Liang Chen was very efficient. As soon as they got home, Ji Qiu received his contact information, with thoughtful notes about the two households’ situations.
Ji Qiu wasn’t idle either. Seeing that Liang Chen had especially pointed out one of them and praised their clarity and honesty, he tentatively sent an email.
The reporter from Public Health Times replied quickly.
Early the next morning, Ji Qiu already received a reply.
That day was the weekend, and also the last day of the year. Ji Qiu thought he’d have to wait until Monday for a response, but unexpectedly, the other side didn’t seem to rest even during holidays.
The contact was named Yu Zhenghao—a name that sounded upright and serious. Yet when Ji Qiu picked up the phone, what came through the receiver was a very gentle voice.
The man first introduced himself, briefly explained some background, then let Ji Qiu continue.
Perhaps Liang Chen had given him a heads-up beforehand, because after Ji Qiu roughly described what had happened, the other side wasn’t surprised. “I see. I understand. Dean Liang already told me a bit. Coincidentally, a few years ago I followed up on another KB Pharma incident—it was about their cardiovascular drugs.”
Yu Zhenghao paused. “I can’t go into details, but the outcome was only barely resolved. KB’s legal team is very skilled in handling these matters.”
Ji Qiu gave a light “mm.”
“I know you’re anxious. I’ve experienced it once before, so I understand.”
“But there’s something you should be prepared for.” Yu Zhenghao’s tone grew serious. “If we were to call you the side of truth, or justice…”
“Your strength is simply too weak. Compared with them, even the word ‘disparity’ doesn’t cover it. The gap is so vast that you almost have no chance of winning.”
“I know,” Ji Qiu said. “But someone has to do it.”
Yu Zhenghao didn’t respond to that, nor did he sneer dismissively like other media outlets had. Instead, he continued, “You need to understand: if you go through normal public opinion channels, KB’s PR will easily suppress it until no one pays attention anymore.
“And if you go through the courts…” Yu Zhenghao gave a wry laugh. “That’s exactly what they want. Their company has an entire legal team on standby. Even just dragging things out with document submissions, they can stall you for a year or two. By the time the case goes to trial, it’ll be far too late.”
Ji Qiu knew this already and stayed quiet.
“I’ll do what I can to help you,” Yu Zhenghao said. “So, based on what I’ve told you, first you’ll need sufficient factual evidence before I can proceed. Secondly—”
“You must look for flaws in them. They may look like an iron wall, but they aren’t completely unbreakable.”
Some things couldn’t be fully explained over the phone, so after agreeing on a time to meet in person, Ji Qiu hung up.
With the meeting scheduled, all that remained was a short wait.
Before the shocking event occurred, he and Liang Yan first spent the rest of the weekend together.
“Done talking?” Liang Yan asked from the sofa where he was sunbathing, waiting for Ji Qiu to finish the call.
He’d heard every word of the conversation, and when Ji Qiu hung up, he didn’t pry further.
The weather was nice that day, and their rented place had excellent sunlight. Liang Yan lay lazily on the sofa, like a contented cat.
Seeing this, “cat teaser” Ji Xiao-Qiu went over, ready to pounce, but Liang Yan swatted his hand away. “Don’t move.”
Ji Qiu pulled back his hand pitifully.
Ignoring his look, Liang Yan changed clothes and went out with Ji Qiu for lunch.
Since their place was close to campus, they ran into several schoolmates while eating. Even though they couldn’t name them, they still attracted a few stares.
“Everyone seems to be in high spirits today,” Liang Yan remarked on their way back.
Ji Qiu moved closer and held his hand, ignoring the glances of classmates who saw them. “Of course. It’s the last day of the year—time to welcome the new one.”
That reminder made Liang Yan realize that only a week had passed since the inexplicable fight on Christmas Eve.
Yet in just that one week, he had already moved in with Ji Qiu, confronted his father, and even gained his father’s support.
He looked at Ji Qiu. “New Year’s Eve?”
“Mm-hmm.” Ji Qiu’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Liang Yan hesitated, then asked, “…Do you want to celebrate too?”
“I…” Ji Qiu thought for a moment. “I want to go on a date with Yan Yan.”
And so, the two of them ended up going on their first official date.
Neither had experience, so they followed the usual routine—downtown stroll, a movie.
The New Year’s Eve atmosphere was livelier than usual. Street musicians strummed guitars, families took their children out, chattering couples clung to each other, and students spilled into the city after class.
It felt as if everyone, without exception, was earnestly living their lives.
“Yan Yan?” Ji Qiu waved his hand at Liang Yan, who was staring blankly at the square. “The movie’s about to start.”
In truth, they didn’t do anything special—just like any normal couple, they watched a movie neither of them could remember afterward, then picked a small restaurant without a line and had dinner together.
