The scarf was wrapped around his nose, covering half his face, revealing only his clear, bright eyes. Lu Lin didn't look away. "Don't you feel it's too short?"
"The definition of 'short' is the definition of 'human.'" Yan Heqing's eyes curved even more. "Compared to time, life is also fleeting."
Lu Lin's eyes darkened. "Your answers always surprise me."
"Really? Then I'm very happy." Yan Heqing smiled and turned back, reaching out to grasp the railing handrail and gazing at the distant lights. "It means I'm a unique person."
Lu Lin remained silent for a moment, then turned to look into the distance.
Bang!
In an instant, countless beams of light shot into the sky from afar.
It's 12 o'clock, it's New Year's Day.
Fireworks burst forth with golden sparks, blooming like flowers or falling like raindrops, illuminating the entire night sky like a grand and lingering golden rain shower.
Buzzing.
The phone in my pocket vibrated at the same time.
Every New Year's Eve, Lu Lin's phone receives more than 99 New Year's greetings text messages per second.
This was the first time Yan Heqing had used his phone.
He took out his phone; there were several messages: from the coffee shop manager, from the welfare home, and from an unknown number.
"Happy New Year, Xiao Yan!"
The next second, another message came in. "Sorry, wrong number, it should be 'Happy,' Happy New Year!"
Yan Heqing didn't reply immediately; he put his phone back.
Lu Lin hadn't checked the text message when a phone call suddenly came in.
He took out his phone; it was a call from Xie Yunjie.
Lu Lin was still glancing at Yan Heqing out of the corner of his eye. The young man was focused on the fireworks, and the firelight made his cheeks glow with a soft, velvety light.
Unaware that the call had been disconnected, another call came in, and Lu Lin swiped to answer it.
"What's up?"
"!" Lin Fengzhi jumped up from the bed instantly.
As midnight approached, he excused himself by saying he had a stomachache and went back to his room to call Lu Lin for his first New Year's greeting. He hadn't held out much hope; every time he texted Lu Lin, it was like throwing a stone into the sea—no response whatsoever. But to his surprise, Lu Lin answered! Uncle Lu had answered his call!
Lin Fengzhi also heard the sound of fireworks coming from the receiver.
Is Uncle Lu watching fireworks?
The Lin Family's servants were also setting off fireworks in the backyard, right downstairs from Lin Fengzhi.
He covered the receiver, cheered excitedly a few times, ran barefoot to the French windows, pulled back the curtains, and gazed at the dazzling fireworks outside.
In short, he basically watched the fireworks and chatted with Uncle Lu!
Lin Fengzhi to his pounding chest, took several deep breaths, and finally released the receiver, a smile spreading across his face, " Uncle Lu, it's me—"
Beep, beep, beep...
Lu Lin is long gone.
"..." Lin Fengzhi's smile froze.
What?!
He quickly redialed, but other people kept calling Lu Lin, and the line remained busy.
Lin Fengzhi had no choice but to give up.
He slumped, tossed his phone aside, and kicked the air in frustration, but then he saw the dazzling fireworks outside the window and his face brightened.
Uncle Lu answered the first phone call of the new year!
His cheeks flushed crimson, and he clasped his hands together, making a sincere wish towards the fireworks outside the window, "Next year on this day, please bless me and Uncle Lu to be alone anywhere, just the two of us, watching fireworks together!"
*
The other party didn't respond, so Lu Lin hung up. He saw that it was an unknown number, not Xie Yunjie's. Lu Lin casually added it to the blacklist, put his phone on silent, and put it back in his pocket.
Just then, Yan Heqing called out to him, " Mr. Lu."
Lu Lin turned to the side, and a pot of crystal-clear lotus flowers, as if carved from jade, appeared before his eyes.
Yan Heqing held a small potted plant in his hands.
He had pulled his scarf back around his neck, revealing his entire face, his pupils reflecting the occasional bright fireworks.
Seeing Lu Lin looking over, a warm smile spread across her lips. "Happy New Year."
Lu Lin's pupils contracted sharply, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, and after a moment he took the potted plant. "It looks like a lotus, what's it called?"
"Jade Dew," Yan Heqing said with a smile, "Only needs watering once every 8-10 days. Keep it in a cool, well-ventilated place, and avoid direct sunlight and rain."
The fireworks display was nearing its end; the night sky had been ablaze with color for ten minutes before returning to tranquility.
Yan Heqing stretched his arms slightly, carrying the empty paper bag as he headed back to the villa.
Something blocked his way.
In the dim light, it appeared to be an envelope.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a red envelope.
The red envelope left at Lu Lin's place last time? Yan Heqing didn't accept it, " Mr. Lu..."
"It's a New Year's red envelope for you." Lu Lin looked at him intently. "It's not much, but it's a good omen."
Yan Heqing then accepted the red envelope, put it in his pocket, and tilted his head back, his eyes curving slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Lu. This is the first red envelope I've ever received."
--
The maid has already prepared the guest rooms on the second floor.
It's not big, but it's warmly decorated and feels like home. Most importantly, there's a floor-to-ceiling solid wood bookcase filled with books.
I only glanced at it a few times, but I already saw many out-of-print books.
Yan Heqing didn't touch it; he quietly looked at the book title for a while before going into the bathroom.
He wanted to take a shower, and as he took off his clothes, he touched his pants pocket and felt a red envelope.
He took off his coat downstairs and put the red envelope in his pants pocket.
The red envelope that Lu Lin prepared was similar to the one he bought; it was a standard one.
Open the red envelope and take out a not-too-thick stack of banknotes.
As Lu Lin said, not much, just a good omen, 888.
All of them are new banknotes.
Yan Heqing leaned closer, sniffed lightly, and noticed a unique, fresh scent of ink, which smelled wonderful.
A few walls away, Lu Lin sat at his desk. Only the desk lamp was on in the room, casting a soft orange glow on the translucent leaves. His slender fingers slowly turned the small flowerpot.
After a long while, Lu Lin put down the potted plant, pulled out a chair, got up, and went into the bathroom.
Hot water poured down from above, and the image of the boy's smile flashed through my mind.
And that sound.
"Happy New Year."
Lu Lin closed his eyes, the hot water flowing over his hard, protruding Adam's apple. With a sigh, three words silently escaped his lips.