When Shen Xi Fan returned home, she saw a pile of burlap sacks and gift boxes in the living room. As she went to wash her hands in the bathroom, she heard a rustling sound coming from a plastic bucket. Curious, she lifted the lid and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! There’s a snake!”
This startled her father, who came over with a smile, teasing the creature with a small wooden stick. “That’s an eel. Why are you so scared?”
Shen Xi Fan grimaced. “Take it to the balcony! I can’t stand having something like that around while I use the bathroom!”
Then, she heard squeaking noises from one of the sacks. Her father explained, “Those are crabs, and this one is a carp. Fan Fan, come help me transfer the fish into the bucket. Be careful not to hurt them, or your mother will be upset again.”
During dinner, Shen’s mother happily directed the allocation of seafood to be sent to grandparents’ and relatives’ homes. “Pick out a few boxes of fresh seafood for your grandfather and uncle’s families. Also, those vegetables from the agricultural bureau’s greenhouses are growing well this year.”
Shen’s father nodded in agreement. “Sending flowers, vegetables, and fruits for the New Year is practical!”
Shen Xi Fan blinked, suddenly realizing, “Oh… I see why there are so many things at home. It’s almost Chinese New Year!”
Her mother frowned. “You’re always focused on work. You don’t even know if you have any holidays during the New Year. This year, on New Year’s Eve, your uncle will host, on the first day, we’ll visit your grandfather’s house, and on the second day, they’ll come over for dinner. We’ll just cook some home-style dishes.”
Shen Xi Fan lamented, “And I have to give red envelopes to the kids again. I’m going broke!”
Indeed, Chinese New Year was approaching. Visitors arrived at Shen’s home in the evening, mostly colleagues from her mother’s office, bringing with them two pots of orchids named “Sea Butterfly’s Whisper,” six pots of kumquats, and several boxes of oranges, mandarins, kiwi, and strawberries.
Having food to share was Shen Xi Fan’s only anticipation for the upcoming holiday. Although material life was abundant now, she still found joy in simple family gatherings and meals. Even if it was just cabbage and tofu, it would taste sweet.
Online discussions abound about how to celebrate the New Year nowadays and the program schedule for the Spring Festival Gala. Some even openly recruited “temporary girlfriends” or “temporary boyfriends” online to appease their parents’ pressure for marriage.
She casually clicked on a webpage, where the post was seeking advice on proposing to his girlfriend. It was highly popular, with numerous comments from netizens, mostly women, unanimously requesting diamonds as the ideal gift.
Indeed, “diamonds are forever” had an irresistible charm even to the most refined and aloof women, such as Shen Xi Fan, who couldn’t resist the allure of the “Platinum Heart Shadow” necklace.
But was it what she deserved? She remembered the disappointment on Ye Heng’s face this afternoon. She felt a twinge of guilt, but after all, he had hurt her first. Did she long for that feeling of affection from three years ago, or was it resentment from the past hurt?
She thought to herself, perhaps this was enough. When it was time to get married, she would find a suitable person, have a simple courtship, and then get married. During the New Year, she would visit the other family, joyously calling him “brother-in-law,” collecting red envelopes from the elders, having a few drinks with her grandfather, playing mahjong with her aunts, and thus a year would pass. Maybe this was what it meant to be a family.
Yet she couldn’t help but feel unsatisfied. Was this the life she wanted? Was this the love she dreamed of? In this bustling city, did she have her own pure and sincere affection?
At the morning meeting the next day, Mr. Cheng suddenly proposed to hold a year-end celebration at a hotel, where bonuses would be distributed. Shen Xi Fan felt like she had finally made it through the year.
As she walked home alone, she was drawn to the lively scene on the streets. Passing by the supermarket, she couldn’t help but reminisce about her childhood during the New Year. Unable to resist, she entered and bought rose cakes, white rice cakes, sesame tangyuan, and a box of Swiss chocolates.
But she was somewhat disappointed. Why weren’t there any candied haws? Coincidentally, as she walked past Times Square, she saw several elderly people carrying sticks with haws hung on them, bright red and inviting. A child beside them was picking out some.
After picking for a while, she finally chose a string that looked particularly abundant and beautiful. Just as she was about to pay, a familiar voice next to her said, “I’ll have a string too!”
She couldn’t believe it. She had encountered He Su Ye at this moment. He was wearing a coffee-colored coat, radiating warmth and smiling softly, his dimples as sweet as the candied haws. Shen Xi Fan suddenly felt a chill. What a strange scene—a handsome doctor paired with a string of candied haws!
