streetlights, a forest path that seems to stretch on and on."

"I long to see you again, at least then we can still joke around."

"The autumnal equinox, when the first leaves fall in the streets and alleys, and we, gradually fading into the distance..."

......

"Hey! Look who I've found!"

A charming laugh reached Xu Nian's ears.

He wiped away his tears and looked up.

The woman before me was none other than Zhou Xiaoman, who was all smiles.

"You've gone back to Yuncheng?"

He staggered to his feet and said in a hoarse voice.

"Just got off the train."

Zhou Xiaoman reached out and helped the swaying Xu Nian.

After he regained his balance, he quietly relaxed.

"I apologize for not visiting Mr. Xu after his discharge from the hospital."

"I should be thanking you."

Xu Nian took out a tissue and wiped the dirt off her face.

"Since Mr. Xu has nowhere to go, why don't you come and sit at Xiaoman's house for a while?"

Seeing Xu Nian's disheveled state, Zhou Xiaoman smiled slightly and extended an invitation.

Xu Nian nodded.

Following Zhou Xiaoman to her home, Zhou Xiaoman glanced at the two dusty boxes of milk outside the door, and her beautiful eyelashes fluttered slightly.

"I didn't expect Mr. Xu to be so thoughtful. Xiaoman thanks you."

Xu Nian didn't say anything, wiped the dust off the milk carton, and followed Zhou Xiaoman into the house.

The interior furnishings remained unchanged: a dining table covered with a floral cloth, an enamel cup upside down on the corner of the table, a sideboard filled with pretty bottles and jars, and a vase on the coffee table holding a bouquet of violets.

With the return of its owner, the whole house instantly came alive.

Zhou Xiaoman invited Xu Nian to sit on the sofa and handed him a hot towel and a cup of hot water.

"Thanks!"

Xu Nian didn't stand on ceremony and drank the water in one gulp.

The warmth of the hot water spread from his internal organs to his limbs, restoring a trace of temperature to his icy body.

Zhou Xiaoman lit a cigarette, sat opposite Xu Nian, and watched him with a smile.

"After I was discharged from the hospital, I came to see you several times, wanting to thank you in person, but I didn't see you each time."

Xu Nian wiped her face with a hot towel, and the drunkenness on her face subsided a bit.

Zhou Xiaoman smiled.

"Mr. Xu, there's no need for that. Xiaoman was just doing her a small favor."

"During this time, Xiaoman went to Qiongzhou, Changshui, Wuxu, and Bao'an, and had a lot of fun."

"Xiaoman was particularly impressed by the Ocean World in Bao'an."

Zhou Xiaoman elegantly exhaled a smoke ring, her eyes curving slightly.

"Mr. Xu, on the other hand, seems to have encountered some rather troublesome matters."

Xu Nian nodded gently.

Zhou Xiaoman walked behind him, leaned down, and whispered in his ear.

"Let Xiaoman guess, is it your white rose that's expressing its love for you?"

How did you know?

Xu Nian suddenly stood up and looked at Zhou Xiaoman in disbelief.

Zhou Xiaoman let out a burst of silvery laughter.

"Xiaoman knows everything about Mr. Xu, and she also knows things that Mr. Xu doesn't know."

"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Xu Nian suddenly stood up, instantly becoming furious.

If Zhou Xiaoman had told him earlier, he might have been able to prepare in advance and guide Xu Xi onto the right path.

Instead of ending up like this, where the two can't even be siblings anymore.

"Mr. Xu really has no sense of romance."

Zhou Xiaoman smiled gently.

Why should I tell you?

"Mr. Xu and Xiaoman, are they on good terms?"

These words left Xu Nian speechless.

Yes, what reason would Zhou Xiaoman have to tell him?

They weren't even friends; they were just slightly acquainted strangers.

In addition, under Xu Xi's influence, he also deliberately distanced himself from Zhou Xiaoman.

Zhou Xiaoman was always unconditionally good to him, whether it was giving him a reward for every order, bandaging his wounds, or even saving his life.

He took this kindness for granted.

Xu Nian sat down and lowered her head in shame.

"How utterly clueless about romance."

Seeing Xu Nian's discomfiture, Zhou Xiaoman's smile grew even brighter.

She went into the kitchen and poured two glasses of red wine.

One of the cups was placed on the coffee table in front of Xu Nian.

"Mr. Xu, if you're feeling down, you can have some red wine."

"Beer drunkenness only makes people think of drunkards on the street."

"And getting drunk on red wine can evoke images of a sentimental aristocratic young man."

Xu Nian picked up her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Compared to beer, red wine has a more complex flavor profile.

It has fruity, floral, and woody aromas, as well as an indescribable sourness.

It doesn't taste as refreshing as beer.

"But no matter how good the wine is, it can't change my physical appearance."

He put down his wine glass and murmured.

Zhou Xiaoman swirled her wine glass, turned around, and gazed at the bright moon outside the window with her beautiful eyes.

"This world is nothing but a makeshift operation."

"When your behavior, speech, and manners are no different from those of the superior people."

"In other people's eyes, you are a superior person."

Xu Nian nodded, seemingly understanding.

"You know a lot."

"Mr. Xu, if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Xiaoman will answer them to the best of her ability."

Tell me something about me that I don't know.

Zhou Xiaoman picked up her wine glass and took a small, elegant sip.

"You also like the white roses in your garden."