That evening, Pu Yu took them to the station.
The shops on either side of the street had already put up their New Year's lights.
Halos of red and green flickered in the cold wind.
Xu Suiran hugged her again, holding her tight this time, for a long while.
As though she wanted to pass on a whole year's worth of warmth to her.
"Yu, you have to be happy on December 31." She spoke softly into Pu Yu's ear, her voice thick with tears. "I want you to be happy. Always!"
Pu Yu's eyes grew wet. "You too, Sui Sui."
Song Jinnian stood by the vehicle's door, his gaze deep and complicated.
In the end, all he said was, "Take care."
The door closed, and the vehicle slowly drove away, stirring up the fallen leaves on the ground.
Pu Yu stood where she was, watching until it finally disappeared around the corner.
She took her phone out of her pocket. Her fingers were a little stiff from the cold, but she still typed out several messages with practiced ease.
[Today, Sui Sui and the class monitor came to see me.]
[They're both really worried about me, but I'm actually doing pretty well.]
[Yuan Su, I really am living my life properly. Just like you wanted.]
December 31.
New Year's Eve, and Pu Yu's birthday.
Her roommates had all gone out to celebrate, leaving Pu Yu alone in the dorm.
But she didn't feel lonely.
Her grandmother had called especially to remind her to buy herself a cake. She said that when Pu Yu came home for the holidays, she would make her a bowl of hand-rolled noodles herself, with two poached eggs.
Sui Sui had also bombarded her with messages: "Do you like the present? Have you opened