Father Lin was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Of course you can.”
Xie’s mother joined with a warm smile, “Wonderful. Xiaoyou’s father and older brother probably won’t be back for the New Year this year. It would be pretty lonely with just the two of us at home.”
“It certainly won’t be lonely if our two families celebrate together. It’ll be lively and joyful.”
Father Lin chuckled, pointing at Lin Zhaoqiu, who was stretching for a pack of Cheetos. “Besides, we have a little monkey at home.”
“Oh, Dad!” Lin Zhaoqiu halted mid-reach, protesting in mock indignation.
Everyone burst into laughter, and Lin Zhiyu patted his sister’s head affectionately.
“My sister is the cutest.”
“My Ge is the best!” she replied, throwing her arms around his shoulders.
Xie’s mother watched the siblings with envy at their close bond. Her sons acted more like acquaintances when they were together.
She looked at Lin Zhiyu, her expression warm and approving. “Zhiyu, you’re looking more and more handsome. I heard about the new addiction treatment drug you developed with Professor Bai—it’s making such a positive impact. You’re truly remarkable. Young people like you are the future of our country.”
“Auntie, you’re too kind. We’re just building on the foundation the older generation laid for us.”
Xie’s mother waved her hand modestly. “Oh, no, we’ve all heard about your accomplishments at the institute,” she said with a smile. “And as for me, I’m about to retire.”
“Retire?” Lin Zhiyu looked surprised.
“I’m 62—should’ve retired a few years ago,” she explained. Just then, Xie Youzhou approached with an armful of groceries.
Spotting Lin Zhiyu, his face lit up, as if a puppy had found its owner.
“Gege, you’re here too!”
Then he playfully complained to his mother, “Mom, why didn’t you tell me you ran into my gege?”
“I didn’t have time; I was chatting.” She said it so breezily that it was clear she hadn’t given it a second thought.
Xie Youzhou: “…”
She looked around at the two families, beaming. “I just got off the plane, and Xiaoyou picked me up. We hadn’t bought any New Year’s goods yet, so we rushed here first. I didn’t expect to bump into all of you—it must be fate!”
“Definitely fate,” agreed Father Lin with a smile.
Xie’s mother felt a quiet relief, sensing that her “in-laws” genuinely liked Xiaoyou. She hoped that when the children’s relationship became known, they’d be supportive.
“Xiaoyou, your Uncle Lin has already agreed we’ll celebrate New Year’s together. Be sure to showcase your best cooking skills tomorrow.”
“No problem! I’ve been practicing a few new recipes,” Xie Youzhou said, brightening further at the thought of spending New Year with his brother.
Father Lin quickly interjected, “No need—I’ll handle the cooking. The kids work hard enough; let them rest.”
But Xie’s mother laughed, insisting, “Oh, let him help! He’s not too tired, I promise.”
As the parents chatted, Xie Youzhou sidled up to Lin Zhiyu and discreetly hooked his finger around Lin Zhiyu’s.
[Isn’t this great, ge? We get to celebrate the New Year together.]
Lin Zhiyu’s cheeks reddened, and he coughed softly.
[Behave yourself.]
The two families continued their cheerful shopping, unaware that a pair of watchful eyes observed them from the crowd before disappearing into the throng.
…
After they finished shopping, the families returned home, agreeing to meet at the Lin household after lunch the next day to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Upon getting home, Father Lin immediately started drafting the dinner menu.
For a joint celebration, they needed at least twelve or sixteen dishes.
He planned four cold appetizers, plus Zhiyu’s favorite sweet and sour pork, stir-fried lamb with green onions, Qiuqiu’s favorite garlic shrimp balls, spicy eggplant, and the essential braised fish symbolizing abundance. They’d also have a large pork elbow, slow-cooked until tender—ten dishes in total.
The remaining dishes would cater to the Xie family’s preferences. Xie Youzhou loved spicy and sour foods, and Lin Zhiyu had mentioned that Xie’s mother enjoyed spicy dishes too. So Father Lin added boiled pork slices, spicy chicken, pepper beef, and hot and sour cabbage.
But that only made fourteen.
It didn’t feel right… maybe they should add two more.
Father Lin adjusted his reading glasses, carefully re-evaluating the menu like an engineer meticulously inspecting precision components.
