I turned reality into a romantic comedy.

"But I definitely can't wear it out. I feel like every passerby will stare at me as soon as I step outside... I just can't imagine it."

"I never intended to wear it out. Let alone passersby, I'd be in big trouble if Lin Guo's mom saw it."

So when do you plan to wear it?

"Since it's been delivered today, it should be this Sunday, which is my and Lin Guo's birthday, January 2nd, 2014."

An achievement titled "The Dressing Doll Falls in Love" shone brightly in Chen Junqian's mind. It was an achievement that Chen Junqian couldn't find the source of, but the description was incredibly sentimental and ambiguous.

Come on, let's first run our fingertips over each other's skin and feel the circumference of each other's necks.

Then, I personally measured the other person's waist circumference with my thigh, and it was accurate to the millimeter.

While Chen Xi was enjoying looking at the cosplay outfit, imagining what her friend would look like in it, she went home and sent a text message to her friend. As she finished showering and was about to do her homework, she suddenly heard her mother answering the door. Then, Gu Linguo knocked and came into her room.

"Has the stuff arrived?"

"Yes, the things did arrive today. Why did Lin Guo suddenly come to see me? And you..."

Chen Xi felt that Gu Lingguo seemed a little strange today, and subconsciously wanted to ask her more questions, but was immediately interrupted by Gu Lingguo speaking first.

"Will anyone be home at Xiaoxi's house during the New Year's Day holiday, which is the 2nd?"

"Number two? My mom definitely has to go check on the shop, since it's hard to sell anyway... What's wrong?"

"I'd like to use Xiaoxi's balcony for a bit."

Standing there, Gu Lingguo calmly uttered words that Chen Xi had never expected, as if she had made up her mind, so much so that she used a statement rather than a question.

"On that day, I will use a rope to lower myself down from my balcony."

"Eh...Eh eh eh eh?"

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Chapter 101: Shatter Reality (Part 2)

When Xu Youwei was very young, her mother taught her how to use gestures to remember which months of the year have 31 days and which months have only 30 days. Although she can hardly remember this technique now when she makes a fist and looks at the knuckles connecting her fingers, she can hardly remember it anymore. The nursery rhyme she was taught as a child, "One, three, five, seven, eight, ten, twelfth, 31 days never misses," can probably only be recited as "something something wa wa wa, 31 days never misses" now. But she still remembers very clearly that December has 31 days, just as the last day of the year in the Gregorian calendar must be December 31, and cannot be December 30, 29, or 28.

Around the same time, the concept of New Year's Eve on December 31st began to gain popularity among young people through promotion, much like the commercialized significance of Singles' Day in its early days. This is best exemplified by the emergence of numerous movies that were deliberately released on December 31st, coupled with the gimmick of a kiss or other scene in the movie at midnight on January 1st, easily attracting a large number of artsy urban youths to the cinema.

However, Xu Youwei herself had no interest in such things. After all, she wasn't exactly an artistic girl. Even if she really wanted to watch a movie, she would prefer to stay in their secret hideout with Chen Junqian, curled up on the bed or sofa, and watch a movie together on an old-fashioned DVD player.

That's right, Xu Youwei certainly wouldn't want to miss this confession that can only be said once every hundred years. The most romantic thing she could think of at her age was naturally not growing old together with the other person. After all, neither of them was old enough to dream, and they weren't in the mindset that a peaceful life was better than a passionate one. Rather, everything was still in that stage where every minute of the beginning was wonderful. Although using the lyrics of this song to describe it would feel a bit ominous?

Putting these chaotic thoughts aside for the time being, the girl continued to walk towards the door of Class 5, where Chen Junqian and Lin Mu were located upstairs. Although their classes, Class 4 and Class 5, were only slightly different, they had to climb from the first floor to the second floor every time because of the classroom location.

Tomorrow is January 1st, 2014. The school's New Year's Day holiday arrangement remains unchanged at three days. However, since the 1st falls on a Wednesday, we will have to come back this weekend for make-up classes. If it weren't for the fact that winter vacation is just around the corner, the thought of having to attend classes for a week after the three-day New Year's Day holiday would make me feel like I wouldn't be able to enjoy the holiday at all.

