WAYCAC Chapter 101 (end)

TL: Hua

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Chapter 101: Stay up late on New Year’s Eve – A new year has begun

On New Year’s Eve, the outside was decorated with lanterns and lights, full of lively cheer.

Although ordinary people wouldn’t recognize the Crown Prince’s face, Pei Xiting’s face was different. It was both highly recognizable and well-known. So, as soon as they reached the Yangliu Street intersection, Pei Xiting stealthily approached a vendor with Zong Suiyang and picked out a tiger mask.

“This one is prettier,” Zong Suiyang said, choosing a fox mask and holding it up to Pei Xiting’s face.

“Okay,” Pei Xiting pulled the brim of his hat up a little, letting Zong Suiyang put the mask on him. Then he put the tiger mask on Zong Suiyang’s face. “Wow, you look so imposing.”

“Wow,” Zong Suiyang said, looking at him. “You look so cute.”

“Copycat,” Pei Xiting teased. “Did you pay for that?”

Zong Suiyang said nothing but took out the purse of silver fragments he had specially prepared and put a piece on the stall.

“Hey, sir, that’s too much,” the vendor said anxiously.

“No need for change,” Zong Suiyang said, tying the purse and taking Pei Xiting’s hand. They walked off together.

The vendor stretched his neck to thank them, his face beaming with joy as he picked up the silver fragments.

The air smelled of firecrackers. Although it wasn’t a pleasant smell, it added to the festive atmosphere. Pei Xiting took a deep breath and said, “It’s not snowing tonight, or else the vendors wouldn’t be doing so well.”

“It doesn’t often snow around New Year’s Eve in Yejing. If it does, it’s just a light snow, but it often snows in the middle of the night,” Zong Suiyang said when he saw the candied hawthorn stall they had passed on their way back to the East Palace today. “Do you want some more?”

“Just one skewer,” Pei Xiting said, pulling Zong Suiyang over and choosing a skewer with a mix of grapes and kumquats.

Zong Suiyang paid, took the candied hawthorns, and peeled off the oil paper wrapper. “Be careful when you eat; there are a lot of people outside. Don’t poke your mouth.”

Pei Xiting said, “Got it,” then added, “Let’s go to Yuanyang Pavilion first. I want to see if Lingling is back.”

“He’s not,” Zong Suiyang said.

“How do you know?” Pei Xiting looked at Zong Suiyang in confusion. “Do you have surveillance on Lingling too?”

Zong Suiyang knew what “surveillance” meant. He shook his head. “Why didn’t you invite Qing Lingling to the East Palace tonight?”

Pei Xiting had sent someone to deliver New Year’s gifts and left an invitation for Qing Lingling that said, “If you’re free tonight, you can come to the East Palace for a New Year’s Eve dinner with us.” He had said this because he guessed Qing Lingling had other plans, and it turned out he was right.

Pei Xiting nudged Zong Suiyang’s arm with his elbow. “Hey, I have a question for you.”

“You want to ask about the relationship between Fushu and Qing Lingling?” Zong Suiyang said.

“We really have a deep connection,” Pei Xiting said with a sweet compliment, then continued, “King Ning’s residence surely isn’t happy about the prince and Lingling, right?”

Zong Suiyang hummed in agreement.

“Actually, I’m a little confused about the prince and Lingling’s relationship,” Pei Xiting said, feeding the last candied hawthorn to Zong Suiyang and clapping his hands. “They’re not exactly ‘dating,’ and they’re not ‘patron and paramour.’ Neither description feels quite right.”

Zong Suiyang had a good understanding of what “dating” meant, but he asked, “What does ‘patron and paramour’ mean?”

Pei Xiting tilted his head, and Zong Suiyang leaned in to listen. He whispered, “It means being a ‘kept lover.’ A sugar daddy and his ‘little paramour.'”

Zong Suiyang looked at him. “You know a lot.”

“Don’t you know many sons of officials in Yejing keep lovers outside? Don’t think I’m naive,” Pei Xiting said, glancing at Zong Suiyang. “Of course, I am innocent.”

“What about before?” Zong Suiyang asked.

Pei Xiting interpreted “before” as “before the transmigration” and couldn’t help but laugh. “I was only eighteen or nineteen back then. What could I have kept?”