Indeed, this string of candied haws made He Su Ye abandon his usual serious and cautious demeanor. He ate with relish, unconcerned about others, which left Shen Xi Fan speechless.
Shen Xi Fan asked curiously, “Why do I keep running into you lately?”
He Su Ye smiled. “I’ve been busy with the boss’s experiments lately. I usually finish work around this time.”
“What are you busy with? State secrets, biochemical weapons, or biological viruses?”
“Why do you always have such sinister thoughts in your head? Don’t doctors always think about how to help people? Like digestive tablets, you know, something similar!”
“So, you’re here to buy candied haws?”
“They’re delicious, sour, and sweet, hawthorn aids digestion, promotes circulation, especially helpful for digesting greasy food. Plus, they’re full of memories. During the New Year when I was a child, my family would always buy these. It’s very festive.”
“When are you going to give me a taste of that medicine of yours?”
“When you’re so full you can’t walk straight!”
“Then won’t I turn into a pig?”
“Who says you’re not already one?… Xiao Yatou, I’m just kidding. Don’t be mad!”
The year-end celebration at Gu Nanhuating was quite grand, but for Shen Xi Fan, nothing seemed to attract her except for the bonus.
The subsequent ball was equally boring. During the event, she only danced one dance with Lin Yi Shen, and that was because her dancing was too clumsy, so she voluntarily excused herself.
At that moment, she was feeling emotional when a fair hand extended towards her. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, Miss Shen?”
She blurted out, “If you don’t mind me bombing your left and right feet alternately, then I guess…” But she paused, struck by the familiarity of the dialogue. Was it like a flashback to five years ago?
Back then, when the college organized a remedial dance class, Shen Xi Fan was limited in talent. Once she moved her feet, she forgot her hands, stiff all over, and carefully afraid of stepping on the other person’s feet. Her dance partner kept comforting her, “Don’t be nervous, just relax your body.”
But how could she relax? At her wit’s end, a boy said to her dance partner, “Let me teach her. She’s staring at the floor so much; she’s worn holes into it!”
Embarrassed and annoyed, she lifted her head and saw a handsome face and gentle smiling eyes. She couldn’t refuse anymore, and so she fell into her downfall, irredeemable.
After that, whenever there was a school dance, the phrase “If you don’t mind me bombing your left and right feet alternately” became their code. Among all the dance partners, only Ye Heng would laugh and remind her, “Xiao Fan, I think you’ve stepped on my foot again.”
Gentle affection flowed in Ye Heng’s eyes, just like five years ago. He familiarly took Shen Xi Fan’s hand, as they had done hundreds, thousands of times before.
The orange glow of the crystal chandelier, and the clear reflection of the water, made Shen Xi Fan feel a bit dreamy and dizzy. The music accompanied her faint breath, and the emptiness in her heart expanded and expanded further. She struggled to control her overflowing emotions.
The eyes of the people around were focused on the two of them, creating an atmosphere that rejected outsiders. It only existed in their own space. She inexplicably felt a bit lost. Suddenly, she felt his breath getting closer, entwining, and somewhat helpless.
Suddenly, she decisively let go of his hand and turned away. It was a close call; she almost fell into the same trap again.
With wet cheeks, the cold water instantly woke her up. She didn’t want to go back in. As she was leaving, she saw Lin Yi Shen holding her coat and handbag, waving at her.
She felt a bit embarrassed. “Thank you, senior. Did I show too much attitude?”
Lin Yi Shen smiled. “I didn’t expect Junior Sister to have a temper too. What’s wrong, upset because your ex showed up?”
Shen Xi Fan frowned. “Senior, let me ask you a question. Why can guys break up with girls without any warning signs?”
Lin Yi Shen stared. “Are you accusing me of being fickle? I can’t explain this question either, but it seems to be the usual method for guys. Tired, bored, they feel like even one word is unnecessary, and then they passively avoid, seeking new excitement until they’re forced to say ‘let’s break up.'”
Seeing Shen Xi Fan’s indignant expression, he added, “Back then, we were all young and reckless, just missing the word ‘responsibility.’ But who didn’t grow up hurting others along the way!”
Shen Xi Fan smiled bitterly, “If we could have just sat down and talked calmly back then, it wouldn’t be like this now. I wouldn’t be so confused—whether I’m still not over him or just holding a grudge.”