As I approached the entrance of Class 5, Grade 8, I looked through the window and sure enough, I could immediately spot Lin Mu and Chen Junqian chatting and laughing. This is probably the advantage of being classmates. After all, we're not elementary school students anymore, and even if we were, very few of us would feel completely at ease going to another classroom to chat with someone. Many of us already feel a lot of pressure just lingering at the door to borrow a book.

Fortunately, Lin Mu, who was facing the window with her head resting on her arm on the desk, quickly noticed Xu Youwei's arrival and promptly pulled Chen Junqian out of the classroom by the arm.

"What's wrong with Weiwei?"

The reason she didn't speak up was probably because her psychological threshold had been trained. Compared to a year ago when she and Chen Junqian made their doomsday pact, and she would have had frequent internal struggles over a single glance, gesture, or greeting from him, Xu Youwei could now speak her mind frankly without batting an eye when faced with her best friend's concerned inquiry. So she simply answered:

"I have something I'd like to discuss with Qinqin."

"Okay, I'll go to the restroom."

As she said this, Lin Mu subconsciously reached into her pocket again, only to find it empty in embarrassment. Chen Junqian, who was next to her, quickly handed her a pack of tissues. Just like how having a pack of tissues on the table can quickly improve relationships with classmates sitting in front, behind, or to the sides, carrying tissues with him was one of his habits.

"Hmm, what does Yoyo want to discuss with me?"

After watching Lin Mu walk towards the restroom at the end of the corridor, Chen Junqian turned his gaze back to Xu Youwei. He was already wondering if this was the prelude to a three-way battle. After all, it seemed like Youyou had some kind of power-up mechanism these past two years. Every few months, she would charge up and then charge forward. Rather than saying that Miss XX wanted me to confess, it was more like Miss XX wanted to confess to me. But to be honest, Chen Junqian didn't really sense any "Miss XX" attributes from her.

"Will you spend New Year's Eve with me after school tonight?"

As she spoke, Xu Youwei added, rather hesitantly:

"Anyway, you definitely won't be with me for the Lunar New Year, so at least you should be with me for the Gregorian New Year..."

Two years ago, she and Chen Junqian could play with fireworks and firecrackers for a long time on the first day of the Lunar New Year. But in the past two years, with the introduction of relevant bans, and with Lin Mu and Zhu Wenyun both eyeing Chen Junqian's New Year, plus Chen Xi who was determined to cherish this time, it seems that she only has a short time to meet him on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. Moreover, that time is taken advantage of the fact that the two fathers are going to give New Year's greetings and work reports.

It has to be said that the Gregorian calendar and the lunar calendar are indeed two sets of calendars that can be manipulated quite a bit. Just like some children can celebrate their lunar birthday and then their Gregorian birthday to achieve the goal of having two birthdays in one year, with the Lunar New Year almost locked in the traditional framework of family reunion, Chen Junqian suddenly understands why the concept of New Year's Eve has become popular among young people in recent years. After all, it seems to be much more flexible in terms of both time and place.

Most shops on the street will not close down, and people will not have to stay in their hometowns to accompany their elders, play cards, or watch Spring Festival Gala programs that they have no interest in. No wonder commercial capital will focus on this aspect and make a big deal out of it.

"Tonight should be fine, since we have a holiday tomorrow."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Junqian nodded in agreement. Then he saw Xu Youwei standing in front of him smile as he answered. Compared to the other two members of Guo Ning's childhood sweetheart trio, she was probably the one who best fit the image of a fourteen-year-old junior high student, both physiologically and psychologically. After all, Wen Yun was always precocious like a high school student, while Mu Mu was more like an elementary school student in many ways. So, while the former was only writing his thoughts into books and thinking about the future, and the latter was still trying to understand and struggle with what love was, Xu Youwei was already clumsily trying, or rather, demonstrating, love time and time again.

"See you tonight."

In many works of art, the act of falling in love with someone is often imbued with a magic similar to that of Cinderella. It is common for an ordinary girl to become dazzling and radiant because of her feelings for someone, and this may even have a basis in reality.

Perhaps this feeling of liking is the thickest filter in the world. If you hide it in your pupils and look at everything in front of you through it, including the boring school scene, the whole world will become bright and spring-like in an instant.

"But we still need to ask beforehand what time Youyou plans to stay until tonight. We should tell your family about this in advance, otherwise they will worry."