“Oh,” Zong Suiyang said. “So it’s okay at twenty-eight or twenty-nine?”

This troublesome man, Pei Xiting thought, scratching his head and starting to run.

Zong Suiyang quickly gripped Pei Xiting’s shoulder, holding him in place. “Where are you running to?”

Pei Xiting replied, “I’m running into your heart.”

Zong Suiyang clearly didn’t get the cringey pickup line and replied, “Aren’t you already running around in there day and night without a break?”

Their eyes met. The corners of Pei Xiting’s eyes curved up. Zong Suiyang finally got it, clicked his tongue, let go of Pei Xiting, and walked off.

“Oh, don’t be shy!” Pei Xiting scurried after him, buying a rattle drum from a small stall along the way. He shook it in front of Zong Suiyang’s face. “Look at me, look at me!”

Zong Suiyang was forced to stop. He reached into Pei Xiting’s cloak and gave a firm squeeze to his curvy, plump backside. Pei Xiting’s expression changed slightly, and he whispered, “Watch your surroundings!”

Although the streets were crowded, everyone was preoccupied with their own affairs. Who would deliberately stare at passersby? Zong Suiyang had no idea how conspicuous the two of them walking together would be—even if he knew, he pretended not to know and didn’t care. Hearing this, he said, “You teased me first.”

“Okay, my bad,” Pei Xiting said, offering the rattle drum with both hands. “Please forgive me.”

“Who am I?” Zong Suiyang didn’t accept it easily.

“Zong Suiyang,” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Suiyang walked around Pei Xiting. “Who is Zong Suiyang?”

“Zong Suiyang is Zong Suiyang,” Pei Xiting said, turning to follow him. “He’s my bestest boyfriend.”

The word “boyfriend” was a common term, and its meaning was quite pleasant, but Zong Suiyang was still not satisfied. “Bestest? It seems you’ve made a comparison.”

“?” Pei Xiting quickly corrected himself. “I mean the bestest in the whole world!”

Zong Suiyang said coolly, “Who did you compare me to to come to that conclusion?”

“Anyone but you,” Pei Xiting said with a raised eyebrow, smiling in retaliation. “Don’t you have that kind of confidence?”

Zong Suiyang stopped. The tip of his shoe gently touched the tip of Pei Xiting’s. He looked into Pei Xiting’s bright eyes and said, “I do.”

Pei Xiting smiled. “And I trust you completely.”

Zong Suiyang smiled faintly, watching Pei Xiting give the rattle drum he had used to coax him to a passing child. He couldn’t help but feel a little displeased. After the child happily walked away, he said, “Wasn’t that for me?”

“It was to coax you,” Pei Xiting said with a laugh. “Now that you’ve been soothed, it’s of no use anymore.”

Zong Suiyang gave him a look like he’d been betrayed.

Pei Xiting bumped Zong Suiyang’s shoulder. “Isn’t your giant rattle drum right here? Feel free to use it anytime.”

“Can I use it now?” Zong Suiyang asked.

Pei Xiting, looking into Zong Suiyang’s eyes as dark as the night sky, asked with a discerning look, “You’re talking about using it for proper purposes, not improper ones, right?”

Zong Suiyang was noncommittal. He reached out and rubbed the flesh on Pei Xiting’s chin. “Let’s go.”

Pei Xiting said coolly, “Let’s go.”

Zong Suiyang smiled. “Give me a smile.”

Pei Xiting bared a row of teeth.

“Your teeth have changed color,” Zong Suiyang said.

Pei Xiting grinned, squeezing his face closer to Zong Suiyang’s. Zong Suiyang laughed, took the opportunity to put an arm around his waist, and coaxed, “They’re purple agate teeth.”

“Then buy me some agate,” Pei Xiting said, taking the opportunity to extort him.

Zong Suiyang said, “Yes,” and took Pei Xiting to a jewelry shop. “See if there’s any good…”

Before he could finish, they saw two people coming down the stairs. The first one was dressed in a brocade robe and a jade crown, looking quite dashing and elegant. The person behind him was wrapped in a colorful embroidered jacket and skirt, rubbing the white jade bracelet on his wrist.

They were the two people they had just been talking about.