Meanwhile, Xie’s mother was also planning for New Year’s Eve.
She couldn’t arrive empty-handed; she’d bring ingredients, including lobsters, salmon, and crabs that her sister had sent from overseas. The kids would surely love them.
She also had dried mushrooms from a region famous for them—they’d bring those too!
They had no idea that the Lin family already had enough food to overflow the table.
*
Lin Zhiyu woke early the next morning.
He had tossed and turned all night, feeling a strange restlessness.
But he chalked it up to excitement. This New Year, he would have the people he loved and cherished by his side. It was a beautiful feeling, one he wished would make time slow down.
After breakfast, he received a call from Xie Youzhou, asking him to come along to buy electronic firecrackers.
Lin Zhiyu agreed with a smile and knocked on Lin Zhaoqiu’s door before leaving.
“Qiuqiu, time to get up.”
A sleepy voice responded, “I know… I know. I’ll be up in a second…”
And within seconds, she was asleep again.
Meanwhile, Xie Youzhou was already waiting downstairs, leaning casually against his car.
When he saw Lin Zhiyu approach in his new outfit, his face lit up.
“Gege! You look so handsome!”
Lin Zhiyu’s ears turned slightly pink.
“Alright, let’s go.”
He was wearing a long cashmere coat that Xie Youzhou had picked out for him, a soft off-white color paired with a camel scarf that enhanced his gentle, refined appearance—like a graceful trap that drew people in.
“And you look great too,” Lin Zhiyu said softly.
Though Lin Zhiyu hadn’t chosen Xie Youzhou’s clothes, the accessories were all gifts from him—high-end yet subtle, elegant and understated, perfect for Xie Youzhou.
Beaming like an overjoyed puppy, Xie Youzhou leaned in and kissed Lin Zhiyu’s cheek as soon as they were in the car.
Lin Zhiyu blushed.
“The front window hasn’t tinted yet.”
“It’s fine, there’s no one around,” Xie Youzhou laughed.
He shifted gears, stepped on the accelerator, and they drove off.
It was New Year’s Eve, so most people were at home preparing dinner, making the streets quieter.
The firecracker shop was located in a quiet suburb, with even fewer people nearby.
After buying electronic firecrackers, they lingered, exploring nearby shops and picking up a few electronic toys.
By eleven o’clock, they began heading back.
The car’s stereo played nostalgic songs from their youth, and the melody flowed softly as golden sunlight poured through the windows, filling the car with warmth. Outside, pedestrians carried bright red decorations, creating a joyful, festive atmosphere.
Everything felt so warm and happy that Lin Zhiyu’s heart raced.
He glanced at Xie Youzhou, noticing that he was being looked at with the same tenderness.
His gaze softened, and Xie Youzhou gently took his hand.
“Gege, let’s keep celebrating New Year’s like this… forever.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll grow happier and happier.”
“Yes.”
“And we’ll always be together for New Year.”
“Yes.”
…
The traffic light ahead changed from red to green.
Xie Youzhou reluctantly let go of Lin Zhiyu’s hand and started driving again.
Lin Zhiyu looked at his profile, eyes full of affection.
Just then, a terrible screeching sound shattered the calm.
A large truck loaded with sand and gravel suddenly veered from the right, barreling toward them, headed directly for the passenger side—where Lin Zhiyu was seated.
“Gege—!!!”
Xie Youzhou’s eyes turned red with fear as he jerked the wheel sharply.
Terrified screams erupted from passers-by.
With instincts honed from his training, Xie Youzhou’s reflexes kicked in, and he swerved the car at an angle, narrowly avoiding the vehicle in the left lane. His maneuver lifted the car slightly, squeezing it into a gap, and with a final twist, the car swung onto the median. But the front couldn’t avoid another vehicle entirely.
“Bang!”
The crash echoed horribly.
It wasn’t because Xie Youzhou hit the car ahead, but because the massive truck, wildly out of control, collided with another cement truck that had suddenly accelerated from behind.
The two trucks collided violently, producing a terrifying noise that stunned everyone around.
A bystander dialed emergency services, his voice trembling so badly he could hardly speak.
“Hello… Police? There’s… there’s been a car accident on Yanping Road!”