The day felt no different from any other.
As night fell and the streetlights flickered on, the once-a-year evening gradually arrived.
Since they were in the city center, the square outside the restaurant was already crowded with people.
“So lively,” Ji Qiu said, glancing at the throng not far away.
Silently, Liang Yan agreed in his heart. Normally, he found large crowds irritating, but maybe because he had been with Ji Qiu for so long, his heart remained calm, untouched by the noise.
With no other plans, they were satisfied with the date and prepared to head back.
“Shall we walk or get a cab?” Ji Qiu asked his opinion.
“Let’s walk,” Liang Yan replied, glancing at the bustling crowd. “It’s not too far anyway. If we take a cab, we’ll probably have to queue.”
Ji Qiu naturally agreed to whatever he said.
“I heard there’ll be fireworks later, at the amusement park. I only just found out, or I would’ve taken you there. Don’t know if we can see them from here.” Ji Qiu pointed toward the distant Ferris wheel, muttering regretfully, as though blaming himself for not planning better.
“It’s fine,” Liang Yan said indifferently. He didn’t like squeezing into big crowds anyway, and the amusement park never held much appeal.
“That’s good then.” Ji Qiu blinked. “Let’s go.”
Liang Yan nodded, walking side by side with him.
Ji Qiu, as if worried he might be cold, sometimes slipped his hand into Liang Yan’s pocket, sometimes clung to his arm, sticking close as they walked.
Liang Yan let him do as he pleased.
And as expected, after a few minutes, Ji Qiu found something new to do.
He ran a few steps ahead, then turned around with a grin, walking backward so he was face-to-face with Liang Yan.
Liang Yan had no idea what he was up to this time. “Careful. Don’t bump into anyone.”
…Not even looking at the road.
“Then you hold onto me.” The Alpha, ever skilled at acting spoiled, stretched out his hand. “That way I won’t bump into anything.”
“You’re childish,” Liang Yan said helplessly. But words were one thing—he still reached his hand out, letting Ji Qiu take it.
Ji Qiu grabbed on as though it were some priceless treasure.
He walked backward, eyes fixed on Liang Yan, full of warmth and energy.
Infected by the lively emotion in his gaze, Liang Yan couldn’t help lifting the corners of his mouth. “Then hold on tight.”
So they moved like that—one retreating, one advancing. Neither spoke, with Liang Yan occasionally warning him to watch his step, always keeping an eye on the road for him.
Crowds bustled all around. But on this night, when everyone was happily awaiting the new year, even if people noticed the two holding hands, they only smiled kindly, sending them blessings with their eyes.
They didn’t know our names, but they knew we were in love.
Qi City might be inland, but it had its landmark lake, with a great bridge spanning east and west, stringing together the city’s lively spirit into one.
“Want some milk tea?” Ji Qiu, still walking backward, spotted a shop still open. Inside, they sold Liang Yan’s favorite flavor. “Doesn’t look like there’s a line. Wait here, I’ll go get it for you.”
Liang Yan leaned against the railing of the bridge, his hands still warm from Ji Qiu’s touch. He slid them back into his pockets, trying to preserve that warmth a little longer.
He watched the city lights mirrored in the lake, the LED screen across the bridge counting down second by second to the new year.
He watched boats strung with colored lights glide across the water, rippling the glassy surface into shimmering streaks of color.
He watched his Alpha inside the milk tea shop, standing obediently in the waiting area with the order slip in hand, eyes shining with anticipation as he waited for his drink.
The boats slowed.
On the LED screen, less than half a minute remained until midnight.
“Twenty, nineteen, eighteen…”
The crowd around them stirred, joyfully pulling their loved ones close, beginning to count down with excitement, with each other, with the whole city.
“Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen…”
Ji Qiu finally got the milk tea. He hurried out the shop door, waving at Liang Yan as he ran toward him.
“Eight, seven, six…”
Ji Qiu ran up to him, panting, his steps not even fully stopping as he shoved the warm milk tea into Liang Yan’s hands. “Yan Yan!”
Maybe because of the crowd, he was afraid Liang Yan wouldn’t hear him, so his voice rose slightly—bright and brimming with joy that seemed ready to overflow.
“Five, four, three, two, one…”
Boom!
A thunderous crack split the sky, and fireworks of every color blossomed all at once. Amid the cheers of the crowd, they painted the night sky with dazzling brilliance.
But the gentleness in Ji Qiu’s eyes rivaled the city lights mirrored in the lake, outshone even the endless stars above.
Behind Liang Yan, fireworks blazed in riotous color. And Ji Qiu was rushing straight toward him—crossing mountains and rivers, all for him.
“——Happy New Year.”
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