Before she could finish speaking, her phone rang. It was Li Jie. She quickly answered, and he asked, “Shen Xi Fan, do you have time? Want to come over for dumplings? What kind of filling do you like? Oh, we’re all at our senior brother’s place!”
Before she could reply, Li Jie continued, “We’ve got chive, three delicacies, pure meat, and green beans. Which do you like? We’ll make more of those.” He left her no room to refuse.
Carrying two roast ducks, she arrived at He Suye’s place. As she reached the stairs, she heard Li Jie’s voice, “Fang Kexin, how can you, a girl, not know how to make dumplings? Let me show you!”
She knocked on the door and waited for a while before someone answered. A guy with flour-covered hands and a face appeared. He looked a bit mischievous and seemed like the type that attracts girls, “Hey, pretty girl, who are you looking for?”
She stammered, “He… Li Jie…”
Then He Suye poked his head out and smiled at her, his face also dusted with flour, looking very homey. Fang Kexin was sitting on the sofa, looking upset while watching TV. Some people from their last gathering greeted her.
Li Jie, always amusing, immediately started talking, “I was just talking about you, and now you’re here! Great! Shen Xi Fan, come help me with the dumplings. You know how to make them, right? Don’t tell me you can’t!”
Before she knew it, Shen Xi Fan was covered in flour, helplessly unable to grab a tissue to clean herself. He Suye freed a hand, wiped her with a damp towel, and handed her his apron. “I’ll cook the dumplings. You don’t need to.”
With confidence, he remarked, “You have feelings for that girl, don’t you?” His hand trembled as he held a plate. Smiling, he openly admitted, “YeAh you figured it out so quickly?”
Qiu Tian was taken aback, “Surprising! Surprising!” Then he put on his usual nonchalant grin, “I think she’s great—honest and easygoing. Hey, have you confessed yet, or did she turn you down? You probably haven’t confessed yet, right? What a slowpoke…”
He Suye sighed, “Can you not be so sharp? It’s terrifying. If Fang Kexin knew what you were up to, she’d kill you!”
Qiu Tian snorted, “I can’t stand seeing her treat you so well. And you just act like, ‘Really? Is that so?’ It’s unbearable. Why do more girls always like you than me? It’s annoying!”
He Suye squinted, pondering, even I know you like Fang Kexin. Otherwise, why did you always have Li Jie tell me she liked me? However, there might be some truth to it.
Qiu Tian reached out to lift the pot lid. “Why don’t you go and confess?”
As the steam rose, the window fogged up, making Qiu Tian’s vision blurry. Through the fine mist, He Suye’s face appeared, tinged with a faint melancholy. “If you don’t let go of the past, how can you embrace the future? I don’t want to pressure her or force her. As long as I can stand by her side and see her happy, that’s enough.”
Qiu Tian patted his shoulder, “Didn’t expect you to evolve so quickly, Suye. Darwin’s theory of evolution might need a rewrite!”
Everyone ate way too much that evening. They lay sprawled on the couch, groaning and clutching their stomachs. Li Jie called out, “Senior brother, where’s the digestion medicine?”
Shen Xi Fan remembered the new medication He Suye mentioned last time and couldn’t help but laugh. Then she saw him approach with a bowl of something dark but surprisingly fragrant. Could it be the new medicine?
It hadn’t been patented or approved by the drug administration yet. Was he using them as test subjects? Usually, volunteers get paid for clinical trials. She didn’t want to be a guinea pig for free.
But it tasted really good, with flavors of hawthorn and orange. Qiu Tian sampled it and listed the ingredients, “Hawthorn, malt, green peel, black plum, bitter orange. This is the concoction from that old pharmacist?”
He Suye nodded seriously, “I made this in the lab for fun. How does it taste?”
Everyone laughed and reached for more. Shen Xi Fan couldn’t help but glance at He Suye several times. He was leaning on the couch, his bangs falling over his forehead. He leaned closer and whispered, “Hey, little girl, want to go get some candied hawthorns tomorrow night?”
She met his gaze and smiled, “Sure, it’s a date!”
She thought of the candied hawthorns, the red syrup coating the round fruit. No fancy sesame or bean paste, just the simplest and most delicious treat.
She was a perfectionist at heart, always idealistic. She wanted her love to be like those candied hawthorns—pure and simple, without the need for diamonds or gold. Just the love itself, like the taste of hawthorns and syrup, a mix of sweet and sour, endlessly delightful.
And He Suye—could he be the one to hand her a stick of candied hawthorns on a snowy, bustling street?