Pei Xiting didn’t say a word or call out to them. He simply went forward and “wall-pinned” the joyous Qing Lingling against the railing on the first floor.

“Who’s blind…Brother Pei!” Qing Lingling patted his chest, glaring at Pei Xiting. “You scared me!” Then his expression changed, and he held up his wrist. “Look at the bracelet I painstakingly chose. Isn’t it pretty?”

Pei Xiting took Qing Lingling’s wrist and carefully examined the jade bracelet. It had a cloud pattern and a brilliant luster. He nodded. “It’s a fine piece. It suits you.”

Zong Rui was a few steps away, talking to Zong Suiyang. Pei Xiting whispered, “Oh, did you have New Year’s Eve dinner with the prince tonight?”

“We just finished eating and came here to walk it off,” Qing Lingling said, remembering the invitation from yesterday. He hugged Pei Xiting’s arm and acted spoiled. “Don’t be mad at me.”

“If you had somewhere to go, then you should go. If you didn’t, you could come over. It was all up to you. Why would I be mad at you?” Pei Xiting said. “Is there anything else you want? I’ll buy it for you.”

Zong Rui had already bought a lot for Qing Lingling, so much that his room was almost full, but when he heard this, Qing Lingling was still very receptive. “I want a pair of earrings to match my little yellow jacket!”

“Alright,” Pei Xiting said, following him to the “accessories section.”

Qing Lingling was lying on the counter, looking troubled at the selected pearl strings, white jade snowflakes, and jadeite leaves, unsure which pair would match better.

Pei Xiting walked over with a pair of red and black hairbands. “Don’t overthink it. Just buy them all and try them on when you get back. Boss, wrap these up. Put these two hairbands together.”

“Coming right up! Just a moment, you two!” The boss nimbly took out a small case, packed the three pairs of earrings, and handed them to Qing Lingling. Then he took a brocade ribbon, put the pair of hair ties in it, and handed it to Pei Xiting, smiling as he said, “If any of the jade jewelry has issues within six months, you can bring it back to my shop, and we will take care of it.”

Pei Xiting nodded and thanked him, and the boss saw them to the door.

After Zong Rui and Qing Lingling left, Zong Suiyang examined the brocade pouch in Pei Xiting’s hand. “Didn’t you want to buy purple agate?” he asked.

“I looked, but there wasn’t anything I particularly liked,” Pei Xiting replied. “I was just browsing. If I saw something I wanted, I’d buy it, but it’s not a must. Besides,” he shook the pouch, “I bought a pair of hair ties. They’re very pretty.”

Zong Suiyang took the pouch, put it in his sleeve, and held Pei Xiting’s hand. “We can look again later then.”

Pei Xiting hummed in agreement. “Was the Prince eating New Year’s Eve dinner with Lingling tonight? Was he not at King Ning’s residence?”

“He had two dinners. The one at King Ning’s residence was earlier,” Zong Suiyang said.

Pei Xiting pondered for a moment. “Oh, I didn’t finish my question from before. What if King Ning’s residence asks the East Palace for the prince’s marriage? Would you put pressure on him?”

“I’m not his father, and I don’t care about his marriage. He’s an adult; he can handle his own affairs,” Zong Suiyang chuckled softly. “Fushu is already bold enough to talk back to his father. He’s got a hard spine.”

Pei Xiting smiled. “As long as you don’t pressure him, the rest is up to fate.”

Zong Suiyang remembered that Pei Xiting had entered the Mei manor with Qing Lingling that night, so Qing Lingling could be considered their matchmaker. Although, given Pei Xiting’s personality, if they hadn’t met that night, he would have found a way to run into him later.

“Ask Qing Lingling what he wants,” Zong Suiyang said. “If he doesn’t want to stay at Yuanyang Pavilion, we can find a better place for him. He has skill, and with a little help, everything will be fine.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but you don’t need to worry about him,” Pei Xiting said, spreading his hands. “Lingling’s contract isn’t with Yuanying Pavilion. The prince has had it for a long time. He’s a free man.”

Hearing this, Zong Suiyang didn’t say anything more. He led Pei Xiting through the crowd, like everyone else on the street, seeking the most ordinary and precious happiness during this yearly festival.

