New Year's Eve Extra

Firecrackers crackled one after another outside the window, shattering the morning's peace. "Ugh... so noisy." Gu Yue buried her head deep beneath the covers, trying to block out the irritating sound. The frustration of having her sweet dream interrupted lingered in her heart, but she knew there was no escaping the bustle of New Year's Eve. She angrily threw back the blanket, and cold air immediately slipped through the gaps in her pajamas, making her shiver.

After fumbling into her clothes, her phone chimed at just the right moment. The screen lit up with a message from Tang Wulin: "Gu Yue, Happy New Year. We're still having dinner at the little courtyard tonight." Seeing those words, Gu Yue's lips curved unconsciously. Her fingertips tapped out a reply—"Happy New Year, Wulin"—before she slipped the phone into her pocket.

The moment she pushed open the dormitory door, a piercing chill rushed at her. It had snowed all night, leaving the roads buried beneath a thick layer that crunched beneath her feet. Gu Yue moved carefully, the cold wind stinging her face. The path to the cafeteria was especially difficult; the snow had been trampled into a hard, slippery surface. She had to slow down and nearly slipped several times.

When she finally reached the cafeteria entrance, she stomped her feet hard, shaking snow from the tops of her shoes. As she pushed open the door, warm air carrying the scent of food washed over her, driving away the cold around her.

"Gu Yue, over here!" Tang Wulin called from a window-side table, waving at her. Gu Yue walked over and saw several meal trays already laid out on the table. Tang Wulin pushed one toward her. It held steaming porridge, golden pan-fried dumplings, and several side dishes.

"The food in the cafeteria is really plentiful on New Year's Eve." Xie Xie spoke vaguely with his cheeks stuffed full, his chopsticks reaching for the ribs on the plate again.

Tang Wulin smiled. "We're having dinner together tonight. Let's go buy some things after we eat."

"Don't tell me we're buying meat again this time." Gu Yue picked up her spoon and slowly stirred the porridge in her bowl.

"We're buying drinks this time." Tang Wulin looked at Xie Xie. "What do you think?"

Before Xie Xie could protest, Xu Xiaoyan smiled and chimed in, "Xie Xie is going to have to spend again."

"I..." Xie Xie opened his mouth, but Gu Yue cut him off before he could finish.

"What, don't tell me the young master is so poor that he doesn't even have money?" Gu Yue looked up at him, her tone carrying her usual provocation.

Xie Xie's face flushed slightly. "Of... of course not! I'm loaded!" He stiffened his neck and raised his voice. "Hurry up and go after we eat! Pick whatever you want!"

Xu Xiaoyan burst out laughing, and Tang Wulin could not help chuckling as well. Gu Yue lowered her head to drink her porridge, though the corners of her lips secretly curled upward.

The cafeteria was bustling. Students sat in groups of two and three, their laughter mingling with the clatter of bowls and chopsticks, filling the place with a rich holiday atmosphere. A layer of white mist covered the windows, and the occasional distant firecracker could still be heard outside.

Tang Wulin watched Gu Yue take small bites of her pan-fried dumplings before suddenly asking, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll make you a dish."

"Everything you make tastes good." Gu Yue did not look up, her voice soft.

"Oh my, listen to that." Xie Xie raised his brows teasingly.

Xu Xiaoyan kicked him beneath the table. Xie Xie yelped, drawing looks from several nearby tables.

"Eat quietly." Gu Yue shot Xie Xie a glance.

The noisy breakfast came to an end. After the four of them cleared away their trays and walked out of the cafeteria, the snow had stopped. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the clouds, scattering flecks of golden light across the snow. The air was crisp and clean, cool as it entered their lungs.

When they reached the supermarket they often visited, Gu Yue began carefully picking things out again. She picked up a bottle of liquor and inspected the label closely against the light. "This one is about to expire. It definitely won't taste good." After setting it down, she picked up another and shook her head. "This bottle is a little small. It won't be enough." Then she took another bottle, leaned closer to smell it, and said, "This one smells wrong. It won't taste good."

"Big sis, why are you starting again?" Xie Xie wailed miserably, practically draping himself over the shopping cart handle. "Can't we just grab a few bottles? We've been wandering around for twenty minutes already."

"Don't call me that." Gu Yue did not even turn around, her calm tone leaving no room for argument. She walked to another shelf, her eyes lighting up as she picked up a pale pink cocktail. "This one's good. Peach-flavored—it should be refreshing." She glanced at the selection beside it. "There are lots of flavors. Let's take two of each."

Hearing that, Tang Wulin immediately went over and took peach, lime, grape, grapefruit, and lychee cocktails, two bottles of each, placing them neatly in the cart. As Xie Xie watched the bottles steadily pile up, his heart ached as he silently calculated the price. He could practically hear Federation Credits flying out of his wallet.

You guys don't care because it's all my money you're spending... Xie Xie screamed inwardly. But when he looked at Gu Yue's calm profile and Tang Wulin's perfectly natural expression, he swallowed the words that reached his lips, letting out only an almost inaudible sigh.

In the end, the cart held five bottles of branded red wine—all selected after Gu Yue repeatedly compared their production dates and regions—two cases of canned beer, and those ten colorful bottles of cocktails, packed to the brim.

At the checkout counter, the machine beeped as it scanned the barcodes. Xie Xie watched the numbers on the screen rise, his heart jumping along with them. In the end, the total settled at 3,275 Federation Credits. He took a deep breath and swiped his card with trembling hands. When he heard the beep confirming payment, it felt as though someone had lightly cut him with a blade.

"Let's go. We'll meet up at the little courtyard." Tang Wulin picked up two heavy shopping bags and was the first to leave the supermarket. Gu Yue followed behind carrying the bag of cocktails, while Xie Xie hugged the two cases of beer, his steps heavy.