When Chen Junqian asked her question, Xu Youwei simply replied in a matter-of-fact manner:

"Since it's New Year's Eve, we should stay until at least midnight."

"12 o'clock, I understand."

Unaware of the other person's slight hesitation, Xu Youwei's heart was already racing to several hours later. As soon as the bell rang to signal the start of class, she energetically jogged back, ready to recite that actually not-so-long sentence twice more in class.

This winter, she no longer needed to use virtual snow spray cans to simulate falling snowflakes. Those natural spirits fell realistically from the sky right before her eyes, yet the moment they landed on her, just like those fake snows made of chemical components that would explode upon contact with a small flame, they were evaporated and burned without a trace by the flames that rose and bloomed in her heart.

Her earlobes must be red again.

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

The New Year's Eve of 2013 was indeed a bit special, or rather, the next few days were quite special.

After returning to his seat, Chen Junqian also began to think.

The twelfth lunar month of 2013 is opposite to the first lunar month of 2014, so his birthday on the second day of the twelfth lunar month is the day after tomorrow, January 2nd. This means that the first day of the twelfth lunar month is tomorrow, January 1st.

The first day of the twelfth lunar month is Gu Linguo's real birthday. Although he postponed it by one day two years ago so that their birthdays would fall on the same day, this is essentially the birthday date recognized only by the two of them, or rather, by this small circle. For Gu Linguo's parents, their daughter's birthday is still this day.

Based on Chen Junqian's understanding of Gu Lingguo's family, it's highly likely that she'll be staying up all night with them tonight, not for New Year's Eve, but simply to express her gratitude and blessings to her mother, who suffered so much to bring her into this world, at exactly midnight.

To this day, Chen Junqian still remembers what Gu Linguo said to him about his birthday when they first met.

If she truly felt that giving birth to her was a painful experience, she would rather push her birthday back ten months to the day she conceived herself. If even that day felt unhappy or purely accidental, then she really shouldn't have come into this world in the first place.

Chen Junqian recalled what his sister had told him yesterday—that Gu Lingguo had been acting strangely lately. He had noticed it too. Just last night, he heard her say that she hoped he could secretly deliver that cosplay outfit to her room. Since they met, Gu Lingguo had always stuffed everything related to anime or anything unrelated to studying into his room. But this time, she had actually taken the initiative to ask for this item that absolutely could not be discovered.

What happened?

While Chen Junqian was pondering this question, Gu Linguo, who was sitting in the classroom listening attentively to the lesson, was simply taking notes on the blackboard.

Today's Chinese class covered two poems, both related to maternal love. The first was Tagore's "Golden Flower," and the second was Bing Xin's "Paper Boat."

The teacher on the stage recited with great emotion, "Mother, if you see a tiny white boat in your dream, don't be surprised that it entered your dream for no reason. It was folded by your beloved daughter with tears in her eyes..." The ups and downs of her voice reminded her of a gratitude education class that Lin Su had taken her to a few years ago.

The hottest news in their family these past two days has been about Chen Xi's family. After all, they were neighbors living upstairs and downstairs, and the children were all friends. So, Lin Su would bring up the matter of Chen Xi's mother's failed investment and her inability to sell the shop almost every time they had a meal, and the process was always the same.

At first, they always say it's their own fault for wasting money, and that they would never think of wasting money like that. But in the end, they always say that the other person is very wealthy and that it's no big deal to waste money like that once, and then they sigh for a long time.

This incident probably spurred Lin Su on, so after a piano lesson, she went to Gu Lingguo to continue the discussion. The reason she avoided Gu Yong was that it was entirely due to her dissatisfaction with him.

[When your dad was pursuing me, he only took me out for one meal at a small restaurant—three dishes and a soup—and gave me a silk scarf. That's how we started dating. What could I do? I couldn't play the piano or read books back then, so all I was worth was that one meal and one silk scarf, just like your dad was only worth finding me to marry.]

But you're different. You're my only hope. From the moment you were born, I thought that as long as you have a good life, I'll be happy too. As long as you're happy, I'll be happy too. I knew that even if I lost everything, I'd still have you, so I wasn't afraid. When I borrowed money from relatives to buy this school district house, people cursed me behind my back and gave me dirty looks to my face, but I wasn't afraid. I just wanted to make sure you went to university, to make sure you lived a decent life, and not let you end up like me, never having seen the world.