As the hour of midnight approached, fireworks exploded in unison, instantly making the night sky as bright as day. The crowd cheered, and Pei Xiting and Zong Suiyang turned to look at the sky together.

Amidst the worldly bustle, Pei Xiting had many things on his mind, but in the end, he said nothing. He just held Zong Suiyang’s hand tightly.

The dazzling and magnificent light filled the sky, illuminating their two hands tightly clasped together.

***

The lights of the East Palace are never extinguished throughout the night on New Year’s Eve, a custom called “lighting the year.”

Zong Lu was studying the fireworks Pei Xiting had bought. Little King was digging in the snow beside him when it suddenly smelled something. It raised its head sharply, scattering dust and snow everywhere, and dashed out.

Zong Lu knew who had returned.

Sure enough, a moment later, Zong Suiyang and Pei Xiting walked hand in hand, with Little King trotting happily behind them, biting at Pei Xiting’s robe.

“Fifth Uncle, Brother Pei,” Zong Lu got up to greet them.

“We bought some snacks to eat while we stay up tonight,” Pei Xiting said, patting Zong Lu’s head. “Didn’t you go out?”

“I went out to play with Commander Yu, Lord Fu, and Brother Yuan Fang. We just got back.” Zong Lu walked to the corridor, poured two cups of hot wine from the small table, and handed them to Pei Xiting and Zong Suiyang. “Warm yourself up.”

Pei Xiting thanked him and took a sip of the wine. “Has Mother not woken up yet?”

During the New Year’s Eve dinner, Bu Suying had had a few too many drinks and fallen into a deep sleep, so Pei Xiting had sent her to a side hall.

“I had someone go check on her earlier. Aunt Bu is in a very deep sleep. I’m afraid she won’t be able to stay up with us tonight,” Zong Lu said.

“Then let her rest well. It’s already cold out, and it’s warmer in bed,” Pei Xiting said to the wobbly Little King who had walked over. “Where did you go to play?”

“It went out with Bai Tang and came back earlier than I did,” Zong Lu said.

Pei Xiting held Little King’s head and rubbed it for a bit, then got up and went inside to change his clothes. Little King wanted to follow him, but Zong Lu called it back.

However, the little prince was overthinking it. The two, who often get passionate without any preamble or regard for time or place, didn’t get passionate while changing their clothes. Instead, they came out in proper loungewear.

Of course, the time it took to change was a little longer than usual, so there must have been a small moment of passion. The evidence was Brother Pei’s lips, which were redder than when he went in, and a fresh tooth mark on Fifth Uncle’s neck.

Zong Lu averted his eyes, pretending he hadn’t noticed anything.

Pei Xiting didn’t know he had once again corrupted a child’s innocent mind. He laid out a thick blanket on the two-person rocking chair, took the pillows Zong Suiyang handed him, and then went to play with the fireworks and firecrackers.

Zong Suiyang brought the blankets out and put them on the chair, added some charcoal to the fire basin, and added a warmer. When he felt it was ready, he walked down the long corridor and watched Pei Xiting.

“Let me try one first,” Pei Xiting said, placing a small red firework on the ground and taking out the matching lighter. Zong Suiyang blew on the fire starter and handed it over. Pei Xiting lit the lighter and used it to light the firework fuse.

With a sizzle, the fuse quickly burned to the top of the firework. The small firework suddenly burst forth with a brilliant silver light in the shape of a tree.

“Not bad! Lu’er, come quickly!” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Lu ran out from under the porch, squatted down beside Pei Xiting, and chose a green firework. When he lit it, it made a flower shape. “This one isn’t bad either,” he said.

Zong Suiyang stood behind Pei Xiting with his hands clasped behind his back, blocking the wind for him. He suddenly heard a soft sound and looked to the side, seeing Yuan Fang and Fu Wei climb over the wall.

“Can’t you two just use the front gate?” Pei Xiting asked.

Yuan Fang placed the newly purchased fireworks on the table, lit one with a flourish, and the fireworks shot up into the sky, bursting into the shape of a small tiger.

Little King let out a tiger roar!

Pei Xiting, caught off guard, shivered and ran after Little King with a firework, chasing it around the garden and falling face-first into the snow.

“Ow!”

