YBMW Chapter 29 New Year
After Laba, the New Year’s atmosphere became more and more pronounced in the streets and alleys. Luo Tian’s injuries had fully healed as well. Before the year ended, Luo Tian and Fang Chong visited Jiang Shuo’s grave, telling him that the Crocodile had been sentenced to death and that the police had avenged him. His spirit in heaven could now rest in peace. As for Bai Cheng, she went alone to Lu Heng’s grave and sat there for a long time.
She talked to Lu Heng about many things.
She said, “Lu Heng, the person who killed you, Ni Qiu, is dead. I shot him myself. That’s right, I can shoot now. I used to faint at the sight of blood, but now, I can even shoot. I even personally killed him and avenged you. But, Lu Heng, I don’t regret it because he took your life, and in a way, he almost took mine too. So, I had to make him pay. Otherwise, every time I closed my eyes, I would see you covered in blood. I wouldn’t be able to live peacefully for the rest of my life. Lu Heng, the first time I met you at your doorstep, I was only five. I don’t even remember when I started liking you because it was so long ago. The day I accepted your confession, we were both in our sophomore year; I was eighteen, and you were twenty. On the day we got engaged, you were twenty-six, and I was twenty-four. On the day you died, you were twenty-seven, and I was twenty-five. You were a part of my life for twenty years. I never imagined a life without you. You were one of the most important witnesses to every major event in my life. I never imagined you leaving me. It was like I was a princess in a crystal ball, living a perfect fairytale every day. So when the crystal ball was shattered by God’s hand, and you left my life in such a tragic way, it was as if the sky had fallen. I lay in bed every day, enduring wave after wave of memories and nightmares crashing down. I was at the eye of the storm, at the singularity of a black hole. I couldn’t fight back, and all I could think about was when you would come to take me away. ‘Take me away, Lu Heng.’ I said that to myself every night as I stared at the ceiling. Then I met Luo Tian. At first, I only got to know him because of your case, but I didn’t expect to go through so much with him. Lu Heng, I think the wound you left me with is finally starting to heal. But it will always be like a scar that still hurts. It will never disappear. Even looking at it will trigger a deep pain. But at least, it’s scabbing over now, no longer gushing blood. Lu Heng, you will forever be the scar on my heart. But now, I need to move forward.”
Bai Cheng took a cross necklace out of her pocket and placed it in front of Lu Heng’s grave. “This necklace was given to me by Mrs. Wu, the mother of the young patient you used to care for, the one who was so good at drawing. She said it might bring me peace. I think I’ve already found my peace, so I’m leaving this necklace for you. I hope that in God’s kingdom, in the Holy City, you have found peace.”
“Lu Heng, I’m leaving now. If I meet you again in my dreams, I’ll greet you with a smile. I hope the you in my dreams is smiling too.”
“Goodbye, Lu Heng.”
Bai Cheng wiped the tears off her face and stood up to leave the cemetery.
On New Year’s Eve, An City prohibited the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers. The adults were at home preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner, while children either gathered to play at the door or stayed indoors watching TV shows. Every household lit up their homes, and the city glowed like a glittering Milky Way spread across the streets and alleys, quietly flowing.
Bai Cheng sat at home while her parents busied themselves in the kitchen. After Ni Qiu’s death, Lu Heng’s parents had moved to England. Dean Lu had transferred ownership of Hong Ji Hospital and accepted an old classmate’s invitation to run the Nottingham branch of their hospital, becoming one of the partners.
Lu Heng’s death and the departure of the Lu family had inevitably cast a shadow of sadness over this New Year’s Eve.
At 8 p.m., the Spring Festival Gala officially began. Just like every year, the hosts’ impassioned voices filled the air, while the performers energetically showcased their talents. The audience responded with bursts of laughter and applause.
“Thankfully, this boring Spring Festival Gala lightened the sadness lingering over New Year’s Eve,” Bai Cheng thought.
She picked up a dumpling and bit into it, the fresh, sweet juice bursting in her mouth, easing her heavy heart a little. Just then, her phone screen lit up with a message from Luo Tian on WeChat.
Bai Cheng opened the message. It was a simple four-word greeting: “Happy New Year.”
Just as Bai Cheng was about to type her reply, another message popped up beneath the first: “I was going to wait until midnight to wish you a happy new year, but I got impatient and couldn’t wait.”
Bai Cheng typed back, “Happy New Year. It’s okay. You can send me another one at midnight.” Then she hit send.
“Alright, I’ll send you another one at midnight.”
“Mm.”
After sending the message, Bai Cheng set her phone back on the table and picked up the dumpling in her bowl, popping the whole thing into her mouth and slowly savoring its sweet, oily flavor.
After dinner, Bai Cheng’s father watched a heartwarming family skit on the Spring Festival Gala. Perhaps thinking of the Lu family, he sighed heavily, feeling sorry for the talented young Lu Heng and the grief-stricken Lu couple, who had lost their son.
After a moment of quiet sighing, he turned to Bai Cheng and said, “Cheng’er, though we’re all deeply saddened by Lu Heng’s death, the culprit has now been punished. It’s a new year. You should look ahead…”
Bai Cheng interrupted her father, “Dad, I understand what you mean. I’ve already let go of Lu Heng. Really. I’ve even talked to my graduate advisor, and she’s recommended a two-year PhD program to me. I’ve already submitted my application, and I’ll get the results after the New Year. If everything goes well, I’ll be heading to the UK for further studies.”
“Then after your PhD…”
“I’ll come back, Dad. Lu Heng’s matter is resolved now. I want to go out for a while, say a proper goodbye to the past, and then come back to take care of you and Mom.”
“Your mom and I don’t need you to take care of us. As long as you’re doing well, that’s enough. Just be safe while you’re abroad, and keep in touch with us. Let us know you’re safe every night.”
“I know, Dad. I’ll take care of myself.”
“Just make sure you stay safe out there. Your mom and I will always be here waiting for you to come back.”
Bai Cheng nodded at her father, then turned back to her phone, where Lin Fei was urging Kang He to send a big red packet in the group chat. Generous as always, Kang He sent a 666-yuan red packet. Bai Cheng didn’t try to grab it. Instead, she sent her own 666-yuan red packet. Luo Tian then followed up with an 888-yuan red packet.
Bai Cheng tried to grab Luo Tian’s red packet and ended up being the luckiest, getting the biggest share. She sent the red packet back to the group and then put her phone down, absentmindedly watching the Spring Festival Gala.
As the final song, Unforgettable Tonight, played at the end of the Gala, the clock struck midnight, and the new year officially began. Bai Cheng’s phone chimed with a notification.
She picked it up to find a message from Luo Tian with his promised midnight greeting. This time, he added four more words after “Happy New Year”: “Wishing you success in everything.”
Bai Cheng smiled. This man always had a strange sense of humor, but somehow, she found it endearing. She typed, “Happy New Year. Wishing you good health and that all your wishes come true.” Then she sent the message.
After putting down her phone, Bai Cheng began to feel a bit sleepy. Her parents had gone to bed early, not staying up until midnight. She sent Luo Tian a message, “I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight,” and then went to wash up. After washing, she took her phone, turned off the lights in the living room, and returned to her bedroom. Before she went to sleep, she glanced at her phone one last time. Luo Tian had sent a reply: “Goodnight.”
Bai Cheng placed her phone on the nightstand, turned off the bedroom lights, and closed her eyes.