I bought you all the things I didn't learn back then so you could learn them, just so you wouldn't become like me. They say boys should be raised frugally and girls should be raised lavishly, and that's the reason. That way, you won't be easily fooled by boys with a few simple tricks. There are many things our family can't afford to go through; we haven't even finished paying off the mortgage on this house yet.

So if you have any conscience, how can you not live up to my expectations?

The teacher in class started assigning homework, which was actually written at the end of the text.

"Both of these poems use a concrete image to express love for the mother. This is actually a metaphor technique. When you go home, you can also imitate this technique to write a paragraph or a poem to express your love for your father or mother."

However, as he was saying these things, Gu Lingguo, who was sitting in the audience, had already begun to drift off into thought.

Today is the last day of 2013, December 31st.

The moment the bell rang, she began to think about how to wear those golden contact lenses neatly and beautifully, and how to put on those unfamiliar clothes properly.

So that when she says lines like 'Explode, reality, shatter, spirit, exile this world,' it will seem a little more real.

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Chapter 120: My Brother's Mouth, a Deceitful Ghost (Bonus Chapter 9.5/40)

Before school ended, Chen Junqian made a special trip to the junior high school building to find his younger sister.

On one hand, he wanted to tell her that he was going out with Xu Youwei that night and therefore couldn't go home with her. On the other hand, he planned to ask her about Gu Lingguo.

After all, if we're just talking about how long they've known each other, Chen Xi became friends with Gu Linguo much earlier than his older brother. And there are many things that are easier and more convenient to say to someone of the same sex. Plus, Chen Xi himself has mentioned that he felt Linguo was acting a bit strange lately, so he should have noticed something too.

It has to be said that the cover of kinship is very effective even at school. Even if Chen Junqian travels a long way from his own school building across the entire corridor to the seventh grade of another school building and openly calls out his sister's name at the door of her classroom, he will hardly attract any attention or discussion. After all, everyone knows that the two of them are siblings. If the age difference were a little bigger, Chen Junqian might even be able to attend a parent-teacher conference as a guest parent of his sister. In fact, he has done this before, except that the person was Zhu Wenjun from the neighboring school.

"My brother is looking for me, so I'll go out for a bit."

Chen Xi, who was sitting there chatting with some friends, took the opportunity to end the conversation after hearing this. She walked out of the classroom and pulled him to the stairwell next door. The wind in the corridor was still too strong, and it was chilly. Standing there, he just wanted to curse the school for not following the will of the people and the trend of the times and directly announcing the start of winter vacation early.

After casually feeding his younger sister a small snack, Chen Junqian asked her about Gu Lingguo. Whether it was because she felt indebted to him or because she genuinely intended to tell him about it, Chen Xi hesitated for a moment while chewing on the fruit leather before decisively revealing Gu Lingguo's plan.

"She said she wanted to use my balcony tonight and tomorrow night."

"Your balcony?"

Seeing that Chen Junqian was just as confused as he was, Chen Xi repeated what the other man had said verbatim:

"She said she would use a rope to lower herself down from her balcony."

"This weather?"

Chen Junqian glanced at the falling snowflakes outside again. Although he understood what Gu Lingguo was going to do, he still subconsciously fell silent. However, he knew why she had asked for that cosplay outfit in advance.

This isn't how you recreate a character.

After all, reality is never like anime. Even the most child-friendly animations have to include a warning that viewers should not imitate any of the actions shown in the show, let alone such obviously dangerous actions.

“She said there was no problem, because her house is 302 and mine is 202, which is actually just two floors and about six or seven meters high.”

"No problem my foot! You should consider the actual situation when you say that. Xiaoxi has seen that C-suit before. It doesn't look like it's something you can move around freely in, especially in this kind of weather."

Although Chen Junqian barely learned about Gu Lingguo's actions from his sister, he still felt that the motives behind it were unclear. Even if it was to recreate a famous scene from the animation, there was no reason to choose such a dangerous action in this weather and situation. So there must be some reason behind it that he didn't know.

"She should have told you exactly when, right?"

"Yes, she said it would be after midnight. Her mother was awake until then tonight, so it couldn't be done. She also said that if I was sleepy, I could take a nap first, and she would call me later. I could just watch from the balcony, and it wouldn't be easy for other people to see me at that time."