Zong Lu was closest. He was about to turn and help, but in a flash, his fifth uncle had already scooped Pei Xiting up.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Zong Suiyang frowned, about to peel away Pei Xiting’s hand covering his face when he suddenly felt a weight on his body.

Pei Xiting had bounced up and was now clinging to him. “You guys didn’t see anything,” he said.

Yuan Fang thought to himself, It’s not the first time he’s fallen. I’m used to it, and lit another firework.

Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting’s face. He didn’t see any red marks, so he was relieved. “Be more careful,” he said.

Little King came over and nudged Pei Xiting’s bottom, startling him. “Hey!” Pei Xiting yelped. “Don’t covet your dad’s treasure!”

Little King looked confused and let out a soft rumble.

“What are you saying?” Zong Suiyang didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry. He gave Pei Xiting a little hoist before setting him back down.

After landing, Pei Xiting spun around, lit a small firework, and threw it. It shot a silver light into the air like a fleeting silver river.

He lit another one and let go. Little King pounced and “whack!” it with its front paw, batting it away.

“Good boy!” Pei Xiting, committed to encouraging education, immediately gave it a thumbs-up.

Little King was so encouraged that it lay down and rolled over, kicking up a patch of snow.

“Quick, make way!” Yu Shaoyun and You Zong came in from outside, carrying a large firework. They put it down in the middle of the garden and clapped their hands.

Pei Xiting leaned forward and said, “Wow, a sky rocket.”

“This is called ‘Myriad Lights,'” You Zong said. “Once it’s lit, it’ll fly into the sky, and everyone in the palace will be able to see it.”

“You need to use this to light it.” Bai Tang climbed over the wall with a torch in his hand.

Yu Shaoyun’s mouth twitched. “What a fool you are! That’s too much.”

Bai Tang gave him a sideways glance and quickly calculated in his mind: Since His Highness is so compliant with Pei-wenshu’s wishes, Pei-wenshu should be the one to light it. So he handed the torch to Pei Xiting.

Pei Xiting solemnly took the torch, walked with his head held high to “Myriad Lights,” and, under Yu Shaoyun’s guidance, found the fuse. He lit it cleanly and turned around with a flourish.

“Bang!”

The firework exploded in the night sky, first forming the shape of a large and brilliant flower. Then there was another bang, and it transformed into a dragon, a phoenix, and a shooting star… The shapes and colors were dazzling, illuminating half the night sky.

Pei Xiting retreated into Zong Suiyang’s cloak, wrapped up snugly. In front of him stood Zong Lu, whose shoulders he was holding, and Little King, who was trying to block the wind for him. Yuan Fang and Fu Wei stood one in front of the other on his left side, discussing the overly ugly snake-shaped firework. On his right side were Yu Shaoyun and Bai Tang, who would always argue when they met. They were in a heated debate over whether the dragon shape or the auspicious cloud shape was the most beautiful, and they were forcing You Zong to be the judge.

Outside the garden, there were gasps and applause. Everyone was cheering and watching this display. This, it seemed, was “Myriad Lights.”

Pei Xiting stared at the constantly changing firework shapes and said softly, “Grandpa, I’ve finally found a second home.”

The kind and gentle face of the old man appeared in the night sky. Like the fireworks, it was bright and festive but gone in an instant.

Zong Suiyang studied Pei Xiting’s lost-in-thought profile, hugged him a little tighter, and whispered in his ear, “Your grandfather would be happy for you.”

Pei Xiting came back to himself, turned his head, and smiled. “How do you know everything?”

“Because I’ve installed a monitoring device in your stomach,” Zong Suiyang replied, using a newly learned phrase.

Pei Xiting laughed heartily, nodding vigorously. “Grandpa would be happy… I know he must be looking out for me.”

Zong Suiyang hummed in agreement, holding him very tightly.

“Myriad Lights” ended after a long time. Yuan Fang crushed a dud firework in his hand and turned to see that the two had nearly merged into one. He turned to look at Fu Wei.

Fu Wei understood and turned to look at You Zong.

And so, a game of “understanding without words” began silently. By the time Pei Xiting noticed, there was no one left in the garden.

“Hey, where did everyone go?”

