As the hour hand reached its endpoint, snowflakes began drifting from the sky. In that instant, brilliant fireworks lit up the starry sky.
Wen Shaoyu wore a black leather jacket over a turtleneck sweater, paired with cargo pants and leather boots, and leaned languidly against the black G-Class behind him.
Through the glass door, multicolored light flashed past, and Zheng Yan Che seemed to see a gentle smile on his face.
Fireworks and firecrackers clattered around him, yet Zheng Yan Che could clearly hear his own quickening heartbeat.
Steadying his rapid breathing, Zheng Yan Che pulled open the door and walked, step by step, into a new year.
Wen Shaoyu did not move, simply watching him come to his side.
"You... why are you here?"
Zheng Yan Che asked composedly, pretending to be unruffled.
Wen Shaoyu looked him over and chuckled. Suddenly, he reached out and, amid Zheng Yan Che's startled cry, pinned him between himself and the car.
Wen Shaoyu leaned closer, opened his jacket, and wrapped him in his arms. "Why were you running so fast? It's not as if I'd run away."
Warmth spread through his whole body, and only then did Zheng Yan Che realize he had run downstairs in nothing but a sweater and house slippers.
Embarrassment burned at his ears. Zheng Yan Che lowered his eyes, avoiding that intrigued gaze. "I wasn't."
Normally, Wen Shaoyu would never have let such an opportunity to tease him slip by, refusing to stop until he had riled him up, but today he was unusually gentle.
"Happy New Year."
Somewhere beneath one of the buildings, children laughed and played in the snow, punctuated by the occasional crack of firecrackers.
Zheng Yan Che firmly wrapped his arms around the waist beneath the leather jacket, tilted his head up, and