Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

"Are you alright?"

Li Chen turned his head, his eyes instantly softening again.

He carefully checked Yan Xi's clothes, afraid that she might get hurt.

"fine."

Yan Xi shook her head.

She felt a slight tremor in her heart as she watched the ruthlessness that Li Chen had displayed in that brief moment.

She liked his protective nature.

He was domineering, but only gentle with her.

"Li Shen, you were so cool just now."

Yan Xi leaned close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids.

Li Chen's ears turned slightly red.

He anticipated Yan Xi's upcoming teasing and decided to strike first.

He lowered his head and gently brushed the tip of her nose.

"Keep quiet, Your Majesty, we haven't reached our destination yet."

The two continued on their way.

Finally, we found a relatively open spot below the clock tower.

Everyone around was looking up at the big screen.

There are fifteen minutes left until midnight.

An old woman wearing a worn-out coat squeezed through the crowd, carrying a basket of red roses.

"Young man, how about buying your girlfriend a flower?"

The old lady's voice was somewhat hoarse, and sounded very humble amidst the noise.

Li Chen glanced at the flowers in the basket.

The petals were a little wilted, obviously because they had been left in the cold wind for a long time.

Without hesitation, he took out a hundred-yuan bill and handed it over.

"I'll take them all."

The old lady paused for a moment, then took the money with trembling hands.

"No need for so much, young man..."

"Don't bother looking for the rest. Go home and rest early; it's cold outside."

Li Chen took the basket of roses and stuffed it directly into Yan Xi's arms.

Yan Xi was holding a basket of flowers that weren't particularly beautiful.

She looked at Li Chen, a strange emotion flashing in her eyes.

This man not only has the power to protect her, but also a kindness hidden deep in his bones.

This is what truly made her fall into depravity.

"Is this basket enough for you?"

Li Chen joked.

That's enough.

Yan Xi lowered her head and smelled the fragrance of the flowers.

Although the fragrance was faint, she felt it was the most fragrant flower she had ever received.

Several young girls nearby cast envious glances at them.

"Wow, that guy is so generous, he bought them all."

"He's handsome and so gentle, I want a boyfriend like that too."

Li Chen ignored these voices.

He glanced down at his watch.

23: 55.

"Xi Xi".

Li Chen suddenly called her name.

"Um?"

Yan Xi raised her head.

What are your wishes for the new year?

Yan Xi thought for a moment.

She looked at the boy in front of her who had sheltered her from the wind and rain.

Look at the starlight in his eyes.

She said softly, "My wish has come true."

Li Chen smiled.

He opened his arms and embraced her and the basket of roses.

The numbers on the big screen started to jump.

The New Year countdown has officially begun.

The voices in the square converged into a torrent at that moment.

"10!"

"9!"

"8!"

Li Chen felt the delicate body in his arms trembling slightly.

He tightened his grip on his arms.

He anticipated the chaos that would follow the countdown and a few movements to stabilize his center of gravity flashed through his mind.

He abandoned the idea of ​​speaking at this time.

Because some emotions don't need words.

"7!"

"6!"

"5!"

The surrounding crowd began waving their glow sticks wildly.

Colorful lights intertwined in the night sky, like a chaotic yet grand festival.

Li Chen looked down at Yan Xi.

Yan Xi was also looking up at him.

Her eyes reflected the numbers on the screen, and also his face.

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

Li Chen lowered his head.

His breath mingled with Yan Xi's.

The air seemed to freeze in that instant.

He could smell the fragrance in her hair and the faint herbal scent of the roses in her arms.

"1!"

"Happy New Year!"

Confetti rained down from above.

It was like a colorful snowfall.

The bells of the clock tower rang out steadily, their sound echoing throughout the entire city of Linjiang.

Li Chen did not hesitate.

He kissed her.

A soft touch blossoms on the lips.

Yan Xi closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and responded passionately.

The basket of roses was squeezed between the two of them, emitting a delicate fragrance.

This kiss spanned two years.

With farewell to the past and promises to the future.

The surrounding area was filled with deafening cheers.

Some people were screaming, some were hugging, and some were crying tears of joy.

But in this small world, there is only each other's heartbeats.

for a long time.

Li Chen slowly relaxed.

His forehead pressed against Yan Xi's forehead.

Both of them were breathing rapidly.

Happy New Year, Xixi.

Li Chen's voice was hoarse yet gentle.

Happy New Year, Li Chen.

Yan Xi's eyes sparkled, as if they were filled with shattered diamonds.

She suddenly pulled something out of her pocket.

It was a black braided bracelet with a small silver architectural model tied to it.

That was a miniature version of the Linjiang University Library, designed by her own hand.

"This is a reward."

Yan Xi took Li Chen's hand and carefully helped him put it on his wrist.

"The mark has been made. From now on, you belong to me."

Li Chen looked at the knot on his wrist.

He could imagine Yan Xi, with her aloof personality, sitting under the lamp, clumsily braiding rope.

It felt like a wad of cotton had been stuffed into my chest, so soft and utterly insensitive.

"I will wear it forever."

Li Chen raised his hand and waved it in the moonlight.

The crowd began to slowly disperse.

The noise gradually faded away, leaving behind confetti and the lingering warmth of the celebration.

Are you hungry?

Li Chen asked.

"A little."

Yan Xi touched her belly.

"What would you like to eat?"

"I want to eat what you make."

Yan Xi smiled slyly.

"Li Shen, you promised me at the restaurant that you would accompany me whenever I wanted to eat."

"Now?"

Li Chen glanced at the time.

12:15 a.m.

"What, even the God of War can't do it?"

Yan Xi looked at him defiantly.

"As long as there's a kitchen, there won't be any problems."

Li Chen smiled.

He remembered Yan Xi's apartment off-campus.

There were leftover ingredients from his last shopping trip.

"Let's go home."

Li Chen took her hand.

The two walked against the dispersing crowd towards the direction where the cars had parked.

The streetlights cast long shadows of the two people, which eventually overlapped.

Li Chen opened the car door.

He noticed that Yan Xi's shoelaces were loose.

He didn't remind him, but instead knelt down on one knee.

On the bustling streets, on the cold, snowy ground.

He lowered his head and carefully tied a perfect bow for her.

Yan Xi stood by the car door.

She looked at this man who exuded a murderous aura outside, yet could lower his head and tie his shoelaces in front of her.

She suddenly realized that this winter was no longer cold.

Li Chen stood up and brushed the snow off his knees.

"Get in the carriage, Your Majesty."

The Porsche emitted a deep roar.

The car headlights pierced the darkness, heading towards the warmth of the other side of the city.

Li Chen gripped the steering wheel.

He looked at the empty street ahead.

He anticipated the various challenges that would follow.

The Yan family's background, the Li family's expectations, and those unknown storms.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

As long as this person is by his side, he has the confidence to turn every challenge into a medal.

Yan Xi leaned against the passenger seat.

She was holding that basket of roses.

He closed his eyes, a lingering smile playing on his lips.

Inside the car, a soft melody flowed from the stereo.

That was a piece of music that Li Chen had specially chosen.

And so, the new year begins.

The Porsche disappeared at the end of the street.

……