“They must have gone far away. Don’t worry about them.” Zong Suiyang pulled Pei Xiting to the porch and sat down on the reclining chair. “Let’s stay up all night together.”

“Yes!” Pei Xiting kicked off his shoes and burrowed into the thick blanket. He placed a pillow on Zong Suiyang’s lap and lay down, resting his head.

Zong Suiyang covered him with a blanket. “If you’re cold, I can get another warmer.”

“I’m not cold; I’m quite warm,” Pei Xiting said. “I was thinking we could play mahjong together.”

Zong Suiyang raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to be alone with me?”

“I never said that. Don’t slander me.” Pei Xiting curled up his legs. “How did you stay up all night to celebrate the New Year in the past?”

“Working,” Zong Suiyang said.

Pei Xiting gave him a look of sympathy and snuggled closer into Zong Suiyang’s arms. “When my grandfather was still around, people would come to our house for New Year’s, and he would play chess with them. I don’t like chess, so I’d just sit nearby and occasionally pour some tea. After the guests left, my grandfather would talk to me about painting and watch movies with me.”

Zong Suiyang listened quietly. “Movies?”

Pei Xiting explained briefly, then added, “There are also movie theaters, places specifically for watching movies. Many people can watch at the same time in one hall. There are also private theaters or single rooms. I’ve been to all of them, and each has its own good points. If it were with you,”

He thought for a moment. “I would choose to go to a multi-person hall or a couple’s room. For the former, we would need to buy a bucket of popcorn and two drinks. If it were the latter, we’d need to bring some little gadgets.”

Zong Suiyang asked knowingly, “What little gadgets?”

Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow. “What little gadgets do you think?”

Zong Suiyang stared at him without a word, his eyes full of a teasing smile. Pei Xiting’s throat bobbed, and he reached out to hook Zong Suiyang’s collar, pulling him down to him.

Their lips brushed, followed by a few soft pecks. Pei Xiting then parted Zong Suiyang’s teeth and kissed him with fervor. He had been a diligent student lately and was now quite proficient. Their tongues entwined, going back and forth, and their four lips rubbed together with a smacking sound.

Pei Xiting wrapped his arms around Zong Suiyang’s neck, and Zong Suiyang held him tightly. They kissed for a long time under the warm blanket. When they parted, they were both out of breath. With hazy eyes, Pei Xiting looked at Zong Suiyang for a moment before obsessively kissing his chin and the tip of his nose.

As he kissed this man, he couldn’t help but think of a certain day in the past.

“Our little painter Pei, are you dating anyone lately?”

On a clear afternoon, Pei Mingfu was watering flowers in the garden when he saw a sleepy-eyed Pei Xiting come in from outside. He asked with a smile.

“Why would I be?” Pei Xiting walked to the flower stand to add water for him. “Last night was a class reunion. We stayed up all night playing games, so I just got back. Mr. Pei, your grandson is only 16. You’re encouraging puppy love.”

“I was with your grandmother when I was sixteen, but the way we counted back then was different,” Pei Mingfu teased. “By the way, old Feng’s grandson next door is a year younger than you, and he’s already given a diamond ring to his little girlfriend.”

Pei Xiting scoffed. “He just has too much money to spend. Believe me, they’ll break up in less than a week.”

Little Feng had inherited old Feng’s way of life and was quite the player. Pei Mingfu smiled and shook his head. “I don’t encourage puppy love, but if fate arrives, we should pay close attention. It’s not easy to meet your true match.”

The old man was about to ask what kind of girl his grandson liked when Pei Xiting deliberately said, “How can you be sure it’s a girl? Maybe I’ll be like Brother Li next door and find a boyfriend.”

Pei Mingfu said, “Alright, I’ll rephrase: What kind of person do you like?”

Pei Xiting answered without hesitation, “Someone exceptionally beautiful, like an immortal or a mythical creature from a painting. You can describe it with words, but it still feels insufficient. Do you understand?”

Pei Mingfu had always known that his grandson was obsessed with looks, and to a serious degree. Upon hearing this, he said, “I understand. Someone who makes your eyes go wide. Besides that, is there anything else? Like personality or hobbies?”

“No requirements, no plans, no standards,” Pei Xiting said. “As long as they catch my eye, I’ll love them just as they are.”