The afternoon sunlight was somewhat scorching. After they had not gone far, Gu Yue suddenly stopped. "I'm a little thirsty." As she spoke, she took a peach-flavored cocktail from the bag, skillfully twisted off the cap, and took a sip with her head tilted back. The pale pink liquid swayed inside the glass bottle, refracting a crystalline gleam beneath the sunlight.

"Hey, Gu Yue," Xie Xie said, his eyes widening. "That's for tonight's dinner!"

"Who says it makes a difference who drinks it?" Gu Yue took another sip, narrowing her eyes in satisfaction. The sweet freshness of peach spread through her mouth, carrying a faint fizz. It really was thirst-quenching.

Tang Wulin looked at her, a gentle smile appearing on his face, his eyes full of indulgence. "Drink it if you want. We bought plenty anyway."

"Boss, you and Gu Yue can just keep messing around together." Xie Xie shook his head helplessly and adjusted the beer cases in his arms. They were rather heavy, leaving his fingers red from the strain.

Gu Yue took several more sips before suddenly turning to Tang Wulin, her eyes sparkling. "Wulin, this is really good. Try some." As she spoke, she naturally held the bottle she had already drunk from out to him.

Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then accepted it just as naturally and drank from the spot where she had. The sweet peach fragrance mixed with a faint trace of Gu Yue's own scent, and it truly was crisp and pleasant. "Mm, not bad." He nodded and handed the bottle back.

"Boss!" Xie Xie's voice rose. "Gu Yue already drank from that! You two..."

"Wow!" Xu Xiaoyan had somehow appeared beside them. She cupped her face in both hands, her eyes shining as though she had discovered some earth-shattering secret. "An indirect kiss! So sweet!" She lowered her voice, but she could not hide the excitement and teasing in her tone. Even her cheeks had flushed slightly with excitement.

At those words, a faint blush passed over Gu Yue's ears, though her face remained expressionless. She merely took the bottle back and drank from it again. Tang Wulin coughed lightly and looked away, but the corners of his lips were slightly raised. Watching the scene, Xie Xie rolled his eyes and resigned himself to continuing onward.

That night, everyone gathered in the little courtyard. Their busy figures looked especially warm beneath the soft yellow lights. Xu Lizhi stood at the stove in an apron, skillfully stir-frying the dishes in the wok with a large ladle. Steam rose from the food, carrying bursts of delicious fragrance. Yuanen carefully washed vegetables beside him, while Ye Xinglan handled the chopping and prep work with clean, efficient movements. Xu Xiaoyan busied herself arranging bowls and chopsticks, occasionally looking up to check everyone's progress.

On the other side of the courtyard, Le Zhengyu and Xie Xie stood on chairs putting up Spring Festival couplets. Le Zhengyu held one up to judge its position while Xie Xie directed him from below. "A little higher on the left... no, that's too high again!" The two bickered back and forth, making the atmosphere lively and relaxed. Le Zhengyu deliberately stuck the couplet on crooked, making Xie Xie jump in exasperation. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" "Your eyesight is clearly the problem!" They laughed and squabbled until, at last, they high-fived in celebration when the couplet was properly aligned.

Gu Yue stood quietly beneath the eaves, her gaze resting on Tang Wulin. Tang Wulin was standing on a stool hanging lanterns, while Gu Yue softly directed him. "A little to the left... it's crooked, a little more to the right." Tang Wulin patiently adjusted them until Gu Yue nodded and said, "That's good." Only then did he jump down from the stool and wipe the sweat from his forehead. Gu Yue handed him a cup of water, a faint smile in her eyes.

Before long, Ye Xinglan poked her head out from inside. "Dinner's ready!" Everyone filed into the house, where the table was already covered in dishes. The braised pork glistened invitingly, the steamed fish was tender and plump, and there were all kinds of vegetables and soups—so abundant that it was dazzling. Xu Xiaoyan opened a bottle of red wine and carefully poured a glass for everyone. The wineglasses gleamed softly beneath the lights as they sat around the table, all wearing smiles.

"Happy New Year!" Xu Xiaoyan was the first to raise her glass, and everyone else followed. The clear clink of glasses echoed through the room. "Happy New Year!" The voices of all eight blended together, warm and sincere. The stir-fried greens with mushrooms Tang Wulin had specially made were placed in front of Gu Yue. Gu Yue silently pulled the dish closer to herself, looking as though no one else was allowed to touch it. When Xie Xie reached out with his chopsticks, Gu Yue lightly glared at him. He could only awkwardly withdraw his hand, making everyone laugh.

The atmosphere at the table was relaxed as everyone ate and chatted about amusing events from the past year. Xu Lizhi bragged that his cooking had improved, while Yuanen smilingly mocked him for adding too much salt again. Ye Xinglan spoke about her insights from cultivation, while Xu Xiaoyan shared jokes she had encountered at the academy. Le Zhengyu and Xie Xie continued bickering, Gu Yue occasionally added a few comments, and Tang Wulin listened quietly, sometimes placing food Gu Yue liked into her bowl.

Gu Yue carefully guarded that plate of stir-fried greens with mushrooms until she slowly finished it at last. Tang Wulin saw the smile at the corners of her lips, and his heart warmed along with it. Distant firecrackers occasionally sounded outside the window, but inside, everything was warm and cozy.

Late into the night, the dishes gradually dwindled, and the wineglasses were emptied and refilled. Even as they cleared the bowls and chopsticks, everyone continued talking with lingering excitement, as though the night would never end. Gu Yue helped wipe the table when Tang Wulin came to her side and softly said, "We'll celebrate the New Year together again next year." Gu Yue nodded, her eyes reflecting the light and sparkling brightly.