Pei Mingfu clicked his tongue. “Before, you said you didn’t believe in marriage. Now it sounds like you’re secretly hoping for someone to come along.”

“I don’t believe in marriage, but I’m open to dating,” Pei Xiting said, replacing the watering can for the old man. “Dating is all about novelty. When it’s new, everything is good, but the novelty soon wears off, and then both parties get tired of each other. There’s no need for them to keep wasting emotions, so they can say goodbye gracefully.”

“What if the novelty never fades?” the old man asked. “Your grandmother and I stayed fresh for a lifetime. She still often visits me in my dreams.”

“Then I still wouldn’t get married because not every couple is like you and Grandma,” Pei Xiting said. “Marriage takes away your freedom. Not to mention anything else, just the thought of my personal space gradually being invaded by another person’s belongings and my privacy potentially being spied on at any time by another person—I can’t stand that.”

He leaned in close to the old man. “You’ll support me, right? You won’t force a marriage on me or pressure me to get married like other families?”

“Of course, I support your choices,” Pei Mingfu said, gently tapping Pei Xiting’s forehead. “I’ll not only support you but also protect you. With me around, no one can use you as a bargaining chip. But—”

Pei Xiting’s eyes suddenly became sharp.

Pei Mingfu smiled. “How long can Grandpa be with you? Of course, I hope you can meet a genuine person. You’ll like each other, take care of each other, be with each other, and stay safe and healthy and grow old together.”

Pei Xiting thought, No pressure, no pressure, but when he met the old man’s kind eyes, he didn’t say it aloud. He just hummed in agreement. “Then you have to pray for me every day and wish for me to meet this person soon.”

Pei Mingfu said, “My grandson is wonderful in every way. He’ll definitely meet a good person.”

At the time, Pei Xiting had just laughed it off, even rebelliously hoping this good person would never appear and disrupt his life. When he met Zong Suiyang, he seemed to have acted on a whim, throwing caution to the wind. But sometimes, in the dead of night, as he tossed and turned, fantasizing about what it would be like to finally win over Zong Suiyang, his heart would flutter.

He was this obsessed even before he had the man. What if they actually got together? He’d turn into a total idiot!

For a moment, Pei Xiting wanted to give up, but in all other moments, he was resolute. Going after what he wanted had been his way of life since he was a child.

It was strange, too, that after getting together with Zong Suiyang, he had never feared being trapped. He had a bizarre, inexplicable confidence that this man, who liked to constrain himself, would never constrain him.

If restraint were a course, Zong Suiyang would have a perfect score. Even if he was finally willing to take the “indulgence” elective, he hadn’t lost his touch.

“What are you thinking about?” Zong Suiyang’s low, husky voice warmed Pei Xiting’s face, a sweet and malicious invasion of his breath.

“So many things…” Pei Xiting panted, his watery eyes fighting back. “In the future, will we lie in the same coffin?”

“Don’t you dislike being buried?” Zong Suiyang asked.

Pei Xiting was stunned. “If it’s with you, I can accept it. The condition is that we have to hold hands, wear the matching burial robes I designed, and wear the black jade bracelets Mother left behind.”

“Then the answer is yes,” Zong Suiyang said with a smile. “If you change your mind, our ashes will be mixed together in a peach forest, on Mount Chaohua, or somewhere in the Yunze forest. Whether we go to the underworld to be reincarnated or become the smoke and clouds of this world, we will never be separated.”

Pei Xiting’s eyes were slightly red. He leaned his forehead against Zong Suiyang’s and said, “We will.”

Little King snuck back, cautiously sticking in half of its head. Seeing the two people wrapped in a thick blanket on the rocking chair, it knew it had come at the wrong time.

It turned around sneakily and tiptoed a short distance before taking off in a mad dash.

A gentle snow began to fall in the middle of the night. Where the tiger had run, it had made a waterfall-like circle in the snow. A snow-covered branch broke off, dropping a pink plum blossom. Little King patted the ground with its paw, and the plum blossom shook loose, floating down to the ground, and watching it run happily into the distance.

The drums of the night watch sounded, heralding the beginning of the new year.

Clear snow and cold plum blossoms. Every year, on this night.

—The End.